Folk singer writes protest song about Leith Docks name change (hear it now)

Published on Thursday 26 February 2009 09:14

FROM anti-war rallies to campaigns to free political prisoners, emotive historic events have musical backdrops that will forever be recorded in time.

And now Leithers are to have their own protest song as they take on Fort Ports in an emotional battle to stop their docks being rebranded "Edinburgh Harbour".

The song Siege of Leith is the brainchild of Leith folk singer Allan Johnston who is one of thousands of residents who have pledged their opposition to the proposed renaming of the historic docks.

He said: "I think it is the greatest of insults to the people of Leith and their traditions to suddenly come along and rename Leith docks for no other reason than a corporate one."

The song was written only last weekend following a discussion among campaigners in a pub over Fort Ports' decision to use Edinburgh Harbour as the name for the central part of a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the docks, close to the existing Ocean Terminal site.

The organisation believe that the use of "Edinburgh" in the name will benefit the global branding of the development, which is to include a state-of-the-art cruise liner terminal.

But it insists that "Leith Docks" will remain as the overall "umbrella" name for the whole area.

Mr Johnston, founder of the Leith Folk Club, said: "I was in the Harbour Inn on Saturday night and we got talking about the issue and the coverage it has been getting in the paper.

"I said that I was actually writing a lot of new material at the moment and that maybe I could have a go at doing something for this. So, I went home and wrote it on Sunday and recorded it on Monday in my studio. I did it on a whim really – if there is any way I can help this campaign I will."

The protest song epitomises Leithers' battle with Forth Ports, with lines, "Don't they understand, don't they have a clue, of you and me, of me and you", drawing on key arguments in the row.

Mr Johnston said: "Forth Ports are on their own with this. Leith is known all over the world as a port – it has always been one.

"They think they are doing nothing wrong, but they cannot say they are being considerate if everyone is in total opposition."

More than 4000 signatures were last week handed over to the council in the first wave of petitions being collected across Leith. The council has no say over the name of the development but many key members – including leader Jenny Dawe – have asked Forth Ports to rethink its plans.

Save Leith campaigner Ian Lutton said: "This is not about Leithers being against change in the area. The very people who value the name 'Leith' are the ones who are most likely to fight for progression."

Forts Ports has repeatedly said that the brand "Edinburgh Harbour" will not be withdrawn and that it is not actually renaming Leith Docks.

&#149 www.allanjohnston.co.uk

&#149 www.forthports.co.uk