Leith Museum drive steers in right direction

Published on Friday 22 February 2008 09:23

THE creation of a Leith Museum has moved a step closer after a government committee urged ministers to set up a steering group to explore the possibility.

The move came after the Public Petitions Committee at Holyrood examined the calls for the attraction, which has been supported by hundreds of people.

The Leith Museum Group has identified the National Museums of Scotland building at Leith Custom House as the ideal venue.

The campaign has also gained the support of local politicians, community leaders, the city council, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian and the Scottish Museums Council.

The petitions committee has now agreed unanimously to send the petition to Culture Minister Linda Fabiani, with recommendations for further action, including the setting up of a steering group.

Jim Tweedy, chair of the Leith Local History Society, said it was a huge step towards the museum becoming a reality.

"It is massively important, although we are not kidding ourselves and we know there is a long way to go yet," he said.

"This museum will not be created tomorrow, but this is a huge step. All previous efforts to establish a Leith Museum have faltered at the first hurdle, but we now have a very dedicated committee pushing this forward and we won't stop until we get the museum up and running."

The new museum would be expected to celebrate landmark occasions in Leith over the years, including the visit of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1561, the attempted attack by the American navy during the War of Independence in 1779 and the Siege of Leith from 1559 to 1560.

It would also chart the fortunes of Hibernian Football Club as well as honour the achievements of famous Leithers such as folk singer Dick Gaughan, chart-toppers the Proclaimers, writer Irvine Welsh and artist Eduardo Paolozzi.

Earlier this month, a city council report on the future of the Capital's museums and galleries identified a "clear opportunity" for the local authority to work in partnership with others towards making the Leith Museum a reality.

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz, who has been involved in the campaign, said: "The recommendation from the committee is encouraging and it adds to the support that we are receiving from many different quarters for the idea.

"There is still a long way to go but we have support from the council and we are in talks with possible funders so there is progress being made."