Leith Walk Heritage in Pictures: Here are 28 incredible photos of the iconic Edinburgh street in the 1950s and 1960s

It’s a historic thoroughfare that dates back centuries, connecting Edinburgh City Centre with the now-fashionable neighbourhood of Leith.

Leith Walk dates as far back as the mid-15th century when historians believe there was a rough pathway following the route of the modern road.

The rampart developed into a footpath described by writer Daniel Defoe in 1725 as “a very handsome gravel walk, 20 feet broad, continued to the Town of Leith, which is kept in good repair at the public charge, and no horse suffered to come upon it”.

Read more: Leith Heritage in Pictures: Here are 28 fascinating photos of Edinburgh's Leith in the 1950s and 1960s - from much-missed shops to kids at play

The fact that no vehicles were allowed on the route led to it becoming known as ‘The Walk’, and it was limited to pedestrians until the latter part of the 18th century.

When wheeled traffic eventually arrived, it quickly became a busy route – by 1779 a total of 156 coaches travelled up and down Leith Walk each day, charging around 3d per passenger, and taking them from Edinburgh to Leith, which didn’t officially become part of the Capital until 1920.

By the 1960s it was a thriving part of town, bustling with residents and businesses.

Here are 28 pictures to take you back to Leith Walk in the 1950s and 1960s.

Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.