Margaret Gray was born in Leith in 1929 and spent her formative years there. Educated at Leith Academy Primary School, she recalls her friends, teachers and the day to day routines which were disrupted with the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

Despite two attempts to evacuate from Leith, Margaret found herself back there in the midst of the wartime action, still a young girl.

Margaret's lived experience is testament to the circumstances of young Leithers back in the 1930s. Her memories are vivid and her stories fascinating, humorous and poignant.

The Living Memory Association receives the recollections we hear without judgement or correction. On occasion you may hear events being described in language that was acceptable at the time.

Cover picture: Leith Academy Primary One Class, 1935. Margaret Gray is pictured on the second back row, fourth from the right.

Interview recorded November, 2025.

Thanks to Setuniman for use of their dreamy-loop track found on Freesound.org

Jim Blaikie is a Leith poet and author, born in 1933, whose work draws deeply on
the life, place, and dialect of his home. His best known work include A Laddie
Looks at Leith, in which he captures memories, laughter and tears reflecting on
what #Leith was like in his childhood. Join us in this nostalgic, lyrical journey,
which celebrates the spirit of the Leith community and the power of the Scots
language.

Rose Minto was born Rose McIntyre on March 13th 1920. She spent her first 14 years in Bridge Street in Leith. Bridge street is now known as Sandport Place. None of the buidings exist that Rose would have known. Aside from The Rose Leaf pub, known as The Black Swan in Rose's day. (see widescreen photo.) Rose had an amazing and detailed recall of her life. These are evocative memories of life in Leith in the 1920s and 30s. The streets, the backgreen, the crowded housing, the shops, the pawn brokers and offal butchers. The close community, poverty and complex family relationship. Rose paints a vivid, unsentimental picture of life 90 years.

Recorded in 2008 when Rose was 88.