'It's no for us now son' – Leithers lament hipster takeover

Source: scotsman.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Leith, Edinburgh's historic port, has morphed from shipbuilding hub to trendy enclave of cortado bars and £300 hamster-hair jumpers. Columnist Stephen Jardine charts this shift, mourning the loss of sailors, deckhands, and authentic locals to influencers and digital nomads. Published 4th Apr 2026, it captures peak gentrification amid Scotland's urban renewal debates. Leith's resilience shines through rats and holdouts like Tom Kitchin's restaurant.

Key moments & milestones

Signature highlights

Key quotes

It’s no for us now son.”

—Two original Leithers on the tram, passing their old home en route to Ocean Terminal bingo.

Why it matters

Gentrification erodes community fabric in ports like Leith, swapping industrial grit for curated quirk, pricing out natives citywide. Readers in changing neighbourhoods face hikes in £13 tins over pub pints, weighing authenticity against buzz. Watch if rats and rats prevail or if social media whims fade, letting real Leithers reclaim ground.