Mural at North Junction St., Leith

This rather old mural is on the gable end of a building in Leith, which I happened to pass by on Saturday.

From reading the rather old and worn-out information board alongside, I discovered that it was created in the 1980s by artists Paul Grime and Tim Chalk as part of a public art project. Local children and senior citizens contributed ideas for the mural's themes, including shipbuilding, dock life, children playing, a Gaiety Theatre programme and a strike demonstration.

The most poignant reference however is on the left hand side of this image, where you can see coffins being carried through Leith. This commemorates the victims of the Gretna Train Disaster of May 1915. It caused the death of 214 young recruits from the 7th Battalion of the Royal Scots, the majority being from Leith. They had been on their way to Gallipoli to fight for their country when their train was involved in a multiple collision at Gretna, near Carlisle. Over 120 coffins were brought back to Battalion HQ in Leith. It was one of the darketst days in the history of Leith.

I'm so glad I passed this way, as I never knew of the mural's existence, and I was unaware of this very sad piece of history.

[Sarah Bremner]

Awesome image and thank you for the 'history'
...I was not aware of this either. 🥲

[Maggiemae]

Thanks for the history that we may or may not have known. You need to know the story while looking at this!

[Casablanca]

That is a poignant tale indeed. What an interesting mural

[Kathy A]

That’s an interesting mural

[Lesley]

A fabulous mural that has lasted so well. Thank you for the information. Very interesting

[Diana]

Such a great discovery of this sad and poignant mural. An interesting narrative to accompany it, thanks for sharing.

[Brian]

Well found - poignant image and narrative

[Valerie Chesney]

Great find & capture.
Sad background.

[Joan Robillard]

What a tragic story.

[Corinne C]

A moving tribute

[Tom]

What a great mural, capture of it and story

[Judith Johnson]

A stunning piece of artwork and a sense of the history and sadness here

[KWind]

Nicely photographed!

[Merrelyn]

What a tragic story.

[bkb in the city]

Beautiful way to honour the victims

[Boxplayer]

It looks so interesting

[Margaret Brown]

So sad and what a huge loss, nice there is some history of it.

[Beverley]

Could be you were meant to pass by and discover this sad but important detail to share with the world.
The mural is old but still hanging.. very very interesting to read 🙏

[Pat Knowles]

I hadn’t heard of that tragedy either. How very sad for them all…..bad enough going to war but to be killed on the way….how futile! It’s a very descriptive mural.

[Carole Sandford]

What an interesting mural & a great find!

[Phil Howcroft]

214 deaths , that's so sad Issi. thanks for telling the story , it is important we remember

[Babs]

What an interesting find and a sad story.

[Islandgirl]

Interesting find and the mural is outstanding!

[Kathy]

A nice representation of the story depicted in the mural. A tragedy for the families of this town.

[Tunia McClure]

very sad

[Dorothy]

So very interesting and so sad. I hope they find money to save this piece of history.

[LManning (Laura)]

It’s quite a poignant reminder.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

Great capture- it's a beautiful piece of history even with its sorrow.

[Rick]

Great capture.

[eDorre]

Beautiful capture of the detailed mural. Thanks for the story too

[Jacqueline]

Works great in b&w!

[Mary Siegle]

Thank you for the bit of history. How tragic! This is a wonderful image, and it works so well in black and white.