They Once Were Shipbuilders

Leith Built Ships Volume 1: They Once Were Shipbuilders by R.O. Neish is the first volume in a comprehensive maritime history series exploring Scotland’s rich shipbuilding heritage. This detailed account traces the development of Leith shipyards from the mid-19th century to the end of the First World War, highlighting the port’s vital role in British and global maritime history.

Focusing on Scottish maritime history and industrial heritage, the book documents the evolution of shipbuilding technology in Leith—from traditional wooden hulls and iron construction to advanced steel ship design. It examines the vessels built in Leith shipyards, their worldwide voyages, and their involvement in trade, exploration, and wartime service, revealing the global reach of Leith-built ships.

The book also brings to life the people behind the industry, including skilled shipyard workers, engineers, and craftsmen whose expertise helped establish Leith as one of Scotland’s most important shipbuilding centres. Their contributions are placed within the broader social and economic history of the port, once Scotland’s principal maritime gateway.

With a shipbuilding tradition spanning over 660 years, Leith played a pioneering role in Britain’s maritime development — building vessels centuries before the rise of the Clyde shipyards. These ships served in major conflicts, supported global trade routes and shaped countless lives at sea.

Ideal for readers interested in Scottish shipbuilding history, maritime archaeology, and industrial heritage, this volume begins an authoritative series celebrating Leith’s enduring legacy as a world-class shipbuilding port.