Tamsin from Edinburgh

About me I am a writer, bodyworker, walking artist and psychogeographer living in Edinburgh. I have an extensive travel blog and my writing/walkshops have been featured in the Wee Review, The List, Caught By the River, Walking Artists Network, Social Art Library, the Urban Tree Festival, 4WCoP and Walking Encounters. Death and Loss in Shiatsu Practice was published in 2020. Why ...

Feb 27, 2025

Newhaven Harbour Edinburgh

Fish and chips by the sea

"Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour..."

The Royal Yacht Britannia (at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre) is one of Edinburgh’s main tourist attractions, but not so many people know that a twenty-minute walk west (a mere 7 minutes on the bus) will take you to the quaint and rather cute Newhaven Harbour.

James IV of Scotland created it in 1504 to build the warship ‘Michael’, and, in the 19th century, it was the start of the route to New York via Glasgow. Well known for its oysters (until 1890), and once involved in whaling, it was Scottish folk songs about the herring business such as Caller Herring which first brought it to my attention. Fishing boats, including one I see regularly unloading its crab cargo, still work out of here supplying a warehouse where the catch is processed and a retail fishmonger, Welchs, which has an astonishing array of fresh and frozen seafood and associated goods.

Try taking a walk around the area. It projects into the sea with footpaths, breezy seating, a housing development, a leisure centre (with an outside pool), and a pool of protected water where you can see swans most of the year round (and cygnets in the Spring). It takes about an hour. There are also many restaurant outlets here, a climbing wall in an old church opposite, and cafes for drinks and snacks nearby.

Coffee & tea

Relaxing

Restaurants

About this spot

9 Anchorfield, Newhaven

free

Social

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