(Out of The Blue) Drill Hall Edinburgh

Cafe/arts hangout

Mark from Edinburgh

""(Out of The Blue) Drill Hall" is a community arts centre in Edinburgh's Leith with a nice cafe. It is strongly connected to the 1915 Gretna disaster..."

Out of the Blue's Drill Hall is a community arts centre, exhibition space and cafe/bar in the very heart of Leith.

Its name comes from the fact that it was an army barracks and drill hall for many years since its opening in 1901.

Of particular historical significance is its role in the 1915 Gretna disaster, the worst crash in the history of British rail travel.

Of the 227 dead, 102 came from the 7th (Leith) Battalion of the Royal Scots, heading for Gallipoli. Their bodies were laid out in the Drill Hall prior to burial in Leith.

There are poignant memories of these young men on show amidst an often eclectic series of exhibitions and events. I've been to gigs (King Creosote anybody?) vintage sales, photography exhibitions and 'Kilo Sales' of quality used clothing here.

There's a couple of Christmas arts markets and bruncheons in December (a fancy word for Leith I have to say).

But events aside, it's a building of architectural interest and the cafe is really good.

It's a cool place to hang out and meet artistic and creative 'Leithers' (residents of Leith - the up and coming Greenwich Village of Edinburgh.)

The mural outside (pictured above) by Kirsty Whiten is a sight to behold.

Art & culture

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Coffee & tea

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Edinburgh Spotter Mark

About me I'm Mark. Apart from my university days, I have lived in Edinburgh all my life. I chair Creative Edinburgh, the organisation that helps creative professionals network and grow their businesses. It promotes the city beyond its boundaries. I'm an ad man having worked in advertising since the mid 1980s but for a decade and more have done my own thing. I love art, travel, theatre, music, cinema, food, wine, beer, cooking, cycling, walking – sometimes all in the same day. Some would call me bohemian I suppose. My wife, Jeana, and I have an Air B'n'B room in...

About this spot

36 Dalmeny Street

no-price

Website

1315557100

Social

Oct 2, 2025

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