Day 92
Leith Sands and Races
Whan on Leith-sands the racers rare,
“Wi' jockey louns are met,
“Their orro pennies there to ware,
“And drown themsel's in debt
“Fu' deep that day.”
Leith Races painting by William Thomas Reed, (c) City of Edinburgh Art Collection
The Leith Races were the place to be in the 1800s! This popular festival took place annually from as early as the 1500s. The exact year it started is unknown but there is a record of James IV paying a jokey in 1504 to "the boy that ran the King’s horse", at Leith.
Of course, this Leith event was more than merely a race or two. The Leith Races lasted for a week at the end of July beginning of August and were seen as the great working class festival of the year. Tents, booths, carnivals and more would pitch themselves along the sands of Leith and crowds were known to be very lively, raucous and drunk, with fights breaking out all along Leith Walk.
William Fleming Vallance, Leith Races, Edinburgh, Dated 1862, copyright National Galleries of Scotland'
The competition was fierce, by the 1800’s it was said there had never been a better meeting.
The many Prizes included the City of Edinburgh purse of £50, His Majesty’s purse of 100 guineas and the Ladies Subscription of 50 guineas. But the top prize (from 1738-39), the main event was an exquisite golden teapot, “the King’s prize”. You can find it today on display at the National Museum of Scotland.
Then in 1816 the races were moved East to Musselburgh. The soft sands of Leith were no longer deemed suitable for horses. After moving, the races became a much more sedate affair. The sprawling beaches of Leith were slowly whittled away by docks and reclaiming land. Today one of the last remaining Leith beaches has been fenced off due to concerns around fly-tipping and safety. For more info there are articles linked below.
The tinkler billies i' the Bow
Are now less eident clinking,
As langs their pith or siller dow,
They're daffin and they're drinking.
Bedown Leith-walk what bourochs reel
O' ilka trade and station,
That gar their wives an' childer feel
Toom wames for their libation
O' drink thir days.
Both poem excerpts taken from ‘Leith Races’ by Robert Ferguson. Fergusson, one of Scotland’s great Poets, was born in Edinburgh, September 5, 1750 and only lived to the age of 24. Find the full ‘Leith Races’ poem by Robert Ferguson here.