Day 3

Mary Moriarty - Queen of Leith

People of Leith:
On Day 3 of 100 Days of Leith we introduce the first of a series devised by local Claire Smith titled Voices of Leith. It begins with an interview of long serving licensee of the Port O’ Leith pub, car boot sale devotee, community champion and former chair of Leith Festival - Mary Moriarty, popularly known as the ‘Queen of Leith’.

I remember once I collected my grandson from school.   He was about eight years old and he said: “Granny.  How do you know so many men?”

I was at the Port O’ Leith pub for 25 years so I got to know a lot of people and I must say I had a lovely time.

In the Seventies and Eighties Leith was changing.   The buildings were changing from derelict warehouses and bond buildings to beautiful new apartments and there were lovely new restaurants opening like the Waterfront Wine Bar.

There was quite a mix of people in the Port O’Leith.   The ships’ crews were always good levellers because they went all over the world - to pubs all over the world.

I first came to Leith in the Seventies because my sister married an American who was a dealer in antiques and I used to go to the salerooms and buy clocks, mantel clocks, grandmother clocks and roll top desks.

My understanding of it is that Leithers have created for themselves a little piece of land that they call heaven - and I think the Leither in people does not leave them.   They take it with them to America, they take it with them to Australia and they come back when they can.

The characters of Leithers are stolid, hard working.  When they have their sights set on a goal they will be working towards it - even if it is just making sure their children have enough to eat and get to school on time.

I see the mums and dads taking their children to school and I used to see them in the pub - so I have an idea of the scope of their lives.

When I was involved in the Leith Festival it was easy - because I was in the pub I knew lots of people - so if I needed help with a poster or writing some letters there was always someone to do it.  On Gala Day there would always be people who would come forward to help.

I believe the Queen of Leith first came about one Gala Day when we were all wearing plastic tiaras.   Someone called out to me: “Here comes the Queen of Leith” and for some reason the name stuck.

I don’t mind at all when people say hello to me on the street.  Actually I think it’s quite marvellous.