2007 saw the MP for Leith at the time, Mark Lazarowicz, establish a campaign for a dedicated museum to celebrate the history of Leith. There had been calls for such an institution for at least 60 years prior to this, but this time, people did not just want nodding heads – they wanted action.

As is often the case, action can take longer than might be ideal, but it has happened nonetheless. 2015 saw Leith Custom House purchased by the City of Edinburgh Council with Common Good Funding with the explicit purpose that it should, once restored, be home to a space to explore the heritage of Leith. This handsome Greek Revival Building dating to 1812 was then placed in the care of the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust to ensure that it continued to be used whilst plans were developed for its restoration.

Over the last decade Custom House has been used by a wide range of artists and small businesses with studio spaces throughout the building, a gallery at the wharf end, and the thriving creative and commercial hub in Custom Lane to the rear.

SHBT undertook detailed feasibility studies to ascertain the best use of the building, with the city council approving a mixed use development including dedicated museum spaces as well as studios, retail and catering; two years later, SHBT unveiled plans that the museum would utilise an innovative digital-led model, creating exciting and immersive spaces where film, images, projections and 3D scans tell stories of Leith from across the centuries. Rather than being restricted by glass cases, expensive loans, limited storage and a lack of flexibility, the museum would have a digital collection which would offer endless variety of stories that could be told ensuring that Leith not only reflects the past, but also the present.

The new Leith Museum will be developed by Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, working closely with partners including Leith Museum Trust and the City of Edinburgh Council as well as a wide range of local community organisations and heritage bodies.

Once complete, the operation of the museum will be transferred to Leith Museum Trust, who will ensure that the museum continues to evolve through new exhibitions and displays, education programmes, public events and the development of its collection. It is currently anticipated that Leith Museum will open in 2032.