Trinity House Edinburgh

The Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters of Leith was a fraternity of seafarers started in 1380, with support from King Robert II. Dedicated to trade along the North Sea, the Incorporation also took on functions that might seem reminiscent of a modern-day pension or trade union, supporting members who could no longer sail, as well as their families.

At some point, the guild's headquarters came to be known as Trinity House, and its influence grew to the point that it became the namesake of the Edinburgh neighbourhood of Trinity (although confusingly, it doesn't encompass the area where the current house is located). While there is a significant legacy of the Incorporation in Leith, I find that the current Trinity House is the best place to actually get a sense of what they meant for Scotland's maritime history.

Visiting Trinity House might seem like a bit of a complicated process, given that a guided tour is essential and these are somewhat sporadic. With its neoclassical design by Thomas Brown, finished in 1818, Trinity House is a textbook example of Georgian architecture in Edinburgh and also interesting to see from the outside, but actually going in is definitely worth it.

In addition to a grand staircase, the architectural highlights include a grand Convening Room, where the bulk of the museum collection can be viewed. The House not only features a great deal of history from its collections, which include astrolabes, model ships, sextants and globes; but it can also be found beneath the building itself.

In 1555, the Incorporation built a hospital in the site where the current Trinity House sits. The vaults located beneath the building date to this former hospital. Included in the guided visit, these vaults offer a completely different experience, cramped and cooler than the grand building above. This is also where most of Trinity House's programme of events takes place.

While the tours of Trinity House might not happen often, they do offer variety as there are some focused on family activities and additional activities like workshops. With a great space including underground vaults and a fascinating library, plus many interesting items like lifesavers and carved tusks from narwhals and walruses, Trinity House is definitely one of my favorite finds to get a feel for Leith's maritime history.