Steam Yachts built at Leith

 As a result of my recent book launch for the latest in the Leith built ships series, one of the well known journalists for the Scotsman newspaper attended the launch of steam yachts built at Leith and has just published this article in Scotland on Sunday newspaper.

Almost 100 of these magnificent ships were built over a 50 year period from around 1878 to 1928

You will find the article at the following link- 

The luxurious Leith-built steam yachts owned by stars like Elizabeth Taylor highlighted in new book

The Gilded Age for sure.

All roads lead to the Port.

 

“Some histories refuse to stay buried.”

“Every shipyard has its ghosts.”

Look out for some exiting news to arrive about my latest book release.

We will be beside one of the biggest tourist attractions in Scotland.

More will be revealed in time, so keep looking in to find out more.

Sunshine on?

 Time to try and guess where this photograph was taken from, and for you to try and guess where the photograph was taken from (Location, Location, Location)

Look out for future news on the launch of the new book Steam yachts built at Leith, Vol-5.

Such a special place when the sun is shinning, sunshine on Leith right enough.

Leith built Ships Volume 5

 

Step back into an era when elegance met engineering, and Scotland’s shipyards gave birth to some of the most magnificent vessels ever to grace the seas. Magnificent Steam Yachts of Leith, 1870–1928 is a richly detailed maritime history that uncovers the forgotten world of luxury steam yachts built in the bustling port of Leith.

Between the late Victorian age and the dawn of the Jazz Age, Leith’s master shipbuilders crafted floating palaces for aristocrats, industrialists, and adventurers. These yachts were more than ships—they were symbols of prestige, innovation, and the romance of the sea. My book traces their stories: from the design and craftsmanship that made them marvels of their time, to the voyages and owners that carried them across oceans and into legend.

With archival research, rare illustrations, and vivid storytelling, this work brings to life the glamour and grandeur of a bygone era. It is not only a tribute to Leith’s shipbuilding heritage but also a window into the social and cultural currents that shaped the age of steam.

Whether you are a maritime historian, a lover of Scottish heritage, or simply captivated by tales of opulence and adventure, this book offers a journey into one of the most fascinating chapters of nautical history. Volume 5 in the series will be at a good bookstore near you in April 2026.

The New Flyer for Vol II, Leith Shipyards

Well they do say that a picture is worth a thousand words!

For model-makers-included in my new book

 

Leith-Built Ships, Vol. II, Leith Shipyards 1918 to 1939

 

I am pleased to let you know that included with the new Volume II, which forms part of my series of books on the history of the ships built at the Leith Shipyards.

 

You will find included many scale drawings which will be very useful for small ship modellers. The drawings can just be scaled up to reproduce a pretty close shape and size of the said ships, all from the period 1918 to 1935.

 

 

While there is no Body Plan I am sure that the capable modellers out there will find these scale General Arrangement drawings very useful.

You will also find this great 3 in 1 Document Camera from Amazon very useful.

OKIOCAM T Plus: The Unique 3-In-1 Document Camera

 

The above was a coaster built by Henry Robb Shipyards as Ship No 240 in 1937; she survived World War Two, being one of the many coasters used to supply cased petrol to the allies in both the North African landings and on the D-Day beaches.

She would end her days being sunk in the Suez Canal in 1979. Lochee was a tribute to her builders.

New Shipyard shop

As the new website continues now at www.theloftsman.com

The Blog on the new website will be the main source of news from now on and this new Blog will be even better with all the news on Leith Built Ships and so much more, such as the new shipyard shop about to open over there.

New Shipyard shop

Will be opening soon, we have been working on this new concept for a wee while now, with the advent of the virus pandemic this has presented some more unexpected challenges. No more than anyone else has had to contend with but challenges just the same.

All under the logo

They Once Were Shipbuilders

(You will be able to fill in the location with your own preference)

My own particular preference was of course the Henry Robb Shipyard at Leith.

The aim of the shop is to present the customer with unique purchases that you will not find elsewhere. This will be a shop that will be a testament to a lost industry that touched so many people.

The Shipyard Shop will feature many fresh designs which cover an old concept, the concept of building ships.

Powerful industrial images now almost gone, but the memory lingers on, images that now sit very well on every day things from caps, hats to t-shirts to wall coverings.

We are sure that once the Shipyard Shop opens you will find what you are looking for, in a way that no other shop can, as we are also from the industry, an industry that employed so many people not only on this small island nation of ours but all around the World.

We will feature superb museum quality ship models covering many of the greatest ships ever to grace the seven seas.

We feature the Ship Beautiful above otherwise known as RMS Aquitania

Thes are not kits but fully assembled models shipped in sturdy containers to your door and ready to display. Some have LED lighting inside for a tremendous night-time effect.

Many of our original designs can be personalised so that you can input your own personal favourite, so please keep a look out for this happening, keep checking back here on the Blog, and on the main website.

Thanks to all and keep safe during these trying times.

They Once Were Shipbuilders

*LEITH*

We hope you like the small taster of some of the many products that we shall soon be able to offer on the “Brand New” Shipyard Shop.

Bear with us as I am sure we shall open this pretty soon.

Why not have a look at some of my Amazon stuff on the Blog while we wait on the shop opening, below you will find a really neat 3 in 1 Document Camera from Amazon.

OKIOCAM T Plus: The Unique 3-In-1 Document Camera

Thank You NHS

As I recently posted on my main website

 A mock-up of the new Hibernian home top

 

 

 

No further words required a picture worth many thousands of words.

New website - theloftsman

As promised a brand new website to include some of the original and now some of the new.

Check it out at theloftsman.com

https://www.theloftsman.com/

 

For all things ships and shipbuilding at Leith. 

You can now also contact me at

Ron@theloftsman.com

Please use this email to send comments and stories about the Leith Shipyards, along with any photographs you may wish to see on the website or perhaps even in one of my books in the Leith-Built Ships series.

The website and this Blog now have some wonderful goods from Amazon the worlds largest market place for all your goods, trusted and complete with guarantees, goods that you may well find very useful such as this 3 in 1 Document Camera from Amazon. 

OKIOCAM T Plus: The Unique 3-In-1 Document Camera

Book Launch at Leith

Official book launch at Leith

Very pleased to annonce that their will be an official book launch for the new book about the shipyards of Leith.

Leith-Built Ships Vol I will be featured at a signing event at the Leith Theatre this 31st Jan 2020

HAPPY & PROSPEROUS 2020 TO ALL

A busy scene at the Leith Shipyards of Robb Caledon sometime around 1976

Well 2020 it is then, bloody miracle if you ask me, puts me in mind of an old Jager & Evens song “In the year 2525, if man is still alive”

Perhaps someone will change the year around to show 2020 but I digress, I have been asked a few questions many times about plans for 2020

I shall endeavour to answer below, always a wee bit reluctant to make plans set in stone as we all know what happens to plans (Ask around in any shipyard and you will find out, but we will not mention anything about what has really happened with the two Cal-Mac ferries being built or not built at Ferguson’s yard on the Clyde)

Will there be a new website in 2020 – Most definitely, although it will take a slightly different format as this website will also feature the many books that I have on the go right now both Non-Fiction such as the recently published Leith-Built Ships Vol. I

I have Fiction books starting with a trilogy about two young shipwrights from Leith, full of madcap adventures. Set around actual ships built at Leith in the late 18^th century, that I am writing with the first two books finished but as yet unpublished.

The new website will also in time feature a very large library of ships photographs.

Will Volume II of Leith-Built Ships be published in 2020 – Most definitely although still to be confirmed with the publishers, but this book is 99% complete and almost ready to go, with Volume III well on as well it could be an exciting year on the publishing front to feature more on the almost forgotten shipbuilding and maritime heritage of the old port.

There is a lot more in the pipeline but as ever I don’t count my chickens before they are hatched.

Remember the first book is now out and can be purchased from most good bookshops, for anyone overseas the publishers can post to anywhere.

http://www.whittlespublishing.com/They_Once_Were_Shipbuilders

or it can be purchased from Amazon at the following link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/They-Once-Were-Shipbuilders-Leith-Built/dp/1849954437/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AGCT5P1NE6DX&keywords=leith+built+ships&qid=1577884811&sprefix=Leith+Built+S%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-1

So for now it is on to 2020 may it be a good one for all.

New Book - they Once Were Shipbuilders. I

SS Sirius was the Leith Built Ship that crossed the mighty Atlantic being the very first such vessel to cross under steam power alone.

Many more Leith "Firsts" can be found in the new book on an almost forgotten maritime past.

Leith-Built Ships Vol. I 

They Once Were Shipbuilders

Make it a xmas gift but dont just take my word for it, have a look at some of the first reviews as shown below.

https://julianstockwin.com/2019/12/11/yuletide-selection-ii/

https://www.thenational.scot/news/18098553.leith-built-history-rival-ships-clyde/

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usreviews/books/whittlesleithbuilt.html

https://glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/book-review-they-once-were-shipbuilders-by-r-o-neish/

Available from most good book stores or direct from the publishers.

http://www.whittlespublishing.com/They_Once_Were_Shipbuilders

The book is also available on Amazon and can be delivered anywhere around the world.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/They-Once-Were-Shipbuilders-Leith-Built/dp/1849954437/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Once+Were+Shipbuilders&qid=1576318172&sr=8-1

Leith-Built Ships Vol. I, They Once Were Shipbuilders

 LEITH-BUILT SHIPS VOL. I.

They Once Were Shipbuilders

Very pleased to be able to announce that the new book on the great heritage of shipbuilding in Leith is only one week away from launch.

Look out for it in your local bookstore, or get it direct from the publishers at the following http://www.whittlespublishing.com/They_Once_Were_Shipbuilders

It is also available through Amazon at the following link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/They-Once-Were-Shipbuilders-Leith-Built/dp/1849954437/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1574605167&sr=1-1

They Once Were Shipbuilders

Well at long last the first in the series of books on Ships built at Leith is now ready for pre-ordering.

The details of the book can be found at the publisher’s website as follows-

http://www.whittlespublishing.com/They_Once_Were_Shipbuilders You’ll see that the book is now available to order and that it’s available at a special pre-publication price of £14.99 which will run until 20th September.

Or the book can now be pre-ordered at Amazon by following the link shown below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/They-Once-Were-Shipbuilders-Leith-Built/dp/1849954437/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=They+Once+Were+Shipbuilders&qid=1567599695&s=books&sr=1-1

Launch of the ST CATHERINE

Pleased to be able to show you this video clip of the launch of the passenger ferry ST CATHERINE ship No 534 from the Henry Robb (We had reverted back to the original name)

Shipyard on 30^th March 1983. This fine ship is still going strong working in the Med, now run by Delcomar and named GB CONTI.

The video clip was sent in by Charlie who was a welder in the yard; he managed to get up one of the cranes just before the launch to record this wee bit of history.

Watch her go into the water here.

https://youtu.be/o17jpQ-SL_Y

Look out for an announcement soon about my new book

Leith-Built Ships Volume 1

Look out for the new website

Happy to report that their will be a brand new up to date revamped website about all the ships built in Leith coming to the internet near you. The new website will be up and running within the next six months or so.

There have been numerous problems with the existing website along with some challenges with regard to the comment pages, with some being published while some have just notgot through to the website. Dont let that put you off sending in your comments.

The new website will feature so much new material that has not been shown on the present website so something to look out for along with the exiting news on some books published by The Loftsman.

2018 will be a busy year and we hope you will continue to support and join with us in keeping the heritage of Leith Shipbuilding going. (After all we just cannot rely on Edinburgh Council doing anything about our fine shipbuilding past)

You can still visit the website of course until the new one comes online.

Sail Training Ship MERCATOR

It has been some time since I have been able to spend anytime on the Blog or the website, but happy to let you all know about the latest developments on another old ship built at Leith.

New lease of life for the last ship built at the famous Ramage & Ferguson shipyard, at Leith, Scotland.

MERCATOR

Launched from the Leith Shipyard in December 1931 she was Ship No 269 according to the official shipbuilders list, she was an order from the Belgian Government for a 3 masted Barqentine for use as a sail training ship to be used by the Belgian Navy.

A barquentine is a sailing vessel with three or more masts; with a square rigged foremast and fore-and-aft rigged main, mizzen and any other masts.

Ideal for sail training along with the advantage of having a smaller crew than a full rigged ship, they are capable of very good performance before the wind, along with the ability to sail relatively close to the wind.

The MERCATOR is a very striking looking ship that required extensive work after a long period of lay-up at the port of Ostend.

MERCATOR seen here at her berth in Ostend, Belgium

(Photograph from the official Mercator website)

Her extensive re-fit was carried out in Ostend, Belgium by

IDP Shipyard  (Industries des pêcheries)

http://idp-shipyard.be/nl/

They did the masts and the rigging a few years ago. While last year they carried out repairs, cleaning and panting of the hull along with a complete refit of her inside, with the cost of the whole operation costing around 3.4 million Euro. She is now back at her berth in Ostend open to the public, who as you will see in the video below came out in great numbers to welcome the old Leith built ship home.

Return of the Mercator to Ostend

https://youtu.be/p7_a_KnqGXA

If you happen to be in Ostend and wish to be shown around the ship and the surrounding area then we would recommend that you contact Joris Surmont, who is a very knowledgeable guide working in Ostend with very good English as well, you can find more details of his guided tours below, just click on the link to be taken right there.

http://www.ijslandvaart.net/English_guide.html

You can also visit the official MERCATOR museum site here at

 http://www.zeilschipmercator.be/mercator/

She is a testimony to the men who built her at Leith, now eighty five (85) years after she first entered the waters of the Firth of Fourth and still going strong, she is supported by a marvellous organisation along with many volunteers who will ensure she goes on for many more years.

Last Surviving Building from Leith Shipyards to Re-Open

We are pleased to be able to tell you that the only remaining building from the Leith Shipbuilding era is to be re-opened as an art studio for budding artists to present there work.

This is the only remaining building that Forth Ports at the time never managed to knock down, which was no surprise as it was originally built to sustain attack from German Bombers during the dark days of World War Two.

The last remaining building of hundreds of years of shipbuilding at Leith

Built at the request of the Admiralty to help protect all the many ship plans and drawings that were required to build all the many warships at the Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb Ltd, such as Corvettes and Frigates for the Royal Navy during the six years of War.
They required a secure facility from the threat of fire from incendiary bombs dropped by German aircraft.

Hell what chance had Forth Ports of knocking it down when the German bombers could not do it.


The building was constructed the same as a traditional riveted ship's superstructure complete with riveted seams and ships portholes.

Also used as a first aid station and latterly as a chemical/paint store it is just good to report that some use has been found for the building.

The building is now some 150m away from where it was originally in what may be the only "Listed" building in Scotland to have been physically moved from its original place. (Read more on the website)

There are also plans to turn some of the building into a small museum space to show some shipbuilding items from this long almost lost history of hundreds of years of the art of shipbuilding at Leith, Scotland.

You will also see more of what the art group intend to do here at http://www.dokartistspace.org/

BRITISH COAST VIDEO

The MV BRITISH COAST Maiden voyage

The MV BRITISH COAST Model on her maiden voyage seen here in the U-Tube Video.

http://youtu.be/ydxOHD289nU

For more photographs visit the website at www.leithshipyards.com

Ship Photographs

To help anyone who has ship photographs that they wish to see on the Blog and website, please send email in first instance to the website email.  info@leithshipyards.com

 

From here you will receive instructions of how your photographs and stories will be shown on the website at www.leithshipyards.com

 

The interest shown in the Blog and the website is much appreciated and much more than could ever have been imagined.