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Note: text in square brackets is added for clarity and was not part of the location's name.

Description

This is the largest of the Leith Docks, closest to the sea and furthest north. Entry is via a channel to the west which was originally a lock. A further passage ran through to the Albert Dock [Leith] to the south. There is a dry dock to the north west, accessed from the Imperial Dock. The north side of the dock was equipped for bulk coal exports with three main loading points. Quaysides at the east end and the south side of the dock had cranes and warehousing and, to the east of the dock, was a large granary (a local landmark).

All quaysides were equipped with railway lines, running east round the north side of Edinburgh Dock [Leith] to the large marshalling yards at Seafield, Seafield Yard [CR] to the north (leading to the Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway)) and Leith South Yard to the south (leading to the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway and Lothian Lines (North British Railway). The northern yard and line, and the Lothian Lines, were built in anticipation of the dock and the southern yard was considerably expanded. Major mines, such as the Lady Victoria Colliery (1895) had opened recently.

Coal exports from the docks were eventually to cease.

The railways have been considerably cut back (and are out of use) with only the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway route remaining.

The dock remains in regular use. There is no regular rail traffic.

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