Newhaven Heritage Museum

Newhaven Harbour
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Newhaven Harbour

A former museum located in part of the former Fish Market adjacent to the picturesque Newhaven Harbour, 2 miles (3 km) north of central Edinburgh, the Newhaven Heritage Museum told the story of this historic fishing village and the life and work of its tightly-knit community. The museum, which opened in 1993, is run by the City of Edinburgh Council and includes multimedia exhibits, with video, music and recordings of local people recalling the history of the area.

The museum explained the origins of Newhaven in warship construction, where the greatest naval vessel built in the Middle Ages, the 'Great Michael', came into being between 1507 and 1511. The lives of fishermen facing the dangers of the sea, and fish-wives plying their trade through the streets of Edinburgh, are described through reconstructed sets, photographs, collected memorabilia and written accounts, along with their costumes, customs, superstitions and recreation.

The museum closed in 2006 for refurbishment but there are currently no plans for it to re-open. Some items from the museum are now on display in a room at the nearby Victoria Primary School, which is open to the public.


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