Tucked within the bustle of Edinburgh’s Kirkgate, Trinity House of Leith offers a unique glimpse into Scotland’s maritime past. Now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, the Georgian building, once home to the Master Mariners of Leith, houses a rich and eclectic collection, from ships in bottles to intricately carved scrimshaw, each object telling a story of life at sea.

Over the past three years, Impact Arts participants from our CashBack Hubs and Impactful Starts programmes have been working in partnership with Trinity House, alongside Nicola Wright and Karen MacKenzie from Illuminate. Together, they’ve explored the stories behind the collection and uncovered the hidden histories of migration to and from Leith.

During our most recent programme (January–March 2026), participants were guided through Trinity House by Nicola, who brought the collection to life through storytelling. These encounters inspired a wide range of creative responses.

The Impactful Starts group developed a series of three animations, each exploring journeys connected to Leith. One tells the story of John Sakeouse, a Greenlander who arrived in Leith in 1816 and whose portrait now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. Another reflects on the women known as the “Moorish Lassies” at the court of James IV of Scotland. The third draws inspiration from the scrimshaw of whalers and the global journeys that connected places like Leith to South Georgia.

Meanwhile, the CashBack Hubs group created a series of 2D and 3D artworks for display in the Convening Room. Their work reimagines maritime histories through drawing, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media. From a ship in a bottle inspired by the quiet creativity of seafarers at sea, to a reworked coastal map based on an 18th-century chart of the Firth of Forth, each piece reflects both historical research and personal interpretation.

Other works include a clay sculpture inspired by the animals encountered on whaling journeys, and a piece responding to the stained-glass memorial window at Trinity House, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives in the World Wars.

Together, these works highlight the power of creativity to connect past and present, bringing hidden histories to life through the voices and perspectives of young people today.

A selection of artworks and development materials, including storyboards from the animation projects, are now on display at Trinity House for the public to explore. So if you are in the area, be sure to pop in and check them out.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.