Trinity House

About the museum

Trinity House in Leith served for almost 200 years as the headquarters of the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters of the Port of Leith, a body closely involved in shipping, trade and seafaring life. The Incorporation was a charity set up to support injured and retired seafarers and their families. Its origins go back to 1380, when it received the right to collect a tax called prime gilt on goods imported into the port, and the income paid for welfare, education and maritime training.

The present Georgian building on the Kirkgate was designed by the architect Thomas Brown and completed in 1816. It stands on the site of an earlier Trinity House and hospital that existed before 1550. Much of its historic layout and furnishing survives. The ground floor includes a grand entrance hall with a distinctive set of chairs by the Edinburgh cabinetmaker William Trotter, and the Master's Room, where paintings show Leith as a busy commercial port in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The most important room is the Convening Room on the upper floor, where the Incorporation met around a long mahogany table. Its decorative plasterwork has maritime themes, and the room displays navigational instruments, charts, ship models, whaling harpoons and rare items such as narwhal tusks. Portraits of leading mariners include works by Sir Henry Raeburn, and David Scott's large painting of Vasco da Gama meeting the Spirit of the Storm hangs there too. Below the building, 16th-century vaults once housed a school for young mariners. Trinity House is now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.

Highlights

• Convening Room with ship models, charts, whaling harpoons and narwhal tusks
• Navigation instruments and maps of the Incorporation
• Portraits by Sir Henry Raeburn
• David Scott's painting of Vasco da Gama and the Spirit of the Storm
• Master's Room with paintings of Leith as a port
• 16th-century vaults that housed a school for young mariners

Permanent exhibition

• Maritime collection – Navigation instruments, charts, ship models, whaling objects and portraits illustrate the seafaring history of Leith and the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters.

Founded

1816

Operated by

Historic Environment Scotland

Admission & discounts

Historic Environment Scotland members enter free and Explorer Pass holders can book their visit. Members of English Heritage, Cadw and Manx National Heritage get free or discounted entry. Residents of EH6 get 10% off with a code and proof of address.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance is up three wide stone steps, and a ramped side entrance has a gradient of 1:10 (1:12 on its lower section). The ramp currently has problems that mainly affect electric wheelchairs, so wheelchair users should contact the house in advance. The ground floor, including the Master's Room, is on one level. The audio-visual presentation in the vaults is down nine steps with a handrail, and the first floor is reached by a staircase of 22 steps; a guide to the collection is available for visitors who cannot climb the stairs. The nearest adapted toilet is at Taylor Gardens, half a mile away. Assistance dogs are welcome. Visual stories for adults and children can be downloaded to prepare for the visit.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing facilities are available. A visual story for children can be downloaded in advance, and the child ticket is for ages 7 to 15.

Getting there & parking

The house is in the historic centre of Leith, on the Kirkgate.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit