Whispers of the past linger here at Seafield. This coastal strip between Leith and Portobello holds more than meets the eye. Seafield isn’t just a commercial area with little housing. It’s a place where history whispers on the wind. It’s a place of both life and death.
Seafield’s story is woven through its significant landmarks. The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home stands as a testament to compassion. It cares for hundreds of lost and abandoned animals each year. It’s a heartwarming beacon in this often overlooked corner of Edinburgh.
But Seafield also carries a deeper weight. The long-gone Eastern General Hospital once stood here. Its maternity unit served Northeast Edinburgh and the Borders until 1997. Its demolition in 2008 left an empty space. The past continues to speak through the stones of Seafield Cemetery and Crematorium.
Opened in 1889 the cemetery is impressive. Its entrance lodge and gates are reminiscent of Kinross House. The crematorium added in 1938 was designed by Leith architect W N Thomson. This cemetery houses more than just names on headstones. It’s the final resting place of notable figures. Bernard Hunter a businessman. Thomas Bernard Mouat a surgeon and medical author. Even Alex Young a footballer lies here. His previously unmarked grave received a stone thanks to the Everton Heritage Society.
The high number of war graves is poignant. Seafield’s proximity to the Eastern General Hospital made it a military hospital during World War II. Many trawlermen are also buried here. They were conscripted during World War I for mine clearance duties. They were part of the Royal Navy Reserve. Over 185 Commonwealth service personnel from World War I are buried here. A memorial stands for those who could not be individually marked. Many more rest from World War II. Some are buried near the main entrance. They include members of the Canadian Forestry Corps.
Many naval graves represent those who died of wounds or disease far from home. Some are bodies washed up on the shores of the Firth of Forth. Each story is a small tragedy. Each tells of sacrifice and loss. Radio Operator Glyndwr B Brown. He died from wounds on SS Dalemoor when captured by German forces in 1941. A young seaman Willem Adriaan Staalenburg. He was just sixteen when he died of wounds in the North Sea. These are just some of the stories etched in stone within Seafield Cemetery.
Seafield’s story isn’t solely one of remembrance. The Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works is the largest in Scotland. It processes 300 million litres of waste water daily. It generates sustainable electricity enough for hundreds of homes. Even the smell is a testament to this significant works. A multi-million pound plan has attempted to improve it but local complaints continue.
Seafield is a blend of contrasts. It’s a site of both regeneration and remembrance. A place where the past and present intertwine. The future of Seafield involves a large housing project. The plans are ambitious but sensitive to the area’s history. Climate change is also a consideration. Rising sea levels are a worry. The location by the sea adds a unique challenge. This coastal strip holds more than its industrial past. It’s a place where stories echo through time. It’s a place worth exploring. A place to remember. A place to reflect. Seafield’s journey is far from over. Its story continues to unfold.