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A year has passed since we saw the landing of a space probe on Mars, whilst here on Earth; pictures were taken of a hitherto un-contacted tribe deep in the Amazon forest. The Brazilian government, we learned, operate a policy of ensuring that outside contact is avoided to ensure the continuance of the tribes culture and way of life – it would seem that these fears do not extend to cultures from outer space. Can the Brazilians stop the inevitability of the encroachment of modern life? I doubt it. The French Government periodically seeks to stop the influence of the English language within its borders and the continued development of Franglais, whilst campaign groups here in the UK look to redress the decline of once thriving languages with bilingual road signs and programmes on the BBC in Gaelic or Welsh. However, history has shown us that change is an inevitable consequence of time, that speed is the only variant through the ages. All cultures develop as knowledge increases. Language, government and society are in constant flux, it is one aspect that separates us from the beasts.

Ged is the author of 14 articles including 'Englishman in Leith – Issue 54' from July's Leither

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Leith too has seen its share of comings and goings; indeed it is these external influences that have shaped its history and continuing vibrancy. Where would Leith be without its influx of seafarers and travellers through the ages? I myself am amongst the latest wave of incomers to have found their way here, 25 years ago, in fact. I like to think that one day I might afford myself the title of honorary Leither. My children, on the other hand, are children of Leith. Born at the old Eastern General, schooled locally and, together with myself, proud season ticket holders at Easter road.

Leith, in some ways, is Scotland and indeed the UK in microcosm, a hotchpotch of cultures that have developed over the years. From time to time though there is a backlash against these changes, the perceived dilution of a culture. People create a mythical past where we all shared simple values; spoke the same language, believed the same things. This is highly subjective; at what time was Leith the real, definitive, ‘Leith’? Was it during James the First’s rule, when the Beaujolais trade was at its height? What about the turn of the century when whaling ships jostled for space in the busy dockyard? Or was it when the men of Leith left their homes in the Old Kirkgate to join Kitchener’s army in 1916, only to find their great adventure ending in tragedy at Gretna?

Which is to say, even if change is an inevitable consequence of time passing, Leithers are right to view the development of their town with healthy scepticism. To involve themselves wherever possible in helping shape its future and ensuring that the changes that do come will be to the benefit, and not detriment, of the area. Some recent and not so recent developments have, in all honesty, done them a disservice. The Kirkgate is a soulless 1960’s vision of the future, derided for ripping the heart out of the area and the architects behind Ocean Terminal managed to overlook its proximity to the water. Praise though, for Ocean Terminal’s community spirit, regularly staging events such as; art exhibitions, boxing matches, cultural festivals, extreme sports events and even a life drawing class.

Some might say I’m a living representation of all that’s gone wrong with the area. For myself, I hope one day to be accepted as a Leither, despite being a Sassenach. I rather hope history is on my side that Leith’s traditional inclusiveness will win out in the end. Meanwhile, I will continue to take my seat at Easter road and bemuse people with my dulcet – and distinctly southern – English tones, as I rant at the futility of yet another missed pass or incomprehensible signing.

Unfortunately that belief in Leith’s inclusiveness is now set against a world backdrop that has seen economies decline and industries crumble. There is a worldwide move towards looking to the past for political solutions to this perceived crisis, arresting the failings by reinventing the past. New countries nudge old ones aside each time an atlas is reprinted. Across Britain the BNP offer their peculiar take on what was fought for in World War II; ignoring the role played by Commonwealth troops and displaced people from across Europe, seeing no irony in the fact that the war was fought against the very type of intolerant attitudes and policies that they now seek to impose. This is reflected across Europe as right wing nationalists ride a wave of popular support, calling time on change, offering the comfort blanket of days gone by as a shield from the rapidly changing world. Here in Scotland a resurgent Nationalist party offers a significantly different political agenda to these parties but still sees no problem in wrapping its message of ‘putting Scotland first’ in ribbons of nostalgia and romanticised history, to offer up a vision of that very future.

So what will the future bring for me, full Leith citizenship? Maybe. I fear though that my tendency to cheer for the ‘wrong team’ on sporting occasions may preclude me from ever becoming truly Scottish!