Plans to open the A listed Leith Custom House as a museum will progress following a “substantial donation” from the Sir Tom Farmer Foundation.
Sir Tom and Lady Anne Farmer made a massive contribution to Edinburgh with their philanthropy, both public and private, during their lifetimes. Now, after their deaths, it will be possible for Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) to develop the long held plans for the Georgian building.
Both were proud Leithers (he always said he met and married the girl next door). Sir Tom was a patron of the Leith Custom House campaign which will tell the story of the Port of Leith in a new way in a new kind of museum.
Sir Tom, who died last year, spoke of his support for the museum in 2008. He said then: “The history of Leith is also central to the history of Edinburgh and of Scotland, and deserves a home where its story can be told. As someone who has benefited from being born and brought up in Leith, I welcome the widespread support for the current campaign. I hope that local and national government will work with the local community to make the dream of a Leith museum a reality.”
With the generous support from the foundation and the Farmer family it will eventually happen. Plans can be finalised and pilot digitisation projects prepared.
This will be the first digital museum of its kind in Scotland, with immersive educational sections, spaces for community use, shops, cafés and studios.
More than three quarters of people who responded to a consultation supported the plans. In 2025 the Leith Civic Trust was appointed the organisation which will run get museum when it is completed in 2031.
A Trustee of the Sir Tom Farmer Foundation, said: “Both Sir Tom and Lady Farmer had a very deep connection to Leith and a longstanding belief that its history deserved a permanent home. Custom House fulfilling that role would have pleased them greatly, and we are glad to support a project they championed during their lives.”
Dr Samuel Gallacher, SHBT’s Director, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Foundation for supporting this project, and it is particularly meaningful given that Sir Tom and Lady Farmer were both such proud Leithers. They were longstanding supporters of the vision that Custom House could be the place to tell Leith’s extraordinary story. The vision for Custom House is that this will be a place everyone in Leith will be proud of and that people from afar will come and visit. A true celebration of community, creativity and the culture of this historic port burgh.”
