A NEIGHBOURHOOD in Scotland’s capital has been named the fourth coolest in the world.
Leith has seen off competition from hotspots in New York, London and Barcelona to shoot to the top of Time Out’s coveted rankings.
Norrebro in Denmark’s Copenhagen was first in the annual list of hip neighbourhoods, followed by Andersonville in Chicago and Jongno 3-ga in Seoul.
Next was Leith, which is described as “a cultural hotspot, home to big arts institutions and up-and-coming businesses alike”.
Formerly the city’s industrial hub, Leith is said to have been given a “new lease of life” in recent years.
The Time Out report names the “long-abandoned Leith Theatre and the nearby Biscuit Factory, which houses more than 30 creative businesses and its own performance space”.
It continues: “The Leith Arches, meanwhile, is a two-tiered pub and events space on the old Caledonian Leith Line – complete with rotating food vendors, a programme of wellness events and the always-excellent Bross Bagels.”
Leith is the only Scottish entry on the list.
Last year, Glasgow’s Dennistoun was named as the eighth coolest neighbourhood in the rankings.
The only other UK hotspots to make the top 20 in this year’s list were Dalston in London, at number 13, and Manchester’s Ancoats, at number 20.
Caroline McGinn, Time Out’s Global editor-in-chief, said: “Time Out’s annual list of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods is a love letter to the city at its most joyful and surprising.
“It celebrates the hyperlocal places where cities of the future are being made up, on the spot.
“In the last year, grassroots community culture has been vital to preserving the health and optimism of city-dwellers and the restaurants, bars, galleries and culture spots that make cities such a crucible of invention and social life.
“It’s inspiring to see how much energy there is in these areas, where communities have come together, hung out and made new stuff, as well as supported other businesses and each other. You’ve probably never heard of most of the neighbourhoods on the list but these are places where a ‘better normal’ is emerging. I can’t wait to visit.”
You can see the list in full here.
1. Nørrebro, Copenhagen
2. Andersonville, Chicago
3. Jongno 3-ga, Seoul
4. Leith, Edinburgh
5. Station District, Vilnius
6. Chelsea, New York
7. XI District, Budapest
8. Ngor, Dakar
9. Sai Kung, Hong Kong
10. Richmond, Melbourne
11. Neukölln, Berlin
12. Centro, Medellín
13. Dalston, London
14. Silver Lake, Los Angeles
15. Dublin 8, Dublin
16. Zoloti Vorota, Kiev
17. Noord, Amsterdam
18. Villeray, Montreal
19. Surry Hills, Sydney
20. Ancoats, Manchester
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