Est. 1921 · Community owned since 2024

Owned by Leith.
Open to everyone.

Duncan Place is a community-owned space for social enterprise, charities and individuals — for work, arts, education, events, and much more.

Book a RoomSee What's On
1921Built for Leith Academy
6Resident charities call it home
40+Community groups meet here
100+Members shaping its future
What's On

This week at the hub

Classes, groups and gatherings — most are low cost or free, and everyone is welcome.

Pulled live from our events calendar
View full calendar
Room Hire

Bright, flexible rooms
for meetings & events

Four ground-floor rooms available for groups, classes, meetings and events — with an accessible entrance and toilet, and layouts set up just the way you need them.

Room details & layouts
Big Duncan room set in classroom style with tables and green chairsUp to 60 · Ground floor

Big Duncan

A bright, south-facing room with large windows — 4 wall-mounted whiteboards, a 148″ projector screen and a subdued lighting option for yoga and relaxation.

£35/hr Charity rate £26/hr · from £19/hr for 10+ bookings
Wee Duncan room set in boardroom style, sunlight across the tableCosy & bright · Ground floor

Wee Duncan

Big Duncan's smaller neighbour — with a double door between the two, so you can hire both together and open up the space when you need more room.

£30/hr Charity rate £20/hr · from £14/hr for 10+ bookings
Room set in theatre style with rows of green chairs facing a top tablePark views · Ground floor

Big Links & Wee Links

Overlooking Leith Links, a large and small room separated by a removable soundproof wall — take one, or open them up for bigger gatherings.

£30–£35/hr Charity rate from £14/hr for 10+ bookings
📶 Free WiFi📽️ Projector & screens❄️ Heating / air-conDisabled access📋 Whiteboards & flipcharts☕ Urn, mugs & crockery💡 Mood lighting

Open Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm · Friday 9am–6pm · Weekends by arrangement

Check availability & bookAsk a question
Community members and councillors outside Duncan Place holding a giant key, celebrating the community asset transfer
Saved.By the people of Leith
Our Story

A century old — and now it belongs to all of us

Built in 1921 as Leith Academy's technical college, Duncan Place nearly ended with demolition. Instead, the community fought for it — and won.

  • 1921

    Built to serve Leith Academy, one of Scotland's oldest schools.

  • 2014

    Closed by the council and proposed for demolition.

  • 2016

    Saved by the community, with over £2.1m raised for restoration.

  • 2018–2020

    Refurbished top to bottom — original tiles and staircase preserved.

  • 2024

    Ownership transferred to the Leith community, for generations to come.

"This is a huge milestone for everyone in the community — the future of the hub is secure and it's owned by the charity for the people of Leith."Nicola Lamberton — Manager, Duncan Place Community Hub

Read the full story

A True Community Hub

Home to six charities —
and open to many more

Any profit made goes straight back into low-cost community activities. These organisations make Duncan Place their permanent base:

LGBT Health and WellbeingEdinburgh College — ESOL programmeKin CollectiveHome-Start EdinburghAdvoCard
Academy ArtsHere since 1978
The Leither Magazine cover featuring Duncan Place"What goes on in Duncan Place?" — read about us in The Leither Magazine

Become a member

Do you have a passion for making communities stronger? Join over 100 members shaping the future of Duncan Place — as a member, steering group member, voluntary adviser or trustee.

Join us

Stay in the loop

Keep up to date with everything happening at the hub — classes, events, news and more — with our monthly newsletter.

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