Ocean Terminal

Ocean Terminal stands on the northern edge of Edinburgh where the old docklands once housed shipbuilding yards. The building occupies land that belonged to the Henry Robb shipyard until it closed in 1983. Urban renewal turned this industrial site into a modern shopping centre on the edge of Leith. Nearby, the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia is permanently moored beside the terminal. The yacht can be viewed from inside the building through the Britannia Visitor Centre. An Antony Gormley sculpture sits on an abandoned pier behind the shopping centre. Plans once existed to use the berth for cruise liners, but Britannia’s presence changed that purpose. The shopping centre contains more than a hundred shops alongside restaurants, coffee shops and bars. A Vue cinema with twelve screens shows films daily, and an urban dance studio offers classes. Families find a children’s play area and a day spa for relaxation. The NHS runs a vaccination clinic on the second floor for local residents. Former anchor stores such as British Home Stores and Debenhams once occupied large spaces here. Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Bus Tours stop directly outside, and the Edinburgh Trams light rail line serves the main entrance plaza. Visitors enter through a plaza that leads into a multi-level shopping mall. The interior is arranged over several floors with escalators and lifts connecting each level. Shops line wide walkways that allow space for crowds to move comfortably. The cinema complex occupies a large section on one floor, with screens showing different films throughout the day. Outside, the quayside offers views of the water and passing boats. The area around the terminal remains a focus for further redevelopment, with plans for new shops and homes nearby.