Tutu Tuesday 676

Tutu Tuesday in Leith #tututuesday Oh, Leith, you’ve stolen my heart! Not just because you’ve got the most stunning views of Edinburgh Castle, or that incredible cafe culture I discovered, but for something else entirely. This little town on the coast is giving off serious #tututuesday vibes, and you wouldn’t believe the lengths I went to to find out why.
I arrived in Leith on a blustery Tuesday morning, fresh off the bus from Edinburgh, clutching my favourite travel journal and my tutu bag (it’s a thing). I always plan for the worst-case scenario on my solo trips, so that means comfy shoes, waterproof mascara, and of course, at least one sparkly tutu. You never know what adventures might call for a little twirl.
After checking into my cute little Airbnb, a renovated Georgian flat overlooking the dockyard, I grabbed a latte from a place called ‘The Coffee Cup’. Now, I’m not a coffee connoisseur, but even my untrained palate could tell this wasn’t your average cuppa. It was strong, rich, and the owner, a man with a bushy beard and an air of quiet intensity, seemed to be crafting each cup with a dancer’s precision. He must have noticed my ballet bag tucked under the table because he told me, with a glint in his eye, "You must be heading to the Leith Dance Festival!"
My eyes lit up. I hadn't heard a whisper of this festival! As it turned out, it was a small, community-run affair, focusing on showcasing local talent in all forms of dance – from traditional Scottish ceilidhs to contemporary fusion. Apparently, Leith had always been a bit of a hotbed for dance, especially in the 19th century, when shipyards were thriving, and sailors' wives kept busy with their "fancy feet". That tidbit made me even more eager to explore.
And what better way to dive into Leith’s dance scene than with a proper #tututuesday ensemble? I picked a classic, a light pink Romantic tutu with layers of tulle that just begs for you to pirouette and jump! You know, the type of tutu you imagine the Sugar Plum Fairy wearing, except, well, in Leith.
My first stop was The Biscuit Factory, a converted biscuit warehouse turned cultural centre. Stepping into this building was like walking into a fairytale - its towering windows let in streams of light that illuminated colourful artwork, and the energy buzzed with the rhythm of dance workshops in progress. I saw people from all walks of life: hip-hop dancers in loose hoodies, contemporary ballet dancers in their simple black leotards, and some even sporting the infamous tutus.
Next, I went for a stroll around Leith's vibrant harbour. The air smelled salty and fresh, with the gentle rocking of fishing boats against the docks adding a sense of calm to the bustle of the waterfront. The Victorian cobbled streets, interspersed with colourful Victorian townhouses, whispered of the town's rich history.
I spotted a group of children giggling and skipping on the pavement outside a cute little bakery, the air filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread. I watched them spin and leap around a fountain with unabashed joy, each one with their own sense of rhythm, like little, improvisational dancers in the making. These were Leith's future ballerinas, their tutus woven from the sunshine and their hearts.
I headed to Leith Theatre, where I met my local dance contact - Fiona, a sassy contemporary choreographer and, judging from the twinkle in her eye, a serious dance devotee. "You must know the history of tutus," Fiona stated, "they originated here." I knew that it originated in France, but she continued with, "Well, yes, but their transformation happened here in Leith, when these lovely, frilly costumes were first adapted for a new way of dancing: the Leith Folk Ballet." I must admit, I never heard of Leith Folk Ballet!
Fiona told me, with a passion in her voice, about a time in Leith's past when local artisans and skilled seamstresses started fashioning new tutus for the folk ballet, each more dramatic than the last. Apparently, they went for more geometric shapes, sharper cuts, and heavier, more textured fabric than those in French ballet. A bit like if ballet had met modern art, a concept which really sparked my creativity!
I couldn't leave Leith without witnessing the magic of its local ballet troupe. I sat down at The Leith Theatre for the performance, anticipation swirling through me like a perfect fouetté. There was something about the whole evening that felt... different. The atmosphere was intimate, warm, and incredibly supportive. And the dancers - local community members with dreams, aspirations, and their very own Leith folk dance stories - moved with a raw energy, a pure love for movement, and a quiet confidence that resonated deeply.
Their costumes, though not traditional, were inspired by the historical spirit of Leith's folk dance, incorporating modern designs and materials to bring a contemporary twist to their storytelling. One piece in particular, a piece danced by a young woman, stood out to me: she was wearing a bright, scarlet-red tutu made of repurposed plastic bags. The sheer audacity, the sense of rebellion and artistic exploration, completely captured me. That's Leith, for you - always challenging the norm and weaving new narratives through its dance traditions.
The experience brought up a whole new perspective for me, for my tutu adventures. Here, the #tututuesday journey is more about connection, about finding the spark of joy and freedom in everyday movement, in the shared passion of dance.
There is a unique pulse to this town - a vibrancy that flows through the people, the culture, and the very essence of Leith's folk ballet. This pulse resonates with every tap of a dancer's foot, every graceful turn, and every joyous leap. It's not just about the dance, it’s about the journey, the stories, and the passion that these everyday individuals weave together. And for me, it was a Tutu Tuesday I won't soon forget!
#tututuesday