Leith licensee Mary Moriarty remembered
SCOTLAND lost two Queens in September – Queen Elizabeth ll and our very own Mary, Queen of Leith, writes Scottish Licensed Trade Association honorary past president, Marshall Bain.
Mary was the licensee of the world-famous Port of Leith pub, where sailors and locals came from near and far to savour the atmosphere and friendly banter Mary gave in abundance.
The flags and currency notes sailors brought filled the walls and ceilings of the ‘Port’ like no other pub in Edinburgh.
The Port of Leith welcomed all and sundry to have a tipple or two when arriving in Leith.
Mary had a special rapport that could welcome sailors and customers from all over the world and bring them all together to savour the atmosphere that only Mary and the Port of Leith could conjure up.
Mary once said to me if there was too much “tomfoolery” she sometimes had to take the participant by the “breeks” and escort them out of the door.
Mary was a member of The Scottish Licensed Trade Association for more than half a century and was always at the forefront when our industry was under pressure.
Originally a member of The Leith Vintners Association, her knowledge of the industry gave publicans respect and a voice within the hospitality industry.
When Leith Festival faltered, Mary took the reins and took the Festival and Pageant to unsurpassed success earning her a warranted British Empire Medal from the Queen.
Like the Queen, she continued her duty to the Scottish licensed trade and the people of Leith till the end.
Mary’s full and treasured life has left a void that cannot be filled and she will be sadly missed by her many, many friends and family.
Mary Moriarty, our very own Queen of Leith. Thanks for the memories.
Last orders… Lights out… Bon voyage and God speed.
