Historic Lord Nelson Pub in Leith to Reopen Under Italian Restaurateur Marco Iacobelli
The Lord Nelson public house on Trafalgar Street in Leith, photographed in the early 1900s, reflecting the historic pub culture of the Burgh of Leith.
The historic Lord Nelson pub on Trafalgar Street, first licensed in 1886, will reopen in Leith under Italian restaurateur Marco Iacobelli.
The building at 8 Trafalgar Street has deep historical roots in the area. Records indicate that commercial activity existed on the premises in the nineteenth century, and in 1886 a licence was granted allowing the property to operate as a public house.
At the time, Leith was still known as the Burgh of Leith, an independent port town and one of Scotland’s most important maritime trading centres. Taverns and public houses were central to the life of the harbour district, welcoming sailors, merchants and residents of the busy port.
Historical references show that the premises was associated in the late nineteenth century with tea, wine and grocery trading before becoming firmly established as a public house in the early twentieth century.
Over the decades the Lord Nelson became a familiar meeting place in the community and part of the dense network of pubs that shaped the social life of Leith.
In more recent years the venue operated under different names, including Trafalgar Tap, before closing. The decision has now been made to restore the original name under which the premises operated for more than a century, recognising the importance of preserving its historical identity.
The property is now entering a new phase under Marco Iacobelli, an Italian entrepreneur who has been based in Edinburgh since 2014 and is known locally for his Italian restaurant Tempo Perso in Bruntsfield.
The reopening aims to bring the historic venue back into use while respecting the character of the building and the long tradition of public houses in Leith.
Located close to the historic docks, Trafalgar Street remains strongly connected to the maritime heritage of the area. The Lord Nelson building stands as a reminder of a time when Leith was a busy port town filled with taverns, merchants and travellers passing through the harbour.
Further details about the reopening are expected to be announced in the coming months.
About Marco Iacobelli
Marco Iacobelli is an Italian restaurateur and wine producer based in Edinburgh. Originally from Italy, he moved to Scotland in 2014 and is the founder of the Italian restaurant Tempo Perso in Bruntsfield. His work connects Italian culinary tradition, wine culture and hospitality, while maintaining strong ties with his family restaurant, established in 2003, and with wine production rooted in his heritage in Italy.
Marco Iacobelli
Lord Nelson Leith
marco@tempoperso.it
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