Trade was largely conducted over the North Sea, with the Nordic and Baltic regions, the Low Countries and France.

[2] The Masters and Mariners of the Trinity House in the Kirkgate was the oldest and became the wealthiest of the trade guilds of Leith.

[4] The medieval Incorporation served as a blueprint for the establishment of Trinity Houses in other maritime centres, including Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the 16th century.

[6] Concerned to improve safety at sea, Trinity House established the first formal nautical training in the country and licensed pilots for the Forth and around the Scottish coast.

In the 19th century, Trinity House was involved in the planning and funding of new and more reliable lighthouses that took advantage of improvements in technology.

They also had their tax powers ratified, charging one penny for every ton of goods unloaded, with this money being used to relieve the poor.

[11] After prime gilt was abolished in 1862, Trinity House had to depend on property income to meet its pension payments and other commitments.