Edinburgh Gangs
Edinburgh, the historic capital of Scotland, is not as known for its gangs and street activity as other cities in the U.K. Within the streets where Edinburgh gangs roam, most are found in the lower-income neighborhoods on the city’s outskirts or in surrounding regions such as East Lothian and Midlothian.
Within these districts, several housing projects, referred to locally as “schemes” or “estates,” stand out not only for their reputation as a community but for the long association with local youth gangs.
These gangs, commonly called “Young Teams,” are typically made up of groups of young people who are connected to their neighborhood rather than being highly organized criminal organizations. Notable examples include Niddrie, which has long been under the influence of the infamous Young Niddrie Team (YNT), and Muirhouse, home to the Muirhouse Casual Fighters and a history of drug issues.
Other areas such as West Pilton, Oxgangs, Wester Hailes, and Clermiston, where the Young Clerrie Jungle claim, have also seen such groups form over the years. Although over a few dozen gangs have been identified in Edinburgh, it’s worth noting that the city has seen significant improvements and a decrease in gang activity since the early 2000s.
Map of Ediburgh Gangs
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History of Edinburgh Gangs
The gang landscape in Edinburgh from the late 1950s through the 1980s was defined more by loosely affiliated groups of youths tied to neighborhoods. These “young teams” were often groups of local teenagers came together to form the likes of Young Leith Team (YLT), Young Mental Drylaw (YMD), Bar-Ox, or Clerrie Jungle.
The names themselves were to identify with a neighborhood pride, but also highlighted territorial boundaries with rivals. Despite their reputations, many of these gangs were a way for the youth to look out for one another within the housing schemes. Rivalries between areas like Oxgangs, Sighthill, and Leith were often publicized, but most eventually faded as times have changed.
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