A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor but Leith Nautical College certainly did. And this weekend former staff and students of the college will reunite to celebrate 40 years since its official opening.

Hosted by the Edinburgh College Development Trust, the independent charity that supports students at Edinburgh College, the weekend will involve a reunion dinner at the college’s EH15 Apprentice restaurant and a sea-themed thanksgiving service, as well as an exhibition at South Leith Parish Church.

South Leith Parish Church – which has historic links with the maritime community – will host the exhibition about the history of Leith Nautical College as part of Doors Open Day – Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates heritage and the built environment.

The free exhibition will be open on Saturday 29 September, 12-4pm at South Leith Parish Church. Forth Ports and Sailors’ Society will also exhibit on the day. Along with the exhibition former Leith Nautical College lecturers will be speaking about the education of generations of seafarers in Leith. Visitors are invited to bring along their mementos.

The church will also hold a service of thanksgiving on Sunday 30 September at 11am to commemorate the churches’ strong maritime links.

The reunion will bring together former staff, students, colleagues and classmates from the college who studied and sailed together over the decades and marks 40 years since Prince Charles opened a new home for the college at what is now Edinburgh College’s Milton Road Campus. Leith Nautical College itself dates back further, to 1855.

Find out more about the exhibition.