"Sunshine on Leith" is the second studio album by the Scottish folk rock duo The Proclaimers, released in August 1988 by Chrysalis Records. The album marked a significant evolution from their debut, "This Is the Story" (1987), moving towards a more rock-oriented sound with full band arrangements.
The record produced several successful singles, including the iconic anthem "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", which topped charts in Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland. Another notable single, "Sunshine on Leith", became a beloved ballad associated with the Scottish football club Hibernian F.C. Additional singles included "I'm on My Way" and the Australian-exclusive "Then I Met You". The album's track "Cap in Hand" gained renewed attention during the Scottish Independence referendum in 2014.
"Sunshine on Leith" featured contributions from members of Fairport Convention and Dexys Midnight Runners, enhancing the band's sound with richer instrumentation and arrangements. The album was a commercial success globally, particularly in Australia where it reached No. 2 on the ARIA Charts and was one of the top-selling albums of 1989. It also achieved high chart positions in New Zealand (No. 3) and the United Kingdom (No. 6), while also charting in Canada and Sweden.
Overall, "Sunshine on Leith" solidified The Proclaimers' reputation as a prominent act in folk rock, earning critical acclaim and selling over 2 million copies worldwide. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the album's memorable songs, heartfelt lyrics, and the band's distinctive Scottish identity.
