Leith's first rugby team was formed in 1905 and played at the Quarryholes, Leith but was not successful and disbanded in 1912 because most of the players had emigrated.

In 1921 the Leith Academicals Rugby Football Club was formed through a grant from the Leith Academy F.P. Association on the condition that members must be former pupils of Leith Academy and members of the F.P. Association. The new club's first fixture was against the School with the Academy team winning by 12 points to 3.

After establishing a regular first team the club moved to play at Hawkhill, Leith which had been its base right up until 1998. There were, of course, no bar facilities, and changing accommodation was difficult. Players changed in a wooden ex-army hut which had no lights, no toilets and no water. Washing for all players was at a single cold water tap at an outside stand-pipe. Annual subscription was seven shillings and sixpence (37.5p) for full members and half-a-crown (12.5p) for under-eighteens. There was a match levy of sixpence (2.5p). Players had to supply all their own kit and pay traveling expenses.

The club gained in strength and in the 1930's was Scotland's outstanding 'Junior Club', emphasised by the inclusion of seven Leith Accies in Junior inter-city games against Glasgow and the South. Progress beyond this level was not achieved due to lack of attendance by Scottish selectors and so, on one occasion, the seven Leith Accies called off from a representative game and played for the club. Two members, Jack Crawford and J.B.R Adam, were called to the North British Hotel where they were severely reprimanded and warned that any repetition would lead to the club being banned from all competitions. Despite the lack of selectorial interest the club did gain two international caps through J.A.T Brown, an outstanding coach and captain: regrettably the caps were for cricket and table-tennis!

For 2007 the President of the Scotish Rugby Union, George Jack, was an ex-player. [1],

At present the club plays in Scottish Hydro Electric National League, East and plays its home games at Academy Park, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.