OS1/11/83/39

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 39
Description of the Citadel of Leith from Campbells History of Leith

This fort which was constructed By General Monk Soon after Leith had been taKen possession of
by Cromwell's army, was of a pentagonal form and consisted of five bastions with one principal gate
fronting the east. This entrance to the Citadel Still exists it is an arched way of great Strength about
30 feet long, Situated at the North-East corner of the Citadel, and fronting Dock Street. It is now
Surmounted by a small modern dwelling house which has been reared immediately on the top of the arch.
That the Citadel of Leith was a place of no ordinary character appears from the account given of this garrison
by the learned John Ray, in his Itineraries. Ray visited Scotland in the year 1661 and thus speaks of the
Citadel:- At Leith we saw one of those Citadels built by the Protector, One of the best fortifications
that ever we beheld passing fair and sumptuous. There are three forts advanced above the rest and two
platforms: the works round about are faced with free stone towards the ditch, and are almost as high
as the highest buildings within and withal thick and substantial. Below are very pleasant, Convenient
and well built houses for the governor, officers, and soldiers, and for magazines and Stores. There is also a
good capacious chapel, the piazza or void space within as large as Trinity College (Cambridge) great court
This is one of four forts: The other three are at St. Johnstons, Inverness, and Ayr, the building of which
as we are credibly informed Cost about £100,000 sterling. Indeed I do not see how it could cost less in
England it would have cost much more.
A very entire portion of the Old wall, of about 20 yards in length, extends eastwards from the gate. On this
fragment of the rampart, Mr. Gray, Wright has his workshops and a Small timber yard, Starting from the
arched way spoken of, and which at this time the Citadel was constructed would be close upon the sea
the [continued on page 40]

Transcriber's notes

This Name Book refers to Edinburgh 1852 - Sheet 12
OS large scale Scottish town plans, 1847-1895 - Scale: 1:1:1056