The Citadel, Dock Street, Leith

Image: © kim traynor Taken: 5 Jan 2011

All that is left of the once extensive fortifications of Cromwell's fort in Leith is the archway entrance and wall on the left of the picture. The wall on the right belongs to an adjoining Victorian church. In all, five forts were built in Scotland during the Cromwellian occupation: Leith, Perth, Inverness, Inverlochy [later Fort William], Ayr. "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 [gun] platforms; the works round about are faced with freestone towards the ditch and are almost as high as the highest building within; and withal thick and substantial. Below are pleasant, convenient and well-built houses for the governor, officers and soldiers, and for magazines and stores; there is also a capacious chapel, the piazza or void space within is as large as Trinity College in Cambridge great court. The building cost £100,000 stg.*, indeed I do not see how it could cost less. In England it would have cost more." -- John Ray, English naturalist, 1661 *actually an overestimate; see Image

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