The Tally Toor is the local name for a Martello tower in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.[1][2] It is one of Scotland's three Martello towers, the other two being at Hackness and Crockness in Orkney. Originally built offshore on a rocky outcrop called the Mussel Cape Rocks, the land around it was subsequently reclaimed, and the building now lies, half-buried, in an industrial area on the eastern breakwater of Leith Docks.
History
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Tally Toor was built in 1809 during the period of the Napoleonic Wars to defend the entrance of Leith Harbour at a cost 17,000 pounds.[2] The tower was altered in 1850 to add a trefoil gun-emplacement and reorganise the interior accommodation.[2]
Irish folk symbols carved on the stonework indicate that it was built by Irish navvies.[3]
Later, during the Second World War, the tower housed an anti-aircraft battery.[citation needed]
On 27 April 1964, it was designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland.[1] Keys to the structure are with Forth Ports.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "SM2418 (SM2418)". Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d Historic Environment Scotland. "Edinburgh, Leith Docks, Martello Tower (51960)". Canmore. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ History of Leith - The Martello Tower
55°59′12″N 3°10′24″W / 55.98667°N 3.17333°W
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