Scheduled Monument

Leith Links, artillery moundsSM1195

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
05/04/1952
Last Date Amended
11/12/2002
Type
Secular: artillery mount
Local Authority
Edinburgh
Parish
Edinburgh
NGR
NT 27531 75837
Coordinates
327531, 675837

Description

The monument comprises two grassed-over mounds, traditionally identified as the remains of artillery mounts dating to the Siege of Leith in 1560. The mounds are situated in Leith Links, in that area of the park bounded by Duncan Place to the W, East Hermitage Place to the S and Links Gardens to the E. The mounds were originally scheduled in 1952 but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present re-scheduling rectifies this.

In 1560 English and Scottish Protestant troops besieged the fortifications of Leith that were then held by the Catholic French supporters of Mary of Guise, the Queen-Regent. The mounds are thought to be part of these siege works, namely the gun positions, or artillery mounts, of Somerset and Pelham of the English army. There is some dispute over this tradition, although the mounds are clearly artificial. In particular, the W mound, traditionally known as 'Giant's Brae', may in fact be a prehistoric burial mound, a premise based on its scale, profile and the associations between its traditional name and that of confirmed prehistoric ritual and funerary monuments.

The W mound, named 'Giant's Brae' or 'Somerset's Battery (remains of)', is almost circular in plan, steep-sided and has a flat top in profile. The top of the mound may have been levelled at some time, possibly to accommodate a flagstaff that used to be in place here, as recorded on earlier 20th-century Ordnance Survey maps. The mound has maximum dimensions of 46.5m N-S by 37m W-E overall and stands up to 3m high. The top of the mound measures some 15.3m by 15.9, with an indent on the N side. Two concrete patches on top of the mound, one with the remains of an iron pin in it, probably relate to the flagstaff. A small modern concrete plinth, with a metal plaque reading 'Giant's Brae - Remains of Somerset's Battery of 1560 - site of the English Artillery in the "Siege of Leith", lies adjacent to the path to the E of the mound. The mound is flanked by footpaths and trees.

The E mound, named 'Lady Fife's Brae' or 'Pelham's Battery (remains of)', lies some 250m E of 'Giant's Brae'. It is an elongated kidney shape in plan and has more gently sloping sides than the W mound. The mound stands up to 2m high. Its top surface undulates and does not appear to have been levelled. The E mound measures up to 45m across (including the grassy 'ramps' visible around the mound, particularly leading off it to the S) by about 36m. Its top surface measures about 22m by 11m. The mound is flanked by modern footpaths. A small modern concrete plinth, with a metal plaque reading 'Lady Fyfe's Brae Remains of Pelham's Battery of 1560', lies adjacent to the path to the W of the mound.

The two areas to be scheduled include the two mounds and an area around them in which remains relating to their construction and use may be expected to survive. The westernmost area is almost circular with maximum dimensions of 48m W-E by 50m N-S. The easternmost area is roughly oval and measures 58m SW-NE by 48m NW-SE. The two areas are marked in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the surfaced footpaths and the concrete interpretation plinths to allow for their routine maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its historical associations and its potential to provide important information about 16th'century siege works and the War of Reformation in Scotland.

References

Bibliography

The monument is recorded in the RCAHMS as NT 27 NE 11 and NT 27 NE 12.

References:

Harris, S. (1992) 'The fortifications and siege of Leith: a further study of the map of the siege in 1560' Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot. 121 1991, 359-368.

RCAHMS (1951) An inventory of the ancient and historic monuments of the city of Edinburgh with the thirteenth report of the Commission Edinburgh, 266, No. 247.

Steer, F. W. (1964) 'A map illustrating the siege of Leith, 1560', Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot. 95, 1961-2, 280-283.

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

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Printed: 29/03/2024 06:38