Ancient Signal Tower

This antique print dates from around 1848 and was drawn by Sir Daniel Wilson and engraved by William Forrest (1805-1889). It was originally created for Wilson’s ‘Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time’ (Edinburgh, 1848)

Wilson’s Memorials suggests that its purpose was to enable the owners to watch for their ships coming into the Firth of Forth. Wilson also says that the archway at the side of the picture was dated 1678. This tower was one of many interesting old buildings swept away when the centre of Leith was redeveloped in the 1880s.