368 lMEM0RIAL.Y OF EDINBURGH.
years since. These consisted of a narrow mound of earth of considerable height, which
stood on the outskirts of the open common or Links of Leith, from the top of which a
beautiful aud extensive view was commanded on every side. There was an ascent to these
remains of the ancient bastion by means of a flight of stone stairs ; and from the promenade
being long a favourite resort on account of the view which it afforded, it was generally
known by the name of the ‘‘ Lady’s Walk.” From this point the walls extended nearly
in a line with Constitution Street, diverging on either Bide towards the central bastion
of the east wall, which projected considerably beyond the others, and crossing the line
of street obliquely towards the south-west corner of St Mary’s CLnrchyard. The chief
gate of the town was St Anthony’s Port, where the walls intersected. the Kirkgate ; and
beyond this point no vestige of them has remained since the middle of the sixteenth century,
although they extended thence to the river, and were continued on the opposite side,
so as to enclose the more modern suburb that formed the nucleus of North Leith. No
sooner was the treaty concluded which put an end to the siege of Leith, in 1560, than the
fortifications that had been reared with so much labour and skill were ordered to be razed
to the ground ; the Council of the kingdom and the Magistrates of Edinburgh being too
keenly impressed with a sense of their mischievous effects in the hands of an enemy, to
appreciate the value of a stronghold as one of the keys of the kingdom, which had baffled
the united forces of England and Scotland to compel its surrender. The following is the
order of the Council, issued at Edinburgh the 2d July 1560, commanding their immediate
demolition :-‘( Forsameikle as it is noturlie knawyn how hurtful the fortifications of Leith
hes bene to this haille realme, and in specialle to the townes next adjacent thairunto, and
how prejudicial1 the samen sall be to the libertie of this haille countrie in caiss straingears
sall at any tyme hereafter ’intruse thameselfs thairin : For thir and siclyke considerations
the counsall has thocht expedient, and chargis the provest, baillies, and counsall of Edinburgh,
to tak order with the town and commentie of the samen, and causs and compel1
thame to appoint ane sufficient nomar to cast down and demolish the south pairt of the
said town, begynand at Sanct Anthones Port, and passing westward to the Water of
Leith, making the block-hous and courteine equal with the ground.” In obedience to this
order, the whole of the fortifications facing Edinburgh appear to have been immediately
levelled with the ground. Those on the east, however, remained long after nearly entire.
They are represented in a perfect state, extending uninterruptedly from Bernard’s Nook
to the point of intersection at the Kirkgate, in a plan of Leith by Captain Greenville
Collins, dedicated to Sir James Pleming, who was Provost of Edinburgh in 1681 ; and
considerable remains of them were only cleared away in opening up Constitution Street
and the neighbouring approaches about fifty years since.
To the westward of Leith lies the ancient village of Newhaven, or Our Lady’s Port of
Grace, as it was termed of old. It originated in the general impetus given to trade and
commerce during the prosperous reign of James IV. Owing to the depth of water, a yard
and dock were erected there for shipbuilding, and a harbour constructed for the reception
of vessels, from whence it received the name of Newhaven. A chapel was soon afterwards
erected, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St James ; considerable remains of which
may still be traced in the ancient cemetery of the village, consisting chiefly of rude but
massive rubble walls. The jealousy of the citizens of Edinburgh, however, stepped in to
