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Site of Leith Fort from North Fort Street
Unknown, 1985, Photograph
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of 590
Site of Leith Fort from North Fort Street
Site of Leith Fort from North Fort Street
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Item no
38165
Title
Page from Leith Miscellany, volume XI, Site of Leith Fort from North Fort Street
Artist / maker
Unknown
Date
1985
Type
Photograph
Location
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection
Leith Fort was built in the 1780s, after three American warships sailed up the Forth in 1779 and were only prevented from attacking Leith by high winds.
James Craig, the architect of the New Town, was commissioned to draw up plans for a fort in Leith.
The 1st Royal Artillery Company arrived in September 1793 to occupy the fort with a detachment of infantry from Edinburgh Castle. They were not required to defend Leith from another naval attack but they did help fight the 'Great Fire of Edinburgh' in 1824.
The Fort was enlarged in order to accommodate French prisoners of war during Britain's war with Napoleon, and was used as an army base during World War Two, but the Royal Army Pay Corps was the last military unit stationed at Leith Fort, and had its final official parade in April 1956.
In the 1960s the Fort's interior was demolished to make way for housing, but the perimeter wall, entrance gate and guardhouse were all left standing. In April 2013 the 1960s flats were demolished to make way for new affordable housing.
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