Signal tower, Leith harbour, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

18635

Title

Signal tower, Leith harbour, Edinburgh

Description

A round signal tower with a crenellated top stands at Leith Harbour. The sails of docked ships can be seen behind the wall of the harbour. In front of the tower men are gathered amongst small rowing boats and a ladder rests against a wall.

Artist / maker

Shepherd, Thomas Hosmer

Engraver

Henshall, J

Date

1829

Size

9.9 x 14.6 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image comes from 'Modern Athens', a book of engravings based on drawings by Thomas Shepherd published in 1829. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries Edinburgh was growing rapidly. The popular neoclassical architectural style of the time was inspired by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and Edinburgh was nicknamed 'Athens of the North'. Shepherd's engravings celebrate the beauty of Edinburgh and show many notable buildings and streets both within the city, and further afield.

This Tower in Leith was originally one of three windmills built in the late seventeenth century. It was used as a signal tower during the Napoleonic War.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Architecture > Architectural features > Turrets

Architecture > Architectural features > Watch towers

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

People > Adults > Men

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Water > Boats

Transport > Water > Ships

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