History of Leith, Edinburgh

The Coat of Arms of James VI can be seen on the North face of the Tower of South Leith Church. He visited the church around 1620

The issue of Sir Alexander Lindsay of Glenesk, by his first wife, Catherine Sterling, were Sir David of Glenesk, the first Earl of Crawford, 1398 (who married the Princess Catherine Stuart. Fifth daughter of Robert the Second), and Sir Alexander Lindsay. He married secondly, Marjory Stuart, niece of Robert the Second, by whom he had Sir William Lindsay of Rossie, and Sir Walter, besides a daughter, Euphemia. Sir David Lindsay of Glenesk, first Earl of Crawford, had issue Alexander, second Earl of Crawford, and he turn had issue David, third Earl of Crawford (who married Marjory, daughter of Alexander Ogilvie of Auchterhouse, chief of that ancient race, and hereditary sheriff of Angus). And is the ancestor of a long line of earls and Lindsays, who finally die out in the direct line in an heiress, Margaret Lindsay of Spynie. (more…)

This house in the High St was reputed to belong to John Knox and where he died in 1572. However newer research suggests that it actualy belonged to James Mossman who was a Goldsmith

The Neither Bow Port was part of the Old Flodden Wall which enclosed Edinburgh to protect it from English attack. Removed in the 18th century.

The play was first performed at Linlithgow before James V in 1540 and on Calton Hill. Written by Sir David Lindsay who was related to David Lindsay of South Leith Church.

James IV (1473-1513) encouraged Scottish shipbuilding and Seapower.
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James I was murdered in 1437 by Highlanders led by Sir Robert Graham at the Dominican friary at Perth. Sir Robert later caught and executed in a way considered even by the standards of the time barbaric. On the left can be seen Katherine Douglas or Kate Bar lass as she tried to give James a chance to escape.

IT WAS the scene of one of the most infamous events in 16th century Scotland, when a band of witches gathered to cast a deadly spell on the king.

Their failed attempt triggered the hideous tortures of the witch trials that swept across Britain.
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