History of Leith, Edinburgh

The last decades of the 19th century saw massive political disruption over Irish Home Rule. While Scotland remained a satisfied partner in the Union, some adjustments were made to the apparatus of government. for more click here

source-nls

Lancefield, Alfred, fl. 1843-1855
Title: Johnston’s plan of Edinburgh & Leith. nls

From the old house of that name. “A square to be called Hermitage Sq.”, 4/l/1808, eec.js. D. 1827. For sale Mansion house etc. of Hermitage, near Leith, e.a. 8/4/1765. Lady Fyfe resident there.

From “Edinburgh Street Derivations”

Built before 1822, o.&n.e. iii. 243. Constitution Road in Robertson’s map of Leith Fortifications, 1850, Irons 1297. Constitution Hill, p.w. I 780/81- 110. C. Lane, Kirkwood, also Court. Proposed new street, nameless, on west side of’ Leith Links, m.t.c. 29/1/1806. Constitution Hill seems to have derived its name from the excitement for the preservation of the “British Constitution” when the Movement for Catholic emancipation stirred up the Gordon Riots. See Barnaby Rudge, 1778, j.r.s.l. 158.

From “Edinburgh Street Derivations”

“Of Mr. Robert Irvine, who was Execute May 1st, 1717. near Brughtoun, between Leith and Edinburgh, for Murdering John and Alexander Gordons, Sons to James Gordon of Allan, on Sunday the 28th of April 1717.” for more click here

GABRIEL’S ROAD shown as Register St., D.1827. Ran from where Register House now stands in a long slant N.W. to the Water of Leith, behind where is now Saxe Coburg Pl. Shown unnamed, save at south cast end, close to Register House, Kirkwood composite map. N.W. end named in large scale map, p.w. 773. 15, 1780. 81 57. N.W. end marked “F Road”, Ainslie, 1804, its general course evident, also at Register House. It is still represented in the right of way past the Royal Bank, St. Andrew Sq., which is not always rccognised. The name has been wrongly derived from that of the murderer, given as Gabriel in “Peter’s letters to his Kinsfolk”, but really Robert Irvine. He was a probationer of the Church of Scotland, and employed as tutor to two little boys in a gentleman’s family. Having fallen in love with a maid there, he was observed one day by his pupils to give her a kiss-which they mentioned innocently to their parents. Fearful of loss of reputation and failure in the ministry, he brooded over this until he became mad with revenge. One Sabbath while strolling with his pupils on or near Gabriel’s road, he cut their throats with a pocket knife. He was seized, red handed, condemned and executed. Gabriel was a former proprietor of Inverleith, Walks in Edin. 179. In the road was a tavern called Gabriels, b.b.60. Best known from Ambrose Tavern, scene of the “Moores Ambrosianac m.t.c. 26/7/1780. “Gabriel’s Street”, m.t.c. 11/6/1788, 16/12/1812. South east end, just west of Register office, named Gabriel Road, Kincaid’s map of 1784. Given in list D.1826-7, also previously up present date.

from-Edinburgh Street Derivations

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By the late 18th century, Britain was no longer a theoretical concept but an everyday reality. Scotland had prospered spectacularly under the Union and was now unrecognisable as the poverty-stricken country that had grudgingly signed the treaty in 1707. for more click here

map 1822-nls

The road running by St. Mary’s Kirk (South Leith Parish), D. 1827. Kirkgate

source-Edinburgh Street Derivations

map 1822-nls

D.1827. “No doubt” name derived from property owned at one time Leith by St. Giles Kirk, Edinburgh, i.i.i. 208. Hand creden, On property owned by a family of Giles. Houses etc. to be lying in Dubrow, owned by heirs of late John Giles, brewer: to in shewn by Alexr. Giles, brewer, eec.j.s. 31/1/1774. Wm. Giles Brew St. Giles St. (sic) D. 1800. Mrs. Giles & Son, brewers. Lees quarter p.w. 1780/81, 10 7. Mistakenly St. Giles St., D. 1800. D. 1820, 57. Wm. Giles, Brewer, lxith, v.r. 33. Mr. Giles, the brewer, t.f.l. 152, m.t.c. 9/9/1829.

source-Edinburgh Street Derivations

map 1822-nls

Probably from Henry Campbell, a Fleming who lived in Leith and owned property there in the time of Charles I, Cromwell, and Charles II, j.s. The suggestion of “Cable” in a seaport is obvious, ,11.486.C.2. Henry Capill to be free maltman of Leith, m.t.c. 5/12/1660 D. 1799, 77. Cable Wynd, D. 182 7. Originally Kapple’s Wynd, o.& n.e. iii 226. Kappel’s Wynd in map of 1850 in Robertson’s Sculptured Stones of Leith, Irons 1.297. From a Dutch or Flemish resident, m.t.c. 18/8/1802, 6/3/1816. Alias Mathieson’s Wynd, m.t.c. 7/2/1821, 6/3/1838. Among streets in Leith to be repaired is Caple Wynd leading to the Water of Leith, m.t.c. 13/4/1743.