History of Leith, Edinburgh

Dalkeith (Scottish Gaelic: Dail Cheith) is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the River North Esk. It was granted a burgh of barony in 1401 and a burgh of regality in 1540. The settlement of Dalkeith grew southwestwards from its 12th-century castle (now Dalkeith Palace). Dalkeith has a population of 11,566 people according to the 2001 census. for more click here

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(c) John Arthur

The title Earl of Morton was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1458 for James Douglas of Dalkeith. Along with it, the title Lord Aberdour was granted. This latter title is the courtesy title for the eldest son and heir to the Earl of Morton. for more click here

James Douglas, 1st Earl of Morton (died 1493) was created Earl of Morton in 1458. He was a descendant of Agnes Dunbar, 4th Countess of Moray (known as “Black Agnes of Dunbar”). He married Princess Joan Stewart (1429 – c. 1488), daughter of James I, King of Scots. His wife was buried in Dalkeith Church, Dalkeith. They were the parents of four children; Janet, Elizabeth, James and John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton. for more click here

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(c) John Arthur

St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is part of the Presbytery of Lothian. The Church of Scotland traces its history from St Ninian, who came to Scotland in 397 AD, through the Scottish Reformation, led by John Knox among others, to the present. It is Presbyterian in government.
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Choir and Apse of St Nicholas

The St Nicholas Apse Project

The project to protect the ruins of the apse and restore the Morton Monument was spearheaded by the St Nicholas Apse Trust, a group of local interested individuals committed to conserving the building for future generations. Midlothian Council provided the Trust with advice and support. for more click here

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(c) John Arthur

Dalkeith Palace / Dalkeith House

Parts of Dalkeith Palace date back to a 12th Century castle. Anne of Buccleuch, the first Duchess of Buccleuch, commissioned James Smith, Scotland’s leading architect at the time, to build the house in it’s present form during the period of 1701-1711. The George IV addition was built prior to George IV’s Stay at Dalkeith Palace on his first visit to Scotland in 1832. He used the Music Room to receive Scottish Noblemen and dignitaries. The House was last used as the Buccleuch Family Residence prior to WWI and during WWII, it was used to billet soldiers of the Polish Free Army. In 1970, it was let to International Computers Ltd. Since 1986, it has been let to the University of Wisconsin for a study abroad programme. Unfortunately the Palace is not open to the Public. for more click here

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Edinburgh Castle 3

(c) John Arthur

Máel Coluim mac Donnchada (Modern Gaelic: Maol Chaluim mac Dhonnchaidh, called in most Anglicised regnal lists Malcolm III, and in later centuries nicknamed Canmore, “Big Head” or Long-neck; died 13 November 1093), was King of Scots. It has also been argued recently that the real “Malcolm Canmore” was this Malcolm’s great-grandson Malcolm IV, who is given this name in the contemporary notice of his death.He was the eldest son of King Duncan I (Donnchad mac Crínáin). Malcolm’s long reign, lasting 35 years, preceded the beginning of the Scoto-Norman age. for more click here

Robert Louis Stevenson’s full name was Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson and on many occasions visited South Leith Churchyard from which he got the name John Pew which he immortalised as Blind Pew in Treasure Island. John Silver is buriedin the Old Calton Cemetry Edinburgh however in the 18th century Calton was within the Parish of South Leith. His characters in Kidnapped such as David Balfour and Alan Breck were based on real people the name and description of alan Breck appears in the Custom records of Leith.

This scene is from “Disney’s” version of “Treasure Island” . Many of Stevensons ideas of pirates came from the pirates of Leith.

Stevenson is seen seated in the middle of this picture taken at his house in Samoa 1892

MARGARET Crowe (nee Eunson) would like to trace a 1950s school friend, Joyce McLaren, whose nickname was Toto. Joyce lived in Pennywell Grove, in the prefabs, and attended Leith Academy. Margaret is also keen to hear from other former Academy pupils who may remember her or Joyce. for more click here