The Tally Toor is the local name for a Martello tower in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.[1][2] It is one of Scotland's three Martello towers, the other two being at Hackness and Crockness in Orkney.
Originally built offshore on a rocky outcrop called the Mussel Cape Rocks, or the Martello Rocks.[3] The land around it was subsequently reclaimed, and the building now lies, half-buried, in an industrial area on the eastern breakwater of Leith Docks, approximately 1⁄4 mile (400 m) east of the present harbour entrance.[4] There is no public access to the tower.
The circular defensive structure was over 30 ft (9.1 m) tall, with walls about 8 ft (2.4 m) thick, constructed of Ashlar from Rosyth quarry.[4]
History
Tally Toor was built in 1809 during the period of the Napoleonic Wars to defend the entrance of Leith Harbour at a cost 17,000 pounds.[2] The tower was altered in 1850 to add a trefoil gun-emplacement and reorganise the interior accommodation.[2]
Irish folk symbols carved on the stonework indicate that it was built by Irish navvies.[5]
Later, during the Second World War, the tower housed an anti-aircraft battery.[citation needed]
On 27 April 1964, it was designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland.[1] Keys to the structure are with Forth Ports.[2]
References
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- ^ Edinburghshire, Sheet 2. Ordnance Survey. 1853. Retrieved 2025-12-06. – via National Library of Scotland online maps.
- ^ Kerr, John (1981). "Historical aspects of Leith Docks". Our engineering heritage : three notable examples in the Edinburgh area : Dean Bridge, Leith Docks, Forth Rail Bridge. Paxton, Roland (ed.). Edinburgh: Institution of Civil Engineers. Edinburgh and East of Scotland Association.
- ^ "History of Leith - The Martello Tower". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2012.