Tally Toor

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, 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.

History[edit]

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.^[3]

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[edit]

^ ^a ^b Historic Environment Scotland. "SM2418 (SM2418)". Retrieved 8 July 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Historic Environment Scotland. "Edinburgh, Leith Docks, Martello Tower (51960)". Canmore. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
^ History of Leith - The Martello Tower

55°59′12″N 3°10′24″W / 55.98667°N 3.17333°W / 55.98667; -3.17333

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[HES-1] Historic Environment Scotland. "SM2418 (SM2418)". Retrieved 8 July 2021.

[Canmore-2] Historic Environment Scotland. "Edinburgh, Leith Docks, Martello Tower (51960)". Canmore. Retrieved 8 July 2021.

[3] History of Leith - The Martello Tower

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