Leith Links
Encyclopedia
Leith Links is the principal open space within Leith
, the harbour district of Edinburgh
, Scotland
. This public park extends to 18.5 hectares (45.7 acre). In its current form it is largely flat and bordered by mature trees. Historically it was an undulating area of former sand-dunes utilised as a golf links.
. Records from 1457 in relation to Leith Links declare the banning of both "gauf" (golf) and "fusball" (football) due to interference with archery
practice. This is the earliest known reference to the game of golf. Due to its being a ban, this indicates that golf predated this reference. Records show a 5 hole golf course, later extended to 18. The clubhouse was on the site of the original Leith Academy
on the south-west corner of the Links. A commemorative cairn and plaque marks this connection at the western side of the park. The rules of golf developed in Leith were adopted by the Royal and Ancient Company of Golfers
on their move to St. Andrews in 1777.
During the Scottish Reformation
on 25 July 1559, the Lords of the Congregation
made a truce
with Mary of Guise
at the Links, agreeing to vacate Holyroodhouse and leave Edinburgh. In 1560 at the subsequent Siege of Leith
, English and Scottish troops made use of this area creating trenches and two large gun emplacements for cannons. The latter were on mounds of earth to raise the trajectory over the town walls, which ran along the line of Constitution Street
. "Giant's Brae" is undoubtedly the remnants of one of these gun emplacements. This was previously known as "Somerset's Battery". "Lady Fyfe's Brae" at the foot of Restalrig Road was preserved in the understanding that this was the second position, "Pelham's Battery", however Victorian maps of the dunes and military remains would tend to indicate this was simply a large sand dune. If it were a gun emplacement it would be firing directly over the first battery and would be unnecessarily far from its target. This same map indicates a flat topped mound (a far better candidate for a gun position) on the site of the current bowling greens.
The entire area was only formalised as a public park (as opposed to a public open space) in 1888 as part of the Leith Improvement Plan. At this time the area was levelled (other than the two surmised gun batteries) and planted with trees along its perimeter and several paths dividing the area. Cast iron railings, enclosing the entire area were erected but these were removed during World War II as part of the war effort. Following this remodelling golf was discouraged, but was not officially banned here until 1905.
As part of the remodelling in 1888 various discoveries were made: foremost of these were two burial areas at either end of the Links. That to the extreme west, in the triangle of land isolated by Wellington Place, was surmised to be burial pits from the plague which affected Leith in the late 17th century.
are located to the south of the Links.
Allotment gardens were created on the north-east edge during World War II and still remain. The industrial hinterland here originally held ropeworks and cooperages but for most of the 20th century operated as a bottling plant for United Distillers
until they vacated the site around 2005.
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
, the harbour district of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. This public park extends to 18.5 hectares (45.7 acre). In its current form it is largely flat and bordered by mature trees. Historically it was an undulating area of former sand-dunes utilised as a golf links.
Current uses
The park contains toddlers' play areas and football pitches. At its eastern end an informal cricket pitch has existed here since 1826. The group of enclosed lawn bowls bowling greens have existed since around 1860. Tennis courts (at the extreme west side) and adjacent putting green have been disused since around 1980. In the first week of June, Leith Festival Gala Day is hosted here.Previous uses
Historically the park contained a Victorian bandstand, a pond for model yachts, and was used for annual events such as pageants and Leith Races.History
Leith Links' most famous link pertains to the history of golfHistory of golf
The origins of golf are unclear and much debated. However it is clearly one of a family of similar and possibly related club and ball games that were recorded across medieval Europe, and many of the unique elements of golf evolved in the port towns around the Firth of Forth in eastern Scotland from...
. Records from 1457 in relation to Leith Links declare the banning of both "gauf" (golf) and "fusball" (football) due to interference with archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
practice. This is the earliest known reference to the game of golf. Due to its being a ban, this indicates that golf predated this reference. Records show a 5 hole golf course, later extended to 18. The clubhouse was on the site of the original Leith Academy
Leith Academy
Leith Academy is a state school in Leith, Edinburgh. It currently educates around 1,000 pupils and around 2,800 part time adult learners.The former headteacher, Sandy Mcauley, resigned in 2008; Jack M Simpson was appointed headteacher in September 2008....
on the south-west corner of the Links. A commemorative cairn and plaque marks this connection at the western side of the park. The rules of golf developed in Leith were adopted by the Royal and Ancient Company of Golfers
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the world . It is based in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, and is regarded as the worldwide "Home of Golf"...
on their move to St. Andrews in 1777.
During the Scottish Reformation
Scottish Reformation
The Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
on 25 July 1559, the Lords of the Congregation
Lords of the Congregation
The Lords of the Congregation were a group of Protestant Scottish nobles who in the mid-16th century favoured reformation of the church along Protestant principles and a Scottish-English alliance.- Historical events :...
made a truce
Articles of Leith
The Articles of Leith were the terms of truce drawn up between the Protestant Lords of the Congregation and Mary of Guise, Regent of Scotland and signed on 25 July 1559. This negotiation was a step in the conflict that led to the Scottish Reformation...
with Mary of Guise
Mary of Guise
Mary of Guise was a queen consort of Scotland as the second spouse of King James V. She was the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, and served as regent of Scotland in her daughter's name from 1554 to 1560...
at the Links, agreeing to vacate Holyroodhouse and leave Edinburgh. In 1560 at the subsequent Siege of Leith
Siege of Leith
The Siege of Leith ended a twelve year encampment of French troops at Leith, the port near Edinburgh, Scotland. The French troops arrived by invitation in 1548 and left in 1560 after the English arrived to assist in removing them from Scotland...
, English and Scottish troops made use of this area creating trenches and two large gun emplacements for cannons. The latter were on mounds of earth to raise the trajectory over the town walls, which ran along the line of Constitution Street
Constitution Street
Constitution Street runs from the foot of Leith Walk north to Leith docks in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. Constitution Street will form part of the future Edinburgh Trams network, although the section of the line running from Leith Walk to the Ocean Terminal shopping centre has been delayed until...
. "Giant's Brae" is undoubtedly the remnants of one of these gun emplacements. This was previously known as "Somerset's Battery". "Lady Fyfe's Brae" at the foot of Restalrig Road was preserved in the understanding that this was the second position, "Pelham's Battery", however Victorian maps of the dunes and military remains would tend to indicate this was simply a large sand dune. If it were a gun emplacement it would be firing directly over the first battery and would be unnecessarily far from its target. This same map indicates a flat topped mound (a far better candidate for a gun position) on the site of the current bowling greens.
The entire area was only formalised as a public park (as opposed to a public open space) in 1888 as part of the Leith Improvement Plan. At this time the area was levelled (other than the two surmised gun batteries) and planted with trees along its perimeter and several paths dividing the area. Cast iron railings, enclosing the entire area were erected but these were removed during World War II as part of the war effort. Following this remodelling golf was discouraged, but was not officially banned here until 1905.
As part of the remodelling in 1888 various discoveries were made: foremost of these were two burial areas at either end of the Links. That to the extreme west, in the triangle of land isolated by Wellington Place, was surmised to be burial pits from the plague which affected Leith in the late 17th century.
Surrounding development
Leith Links originally lay wholly to the east of medieval Leith. Only from 1770 onwards did local law permit building outwith the old town wall. The first development was on the extreme north-west corner (now Queen Charlotte Street) where three roughly identical villas were constructed around 1775. From then various edges of the Links were gradually developed, those to the south-east being largely from the early 19th century and particularly grand. The majority of buildings facing the Links are the first building on their site and most date from the 19th century. A group of colony housesColony houses
The colony houses of Edinburgh were built between 1850 and 1910 as homes for artisans and skilled working-class families by philanthropic model dwellings companies. The first development was the Pilrig Model Buildings, near Leith Walk. Later developments across the city were built by the Edinburgh...
are located to the south of the Links.
Allotment gardens were created on the north-east edge during World War II and still remain. The industrial hinterland here originally held ropeworks and cooperages but for most of the 20th century operated as a bottling plant for United Distillers
United Distillers
United Distillers was a Scottish company formed in 1987 from combining the businesses of Distillers Company and Arthur Bell & Sons, both owned by Guinness. The company owned six Scotch whisky brands, which were relaunched as the Classic Malts range...
until they vacated the site around 2005.