Publication Account
Date 1951
Event ID 1096451
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Publication Account
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1096451
239. Carved Stones, Trinity House, Kirkgate.
Trinity Hospital, which stood at the corner of the Kirkgate and Giles Street, was demolished in 1816 to make way for Trinity House. In the modern building the following details have been inserted for preservation.
(1) A panel built into the side wall, inscribed INTHE NAME OF THE / LORD VE MASTERIS / AND MARENERISBYL(D)IS / THIS HOVS TO YE POVR / ANNO DOMINI 1555.This is the oldest inscribed stone in Leith.
(2) A 17th-century door-pediment, built into the N.W. wall, bears the inscription PERVIA VIRTVTI SYDERA TERRA MARE ("Courage makes its way through heaven, earth and sea"), accompanied by representations of the navigating instruments of the time, together with an anchor and two globes.
(3) A second pediment, obviously recut and probably to be referred to the 17th century although bearing the date 1570, is inserted above the entrance to the courtyard from Giles Street. It displays a heart charged with an anchor. Another stone immediately below it bears the following quotation from the Psalms: THEY THAT GOE DOWN TO THESEA IN SHIPPES, THAT DOE BUSINESS IN THE GREAT WATERS, THESE SEE THE WORKS OF THE LORD AND HIS WONDERS IN THE DEEP. PSALM 107, VERSES 23 AND 24.
RCAHMS 1951, visited c.1941
