Edinburgh, Leith, 1-2 The Shore, Leith Signal Tower
Signal Tower (Post Medieval), Windmill (17th Century)
Site Name Edinburgh, Leith, 1-2 The Shore, Leith Signal Tower
Classification Signal Tower (Post Medieval), Windmill (17th Century)
Alternative Name(s) 2 Tower Street; Windmill Tower
Canmore ID 51950
Site Number NT27NE 34
NGR NT 27148 76689
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/51950
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
NT27NE 34 27148 76689
(NT 2715 7668) The remains of a much altered tower windmill stand at the corner of Tower Street and The Shore. The structure, of rubble and sandstone, is circular in plan and c. 50' high. It was originally erected some time after 1686 when Robert Mylne of Balfargie undertook to erect "a wynd mill of the largeness of thretty-two feet diameter over the walls". At the end of the 18th century, by which time it had clearly ceased to function as a windmill, the structure was provided with windows and a crenellated top and functioned for some time as a signal tower. It is known by this name and at present forms part of the Tower Tavern, while the top floors are used for dwellings.
I L Donnachie and N Stewart 1967; RCAHMS 1951.
No change to previous information.
Visited by OS (B S) 27 November 1975.
Publication Account (1951)
No. 224 Houses in Leith (part).
In 1686 Mylne undertook to construct a "wyndmill of the largeness of thretty two foot diameter over the walls." This is still extant at the corner of Tower Street and The Shore. The tower, circular on plan and built in five receding storeys, has been subsequently provided with windows and finished off with a battlemented top. The name "Signal Tower" goes back no further than 1805.
RCAHMS 1951, visited c.1941
