Blaeu Atlas of Scotland, 1654
Field | Content |
---|---|
Name: | Buchanan, David, 1595?-1652? |
Title: | Provinciae Edinburgenae descriptio |
Pagination: | 4-5 |
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Translation of text:
Stenhouse, Little France, Niddrie and Easter Duddingston, and finally rolls into the Forth, a little to the west of Fisherrow harbour. Between the Water of Leith and the North Esk there are very many houses and castles of nobles worthy of mention. First between the Water of Leith and the Braid Burn, starting from the foot of the Pentland Hills and continuing the descent to the north as far as the Forth, are Swanston, Comiston, Craiglockhart, Craighouse, Braid, Plewlands, Bruntsfield, Grange, Sciennes, Wrightshouses, Merchiston, Priestfield, Dalry, Coates, Drum, Broughton, Pilrig, Restalrig, and Duddingston. Edinburgh is the capital of the kingdom and the only Royal Burgh of this province; at its farthest edges, where that is it faces due east and west, are situated the Royal Palace, commonly known as Holyroodhouse, on the east, and the citys quite superb castle, commonly Maiden Castle, on the west. A mile below Edinburgh, at the mouth of the Water of Leith where it rolls into the Forth, is situated the town of Leith, where is the very famous and busy (being for Edinburgh) harbour for ships. This town was not so long ago girt by ditches, walls, movable bridges and other defences of all types. Between the Niddrie Burn and the Braid Burn, starting from the mountains from which they flow and making the descent to the north as far as the Forth, lie Mortonhall, Southhouse, Upper and Nether Liberton, the Inch, Craigmillar and Niddrie. Between the Niddrie Burn and the North Esk, taking the same starting point and similarly continuing the descent, are situated the village of Pentland, Straiton, Muirhouse, Gilmerton, Goodtrees, Drum, Comiston, Woolmet, Sheriffhall, Monkton, Brunstane and Whitecraig. Between the Pentland Hills and the North Esk are located Fulford, Crosshouse and Newhall. The South Esk, flowing from the Moorfoot Hills to the north, after traversing ten miles in its course, joins with the North Esk at Dalkeith wood. On it to the east lie, beginning from the head of the river, Moorfoot, Mauldslie, Yorkston, Clerkington, Temple, Arniston, Shank, Cockpen, and Stonflett. Corresponding to these on the west are the village of Carrington, Dalhousie and Newbattle. On this river are placed four stone bridges: one below Dalkeith, another below Newbattle, a third at the head of Newbattle, and a fourth at Dalhousie. Between the North and South Esks, before they come together in one course, where there is only a small distance and the soil is for the most part quite productive of crops, distinguished houses are set along the banks of the rivers as previously stated, with the exception of Whitehill House, which sits almost midway between the aforesaid rivers, on the opposite side to Carrington of the road to Roslin. The Gore has its origin a little above Borthwick Castle and flows west, until it falls into the South Esk at Shank's angle, where Shank itself sits with a wide and lovely prospect of both the rivers Gore and Esk. The more important houses lying on this river are Halflawkiln, Borthwick Castle, Newbyres and Shank. The Tyne, rising a little above Crichton wood, descends four miles to the north-east within this province; then it cuts through East Lothian in a straight and placid course to Tyninghame, where it slips into the Forth. On this to the east lie within Mid Lothian Crichton Castle, Ford, Upper Cranston and Lesser Preston. Corresponding to these on the west are Loquhariot, Hagbrae, Vogrie, Ford and Lower Cranston. Between the Tyne and the South Esk, descending towards the north, the principal houses are Stobhill and Southside; houses to the west are Masterton and Bryans; houses to the east are Ovilia[?], Fordel, Langside, Carberry, Cousland and Wallyford. Between the east bank of the Tyne and the boundary of East Lothian are the positions assigned to East and West Crichton, Turniedykes, Costerton, the village of Fala with castle of the same name, Saughland and Cakemuir. Among all the rivers by which this province is irrigated, only the Gala makes for the south in its course: its source is at Falahill, from where it flows down for six miles within this province, then enters Tweeddale and rolls into the Tweed at Boleside in Tweeddale province. On this river to the west lie Falahill, Heriot House, Halltree and Bowland. To these correspond on the east Cortleferry, Crookston, Hoppringle, Stow and Torsonce. The only burgh in this province is Edinburgh, as Dalkeith, Musselburgh etc. are only market-towns, not Royal Burghs. Edinburgh Castle, thanks to its natural situation and to human skill and industry, is thoroughly fortified, as being situated on the summit of a large, very high rock, and inaccessible (3) on all sides because of the almost perpendicular slope of its sides, except that, as the nature of the matter demands, from the city one narrow and steep entrance opens into it; this is fully fortified partly by very strong walls built on both sides, partly by triple doors, outer, middle and inner, and partly by drawbridges and other necessary defences. Moreover among all the castles and houses of the nobility more distinguished for their size and amplitude which this province includes in its area, first place is held easily by the house and castle of Dalkeith, belonging to the Earl of Buccleuch, and situated in the angle enclosed by the rivers Esk as they bend towards each other and come together in the one course. To it is joined a spacious wood with enclosed pastures, and these sufficiently ample and lovely, where there is a supply of deer. The house of Newbattle for excellence of structure and beauty of position must be placed among the first. To it are joined enclosed pastures, where too deer are to be seen.