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Jonas Crespo 39 months ago
Located in Leith Links Public park. Outdoor, free to visit 24/7
Fascinating historical landmark.
Some info by HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND ????????????????????????
The monument comprises two grassed-over mounds, traditionally identified as the remains of artillery mounts dating to the Siege of Leith in 1560. The mounds are situated in Leith Links, in that area of the park bounded by Duncan Place to the W, East Hermitage Place to the S and Links Gardens to the E. The mounds were originally scheduled in 1952 but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present re-scheduling rectifies this.
In 1560 English and Scottish Protestant troops besieged the fortifications of Leith that were then held by the Catholic French supporters of Mary of Guise, the Queen-Regent. The mounds are thought to be part of these siege works, namely the gun positions, or artillery mounts, of Somerset and Pelham of the English army. There is some dispute over this tradition, although the mounds are clearly artificial. In particular, the W mound, traditionally known as 'Giant's Brae', may in fact be a prehistoric burial mound, a premise based on its scale, profile and the associations between its traditional name and that of confirmed prehistoric ritual and funerary monuments.
The W mound, named 'Giant's Brae' or 'Somerset's Battery (remains of)', is almost circular in plan, steep-sided and has a flat top in profile. The top of the mound may have been levelled at some time, possibly to accommodate a flagstaff that used to be in place here, as recorded on earlier 20th-century Ordnance Survey maps. The mound has maximum dimensions of 46.5m N-S by 37m W-E overall and stands up to 3m high. The top of the mound measures some 15.3m by 15.9, with an indent on the N side. Two concrete patches on top of the mound, one with the remains of an iron pin in it, probably relate to the flagstaff. A small modern concrete plinth, with a metal plaque reading 'Giant's Brae - Remains of Somerset's Battery of 1560 - site of the English Artillery in the "Siege of Leith", lies adjacent to the path to the E of the mound. The mound is flanked by footpaths and trees.