Edinburgh History - Granton Harbour

Granton Harbour

Granton Harbour lies on the Firth of Forth, to the west of Leith and Newhaven harbours, about three miles to north of Edinburgh.

It was constructed over a period of about thirty years in the 19th century using stone chiefly quarried from adjacent land owned by the Duke of Buccleuch. It provided a deep water harbour for the steamships that were gradually replacing the old sailing ships.

The middle pier (1,700 ft long and between 80 and 160 ft wide) and two breakwaters (each over 3,000 ft long) created two harbours:

- Western Harbour (67 acres)

- Eastern Harbour (52 acres).

Much of Western Harbour was reclaimed in the 20th century, and more is now being reclaimed as part of the Edinburgh Waterfront project.

Details below are taken from the book Stranger on the Shore by James Gracie, who received details from His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch in compiling the chapter on Granton Harbour.

Granton Quarry
Granton Quarry, owned by the Duke of Buccleuch, was situated at Granton Point, about a mile to the west of where Granton Middle Pier was built.
1835	Work began on Middle Pier, and later the breakwaters, for Granton Harbour, using stone from Granton Quarry.
1838	In 1838, thirty-three years after the death of Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar, Londoners held a competition for the design of a monument in honour of Nelson. The design chosen was a 17ft high statue of Nelson to be erected on a column in Trafalgar Square.
1840	In October 1840, a sample of stone was sent from Granton Quarry to London for the sculptor, Bailey, to test.
1842-3	In July 1842, large blocks of stone from Granton Quarry arrived in London for the statue. The statue was completed in 1843 and erected on 3 November 1843.
1855	The quarry was flooded and lost to the sea.
Edinburgh Evening News: 21 October 2005, p.12.

Middle Pier ©
1835	Work began on Middle Pier, financed by the Duke of Buccleuch.
1838	*The Pier was named Victoria Jetty, after Queen Victoria. It was partially completed and opened on her coronation day, 28 June 1838*
1842	*Queen Victoria visited Edinburgh, arriving at Middle Pier, Granton, in the Royal Yacht, Royal George.* *Queen Victoria departed on board the 'Trident',* on 15 September 1842. 'Trident'** ©
1844	The 1,700 ft pier was completed in October 1844.
1844	About five miles to the north, on the northern shores of the Firth of Forth, a new pier was opened at Burntisland in September 1844, partly financed by the Duke of Buccleuch, so enabling ferries to run between Granton and Burntisland

Western Breakwater ©
1842	Building of the Western Breakwater commenced.
1849	The breakwater had reached 1,500 ft.
c.1851	The breakwater was completed; length 3,100 ft.

Eastern Breakwater

1853

Work began on Eastern Breakwater, starting with its outer 1,000 ft section! Stone was brought from Granton Quarry along the Western Breakwater and then along a wooden bridge.

1860s?

The remaining 2,100 ft section of the breakwater was built, joining it to the shore. The breakwater was built 25ft wide at the top and 150 ft wide at its base.

Question 1

Built by Convicts?

In July 2006 I received the this message from Andy Merrylees, now living n Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada:

Andy wrote:

Built by Convicts

"Looking at the Granton Breakwater photos, I remember my father telling me that the stone causeways were built by convicts.

I have never researched this, but I was wondering if you knew anything about this."

I don't know the answer to this question. If you can help to answer it, please e-mail me.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs

Question 2

Granton and Burntisland Engineers

William Howking wrote:

Harbour Engineers

"I am researching old records of Granton Harbour as my Great-great grandfather, John Howkins, and his son, also John Howkins were Harbour Engineers and factor to the Duke of Buccleuch from about 1840 until early 1900s. JH junior died in 1906.

I have no idea if convicts were used for the construction of the breakwaters.

I was very pleased to find your old plan of the harbour and the old photographs on the web site. As a harbour engineer myself, I am especially interested in the works my forefathers undertook, which included the harbour at Burntisland.

Perhaps you have some other information about the Howkinses or suggestions of where I can search? If so, I would be most interested in hearing from you."

William Howkins, Denmark: February 23, 2008

I don't have any further information myself, but if you have any information or suggestions that you would like me to pass on to William, please e-mail me then I'll pass on your message to him.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: