Text size 
 Quadrant, 19th century. Presented in 1949 to Leith Nautical College |
Historic, rare and highly unusual objects have been collected by the Masters of Trinity House for over 200 years. These items from local and international sources celebrate the work of the Corporation of Shipmasters and Shipowners and reflect Leith’s wider importance as a seaport. Some items were originally purchased for use by the Corporation itself. This category includes most of the furniture. The mahogany chairs were purchased locally in 1770. A ballot box from the same period was used by members to vote on issues or elect members. Six hall chairs with the badge of Trinity House were commissioned from William Trotter, a celebrated Edinburgh cabinetmaker, when the present Trinity House was built in 1816. Safes for the charity’s money and documents can still be seen in a purpose-built strong room. |
Portraits of Masters and other people associated with the charity were commissioned to hang in the Convening Room. Portraits of George Smith, John Hay, Peter Wood and Admiral Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown, were by the celebrated Sir Henry Raeburn.
The collection has many models of vessels associated with Leith. These include the Peter Wood’s whaling ship, a cargo ship of the Ben Line and the Royal Fusilier and Royal Archer, passenger ships of the Edinburgh and Leith Shipping Company. Models of the Bell Rock and Skerryvore lighthouses and model lifeboats represent the Corporation’s role in improving the safety of sailors around Scotland’s coastline.
Exotic objects from around the world were gradually added to the collection, donated by merchant sailors and whalers returning from long voyages. They include narwhal tusks, incense burners, coral, tropical seeds, Chinese porcelain, a penguin egg, a whale’s eardrum, bottled seaweed and a flying fish wing.
Local institutions have also donated objects. Most of the navigational instruments and the memorabilia associated with the Training Ship Dolphin were donated by the Leith Nautical College when it closed in 1987. The Leith Council chain of office came to Trinity House when the council was absorbed into Edinburgh City Council in 1920. Allied maritime trades such as shipbuilding, engineering and sail-making are also represented in tools and instruments.
Other objects have been given by private donors or members of the charity. The cabinet and carvings were presented by Colena Grant, and the five ship models were made by Captain J.E. Johnson in the 1950s.
There are also many historical objects associated with Leith, including local topographical paintings, constable staffs, a key to the Martello Tower, wood from the old dock, trade tokens and tickets to Leith Pier.
This highly eclectic collection offers a unique opportunity to explore aspects of Leith’s maritime history.