Octagonal Watchtower

This octagonal watchtower in Dalkeith dates from 1827, when the activity of taking bodies from graves was at its height because newly buried corpses were stolen so that they could be sold to the medical profession in Edinburgh for dissection. Before the tower was built cast iron safes, or mortsafes, were put over the coffins until the remains were no longer useful but this was cumbersome. Armed watchmen kept guard all night in this tower to prevent thefts but The Anatomy Act of 1832 ensured an adequate supply of corpses so the tower was no longer needed.