The notebook was begun probably in 1817, the date of the watermark of the sheets, and continued probably until 1821, the latest date quoted (folio 82 verso: the visit of George IV to Scotland in 1822 does not appear to be mentioned). The compiler, who has not been identified, appears to have derived much of his information from printed sources, especially the histories of Edinburgh by William Maitland (published 1753), Hugo Arnot (first published 1779) and Alexander Kincaid (published 1787). There are many deletions and corrections throughout and folios 2-4, 26-27 and all after folio 89 were left blank by the compiler, presumably for additional material. It is not clear whether this was intended for private use or for publication: if the latter, the publication of Alexander Campbell`s ‘History of Leith’ in 1827 would have made it unnecessary.