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~ ~ This monument was built over 150 years ago, between 1840 – 46, as a permanent memorial to Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scot’s author.
It actually caused some controversy at the time, as the city fathers held a competition for the best design, which was won by an astute ... Read review
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Advantages: Great views from the top. Kids love it. Disadvantages: You need to be 4 foot tall to negotiate the stairs!!
...~ There’s a statue of Scott himself standing below the arches of the monument, that was crafted from fine Carrara marble imported all the way from Italy. This was nearly never erected, as the marble seemingly fell of the ship while being unloaded at the docks, and was submerged under several feet of salt water, but its soaking doesn’t seem to have caused it any permanent harm.
~ ~ The monument itself was built in sandstone ... ...as the soft stone has not stood the test of time too well, and has corroded quite badly in places over the years, leaving the monument with a sort of dappled effect in places. No doubt the pollution from the time when Edinburgh was nicknamed “Auld Reekie” because of the permanent haze of smoke from coal fires in the city, had much to do with this erosion.
~ ~ It isn’t an expensive attraction, and will only cost you ... more
~ ~ If you ever find yourself visiting the ancient old capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, and are looking to get a good oversight of the whole city, then you might like to visit this historic old monument in Princes Street Gardens, standing literally in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, and climb the 287 steps to the top of its 200 foot high tower.
~ ~ I climbed this many times as a youngster living in Scotland, and again on a recent visit with my wife and little lass, and although the climb will leave you a bit short of breath, the view out over the old city and the adjoining Firth of Forth makes it well worth the effort, and is truly magnificent.
~ ~ This monument was built over 150 years ago, between 1840 – 46, as a permanent memorial to Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scot’s author. It actually caused some controversy at the time, as the city fathers held a competition for the best design, which was won by an astute fellow called George Meikle Kemp. He had no formal qualifications, and actually entered the competition under an assumed name, John Morvo, who was a well-known master mason at Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders. His design didn’t even come first in the competition, but after he had altered and embellished it somewhat, he was eventually awarded the contract, much to the dismay of many better-qualified architects in the city.
~ ~ There’s a statue of Scott himself standing below the arches of the monument, that was crafted from fine Carrara marble imported all the way from Italy. This was nearly never erected, as the marble seemingly fell of the ship while being unloaded at the docks, and was submerged under several feet of salt water, but its soaking doesn’t seem to have caused it any permanent harm.
~ ~ The monument itself was built in sandstone from a local quarry, which was probably a bad idea, as the soft stone has not stood the test of time too well, and has corroded quite badly in places over the years, leaving the monument with a sort of dappled effect in places. No doubt the pollution from the time when Edinburgh was nicknamed “Auld Reekie” because of the permanent haze of smoke from coal fires in the city, had much to do with this erosion.
~ ~ It isn’t an expensive attraction, and will only cost you £2.50 per head to visit. On entry, you get a little pamphlet explaining some of the history, and also a sketch outlining your way to the top. (I would have thought that it was fairly obvious, but still) Be warned though. If you are afraid of heights, or suffer from claustrophobia, then this isn’t for you. There are three levels to the tower, and you can stop at each to catch your breath and read some of the historical information posted on the boards on the walls. The stone staircase to the first level is spacious and wide, but once you get past the first level, the stairwells get progressively narrower and smaller. By the time you reach the last stairway to the top, you will be bent nearly double, and it is so narrow that if you meet someone going in the opposite direction you could very easily strike up an intimate relationship. In fact, there is hardly room to pass at certain points. The citizens of old Edinburgh must have been a very small breed of people!!
~ ~ If you have the energy and staying power to get all the way to the “summit”, then you will find yourself perched on a very narrow gallery. But the splendid views out over the skyline of the capital, with the Castle as a backdrop, make it well worth the effort.
~ ~ Kids love this place, by the way, and consider it a great adventure. And don’t worry about them falling off!! The security measures are very good. Watch out for the hundreds of pigeons though, or you might well end up with an unexpected dry cleaning bill. (not nice!!!) Worth a visit, especially if you’re on a family trip.
Advantages: Inexpensive, central, only takes half an hour Disadvantages: Very very high, not easy if you are fat and unfit (like me)
Sir Walter Scott sits (or his statue anyway), often with a parking cone on his head, in Princes Street Gardens under the most outrageous Victorian Gothic edifice I have ever had the pleasure of casting my eye over.
I've spent most of my 42 years living in Edinburgh, and like most residents of Scotland's capital city, take a particular delight in avoiding anything remotely 'touristy'.
Having being banished from the house while lady 'muffplaster' ... ...excuse why not.
The Scott Monument boasts that it is the 'largest monument in the world dedicated to a single writer' - and at a height of 200 feet six inches, is a claim which I find hard to dispute.
In the early 21st century, it may strike one as a little odd that such a project would have been tackled, more so, were you to ask any number of people in the street 'name a famous Scotsman who has made a significant cultural contribution in the last ...
dobieg 28.09.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Scott Monument, Edinburgh
Advantages: Good for conquering fears Disadvantages: Poor accessibility for all but the smallest of people
...spaces, and heights.
The Scott Monument stands almost 300 feet high and is an imposing sight from many places in Edinburgh. Standing in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, visitors are charged £2.50 to go inside, and given a leaflet containing various bits of trivia about the monument, together with a crude map showing which way to go to get to the top.
Upon entry, you are greeted by a comfortably wide stone spiral staircase. After seeming to climb ... ...you'll find several more interesting things to read about in the form of information boards fixed to the walls. It was at this point that my wife gave up, so I proceeded onwards and upwards by myself.
The second climb is equally gruelling, and you'll soon be aware that the staircase is somewhat narrower than before. Sooner or later you're going to be in a spot of bother should you hear footsteps coming down the staircase ahead of you, as there is ...
lyricalt 19.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Scott Monument, Edinburgh
Advantages: great view Disadvantages: no good if you don't like heights
...from the top of the Scott Monument is amazing. However, I can only go on hearsay evidence as I didn't make it to the top. Infact I don't think I even got half way up. The problem was that I could see the ground when I looked between the steps and I had a bad attack of vertigo. I had to be helped down. If you don't like heights, don't do it! However, if you are okay 200 feet above the ground in a metal tower where you can see all the way down to the ... ...This monument stands in Edinburgh at Princes Street Gardens. It is very near the Catle so you will find it easily. This monument was built around 1845 as a tribute to Sir Walter Scott. There are 287 steps to climb and it will cost you £2.50 to go to the top. There are three levels and you can rest at each one, or so I'm told. I didn't get to the first one.
The view from the gallery at the top is magnificent. You can see the whole of Edinburgh spread ...
janharper 06.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Scott Monument, Edinburgh
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