Gazing at the impressive Scott Monument in central Edinburgh, the visitor might wonder: is it supposed to look this dark? The Gothic-style monument was made out of local Binnie sandstone which is said to attract dirt and to age very quickly; as a result it is strikingly dark and distinctive.
Built in 1841 as a tribute to writer Sir Walter Scott, the monument has a larger than life-sized statute of Scott at the base, depicted as thoughtfully pausing from his writing with his dog at his side. The monument was partially restored in 1999 with stone from the original quarry.
Stone figures of Sir Walter Scott’s characters from his fictional works adorn its numerous niches, from Ivanhoe and Friar Tuck from “Ivanhoe” to Rob Roy and Helen MacGregor of “Rob Roy.” The climb to the several viewing decks via narrow spiral staircases will reward the visitor with panoramic views over the city in every direction.
Opening Times and Prices
Opening times for the Scott Monument are as follows:
April through September:
Mon-Sun, 10am-7pm
October through March:
Mon-Sun, 10am-4pm
Admission Prices
Admission to Scott Monument is £5, for both adults and children.
Location
Address: East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh
Tourist Bus: Served by Edinburgh’s Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus