Sir Walter Scott was a legendary Scottish author who lived from 1771 to 1832. After his death, the powers that be decided to commission a tribute to this literary giant, and so in the 1840s, work began on the 60-metre high Victorian Gothic-style tower. It has been hailed as the largest monument to a writer anywhere across the globe, ever since it opened first to the public back in 1846.
Join the visitors who flock here, making your way up its 287 steps and gazing out from its several viewing platforms. These are situated at different levels on the monument, allowing you to enjoy a steady and slow-paced ascent. If you want to reach the summit, however, you'll need to climb a steep narrow spiral staircase at its upper heights.
Visitors come here today for the unparalleled views the monument offers of this great city. However the structure itself is blessed with rich architectural details which you can take time to appreciate and admire.
You will find 64 different statues portraying some of the many characters drawn from Scott's books. At the base, between the four columns of the monument, you’ll see the white marble statue of Sir Walter with his favourite dog Maida. Look out for the grotesque faces of the gargoyles on the monument, which you’ll see if you look carefully.
The first floor has a Museum Room, which hosts a small exhibition on the writer's life, where visitors can learn more about the monument as well as Sir Walter himself. In this room, admire the four stained-glass windows which depict Edinburgh's and Scotland's coats of arms, the patron saint of Scotland St. Andrew, and the patron saint of the city St. Giles.
You can easily reach the Scott Monument on public transport as it is conveniently located in East Princes Street Gardens. It opens every day, but opening times vary depending on the time of the year. Check online before you visit for the current opening hours. Bear in mind however that there is no wheelchair access.
