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The Scott Monument

 

The Scott Monument was built to commemorate Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's greatest novelists. The Foundation stone was laid on the 15th August 1840 (the anniversary of Scott's birthday) and was completed in Autumn 1844. It is 200 feet 6inches (61.1metres) high, is made of Binny sand-stone from West Lothian, and cost just over £16,154 (approx. £712,000 today). There are 287 steps to the top where there are magnificent views of Edinburgh and beyond.

The large statue of Scott is in Italian Carrara marble was sculpted by Sir John Steell.

There are 64 statues on the monument, mostly characters from Scott's novels, with some figures from Scottish history. These can be viewed individually through in 'Sir Walter Scott' - characters.

 

 

Thumbnail of a sepia photo of the Monument under construction.
The competition to design a monument to Sir Walter Scott was launched in Spring 1836... Read more>>

 

Thumbnail of the Monument under repair.
Although the monument was very well constructed, inevitably repairs have had to be made. Read more>>

 

Thumbnail of a stone statue on the Monument
Click here to see some details taken from the Monument.

 

 

 

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