SMM+S

spoons · Forum Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 18

For me, this is the number one iconic monument in Scotland. Even today it dominates the centre of Edinburgh with a real presence. Difficult to photograph because it has never been cleaned (policy I believe). I'm afraid I know nothing of the detail so I leave that for others to add.

For some reason I always think of it as a gothic spaceship about to launch on an interplanetary mission.

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject:

The plaque at the base

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

And Steell's statue of Scott at the base

I take it he's supposed to be thinking of his next novel but I thnk he looks quite melancholy here.

Adam

spoons · Forum Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 18

and a detail, one of the statues from the monument

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

I think the statues are of characters from his novels.

Adam

spoons · Forum Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 18

One of them is supposed to be Old Mortality but I have no idea which and I have no other photos

\Paul

Caroline · Forum Member Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 14

The central ststue of Scott is by Steell, yes. The architect of the entire monument was a Mr Kemp (Robert?) - found drowned in the canal eventually. The small statues are indeed characters from Scott's novels, as suggested, and were by a variety of sculptors. There's a website which lists all of them. I don't remember the URL offhand, but as some of the characters are by Amelia Paton Hill, googling her, together with "Scott Monument", ought to get you there.

I agree about the Gothic spaceship! I've thought for years that, especially if you view it from North Bridge, that it looks as though lighting a match under it would send it skywards. And to think the original plan was to place it in the middle of Charlotte Square! Robert Adam would have been birlin' in his grave.

Caroline

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:55 am Post subject:

These new information boards have been placed in East Princess Street Gardens. There's another one near the Mound entrance.

Adam
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