SMM+S

[Adam Brown]

The Martyrs' Monument
Location: Old Calton Burial Ground, Waterloo Place
OS Ref: NT 260 740
Architect: Thomas Hamilton

This obelisk dominates the burial Ground and is a very distinctive landmark on the side of Calton Hill. I'll try and get it from another part of the City to show how prominent it is.

You don't actually appreciate how big it is until you stand next to it. (its 90 -100 foot tall depending on which article you read)



The Martyrs were five men who were imprisoned for campaigning for parliamentary reform in 1793-94. The five were accused of sedition and transported to Australia in 1794. The monument was proposed by Thomas Hume MP fifty years later and none are buried in the Calton Hill cemetery.



To the Memory of

Thomas Muir
Thomas Fyshe Palmer
William Skirving
Maurice Margarot
and
Joseph Gerrald

Erected by the Friends of Parliamentary Reform
in England and Scotland
1844



"I have devoted myself to the cause of the people.
It is a good cause - it shall ultimately prevail - It
shall finally triumph."

Speech of Thomas Muir in the Court of
Justiciary on the 30th of August 1793

"I know that what has been done these two days
Will be RE-JUDGED"

Speech of William Skirving in the Court of
Justiciary on the 7th of January 1794

Adam
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

[Adam Brown]

For more information on the 'Scottish' Martyrs see below

Thomas Muir

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRmuir.htm

Thomas Fyshe Palmer

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRpalmer.htm

William Skirving

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRskirving.htm

Maurice Margarot

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRmargarot.htm

Joseph Gerrald

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRgerrald.htm
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

[Adam Brown]

Here are some more photographs taken from other points around Calton Hill which shows how dominant this obelisk is on this part of the Edinburgh skyline.



The obelisk next to the old Governor's residence from the Calton Gaol and the Bridewell. The prison was demolished in 1926 to make way for St Andrew's House. I'm sure it was no coincedence that the monument was built overlooking Edinburgh's prison in the 1840s.



The Monument in Old Calton Burial Ground with the Hume mausoleum and Lincoln memorial nearby. In the background North Bridge and the spires of St Giles and the Highland Tolbooth church.



Adam
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project