Edinburgh

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Scott Monument

More Photos
whatelb
whatelb
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
Reviews
8
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-3 of 3
Editor Pick

Scott Monument

  • August 18, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by wolfbrother from Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Scott Monument

The Scott Monument is one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in the city. You can't miss it - it's the huge, soot-blackened, pointy thing in Princes Street Gardens; the one with a statue of Sir Walter Scott and his wolfhounds on a raised platform in the centre.

It is well worth taking the time to go and see it, even if you only see it from the outside, as it's beautifully made and really quite awe-inspiring - particularly since its repair and rejuvenation in the late nineties, with much of the fine detail being recreated from scratch and painstakingly restored to bring the monument back to something close to its original splendour. Having said this, of course, if you're even moderately fit then I strongly recommend spending the paltry £3 entry fee and climbing the winding stairs that take you up the inside all the way to the distant spire.

When you go inside you get a certificate to say that you've taken on the 287 steps and lived to tell the tale, so you get a keepsake into the bargain. The staircase is very narrow, particularly as you near the top, so if you're claustrophobic then either think carefully before going in or make sure you go on a quiet day to avoid squeezing past other visitors. Even if you are a little uncomfortable in confined spaces though, the climb is staggered so you get space to stretch a bit and feel the wind on your face at regular intervals and it's only right near the top that the walls of the staircase really start to close in on you. It is all old stairs of course, so there's no disabled access.

As you climb, you stop off at several landings, where you can wander round the circumference of the building and take in the views. These get steadily more impressive as you climb, so make sure you save some shots on your camera for the top. On one of these landings there is some history of the structure and its recent rebirth, which is very interesting if you have time to stop and have a look.

The view from the top is what you're really paying for though, and it's a bargain at £3. You can take in stunning views along Princes Street, the Castle, Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill and away in all directions, as far as the far side of the Firth of Forth to the north, North Berwick Law to the East, Hillend to the south and away past the city to the west. A true bird's eye view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A must see.

From journal Exploring Auld Reekie - Edinburgh on a budget

Editor Pick

Scott Monument

  • April 25, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Scott Monument

The Sir Walter Scott monument, one of the most stunning and eye catching buildings in the Edinburgh skyline, a skyline that I feel is hard to top anywhere in the world. Ever since my first steps onto Princes Street I have been in awe of this structure, 200 feet of blackened sandstone reaching above the heights of Princes Street in wondrously Edinburgh style.I love this monument from both a travellers, and a photographers point of view—though it must be said it's one of the hardest buildings in the city to photograph well. And yet, despite my love affair (and massive collection of 'almost' photos of it) I'd never ventured to the top.The Scott Monument is rarely listed as something 'to do' for those visiting Edinburgh, and I've no idea why. I'd lived in the city—with a local—for over a year before I realized you could actually go to the top. And then, as is often the way when you live somewhere, I never made the time to do it. With every visitor we had we excitedly told them about the Scott Monument and how it would be a perfect time for us to go up and see it as well, and every time—for what ever reason—we never got around to it. Many days I set out to go up it and take some shots of the city, but the weather turned before I got there and so did my attention.I recently returned from Oz and months of sight-seeing and was reinvigorated to be out seeing the sights, and my first stop was the Scott Monument. It was a surprisingly sunny day in early April and Princes Street Gardens was buzzing with all the happy Scots, out to try and enjoy the sun. The grass in the gardens is a green you rarely see outside of Britain, and makes for a beautiful contrast to the darkened stone of the Gothic city. All the early spring flowers are blooming on the hill to the castle and being carefully cultivated below the monument in the gardens.If you are in Edinburgh… particularly in the spring, be sure to go up the Scott Monument. To my delight the ticket up was only £3, and is accompanied by a nice certification that you've in fact climbed the 287 winding steps to the top.The view from all of the levels is incredible, offering ways of seeing (and photographing) the city it would be very hard to get elsewhere. The sound of a piper floats high up to you in the heavy Edinburgh breeze and the atmosphere at the top is amazing. Beware, though, if you have problems with enclosed spaces. The stairway near the top is VERY narrow, barely allowing for one person, and the top lookout is equally crowded. But having said that, it is well, well worth the climb and the £3, for brilliant views of a magnificent city and a real feel for the majesty of Scotland's capital.

From journal Across the Pond, to the wonders of Edinburgh...

Sir Walter Scott Monument

  • March 15, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by whatelb from Mississauga, Ontario
The Sir Walter Scott Monument can been seen from many places within Edinburgh.

The Monument was erected to honor the great Scottish poet Walter Scott.

Sir Walter Scott, first Baronet (August 14, 1771 to September 21, 1832) was a prolific Scottish historical novelist and poet popular throughout Europe during his time. In some ways Scott was the first author to have a truly international career in his lifetime, with many contemporary readers all over Great Britain, Ireland, Europe, Australia, and North America.

His novels and (to a lesser extent) his poetry are still read, but he is far less popular nowadays than he was at the height of his fame. Nevertheless many of his works remain classics of English literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, and The Heart of Midlothian.

From journal Edinburgh - Perspective From a Local

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-3 of 3

Compare Edinburgh Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Helpful Edinburgh Links

Edinburgh Travel Deals