Scott Monument

Construction began in 1840 to honor Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scottish novelist and poet, following his death in 1832. Designed by George Meikle Kemp, a self-taught architect who entered the design competition under a pseudonym, the monument is a Victorian Gothic masterpiece. Kemp tragically died in a drowning accident before the project was completed in 1844. The structure stands at just over 200 feet tall and is made from Binny sandstone quarried in West Lothian. Over the decades, the porous stone absorbed smoke and soot from Edinburgh's industrial chimneys, giving it the iconic blackened appearance that characterizes many of the city's historic buildings today. It features 68 statues representing characters from Scott's novels. The monument serves as a central symbol of Edinburgh's literary heritage. In its base sits a large marble statue of Sir Walter Scott himself, sculpted by John Steell and accompanied by his favorite dog, Maida. Visitors have climbed its 287 steps for generations to witness panoramic views of the city, from the medieval Old Town to the Georgian New Town and the Firth of Forth.