The Sir Walter Scott Monument

Is this an ICBM?

In a city whose sights jostle for every last shred of your attention, the Sir Walter Scott Monument, Edinburgh’s gothic missile, is top dog. This must be the largest, most bombastic monument to a writer anywhere in the world.

It protrudes darkly from the manicured grounds of the Princes Street gardens, and I’ve wondered on more than one occasion if it might blast off into the firmament and return to whatever world such a monument would seem normal in.

It’s worth the £3 to climb the 297 steps to the viewing gallery. While the wind might threaten to blow you off, the 360-degree views of the city are priceless. Looking north you can see straight through New Town all the way to Fife.

Article Comments

  1. Katherina March 18, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    Where did all that bright sky come from?
    What a great picture. I tried it a few times… but it was always too dark and you can’t recognize its details…

    1. Keith Savage March 18, 2011 at 5:49 pm

      I’ve had nearly three weeks in Edinburgh. You had what? A day? Sun is predicted for the foreseeable future now, too.

  2. Andrew March 18, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    I remember seeing it and taking pictures from across the field. It looks so neat and gothic-y. Now that I know that you can climb it, I want to.

    1. Keith Savage March 18, 2011 at 5:58 pm

      It’s absolutely crazy that it exists. I somehow failed to climb it on my many previous trips to Edinburgh. Finally rectified.

  3. Ken March 18, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    Wow! What a great pic. What great exposure!

  4. Andi of My Beautiful Adventures March 19, 2011 at 7:34 am

    Great shot!

  5. lara dunston March 20, 2011 at 4:40 am

    You’ve had gorgeous weather! We only had a couple of pale blue sky days in our two weeks there, nothing as blue as yours. Lovely!

    1. Keith Savage March 20, 2011 at 5:10 am

      Overall I can’t complain about the weather. It’s been cold and rainy, but it’s also been cold and sunny 🙂

  6. Christy @ Technosyncratic March 20, 2011 at 11:36 am

    That monument looks awesome, and this is a great photo of it!

  7. joshywashington March 20, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    I want to go on a Gothic rocket ride!

  8. Bluegreen Kirk March 21, 2011 at 10:58 am

    Nice photo but what is it made of? I love the dark contrast of the Gothic Missile.

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