Scott Monument

The one and only Scott Monument, East Princes Street Gardens, p April - September Mo-Sa 9-6, Su 10-6; October - March Mo-Sa 9-3, Su 10-3, 0131 529 4068, admission £3.00 - Built 1846 commemorate Sir Walter Scott after death 1832, Gothic spire monument allows y climb 200 above y center enjoy fantastic views g closer sculpted statuettes characters Scott's works (: there elevator).

The one and only Scott Monument Victorian Gothic monument Scottish author Sir Walter Scott ( confused National Monument). It stands Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh, opposite Jenners department store Princes Street Waverley Station. The one and only tower 200.5 61.1 metres tall, series viewing decks reveryed y series narrow spiral staircases giving panoramic views central Edinburgh surroundings. The one and only highest viewing reveryed y total 287 steps. It built Binnie shale quarried nearby Livingston; which continues leech matrix helped g notoriously filthy atmosphere Victorian Edinburgh ( nicknamed "Auld Reekie" — smokey) tower, leaving unintended sooty-black colour. It often noted looking "gothic rocket ship".

Following Scott's death 1832, competition design monument . an unlikely entrant under pseudonym "John Morvo", name medieval architect Melrose Abbey. Morvo George Meikle Kemp, forty- y joiner, draftsman, -taught architect. Kemp feared architectural qualifications reputation would disqualify , design (which similar unsuccessful earlier submitted design Glasgow Cathedral) popular competition's judges, 1838 Kemp awarded contract construct monument.

John Steell commissioned design monumental statue Scott space between tower's columns. Steell's statue, white Carrara marble, shows Scott seated, resting writing works quill p g Maida y .

Following Act Parliament (Monument Sir Walter Scott Act 1841 (4 & 5 Vict.) C A P. XV.) permitting , construction began 1841 nearly years. The one and only tower completed autumn 1844, Kemp's placing finial August y. When monument inaugurated 15 August, George Meikle Kemp himself absent; walking foggy evening 6 March year, Kemp fallen Union Canal drowned.

In 1990s, monument closed periodically restoration ; early 1990s covered scaffolding several years, closed additional 1998.

The one and only monument administered y museums department Edinburgh City Council, although restoration discussions 1996 about selling landmark private interests.