National Monument of Scotland
The National Monument on Calton Hill is Edinburgh's unfinished Parthenon: twelve stone columns raised in the 1820s to honour Scottish soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars. The money ran out long before the rest could be built, and the half-finished colonnade has become one of the city's most recognisable sights.
Photos
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A memorial that was never finished
The monument was designed by the architects Cockerell and Playfair as a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, with stones cut to match the size of the originals. A foundation ceremony took place on 27 August 1822, during George IV's visit to Scotland, and building started in 1826. A public appeal raised less than half of the £42,000 needed, so work stopped in 1829 with only twelve columns standing. For years it was mocked as a national disgrace; today it is simply part of the skyline.
How to enjoy it
This is an open-air monument rather than a building you go inside, so the pleasure is in walking around and between the columns and looking out from the top of Calton Hill. Come early in the morning or around sunset when the stone glows and the hill is quieter. It makes a natural pause on a walk between the east end of Princes Street and the Royal Mile.
Nearby on the hill
The Playfair Monument, a small memorial to the astronomer John Playfair, stands just a few metres away. Once you head back down towards the city, there are cafes such as Kuna Cafe & Bakery and Room & Rumours Coffee within a few minutes' walk, and Bonnie & Wild for a wider choice of food.
Highlights
- Twelve columns modelled on the Parthenon in Athens
- Built 1826-1829 and left unfinished when funds ran out
- Commemorates Scottish soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars
- Stands on Calton Hill, one of Edinburgh's classic viewpoints
Good to know
- It is an outdoor monument on a public hill, not a ticketed building.
- Calton Hill is exposed to the wind, so bring a warm layer even on bright days.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: ewh.org.uk