Reviews of Scott Monument. (Museum) in Edinburgh (East Lothian).
Scott Monument
E. Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2EJ, United Kingdom
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Information of Scott Monument, Museum in Edinburgh (East Lothian)
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Reviews of Scott Monument
S. N.The iconic monument, I love love all the details of this monument. Too close to the train station so you can see it once you arrive or before you leave and enjoy the beautiful greenery space around it. You can either talk a 10 minutes walk around the place or sit and enjoy the scenes.
A. S.A very focal point within the city and a good landmark to get your bearings. We visited whilst the poppy displays were been set up. The view of it is great so walk right around it to see the details.
H. M.The streets look really calm as I was walking in the morning but during the noon and evening times it was so packed there was no place for me to walk lol! And someone with a bit of social anxiety it can be a bit overwhelming! But it’s really great! The view and the ambience of the streets are awesome! It’s so adorable walking through the streets as most of the buildings are old and great!
A. B.The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument erected to writer Sir William Scott. It is situated on Princes Street right across from Jenner’s. The monument has 64 different figures displayed, not counting Scott and his dog, from Scott’s novels. The monument was inaugurated on August 15, 1846, but there is a lot of rich history behind where the design came from and how it was paid for as in the process of being developed the budget was blown and a person who won the contest for the design (George Kemp) was a joiner who applied for the contest under a false name. Other interesting obstacles include that the heavy marble that was used to build the monument came from Italy so they had trouble finding hoists to move such heavy stones. And before the monument was finally built, Kemp died under mysterious circumstances. There are stories that he was killed by a rival opponent who was upset that they didn’t win the design contest or he drank and died by falling into the Union Canal on his way home. The monument was left unfinished and Kemp’s son finally finished the project. Now, if you have some time and you want to have an entirely-claustrophobic and terrifying, adrenaline-charged experience and burn a few calories, pay the £3 or whatever the price is now and ascend the half inch spiral staircase to the top to the pinnacle of death for amazing views of Edinburgh. This trip is not for the faint of heart or anyone with a robust girth. If you climb this stairwell, I assure you that you’ll only want to do this once in your lifetime. This isn’t an excursion that you’ll want to do again.
D. T.Large gothic monument which was one of many similar monuments erected at the end of the 19th century in British ruled cities.
Dedicated to Walter Scott it dominates the skyline near the train station end of Princes Street. Used now for poppy charities at this time of year
S. M.On 12th December, I had nice weather.
I waited for having Scott Monument tour since Lockdown about 2 and half years. So, today, the tour has organised. The tour guides were very kind and gave many nice info to us. The view of the monument top was very good. I had good experiences! Thank you!
A. A.Beautiful monument dedicated to Sir Walter scott! Looks beautiful in the evenings when lit up! Definitely worth the visit and appreciate the architecture
N. G.The iconic Scott Monument in Edinburgh. There're green spaces around where you can sit and relax. It's nice in the summer, but you can still enjoy the scenery in other seasons, too.
m. t.Really in the heart of the city and beatuful monument.
This is really peaceful place with garden surrounding the monument and lods of places to sit and relax.
5 mins walk from Edinburgh central statio and has real vibe of the city.
Worth a stop if you are visiting Edinburgh old town.
A. N.Great monumental landmark with a lot of detail in it, the gothic style makes it more unique truly a staple when visiting Edinburgh. located in the heart of the city with a large park below it you really cant miss this monument as it towers over princess street.
T. G.Walter Scott monument is worth taking a closer look and continue on a walk through Princess Street Gardens which are currently gorgeous with spring flowers. There signs saying you can walk up the monument but it was roped off when we were there
R. A.Second outing to the monument, nice bit of architecture. Our group not fussed on going up as the castle offers a better view of the city. Still a must see if you’re there!
A. M.Really lovely place to visit
Right in the middle of old town and new town
Lovely to learn about the writers of Scotland
I realised after that it is possible to walk inside the tower and see a view of the city
But unfortunately it has been closed for maintenence post Pandemic
H. S. J. (.Peaceful and so beautiful this monument. More exciting buildings and monuments but this is definitely a stand out piece. Location within Princess gardens.
W. W.Nice park setting next to this monument. We had live music playing in the streets nearby. We caught a nice sunny day and were rewarded with some fabulous views and much needed rest.
k.Beautiful monument, very large and well made, great nature surrounding it and is an overall great monument.
J. S.Worth taking the time to come and see this monument. It sits in a nice green space. It is clearly visible from many directions. Some times tours are available but check website for availability.
N. C.Highest Monument with several viewing platforms. Was looking beautiful 😍 But we didn't get chance to go inside....
K. D.What a monument, the details and architecture, of course a perfect sunny day. This is definitely a gem of Scotland. Wish I could fly a drone around and capture an ariel video. But that's not permitted I guess, I didn't even bother to ask. Nevertheless, couldn't ask for a better day to visit Edinburgh.
N. G.An impressive Gothic - style monument is visible from many parts of Edinburgh . Green spaces around for relax on the grass😃
J. E.Beautiful monument with impressive architecture. In my opinion it is one of the loveliest statues around. Sadly, it was closed for tours up the inside while I was visiting, which is really too bad. It is worth a stop by just for the outside though.
P. K.Iconic and epic-themed building which is visible from many onsite spots in the city.
M. S.Sir Walter's Scott monument. A famous writer, poet.
Z. S. (. L. E.Instagram @MyLittleEdinburgh for more!
Excellent to see the monument open again. It’s £8 per adult to climb, the last leg is closed to the public and this is a 30 mins guided tour only. Not long to stop for a photo of the excellent view before being taken back down.
You no longer get a certificate for climbing either.
Still a fun 30 mins and learnt some new information.
R. D. T. W. D.An incredible structure to see at close range. Well worth a visit. Easy to access and it's in a good place to start a walking tour of Edinburgh. The city overall is amazing, this should be on the list if you're here. It is awe-inspiring.
D. P.Standing proudly in Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument is one of the most iconic Edinburgh landmarks and a must-visit!
S. P.Main Street full of shops and restaurants. The park is very nice and lots of monuments.
P. N.It's one of scotland's landmark, good spot for photos
R. W.Great monument, lots of details and architectural surprises.
V. S.Located in the princes Street , the Scott monument along with the Edinburgh castle are the most recognised buildings of Edinburgh. Named after Sir Walter Scott who happens to be arguably the most famous Scottish poets and storytellers this tower is now a symbol of this place. Built about 150 years ago this gothic monument looks even older than that. You can sit in the here and enjoy the surrounding busy market as the day goes by.
The Waverly railway station is adjacent to the monument, so it's easy to reach here.
K. m.Loved the views you got from the top perfect on a sunny day but does get quite chilly the higher u go up lol just watch the steps are very narrow especially when you get to the last viewing platform and can be a bit tricky trying to pass people coming down as you are coming up but the views are fantastic when you reach the top and is a small five pound admission fee. Also has a small museum in it with audio head phones explaining the history to you which is worth a listen to along with the pictures. Well worth a visit.
M. P.Very beautiful monument
Really spiritual
N. K.If you’re a tourist in Edinburgh this is a must see monument.
C.A little costly at about 20 pounds for the family ticket but we all enjoyed it for sure. You go with a guide who takes you up some narrow stairs to the various levels. I always struggle with claustrophobia but by going first (behind the guide) and counting the steps as I go I was able to manage pretty easily.
From the various levels you can see some great views of the city which is great for tourists. You also get a bit of the history of the tour and of course lots of photo opportunities.
Kids need to be able to climb it by themselves which means babies can’t join. We were told there isn’t space to carry a small child as it is very narrow which was true. I did however see a group with a small child who they said could climb it and the guides let them in (and the little girl did a great job!), so they are flexible.
c. m. b. d.From the days when architecture meant somethin special !!!
A big climb but we'll worth it for the view
U. K.It's a good historic Monument right in the middle of the city. The Princess Park adds beauty to it. It is a tribute to the novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott. The tower is slightly higher than 200 feet and have viewing platform for the braver souls. The Waverly railway station is a mere stone's throw away.
T. M.Climbing the Scott Monument is an absolute must for anyone visiting Edinburgh. The views are absolutely breathtaking - pretty much the best views it's possible to get of central Edinburgh. Admission is very reasonable too - £5 for adult entry. Be warned though, there's a fair few steps to climb to get to the top (287, in fact), and the staircases get increasingly narrower as you go up. If you bump into people going the other way in a stairwell, it's very difficult to pass each other. Definitely not for claustrophobics or larger sized individuals. If you can manage the stairs though, it is absolutely worth it!
J. N.Pros - affordable, central, great views on a sunny day, panorama views of the whole city.
Cons - Narrow steps near the top, tight squeeze for any overweight people. No space at the top for more than 10 people causing gridlock.
I enjoyed it for the photos.
m. j.very massive monument along Princes Street. Astonishing. too bad we can't go near the monument.
A. I.currently closed because of covid. but rated highly as I remember how much fun I had going to the top over 8 years ago. I hope it reopens soon. £8 for adult entry now. I remember paying £4 😯 however a must visit for stunning views of princes st and beyond.
R. k.There is no other place which has monument dedicated a writer .. amazing
M. H.Beautiful monument, wish I got to spend more time exploring around it.
J. C.My favorite in Edinburgh. its such a nice place and the monument is quite amazing that I am awestruck with its beauty. Nice place to take pictures as well the gardens are pretty nice to have a stroll.
T.Beautiful monument you can see from everywhere in Edinburgh.
S. G.The city views from each landing and the top can't be beat. Well worth the walk up. In full transparency, this walk is not for everyone. You must climb 287 stairs up 200 feet to the top, and the staircase is quite narrow in places, making the stairs harder to navigate there. Handrails are missing in places, so if you have younger children who need to be carried, I would recommend skipping this activity. Also, for those who are claustrophobic, you should know there are really only a couple landings where you can comfortably pass others going up or down. Other than that, it's a great place for visitors to see the scope of the city.
G. E. B. M.Beautiful monument, a must see when one visits this great city
R. A.One of my favourite spots in Edinburgh!! You have to see it in daylight and night as well.. so historical and beautiful
R. Y.It is one of the most famous Edinburgh landmark. It is a memorial of one of Scotland's most famous and best-loved writers Sir Walter Scott. Located in an area of Edinburgh's Princes Street Garden, on the edge of Princes Street. Visible from almost the entire city.
S. S.Lovely place to visit and sit for an ice cream or coffee.
A. S.It is world's second largest monument for a writer. Take a £8 guided tour to the top of the monument which departs at the base every 30min with a group of 12. At the city centre and within walkable distance to castle and national gallery.
E.Very neat monument built in honor of the famous Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It costs £5 to enter and there are several levels you can climb to. At each level you can walk all the way around the monument and the first level contains a small museum. There are A LOT of stairs and the stairs get narrower the higher up you go (you can go back down at any point though). You can get some great views of the city but if you get anxious in small spaces then I would admire the monument from the ground.
A. A.Definitely worth a climb for the nice architecture and views. Costs £5, around 287 steps across 4 levels (so each climb is not too long). Doesn't require high fitness but NOT FOR THE OBESE OR CLAUSTROPHOBIC. The staircases become very narrow that it is difficult for two people to pass.
M. G.Emblematic monument of Edinburgh. I really recommend to climb up for the views. Really worth it!
A. R. A. M. (.The magnificent monument which is considered to be one of the most attractive place in Edinburgh. I love the view when you exit the railway station and just see it right in front. Amazing.
S. H.A truly impressive gothic structure that reaches towards the heavens from the verdant well kept grass surrounding it.
A lot of people were out here on the sunny day that we visited, but you spend most of your time looking up at the grand spires, so this isn't really an issue when there.
R. N.Good views if you climb up it (£5). Be warned though, it's a series of spiral staircases that get narrower towards the top (those with claustrophobia or big bones may find it uncomfortable, especially trying to pass others). It could do with a clean, the exterior is almost completely black.
A. W.The Scott Monument is named for the Scottish 19th century author Sir Walter Scott is a large monument dominating Princes Street in Edinburgh. In my youth we climbed up here until the first level but the stone eyes freaked us out a little. The author at his height was arguably the most popular in the world, he wrote quite a few powerful stories mostly set in Scotland , my favourites being Rob Roy and Ivanhoe. A must read for those interested in the history of literature or just those interested in a good read.
B. A.Great views of the city and castle! Fun challenge for those like stairs and narrow door ways (only at the very top). Also interesting to learn more on Sir Walter Scott. History, sites and a amazing monument.
M. T.Amazing monument. Definitely must to visit
S. K.The monument as such is a beauty, but it's very difficult to capture it from a busy street. Luckily there is a narrow divider in the middle of the road where one can stand comfortable and click photographs of it. I did it with the iconic red bus!
P. J. A. C.I left the station and this was the first thing I saw. It was a fantastic way to start my stay in Edinburgh. It really has something to it that makes it eye catching.
M. P.Indeed great view over the city for a very good price and it feels magical around Christmas with all the decorations. You also get a certificate once you've climbed all the hundred's of stairs. It is quite impressive how it was built and what it symbolizes. Try to go there before sunset.
C. B.What an amazing experience to climb 287 stairs to the top of the Scott Monument.
The view took my breath away, or maybe it was the fact I was over two hundred feet off the ground that made it a breathtaking experience.
The narrow spiral staircase is not for the weak of heart, but it is an exhilarating experience, not to be missed.
K. G.The monument is very best at it's appearance and an very important landmark. You get a chance to go to the peak of the monument with some entrance fee. It is like around 8 pounds I guess.
a. n.Beautiful monument in the center of town! You will see it as a tourist walking around.
T. A.the first beautiful stop in this pretty city of Edinburgh is the ornate Scott Monument. Go uo the spiral staircase and savor the history. Get caught in the intricate floors with the exciting stories. The go around the beautiful park and gardens around it.
C.Beautifully looked after and great place to visit. Staff are great and happy to give you the history or answer any questions.
K. D.An impressive structure and a brilliant example of flying buttresses. It's at times seems lost in the crowd of shops on the other side on the princess street. Didn't get in (spending in GBP wasn't really liked by my companions). The monument is sset against the beautiful flowering garden at the back. There is a small cafe nearby but expensive. It's better to walk towards the railway station, or cross the bridge to the old town.
B. J.Interesting monument. Worth seeing. During our Visit we saw guy playing bagpipes in front of it. Probably biggest monument for writer in the world.
R. G.Great Scott! This monumental memorial rivals that of Lincoln’s and Washington’s, quite fitting for the man who rediscovered the royal jewels of Scotland, wrote the stories that captured the ethos of the nation, and regained the glory of Scotland. 5£ to climb to the top. The stairs get pretty narrow.
K. S.You shouldn‘t be afraid of small staircases but you‘ll be happy standing on top enjoying the unique views over the city 😍😍❤️
Loved photographing this place!☺️
S. S.Good place for the picture and near to the bus station
T. M. P.Simply one of the best sights in Edinburgh. From here you have an amazing view of the Old Town, including the beautiful castle. Perfect place for a picnic when the sun is shining!
T. G.You can’t go in. But the structure is so cool! Next to a beautiful huge park and close to the natuonam museum. It looks like a villain cave, very gothic. Loved it
A. S.Very cool attraction. Much taller than it looks online in person.
A. F.The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It is the second largest monument to a writer in the world after the Jose Marti monument in Havana. It stands in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, opposite the Jenners department store on Princes Street and near to Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station, which is named after Scott's Waverley novels.
A. B.Super cool monument!! It's an impressive structure even from far away, but close up is even better! My husband has the close up pics, def worth a visit. The surrounding grounds are nice and seem like a lovely place to visit on a nice day!
J. M.Very beautiful and well kept monument, loved the Gothic styling and how iconic and easy to see it is, we could see it from nearly every point in Edinburgh
K. B.Quite the climb up, and no handrails in some sections of the narrow spiral staircase. Amazing views from the top. Definitely worth taking the time to stop.
G. N.Beautiful monument, this is in the heart of Edinburgh. I have lots more amazing photos of Scotland on Instagram: LostNorthsider.
C. L.Walter Scott is my ancestor so I'm probably biased. Even so, very beautiful monument and in superb condition. Wonderful place to visit.
A. K.Great place! Loved the atmosphere and non stop people passing by
J. H.Great monument. amazing architecture.
Sir Walter had a parking cone on his head when we visited him. Perhaps he was a bad boy or maybe the locals were just having some fun.
E. Z.A short but worth it stop. Some interesting history and close up view of a cool monument
C. W.A great monument and the town has some memorable shops and eateries.
R. K.Looks amazing, specially if you take the Star ride in December and January at the Christmas Market. Located on the Princes street outside Waverly station, it gives you a good start to your Edinburgh trip.
K. M.Stunning monument and wonderful surrounding area!
C. L. F.The view from the top of the monument is phenomenal. You can view the whole city from the top of the monument. A nominal £5 entry fee is taken from those who wish to climb atop the monument.
A. A.One of the best spots for old Edinburgh skyline specially at sunset.
Princess Park gives you a place to relax on the wet greenery before heading up to the Edinburgh Castle !
N. R.What a beautiful monument, the Scott Monument was one of the first landmarks we saw after getting off our train. Nestled closely to the station and shopping attractions, Scott Monument is in a quite park and offers a moment of peace and serenity.
J. B.Great views from the top.
Quite a climb to get to the top but luckily there are 3 waiting platforms on the way up.
D. R.Great!! Go inside and climb the stairs to the top for some good views, be careful though as the nearer the top you get the staircase gets narrower.
h.Beautiful scenery and building! great place to take pictures and have a stroll.
A. K.Hard to miss structure which is a recognisable part of the city’s skyline. If you are on Princes Street, is a must see. You can actually walk up almost to the top of the monument.
P. S.My favourite monument in this city. Such a unique design and beautifully crafted!
R. J.Beautiful architecture, nice walk around, but hard to get parking.
G. L.Make sure you went all the way to the top (quite narrow in the last flight), the views are even better than from the castle. And don't worry on the way down, you may think you get lost, but there IS a way out. :)
Z. S.It’s difficult to get the scale and detail of this enormous monument, which is (according to Wikipedia) the second largest monument to an author in the world.
It looks like it belongs on the top of a very tall building, or racing through space shooting down enemy fighters. Maybe that is what it does when we are asleep at night.
It is magnificent.
d. s.Right at the centre of the city, nice park, communication is good. You can take a tram or bus.
c. A.Loved it. Well worth the climb to see the views from the top
C. V.Beautiful monument! The Christmas market and fair are all around it. You can see it from almost anywhere in the city.
Z.Impressive, but somewhat creepy monument like it was taking from lord of the ring 🤣
A. S.This is a beautiful monument and one of the first things you see when arriving into city centre. There are tours offered.
B. T.Great monument. Needs clean and TLC to bring out the best of the architecture and beauty
R. R.Standing proudly in Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument is one of the most iconic Edinburgh landmarks, a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. Dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, it is one of the largest monuments to a writer anywhere in the world.
K. J. (.A wonderful monument, very imposing and situated on Princes Street. Near to here you can purchase ‘hop on, hop off bus tours and attraction tickets’. We purchased the Majestic tickets which were great.
S.The most beautiful building I have ever seen!
D. A.Gorgeous monument! Never ever seen anything1 like that! Beautiful architecture!
D. E.Iconic and easy to get to, availability to go to the top but don't recommend if your not good with heights.
S. n.Iconic feature of Edinburgh, it overlooks the gardens and towers above nearby buildings.
I. A.Beautiful landmark! Very, very Scottish indeed. Panoramic view from the top. On the ground - Walter Scott's statue. Imposing!
D. B.Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.
Huge one. Impressive one. With lot of peoples around it. Worth to see it!
R. K.The Scott Monument is a monument in honor of Sir Walter Scott in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens. Walter Scott is one of the most famous writers that Scotland has produced. He mainly wrote historical novels, of which Ivanhoe is best known. The monument was built after the writer's death
M. H.I visited this Monument last Saturday,
Plenty of room for social distancing, and loads of photos opportunities.
There is always someone around will to inform you about it, and normally there is some kind of live music in the area... which makes it a even more memorable experience.
Would recommend 100%, and would revisit 100%
C. B.The monument itself looks nice,impressive and stands tall before the castle, in a great park next to a decent mall.
D. O.Lovely experience. Beautiful sight to behold with lots of beautiful people around.
A.Really impressive monument. Check it out if you’re around.
J. B.You can buy a relatively inexpensive ticket to climb to the top of the 'Gothic Rocket' and enjoy the amazing views from the top.
If the very steep and winding climb is not your sort of thing, simply enjoy it from ground level and admire the amazing shadows the monument casts on a long sunny day.
Z. M.Very fun to explore and climb although would be hard if you cannot do much cardio or wide shoulders
E. B.It's an imposing monument. It's very beautiful and in a good place.
A. A.This pic. Was in Nov. 2019 .
Nice place to visit for short time
E. K.Amazing view, well worth the £5 to get in. Plus, you get to learn all about one of Scotland's most famous writers.
C. P. C.Super worth visiting.
D. C.Beautiful place. 😍
R. J.Really nice monument in the heart of the city center, incredibly details of architecture
M. P.Currently closed, but the monument is still available to enjoy
B. F.Beautiful monument that you can walk to the top in. Tours every half hour.
M. S.We visited the Scott Monument during the new year festival, if was very pretty in the evening with all the lights around.
I. C.A nice monument ⭐
R. K.A really mesmerizing monument in the center of Edinburg.
A. W.Great monument for a quick visit. Beautiful view of the castle behind the monument. Recommend seeking it at night with the lights
M. F.I recommend a vist, specislly in Christmas time when there is a Christmas market to explore at the same area
i. p.We took the Scott Monument tour and it was a good experience.
I. P.Beautiful and impressive monument. The park around it was lovely too.
A. B.Saw this monument up close from the sky flyer on Edinburgh Christmas markets. Lovely architecture
j. e.Great place right at the top of Christmas Edinburgh. Wonderful point of reference and gives a feel of the gothic renaissance era.
J. C.Very similar to Thunderbird no.3
Not a patch on the Albert Memorial in London, but serves as a decent Edinburgh landmark. Lovely park nearby.
J. C. Y.impressive structure, sad that i was not able to go nearer to it because of an event at that time
D. P.A beautiful monument, excellently placed in the Princes Street Gardens of Edinburgh.
D. H.You can only go up via guided tour now, but it’s still worth it! It’s very beautiful and the guide explains some of the history. We really enjoyed the views of Edinburgh. It is a narrow staircase however, and some in our group found it challenging and did not advance past the first staircase.
E. B.Probably cannot visit Edinburgh and not see it. Make a stop, at least for a few seconds, the park behind it is just outstanding.
Z. T.Sauron's Tower in Edinburgh. A bit scary, a bit dark, but a very unique sight.
A. D.Not much to do here but the architecture is visually stunning.
s. a.Great place to go and hang out with your friends while sitting on the grass
E. A.Nice monument, you can up paying 6-8£
F. W.Good looking monument.
R. M.Interesting story behind the monument and the climb is well worth the effort as it offers a great view of the city centre.
D. B.Dominates the skyline. Simply an amazing Gothic structure.
A.Beautiful monument. Nothing much other than that.
J. M.The place is a good meeting point when travelling with friends like we did. Also, on the grass underneath one can sit and relax and eat some food. :)
It's close to everything in the new town and a good point of orientation as well. One can go up the monument as well but we didn't because it costs money - like almost everywhere.
S. N.Fantastic views over Edinburgh when open. Closed at the moment due to Covid 19. ☹ A must when it reopens..
h. h.Beautiful walk here through Princes Gardens
d. c.A majestic looking gothic structure! Great place to sit in the park with a snack or 5! While taking in its amazing view! You can go inside for views from the top of it, it was closed today but I believe that is a thing I also think there is a fee but again I'm not sure as it was closed, still great to spend time outside 😁👍
R.Just another amazing structure in this incredible city.....
P. P.Well worth a trip up the monument. The view is excellent. Alice, was the guide and was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions about the Edinburgh skyline. The cost was £8, it took 30 minutes to see and you will need to be fairly fit to climb the stairs.
J. J.It is must visit place. Expect to spent 15-30 minutes here. There is a park below which gives an awesome view of the castle. There is bus stop and tram stop just opposite and shopping mall nearby.
L. W.Panoramic views a plenty atop this local monument. A genuine treat and for but a few pound sterling one gets to experience a beautifully auld and Clostrophobic windy stairway as well as a testament to architecture. If visiting, this is a stop worth marking, mind n bring a camera.
H. H. (.Perfect views of Edinburgh. Worth every bit of the £5 cost. Cash only, FYI.
J. M.Amazing look monument that you can see from almost anywhere in the city. We paid the admission fee for a guided tour worh Alister and it was more than worth it!
Really enjoyable experience that I would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the monument or surrounding area.
R. B.This city is well organised in the whole Scotland I can say and at the heart of the city beside the best street in the whole Edinburgh this monument is situated and Once I got onto the monument it was a beautiful view of the city. The skies cleared up a bit while I was up there so it made for a great picture. And I love getting something to eat and sit down at the park for relaxing that Is a feeling of a fresh breeze but not in rainy season lol 😆. The best visit will be before the night in the evening.
S. B.Beautiful monument but it could be maintained better.
The park nearby with the Scott Monument in its backdrop is very beautiful.
A. e.Massive!unfortunately closed so we couldn’t climb up
S. O.Loved climbing the stairs to the top. The views across Edinburgh were amazing. Great way to see the city. The staircase to the very top should be avoided if you're claustrophobic.
w. h.great monument, deserves you visit
T. A.Love this place. Nice place to take good photos
A. W.The tower has some 300+ steps up a narrow spiral staircase, but the tour only takes you to the second level. Though we couldn’t climb to the top like before, we still got a great view of the city. There is wifi hotspot near and inside the monument.
J.Named after the famous Scottish writer Walter Scott. Admission costs £8 or combined with the Nelson monument on Calton Hill for £12, which is a worthwhile ticket. Visit must be done as a tour, included in ticket price, offered throughout the opening hours held on the :00s and :30s. You will visit 3 floors above ground, requiring climbing a total of 221 steps up a narrow and spiralling staircase. Each floor offers excellent views of the area in all directions. Overall an excellent visit, and the monument itself is beautiful to look at.
C.What a landmark! Be prepared for a steep walk up. Lovely views from the top. It will cost around 20 pounds for a family ticket but it is going to a worthy cause and up keep of the monument
N.Beautiful architectural Place. U can go till up to have a good view of the city. But there is a time limit till 5 p.m. It is near the princess garden and it is also surrounded by a beautiful garden. It near by the main railway station.
I. F.Didn't go up the tower as prices seemed pretty steep but the monument was pretty impressive to look at from the ground. It is an iconic gothic building that can be seen for miles around. Sitting center of the monument is a statue of Sir Walter Scott and the entire building acts as a memorial to him.
A. B.I was apprehensive to climb flights of stairs without knowing if it'd be worth it, but I'm so glad we gave it a go. For only £5, the panoramic views are unbelievable. You can easily spend 30+ minutes here and find something new to look at all the time. Well worth the price (and the climb)!
D. I.Standing firm and magnificent in the heart of the city
B. M.Well worth the visit. You have to be willing to climb a fair few steps. Also it can get tight up the top. But when you get upto the top the views are exceptional. I got there early when first opened, which allowed us to climb to the top in piece. Great value for money compared to other attractions in the city.
T. L.It's a nice monument, but not exactly a must see. Check it out if you happen to be nearby!
D. C.Impressive example of Victorian architecture. Climb it for incredible views of the City.
T. F.Good price to get an amazing view of the city. The structure itself is also an architectural wonder, with incredibly detailed carvings. If you aren't afraid of heights and some tight spaces, I highly recommend visiting.
R. D.Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh architecture at its finest, and standing the test of time.
D. I.One of my favourite places in the world 😍
D. L.Great climb for views of the castle and city. Multiple levels offer areas to take a break from climbing steps. My 4 year old son loved it even though my wife was worried about the narrow and steep staircase the whole way up and down. The staircase to go up is the same to go down and some areas are only wide enough for one body, but on a busy day you may have to squeeze past somebody in those areas. Even with the lack of personal space in the staircase I rate this a 5 star because overall it was fun and the views were fantastic.
J. L.Beautiful, especially in December with the Xmas market around it
D. T.Went up it before lockdown but u can't go right to the top floor thanks to vandals damage on upper floor but the views from the floor are good very narrow steps and you need to be quite fit so if you have asthma like I did take your time the guide is really good and knew her stuff
E. J.Nice little Museum with a great view on the top. Tall people like should mind their head because the stairs will be at the top very narrow. Best you'll go on quiet time and take no big bag with you and be in good Fitness otherwise the 287 steps will be a pain for you.
G.Really beautiful Victorian Gothic monument 😍🙋♂️
S. C.The Scott Monument stands proudly in Princes Street Gardens East, you really can't miss it! It's such a massive gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott, famous Scottish author. It looks great from a distance and better up close, unfortunately however, there is quite an amount of graffiti on the Monument. The Council wanted to clean it, but didn't want to damage the statue. For a long time, it was the largest monument to any writer in the world, but is now the 2nd largest. The best thing about it is that you can go up to the top of the Monument for an incredible view of the city. For a small price, you can climb the spiral staircase inside the pillar to the viewpoints. Be warned though, the staircase is quite narrow with many steps (287) and not for anyone claustrophobic, of large stature or unhealthy! There's only one way up and down, so it's a tight squeeze if you're halfway up and someone is halfway down. Also, being a spiral staircase can make things that more tricky. It's worth a trip up, especially on a clear day, when you will have the best view. It's been a few years since I was in the Monument, but I admire it every time I am nearby.
s. k.The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It is the second largest monument to a writer in the world after the José Martí monument in Havana. It stands in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, opposite the Jenners department store on Princes Street and near to Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station, which is named after Scott's Waverley novels.
The tower is 200 feet 6 inches (61.11 m) high and has viewing platforms reached by a series of spiral staircases giving panoramic views of central Edinburgh and its surroundings. The highest platform is reached by a total of 287 steps. It is built from Binny sandstone quarried near Ecclesmachan in West Lothian.
It is placed on axis with South St. David Street, the main street leading off St. Andrew Square to Princes Street, and is a focal point within that vista, its scale being large enough to screen the Old Town behind. Its location appears more random when seen from the south side and Princes Street Gardens, but it dominates the eastern section of the gardens through its scale and elevated position.
Following Scott's death in 1832, a competition was held[by whom?] to design a monument to him. An unlikely entrant went under the pseudonym "John Morvo", the medieval architect of Melrose Abbey. Morvo was in fact George Meikle Kemp, 45 year-old joiner, draftsman, and self-taught architect. He had feared that his lack of architectural qualifications and reputation would disqualify him, but his design was popular with the competition's judges, and they awarded him the contract to construct the monument in 1838.
John Steell was commissioned to design a monumental statue of Scott to rest in the centre space within the tower's four columns. It is made from white Carrara marble and shows Scott seated, resting from writing one of his works with a quill pen, his dog Maida by his side. The monument carries 64 figures of characters from Scott's novels, sculpted by Scots sculptors including Alexander Handyside Ritchie, John Rhind, William Birnie Rhind, William Brodie, William Grant Stevenson, David Watson Stevenson, John Hutchison, George Anderson Lawson, Thomas Stuart Burnett, William Shirreffs, Andrew Currie, George Clark Stanton, Peter Slater, Amelia Robertson Hill (who also made the statue of David Livingstone immediately east of the monument), and the otherwise unknown Katherine Anne Fraser Tytler.
The foundation stone was laid on 15 August 1840. Construction began in 1841 following permission by Parliament's Monument to Sir Walter Scott Act and ran for nearly four years. It was completed in the autumn of 1844, with Kemp's son placing the finial in August of the year. The total cost was just over £16,154. The monument was inaugurated on 15 August 1846, but George Meikle Kemp was absent. He had fallen into the Union Canal while walking home from the site and drowned on the foggy evening of 6 March 1844.
There are 68 statues on the monument, not counting Scott and his dog, and 64 are visible from the ground. Four figures are placed above the final viewing gallery and are only visible by telephoto or from the viewing gallery (at a distorted angle). In addition, eight kneeling Druid figures support the final viewing gallery. There are 32 unfilled niches at higher level.
Sixteen heads of Scottish poets and writers appear on the lower faces, at the top of the lower pilasters. The heads represent, counter-clockwise from the northwest: James Hogg, Robert Burns, Robert Fergusson, Allan Ramsay, George Buchanan, Sir David Lindsay, Robert Tannahill, Lord Byron, Tobias Smollett, James Beattie, James Thomson, John Home, Mary, Queen of Scots, King James I of Scotland, King James V of Scotland, and William Drummond of Hawthornden.
I. H.It provides a really beautiful view of Edinburgh and the castle, with having to climb only 280 steps. I don't recommend it though to people suffering from.claustrophoby or stronger people, as the corridor leading to the top is becoming really narrow. Definitely worth a visit
T. L.It's awesome and beautiful and climbing it is really fun. It feels like an adventure. If you're claustrophobic though skip going up and appreciate it from the ground. The staircase is very tight.
I. B.A very outstanding monument with its unique architect within the modern place.
M. S.Pay £8 and go up the monument and you won’t be disappointed.
e. 8.Beautiful monument with Edinburghs famous princes Street on one side and nice park on other. Parking is pretty hard due to location and expect heavy charges if you do. If you use public transport this is perfect as you have bus stops the entire length of the road, trams running around it, taxis everywhere and waverley train station below. You can go up the actual monument giving lovely views of the parks below but not really accessible for disabled folk and due to location and popularity queues can be pretty rough.
S. W.A very imposing monument and the tallest ever constructed for a poet.I tried to do a drawing but the pinnacles which spring from the main body are difficult to capture accurately in paper.I believe that there are organised tours at certain times of the day .The white statue of Sir Walter contrasts with the Gothic monument above him.Its a great place to visit at night where it looms into the night sky
J. R.A must see - place in Edinburgh in every meaning of the word. You are most likely to see it pretty quickly after entering the city, given it's size and location. It wasn't really obvious, but YOU CAN CLIMB THE MONUMENT, which is pretty awesome und unexpected. It will cost you a bit, but the view is worth every penny in my opinion. NB. You must take into account that if you are 6"3 like me and bulky, it could be almost impossible to fit into the stairs leading the highest peak of the monument. In addition, the tickets to the lower levels are cheaper than the tickets that allow you to climb to highest possible observation point, where you possibly don't even fit into.
P. H.A very beautiful structure
V. M.ok so the monument is stunning and the view from the top is spectacular! the price is great too only £4 but getting there can be a challenge! its an awful lot of steps to conquer but trying too use them when others are coming in the other direction can be rather awkward and when you finally reach the top you might find the stairs getting very narrow and the ceiling very low, now that was fine for me at 5ft4 but my 6ft4 partner had a struggle on his hands!
C. T.I think that the monument itself is kind on fugly. It's exactly what you'd expect for a Victorian monument big, bold, ornate and fussy.
If you're up to it, climb the 287 narrow steps to the top. It's well worth doing for the views and photo ops. The best time to go is just after opening time before the crowds arrive.
S. H.Now, this is one heck of a building in multiple aspects. It is cheap to enter, only costing £5 to enter. The steps are steep with the Chambers getting narrower as you reach the high point but there are multiple levels for people to take a break and take in the views.
The building is beautiful, dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. The building is distinct, being 61 metres high and of a different style than both New Town and Old Town.
There is a room in the middle of the first floor about Walter Scott in the monument.
It is easy to walk to, being at most 20-30 minutes away from the outskirts of the New Town and Old town. There is no wheelchair accessibility at all in the building.
J.This is an excellent place to get some views of Edinburgh , i would say history with a challenge. This is certainly the place to give you an insight into Sir Walter Scott as well giving you a challenge of climbing all the way to the top ( it is not for the faint-hearted ) On reaching the top you get some excellent views of old Edinburgh and all its skyline. I was lucky to be there during the Christmas market and Fair in Princes Street gardens.
P. L.There isn't much to see here, but it really feels nice to rest on the grass 🌱🌲 here. You have the royal mile just aside and the gardens not too far. Everytime I'm coming to Edinburgh, I come here and sit down a couple of minutes to soak up the Scottish 🏴 atmosphere.
T. D.Scott Monument is a great place to see Edinburgh from high. Getting to the top can take a while as you stop at each level and take in the sights the higher you go. Once at the top you have stunning views and if it is a clear day then they are breathtaking.
M. D.Great place and super nice surrounding park and streets. Unfortunately we couldn’t go up as it was closed due to COVID-19 which is a shame as I can only imagine stunning views from there.
Must see site whilst in Edinburgh!
F. O.Fantastic views from the top of the monument. The first 3 sets of steps are grand to climb. The last 10 steps of the top set get very narrow. Not the place to go if you are tall, mind your head off the top of the door
J. T. B.This marvellous monument aimed to integrate the structure symbolically into Scottish literary and cultural history of the Sir Walter Scott. An iconic sandstone monument located in the heart of the city it's the princess gardens. You can climb for a price of only 5 lbs you can visit museum room at the first level or if you don't mind a lot of steps and very tiny stairwells, you can go up three levels more for a great 360-degree view city of Edinburgh.
J. D.If you walk away from it until you see vapiano restaurant, stand there and get your camera ready as you'll get the best shot.
J. M.A little bit pricey but with going up for the views and historical significance of the tower. Remember that the fee to use will be used to maintain. The views from the top are excellent, well worth taking a nice camera with you.
S. പ.Lovely Monument in the Hart of great Edinburgh city.
R. G. S.I climbed this monument several times when I was 10 years of age. It was fantastic it cost me six old pennies then that is 2 and a half pennies in todays money. This was 61 years ago as I am now 71. I was in Edinburgh last week and hoped to climb it again but alas I was too late but I will make it the next time I go. I love Edinburgh and I was born in 21 Dublin Street. Had my photo taken at the door last week. If any one can tell me some history of this building, circa 1947 I would greatly appreciate it.
D. (.Gorgeous monument, can't miss it once in Edinburgh!
B. T.Just another reason to love Edinburgh. It's such a neat site to see.
J. S.The Sir Walter Scott monument is beautiful! I proposed to my girlfriend at the top of it! It is a fair price to go up and there are great views. It can be a challenge to some people to go up the stairs and if you get claustrophobic I would recommend you do not try it. The stairs get very narrow and short, and of thete is someone going up and down at the same time, you'll have to turn around and go back down to let them pass. There is only one way up and one way down. Once you get close to the top it is very narrow, your shoulders will be touching the walls. I loved this place and it has given us many memories for the rest of our life together!
J. W.10/10 best monument in Edinburgh
A. D.Lovely to look at! Definitely pause to take in this monument while strolling through Edinburgh.
S. W. T.An amazing structure that looks like a rocket ship from a futuristic sci fi.
D. W.One of the best views in the city when you climb it on a clear day. Given no transport to climb Arthur seat and much less effort. Stairs can be daunting and dizzy and narrow so be prepared
R. M. (.This majestic gothic structure is the biggest monument dedicated to a writer in the whole world! Enjoy sitting on a bench in the nearby park and admire this stunning view.
i.Stunning views!!! The climb up was not as hard as I imagine as there are 3 rest areas before you get to the top. Beware tall and overweight people stairs are narrow and with low ceilings. A must do to everyone visiting Edinburgh.
F. M.The Scott Monument should be visited by any tourist to the city. The views from the top are excellent as one might expect. However, the claustrophobic or those with mobility issues may wish to give this attraction a miss. Access to the top is by means of narrow spiral staircases, which must accommodate visitors moving in both directions.
S. M.Fairly priced at £5 with access right to the very top equalling stunning views. Narrow stairs with platforms every couple of flights. Can get quite windy but very safe. Would 100% recommend.
F. M.Gorgeous, too bad we can no longer enter the monument :(
H. M.Great views of the city. The stairs are very tight at some points, so may not be suitable for young children. There are 4 levels to the top so good opportunities for a rest on the way up.
L. M.An iconic monument in the heart of Princes Street. A great historic landmark to use if you are meeting someone and a great starting point for your day out in Edinburgh. Close to the train station and tram and bus stops.
J. G.A tall, grand and splendid edifice, erected to the memory of, and in tribute to the writer Sir Walter Scott. There is a staircase to the top which is open to members of the public, and the view from the platform on the top pinnacle is a panoramic sight to behold, and well worth the climb, but the climb itself is arduous, of many steps, and is not to be undertaken lightly
A. A. S.Edinburgh great City, lots of things to do and see
P. D. L. N.The Scott Monument is a stunning spire-like Victorian, Gothic architecture memorial erected in honour of the writer Sir Walter Scott, with 287 steps to the top and a height to finial of 61.10 meters/200 ft. 6in. beautifully constructed of Binny Sandstone from West Lothian.
This is classic and a very popular tourist attraction in Edinburgh. Managed to climb to the top with my friend and his daughter all 287 steps, no worries at all. Obviously, views mid-way and from the top are spectacular!!! Weather permitting; choose a sunny day to climb it!
Beware:
• If you are claustrophobic, as it gets really narrow from its half up with almost no windows or lancets.
• If you are a large and/or tall person as it’s just wide enough for one individual at the time.
• Avoid climbing it with a rucksack or any kind of luggage as you may get stuck Three Stooges style!!!
K. M.Absolutely worth doing as long as you are fit enough.
P. S.A rather small monument that is actually not that beautiful, and it is very dirty due to traffic polution. You can climb the top of it, but it is definitely not for tall people. Not really worth a visit, but you will most likely pass right by it anyways.
I. S.Climbing the Scott monument is an experience in itself and I would not recommend it for anyone claustrophobic. You climb up these narrow staircases squeezing past people coming back down. It however is well worth it for the view once at the top you get a great view of the city and for £4 it is definitely worth it.
S. H.The wonderful thing about Edinburgh is the way we can almost know the city's history and culture through its statues and memorials. They demonstrate the aspects of both that the people are most proud of and remember best. The Scott Monument is one of these tributes to history and culture.
D. C.Fantastic views of the city, but a little breeze can make you cling onto the rails. Passing each other on the spiral staircase is interesting, and would advise not to take rucksacks.
T. S.Edinburgh has a lot of beautiful viewpoints such as Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill, this place is relatively underrated therefore. However, given that Walter Scott is an iconic symbol in Scotland and the tower itself stands out as a landmark in the city, it is worth to visit the little museum and climb up the tower inside. Be cautious at the top point, which is particularly narrow and tiny. Gets very dizzy on the way down.
s. s.One of best and cost effective attraction. Ppl usually don't know that you can actually go inside to the highest level and see the city view. Beautifuly placed and easily accessible a must do if visiting Edinburgh. April to September open till 6:30 other time till 4. If it's a sunny day do try to go to highest level. You will get to see different view of Princess street that we usually visit all time.
A. D.Really gorgeous, but frustrating to get to because of all the Christmas stuff right now. Also wish there was more historical info.
h.Must visit place if you are in Edinburgh. Many would not know that you can actually climb up the spiral stair case within the monument. Amazing view of the city as you climb up. This has been underated as top priority would be given to visit the castle by those who visit the city. If you like the visit I would highly recommend you to visit Stirling castle and Wallace monument which is about a 1km from Sterling. Wallace mounument has lots of room at the top and as you climb up you will come a cross Great warrior William Wallace's personal items such as his actual Sward. I was amazed by the sheer size of the Sward
G. B.Even if you're a local I'd highly recommend taking a trip up the monument. Keep going up to the third floor and the view will be well worth the steps! Just think of the buns of steel you'll be creating.
And you get a certificate to say you've done it, essential for every Edinburgh resident :-)
F. H.The wonderful thing about Edinburgh is the way we can almost know the city's history and culture through its statues and memorials. They demonstrate the aspects of both the people and remember best. The Scott Monument is one of these tributes to history and culture.
R. S. (.I found this building to be structurally fascinating. I'm still sad 3 days later that we did not get to go up in it since we got there too late. It's location is very central & it's very tall so I can only imagine the views must be great.
N. I. B. E.Always great to photograph from many angles
V. E.Black and big sculpture in the middle of this amazing avenue!
Z. M.Carrying its history the monument is worth visiting by all new comers to Scottland.
I climbed upto its lost tower and enjoyed the scenic view of the ground layout from its top. View had been wonderful.
Stairs climbing had been amazing
N. Z.Fabulous!
It’s a great monument in the middle of town!
L. Š.Perfect monument situated in East Princes Street Gardens (these gardens - park - is beautiful. Lots of students and local people comming there relaxing, to a picnic, reading...) This monument is on Princes street, very close to Waverley station and many shops. Every summer is there Ferris Wheel, from where you can see all Edinburgh. There you can really enjoy your time.
L. S.Prices to climb it are rather steep (ha-ha), but regardless it is a beautiful example of Victorian Gothic architecture that provides a welcome contrast to the rows of shops that flank it across the street.
r. h.This is the first thing I saw after coming out of Waverley Train Station. It is beautiful.
m.Beautiful architecture and peaceful spot to stop and take a breath. One of the top attractions in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are lots of eateries around the monument, enjoy the sight.
D. C.A very iconic monument in the middle of town, it stands out and can be seen from both ends of Princes Street from the Castle side of town too. I would recommend going if you like classical/Gothic architecture but a word of caution, specially to any claustrophobics, larger people or people over six foot, the corridors and stairs after the first floor are very narrow and only just wide enough for one.
M. Z.Fun place to go up if want a really good look at Edinburgh. Going up the monument itself is quite claustrophobic as the whole stairwell leading up to the top is extreme narrow. But when you make it to the top, its a real hell of a sight.
G. D.Went up here on a nice sunny day and it was great. Only thing I would say is do not take bags with you! Also it is very claustrophobic at the top so you might not want to go all the way to the very top if you are not comfortable with tight spaces.
S. L.The style of the architecture and decor is truly breathtaking. The details of the craftsmanship is very impressive. One of Edinburgh's musts to at least stop by on a walk.
J. J.Luckily the traffic up and down the stairs was quite ok, and the views are very good especially at the top. If you're fat you won't get up, it gets a bit claustrophobic on the narrowest part.
S. A.One of the many historical monuments in Edinburgh. The whole city is filled with these age old structures that make you feel like you've stepped into history.
G. C.Fine monument in the centre of Edinburgh. Although somewhat blackened in appearance, it's massive and deserves a few pictures. Choosing whether to pay the admissions ticket is a personal matter: personally I found it a little expensive, so judge for yourself based on how much this Romantic author means to you.
C. C.Spectacular place to view the city at the very top, especially on a beautiful day. Space is quite narrow throughout the climb and at the viewing areas of monument though, so travel light if possible.
e. p.A great (and not expensive) way to see Edinburgh city centre. The climb to the top is broken up by the different levels, giving you a chance to catch your breath! On the firdt level there is a small information room to tell you more about Sir Walter Scott and the building. There are viewing platforms on every level which you can walk around to see all of the surrounding views and other main attractions like Edinburgh Castle, the Mound, Calton Hill and princes street. Would definitely recommend as a way to get your bearings of the city. When you leave you get given a certificate commending you for climbing the full 287 steps to the top
L. J.Nice attraction, but what the disinterested men on the door don't tell you is that it gets narrower and narrower the further up you go, if you're a big person (belly or shoulders or both) you may struggle to getup and out at the very top; for me it was like being born through a stone vagina. 1st and 2nd levels are fine and offer great views, best view at the top obviously.
Make time for this (45mins) as if its busy you must wait for people to finish coming up or down each staircase before doing so yourself. We got stuck at the very top for ages as there was no way to stop people coming up.
E. d. R.We were walking from the Wavery Bridge and saw this amazing monument which reminds me a bit of the La Familia Sagrada in Spain. An eye catcher of the city . 287 stairs is too much for me and my husband to climb otherwise we could have a perfect panoramic view of Edinburg.
R. G.We'' myself my partner and daughter had 2 days in the capital just roaming the streets and the city's historic land, we had been sitting at one of the many small kiosks selling all kinds of food' when my partner said let's go up the Scott Monument whoa!!! A rush of fear 😱 went through me like being locked in a dark unknown room by myself, anyway we went up' I got to the first level spent some time using the phones in the museum with my daughter and having a laugh, then went out outside to take in the extremely wonderful view's and that's when it happened!! VERTIGO. At that point I said goodbye to my partner and daughter and scrambled back down the very narrow stairs some of which have deep groves in them that came ad a surprise on the way up. Over all a most exhilarating ex. A must try for all' not just photographers.
l. b.Stunning building with different beautiful landscape with a background of Edinburg castle
G. M.Very cool icon monument must see when going to Edinburgh
E.I'm not from Scotland. I have been to Edinburgh 3 or 4 times and each time I am always drawn to the Scott Monument. I'm not sure why. It's a beautiful piece of gothic architecture. I havent actually walked up to the top. Maybe one day.
P. H.Basic information display on level 1.
Excellent view from the top.
The spiral staircase gets smaller the higher you go - very small at the top: I'm not large, but struggled to squeeze through. Impossible to pass on the higher stairs, and difficult to go backwards ...
L. E.Excellent monument in the centre of Edinburgh
M. J.Must see in Edinburgh. Lot of steps to have exelent hiew over Edinburgh.
t. c.Magnifcent views over the city . A good set of legs are required as there is 287 narrow steps to the top via a stone spiral staircase and a head for heights if you reach the top.
M. R.If you’re taller than 6 foot 1 inch, or have a wide body (like a rugby player), re-consider going past the second level if you buy a ticket up the Vatican-like staircase. I got to the very last steps but stopped because I didn’t want to squeeze through. It appears the Catholics built this structure, then when the Protestants took over, they added the Scott paraphernalia. (January 2019)
R. B.Great climb and spectacular views. Make sure to notice the decorative carvings and stained glass. Not for the claustrophobic or agoraphobic.
M. B.The Scott Monument in the East part of Princess Street Gardens is one of the must-visit experiences of any visit to Edinburgh.
OK, it's not for the faint hearted and there are an awful lot of steps to climb, but the views from the top are well worth it.
Take a camera... A light camera.
S. G.The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It is the second largest monument to a writer in the world after the José Martí monument in Havana. It stands in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, opposite the Jenners department store on Princes Street and near to Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station, which is named after Scott's Waverley novels.
Design and concept
The tower is 200 feet 6 inches (61.11 m) high, and has a series of viewing platforms reached by a series of narrow spiral staircases giving panoramic views of central Edinburgh and its surroundings. The highest platform is reached by a total of 288 steps. It is built from Binny sandstone quarried near Ecclesmachan in West Lothian.
In terms of its location, it is placed on axis with South St David Street, the main street leading off St Andrew Square to Princes Street, and is a focal point within that vista, its scale being large enough to totally screen the Old Town behind. As seen from the south side, Princes Street Gardens, its location appears more random, but it totally dominates the Eastern section of the gardens, through a combination of its scale and elevated position relative to the sunken gardens.
S. P.Stunning monument in the heart of the city, breath taking sceneries and view around with plenty of hotels and entertainment.
k. c.Loved it, great views of the historic city from the nearby mountains to the buildings, well worth the admission fee and the pretty redhead member of staff near the top of the tower was very knowledgable of the surrounding area aswell, she definately made the experience even better.
D. D.The best way to experience the beauty of the Scott Monument is to try and catch a sunny day when you can spend some time lying on the grass in the park below the monument and admire it's beauty against the sunlight. A view to remember!
S. L.A famous Scottish historical landmark.
C. S.given it a 3 only due to a few years ago you could go by yourself and to the top!
now its is a guided tour at set times and not to the top floor unfortunately!
100% worth it though, if I had never done it I would go up and see the sights
J. L.Beautiful monument surrounded by an amazing park and lots to do. Sadly it wasn't open to get a closer look.
P. M.Unfortunately we chose to ascend this unique peace off Scottish heritage on one off the wettest day’s possible so once we got to the top we could hardly see anything. But still a spectacle worth taking in just pick your days wisely
K. R.The views from the top are just wonderful. The climb can take some time when busy. Best to get there early in the day. Sunny days are always better too.
D. S.A big stone thing in Princes Street Gardens, lots of steps, great viewing platforms, and museum near the middle, worth the effort. Bigger folk can't get to the top, I know, I'll go back when I'm more fitted
D. B.The intricate design of this memorial and the views from the top are breathtaking.
A. H.Theres quite a walk up a lot of steps, and it gets very narrow in places... but, wow, its so worth it. Fantastic views of the city in all directions, give yourself an hour or so and take in the view.
C. M.Beautiful monument in the heart of Edinburgh centre! Very interesting to see! Would love to go up the steps next time and see the amazing views
C. V. B.A lot of people miss out on this gem when visiting the city. I always take visiting friends to the top. It is a weird experience climbing the very narrow stairs to the top, but the view is worth the climb. If you are not claustrophobic or afraid of heights give it a go.
D. R.it's the most beautiful view on top of the monument of whole Edinburgh, apart from Charlton Hill and the Castle which offer fantastic scenery of Athens of the North.
T. N.A must climb while in Edinburgh.
R. J.Historic, reasonable price. Good views. Decent workout getting to the top. Not so great if you're tubby, steps narrow quite a bit at the top.
I. M.First thing to point out, if you dont like enclosed spaces or walking up a increasingly smaller staircase with the likelyhood of someone coming down the same staircase...stay away! If you are brave enough however, the climb to the top of this magnificent monument is definitely worth it for the views alone. Just make sure you dont forget your camera as there will be plently of opportunities to take great photos of Edinburgh at the many viewing platforms. Cost £3 a head.
T. M.Wonderful experience, what a building! Only things to be aware of is the stairs are narrow so if you have claustrophobia avoid! Also it is quite exposed so if you have vertigo again avoid.
T. S.Not only a spectacular structure, there's also a lot oh history behind the Scott Monument, you can check that in the writer's museum. Truly an amazing monument!
E. T.The monument was under renovation so couldn’t get in. But saw a squirrel from the park nearby with a broken tail. Poor him/her. Wasn’t scared of humans at all. Very brave just like the Scotts!
R. H.Beautiful building taking centre stage in the gardens.
M. W.Great way to centre yourself as you can see the peak for miles. Great pics of the monument and surroundings. You only need 5 minutes.
K. S.Best £5 I've spent in Edinburgh and worth the climb. Once I was at the top I realized I was a bit uneasy due to height and such a small area. Quite a rush almost!
L. N.An amazing monument on Princess Street of Edinburgh with its 60 meters height. It is worth having a look during the night in its lights.
G. S.A good future means to appreciate education, ethics and culture...
S. J.Must see in Edinburgh. Take a moment at a hectic Princess Street and sit down on a bench to look at this magnificient monument. The author Sir Walter Scott does not look like a national hero, sitting in deep thoughts his darling scottish deerhound by his side, but the rest of the monument is breathtaking. Man and his legacy. Ars longa vita brevis!
D. P.Worth to climb all the stairs - fascinating view
M.One of my favourite places in Edinburgh 🤗
R. M.A stunning Gothic monument that dominates the main shopping street in Edinburgh. For the nergetic visitor you can climb up the steps to the top.
F. F. R.Beautiful!
K. M.Beautiful and can be seen from all across Edinburgh.
A. S.Have been meaning to do this for some time and have now done it !
Well worth the effort as the view is excellent on a good day!
Slight problem trying to pass others as the upper stairs levels are quite narrow,but it can be done.
C. V.I called Edinburgh as a "multi-storied city"! To witness that for yourself, climb the monument! You can get a panoramic view of this beautiful city from atop.
J.Magnifient monument, the best in the city, but so poorly handled by the authorities in charge that I am giving three stars and not five. How good your experience will be is indirectly proportional to the amount of other visitors. Why? I´ll put simple. There are 287 steps split in four sections, narrower than a virgin´s arse. If you are going up and meet folks going down, you can´t fit, most likely, so you or them will have to withdraw. I spent there almost 30 minutes and couldn´t make it to the top.
It can be a great experience and you shouldn´t miss it, so here´s a few tips. Go at odd hours, pick foul weather, don´t think about it if there´s a queue outside, and once inside announce you are going up or down with boom voice at every section. Enjoy!
L. S.A must see monument with a stunning Gothic architecture
5.Gothic style monument !
A. J. J.When you just go out from the train station, you can see this. It's not a special but a landmark at Edinburgh. If you want to take a rest sitting down a chair, look around here.
a. c.You cannot be in Edinburgh and miss this, and also shows you been there 😁, sorry for my face in the frame, but is the only on i have it, may be interesting to look at the details if you get to relax on the grass so maybe i have one more 👍
K. P.An iconic place with classic monuments in the heart of Edinbrough.
D. S.Climbed to the top this morning. Absolutely awesome views on a clear day. A must see/do while in Edinburgh. As mentioned, a little claustrophobic near the top. Worth the tired knees 😊
K. A.This is really nice to see but the stairs are too narrow and too many people it felt a bit dangerous. We would also like more information about it, maybe there are books we didn't see to buy?
s. s.Really great place to spend some time. Love it.
A. P. C.To go up is certainly an interesting experience, the stairs are too narrow, it makes you dizzy. But the views are great, it's totally worth it!
J. G.Massive. 2 levels and you are charged for for the second. I chose the 1st and it was £6. Great views. Tiny little museum but pretty.
j. k.Its closed. You can take pictures from outside
b. t.The location is incredible, the story behind everything - and first of all, the monument itself - simply amazing. Worth taking a tour (and a look), for sure!
A. K.Amazing building, with nice view at the top but the stairs get narrower the more you go up .. don’t try it for your are a Claustrophobic .. £5 for entrance
K. F.Very affordable and very worth it! I visited it months ago, but i remember it being 4 or 5 pounds. The view is gorgeous and the monument is beautiful
M. A.Scott Monument is very recommended to visit, you can see nice view from second floor and I will share more photos and videos in my Instagram because I took the photo by my gopro. Don't miss this place during your visit in Edinburgh.
The staff and tour guide are very nice and friendly. Thank you 😊🌹
A. G.Beautiful setting for the Christmas market
P. O.Monument to Walter Scott situated in Prince's street gardens.
Well worth the climb to the top for the great views around Edinburgh
D. H.I have always wanted photographs of this monument. I took part in a Night Photography Workshop taken by Rich Dyson. And I now have my photos.
A. V.Beautiful and peaceful area
N.You won't miss it. Exceptional example of gothic architecture.
R. M.1 of those Monuments you have to see to believe. Larger than life. A great nearby stop if your visiting the train station.
E.If you can manage to scale this monument you'll be awarded with spectacular views of Edinburgh it's excellent value for money, only give it a miss if tight spaces make you feel uncomfortable.
E. Z.A nice monument on Princes street, luckily right across the street from our hotel, you will always find plenty of tourists and folk musicians playing in the vicinity of this landmark
E. C.A good place for taking night photos.
G. M.It speaks for itself it's a stunning monument
J. T.Beautiful Gothic Architecture!
s. j.Iconic building in Edinburgh. A must see.
i. s.Unfortunately it was closed due to lockdown, however I'd visited before and went right to the top, the information centre half way up is very interesting
S. R.LOTS of tiny steps but the view is worth the climb. You'll need a warm coat as it's windy up top.
M. S.The view are great from here, they let you go right to the top! Well worth a visit though can be annoying at busy times going up and down the stairs.
E. S.Every time i get off the train in Edinburgh I am drawn to the Scott Monument. Your eyes get drawn to it straight away. Even from a distance it is very impressive.
I. J.One of the best attractions in Edinburgh, offering magnificent views of the city. A must-do for photographers looking for memorable shots.
M. E.A must see while you’re in Edinburgh. Gets a little tight as you climb the steps up to the fourth level. Great views.
L. S.When you arrive in Waverley and step out you stay frozen for sometime and enjoy the outstanding monument view and then you go directly there :) Love Edinburgh !
H. A. D.Great view of the city from here. The ticket fee is reasonable and such a new experience with the steep narrowing and circular way up to the top.
C. N.great winter market with lovely decoration
O. R.A very good place for students of history and all those interested in discovery of ancient things. Very educative and required less of tour guide.
D. G.Stunning views of Edinburgh.
A. A.Such a wonderful place which is not expensive way to see Edinburgh city centre from the top. To climb to the top you can broken it up by the different levels that you’ll go to , giving you a chance to catch your breath and rest. going to the topthere is a small information room in every level to tell you more about and the buildingSir Walter Scott. Would definitely recommend and when you leave you get given a certificate commending you for climbing the full 287 steps.
In your way up you will find a viewing platforms which located in every level gives you the ability to walk around to see the surrounding views and other main attractions like princes street, the Mound, Calton Hill and the top one Edinburgh Castle.
C. X.Very nice area, green and nice
D. D.HOLY GAWD I WANT TO DIE. If you get claustrophobic, avoid this monument. Climbing up to the top can feel horrible as you are in tiny corridors/stairs where only 1 can go at a time. A person will try to go up and down and you have to figure out how to navigate. uuugh. I still shudder thinking.
N. B.Fantastic historical moment for new generations
I. L.Very cool. I was very sad the monument was closed due to weather on my visit but it's easy to see why that might be a concern.
S.Great views, narrow staircase, but worth it. the poppies were an beautiful, along with the poppy tree.
l. W.Lovely park to view the monument and close to the gallery & restaurants/shopping which is convenient. Stunning architecture!
N. R.Great views of them city and the guide was very informative and friendly. If you're going to be near the Nelson Monument, the combo ticket deal is very worth it!
G. W.Lovely monument which you can go up the inside of .great views of princess street
R. P.Beautiful architecture in an absolutely stunning park, right on the high street
R. A.Pride of Edinburgh. The view from the top is amazing. But they should put head bumps at certain passageways because tall people could hit their head!
J. G.Scott monument. Well worth a visit.
G. K.Looks very nice, all there is to do though is walk up stairs to the top and back down. Great views from the top though.
J. S.Beautiful structure, cool history
F. M.Nice monument, impressive to see how high we can get. However the exhibition part is interesting but not must-see.
g. v.It’s a stunning construction!!!
N. V.A must see place if you are visiting Edinburgh. It's so close to the train station and city centre. Love the infrastructure..
J. S.Such a beautiful monument and worth the climb for the views and the great information from the tour guide!
N. B.My favorite monument!
J.Amazing experience to witness and climb. Staff on hand are super helpful in offering advice on where and what to do in Edinburgh.
V. S.Centre, next to central train station.
b.Great fun venturing to the top. So adventerous and unique to be able to access a place like that. And the view was worth it!
M. S.The spiral staircase gets very tight towards the top but it's worth it for great views
C. B.Alot of step's to climb, could be very windy and cold at the top, great views all round, glad we did it.
A. K.Nice place for your holidays
T. T.It's a good place to look at the city from up high. A challenging narrow spiral stairs that gets narrower as it goes higher.
D. B.Amazing piece of architecture in honour of an amazing writer.
Tour was interesting with friendly and knowledgeable guides
J. C.Fantastic views from the top of the monument, be there for 13.00 hours to see the cannon fire it's spectacular.
V. V.Superb view . Plus superb driveway. Just like u seen in movies.. Beautiful highlands and awsome weather conditions.
P. L.Nice view with lights on
R. B.Been up scotland and highland twice best part of UK. Edinburgh is very nice city and cold in winter and great for new years eve.
J. K.One of the iconic sights along Princes Street. Great views from the top, though it isn't free to go up. Worth a visit.
Y. P.Didn't know that you can go up there! It's a lovely view over the town and as it's guided you get some info about the tower & town aswell.
J. C. R.It is amazing to learn in what many ways Sir Walter Scott helped his country and the Scots in advancing Scotland. Stop by "the space ship" and take good photos.
A. Y.What's not to love about this historical monument? I'll tell you-winding steep steps! Oh, if you are big built, it can be quite a squeeze 😁
A. Ş.A magnificent monument.
K. L.Very atmospheric, especially at night!
S. I. H.Stunning monument, cool 287 step stairs
A. B.This was an amaizing experience, had such a great time with my family. There was like a carnival happening during this time, bit pricey but definitely worth it.
D. J. G. (.Beautiful piece of architecture just next to prince's Street. You can go inside and climb up.
J. G.Iconic Edinburgh landmark. World's tallest monument to a man of letters does not disappoint.
M. R.Lovely holiday atmosphere all around the place... Very much worth a visit.
B. C.Beautiful gothic monument!
H. i. T.Really enjoyed walking up this tower, greet views from the top but a little tight for space
J. G.Cool place for a visit. There are steps all the way up. It's not expensive and you get a certificate that you made it to the top.
M. G.Must see for every visitor. It's very impressive that this monument was built by donations for the famous writer Sir Walter Scott.
S. S.Lovely ❤️
I. M.Very large monument worth seeing when visiting Edinburgh. Wonderful views at the top.
C. S.A really beautiful place!
The monument is a worthy celebration of a great man.
J. M.The view from the very top was literally breath-taking. The steps are a bit of a challenge for people who are not very good with height and tight spaces - or the overly clumsy.
B. T.Unique, striking architectural piece in the heart of the city
c. m.Victorian Gothic monument in memorial to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, the binny sandstone which has blackened over the years (1846) gives the statue a unique look
J. H.Massive monument, you can climb almost to the top but needs a good clean up.
K. M.We really enjoyed our visit today, impressive views over Edinburgh. Staff are really helpful and friendly
L. •.Beautiful Mordor-like monument, which you can climb inside, and enjoy the sight of Edimburgh from a great spot!
R. D. L.Beautiful. Was impressed by its size, especially for an author. The largest monument worldwide dedicated to an author.
R. S.Great view of the city. But you need to be fit to climb all these stairs
M. G.Lousy with tourists for Xmas. Barely enough space to walk on the paths. Best to visit during off-peak months.
M. W.It's a really nice building
L. R.Fantastic monument on city center. You can go upstairs to the top of it and have a fantastic view of the castle and the city.
D. W.Amazing Gothic monument
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