National Monument of Scotland

The National Monument of Scotland is a structure on Calton Hill in Edinburgh that features twelve tall Doric columns modeled on the Parthenon. The columns frame an open platform without a roof, leaving the view across the city and countryside unobstructed.

Work started in 1826 as a memorial for Scottish soldiers who fell in the Napoleonic Wars but halted in 1829 when funding ran out. The project remained unfinished and now stands as a fragment on the hill.

This replica of the Parthenon reveals how strongly 19th-century Edinburgh aligned itself with classical Greek ideals. The choice to build it helped cement the city's reputation as a northern intellectual center.

From the eastern end of Princes Street, a path runs up Waterloo Place toward the hill, with several routes branching off toward the summit. On windy days it can feel cool at the top, so warmer clothing helps.

Because work never finished, the freestanding columns give the structure the appearance of an ancient ruin rather than a new memorial. This accidental effect reinforces the sense that a fragment from ancient Greece has been placed here.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

GPS coordinates: 55.95474,-3.18191

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25