Nelson's Monument : Architecture Information

Nelson's Monument Location: Calton Hill Date built: 1807-15/16 Architect: Robert Burn Nelson's Monument Visitor Attraction Visit Scotland has announced that the Nelson Monument is to be upgraded to a four-star rated visitor attraction, following the recent work as part of the Twelve Monuments Project. Visit Scotland has a five-level grading system for attractions which indicates the standard of customer care and range of facilities on offer. Previously graded at two-stars, the monument is now rated ‘excellent’ In addition to repairing the monument and its Time Ball mechanism, a new exhibition was added as part of the project, describing the connection with Lord Nelson, the development of the building and the history of the Time Ball. Nelson's Monument Renovation works Date: 2009 Nelson's Monument Edinburgh - Building Information Commemorates Admiral Lord Nelson (died at Battle of Trafalgar,1805) Viewing platform: best panoramic views of the capital Time Ball installed in 1852 to allow ships in the Forth to know the time The Monument's dropping ball on top pole signalled time to ships in the Firth of Forth. Calton Hill Monument: photo © adrian welch Nelson's Monument replaced an existing mast on Calton Hill's summit with a signal-tower high enough to be visible to ships on the Forth and commemorates Admiral Lord Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Calton Hill Monument: photo © adrian welch The stone structure is 106 ft high with 143 steps from a base 456 ft above sea level. The really smart aspect of this tower is the time signal installed at its top in 1852 to enable ships' captains to set their chronometers accurately. A large time-ball drops on weekdays, at 12pm in Winter and 1pm in Summer coinciding with the firing of Edinburgh Castle's One o'Clock Gun. Calton Hill Monument: photo © adrian welch Nelson's Monument Admission £3.00 (last checked 2010) Mon : 1pm - 6pm, Tue - Sat: 10am - 6pm Oct to Mar Mon - Sat: 10am - 3pm Phone: +44 (0)131 556 2716