Melville Monument, Edinburgh facts for kids

The Melville Monument is a tall stone column, about 150 feet high. It is one of the most famous memorials in Edinburgh, Scotland. This monument honors Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. A statue of him stands at the very top of the column.

The column is a very important historical building, known as a Category A listed structure. It stands proudly in St Andrew Square, right in the middle of Edinburgh's New Town. Henry Dundas helped to create this New Town. The monument was built in 1821, which was 14 years after Dundas passed away. The person who designed it was an architect named William Burn. The statue of Dundas was added later, in 1828. A special sign at the bottom of the monument says that sailors and officers from the Royal Navy paid for it.

What is the Melville Monument?

The Melville Monument is a huge column that stands out in Edinburgh. It was built to remember an important person, Henry Dundas. Think of it like a giant trophy or a very tall statue that celebrates someone's life and work. It is a key landmark in the city.

Who was Henry Dundas?

Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville was a very important Scottish politician. He lived a long time ago, in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He held many powerful jobs in the government. He helped shape many parts of Scotland and the United Kingdom during his time. People wanted to remember his contributions, especially those in the Royal Navy.

How the Monument was Built

Building such a tall column was a big project back in the 1800s. It took many years to complete.

Design and Inspiration

The architect, William Burn, looked to ancient Rome for ideas. He based his design for the Melville Monument on a famous Roman column. This was Trajan's Column in Rome, which was built almost 2,000 years ago. This shows how old ideas can inspire new creations.

Building Tools

To lift the heavy stones for the monument, special tools were needed. A type of crane called a balance crane was used. A similar crane had been used to build the Bell Rock Lighthouse. This shows how clever engineers found ways to build huge structures even without modern machines.

Keeping the Monument Safe

It is important to look after old monuments so they last for many more years. In 2008, the Melville Monument was cleaned and fixed up. This was part of a bigger project called the "Twelve Monuments Project." Two groups, Edinburgh World Heritage and the City of Edinburgh Council, worked together on this. They wanted to make sure Edinburgh's important monuments stayed in good condition.

The Monument in Books and Shows

The Melville Monument has even inspired stories! A writer named Jack Docherty wrote a short story about the statue. It was called "Statuesque." This story was played on BBC Radio 4 in June 2020. It was part of a series of stories that were inspired by things happening in the world.

Images for kids

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  Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville by Thomas Lawrence

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  Vice Admiral Sir William Johnstone Hope, who helped get the monument built by his naval friends

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  The ancient Trajan's Column in Rome, which inspired the Melville Monument's design

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  A balance crane, like the one used to build the monument

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  The Melville Monument seen from George Street in an old picture from 1829

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  The Melville Monument seen from the Scott Monument, showing its location near the Firth of Forth

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  The base of the Melville Monument

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  The very top of the Melville Monument, showing the statue