Scott Memorial

One of the many cool things we enjoyed in Edinburgh was scaling the Scott Memorial.  The structure is an amazing black gothic spire roughly 200-feet tall.  The incredible thing is that it was constructed in the 1840’s as a memorial to Sir Walter Scott.  Perhaps not as remarkable as pyramids built millennia ago, but I was pretty darn impressed!

There are 287 steps to the top, with a couple landings along the way where you can step outside to enjoy the splendid views your ascent affords.  The first landing is a beautiful large room with stained glass windows.  Didn’t think to snap a picture, but I’ll include one from a web site I found to offer a flavor.  Please heed the warning to lose your backpack…the stairs get really narrow and twisty as you reach the summit and since I ignored the advice, had to walk backwards several steps so I could remove my pack!

The other caution is that we noticed this place was a hotbed of activity (i.e., long lines).  We didn’t attempt it until strolling by early one weekday morning and had the place virtually to ourselves.  Don’t recall the admission, but it was a wee bit pricey.  But of course that fee gets you a certificate witnessing you made it to the top (and are a tourist with spare cash, I guess).  Highly recommended!