amazing and a must see if your into it

Sir Walter Scott Monument, also known as the “Gothic Rocket” a little monument where no one thinks that can acually check for close enough but if you happen to have the chance to walk from close enough, do take half an hour to go in…

Did you know that you can get a certificate saying that you climbed upstairs for the money of the £3 ticket? Check out the amazing views that you will see from up there. You can take the certificate saying that you climbed it even if didn’t…but if you don’t tell I won’t tell coz nobody needs to know, right? ;)

The monument has 287 steps in orer to climb upstairs and it’s actually made out of the same sandstone that the Playfair Galleries, although it’s all dark. It’s dark because it has absorved all the smoke from the Industrial Revolution, and because it’s located in the very centre of the Auld Reekie (which means the “Old Smokey”).

Dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, famous writter of many novels such as: Ivanhoe, Waverley Novels, etc. Please do visit the Writer’s Museum in the Lawnmarket if you require any more information about the author.

Just a curiosity, the actual statue is made out of Carrara marble and has a little dog sitting on Scott’s feet, Maiden. I invite you all to check it out!

Spectacluar views walk to the top via a narrow spiralling staircase where only one person can descend/ascend at a time but there are a few passing places en route to the top

Dedicated to the author Sir Walter Scott, whose marble statue decorates its base, this impressive Victorian tower rises over 200 feet (61.1 metres) above Edinburgh. There are viewing platforms at various levels, offering panoramic views of the capital; obviously the view from the very top platform is particularly impressive.

You proceed up the Gothic structure via a narrow spiral staircase. If you were to count each step you would arrive at 287 by the time you reached the uppermost level. It does become fairly claustrophobic the higher you go, and be prepared to skulk in to one side as you meet anyone on their way back to ground level.

The monument is made from shale, quarried in Livingston – the structure’s sooty colour is due to Victorian Edinburgh’s notoriously smoky atmosphere (when the city was known as ‘Auld Reekie due to the proliferation of chimneys). Apparently the tower was also Gerry Anderson's inspiration for Thunderbird 1 !!

In the early 90s the monument was covered in scaffolding for major repair work. It has now been faithfully restored. It is well worth a visit because it gives spectacular views of central Edinburgh from the very heart of the city, a stone’s throw from Waverley Station and the Princes Street shops.

This magnificent memorial to Sir Walter Scott stands proud on the east end of Princess Street Gardens and if you feel fit and have a spare £3 its one not to be missed.
The memorial took almost four years to build and stands just over 200 feet so you can imagine what kind of view awaits you at the top.
There are about 300 stairs to climb but you don’t have to do them all at once there are rest stops as you are making your way up.

I would say that some areas of the stairs can be quite tight especially if someone is coming in the opposite direction, but all in all this is a great experience

The dark sandstone face and elaborate gothic design of the Walter Scott Monument pays tribute to one of Edinburgh’s literary greats. The Monument (affectionately referred to as “Edinburgh’s Rocket” because of its shape) reaches to the skyline, promising some of the best views of Edinburgh. If you are feeling adventurous (and athletic), a mere £3 and 287 stairs will get you to the top and will unleash a whole new perspective of the sites and sounds of Edinburgh. While 287 stairs may sound daunting, you can pack away your hiking boots and heavy equipment as it is really not so bad. An official certificate of completion is your reward for the effort and is proof of your endurance!