Royal High School on Calton Hill

Introduction

This evening, I am reporting on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland. This is a high elevation location offering panoramic views over Edinburgh, Leith and Firth of Forth.

Information on Calton Hill-Part 1

At Calton Hill, the architecture of various structures-sum of the parts- takes precedence over the individual constituents. The famous and multi-talented Scots urban planner, Sir Patrick Geddes (1854-1932) commented ” with its strange medley of monuments is a museum of the battle of styles and a permanent evidence showing how the town planners of one generation cannot safely count upon continuance by those of the next“.   The specific buildings on and around Calton Hill include:

National Monument (1822). An incomplete memorial to the dead of the Napoleonic Wars based on the Parthenon.

Nelson’s Monument (1816). Designed by Robert Burn in shape of an upended telescope to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar (1805).

Royal High School (1825-29). Designed by Thomas Hamilton, a building is of international stature. This may have been designed to integrate with the National Monument thus justifying Edinburgh’s nickname of the ‘Athens of the North’.

Dugald Stewart’s Monument (1832). Designed by William Playfair and modelled on the 4th century AD monument of Lysicrates at Athens. Erected to celebrate the success of Stewart’s choir in a  competition.Monument viewed against Edinburgh city backdrop at sunset.

Information on Calton Hill-Part 2

Other important buildings are:

• Old Observatory: Designed by James Craig in 1776 in picturesque, castellated Gothic style.
• New Observatory: Designed by William Playfair in 1818 and inspired by a Greek temple of the Four Winds.

Calton Hill is now only accessible on foot. Upon reaching the top visitors can admire the various  architectural styles.There are al;so stunning views of the Firth of Forth, Fife Coast (opposite) and the centre of Edinburgh.All of these vistas offer excellent photographic opportunities.

Calton Hill landscape

Leith, Firth of Forth and Fife Coast from Calton Hill, Scotland.

Video clip of Edinburgh, Leith and Firth of Forth including Calton Hill.

More information

For more information on Scottish cities and Scotland from a visitor perspective please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This publication is also available via Kindle.