Burns Monument
Atop Calton Hill, up some gruelling steps if you are approaching from Canongate like we were, is the second of Scotland's Burns Monuments.
Commissioned nearly twenty years after his death, Edinburgh's monument was arranged by Robert Burns' admirers. Designed by Thomas Hamilton, the structure proudly sits within a small garden on Regent Road complete with 9 pillars that are said to represent Greek mythology muses. The temple is Grecian in design and complete with a Rose ode to his most famous works.
Now part of the National Trust of Scotland, the temple was reopened in 2009 after extensive restoration work. Considering the foundation was put down in 1831 we can't say that we are surprised it needed sprucing up. The white marble statue of Robert Burns that originally sat inside of the temple is now housed within the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and when we visited we were not able to get up close and personal with the temple as advertised.
Originally, the temple- or at least some form of monument to honour the poet was suggested in Bombay by John Forbes Mitchell in 1812. It wasn't until 7 years later when back on home soil that the suggestion grew legs and a subscription to raise funds for the monument was put out. A committee was formed and Hamilton brought on board and the rest is history, although Hamilton did not charge for his design work.
In keeping with the gothic Georgian design of the area, we think this ode to a great Scottish poet is a nice place to visit which is why we have included it here. It overlooks Arthur's Seat and isn't too far at all from other great historical sites of interest which we will go on to explore shortly.
One day we will look into the poet himself, but Lauren is biding her time with that one. She studied a poem by Burns in school and is looking forward to the project, but we're just waiting for the right site to inspire a look at his life as we like memorials, graves, or statues in order to remember a person. We think it's more personal than a photo or a painting to someone we didn't know personally. A little more respectful where we can make it is all, so watch this space!
The important question is: is the monument haunted? Well in truth, we reckon it may be. Not by Robert Burns, he was never here, but it is in quite close proximity to New Calton Burial Ground and you never know what's wandering nearby. The old, scorched looking stone common in Edinburgh doesn't help as it gives you chills. We wouldn't be surprised if there was a spirit or two lurking nearby!
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