Scott Monument

The Scott Monument, a striking Gothic spire on Edinburgh’s Princes Street, honors novelist Sir Walter Scott. Completed in 1846, it’s one of the world’s tallest writer monuments. Visitors can climb 287 narrow steps to multiple viewing platforms for panoramic views of the Old and New Towns, Edinburgh Castle, and Calton Hill. Inside, you’ll find statues of Scott’s characters and a seated marble figure of Scott with his dog, Maida. The ascent is tight and windy, but the perspectives and literary heritage make it a rewarding stop for history and architecture fans seeking a distinctive city vantage point.