Melville Monument

Melville Monument Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Edinburgh Historical Sites Guide

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction: The Melville Monument’s Role in Edinburgh

The Melville Monument, rising from the heart of St Andrew Square in Edinburgh, is one of the city’s most distinctive neoclassical landmarks. Erected between 1821 and 1828, this imposing column honors Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, a figure central to Scottish and British political life during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The monument not only enhances Edinburgh’s architectural heritage but also provides a focal point for reflection on the city’s imperial past and evolving attitudes toward historical memory. Inspired by Rome’s Trajan’s Column, the Melville Monument stands about 42.6 meters (140 feet) tall, crowned by a bronze statue of Dundas in classical garb (Historic Environment Scotland; edinburgh.org).

Open to the public year-round, the monument’s location in St Andrew Square ensures easy access via public transport and proximity to many of Edinburgh’s major attractions. In recent years, the monument has been at the center of public debate, especially after the installation of a slavery plaque in 2021, which acknowledged Dundas’s controversial role in delaying the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade (The Scotsman; STV News).

This guide offers a detailed overview of the Melville Monument’s history, architecture, visitor information, accessibility, nearby attractions, and practical tips—making it ideal for architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and casual explorers alike.

Top view of the Melville Monument in St Andrews Square, Edinburgh

Introduction
Location and Setting
Historical and Architectural Overview
Structural and Artistic Features
The Statue of Henry Dundas
Conservation and Restoration
Visiting Information
Accessibility
Guided Tours and Events
Travel Tips and Nearby Attractions
The Legacy of Henry Dundas: Historical Context
The Slavery Plaque and Contemporary Controversies
The Monument’s Place in Modern Edinburgh
Practical Visitor FAQs
Recommendations and Summary
References and Useful Links

Location and Setting

Centrally positioned in St Andrew Square, the Melville Monument anchors one of Edinburgh’s most iconic Georgian spaces. Designed by James Craig as part of the city’s New Town plan, the square exemplifies neoclassical urbanism, with the monument visible from prominent thoroughfares like George Street and Princes Street (edinburgh.org).

Historical and Architectural Overview

Design Inspiration and Historical Context

Commissioned in the early 19th century, the Melville Monument was conceived as a grand tribute to Henry Dundas. Architect William Burn designed the structure in the neoclassical style, drawing inspiration from Roman triumphal columns, specifically Trajan’s Column. The engineering expertise of Robert Stevenson, renowned for his lighthouse work, ensured the monument’s structural integrity (Historic Environment Scotland; Wikipedia).

Materials and Structure

Constructed primarily from Craigleith sandstone, the column harmonizes with the surrounding Georgian architecture. The monument’s total height is about 42.6 meters (140 feet), with a fluted Corinthian column atop a robust plinth. At its apex stands a 4.2-meter (14-foot) bronze statue of Dundas, sculpted by Francis Leggatt Chantrey and carved by Robert Forrest (dayouthub.com).

Artistic Features

The monument’s Corinthian capital is richly decorated with acanthus leaves, while bronze plaques on the pedestal commemorate Dundas’s achievements. Iron railings with classical motifs encircle the base. The statue of Dundas, depicted in classical attire, points toward the city, symbolizing his influence over Edinburgh and the wider British Empire (Curious Edinburgh).

Conservation and Restoration

Due to exposure to Edinburgh’s climate and urban pollution, the monument requires ongoing conservation. Historic Environment Scotland oversees the preservation of the sandstone and bronze elements to maintain the monument’s integrity (Historic Environment Scotland).

Visiting Information

Opening Hours and Tickets

Access: The Melville Monument is an outdoor structure with free public access at all times.
Interior: The column’s internal spiral staircase, once used for maintenance, is closed to the public.
Gardens: The surrounding gardens in St Andrew Square have seasonal opening hours, generally from early morning to late evening (dayouthub.com).

Getting There

On Foot: Short walk from Princes Street and Waverley Station.
Bus/Tram: St Andrew Square is well-served by city buses and trams (evendo.com).
Taxi: Request a drop-off at St Andrew Square.
Accessibility: The area is wheelchair accessible, though some surfaces are uneven.

Amenities

Cafés, restaurants, and shops line the square, and public restrooms are available nearby.

Accessibility

St Andrew Square is flat and generally accessible for visitors with mobility needs. Wheelchair users should be aware of cobbled areas but will find paved paths around the monument and gardens. Public transport stops are close by.

Guided Tours and Events

While the monument itself is not open for interior tours, it features in various historical walking tours of Edinburgh’s New Town. These tours provide context on both the monument and Edinburgh’s broader architectural and political history. Some tours also address the ongoing debates surrounding Dundas’s legacy (GPSmyCity).

Travel Tips and Nearby Attractions

When to Visit

Best Times: Early mornings and late afternoons offer fewer crowds and beautiful lighting for photography.
Events: St Andrew Square regularly hosts public events, markets, and festivals; check listings for potential access changes.

Nearby Historical Sites

Scottish National Portrait Gallery: Features portraits of notable Scots and rotating exhibitions.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: A 20-minute walk, ideal for nature lovers.
Edinburgh Castle: A 30-minute walk, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and National War Museum.
Old Town: Offers vibrant nightlife and historic pubs.

The Legacy of Henry Dundas: Historical Context

Henry Dundas (1742–1811), often called the “Uncrowned King of Scotland,” was pivotal in shaping both Scottish and British politics. As a close confidant of Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, he wielded immense power, especially as chair of the Board of Control for the East India Company (The Scotsman; Curious Edinburgh).

Dundas’s legacy is highly controversial, most notably due to his proposal to delay the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade, which many historians argue resulted in the continued enslavement of over half a million Africans (STV News). While he also contributed to the modernization of Scotland’s legal system and naval administration, it is his involvement with the slave trade that has most shaped public discourse around the monument.

The Slavery Plaque and Contemporary Controversies

Plaque Installation and Removal

In 2021, after public pressure and an independent review led by Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, the City of Edinburgh Council installed a plaque detailing Dundas’s role in deferring the abolition of the slave trade (Edinburgh Live; STV News). The plaque’s wording, however, became the subject of heated debate, with critics arguing that it unfairly singled out Dundas. In September 2023, the Melville Monument Committee removed the plaque, calling it “cartoonishly inaccurate,” prompting the council to replace it and seek legal redress (BBC News; andywightman.scot).

Ongoing Dialogue

The monument thus continues to serve as a catalyst for public engagement on issues of historical accountability and collective memory. The City of Edinburgh Council has committed to ongoing consultation and broader efforts to address the city’s colonial and slavery legacies (The City of Edinburgh Council).

The Monument’s Place in Modern Edinburgh

The Melville Monument is more than a historical artifact—it is an active site of discussion about how cities commemorate complex pasts. Its prominent location in St Andrew Square places it at the intersection of Edinburgh’s business, cultural, and civic life. The monument’s evolving interpretation, now including the controversial plaque, reflects wider national and global movements to re-examine public monuments and their meanings (historyreclaimed.co.uk).

Practical Visitor FAQs

Q: What are the Melville Monument visiting hours?
A: St Andrew Square and the monument are accessible 24/7; gardens have seasonal daylight hours.

Q: Is there an entry fee or ticket required?
A: No, visiting is free.

Q: Can you climb the monument or go inside?
A: No, interior access is not permitted.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, the monument is featured in several historical walking tours.

Q: Is the monument accessible to visitors with disabilities?
A: Yes, the area is generally flat and wheelchair accessible.

Q: What attractions are nearby?
A: Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh Castle, and Old Town.

Recommendations and Summary

The Melville Monument stands as a powerful symbol of Edinburgh’s neoclassical ambitions and as a site of ongoing public reflection. Its central location, free access, and proximity to significant cultural institutions make it a must-see for visitors. At the same time, its evolving interpretation—particularly regarding the legacy of Henry Dundas and the Atlantic slave trade—offers a unique opportunity to engage critically with Scotland’s complex history.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the monument and its surroundings, consider the debates it inspires, and take advantage of guided tours for deeper understanding. For the latest information on events, tours, and accessibility, consult official Edinburgh tourism resources or use heritage apps like Audiala (edinburgh.org; Historic Environment Scotland).