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Before retirement I worked in central Edinburgh for 18 years but never thought to climb either the Scott Monument or the Nelson Monument despite for a few years working half way between these two landmarks. In retirement it has taken me only 8 years to get round to it!
There is not much to report except the excellent views that are available from them, I started off at the Scott Monument and paid my £4 entrance fee. The spiral stone staircases are dark and vary in size, in places with some room, but approaching the top viewing gallery very narrow and restricted, probably not advised for anyone who is claustrophobic.
- Scott Monument
- Old Town Skyline and Pentland Hills
- Ramsay Gardens and Edinburgh Castle
- Old Town and Arthur's Seat
- St Andrew's Square, Fife and Lomond Hills
- Princes Street looking west
- Princes Street looking east, note the tram tracks but NO trams
Moving on to the Nelson Monument about 600m to the east on Calton Hill, this again costs £4 to enter but has a wide light and airy staircase and offers some different views:
- Nelson Monument
- Old Royal High School, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood House and Arthur's Seat
- Old Town and Edinburgh Council's Offices, they are not real cows!
- Old Town and Pentland Hills with East Cairn Hill in distance
- Princes Street
- View from the stairs - no window cleaners here
- Calton Hill, East Lothian and North Berwick Law
- Canongate Kirk, Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat