The Nelson Monument

The Nelson Monument stands 106 feet high, contains 143 steps in a spiral staircase, and is proudly located on Carlton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Edinburgh's Nelson monument on Calton Hill

Designed by Robert Burn, and constructed in 1816, the structure is intentionally tall enough to be seen by ships in port at Leith Roads. The illustrious tower is a tribute to Lord Horatio Nelson, an esteemed Navy Admiral, who emerged victorious in the Battle of Trafalgar, in October, 1806. The battle was won, but Nelson lost his life as the Royal Navy mutilated the French and Spanish flotilla.

[Image credit: mrlins]

The Nelson Monument’s Time Ball

The Time Ball on Edinburgh's Nelson Monument in its dropped position, just visible under the cross

Sitting atop this looming structure, since 1854, is a wooden, zinc clad sphere. This sphere, known as the Time Ball, is dropped at 1:00 daily, with the exception of Sunday. The Time Ball, synchronized with the city observatory, as well as the firing of the One O’Clock gun at Edinburgh Castle, is raised at 12:55, and dropped five minutes later, each day in order for ships in the Port of Leith to set their chronometers. In May of 2009, the Time Ball, weighing 762 kilos, was temporarily removed for repairs of the cracked zinc sheath.

[Image credit: notcub]

Views From The Top Of Nelson Monument – Edinburgh And Beyond

The Nelson Monument is sometimes described as having an inverted telescope appearance, and vaguely resembles a more erect Tower of Pisa. Nelson Monument also presents the visitor with a scenic panoramic view of the Firth of Forth, the Forth Rail and Road Bridges, and Moorfoot Hills.

The spectacular view over Edinburgh from the top of the Nelson monument

Local buildings such as the Royal High School, Dugald Stewart’s Monument, and the Governor’s House can be keenly observed from the top of the Nelson Monument as well.