The Burns Monument
The Burns Monument
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavored souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
52 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
19
Average
21
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Roger G
Glasgow, UK2,861 contributions
Nov 2021
We reached the Burns Monument via the Jacob's Ladder route. It is easy to find thanks to its prominent site and position close to the old Edinburgh High School. The same architect designed the Burns Memorial at Alloway. Smoke pollution resulted in the marble statue of Burns having to be moved to the National Portrait Gallery as Edinburgh University refused to house it due to Burns not having a degree!!
The building has great views and was restored not so long ago. Sadly the entrance was well and truly locked on our Sunday visit.
The building has great views and was restored not so long ago. Sadly the entrance was well and truly locked on our Sunday visit.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,766 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
This monument stands in tribute to, Robert Burns, the 18th century Scottish poet and Scotland's national poet.
In some ways, the monument is sadly out of place situated at the foot of Calton Hill and away from the main residential area. It's a little out of the way to get to the monument, but it's location does give fantastic views over the southern parts of the city below as well as Arthur's seat and Holyrood Park.
As for the monument itself, it's a small circular temple with a Neo-Classical design. The monument itself sits on a roughly square base supporting the colonnade,with a solid circular temple surrounded by Corinthian columns. Atop the temple is a sculpture of three griffons each with a paw touching a central urn.
Worth going to see, just a shame it's out of the way.
In some ways, the monument is sadly out of place situated at the foot of Calton Hill and away from the main residential area. It's a little out of the way to get to the monument, but it's location does give fantastic views over the southern parts of the city below as well as Arthur's seat and Holyrood Park.
As for the monument itself, it's a small circular temple with a Neo-Classical design. The monument itself sits on a roughly square base supporting the colonnade,with a solid circular temple surrounded by Corinthian columns. Atop the temple is a sculpture of three griffons each with a paw touching a central urn.
Worth going to see, just a shame it's out of the way.
Written June 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,083 contributions
Jan 2019
This building commemorates Scotland’s National Poet Robert Burns . The Burns monument is on Regent Road at the Southerly foot of Calton Hill looking out to Arthur's seat in Holyrood Park . A very great monument to visit . It is very large and impressive. Beautiful monument to Robert Burns, worth a visit . The Burns Poetry garden around the monument contains flowers mentioned in his poetry.
Written November 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bibcay
Gateshead, UK4,300 contributions
Apr 2019
As I said I have never been to the top but when I have looked down from low it made me incredibly interested in it.
Written April 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuelphTraveller
Canada1,378 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
This elegant classical monument is a key visual landmark and sits at the top of Calton Hill. I am surprised it was not ranked higher as an important site especially given Robert Burns status as a national Scottish hero. This is one of a number of buildings that comprise a Unesco World Heritage site on Calton Hill.
Written September 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert A
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
I had a great time in edinburgh. I was there during the festival. I wanted the area around the castle down high Street and holyrood Park. I also went to the Edinburgh Royal military tattoo. I had a wonderful time in Edinburgh.
Written October 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James P
Cambridge, UK2,793 contributions
May 2022
The Burns Monument on Regent Road, at the foot of Calton Hill, is a monument to the Scottish national poet Robert Burns.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaurav C
New Delhi, India2,954 contributions
Mar 2019
The monument is in the memory of Robert Burns..The Scotland's national poet..There is a tripod on top of the monument..He wrote about nature and love..the garden around the monument is well maintained..
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia51,906 contributions
Sep 2018
The Burns Monument is located on Regent Road. We passed by it while coming from our visit to nearby Calton Hill. It is a monument to the great Scottish national poet Robert Burns. It is a bit strange that it is located more or less on the side of a road, but perhaps there is a good reason for it. On top of the Hill might have been a little more appropriate, together with all the other beautiful monuments. May be, but I am no expert! The design of the monument is Greek Neo-Classical and quite lovely. It is worth checking out.
Written August 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perkadventures
Banning, CA15,331 contributions
Aug 2018
Walked up the hill to see the various areas of the city park and this was one also. Great views of the city can be found here also
Written September 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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