The Dugald Stewart Monument is a prominent neoclassical memorial dedicated to the Scottish philosopher Dugald Stewart (1753–1828), an influential figure of the Scottish Enlightenment and professor of moral philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. Located atop Calton Hill in Edinburgh, the monument offers one of the city’s most iconic skyline views.
It was designed by the distinguished Scottish architect William Henry Playfair and was completed in 1831. It is modeled after the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens, reflecting the Greek Revival style and Edinburgh’s reputation as “the Athens of the North.”
Interesting facts...
A secret crypt known as Herman Lyon’s Mausoleum, a Jewish burial site from the late 18th century, was forgotten for around 150 years until rediscovered in 2013. It was built inside a natural cave within Calton Hill, but its entrance was sealed during drainage works in the 1850s and remains off-limits to the public.