Listed Building

The only legal part of the listing under the Planning (Listing Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 is the address/name of site. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing – see 'About Listed Buildings' below for more information. The further details below the 'Address/Name of Site' are provided for information purposes only.

Address/Name of Site

CALTON HILL, OFF REGENT ROAD, DUGALD STEWART'S MONUMENTLB27835

Status: Designated

Documents

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Summary

Category
A
Date Added
19/04/1966
Supplementary Information Updated
24/10/2019
Local Authority
Edinburgh
Planning Authority
Edinburgh
Burgh
Edinburgh
NGR
NT 26138 74132
Coordinates
326138, 674132

Description

William Henry Playfair, 1831. Neo-Greek circular monument; podium supporting open Corinthian colonnade, encircling urn. Polished ashlar. Projecting base course to podium; moulded chamfer; banded rustication to upper section of podium; architraved, recessed panel to NE, bearing inscription "DUGALD STEWART/ BORN NOVEMBER 22 1753 / DIED JUNE 11 1828". three-step crepidoma with moulded cornice to each step; to centre, circular plinth supporting urn, encircled by open colonnade of nine fluted Corinthian columns; architrave; frieze ornamented by wreaths; dentilled cornice; antefixae. Shallow domed stone roof, surmounted at centre by plumed open urn.

Railings: restored polygonal enclosure of stone piers ornamented with wreaths and cast iron railings.

Statement of Special Interest

The Dugald Stewart Monument is one of the best known landmarks on Calton Hill and plays an important part in the aesthetic composition of the hill, due to its prominent position. It is also significant as a characteristically high quality example of the work of W.H.Playfair, one of Scotland's most eminent early 19th century architects. The use of the Greek style is also important, as it contributes to the canon of Greek Revival architecture for which Edinburgh in general, and Calton Hill in particular, are renowned.

Professor Dugald Stewart was Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh University from 1786-1828. Considered one of the foremost philosophers of his time, he also taught economics, natural philosophy, Greek and logic and was the author of several works of philosophy, including Philosophy of the Human Mind. The monument was commissioned by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the prominent site selected by "persons of unquestionable judgement and taste". The Council granted permission for the monument in August 1830, and it was completed by September 1831. The original railings and stone piers forming the enclosure around the monument were removed at an unknown date.

Playfair's design for the monument is based on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. It is likely that the discreet reference to a choragic contest is significant, as Stewart was a renowned orator. The form of the Choragic Monument in Athens had become more widely known through its illustration in Stuart and Revett's Antiquities of Athens, published in 1762. A contemporaneous version of the monument, Thomas Hamilton's Burns Monument (1830-32; see separate List description) can be seen nearby on Regent Road. Hamilton also based his Burns Monument in Ayr (1820-3; see separate List description) on the Choragic monument form.

References

Bibliography

University of Edinburgh Library Playfair Collection. 'Dugald Stewart Monument on the Calton Hill, Edinburgh' RIAS QUARTERLY Spring 1926 Vol. 15. 'Monument to D. Stewart, Calton Hill' ARCHITECTURAL PROSPECT Summer 1957 Vol. 41.

A J Youngson, THE MAKING OF CLASSICAL EDINBURGH (1966) p159. Gifford, McWilliam and Walker EDINBURGH (1991) p436. H Colvin DICTIONARY OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS (1995).

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

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Printed: 29/03/2024 10:28