Edinburgh loves its writers. I’d say almost as much as Dublin where there were statues to Joyce or Yeats practically every block but here it’s Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.
The Monument to Scott towers above the city, over 60 meters high (200 feet) and, for a small fee, you can climb most of the way up. The staff were very clear how many steps there were to get to the lower viewing platform and how many more to get to the top. While I’m not in great shape, I’d been walking around Edinburgh for a week and figured I wouldn’t have any trouble…
The stone stairways spiral up with no windows or clue as to how far you have to go. They are also fairly cramped. I’m glad I’m shorter than the average man so I wasn’t uncomfortable but I was definitely winded when I got to the first platform and they lead me into a smallish museumish room where the guide told us about the construction of the monument.
That’s when I noticed, I wasn’t able to regain my breath. A curious sensation, unlike an asthma attack, I just continued to require deep rapid breaths even though I was standing still in this little room with dozen strangers. I wondered if that poem I wrote, What I Did on Vacation, had been prophetic and, I must admit, I kinda smiled to myself.
Alas, after we were freed to take pictures from the viewing platform and I could feel the wind in my beard, I began to feel much better. My best guess is that got a little overheated still, I told the guide that I wanted to be the last to go up to the next platform, just in case, but I was fine, and made it all the way up (and back down) without any trouble through the ever narrowing spiral staircases.
The views from the top are spectacular. You can see all of the city and all the way across the Firth of Forth. I bet it’d be even more remarkable at night but sadly their last tour goes up at 3:30pm, not there’s very much night here in the summer anyway.
Here’s a pic of Edinburgh Castle with the National Gallery in the foreground. The image at the top of this post was taken from the patio with the reddish umbrellas.
At the base of the monument is a marble of statue of Scott with his favorite dog Maida, who has his own Wikipedia page! (Bobo is going to be so jealous when I tell him.)
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 
Thank you for sharing, Bart! Views worth the climb and ordeal you went through. I am glad the first line of your poem did not come true, though I do understand the inspired smile. 👍🏻
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Thanks, Michele! There’s also a good fish & chips place not far from the monument.
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😅
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Thank you for the wonderful views, Bart … yep, you lived to tell the story … Oh, I am somewhat distantly related to Walter Scott (on my mother’s side)
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That’s so cool that your related to Scott. Might be a poem in that…
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A very distant relative … probably needs a very distant poem …
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sometimes even dogs have to bite the bitter truth, Bart :)
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Ha! Nice one, John. While I may be bitter, I’m only partially true.
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That had to be a frightening sensation. Glad to know all is well.
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While there was a twinge of fear, it was really more concern. I definitely didn’t want to make any paramedics have to climb those stairs.
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What you describe reminds me of when I went up inside one of the towers of York Minster – I had a very similar experience. The guide let me stop part of the way up and let me out through a door onto a gang-way along the side of the roof then left me there as long as I promised to stay still and hold onto the railing. There was no chance that I would do otherwise! The group then collected me on the way back down. There’s a photo of me, holding on for dear life, with a brilliant view behind me!
I’ve never chanced trying one of the upper level tours in St. Magnus. Mike did, while I mooched about in the Cathedral. From all that I know who have done the tour – it is well worth it. If you’re thinking of doing so – you’ll need to pre-book well in advance – they’re very popular!
https://theorkneynews.scot/2022/04/14/guilty-or-not-guilty/
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That sounds like great fun to be clinging to the side of York Minster, halfway up.
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Can’t honestly say it was ‘fun’ – but it was interesting! Oddly enough – the section where I was ‘deposited’ in 1980, was consumed by flames in 1984…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster_fire
So where I was standing – no longer exists. There must be a poem in the somewhere.
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Agreed. Explore that metaphor!
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Naaaa – can’t be arsed. Hmmmm…mebbe….
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What an intriguing read about the Scott Monument! Your vivid description and historical insights brought this architectural marvel to life. It’s fascinating to learn about the stories and significance behind such iconic landmarks. Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks for commenting, Electro!
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How fascinatingly the poetic journey of Bartholomew Barker is explored! His singular ability to combine strong emotion and vivid imagery results in tremendous experiences with each poem, as your blog masterfully illustrates. I really like the understanding of his creative process and how his life experiences influence his art. Barker’s poetry genuinely strikes a deep chord with readers, and your interpretation gives them a deeper degree of comprehension. I appreciate you bringing this gifted poet to our attention.
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You flatter me. Thanks, Daw.
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