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Nelson Monument and Timeball Mechanism

The Nelson Monument is a circular signal tower in the style of a naval spy glass. It is built of Craigleith sandstone and is 106 ft highwith 143 steps from its base. The time-ball mechanism at the top is constructed of timber, zinc, and cast iron.

The tower is located in the prominent position on the top of Calton Hill, visible from much of the City of Edinburgh, and is located close to the National Monument, Burns Monument, and Scottish Parliament building.

In 2009 War Memorials Trust offered a grant for £2,500 towards conservation work to the monument which was closed to members of the public for health and safety reasons, and to the time-ball mechanism which was broken. The works consisted of rebuilding and repairs to the parapet, and re-pointing of stonework, windows, and external doorframes. Additional works included the renewal of handrails, the painting of windows, external doors, metal handrails and rainwater downpipes, and cleaning. Repairs to the time-ball and hoisting mechanism included replacing rigging through new anchorage eyelets, and repairs to the mast arm.

The Nelson Monument was funded by public subscription and commemorates Lord Admiral Nelson’s victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805. The Monument was designed by Robert Burn, with Thomas Bonnar taking over after Burn’s death in 1815. It was built  between 1807 and 1816. The monument replaced an existing mast on Calton Hill, with a tower high enough to be seen by the ships in Leith Roads.

The time ball, which weighs 762kgs was installed in 1852 by Charles Piazzi Smyth, second Astronomer Royal for Scotland with the aid of clockmaker Frederick James Ritchie, to allow ship captains to set their chronometers correctly; this was achieved by the ball being raised at 12.55pm and dropped at exactly 1pm each day, in 1861 this was linked with the audio signal of the One o’clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle. These visual and audio signals were 456ft above sea level and allowed ships in Leith Harbour to set their chronometers, an aid to navigation.

Calton Hill is within Edinburgh World Heritage Site. The National Monument is Grade A listed.

The inscription reads:

“To the memory of the Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, and of the great victory of Trafalgar, too dearly purchased with his blood, the grateful citizens of Edinburgh have erected this monument: not to express their unavailing sorrow for his death: nor yet to celebrate the matchless glories of his life, but by his noble example to teach their sons to emulate what they admire, and like him, when duty requires, to die for their country. MDCCCV”

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM2369
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 44667

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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