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All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh 'The Stones of Scotland'

'The Stones of Scotland'

A poetic monument to the Scottish Parliament.

Edinburgh, Scotland

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linkogecko
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The monument is defined by the circle of 32 rocks.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The monument is defined by the circle of 32 rocks.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Highland”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Angus”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“East Ayrshire”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“City of Glasgow”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Perth and Kinross”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“City of Edinburgh”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Midlothian”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Poetry of Hugh MacDiarmid.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
An example of the rocks, these represent the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian Councils.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Whose the tread that fits this mark?” - Tessa Ransford.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The current Scottish Parliament (both the physical building and the institution it houses) were established following the results of a referendum in 1997. In the seven years between this referendum and the construction of the actual Parliament Building, "The Stones of Scotland" was built as a way to commemorate this new era of Scottish history.

The story of this monument and the Scottish Parliament Building occurs in increments of two years from 2000, when the first stone of the monument was placed on-site. In 2002, the monument was completed and dedicated in honor of the yet-to-be-finished Scottish Parliament Building. Finally, this building was completed and occupied in 2004, and can be seen from Regent Road Park, where "The Stones of Scotland" sits. 

The actual monument consists of 32 rocks mined from and representing each of the 32 council areas that constitute Scotland. These are placed in a circle around a plaza, at the center of which a tree grows. This plaza also features a plaque with a quote from Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid's aptly titled poem "Scotland," as well as a sculpture featuring a quote by fellow poet Tessa Ransford. The group of artists and designers who worked on this monument includes Lesley-May Miller, Kenny Munro, Stuart Rogers, and George Wyllie.

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Government Memorials Rocks Geology

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The monument can be seen from Regent Road, but it's recommended to walk into the Park for a better view.

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Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

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linkogecko

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SEANETTA

  • SEANETTA

Published

September 24, 2019

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  • https://www.edinburghgeolsoc.org/geological-site/stones-of-scotland/
  • https://mapio.net/pic/f-27084346994/
'The Stones of Scotland'
34 Regent Terrace
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH7 5BS
United Kingdom
55.955134, -3.173549
Get Directions

Nearby Places

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

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