Architecture Notes

Event ID 643126

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Architecture Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/643126

Two commemorative pillars at the West End of Melville Drive, erected in 1886 in connection with the International Exhibition opened in 6th May of that year by Prince Albert Victor. The shafts of the Pillars are built up with cube stones cut with the names from the various quarries which have supplied Edinburgh and District, and the Pillars now illustrate the weathering qualities of the stones. The Sundial Pillar is also built up of stones which are named, from various quarries.

NMRS REFERENCE:

Historical File:

Pen and wash sketch showing stones used, titled: 'Meadows West, Commemorative Pillars', by A. Rollo, 1948

REFERENCE:

PUBLIC LIBRARY, EDINBURGH ROOM

Refer to a small volume entitled 'Model Dwelling Houses' by Sir James Gowans, Architect, Lord Dean of Guild, published in 1886. This gives a description and illustrations of the model dwellings erected for the 1886 Exhibition, and also gives illustrations and full descriptions with the inscriptions and the sun-dials' time mottoes, of the 'Prince Albert Victor Sun Dial' and 'The Memorial Masons' Pillars'.

CITY ARCHITECT'S PLAN STORE

Drawing of Pillar to scale of 3/4" to 1'. Signed by James Gowans, Architect, 1st February 1886

Drawer No.30

[A photostat reproduction of the above drawing is in the NMRS - EDD/151/1]

Two diagrams giving the names of the Quarries from which the different stones of the pillars have come.

Drawer No.12

[These were the source for A.Rollo's drawings of the pillars, in the NMRS - EDD/517/1]

(Undated) information in NMRS.