18/10/2018
Built between 1924-7, The Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer. He reused part of an old barrack block to create a memorial comprising three elements: a hall of honours, a national shrine, and a roll of honour. A number of craftsmen and women were commissioned to produce sculpture and stained glass for the memorial, which is regarded as one of Scotland's most important buildings.
The HES Archive holds a wealth of material relating to the Scottish National War Memorial including documents, models, historic photographs, original drawings and sketches by Lorimer. The archive can be consulted in our Search Room and through Canmore.
This gallery formed part of an exhibition in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the 1918 Armistice.
SC 708450
View showing the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh, north facade of gallery and shrine from north west.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 708451
View of the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh, showing north facade and shrine during reconstruction.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 742115
Details of West window of Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle including alternative design for Air Force window.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 889147
Design for Linlithgow county shield in gallery, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 977404
Part of bronze frieze which excircles the Shrine of the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© RCAHMS
SC 977405
Part of bronze frieze which excircles the Shrine of the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© RCAHMS
DP 025302
Digital copy of a carved and painted wood model of the proposed Shrine, Scottish National War Memorial. View of the exterior.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 037416
North elevation. Captioned "Edinburgh Castle reconstruction of disused barracks as Scottish National War Memorial"
© Unknown
SC 1201763
View of entrance to the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, with wreaths laid in front.
© RCAHMS
SC 1223201
View of Sculpture of Knowledge by Alice Meredith-Williams with capitals of niches by Phyllis Bone
© RCAHMS
SC 1240796
Composite photograph of the Badges of the services carved on the exterior walls, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
SC 1240799
Composite photograph copied on glass of animal carvings, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
SC 1384671
Interior, Hall of Honour, South Wall, Second collumn to West, Trophy of Scottish Arms
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384686
Interior, entrance porch, window, Royal Arms of U.K. as used in Scotland today
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384689
Interior, South West bay, window dedicated to women, detail of roundel
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384698
Interior, South East bay, window dedicated to Heavy Artillery/Machine Gun/Tank/Bridge Builders, detail of roundel
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384706
Interior, Hall of Honour, South wall, Seasons window, Summer, detail of roundel
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384708
Interior, Hall of Honour, South wall, Seasons window, Summer, detail of quatrefoil
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384709
Interior, Hall of Honour, South wall, Seasons window, Spring, detail of roundel
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1388864
Details of South, East and West windows including alternative design for Air Force window, Scottish National War Memorial.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 1390327
Interior, Hall of Honour, North Wall seventh bay ( to East ), detail of shield of County of Fife
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 221104
Oblique aerial view of Edinburgh Castle centred on the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, looking NNW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 221112
Oblique aerial view of Edinburgh Castle centred on the Palace Yard, looking SW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1226286
Composite photograph of bronze frieze which encircles the shrine, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
DP 280579
Photograph of the design for memorial to the Scottish Yeomanry by Pilkington Jackson in eastern recess of gallery, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 280580
View looking down on vaulted shrine roof in the course of construction, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 280581
View looking down on vaulted shrine roof in the course of construction, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 280989
View of 'Saturn' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282526
View of 'the sun' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282527
View of 'Mercury' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282528
View of 'Mars' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282529
View of 'Jupiter' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282530
View of 'Venus' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282617
View of angel on archway to shrine in gallery, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282618
View of angel on archway to shrine in gallery, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282620
View of scroll commemorating the outposts of the Empire in the East and part of tree on archway from shrine to gallery,Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282623
Photographic copy of preliminary drawing for the sculpted figure of St Michael to be suspended from roof of shrine, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282625
View of Edinburgh Castle showing Billing's building in situ prior to the building of the Scottish National War Memorial.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282626
Photographic montage of Edinburgh Castle showing unexecuted design for the Scottish National War Memorial in situ.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282627
Photographic view of Edinburgh Castle with pencil annotations to show height of royal palace tower and proposed war memorial shrine and turret.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282629
Photographic montage of Edinburgh Castle from the Esplanade showing approved design for war memorial in situ with a reduction in height.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282632
View of stone and marble war memorial to the memory of the 5th batallion of the Royal Scots Queens Edinburgh Rifles, St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282982
Detail of angel on west buttress of shrine exterior, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282983
Detail of angel on west buttress of shrine exterior, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 283045
View of part of the bronze shrine frieze for the Scottish National War Memorial in a studio location.
© Courtesy of HES. Records of Lorimer and Matthew, architects, Edinburgh, Scotland
DP 283051
View of preparatory model for the figure of St Michael suspended from roof of shrine, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 283055
View of preparatory model for the figure of St Michael suspended from roof of shrine, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 301055
View of unicorn from exterior of porch, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 301609
View showing construction work in progress and cusped arch on North facade to the left of shrine exterior, including initial (eventually unused) figurative sculpture of 'Charity', Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 301694
Detail of pelican panel in porch, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 301719
View of carved badge on West wall of gallery exterior, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 708450
View showing the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh, north facade of gallery and shrine from north west.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 708451
View of the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh, showing north facade and shrine during reconstruction.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 742115
Details of West window of Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle including alternative design for Air Force window.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 889147
Design for Linlithgow county shield in gallery, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 977404
Part of bronze frieze which excircles the Shrine of the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© RCAHMS
SC 977405
Part of bronze frieze which excircles the Shrine of the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© RCAHMS
DP 025302
Digital copy of a carved and painted wood model of the proposed Shrine, Scottish National War Memorial. View of the exterior.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 037416
North elevation. Captioned "Edinburgh Castle reconstruction of disused barracks as Scottish National War Memorial"
© Unknown
SC 1201763
View of entrance to the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, with wreaths laid in front.
© RCAHMS
SC 1223201
View of Sculpture of Knowledge by Alice Meredith-Williams with capitals of niches by Phyllis Bone
© RCAHMS
SC 1240796
Composite photograph of the Badges of the services carved on the exterior walls, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
SC 1240799
Composite photograph copied on glass of animal carvings, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
DP 161776
Proposed alterations to model of turret.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 1384671
Interior, Hall of Honour, South Wall, Second collumn to West, Trophy of Scottish Arms
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384686
Interior, entrance porch, window, Royal Arms of U.K. as used in Scotland today
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384689
Interior, South West bay, window dedicated to women, detail of roundel
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384698
Interior, South East bay, window dedicated to Heavy Artillery/Machine Gun/Tank/Bridge Builders, detail of roundel
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384706
Interior, Hall of Honour, South wall, Seasons window, Summer, detail of roundel
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384708
Interior, Hall of Honour, South wall, Seasons window, Summer, detail of quatrefoil
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1384709
Interior, Hall of Honour, South wall, Seasons window, Spring, detail of roundel
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1388864
Details of South, East and West windows including alternative design for Air Force window, Scottish National War Memorial.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
SC 1390327
Interior, Hall of Honour, North Wall seventh bay ( to East ), detail of shield of County of Fife
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 221104
Oblique aerial view of Edinburgh Castle centred on the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, looking NNW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 221112
Oblique aerial view of Edinburgh Castle centred on the Palace Yard, looking SW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1226286
Composite photograph of bronze frieze which encircles the shrine, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
DP 280579
Photograph of the design for memorial to the Scottish Yeomanry by Pilkington Jackson in eastern recess of gallery, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 280580
View looking down on vaulted shrine roof in the course of construction, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 280581
View looking down on vaulted shrine roof in the course of construction, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 280989
View of 'Saturn' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282526
View of 'the sun' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282527
View of 'Mercury' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282528
View of 'Mars' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282529
View of 'Jupiter' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282530
View of 'Venus' from the planets series of carvings in the roof of the shrine above the windows, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282617
View of angel on archway to shrine in gallery, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282618
View of angel on archway to shrine in gallery, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282620
View of scroll commemorating the outposts of the Empire in the East and part of tree on archway from shrine to gallery,Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282623
Photographic copy of preliminary drawing for the sculpted figure of St Michael to be suspended from roof of shrine, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282625
View of Edinburgh Castle showing Billing's building in situ prior to the building of the Scottish National War Memorial.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282626
Photographic montage of Edinburgh Castle showing unexecuted design for the Scottish National War Memorial in situ.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282627
Photographic view of Edinburgh Castle with pencil annotations to show height of royal palace tower and proposed war memorial shrine and turret.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282629
Photographic montage of Edinburgh Castle from the Esplanade showing approved design for war memorial in situ with a reduction in height.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282632
View of stone and marble war memorial to the memory of the 5th batallion of the Royal Scots Queens Edinburgh Rifles, St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282982
Detail of angel on west buttress of shrine exterior, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 282983
Detail of angel on west buttress of shrine exterior, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 283045
View of part of the bronze shrine frieze for the Scottish National War Memorial in a studio location.
© Courtesy of HES. Records of Lorimer and Matthew, architects, Edinburgh, Scotland
DP 283051
View of preparatory model for the figure of St Michael suspended from roof of shrine, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 283055
View of preparatory model for the figure of St Michael suspended from roof of shrine, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 301055
View of unicorn from exterior of porch, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 301609
View showing construction work in progress and cusped arch on North facade to the left of shrine exterior, including initial (eventually unused) figurative sculpture of 'Charity', Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 301694
Detail of pelican panel in porch, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)
DP 301719
View of carved badge on West wall of gallery exterior, Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Lorimer and Matthew Collection)