Edinburgh, The Meadows, Sundial
Sundial (19th Century)
Site Name Edinburgh, The Meadows, Sundial
Classification Sundial (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) West Meadow Park; Melville Drive
Canmore ID 125725
Site Number NT27SE 1983.01
NGR NT 25216 72730
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/125725
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
The Sundial Pillar is built from stones which are named, from various quarries, like the commemorative Pillars.
REFERENCE:
NMRS LIBRARY
Historical File - "Meadows West, Sundial"
Measured sketch by A. Rollo, 1948
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'.
See also:
NT27SE 1983.00 Edinburgh, The Meadows, General
1983.02 Edinburgh, The Meadows (West), Mason's Pillars
1983.03 Edinburgh, The Meadows, Edinburgh International Exhibition 1886 1983.04 Edinburgh, The Meadows (East), Pillars
1983.05 Edinburgh, Middle Meadow Walk, Pillars
1983.06 Edinburgh, Middle Meadow Walk
Project (1997)
The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (http://www.pmsa.org.uk/) set up a National Recording Project in 1997 with the aim of making a survey of public monuments and sculpture in Britain ranging from medieval monuments to the most contemporary works. Information from the Edinburgh project was added to the RCAHMS database in October 2010 and again in 2012.
The PMSA (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association) Edinburgh Sculpture Project has been supported by Eastern Photocolour, Edinburgh College of Art, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Scotland, the Hope Scott Trust, The Old Edinburgh Club, the Pilgrim Trust, the RCAHMS, and the Scottish Archive Network.
Field Visit (27 October 1999)
Sundial composed of an octagonal shaft with pedestal and base, and a large octagonal top with alternating inscriptions and insignia.
The shields (left to right) are carved in low relief with a crown, the arms of Edinburgh, a lion rampant and a castle.
A bronze armillary sphere is on the top of the sundial.
Inscriptions : Top, left to right from above shield with crown (incised letters): TAK TENT O' TIME ERE TIME BE TINT
Octagonal top panels from left of crown:
1) ERECTED IN COMMEMORATION / OF THE OPENING OF THE / INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION / BY / H.R.H. / PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR / OF WALES / ON 8TH MAY 1886
2) THE MOST HONOROUBLE / MARQUIS OF LOTHIAN K.T. / PRESIDENT
3) JAMES GOWANS / LORD DEAN OF GUILD / CHAIRMAN / OF THE / EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
4) THE RIGHT HONOURABLE / THOMAS CLARK / LORD PROVOST / OF THE CITY
Around pedestal below crown:
1) I MARK / BUT THE HOURS / OF SUNSHINE
2) WELL ARRANGED TIME / IS THE SUREST SIGN / OF A / WELL ARRANGED MIND
3) MAN'S DAYS / ARE AS A SHADOW / THAT PASSETH AWAY / [ ? ] / CORNCOCKLE
4) TIME / AS HE PASSES US / HAS A DOVE'S WING / UNSOILED / AND SWIFT
AND / OF A SILKEN SOUND
5) AS A SERVANT / EARNESTLY / DESIRETH THE SHADOW
6) TIME / IS THE CHRYSALIS / OF ETERNITY
7) LIGHT / IS THE SHADOW OF / GOD
8) TIME AND TIDE / WAIT FOR NO MAN
Signatures : Below city shield are the quarry names: BALLOCHMYLE / MYRETON
Quarry names are also on blocks making up the shaft, from top: REDHALL / COCKLAW / MYRETON / CRAGG / WHITSOME NEWTON
On base: MOAT
Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0161)
