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Latitude: 55.9418 / 55°56'30"N
Longitude: -3.1988 / 3°11'55"W
OS Eastings: 325216
OS Northings: 672730
OS Grid: NT252727
Mapcode National: GBR 8MK.JJ
Mapcode Global: WH6SL.TXXB
Plus Code: 9C7RWRR2+PF
Entry Name: Sundial, The Meadows, Edinburgh
Listing Name: West Meadows Park, Sundial, Railings and Gate
Listing Date: 23 March 2000
Category: B
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 365297
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB27930
Building Class: Cultural
Also known as: Edinburgh, The Meadows, Sundial
ID on this website: 200365297
Location: Edinburgh
County: Edinburgh
Town: Edinburgh
Electoral Ward: City Centre
Traditional County: Midlothian
Tagged with: Sundial
Sir James Gowans, 1886. Sundial, bronze armillary sphere on octagonal base. 8 different kinds of freestone, in 11 courses (see Notes). Red sandstone base and cap Moulded base course; facets alternately polished and recessed and panelled; heraldic shields to facets of corniced cap. Surrounded by cast-iron railings and gate.
B group comprises the Masons' Pillars in Melville Drive and the Sundial in West Meadows Park, Melville Drive, both designed by Sir James Gowans. The sundial was erected in commemoration of the opening of the Edinburgh International Exhibition by His Royal Highness Albert Victor, Prince of Wales, on 6th May 1886.
11 courses of stone, each engraved with the name of the quarry from which the stone derives:
1st red stone from Moat Quarry
2nd red stone fron Corncockle
3rd yellow stone from Whitsome Newton
4th yellow stone from Cragg
5th blue stone from Myreton
6th yellow stone from Cocklaw
7th yellow stone from Redhall
8th blue stone from Myreton
9th red stone from Ballochmyle
10th blue stone from Myreton
11th (base of armillary sphere) yellow stone from Redhall
The bronze armillary sphere also acts as a sundial. The facets of the base are engraved with mottoes and homilies on the subject of time, eg 'Time is the chrysalis of eternity,' and 'Well arranged time is the surest sign of a well arranged mind.'
The facets of cap bear shields - the Coronet of Prince Albert, the Arms of the Marquis of Lothian, the cipher of the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the City Arms and the Scottish Arms.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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