Work has started on Nelson Monument in Edinburgh in a bid to return the 32-metre high building to its former glory and reopen it to the public.
The monument has graced the Edinburgh skyline for more than two centuries on Calton Hill but has been closed for the majority of the last four years.
It initially shut in 2020 due to Covid but didn’t reopen until earlier this year for a planned event after some works had taken place. Now it is shut again with more essential works ongoing, including the restoration of the historic time ball.
The Nelson Monument was designed by Robert Burn to resemble an upside-down telescope and was completed in 1815 to commemorate Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson’s death and the British victory over French and Spanish naval fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar.
A time ball was added in the 1850s by Astronomer Royal, Professor Charles Pizzi Smyth, to help sailors in the Firth of Forth keep time and navigate accurately. It was previously synchronised with the one o’clock gun at Edinburgh castle but has been out of service since falling into disrepair.
It is now hoped the Nelson monument, which is managed by Museums and Galleries Edinburgh, will reopen later in 2024 following structural fabric assessment and restoration works to be carried out by civil and structural engineering firm Will Rudd.
Stuart Fleming, a director of the company and leading the works, said: “As a structural engineer, with great interest in historic buildings who has seen this monument as part of the historic skyline of Edinburgh since I was a boy, it is incredibly exciting to be able to work on its restoration.
“Time balls are largely obsolete in modern day naval navigation, but with only a handful remaining in the UK and across the world, it is so important that we preserve them where we can, and keep this one in working order.
“We have worked closely in-house with our own expert conservation engineers, led by our Glasgow office managing director and Conservation Accredited Engineer, MJ O’Shaughnessy to ensure the engineering sensitivities of this Monument are treated appropriately.
“Like many tourists and the Edinburgh public, we are keen to see the tower open for use once again. We are working flexibly with the City of Edinburgh Council to allow them to bring the museum and other facilities into use when needed during our works.”
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MJ O’Shaugnessy, the managing director of the company’s Glasgow office, added: “From a conservation engineering perspective, the primary objective was to ensure that any interventions to the building’s fabric were both appropriate and feasible, given the monument’s historical significance and its prominence in a heavily trafficked public space.
“The restoration of the timeball, in particular, requires delicate and expert craftsmanship, to be carried out in a safe, controlled workshop environment. The repairs will focus on preserving the spirit of the original timeball by using matching materials and techniques where possible, while placing a renewed emphasis on durability.
“This approach ensures the fabric is protected and can continue to be appreciated for many years to come, ultimately safeguarding the legacy of this historically important building.
“As conservation engineers, it is a privilege to be involved in the restoration of such a prominent feature and landmark. “
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