Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh
In or near Edinburgh.
Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh — category B listed building-listed memorial in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
G Laird — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 15 min–45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley · 3.1 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit the Harrison Memorial Arch, located at Observatory Road, Edinburgh, use the postcode EH9 3HQ for sat-nav. The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, which is approximately 3.1 km away. Entry to the memorial is free.
About
Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh is a category B listed building-listed memorial in scotland-central, United Kingdom, registered on the Historic Environment Scotland register (entry LB30584). Listed status protects buildings and structures of special architectural or historic interest. See the linked Wikipedia article for further details.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2026
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Heritage listing
Category B Date Added 19/03/1993 Local Authority Edinburgh Planning Authority Edinburgh Burgh Edinburgh NGR NT 26252 70824 Coordinates 326252, 670824 — A G Sydney Mitchell, 1888. Red polished ashlar triumphal arch commemorating George Harrison. Central keystoned and voussoired arch spanning road; smaller pedestrian arches to outer left and right; base course; dividing cornice over pedestrian arches; channelled stonework above; blinded balustrades to left and right of pediments. NE ELEVATION: corniced pedestals to 4 engaged Ionic columns flanking arches; commemorative inscriptions inset above pedestrian arches; full entablature with Latin inscription in frieze (see notes); broken pediment over central archway with inset bronze roundel of Harrison. SW ELEVATION: central pedimented archway slightly advanced; simplified entablature. — Inscriptions read: 'This arch is erected 18th Sept 1888 to commemorate the work & character of George Harrison Kt, MP, Lld, whose life was devoted to the public good. Born 1812. Died 1885. Blackford Hill was acquired & opened to the public by the Corporation of the City of Edinburgh 1884. The Right Honourable Sir George Harrison Lld, Lord Provost; In communem municipi rem diligentia in singulos municipes benignitas in omnes homines iustitia et fides'.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
Official information
The Royal Observatory Edinburgh is a unique scientific establishment that combines a university astronomy research group, a UK Research Council establishment, and a Visitor Centre. Visitors can explore various aspects of astronomy and the history of the observatory.
Place summary
Harrison Memorial Arch is a memorial located on Observatory Road in Edinburgh, central Scotland. It is designated as a category B listed building, recognising its historical significance.
AI-generated from the structured facts on this page (operator, designation, listing, era). Not a substitute for visiting.
- Coordinates
- 55.9248, -3.1818
- District
- City of Edinburgh
- Postcode
- EH9 3HQ
- Parliamentary constituency
- Edinburgh South
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley — 3.1 km
- Official site
- www.roe.ac.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q17805255 (CC0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh?
- Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH9 3HQ).
- What is Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh?
- Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh — category B listed building-listed memorial in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 3.1 km away. Drivers can use postcode EH9 3HQ.
- Is Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh a listed building?
- Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh is officially recognised as category B listed building listed.
- Is Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh free to visit?
- Yes, Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh is free to enter.
- How do I get to Harrison Memorial Arch, Observatory Road, Edinburgh?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 3.1 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH9 3HQ.