Leyden Monument, the Green, Denholm

Heritage listing

Category C Date Added 07/11/2007 Local Authority Scottish Borders Planning Authority Scottish Borders Parish Cavers NGR NT 56811 18437 Coordinates 356811, 618437 — Hector H Orrock (architect), A Handyside Ritchie, (sculptor), 1861. Square-plan, Decorated Gothic spire monument to John Leyden. Stepped base sourmounted by two stages of short clustered columns with foliate capitals, surrounding inscribed plaques at lower stage and supporting open arrangement of trefoil-headed arches set under crocketed gablets; draped urn to interior. Sculpted figures and animals at corners. Banded and crocketed pinnacle above. Swinton sandstone; columns of polished red Aberdeen granite. Plaques on lower stage and between stages commemorate Leyden and his descendant John Lamb Leyden and contain Biblical quotations and extracts from Leyden's work. Monument enclosed by decorative iron railings. — The monument occupies a very prominent position in the centre of the village green and is an important focal point in the townscape. It was erected by public subscription. John Leyden (1775-1811) was a native of Denholm and was an antiquarian, physician and poet. It also commemorates his descendant John Lamb Leyden (1904-1988) who was a 'traveller and kindred spirit'.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.