Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Scottish National War Memorial
In or near Edinburgh.
Scottish National War Memorial is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 15 min–45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley · 0.7 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
The Scottish National War Memorial is located in the City of Edinburgh, postcode EH1 2NG. The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, which is 0.7 km away. Entry to the memorial is free.
About
Scottish National War Memorial is a public memorial or monument in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to 1924. Coordinates: 55.9484°, -3.1997°.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2024
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
From the Wikipedia article
The Scottish National War Memorial is located in Edinburgh Castle and commemorates Scottish service personnel and civilians, and those serving with Scottish regiments, who died in the two world wars and subsequent conflicts. Its chief architect was Robert Lorimer, commissioned in 1919, and the monument was formally opened in 1927. It is housed in a redeveloped barrack block in Crown Square, at the heart of the castle, and incorporates numerous monuments. The Rolls of Honour kept in the memorial include the names of those Scots servicemen and women and Scots civilians that died in all wars after 1914. This includes all Scots who were killed as a result of enemy action or who died as a result of wounds, diseases, or injuries while serving in the British Armed Forces, the Merchant Navy, the armed forces of the Dominions, the women's services, and the nursing services, together with all members of Scottish regiments. The Rolls of Honour include those who died between 4 August 1914 and 31 August 1921 as having died in the First World War and those between 3 September 1939 and 31 December 1947 as having died in the Second World War. Those not serving in the Scottish regiments must either have been born in Scotland or have at least one parent born in the country. The memorial rolls list close to 135,000 casualties of the First World War and over 50,000 of the Second World War. More casualties from later wars are also inscribed, including from the Malayan Emergency, the Korean War (1950–1953), Operation Banner (1969–2007) during The Troubles, the Falklands War (1982), and the Gulf War (1990–1991). Most recently casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan have been added to the Rolls of Honour.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Description
The exterior of the building is decorated with gargoyles and sculpture by Pilkington Jackson, John Marshall and Phyllis Bone, whilst the interior contains elaborate wall monuments commemorating individual regiments. The stained-glass windows are by Douglas Strachan. The original aim behind the Memorial was to commemorate Scots and those serving with Scottish regiments who had died in the First World War, from the declaration of war on 4 August 1914 to the Treaty of Versailles of 28 June 1919 (confirmed military suicides and those tried and executed excepted). Upon the altar within the Shrine, placed on the highest part of the Castle Rock emerging through the floor, stands a sealed casket…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.9484, -3.1997
- District
- City of Edinburgh
- Postcode
- EH1 2NG
- Parliamentary constituency
- Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
- Established
- 1924
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley — 0.7 km
Sources
- osm: w511343921 (ODbL)
- wikipedia: Scottish National War Memorial (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: EdinburghSNWM.JPG (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Edinburgh Castle
Vineyards · 0.0 km

Castle Rock
Mountains & hills · 0.0 km

Forewall Battery
Natural landmarks · 0.0 km

Queen Ann Building
Natural landmarks · 0.0 km

Royal Palace
Palaces · 0.0 km

Prisoners of War Museum
Museums · 0.0 km

Half-Moon Battery
Natural landmarks · 0.0 km

St Margaret's
Historic churches · 0.0 km

The Great Hall
Historic houses · 0.0 km

The Royal Scots Regimental Museum
Museums · 0.0 km

Portcullis Gate and Argyle Tower
Natural landmarks · 0.1 km

Mons Meg
Natural landmarks · 0.1 km
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Scottish National War Memorial?
- Scottish National War Memorial is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH1 2NG).
- What is Scottish National War Memorial?
- Scottish National War Memorial is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Scottish National War Memorial?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can use postcode EH1 2NG.
- When was Scottish National War Memorial built?
- Built or established in 1924.
- Is Scottish National War Memorial free to visit?
- Yes, Scottish National War Memorial is free to enter.
- How do I get to Scottish National War Memorial?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH1 2NG.