Calton Hill,
Edinburgh EH7 5AA
Calton
Hill, with its follies, monuments and observatory, not to mention
amazing views across the city, is one of Edinburgh's must-see
attractions. However, few visitors to the National Monument
have heard of Herman Lyon's Mausoleum.
Herman
Lyon (or Lion) came to Edinburgh from Prussia in 1788 and bought a
burial plot for himself and his family – the first Jewish grave in
Edinburgh – on Calton Hill in 1795. The tomb, which has been
explored by experienced potholers is reported to be about 3 x 4.5m
with a 12m long passage leading up to it. Although the entrance has
now been sealed off, the observant walker on the path from the Dugald
Stewart Monument to the north-western edge of the walls of the
City Observatory (designed
by William Henry Playfair in 1818, and today houses the CollectiveGallery) to the Dugald
Stewart Monument may notice 'slabs' which are actually the roof of
the mausoleum.
Tourists
may have heard of the One O'clock Gun which is fired from Edinburgh
Castle but the One O'clock time ball, which is raised and dropped
from the City Observatory is less well known.
It is on Calton
Hill that the Beltane Fire Society hold Beltane and Samhuinn festivals to mark the changing of the
seasons.
Flags fly from the
Nelson Monument on Calton
Hill
on Trafalgar
Day.
More information about the treasures of Calton Hill can be seen at EWHT
