George IV

As I turned along George Street, this statue was suddenly silhouetted in my rear view mirror against the evening sun, and I was fortunate to find a parking space to allow me to take a picture.

The statue was erected in 1831 to mark George IV's visit to Edinburgh in 1822. A reigning monarch had not visited Scotland since 1650, and it was a significant event in raising the profile and popularity of the monarchy. Sir Walter Scott was commissioned to mastermind the visit, and he went to town on a tartan theme, elevating the kilt to an item of royal dress (it had been proscribed after Culloden less than 70 years earlier).

Funding for the statue came from the Town Council and from public subscription, and Sir Francis Chantrey was appointed as the sculptor, taking six years to complete the work.