The Harrison Arch

One of Miss Flum's first words was 'arc'. This is because we lived close by this impressive arch and so it became part of our everyday vocabulary.

It was Lord Provost Sir George Harrison who pressed the town council to acquire Blackford Hill for the benefit of the citizens of Edinburgh by purchase in 1884 from the Trotter family of Mortonhall, who held extensive lands in the area. Designed by Sydney Mitchell and constructed of red ashlar with ionic columns, a pediment and smaller side arches, the Harrison Arch stands at the entrance to Blackford Hill. Shortly afterwards the Council sold part of the land to the Government Office of Works for the construction of the Royal Observatory, built in 1894 for the transfer from Calton Hill. Thus the arch provides vehicle access not only to the hill but also the observatory (which can be glimpsed through the arch).

Inscriptions on the left side of the arch read:
"This arch is erected 12th Sept 1888 to commemorate the work & character of George Harrison, Kt M.P. LL.D., whose life was devoted to the public good. Born: 1812 Died 1885."
and on the right:
"Blackford Hill was acquired & opened to the public by the Corporation of the City of Edinburgh 1884. The Rt Hon Sir George Harrison LL.D. Lord Provost.".

 A bust of Harrison appears below the the pediment and a latin inscription beneath reads " IN COMMVNEM MVNICIPII REM DILIGENTIA IN SINGVLOS MVNICIPES BENIGNITAS IN OMNES HOMINES IVSTITIA ET FIDES". (Despite substitution of the 'V' by a 'U' Google translate does not help but I think the message is clear).

We no longer live nearby but pass it frequently and always refer to it as 'the arc'.