Burns Monument, 1759 Regent Rd, Edinburgh EH7
The idea to erect a monument to Burns was first proposed by John Forbes-Mitchell of Thainstone, Aberdeen, in Bombay in 1812. Expatriates raised a ‘considerable sum’ (£27,500, 2018 prices) and John raised more when he was back in Britain. A committee was formed with the Duke of Atholl as Chair, in 1819 at the London Freemason’s Tavern. Three of its members made their money in India: George Elphinstone, 1st Viscount Keith; Charles Forbes, head of Forbes & Co. of Bombay; and his relative, John Forbes-Mitchell. Thomas Hamilton, the architect, also designed the Alloway Burns Monument and the Royal High School (opposite).
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