Nelson Monument

Nelson Monument, Glasgow Green
©2011 Gazetteer for Scotland

A grand obelisk located in the centre of Glasgow Green, the Nelson Monument lies on the north bank of the River Clyde a half-mile (1 km) southeast of the city centre. Next only to the standing stone at Taynuilt, this was the first memorial to Viscount Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805) anywhere in Britain and the first civic memorial. It commemorates the man and his naval victories, which are recorded on panels around the base; namely Aboukir (1798), Copenhagen (1801) and Trafalgar (1805), where he was killed. Erected by public subscription in 1806, this A-listed monument is 44m (144 feet) in height and the work of architect David Hamilton (1768 - 1843).

In 1810, the obelisk was struck by lightning, reducing its height by 6m (20 feet). The damage is still visible and the monument was later protected by the fitting of a lightning conductor. Radical socialist John Maclean (1879 - 1923) held his first anti-war rally here in 1914.

In 2002, the Nelson Monument was subject to a £900,000 refurbishment, which include the installation of flood-lighting.

Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry