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New Calton Burial Ground, its gravestones and the round watchtower, Salisbury Crags beyond.
Edinburgh

New Calton Watchtower

A round three-storey watchtower of 1820 in New Calton Burial Ground, built for the guards who kept the new graves safe from body snatchers.

Welcome

On the steep south slope of Calton Hill, below Regent Road, the terraces of New Calton Burial Ground fall away towards Holyrood, and at their western edge stands a round, three-storey tower of sandstone with a view over every grave.

It was built in 1820, when the burial ground itself was new.

The tower answered one of the fears of its age. In the 1820s the city's anatomy schools needed bodies, and there were men willing to supply them by digging up the newly buried. Families paid for watchers to sit through the night, and here they had a tower to do it from, high enough to see across the whole ground.

The burial ground was opened after Waterloo Place was cut through the old Calton graveyard and its graves had to be moved. It is a quiet, green place today, and one of the best views of Arthur's Seat and the Parliament is from its upper terrace.

Close byRoom & RumoursA coffee shop and doughnut bakery in one of the railway arches of East Market Street, by Waverley, with fresh doughnuts every day.3 min by roadSee itRoom & Rumours
Before you go

New Calton Burial Ground is on the south side of Calton Hill, entered from Regent Road, and the watchtower stands at its western side.

The tower is seen from outside.

Where
New Calton Burial Ground, Regent Road.

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Where it is

In New Calton Burial Ground, on the south slope of Calton Hill off Regent Road.

Close byCalton Hill and the foot of the Canongate.
  1. The Stones of ScotlandThe Stones of ScotlandA modern ring of 32 stones on Regent Road.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Balmoral clock tower and Princes Street seen through a window frameNelson MonumentA tower shaped like an upturned telescope on Calton Hill.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. The counter at Santu on the Canongate, green tiles below and an espresso machine behind, with canelés and croissants on wooden boards.SantuA tiny espresso bar on the Canongate, the Royal Mile coffee bar of Santu, who roast coffee from Brazil in Edinburgh, open every day.Under a mile as the crow flies
  4. Old Calton Burial GroundThe older graveyard on the slope below Calton Hill.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Scottish Parliament BuildingScottish Parliament BuildingEnric Miralles' Parliament, which won the Stirling Prize in 2005.Under a mile 3 min by road
  6. White Horse CloseWhite Horse CloseA white-harled courtyard of crow-stepped houses at the foot of the Canongate.Under a mile 2 min by road
Directions
Edinburgh skyline with the Balmoral clock tower and castle on the ridgeAttractionsCalton Hill0.2 miles
Cafe Calton's terrace on top of Calton Hill on a sunny day, people at tables looking out over the city to the Firth of Forth.CafeCafe Calton0.2 miles
The dining room at LYLA on Royal Terrace, round tables laid with white cloths under a tall arched window, with lamps glowing on the pale walls and a glass-shelved bar to one side.RestaurantsLYLA0.2 miles
The Cottage at Royal Terrace, a low stone cottage with two chimneys among trees, a gravel path between lavender to its open door.RestaurantsThe Cottage at Royal Terrace0.3 miles
Rows of stone columns on Calton Hill under a grey skyAttractionsCity Observatory0.3 miles
A table laid for two by candlelight in Montrose, with wooden chairs and a fire burning in the old stone fireplace behind.RestaurantsMontrose0.3 miles
A slice of New York-style margherita pizza on Flùr's printed paper, on a table in the Bonnie and Wild food hall.RestaurantsFlùr0.4 miles
The deli counter at Valvona & Crolla on Elm Row, with cured meats, olives and pasta under the glass and shelves of Italian wine and oil up to the ceiling.ShoppingValvona & Crolla0.4 miles
The pale blue front of Polentoni, Italian bakery and kitchen, on Easter Road, with a bicycle leaning by the door.CafePolentoni0.4 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the watchtower, and when each is next free.

A hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
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Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
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Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
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Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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