Did you know
From his tenants.
The monument was raised by the Earl's affectionate and grateful tenantry in East Lothian, as its inscription says.
Lothian
Hopetoun Monument
A 29-metre tower on Byres Hill above Haddington, raised in the 1820s to the 4th Earl of Hopetoun, with 132 steps to a view over East Lothian.
Welcome
On the top of Byres Hill, just north of Haddington, a tall sandstone tower stands out against the sky for miles around.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
The Hopetoun Monument was raised between 1824 and 1827 by the farming tenants of East Lothian in memory of John Hope, the 4th Earl of Hopetoun, whom the inscription calls the Great and Good. Locals know it as the Garleton or the Galla Monument.
From a small car park at the foot of the hill, a path climbs steeply through woodland and a corridor of gorse to the open hilltop. When the door is open you can climb the 132 steps inside the tower; there are few windows, so the stair is dark and a torch helps.
The reward is one of the finest views in the Lothians: the Firth of Forth and Fife, Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat, the Pentland and Lammermuir Hills, North Berwick Law and the Bass Rock, and on a very clear day a glimpse of the Cairngorms.
Before you go
On open hillside, there at any time; the tower door is sometimes open, and the stair inside is dark.
- Where
- Byres Hill, 2km north of Haddington.
- Height
- 29 metres.
- Steps
- 132.
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Did you know
As far as the Cairngorms.
On a very clear day the view from the hilltop reaches the Cairngorms.
Hidden Scotland
From our guide to Lothian
You'll see this sandstone tower long before you reach it. It stands on Byres Hill just north of Haddington, raised between 1824 and 1827 by the farming tenants of East Lothian in memory of the 4th Earl of Hopetoun. A steep path climbs through woodland and gorse from a small car park. When the door is open you can climb the 132 dark steps inside, so bring a torch. From the top the view runs from Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat to North Berwick Law, the Bass Rock and the hills of Fife.
Read moreWhat is on
What is new across Lothian, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in LothianWhere it is
On Byres Hill in the Garleton Hills, 2km north of Haddington; a small car park at the foot of the hill, EH41 3SJ.
Close byThe Garleton Hills.
The ChestersThe Iron Age fort near Drem.2 miles 3 min by road
The Cheese Lady2 miles as the crow flies
The Brand Family LarderThe farm shop at East Fortune Farm in East Lothian, selling the Brand family's own lamb, pork and eggs alongside food from local makers.4 miles as the crow flies
National Museum of FlightScotland's aviation museum on a Second World War airfield at East Fortune, with more than 50 aircraft, Concorde among them.4 miles 10 min by road
Hailes CastleThe castle ruins by the Tyne.6 miles 9 min by road
Gosford HouseThe great house by the sea.6 miles 13 min by road
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Stay nearby
Places to stay near the monument, and when each is next free.
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The Scott Hotel- A hotel
- In Edinburgh
- 15 miles from the Hopetoun Monument
Old Town Chambers- To stay
- In Edinburgh
- 15 miles from the Hopetoun Monument
Moment George IV Bridge- Sleeps 2
- In Edinburgh
- 15 miles from the Hopetoun Monument
West End Muse- Sleeps 4
- In Lothian
- 16 miles from the Hopetoun Monument
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Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .