Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Scottish-American War Memorial
Photographed By Adam Brown, June 21, 2009
1. Scottish-American War Memorial Marker
Marker describing the background to the memorial it is atached to
This memorial was initiated by the Scottish-American War Memorial Committee. the statue and bas-relief were
sculpted by Canadian Robert Tait Mackenzie (1867-1938)
and cast at the Roman Bronze Works, Brooklyn, New York,
Mackenzie was a physician and Director of Physical
Education at the University of Pennsylvania.The Craigleith sandstone setting was designed by architect Reginald Fairlie.
The memorial was unveiled on the 7th September 1927 by U.S. Ambassador Houghton, who was given the Freedom of Edinburgh. The text is from "A Creed", written at Vimy Ridge in 1916 by leutenant E. Allan Mackintosh M.C., 1893-1917, 5th Seaforth Highlanders, 51st (Highland) Division, poet.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is September 7, 1927.
Location. 55° 57.062′ N, 3° 12.063′ W. Marker is in Edinburgh, Scotland. Marker is on Princes Street, on the right when traveling east. Located within West Princess Street Gardens facing Edinburgh Castle and overlooking the Ross Bandstand. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 3JD, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
this page online
More about this memorial. The marker sits on the East pillar of the memorial's frieze wall.
Regarding Scottish-American War Memorial. There are two inscriptions on the memorial. one on the pedestal of the statue:
"The Call
1914
A Tribute
From Men and Women of Scottish Blood and Sympathies
in the United states of
America
to
Scotland
A People that jeoparded their lives unto the Death
In the High Places of the Field Judges.V.8"
The second inscription in two parts runs beneath the bas-relief on the frieze wall behind the statue:
"If it be life that waits I shall live for ever unconquered"
"If death I shall die at last strong in my pride and free".
They are the final two lines from the war poem "A Creed"
Also see . . .
1. Scottish American War Memorial on Wikipedia. A little more detail on the monument with wiki links to pages
Photographed By Adam Brown, September 22, 2005
2. Scottish-American War Memorial
The Scottish-American War Memorial, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh
2. Scottish War Memorials Project. Page on the Scottish-American War Memorial with more photgraphs including detailed shots of the frieze and statue (Submitted on August 10, 2010, by Adam Brown of Edinburgh, Scotland.)
Additional keywords. The Call
Photographed By Adam Brown, April 22, 2002
3. Scottish-American War Memorial statue & frieze
Photographed By Adam Brown, April 22, 2002
4. Scottish-American War Memorial Statue
A young kilted highland infantryman sits on a pedestal looking up at Edinburgh Castle. On his knees sits his Lee Enfield rifle, his right hand is on the trigger. He holds his Tam o'shanter bonnet in his left hand.
Photographed By Adam Brown
5. Scottish-American War Memorial inscription
The inscription on the pedestal underneath the marker.
Photographed By Adam Brown, April 22, 2002
6. Scottish-American War Memorial, left frieze
On this part of the frieze Scotsmen from all walks of life are coming forward to enlist. On the far left they are just a crowd but as you follow them along the frieze they begin to fall into step and start marching. The figures represent men coming forward from commerce, fishing, merchant marine, farming and heavy industry. They are of all ages. Note a boy running to catch up with his father and the terrier and collie dogs.
Photographed By Adam Brown, April 22, 2002
7. Scottish-American War Memorial frieze
These are the figures behind the statue, the artisans and labourers with picks on the shoulders become recruits with rifles, they are not yet fully trained and are slightly out of step at first. The front row of men are in step with chests puffed out, proud to be highland soldiers. They are led by a grand old bewhiskered warrior, the three pips on his cuff show he is a captain. Note the sgian dubh knife tucked into his hose on his right leg.
Photographed By Adam Brown, April 22, 2002
8. Scottish-American War Memorial frieze
The right hand side of the frieze shows the pipes and drums of a highland regiment leading the new recruits off to war. Unlike the soldiers they preceed, the men of this pipe band are in ceremonial full dress.
Photographed By Adam Brown, June 21, 2009
9. Scottish-American War Memorial Escutcheons
Two escutcheons situated above the bas relief frieze showing the stars and strips of the U.S.A. next to the St Andrew's cross of Scotland
Photographed By Adam Brown, June 21, 2009
10. Scottish-American War Memorial sculptor mark
R Tait McKenzie's mark on the rear of the statue. The stag's head is the badge of the clan McKenzie. It took him four years, from 1923-1927 to execute the bronze statue and frieze.
Photographed By Adam Brown, June 21, 2009
11. Scottish-American War Memorial Statue detail
The head of the statue of the seated highland soldier. The sculptor considered this memorial his finest work and I don't think anyone would disagree with him.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2010, by Adam Brown of Edinburgh, Scotland. This page has been viewed 1,588 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on August 10, 2010, by Adam Brown of Edinburgh, Scotland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
