Located at Calton Hill, The monument, erected by the grateful citizens of Edinburgh, commemorates Admiral Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in 1805 With the massive unfinished National Memorial as a backdrop, the Tower gives the impression of a neo gothic add-on but it was the Monument which was built first. The monument sits on the highest point at Calton Hill. Its original purpose was as a signal mast to the sailors in the port of Leith. As you climb the 143 steps to the gallery at the top, you can see why! Later, in 1853, a time ball was installed which is lined up with the One O'Clock Gun from the castle to send signals to the port at Leith and it is operated manually to this day read more