George IV Statue

Erected in 1831 this statue commemorates the king’s visit to Edinburgh in 1822 – the first visit by a Hanoverian monarch to Scotland. This 21 day affair was stage managed by Sir Walter Scott. By all accounts the visit was a great success with the king appearing at one event in a short kilt and pink tights – a pivotal moment in the kilt being accepted as the national dress for the whole of Scotland.