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David Hume Statue

David Hume Statue

Highlight • Historical Site

David Hume Statue

Recommended by 127 hikers out of 131

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Location: Old Town, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

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3. Arthur's Seat – Royal Mile loop from Haymarket

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Tips

Franzl wandert 🥾

June 28, 2023

David Hume sits impressively on his pedestal and watches the hustle and bustle.

Translated by Google •

Bumble-Bee

May 8, 2023

The reason why people visiting or living in Edinburgh take to rubbing the now-golden toe of the David Hume Statue, as it lingers over the edge of its 15ft ‘HUME’-engraved plinth, is an ironic one.

While Hume himself became famed for his rejection of religion and superstition in favour of rationality and reason, as was ingrained in the Enlightenment generally, people rub the David Hume Statue’s toe as a good luck ritual, believing that this will bring luck or knowledge.

It was supposedly kickstarted as a local tradition by philosophy students hoping that rubbing the statue’s toe would see some of Hume’s wisdom rub off on them.

Some also believe that those paying a trip to the High Court building nearby rub the gleaming toe to help them win their case in court.

(edinburghnews.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/why-do-people-rub-the-toe-of-edinburghs-david-hume-statue-3546084)

Matt Charnley

August 28, 2022

Touching this 18th-century Scottish philosopher’s toe allegedly conjures good fortune.

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Elevation 90 m

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Thursday 15 January

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Old Town, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Victoria Street, Edinburgh

Scott Monument

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Dean Village Waterfall

Edinburgh Castle

David Hume Statue

1. Victoria Street, Edinburgh – Scott Monument loop from Edinburgh

2. Edinburgh Castle – Royal Mile loop from Haymarket

3. Arthur's Seat – Royal Mile loop from Haymarket

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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