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Adam Smith Statue, Royal Mile

Adam Smith Statue, Royal Mile

Highlight • Monument

Adam Smith Statue, Royal Mile

Recommended by 92 hikers out of 95

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

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Best Hikes to Adam Smith Statue, Royal Mile

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2. Edinburgh Castle – Royal Mile loop from Haymarket

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

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Lausitzer Wandermann 🥾⛰🚶🏻‍♂️

March 3, 2023

Adam Smith was a Scottish philosopher and enlightener. He is considered the founder of classical economics. is taught in economics.

Translated by Google •

Bumble-Bee

May 7, 2023

On the 4th of July 2008, the ASI unveiled the world's first major public monument to Adam Smith – the great Scottish economist, philosopher, and author of The Wealth of Nations.

The monument, which takes the form of a 10-foot bronze statue on a massive stone plinth, sits on Edinburgh's Royal Mile – right in the heart of Scotland's capital city, where Adam Smith worked and died. The statue was created by Alexander Stoddart, Scotland's leading monumental sculptor, and was unveiled by Nobel Laureate Economist Professor Vernon L. Smith.

The statue's position – in an ancient marketplace – could hardly be more appropriate. The monument is within view of the recent statue of Smith’s friend David Hume, looking downhill to the Canongate (where Smith is lived and is buried), towards the harbour of Leith (with its connotations of trade and commerce), and over the sea to the county of Fife, where Smith was born.

The Statue shows Smith in later life — he spent his last years in Edinburgh — but still strong. Behind him is a plough, modelled from a contemporary plough in the Scottish Farming Museum, reminding us of the agrarian economics which Smith supplanted. Before him is a beehive, a symbol of the industry on which he believed progress was based. On top is a globe on which Smith rests his hand — made invisible by his academic gown. The gown itself reminds us of Smith the philosopher, exploring eternal ideas; and behind, St. Giles’s Cathedral completes the evocation. From the other side, we see Smith’s 18thC dress, with the City Chambers beyond, reminding us of Smith the economist, dealing with practical matters. His neckware is modelled on that worn by Thomas Jefferson, his wig is based on one of George Washington’s — recalling Smith’s strong support for free trade with America.

(adamsmith.org/the-adam-smith-statue/)

Matt Charnley

April 28, 2023

The monument, which takes the form of a 10-foot bronze statue on a massive stone plinth, sits on Edinburgh's Royal Mile – right in the heart of Scotland's capital city, where Adam Smith worked and died.

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Elevation 140 m

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Tuesday 25 November

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Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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

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Adam Smith Statue, Royal Mile

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

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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