A dark Gothic spire that towers above the Princes Street Gardens, Scott Monument pays homage to the author Sir Walter Scott. The dark color is not an intended effect, but comes from smoke stains--cleaning the spire would damage the stonework beneath the stains. Pay a fee to climb 287 steps to a viewing platform. The highest platform provides panoramic views over Edinburgh and acts as a counterpoint to Arthur's Seat

Scott Monument, Edinburgh

Remembers the 16,000 military personnel who lost their lives in battle or acts of terror since World War II. On November 11th at 11 a.m., the memorial uses the sun's position to shine a shaft of light on the wreath it contains. Among the other memorials here are ones to Jewish servicemen and women, the Berlin Airlift, and the 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers shot for leaving the lines during World War I

National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas

Learn the story of Scotland's Braveheart at National Wallace Monument. it's hard not to notice the 67 m Gothic tower looming above. The sandstone monument sitting atop Abbey Craig commemorates Sir William Wallace, a leader of the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. See Wallace's sword here, enter the Hall of Heroes to view more monuments to prominent Scots, and take in views of Stirling, Ben Lomond, and the Ochil Hills

National Wallace Monument, Stirling

The statue remember aspects of the two 20th century World Wars. The Belgian War Memorial, also called the Belgian Gratitude Memorial, gives thanks for British help to Belgian refugees in 1914-18, and the statue of Lord Haig, British Commander-in Chief, is counterpointed by the memorial to Nurse Edith Cavell, shot for helping allied prisoners of war to escape

Statue at the Royal Artillery Memorial,

Hyde Park Corner

The King’s Liverpool Regiment monument is the centrepiece of the Gardens. The main frontage of the large Portland stone construction, facing outwards from St George’s Hall, has a bronze statue of Britannia on a plinth, flanking figures of two soldiers representing the Regiment at different periods, and is inscribed on the wall between them with the names of their most recent exploits: Afghanistan and Burma, and South Africa

The King’s Liverpool Regiment monument

The powerful figure of Goscombe John’s Britannia reminds us (me at least) of the work of Thomas Brock, sculptor of London's Queen Victoria Memorial, and here in St John’s Gardens is his monument to Gladstone, with two allegorical angels accompanying the great statesman, who was born in Liverpool. The characteristic figure of Gladstone stands in front of some sort of pediment, with a cloak draped over it

Gladstone Monument, by Thomas Brock