Malcolm Monument
Obelisk In Langholm, Borders
An obelisk on Whita Hill for John Malcolm, one of Langholm's most accomplished naval officers.
While having a tour of the borders and bagging the MacDiarmid Monument, you can imagine my joy when I realised there was an obelisk just 1km away up the hill. Leaving my glamorous assistant in the car, I had a quick jaunt up the hill to see what it was all about.
I discovered that this obelisk is called the Malcolm Monument and is in homage to a local chap called John Malcolm who lived in Langholm at the bottom of the hill.
Malcolm Monument stands on Whita Hill which is 355m high and then the obelisk itself is another 30m, so you can get a great view of it from miles around. From the top you can see Langholm, often called the "Muckle Toun" in Scots dialect and provides panoramic views across the surrounding Eskdale.
So this John Malcolm must have been a pretty impressive chap to have such a monument dominating the local landscape.
Born in Langholm in 1769, Sir John Malcolm rose from humble beginnings to become one of Britain's most accomplished naval officers during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He entered the Royal Navy at the tender age of 11, marking the beginning of a pretty illustrious maritime career.
He played a crucial role in numerous naval engagements during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. His tactical brilliance and leadership earned him rapid promotion through the ranks, eventually achieving the prestigious rank of Admiral.
Beyond his naval accomplishments, Malcolm served as a diplomat and administrator in India, where he made significant contributions to British-Indian relations. He also served as the Governor of Bombay from 1827 to 1830, with his deep understanding of Indian culture and history leading him to author several authoritative works on the subject, including "A History of Persia" and "Political History of India."
Now you might think his accomplishments were impressive, but the most startling fact I found out was that he was one of 17 children!!! And ten of these children went on to achieve significant success in various fields, with four of the sons being knighted. This remarkable family legacy earned them the nickname "The Four Knights of Eskdale."
This makes my 1982 Donkey Derby victory at Pontins pale into insignificance!
The monument was commissioned in 1835 (2 years after his death) through public subscription, demonstrating the high regard in which he was held by his contemporaries. The design and construction were entrusted to renowned Scottish architect William Burn, who chose the obelisk style popular in Victorian times.
Built from local sandstone, the monument was completed in 1835 at a cost of £1,100 - a tidy sum for the time.
But my joy was not over, as right next to the obelisk I found a trig point called Monument Hill.
If you fancy a visit to the John Malcolm obelisk, then ditch your car in the car park next to the MacDiarmid Monument. Then if you walk another 20 meters up the road you will see a wide track leading you all the way to the monument. You can see the obelisk from the car park, so you can't go wrong.
Around 1.25km from the car park and 97m of ascent. So maybe 15-20 mins at a leisurely stroll.
An of course we visited the Hugh MacDiarmid Memorial on the way back.
Get 3 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 7 VIPs.
Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.
How To Find Malcolm Monument
Where Is Malcolm Monument?
Lat / Long
55.152585, -2.975439
What three words
Where To Park For Malcolm Monument?
Lat / Long
55.161371, 55.161371
What three words
There is a parking area right next to the MacDiarmid Monument.
Contributed by Simon Hawkins
Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue pele tower up a remote hill, a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.
More Places from SimonMore Places In Langholm
Find more fabulous places in Langholm, Borders and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
Hugh MacDiarmid Memorial
Art Langholm BordersA cast iron book sculpture a dedicated to the Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid.
Gilnockie Tower
Tower Langholm BordersWell kept 16th century peel tower in the Scottish Borders, home to the infamous Border Reiver Johnnie Armstrong.
More Obelisks
So this obelisk wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.
Nelson's Obelisk
Obelisk Swarland NorthumberlandAlso known as Davison’s Obelisk, this monument is a memorial to Horatio Nelson, victor of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Seaton Delaval Obelisk
Obelisk Seaton Valley NorthumberlandAn 18m tall Obelisk sitting 900m south of Seaton Delaval Hall.
Richmond Obelisk
Obelisk Richmond North YorkshireAn obelisk standing in Richmond Market Place dating to 1771 with a surprising hidden secret.
Never Miss A Fabulous Place
If you are afraid of missing out on all the fabulous places we post, or just want to be the first to know, then sign up to the Fabulous North.
Each week we will email you all the brand new places that we visit.
Sign Up To AlertsFind Us On Facebook
We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.
Join Our Facebook Group