Replacement plaque installed at the Melville Monument

“We cannot allow people to silence history” – Foysol Choudhury MSP

A replacement plaque has been installed at the base of the Melville Monument in St Andrew Square.

The replacement features the same wording as the original plaque which was stolen in September 2023.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m glad that a replacement plaque has been installed this morning. Since the original plaque was stolen last September, I’ve been clear that we will not allow the actions of a minority to derail the important ongoing work to address the legacies of slavery and colonialism in our city.

“Following the refusal of the Melville Monument Committee to return the original plaque, we filed an official report with Police Scotland in October. This investigation is ongoing, and our legal team will continue to monitor the situation closely.

“We’ll also be seeking to recover the costs of this replacement plaque from the Melville Monument Committee.

“We’re rightly proud of the steps we’ve taken to properly address the legacies of slavery and colonialism here in Edinburgh.

“From conducting an independent review chaired by Sir Geoff Palmer, to carrying out the recommendations through the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group (ESCLRIG) under the leadership of Irene Mosota, we’re committed to being a modern, inclusive and welcoming capital city.”

 Chair of ESCLRIG, Irene Mosota said: “Today is a really significant milestone for our city, with the return of the plaque to the base of the Melville Monument. It’s only through properly acknowledging and exploring our collective past that we can address the challenges of the present and putting ourselves in a strong position to shape a positive future.

“This is a very exciting time for ESCLRIG as we now look towards implementing the recommendations of the independent review. Together, I’m confident that we can forge the foundations for a more tolerant, just, and equal Edinburgh that we can all be proud of.”

Edinburgh Council, together with Sir Geoff Palmer and heritage experts, agreed the wording for a new plaque which was installed on the monument in 2021, to expose Dundas’ role in slavery and to recognise those who suffered enslavement as a consequence. The new replacement plaque has the same wording.

Foysol Choudhury, Labour list MSP for Lothian, supported the retention of the plaque after a descendent of Dundas submitted a planning application to remove it last year.

Following the news that a replacement plaque was installed yesterday (18 March) Mr Choudhury commented: “I am glad a replacement plaque has now been installed on the Melville Monument.

“We cannot allow people to silence history – we must address Scotland’s past and build the trust of communities across Scotland who are affected by modern-day consequences, such as racism, of this past.

“The removal of the plaque was a step backwards in our fight to address Scotland’s historical role in slavery and colonialism and caused severe damage to trust from the communities who this past has affected.

“I’m glad that a replacement plaque has now been installed to address historical prejudices and educate the public on parts of Scottish history which have caused decades of hate, racism and discrimination. 

“I hope that this important work continues to build a more equitable, just future for Edinburgh and Scotland which addresses past wrongs and their modern-day consequences.”