Nelsons Monument Time ball Refurbishment
City of Edinburgh Council
Value: £90,000
Project Description
The removal of the Time Ball on Nelson Monument was a methodically planned and executed process aimed at removing this historical landmark to be refurbished offsite. The project began with the design, certification, and erection of a unique suspended bird’s nest type scaffold system, which provided safe access for the skilled staff responsible for removing the timber mast, mechanism and ball from the monument.
Once the scaffold was securely in place, a crane was brought in to facilitate the safe removal of both the ball and mast. This involved joiners, clock makers and steeplejacks, specialised technicians carefully disconnecting these components from their mechanism, ensuring no damage occurred during the process. Following their removal, an important weatherproofing phase was initiated to protect the roof deck from potential weather damage. This precautionary measure was essential before the scaffold could be safely dismantled.
Each step of the refurbishment was executed with meticulous attention to detail to ensure the integrity and preservation of the Time Ball monument. Notably, this project is scheduled for retendering in 2025, with plans to reinstate the Time Ball itself once it has been refurbished.
