Provenance

In 1633 the Office of Works noted a payment of £408 15s 6d to John Mylne, mason, for the working and hewing of the dial in the north yard, with the pillar etc, and £66 14s 4d to John Bartoun for gilding, making and graving the dial. The dial was presented by Charles I to Henrietta Maria, and placed in the centre of the King's Garden at Holyrood, coinciding with Charles's Scottish coronation at the Abbey of Holyrood. The dial was moved in the mid-nineteenth century to its present position, probably coinciding with the new entrance drive and gates being created on the site of the King's Garden. The column is a 1908 replacement, designed by William Thomas Oldrieve, the steps may be the original or are a recreation in the same style.