Each side bears the shield and coat-of-arms of 20 royal burghs as well as the coat-of-arms of Scotland, England, Ireland and the U.K.

The pillar has had an eventful history having been exhibited at two major exhibitions, being blown down in a gale and enjoying a period of residence with the Edinburgh Masonic Club.
 

Designed by James Gowans, Lord Dean of Guilds of Edinburgh, this column was executed and erected by the Brass Founders of Edinburgh and Leith for the International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art, which was held in the West Meadows in 1886.

It was later transferred to Saughton Park for the Scottish National Exhibition of 1908.

A plaque on the base states that it was presented to the city by the East Scotland Brass Founders Society in 1909.
 

At a meeting of the Town Council on the 1st December 1908, a letter was read from the United Journeyman’s Brass Founder Association of Great Britain offering to gift the bronze pillar to the city.

At a later meeting the council approved a recommendation by the Parks Committee to accept the gift and site it in Nicolson Square Gardens.

However the pillar was to suffer an unusual fate. On the 14th January 1968, the pillar was blown down in a severe gale!
 

The next event in the pillar's history took place in 1974 when the pillar was lent to the Edinburgh Masonic Club on the basis that it would remain Corporation property and be returned on demand.

(What did they do with the pillar?)
 

Finally , during June and July 1976, the pillar was renovated and re-erected by staff and students of Telford College of Further Education under the direction of Mr B. McLean, Head of the Fabrication and Welding Engineering Section.

The restored pillar was unveiled by Councillor John Gray on the 17th June 1976.

Today, the pillar stands secure in Nicolson Square Gardens while the artisan on top looks down on the passing citizens.