In March 1885 the Town Council of Edinburgh received a letter from Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Secretary to the Buccleuch Testimonial committee, requesting a site in Parliament Square for a proposed memorial to the 5th Duke of Buccleuch, 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806-1884). This was granted and designs were approved in October 1885 by the Town Council.

In April 1887, the builder reported that the statue of the Duke had been completed, and that the bronze reliefs entrusted to Clark Stanton, Thomas Stuart Burnett and the Stevensons were nearly completed. It was proposed to proceed with the erection of the monument in June 1887, and it was expected to be finished within five or six weeks

But in October 1 that year the builder reported that he had been informed that 'an unfortunate hitch' had occurred - there was not sufficient standing room for the statue on top of the pedestal! Bronze cresting which surrounded the top of the pedestal was removed  and on 7 February 1888 the memorial was unveiled by the Earl of Stair. The Town Council of Edinburgh assumed care and custody of it.

The Duke is wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter and the top gallery has huntsmen chasing a stag.

Pictures of the bronze reliefs with explanatory notes are shown below and on the second page (reliefs of scenes from the Duke's life, and allegorical figures at the corners) of this sub-section of the photo gallery

The third tier (the lowest level) has larger bronze reliefs of episodes in the Scott family history, and rampant stags holding shields at the corners. These are illustrated in the graphics below