72nd Highlanders Memorial, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

The 72nd Highlanders Memorial, located on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, commemorates the soldiers of the 72nd Highlanders who lost their lives in Afghanistan during the Second Anglo-Afghan War from 1878 to 1880. Designed by MacDonald, Field and Company, the monument was constructed between 1882 and 1883. It features a polished pink Peterhead granite obelisk topped with a bronze coronet displaying the number 72. The obelisk is set on a pedestal that is inscribed with the names of the fallen soldiers.

In addition to these names, the base of the monument includes two inscriptions. One reads: "IN MEMORY OF / THE OFFICERS / NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN / OF THE 72ND DUKE OF ALBANY'S OWN HIGHLANDERS / WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION OR DIED OF WOUNDS OR DISEASE / DURING THE CAMPAIGNS IN AFGHANISTAN / IN 1878 - 79 – 80." The other inscription states: "ERECTED BY / THE OFFICERS AND MEN NOW SERVING / AND WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE REGIMENT."