proposed that the stonework should be cleaned. There were views for and against cleaning and a scientific/geological investigation, including cleaning trials on samples of stone, was carried out. It was decided not to clean the stone due to the damage it would sustain. A restoration programme was undertaken involving replacing old repairs and damaged areas with Binny stone for which purpose the original quarry was re-opened. The fresh stonework contrasts with the smoke-darkened original. The overall cost of the restoration was £2.36 million and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council. The monument is now administered by the Culture and Sport division of the City of Edinburgh Council (See External Links for visitor information) who in 2016 installed a new LED lighting system. The design of the lights was "intended to highlight the monument’s architectural features with a soft warm glow" and were first illuminated on 21 September 2016. In popular culture The monument is featured prominently in the 2012 film Cloud Atlas, as a location which the character Robert Frobisher frequents. The artist Alan Reed has said that the monument always reminds him of a Gothic version of one of the Thunderbirds. See also List of Category A listed buildings in Edinburgh List of tallest buildings and structures in Edinburgh References External links Visitor Information, including hours of operation and admission fee Information from The City of Edinburgh Council History of the monument Biography of George M. Kemp Text of memorial plaque buried beneath the Monument Buildings and structures completed in 1844 Category A listed buildings in Edinburgh Monuments and memorials in Edinburgh Walter Scott Observation towers in the United Kingdom Monuments and memorials to writers Cultural depictions of Robert Burns Cultural depictions of Lord Byron Cultural depictions of Rob Roy MacGregor Sculptures of dogs in the United Kingdom Pigs in art Books in art Gothic Revival architecture in Scotland Statues of writers