We here at The Edinburgh/San Diego Sister City Association are currently searching for a permanent site for the beautiful statue of San Diego's town dog, a beloved canine hobo called Bum.
In San Diego, the Association found the perfect home for the two dogs in the historic Gas Lamp Quarter. We here in Edinburgh are now challenged to find an equally fitting site that will honour the friendship of our two cities without compromising the heritage requirements of our ancient city.
It is our desire to place Bum as close as possible to Bobby's statue which resides on George IV Bridge in front of Greyfriars Kirkyard in order to emphasize the twinned links of our two cities and to repay the goodwill demonstrated towards Edinburgh by San Diego.
Here are a series of sites we are considering. Please make comments on your preference and give any suggestions you might have for Bum's placement.
Site Option 1: Bum on George IV Bridge close to the statue of Bobby.
Site Option 2: Bum in the alcove of the National Museum of Scotland
Site Option 3: outside the National Museum of Scotland at the junction of Chambers St and George IV Bridge
Nicholson Square is also in the consideration for sites, but as it is undergoing rennovation as we speak we are unable to present a photograph at this time.
Let us know what you think!
6 comments:
Finding a suitable location for the statue to Bum presents an opportunity to help solve the current problem of a lack of adequate, 'tourist welcoming' and safe space to view the statue to Bobby. The pavement (i.e. 'sidewalk') is already far too narrow to properly site the present statue to Grayfriars Bobby. The pavement (i.e.'sidewalk')just across Candlemakers Row to the south is both much wider and in much closer proximity to Grayfriars Kirkyard. This location would allow space much more suitable for the installation of the statues: space to add much needed greenery, more adequate and safer space from which to view and the provide the possibility for viewing benches to be put in place as well.
It you are considering the Museum side of the street to site a statue, I think the 'alcove behind the present orange iron 'gate' would be better: more discreet and sheltered site. As well it offers enough space for the use of a plinth to protect and display the work. Good Luck! My only other suggestion is to place the statue of Bum in a leafy location where dog walking is both respected and popular: such as near an entrance to Queens Park in the Southside. There is much council owned green space-land near JW's home offering many excellent possible sites which could also honour B Watt and J Wilson's efforts and ongoing committments to civic life over the years.(RB)
I strongly agree with the previous comment that the current site for the Bobby statue is problematic. Tourists looking at the statue there already have to fight grumpy locals trying to get past along the narrow pavement, and risk their safety backing into the road when they try to take photographs. It would be nice to display the two statues as near each other as possible, but adding another statue at the present site would make things much worse, if it could be fitted in at all.
Perhaps both statues could be displayed nearer the entrance to Greyfriars? This might also make the Greyfriars entrance more obvious/welcoming to those who currently only visit the statue in the road.
The statue looks very at home in the alcove of the Museum. The two statues complement each other better when not too near each other as they are very different.
I agree with the last comment that the site in the alcove of The National Museum for Scotland looks great, and by far the most attractive site. We all love dogs, and this is a particularly beautiful one, that will enhance the museum building. Failing that it is important that a suitable site is found to accomodate our twin cities dog! Dont let his name put you off, he was a fantastic dog and much loved by San Diego children.
Well what happened? Now 2014' and where is "Bum"????
Edinburgh lass, Adele
I agree!! 6 yrs late but something needs to be done! ?
Adele ;-)
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