We have found a home for our Hobo Dog

We have finally agreed on a site for San Diego's gift of a statue of their Town dog, Bum. We have submitted a planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council and all going well it will be installed on Saturday 19th July 2008 just inside East Princes Street Gardens close to the entrance at King 's Stables Road.

At present that particular area is being renovated by the City's Parks Department and when completed will be a very attractive walkway leading from the Gardens to the Grassmarket. The statue will rest in an alcove created by a little low walled garden adjoining the wall of St Cuthbert's Graveyard. It will without doubt enhance the setting and we are convinced it will become a visitor attraction.

We are now in the process of preparing a brochure and posters to advertise the event and raise the funds to enable us to have a Gala Day. Edinburgh is renowned as a dog loving city and we envisage a parade of dogs with Pipe and Jazz bands in attendance.

We understand that our friends from the San Diego Sister City Association will be accompanied by representation from their City Council. So it promises to be a great day, but we do need support both physical and financial. We estimate the costs to be in the region of £10.000/£15.000, therefore donations are urgently required and any surplus will be allocated to local Dog Aid Societies.

Statue Placement Site Update

Well the search for a site for Bum's statue took some interesting turns this week. We heard back from the National Museum of Scotland that we would be unable to use any of the sites attached to their building. Although this was disappointing, it was short lived, for a new and even better site has been found.

During Bobby's life time in Edinburgh his haunts ranged from the Candle Maker's Row, down through the bustling Grassmarket to the foot of the Castle cliffs. The Grassmarket area is currently undergoing a rennovation with an idea to encourage foot traffic through this amazing historic quarter filled with wide open spaces that accommodate regular open-air food markets, bric-a brac stalls and street sellers. Parades, open-air concerts and street performers during the buzz of the Edinburgh Festival add to the atmosphere.

From the far end of the Grassmarket, the King's Stables Road leads to the foot of the towering Castle Cliffs. The City is currently refitting this area to make the pedestrian transition from the Princes Street Gardens through to the Grassmarket more attractive and interesting.

Nestling between the Castle Cliffs and the St. Cuthbert's Kirkyard will be a landscaped area with flower beds and attractive paving. Here Bum would sit, marking one end of Bobby's territory, looking onto the dramatic vista of Castle and Cliff, and pointing the way through the Grassmarket to Bobby's statue at Greyfriars. Here is a schematic of the site:

I am taking meetings just now to get this finalised and will keep you all posted as to the progress.

In the meantime I'm sure you will agree that Bum couldn't possibly have a better view than this (once the construction fences are removed!):