Edinburgh, Elm Row, General
General View
Site Name Edinburgh, Elm Row, General
Classification General View
Alternative Name(s) Leith Walk
Canmore ID 134569
Site Number NT27SE 2859
NGR NT 26202 74591
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/134569
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
REFERENCE:
Architect: W H Playfair 1821
Plans: E.U.L Playfair Collection. 1821 - 23 sheets (P.8)
Project (1997)
The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (http://www.pmsa.org.uk/) set up a National Recording Project in 1997 with the aim of making a survey of public monuments and sculpture in Britain ranging from medieval monuments to the most contemporary works. Information from the Edinburgh project was added to the RCAHMS database in October 2010 and again in 2012.
The PMSA (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association) Edinburgh Sculpture Project has been supported by Eastern Photocolour, Edinburgh College of Art, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Scotland, the Hope Scott Trust, The Old Edinburgh Club, the Pilgrim Trust, the RCAHMS, and the Scottish Archive Network.
Field Visit (30 May 2002)
A group of (originally) eight stylised, larger-than-life bronze pigeons walk across or stand on a large paved area that is part of the broad pavement. The birds are arranged in a group of six walking towards the road, with the one at the back turning its head to look back at one pigeon hunkered down facing away from the group, its head sunk into the volume of its body.
Commissioned by landscape architects Turnbull Jeffrey Partnership, eight pigeons were originally placed on Elm Row in 1996, to complete the environmental improvements there. Funding came from Valvona and Crolla, Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Limited and the former Lothian Regional Council. They were cast by Powderhall Bronze, and each weighs 20lbs.
They were unveiled on 28 August 1996 when they were handed over to the City of Edinburgh Council.
Signatures : None
Year of unveiling : 1996
Unveiling details : Unveiled by Councillor Robert Cairns on 28 August 1996
Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0372)
