Edinburgh, Canonmills, 11 Canon Street

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.

The four animals, in silhouette, on the corners of the main roof can be seen from Eyre Place which the building arcade faces. On the front left (north-west) corner is a white cockerel, at the right (north-east) is an animated red fox. The back corners have a turquoise kingfisher (south-west), and a pale grey owl (south-east). All face towards the centre of the roof.

On the northern corners of the rear building are a pale grey squirrel (north-west, on Canon Street), and a black magpie (north-east), both facing in from the corners.

All are attached by simple metal brackets.

The building dates back to the late 17th century or early 18th century, and is the only, much altered, survivor from the milling past of Canonmills. Converted in 1987 into open-plan offices above the ground floor shops.

(Milling was abandoned at Canonmills in 1865.) (1)

Inscriptions : None Visible

Signatures : None Visible

Year of unveiling : 1987

Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN1518)