Granite: 8x17x7 ft 20.00 tonnes. For Sale. Location: St Andrew Square Garden, Edinburgh.
The Lion is the traditional symbol both of power and of Scottish identity. From 2006 – 2010 the sculpture was sited in Holyrood Park between the Royal Palace of Holyrood House and the Scottish Parliament, and beneath that other lion couchant, Arthur’s Seat.
On 25th April 2010 the Lion of Scotland was transported one mile from Holyrood to St Andrew Square in the city centre where it is currently on exhibition under a yearly contract with Essential Edinburgh.
The Lion has been voted the best-loved sculpture in Edinburgh. One rarely passes it without seeing the public engage with it – either taking photos or climbing on it as children do. There is no doubt it is greatly loved. In 2008 a formal petition was drawn up by the Scottish Blue Badge Guides to keep the Lion at Holyrood, plus thousands of signatures from local people and visitors to the city who wanted the Lion to stay there, which resulted in a further two years stay for the sculpture on loan to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. However the contract ended in April 2010 and could not be extended.
Ronald Rae thanks all those who have supported the Lion of Scotland sculpture. He has been overwhelmed by the number of letters and emails he has received over the past five years.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a wife of a serving member of the military, and during an Edinburgh posting I lived in Cramond. My daily walks with my dog and my daughter took me past this wonderful Lion as he was being created by Mr Rae. Once finished it was magnificent but the really sad thing was my daughter cried when it was removed to its display position! Whenever we come back to visit she always insists we go to see it – she has claimed it as her Cramond (& Edinburgh) memory and we called it Clarence.
Thankyou for these beautiful creations Mr Rae – may you continue to enjoy this great skill.
We also experienced the main work in progress of the Heavy horse and foal but have yet to see the completed work.
Thank you Debra, for your kind words about Ronald Rae’s sculptures. He greatly appreciated your email. He said to tell your daughter he thinks Clarence is a good name for the Lion. We hope it can stay at Holyrood for you and your daughter to enjoy. If you visit Cramond again you must see the Cramond Fish sculpture which was sited on the beach earlier this year – to find it walk approx. 100 yards east from the car park along the prom. Re. the Heavy Horse and Foal, it is now completed and at The Falkirk Wheel along with another twelve of his sculptures, including an Elephant Family and the fifteen ton Tyger Tyger.
The Lion is ideally sited, because it is a symbol both of power (Parliament) and Royalty (the Palace). It is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, and was hugely popular during “Homecoming”, when it was photographed by many tourists. It must stay where it is! It is a powerful statement of identity, and a valuable tourist attraction. How much better a Scottish statement, for tourists to see, photo and remember than the tartan tat that ruins the High Street, and demeans our international image..
Thank you for your comments. It means a lot to Ronald Rae to get this feedback from someone who is an authority on Scotland’s heritage. I think the majority of Edinburgh’s citizens and visitors will agree with you. The destiny of the Lion is now in the lap of the gods.
Is there anything one can still do at this stage in support of the permanent retention of the magificent Lion of Scotland in a suitable location (more suitable than a corner of St Andrew’s Square!) I was not aware of all the foregoing, about which I feel both upset and angry.
Thank you Lesley for your comment. You are not alone in your thoughts – many people were upset to discover that the Lion of Scotland had left Holyrood after four years where it was so aptly sited. It is now in St Andrew Square on a yearly contract with Essential Edinburgh. Goodness knows what its final destination will be – hopefully it will be able to stay in Edinburgh where it belongs. We need a benefactor.
{ 4 trackbacks }