Famous Edinburgh Paolozzi sculptures come back home after tram works - but what about the bronze pigeons and Sherlock Holmes statue?

The giant foot is carefully lowered into place

TYCOON Sir Tom Farmer has welcomed back a trio of popular Paolozzi sculptures he gifted to the city which were moved to make way for tram works.

The three bronze statues, known as the Manuscript of Monte Cassino, have been returned to their home on Picardy Place after more than two years.

Two other works also moved for the tram project - a flock of eight bronze pigeons and a statue of Sherlock Holmes - remain in storage to be returned by 2022.

“I’m really pleased that the Paolozzi sculptures are returning to Picardy Place to sit within the piazza being created by Edinburgh City Council in front of St Mary’s Cathedral,” said Sir Tom.

“I appreciate that the contractor still has some works to do around the sculptures this month, so now look forward to viewing them in their new surroundings when this work is complete.”

Meaning of Paolozzi sculptures

The works were given a temporary home in the gardens between London Road and Hillside Crescent in December 2017.

They made way for the redevelopment of the interchange between Leith Walk, York Place and Broughton Street.

Gifted by Sir Tom in the early 1990s, the work depicting a hand, foot and ankle symbolises the destruction of war while offering a message of peace, hope and regeneration.

The bronze pigeons, funded by a group of businesses in 1996, were removed from Elm Row in 2006 during the ill-fated first tram works on the road.

Created by highly acclaimed artist Shona Kinloch, they will be reinstated once that phase of tram construction is complete - timetabled for spring 2021.

The Sherlock Holmes statue, meanwhile, will be reinstalled as part of the Picardy Place central island work, expected in late 2022.

Tram works

Redevelopment of the area includes the new Picardy Place road configuration, which was completed at the end of last year.

Work to revamp the space in front of St Mary’s Cathedral is expected to be completed this month.

Public consultation will be held this year on the future of the Picardy Place island site, which integrates with the new tram stop as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.

Transport chiefs hailed the return of the Paolozzi works as a key milestone in the area’s regeneration, including improved conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “It’s great to see these striking sculptures returned to Picardy Place, where they were originally placed when they were gifted to the city almost 30 years ago.

“It’s been great that the local community has been able to carry on enjoying them in their temporary home at Hillside Crescent

“In the long term, the improvements to this area will deliver better pedestrian and cycling links as well as facilitating public transport access, encouraging active, environmentally-friendly transport choices.

“Enhancing public realm is also key to the future of the site, and the Paolozzi statues will provide a stunning focal point once it is complete.”