Many flock to Edinburgh to see the city’s beautiful sites, including its collection of stunning statues. Some are very famous – like the Scott Monument and Greyfriars Bobby – but there are also lesser known ones that you might pass everyday but never see.
Here are nine of the Capital’s unusual statues and where you can find them.
. Wojtek the bear
It’s not every day you see a memorial of a brown bear that helped soldiers in WW2. But this bear did exactly that! Whilst serving in the 22nd Artillery division with the Polish II Corps, the gentle giant famously carried heavy ammunition boxes during the Battle of Monte Cassino seeing him promoted from private to corporal. After the war Wojtek moved to Scotland where he lived at Edinburgh Zoo until his death in 1963. Photo: submitted
. Morocco’s Land Effigy
Despite being located on one of Edinburgh's most famous streets, this unusual sculpture is easily missed, situated high above street level on the Royal Mile. Legend has it that it portrays Andrew Gray, a 17th century Edinburgh man who fled to Morocco after assaulting the Lord Provost. On his return to Edinburgh 12 years later, he cured the Provost’s daughter of the plague and the sculpture was erected in his honour. Photo: submitted
. David Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart
Two famous characters from the iconic novel, Kidnapped, can be found on Corstorphine Road. The statues depict the Robert Louis Stevenson characters, David Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart standing where their journey concludes in the 1886 masterpiece. The statues were unveiled by Sir Sean Connery in 2004. Credit: Tom Parnell, Flickr Photo: submitted
5. Sandy Irvine Robertson
If you’re wandering around the Water of Leith and looking for friendly company, Sandy will always be willing to share his bench with you. Sandy Irvine Robertson OBE, who played an important part in bringing the Royal Yacht Britannia to Leith, founded the Scottish Business Achievements Awards Trust. The statue was commissioned by his friends after his death in 1999. Photo Credit: Rayonick Flickr Photo: submitted
6. Bum The Dog
He may not be as famous as our beloved Greyfriars Bobby, but Bum the dog was a very popular canine in Edinburgh’s twin city San Diego in the 19th century. The homeless dog is said to have won the hearts of people in his hometown– even being invited to parties. Bum arrived in exchange for a statue of Greyfriars Bobby in 2008 and can be found at the grounds of the Parish Church of St Cumbert. Photo: submitted
7. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is the only US president to have a memorial in Scotland and his statue can be found in the Old Calton Cemetery in Edinburgh’s city centre. Built in 1893, it commemorates the Scots who fought on behalf of the Union during the American Civil War. Photo: submitted
8. Robert Fergusson
This Edinburgh son was an 18th century poet, with his works inspiring fellow poet Robert Burns. Famous for writing Auld Reekie, Fergusson died aged 24 after falling down a set of stairs in 1774. His statue was erected outside his resting place at Canongate Kirk in 2004. Photo: submitted