Public called to vote for 101st '˜Edinburgh' object

CHIPPY sauce might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you're looking back on the Capital's history '“ but that could all be about to change.

Greyfriars Bobby is one of the items on the shortlist.

In fact, the humble accompaniment is among six contenders vying for inclusion in a 101-strong list showcasing the Edinburgh’s most significant historical objects.

Suggestions for the collection’s final object have been flying in after the public was asked to nominate the objects not already on the list which mattered most to them.

Now organisers of Edinburgh’s 101 Objects have revealed a shortlist of the final six. The public now has until September 29 to vote for their overall favourite, with the winner set to be announced next month.

Should chippy sauce be the 101st item?

And it’s not going to be an easy choice, with chippy sauce facing stiff competition from some much-loved Edinburgh institutions such as Greyfriars Bobby and the Elephant House toilets affectionately daubed with Harry Potter graffiti.

Also in the top six are a New Town fanlight – which shot to popularity in the Georgian period – and an unopened Younger’s beer bottle dating from 1906, produced by the brewery in Sugarhouse Close.

Meanwhile a memorial to the abolition of slavery – which forms part of the Capital’s Abraham Lincoln statue in the Calton cemetery – has also been shortlisted.

Nicholas Hotham, head of external Relations at Edinburgh World Heritage said: “It’s been fascinating to see what objects the people and visitors of Edinburgh are passionate about.

Six sons of Edinburgh signed up to fight on Lincolns behalf for the abolition of slavery; their names are inscribed on the memorial, which depicts a black slave being released from shackles, giving thanks to Lincoln.

“Edinburgh’s captivating history is not confined to the traditional understandings of the subject but spans a huge selection of topics, represented in the objects that have made the shortlist. It’s not often you see chippy sauce and slavery memorials placed in the same list!

“Now our final six objects have been announced we’re eager to see what steals the 101st spot and becomes the final object to make up Edinburgh’s 101 Objects. We’re confident it will be a fantastic addition to this historical city trail.”

Created as a celebration of Edinburgh’s heritage, culture and everyday life, the £90,000 campaign was inspired by an exhibition at the British Museum.

Running until April 2018, the 12-month campaign forms part of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

Should chippy sauce be the 101st item?

One Edinburgh resident who nominated The Freed Slave as the 101st object said: “Edinburgh’s historical links with slavery have been hidden or erased.

“We need now, at this moment, publicly to accept and understand this as part of our city’s story so that we can reassess our past and acknowledge the source of much of our city’s wealth which has supported many of the monumental achievements emanating from Edinburgh.”

Objects which have already made the cut as part of the existing 100 include St Bernard’s Well in Dean Village, David Hume’s ‘lucky toe’ on the Royal Mile and a drumstick dropped by a drummer during a military parade at the castle in 1948.