Sculpture to provide focus for community

The Happy Valley shopping parade on Colinton Road is set to be brightened up with a sculpture, especially commissioned by Craiglockhart community council.

Three designs have been put forward by sculptors and it is hoped the chosen statue will be placed close to the corner of Colinton Road and Craiglockhart Road North by the end of next year.

The sculptures are part of a Craiglockhart community council initiative to improve the local environment as part of the community plan. The community council advertised for artists to create concept designs and three were then shortlisted.

Miniature versions of the sculptures, known as maquettes, were showcased at a public meeting at Napier University’s Craiglockhart Campus, where each of the three sculptors talked visitors through their ideas.

Fiona Gray’s proposal is for a pair of red sandstone pillars joined by a stainless steel image of the Water of Leith.

Lara Green aims to create a running man with a shadow of writhing snakes on the plinth, inspired by the war poet Wilfred Owen, who was treated at the Craiglockhart Hospital.

Kate Thomson’s idea is for an abstract scultpture representing a wing or a wave form which would be carved in granite.

Alan Dickson, chairman of Craiglockhart community council, said: “It’s about a lot more than just brightening up the shops.

“As a community, Craiglockhart doesn’t really have anything that you could call a centre.

“The nearest thing we’ve got is a shopping precinct and, although it’s reasonably attractive, we felt it would benefit from having something that was a little inspirational, with themes of the community.”

Need to know

Go to www.craiglockhart.btik.com for more information and to see photos of the proposed sculptures.