Accessibility

Font Size

100% 150% 200%

Background Colour

Default Contrast
Close Reset

Edinburgh, The Meadows, Whale Jawbone

Arch (Period Unassigned)

Site Name Edinburgh, The Meadows, Whale Jawbone

Classification Arch (Period Unassigned)

Alternative Name(s) Melville Drive

Canmore ID 124132

Site Number NT27SE 1988

NGR NT 25478 72579

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/124132

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer. © Copyright and database right 2024.

Toggle Aerial | View on large map

Digital Images

Administrative Areas

  • Council Edinburgh, City Of
  • Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
  • Former Region Lothian
  • Former District City Of Edinburgh
  • Former County Midlothian

Architecture Notes

See also:

NT27SE 1983.00 Edinburgh, The Meadows, General

1983.01 Edinburgh, The Meadows, Sundial

1983.02 Edinburgh, The Meadows, Mason's Pillars

1983.03 Edinburgh, The Meadows, Edinburgh International Exhibition 1886 1983.05 Edinburgh, Middle Meadow Walk, Pillars

1983.06 Edinburgh, Middle Meadow Walk

Activities

Project (1997)

The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (http://www.pmsa.org.uk/) set up a National Recording Project in 1997 with the aim of making a survey of public monuments and sculpture in Britain ranging from medieval monuments to the most contemporary works. Information from the Edinburgh project was added to the RCAHMS database in October 2010 and again in 2012.

The PMSA (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association) Edinburgh Sculpture Project has been supported by Eastern Photocolour, Edinburgh College of Art, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Scotland, the Hope Scott Trust, The Old Edinburgh Club, the Pilgrim Trust, the RCAHMS, and the Scottish Archive Network.

Field Visit (20 July 1999)

Four whale jawbones placed vertically on a rough square and meeting at the top (held with metal strut), to form arch at start of pathway across the Meadows. Circular cobbled area on ground within the arch.

Exhibited at the 'International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art' Edinburgh 1886 where the Shetland and Fair Isles Knitters' Stall was constructed of the jaw bones. Erected at the entrance to the east and west Meadows from the Middle Walk in 1887, after the Town Council of Edinburgh received a letter from Sheriff Thoms recommending the acceptance of the jawbones.

Inscriptions : On each of four bronze bands around bones approximately 90cm off ground

(incised and shaded lettering cast in the bronze):

FROM ZETLAND AND FAIR ISLE KNITTING STAND / EDINBURGH EXHIBITION 1886

Signatures : None

Design period : 1886

Year of unveiling : 1887

Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0065)

References

MyCanmore Image Contributions


Contribute an Image

MyCanmore Text Contributions