SMM+S

Adam Brown · Last edited by Adam Brown on Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:31 pm; edited 1 time in total

Robert Ferguson Statue
Location: In front of Church of the Holy Rood, Canongate, Royal Mile
OS Ref: NT 265 737
Sculptor: Robert Annand
Foundry: N/K

An unusual statue. Life size and on the pavement. No doubt well photographed by tourists.

Unfortunately the light was very poor on the day I visited so better images would be appreciated.

The words around his feet are words from his poem "Auld Reekie, wale o ilka town"

Auld Reikie, wale o’ ilka Town
That Scotland kens beneath the Moon;
Where couthy Chiels at E’ening meet
Their bizzing Craigs and Mous to weet

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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:34 am Post subject:

As a council maintained monument is it listed on their website. This is what it says

Robert Ferguson Statue

Robert Ferguson (1750-1774) "Auld Reekie, wale o ilka town"

This pedestrian statue by Robert Annand is fixed on the pavement without a pedestal and was commissioned by the Friends of Robert Ferguson after an initial donation from Lord Provost Eric Milligan.

Three winning entries of a design competition were made into plaster 'maquettes' or models which were exhibited across the city at various venues and the public voted for the best one.

Robert Ferguson was born in the Old Town and was a prolific poet writing in Scots. He was much admired, notably by Robert Burns, who paid for a headstone for Ferguson's grave in the kirkyard after he died in the Bedlam asylum at the age of 24.
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project