KELPIES creator Andy Scott has immortalised the legacy of one of East Lothian’s most famous sons, John Muir, with a five-metre-high steel sculpture of a bear.
Fixed to a base erected on a mound planted with wildflowers, the sculpture was unveiled yesterday. It is located off the A1 near the Spott Roundabout at Dunbar.
Muir, born in Dunbar in 1838, played a key role in the development of America’s national parks. He emigrated from Scotland in 1849 and is famous for petitioning the US Congress for the National Park Bill, establishing Yosemite National Park. The bear is symbolic of Muir’s travels through the wilderness of America’s west and the Rockies, and his advocacy for national parks.
The sculpture forms part of the Hallhill development, which started on the site in 1999. It has already delivered sports facilities, 56 acres of community woodland and 1200 homes including over 200 affordable family homes, with about 320 currently under development. There is also school provision and commercial and retail outlets.
The unveiling was marked by a reception attended by local dignitaries and schoolchildren from Dunbar Primary. A competition will now be held with local schools to give the bear a name. The sculpture is made of welded steel and is fabricated from steel plates.
Scott, a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, has completed over 70 projects across the UK and internationally. His distinctive hand-crafted figurative sculptures combine traditional skill with contemporary fabrication techniques.
He said: “It is fantastic to see this sculpture finally being erected as part of the Hallhill development, especially in memory of such an influential character as John Muir, which is particularly apt given today’s focus on the environment.
“This bear sculpture will provide an opportunity to enlighten people about the man and his work.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here