Interpretation and Artwork

Ideas for public artwork in Colinton

Aims for the public artwork
In addition to restoring the Triangle garden with its New Drovers Path, an important aim is also to interpret and display in the garden, aspects of Colinton’s rich history and any connections with local natural heritage. The development of this aim has acknowledged that Robert Louis Stevenson is one of Colinton’s famous figures and the brief was expanded to do justice to him.   All aims are designed to contribute to sustaining the viability of the shopping centre by improving its accessibility, interest and attractiveness.

The Artists proposals The public artwork proposal comprises three elements:

A timeline of aspects of Colinton’s history is being selected by the Colinton Local History Society. This timeline will be illustrated and integrated into new ornamental railings along the Woodhall Road boundary of the Triangle garden. The designer is Jack Sloan, senior lecturer in art and design at the Central College Glasgow.

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A poem ‘Keepsake Mill’ illustrated and engraved into the paving stones of the New Drovers Path. This poem was written by Robert Louis Stevenson and records some of his boyhood experiences in Colinton. The Triangle was also a crossing point of many ancient routes where people over the centuries would have met and conversed. Ian Boyter has composed a poem, to be engraved on the paving stones of the viewing platform, to celebrate the Triangle as a trysting place. The overall designer is Ian Boyter of Boyter Design, Colinton.

As a child, Robert Louis Stevenson frequently visited the manse in Colinton where his grandfather, Dr Lewis Balfour lived. He was the Minister of the Parish Church at that time. To commemorate this association, a bronze statue of RLS as a child is proposed near the main entrance of the Parish Church. The designer is Alan Herriot, of Endeavour Art Studios, near Howgate, Penicuik

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How to Comment
Please look at the design ideas proposed to interpret the history of Colinton. Let us know what you think about them by using the following comment form (download pdf file). Please print the form out and complete it, then send it in to Colinton Community Conservation Trust at 42 Pentland Avenue, Edinburgh, EH13 0HY; or scan the completed form and send it by e-mail to ccct@colinton-conservation.org.uk.

Interpretation Comments form

Next Steps
Your comments will be analysed and feedback given to the artists, so that they can assess whether or not any changes to their proposals may be needed. If there is significant support for the artwork proposals as a whole, the Trust will seek to obtain the necessary consents as soon as possible. If these can be obtained, the Trust will commence fundraising, possibly during the latter half of 2009. It is anticipated that a sum in the region of £95,000 may be needed.

If you would like to support the project, please send a pledge or donation to the Trust at:

Honorary Treasurer
Colinton Community Conservation Trust
42 Pentland Avenue
Edinburgh
EH13 0HY