Save the Whalebone campaign from Edinburgh World Heritage

Edinburgh World Heritage has announced that it is to launch a fundraising campaign to raise money for conservation work on a 19th-century Whalebone arch gifted to the city of Edinburgh by Shetland and Fair Isle knitters.

The Whalebone Arch, which is a well-known landmark in the Meadows area of Edinburgh is one of the last relics of the International Exhibition of Science and Art which took part in the Meadows in 1886. The huge whale jawbone formed part of a stand manned by the Shetland and Fair Isle Knitters, who gifted the arch to the city after the exhibition.

Now, the jawbone forms an entrance to the Meadows, with the path running underneath known as Jawbone Walk.

A challenging restoration

David Hicks, Communications Manager at Edinburgh World Heritage told History Scotland: 'Although there are a few jawbone arches around the world, Edinburgh's is unique. The others were erected by whaling communities, whereas Edinburgh's example was gifted by Shetland knitters. The jawbone arch is now a well-loved local landmark, but it is in need of specialist repair.
 

In terms of work, the first stage will be to dry it out in storage, and then a proper examination can be carried out.

'Until that's done its difficult to say precisely what might be needed, but the bone will need to consolidated, and it may need new footings.

'Our main role at the moment is to work closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and to support the local community in a fundraising campaign, that will be properly launched shortly. The process will be much the same way as we raised funds for the Twelve Monuments Project, and with that track record of success we hope to see the arch restored to its former glory.'

How to donate to the Whalebone Arch campaign

To make a donation, you can send a cheque to: Edinburgh World Heritage, 5 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DR. Please mark the envelope 'Jawbone'. Donations are also accepted via text: send a message from your mobile to 70070 with the appeal code EWHT27 and the amount (up to £10). You will receive a reply with a link to allow reclaim of tax. The appeal is also on Facebook – Meadows Jawbone Arch Appeal.

For more on the work of Edinburgh World Heritage, visit the Edinburgh World Heritage website.
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