Edinburgh's oldest statue depicting Charles II on horseback, is back after a painstaking restoration. The equestrian statue was carefully restored as part of the Twelve Monuments Restoration Project, a joint initiative of the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh World Heritage.
In October 2010 the monument was removed from its raised plinth in Parliament Square, and transported to the workshop of Hall Conservation in Rochester, Kent.
The statue was dismantled to repair splits and cracks in the lead, and to install a new supporting framework inside. A layer of protective wax has also been applied to help protect against corrosion.
"Parliament Square has not been the same since this magnificent statue was taken away for conservation, so it's good to see this monument back in place again," said Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure Convener.
Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage said: "The conservators have done a marvellous job, and everyone can now appreciate this sculpture in its original condition. This statue has seen many changes in the 300 years that it has been watching over Parliament Square and I am glad that we have been able to ensure its future for many years to come."
The conservation work cost £59,255 and was funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh World Heritage along with donations from organisations and private individuals.
Donors
- The Charitable Trust of the Society of High Constables, including generous bequest of the late James Carmichael of the Society's Ward X1
- The Scottish Court Service
- The Faculty of Advocates
- Veneziana Fund
- Manifold Trust
- Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet
- Old Town Association
- The Sir J.D. Pollock’s 1936 Trust
- Miss C H Cruft
- The Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland
- Mrs J Zeigler
- Mr John Knight
- The 1699 Club
- Ms Elaine Morris
- Ms Fiona Pearson
- Ms Jessie Anderson