Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The Keelmen Mural
Conspiracies and monsters abound at Denver Airport.
‘Notre Denver’
Alai Minar
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Ripples in the land are remnants of the field walls that once held rows of native sugarcane and sweet potatoes.
Unearthing the Mysteries of Hawai'i's Ancient Agriculture
about 13 hours ago
Petrified Forest National Park.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
4 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
5 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
6 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Musselburgh ‘Memory and Reflection’

‘Memory and Reflection’

A shiny sculpture celebrating the mighty mollusk.

Musselburgh, Scotland

Added By
linkogecko
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Shiny mussel.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Shiny mussel.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
‘Memory and Reflection’ or ‘The Mussel’.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The barnacles feature engravings of local history.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Inside of the mussel shell.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The base of the sculpture.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of the barnacles.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  Dror / Atlas Obscura User
Musselburgh Coat of Arms   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

When the city council of Musselburgh agreed to the construction of a Tesco supermarket, it came with one peculiar condition: that Tesco would eventually finance art projects in the city itself. Tesco committed £76,000 to two art projects, the first of which was "Memory and Reflection" by local artist Michael Johnson.

Installed around June 2018, the inspiration for his work is right there in the city’s name. Musselburgh stems from the name of this popular mollusk and the suffix, burgh meaning “town,” thanks to its abundance of this food source. Johnson decided on a large, reflective silver mussel for his sculpture, and the title stems in its concept as a surface on which to reflect both the image of the beholder and the memories inspired by the symbol of the mollusk.

The barnacles attached to the mussel’s shell are engraved with symbols representing the history of Musselburgh, from its Roman occupation to the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh. Additional symbols, these ones seemingly designed by schoolchildren, are located on the base of the sculpture. These seem to show illustrations of everyday Musselburgh scenes as well as flora and fauna of the region.

Related Tags

Sculptures Art Public Art Seafood

Know Before You Go

This sculpture is located in the public Maitland waterfront park and can be seen at any time.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

linkogecko

Edited By

SEANETTA, Dror

  • SEANETTA
  • Dror

Published

October 18, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/16308051.giant-mussel-sculpture-installed-in-musselburgh/
  • https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/14264550.mussel-shell-and-archer-artworks-to-take-up-prominent-positions-in-musselburgh/
‘Memory and Reflection’
29 Edinburgh Rd
Musselburgh, Scotland, EH21 6EE
United Kingdom
55.945468, -3.073832
Get Directions

Nearby Places

'The Musselburgh Archer'

Musselburgh, Scotland

miles away

Newcraighall Monuments

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

St Michael's Parish Church and Kirkyard

Inveresk, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Musselburgh

Musselburgh

Scotland

Places 4

Nearby Places

'The Musselburgh Archer'

Musselburgh, Scotland

miles away

Newcraighall Monuments

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

St Michael's Parish Church and Kirkyard

Inveresk, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Musselburgh

Musselburgh

Scotland

Places 4

Related Places

  • Basel, Switzerland

    Hammering Man

    This 42-foot tribute to the workforce still reminds us to pause and recharge.

  • ‘Oscar the Bird King’ is one of sculptor Thomas Dambo’s ever-growing army of trolls.

    Vashon, Washington

    Oscar the Bird King

    Thomas Dambo's troll sculpture wears a crown with birdhouses on his head.

  • The rear panel on Çanakçı Heykeli featuring a woman on a donkey.

    Avanos, Turkey

    Çanakçı Heykeli

    This giant work of Cappadocian pottery includes a memorial for the artisan who created it.

  • ‘Square the Block’ at first glance resembles an architectural oddity.

    London, England

    Square the Block

    A jumble of concrete on the corner of one of London’s terraced buildings is actually a work of art.

  • This ‘Traveler’ is not all he appears to be.

    Orlando, Florida

    'The Traveler'

    If you don't look closely, you might mistake this sculpture for just another passenger waiting at the airport.

  • The Pointer

    Corona, New Mexico

    'Cowboy Ruckus'

    Catch two 18-foot-tall ranchers mid-brawl as you drive by on Highway 285.

  • Bainbridge Island, Washington

    Pia the Peacekeeper

    This 18-foot-tall public art installation is another of sculptor Thomas Dambo's trolls.

  • Blue Sky Sculpture

    Newton, Kansas

    'Blue Sky Sculpture'

    This vivid painted ceramic sculpture evokes the expansiveness of the prairie sky.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.