Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

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 Edinburgh Bust of Sir Patrick Geddes

Bust of Sir Patrick Geddes

A sculpture in a secluded garden honors one of Edinburgh's most innovative thinkers and city planners.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Trunk’s Close   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  LynneM / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On a stroll down Edinburgh's Royal Mile/High Street, visitors can see some of the world's first skyscrapers. That part of the capital's Old Town was once encircled with a stone wall, which meant that the only way to increase housing capacity for a growing population was to build up. But this construction occurred at a time when there were no building codes, and little thought was given to sanitation or, for that matter, the enjoyment of the inhabitants.

During the middle of the 18th century, city officials decided to create a New Town, stretching north from Nor Loch to the Firth of Forth. This was great for those who could afford to move into these stately, opulent Georgian residences. But what of the poor left in the filth and squalor of Old Town? Enter Sir Patrick Geddes (1854–1932), a man who was many things, from biologist to philosopher, in addition to becoming known as "The Father of City Planning." 

He was instrumental in envisioning and revitalizing the cramped and dingy areas that surrounded the city's crown jewel, Edinburgh Castle. He also put his money where his mouth was, by giving up his comfortable digs on Princes Street and moving his young family into the not-so-fashionable James Court. At first, his efforts were small: a new coat of paint, flowers in window boxes. Eventually, his deeds grew bigger, through a process called "conservative surgery" or "conurbation." He motivated officials to demolish dilapidated buildings and create courtyards to allow air and light in.

There are many areas where his handiwork can be seen: Ramsey Gardens, to the right of the aforementioned castle, also King's Chambers in Riddle's Court, where his Latin motto, " Vivendo Discimus," "By Living We Learn," is etched over the doorway, and Dunbar's Close.

And in a sequestered garden, adjacent to John Knox House, (https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/john-knox-house), a happy wanderer will encounter an open space filled with trees and flowers of all descriptions—with a patina-covered bust of the honorable man himself, created by Kenny Hunter. Upon closer inspection, the observer will also notice that the pedestal is reminiscent of a bee hive. It was unveiled in 1996 by his great-granddaughter, Gloria Geddes. It is hoped that the sculpture and setting will encourage a sense of community. 

Related Tags

Statues Monuments Urban Planning Gardens Plants

Know Before You Go

Though the open garden and bust are located in a public space, the entrance to Trunk's Close is occupied by two businesses: Scotland Book Trust and The Cockburn Association. Therefore, access is only available Monday through Friday, during normal business hours.

Just as you enter through the Close, be sure to look up and note the medieval construction of the adjacent buildings and staircases. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Edited By

rbenn250, LynneM

  • rbenn250
  • LynneM

Published

December 4, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.patrickgeddescentre.org.uk/patrick-geddes/geddes-in-edinburgh-s-old-town/
Bust of Sir Patrick Geddes
55 Trunk's Cl
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1TB
United Kingdom
55.950602, -3.185279
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

John Knox House

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Museum of Childhood

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Netherbow Bell

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

John Knox House

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Museum of Childhood

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Netherbow Bell

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Related Places

  • Some of the 1000 Buddhas.

    Arlee, Montana

    Garden of One Thousand Buddhas

    This giant meditative chakra sits peacefully in the Flathead Valley of western Montana.

  • A crowd of statues

    Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Garden of the Generalissimos

    A Taiwanese garden teems with the retired statues of the island's former dictator.

  • The Great Warrior

    Skopje, North Macedonia

    The Statues of Skopje

    These abundant, over-the-top monuments are so widely scattered that they define the entire compact capital cityscape, often leading to jokes about whether there are more statues than residents.

  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    'The Constellation'

    This massive piece of artwork weighs more than 250 tons, and was designed as a tribute to the first president of the United Arab Emirates.

  • Centrepiece sculpture.

    Campbeltown, Scotland

    Linda McCartney Memorial Garden

    An appropriate memorial dedicated to a well-renowned figure of Campbeltown.

  • The Gardener

    London, England

    The Gardener Statue

    A tribute to all the green-thumbed workers who tend London’s public parks and gardens.

  • A view of Courante.

    Toronto, Ontario

    Toronto Music Garden

    This urban oasis is a marvelous meld of music and landscape architecture.

  • The “Hijo del árbol de la Noche Triste” with its statue of Hernan Cortes.

    Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico

    Son of the Tree of the Night of Sorrows

    A sapling of the legendary tree where conquistador Hernán Cortés sat and wept after an Aztec uprising.

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.