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Plans for memorial statue of Hugo the celebrity West End cat | Plans for memorial statue of Hugo the celebrity West End cat |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Hugo was well known among local people in the west end of Edinburgh, where he was a common sight on its cobbled streets | Hugo was well known among local people in the west end of Edinburgh, where he was a common sight on its cobbled streets |
A cat that was knocked down by a car in Edinburgh two years ago could be immortalised in bronze, under new plans submitted to the council. | A cat that was knocked down by a car in Edinburgh two years ago could be immortalised in bronze, under new plans submitted to the council. |
Hugo was well known among local people in the west end of Edinburgh, where he was a familiar sight on its cobbled streets. | Hugo was well known among local people in the west end of Edinburgh, where he was a familiar sight on its cobbled streets. |
Now locals have commissioned a life-sized statue of the much-missed pet in the hope of bringing the community together and increasing visitor numbers. | Now locals have commissioned a life-sized statue of the much-missed pet in the hope of bringing the community together and increasing visitor numbers. |
If it gets planning permission it would be the 16th sculpture of an animal in Edinburgh. There are 79 statues of men and eight of women. | If it gets planning permission it would be the 16th sculpture of an animal in Edinburgh. There are 79 statues of men and eight of women. |
The cat would be secured to a wall in William Street in Edinburgh | The cat would be secured to a wall in William Street in Edinburgh |
Sculptor Alan Beattie Herriot, who created the statue of Wojtek the Bear in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens, has been lined up to take on the commission. | |
It is understood that thousands of pounds have been raised by the community for the sculpture, which they hope to place on a wall in William Street with a plaque. | It is understood that thousands of pounds have been raised by the community for the sculpture, which they hope to place on a wall in William Street with a plaque. |
The model would be cast in hot bronze at the capital's Powderhall Bronze Foundry. | The model would be cast in hot bronze at the capital's Powderhall Bronze Foundry. |
Hugo, an Arabian Mau, was owned by local woman Jane Rutherford who rescued him from Doha when he was six months old. | Hugo, an Arabian Mau, was owned by local woman Jane Rutherford who rescued him from Doha when he was six months old. |
But during his life in Edinburgh he became well known in the West End of the city, where many people looked after him. | But during his life in Edinburgh he became well known in the West End of the city, where many people looked after him. |
He was seven years old when he died in May 2023 after being hit by a car that failed to stop. | He was seven years old when he died in May 2023 after being hit by a car that failed to stop. |
His death led to calls for a change in the law, requiring drivers to report when they collide with a cat. | His death led to calls for a change in the law, requiring drivers to report when they collide with a cat. |
Ms Rutherford, 55, said: "I miss him dreadfully and still look for him on William Street when I'm on autopilot. | Ms Rutherford, 55, said: "I miss him dreadfully and still look for him on William Street when I'm on autopilot. |
"So when I see the statue it will make me feel really happy because he was one in a million, he was a proper little character." | "So when I see the statue it will make me feel really happy because he was one in a million, he was a proper little character." |
Hugo used to be seen at different shops in Edinburgh's West End | Hugo used to be seen at different shops in Edinburgh's West End |
Paul Hancock, West End community council engagement officer, told BBC Scotland News he failed to see any reason why the statue would not get planning permission. | Paul Hancock, West End community council engagement officer, told BBC Scotland News he failed to see any reason why the statue would not get planning permission. |
"It's been done in good taste and in keeping with the historic nature of the city centre and world heritage site, so I think it can only be considered an asset. | "It's been done in good taste and in keeping with the historic nature of the city centre and world heritage site, so I think it can only be considered an asset. |
"He is fondly remembered by a lot of people in the West End and our local Facebook page would always have pictures of Hugo in all sorts of random locations - he was a genuine interest in the West End. | "He is fondly remembered by a lot of people in the West End and our local Facebook page would always have pictures of Hugo in all sorts of random locations - he was a genuine interest in the West End. |
"We are hoping people will remember him and come through the West End. | "We are hoping people will remember him and come through the West End. |
"We are short of footfall for some of our traders, so it will bring some valued trade to the West End and he will be fondly remembered." | "We are short of footfall for some of our traders, so it will bring some valued trade to the West End and he will be fondly remembered." |
Alan Beattie Herriot is considered one of Scotland's finest figurative sculptors | Alan Beattie Herriot is considered one of Scotland's finest figurative sculptors |
Sculptor Alan Beattie Herriot, who also created the statue of footballer Denis Law in Aberdeen, said he was excited about this latest commission. | Sculptor Alan Beattie Herriot, who also created the statue of footballer Denis Law in Aberdeen, said he was excited about this latest commission. |
"He was a well known beastie in the streets of the West End of Edinburgh," he added. | "He was a well known beastie in the streets of the West End of Edinburgh," he added. |
"It's really nice for me to be asked and it's nice to do a piece of sculpture. | "It's really nice for me to be asked and it's nice to do a piece of sculpture. |
"It's always going to be an added point of interest for visitors to the city and I will make the nicest piece of sculpture that I can. | "It's always going to be an added point of interest for visitors to the city and I will make the nicest piece of sculpture that I can. |
"It's going to be there for a long time, hopefully." | "It's going to be there for a long time, hopefully." |
Alan Beattie Herriot would make the model out of clay before turning it into a mould for the bronze foundry | Alan Beattie Herriot would make the model out of clay before turning it into a mould for the bronze foundry |
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