Robert Fergusson

This sculpture may be well known to many of you. The poet Robert Fergusson isn't hugely well known but was I think a huge inspiration to Robert Burns despite dying at a very young age.

I took the photo this afternoon on a rare excursion out of the Parliament building. I've always loved the statue - if that's the right word. 'Statue' seems such a static word yet this work has so much movement in it you could almost believe that with only a little effort Fergusson himself would take the next step. The artist was David Annand who coincidentally also created the work in Perth's High St which I blipped a few days ago. I think he is a brilliant sculptor. His work is so accessible. The public pieces are on a human scale, easily approached and touched yet I've never seen any sign of their being vandalised. Doesn't that say somehing?

Anyway, here's the wee poem associated with the Fergusson piece:

Auld Reikie, A Poem

Auld Reikie, wale o' ilka toun
That Scotland kens beneath the moon;
Whare couthy chiels at e'ening meet
Their bizzing craigs and mous to weet ;
And blythly gar auld care gae by
Wi blinkit and wi bleering eye :

Robert Fergusson, 1773