Burke & Hare

Today was the last of the series of guided walks on 'Edinburgh on the Edge', and we walked the Union Canal from Fountainbridge to a bit beyond Slateford.
The walk started at what is now Loudon's cafe, but was the HQ of the St Cuthbert's Co-operative Society. I've tried to use extras to show some of the plaques on the building, but without success. Perhaps a later edit will allow me to add them - the building is well worth a look anyway.
Now frequently used by cyclists (and brave pedestrians) the canal provides a safe route from the west into the centre of Edinburgh.
During our walk, we came across this 12ft high sculpture in an old elm tree depicting the notorious murderers Burke and Hare who originally worked as 'navvies' building the union canal.
The statue was commissioned in 2003 by the then British Waterways Board
This Link tells more of the story of the statue.
Somehow it seems appropriate to see it decaying ....