John Rattray Statue Landscaping, Leith Links
For over two years fencing surrounded the statue of John Rattray and the landscaped
mounds on the Links so that the planting of wild flowers selected by Royal Botanic Gardens staff could become established.
We could see the wonderful display of flowers developing each summer and the public, quite rightly asked when would the fencing come down and last September it was removed.
The ecosystem of the coastal planting is developing but is now in danger of being destroyed due to adults and children walking and cycling over the mounds.
The statue and mounds were created to celebrate Leith’s connection with the history of golf when the first recorded rules of the game were written for a competition on the Links in 1744.
The mounds represent the original landscape of the Links when it would have had a similar appearance to Longniddry, St Andrews or Carnoustie.
As we come out of the covid pandemic we hope that the statue will attract many visitors interested in the origins and history of golf. Hopefully they will also spend more time in Leith discovering the areas historic past and supporting local businesses by spending their money in shops, cafes and restaurants.
The statue and landscaping are a great asset to the Links and Leith but we need you the public to help by respecting and caring for them.
I’ve attached a list of the range of seeds planted on the mounds below which we would hope to see each year.
PDFWildflowers planted on Leith LInks 2019
Best wishes
Jim Scanlon MBE
Chair Leith Links Community Council and member of Leith Rules Golf Society