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All the United Kingdom Scotland Dunbar 'The DunBear'

'The DunBear'

This giant steel bear is a tribute to naturalist John Muir.

Dunbar, Scotland

Added By
katielou106
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Bear sculpture at Dunbar   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
Bear sculpture at Dunbar   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
The DunBear   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
  Ariadnaroca1995 / CC BY-SA 4.0
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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About

A towering 16 1/2 foot, (5 meters)steel bear stands in Dunbar, a Scottish town that stands on the coast of the North Sea. The sculpture, officially named The DunBear, is built of structural steel and covered with stainless-steel cladding. It was built as a tribute to the naturalist John Muir, who was born just down the road.

The sculpture was created in 2019 by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott, who is best known for his sculpture The Kelpies in Falkirk. He described the work as "a symbol of the wilderness John Muir was such a passionate advocate of." The sculpture is positioned on a base planted with wildflowers. At night it is lit up with the lights powered by nearby solar panels.

A brown bear was chosen to honor Muir's role as the "Father of the National Parks." His work establishing parks like Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in the western United States has helped protect brown bears, among many other animals. The name of the sculpture was chosen as the result of a competition between local schools and The DunBear, a mixture of Dunbar and bear, was voted as the favorite.

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Art Outside Sculptures Bears

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The bear is located off the A1 in close proximity to the Spott Roundabout at Dunbar, there is a layby on the A1 where you can pull in and walk.

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Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

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Added By

katielou106

Edited By

SEANETTA, Michelle Cassidy

  • SEANETTA
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

October 25, 2022

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Sources
  • http://www.andyscottsculptor.com/sculptures/the-dun-bear
  • https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/the-dunbear-308975
'The DunBear'
Spott Rd
Dunbar, Scotland, EH42 1BF
United Kingdom
55.988265, -2.507076
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

John Muir's Birthplace

Dunbar, Scotland

miles away

'The Fishermen's Monument'

Dunbar, Scotland

miles away

Dunbar Outdoor Pool Remains

Dunbar, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Dunbar

Dunbar

Scotland

Places 5

Nearby Places

John Muir's Birthplace

Dunbar, Scotland

miles away

'The Fishermen's Monument'

Dunbar, Scotland

miles away

Dunbar Outdoor Pool Remains

Dunbar, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Dunbar

Dunbar

Scotland

Places 5

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