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All the United Kingdom Scotland Musselburgh 'The Musselburgh Archer'
AO Edited

'The Musselburgh Archer'

A sculpture dedicated to the Roman history steeped in a Scottish town.

Musselburgh, Scotland

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linkogecko
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Bow-less archer.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Bow-less archer.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Harbor house, New Street   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
New Street/Edinburgh Road   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Brunton Theatre, Ladywell Way   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Sea Cadets, South Street   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
River Esk Path   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Brass Rubbing Plaque on nearby footbridge   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Map for locating arrows   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The Musselburgh Archer   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
One of the arrows on the trail, located in Inveresk.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Olivebank Stadium   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Lewisvale Park Birdcage   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Lewisvale Park Lantern   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Shortly after New Year’s Day, January 2021.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Hayweights Clock, Olive Bank Road   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Thank You NHS ” - COVID 19   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The Archer and surrounding trees, yarn bombed as of March 2020.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Yarn bombing of the Archer, reminiscent of Glasgow’s Duke of Wellington sculpture.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Inveresk Cemetery   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Sea Cadets, South Street   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
High Street   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
High Street   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Fisherrow Centre, South Street   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Fisherrow Centre, South Street   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Inveresk Cemetery   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Double Dykes, Inveresk   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Double Dykes, Inveresk   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Inveresk Cemetery   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
River Esk Path   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Bowling Club, New Street   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Target hanging across from the River Esk   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Taking aim   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The Musselburgh Archer   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
SAVE THE NHS, SAVE LIVES   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The Musselburgh Archer   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
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About

"The Musselburgh Archer" is one of two art projects funded in Musselburgh by the supermarket chain, Tesco. The other is the shiny mussel titled "Memory and Reflection." The art installations were the result of a deal brokered between the town and Tesco. In exchange for putting funding toward the artwork, Tesco was allowed to establish new facilities around Musselburgh. 

The statue itself was designed by Svetlana Kondakova and Maja Quille, two Edinburgh College of Art graduates who settled on the figure to represent several key periods of Musselburgh history. First, the archer represents the Roman occupation of the area during the year 80. It's also symbolic of the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh that took place in 1547, and lastly, it represents the Musselburgh Silver Arrow competition and trophy.

The centuries-old competition designed for archers began in 1603 and still continues to this day. The trophy for the contest is thought to be one of the world's oldest.

The statue anchors a trail of 15 oversized silver arrows spread across Musselburgh and the surrounding area. They were all placed at historically significant locations to showcase the history of Musselburgh. The statue can be found by the River Esk, wearing only a Roman-style pteruges and lacking both bow and arrows. The archer’s position and pose is mostly symbolic. Each arrow is engraved with a "wish" for the future of the town.

Related Tags

Statues Sports Art Public Art Roman

Know Before You Go

As it's located in a public park, the statue can be seen anytime.  

 

 

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Added By

linkogecko

Edited By

SEANETTA, hibbysam

  • SEANETTA
  • hibbysam

Published

October 15, 2019

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Sources
  • https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/16221723.archers-battle-to-claim-historic-silver-arrow/
  • https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/14264550.mussel-shell-and-archer-artworks-to-take-up-prominent-positions-in-musselburgh/
'The Musselburgh Archer'
Mall Ave
Musselburgh, Scotland, EH21 7BL
United Kingdom
55.941159, -3.056379
Get Directions

Nearby Places

St Michael's Parish Church and Kirkyard

Inveresk, Scotland

miles away

‘Memory and Reflection’

Musselburgh, Scotland

miles away

Former Edenhall Hospital

Musselburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Musselburgh

Musselburgh

Scotland

Places 4

Nearby Places

St Michael's Parish Church and Kirkyard

Inveresk, Scotland

miles away

‘Memory and Reflection’

Musselburgh, Scotland

miles away

Former Edenhall Hospital

Musselburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Musselburgh

Musselburgh

Scotland

Places 4

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