John Rattray to return to the Links

The Leith Rules Golf Society have announced detailed plans for a £150,000 statue, designed to create "an internationally revered place for the Game of Golf." 

The figure in the statue is John Rattray, a surgeon, who reputedly signed off the original rules of Golf on the 7th of March in 1744.

According to the documentation seen by Greener Leith, "The statue will be erected on a circular paved platform of ‘Caithness’ slab of 6-8m  in diameter, designed to allow pedestrian access to it and to two stone memorial columns with bronze entablature with the Thirteen Original Rules of Golf on one and the sponsors and the names of their golf courses on the other. The Statue within its platform setting will be accessed by an integral paved footpath system forming the Salamander Place Entrance to Leith Links. The statue and its surrounds will be conceived in harmony with the designed landscape of the Links. Cut stone slab seating will be incorporated forming a curved edge to the rear of the statue platform."

We don't know where the LRGS get their money from (we'd certainly like to speak to their fundraisers!), but they intend to commission celebrated Scottish sculptor, David Annand to produce the sculpture. Furthermore, it's also re-assuring to see that there's also a commitment to use high quality materials throughout the hard landscaping associated with the project.  There are a lot of positives about this proposal. It will help to attract more tourists to Leith, and help to explain the parks historic link with Golf. Most importantly, it could give a distinctive identity to the park too.

However, we would like to see the LRGS work with other groups to ensure that the regeneration of the Links takes place in a coordinated way, and we wonder whether some local residents might be concerned at the prospect of regular coach tours appearing on their doorsteps. There are other moves afoot to improve various parts of Leith Links and so it would be unfortunate if these proceeded in a piecemeal fashion.

Although The LRGS plan to have the statue in place in time for the Scottish Open in 2012, they will need to apply for planning permission to take the proposals forwards, and so there will be a chance for everyone to formally comment on the plans before they get the go ahead.