An update from Cllr. Melanie Main on the Meadows Jawbone.

Last week the pathway at the site of the Jawbone Arch in the Meadows was re-surfaced. The jawbones themselves are still undergoing conservation work, which is taking longer than previous estimates anticipated: this delay has led to the ongoing closure of the pathway and we are aware of the inconvenience this has caused to Meadows users. As the conservation processes is still underway, the pathway has been resurfaced and reopened for normal use. Once the conservation works are completed, the pathway will be closed for a short period while the reinstallation takes place.

[Note: The conservation of whale jawbones is a complex and unusual task, which requires specialist conservation experts to develop and implement the best approach. The project has taken longer than initial studies anticipated, due to a number of factors including the complexity of conserving ‘organic’ whalebone, and the going into liquidation of a specialist conservation company which was working on the project. Once restored, the Jawbone Arch will return to the Meadows, and this important Edinburgh landmark will be in place for people to enjoy for another hundred years.]