Dunedin Rocks!

In 1999, Edinburgh-based sculptor Sylvia Stewart took a rock from the Water of Leith in Dunedin, New Zealand, transported it 12,000 miles to Edinburgh, carved it and then installed it as piece of public art on the quayside in Leith, Scotland.

At 2.30pm, this Tuesday, 22 November, a companion work from Edinburgh by the same artist, and featuring Scottish stone, will be unveiled beside the Waters of Leith as a symbol of the sister city relationship and completing the ‘circle of trade’ between the two cities.

The Edinburgh gift will be situated on the grassed esplanade beside the Waters of Leith, outside the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Ravensbourne Road, Dunedin.

Patrick Reilly, Deputy British High Commissioner to New Zealand will represent the Right Honourable George Grubb, the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, accompanied by various Dunedin Scottish groups.

Dunedin Mayor, Dave Cull, will recite a short poem adapted from Ancient Gaelic runes to complete the ceremony.

The stone, and its Edinburgh counterpart, represents the long-lasting friendship between Edinburgh and Dunedin.