Hunter Square

A small L-shaped precinct in Central Edinburgh, Hunter Square lies between the former Tron Kirk and Blair Street. Named after Sir James Hunter Blair (1741-87), who was a Lord Provost of Edinburgh, it now serves as a busy thoroughfare between South Bridge and the High Street. The building of the square involved the demolition of several Old Town closes, including Marlin's Close, the remains of the upper section of which can still be seen within the Tron Kirk. Pleasant classically-fronted buildings (three of which have prominent pediments) that date from the 1785-90 now lie around a modern hotel building. At ground level, these form restaurants, cafes, a bar and a retail outlet. Public sculpture was installed here as part of a project to improve the square in the mid-1990s, unveiled by HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay on 13th January 1997. These include a water bowl giving the impression of a voluptuous human body but inspired by the fluid nature of the volcanic rocks of the underlying geology, and bronze fruit baskets and seats set in the granite walls, stone blocks and slabs which are now a feature of the square. Poetic inscriptions provide definitions for the words Nut, Olive, Pear and Red Currant. A gold-painted double pillar box commemorates a gold medal won by cyclist Sir Chris Hoy in Men's Keirin at the London Olympics of 2012.

Opening here in 2012, UN House Scotland is a centre which aims to become a local voice of the United Nations.


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