Kelly’s Cats adorn Union Bridge in Aberdeen. Commissioned by architect William Kelly, and designed by artist Sidney Boyes, they were added to the bridge in 1910. They’re leopards, taken from the Aberdeen Coat of Arms. Two leopards are said to have been gifted to the city by James I to thank them for helping him when he was captured by the English.
Below is the Coat of Arms displayed in Duthie Park. Missing, possibly obscured by foliage, are the words, and city motto, Bon Accord, meaning good agreement. This was a secret password used by soldiers of Robert the Bruce when they retook Aberdeen Castle (long gone now) from, again, the English.
An older photo of Kelly’s Cats, taken before the golden safety railings were in place:
Leopards are also represented in the nearby Union Terrace Gardens.
As are unicorns, Scotland’s national animal (yes, really).
Globe thistles, His Majesty’s Theatre in background:
Anemones:
Larger view of the gardens, where wild flowers now abound. Bon Accord!
Sisters at the Edge of the World
From the misty hills of ancient Scotland emerges a tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for freedom.
Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society
See the press release here
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
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The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…
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It’s wonderful to have a big public garden in the middle of a city.
It is. The garden almost got filled in with concrete for a shopping mall, but public protest stopped that.
The terrace garden is fabulous, Ailish. It’s nice that leopards and unicorns are represented.
It is a great space.