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A book sculpture of a girl and a frosted tree rising from an open storybook, displayed in a glass case
Edinburgh

Edinburgh Book Sculptures

Eleven sculptures cut from old books, left anonymously at Edinburgh's libraries and museums in 2011 and 2012, and still on show there.

Welcome

In March 2011 a small tree made of book pages appeared on a table in the Scottish Poetry Library, a gilded eggshell at its foot and tiny birds in its branches.

Nobody saw who left it. The tag read, in part, that it was for the library, 'in support of books, libraries, words, ideas'.

Over the months that followed nine more arrived, at the National Library, the Central Library, the Filmhouse, the Storytelling Centre, the National Museum and the Writers' Museum, each cut from an old book and each a small scene: a gramophone made from Ian Rankin's last Rebus novel, a dragon's nest, a street scene, a cinema. A final gift came to the Poetry Library at the end of 2012.

The maker has never been named. The Poetry Library's guide says where each one is now; the buildings are free to visit, and they can be walked between in a couple of hours.

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The Daily for 4 November, from Scotland with love. A pink sandstone castle bristling with conical turrets and a Union Jack flag rises above a gravel forecourt, autumn-tinged ivy climbing one wing beside cannon displayed on the lawn.
Close byWedgwoodA restaurant on the Canongate run by Paul and Lisa Wedgwood since 2007, cooking Scottish produce with herbs the chef forages himself.2 min by roadSee itWedgwood
Before you go

The sculptures are spread across seven buildings, all free to enter, and it is possible to walk between them all; the library's guide suggests allowing a couple of hours.

Each building keeps its own hours.

Scottish Poetry Library
Poetree, Cap and gloves, and A child's garden. Crichton's Close, Canongate.
Central Library
Tea, cake and a book; Lost in a good book; Magnifying glass. George IV Bridge.
National Library of Scotland
Coffin and gramophone. George IV Bridge.
The rest
Dragon's nest at the Scottish Storytelling Centre; Dinosaur at the National Museum of Scotland; Street scene at the Writers' Museum; Cinema at the Filmhouse.

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Where it is

Across the Old Town and the South Side, from the Canongate to George IV Bridge and Lothian Road.

Close byThe libraries and museums that hold them.
  1. A slice of New York-style margherita pizza on Flùr's printed paper, on a table in the Bonnie and Wild food hall.FlùrUnder a mile as the crow flies
  2. The Scottish Storytelling CentreThe Scottish Storytelling CentreAn Old Town arts venue given over to the Scottish art of telling a tale.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. Edinburgh Castle seen from a rooftop terrace with a stone drainage holeAndy Goldsworthy's 'Hutton Roof'Four blocks of sandstone by Andy Goldsworthy on the roof of the National Museum of Scotland.Under a mile 2 min by road
  4. Writers' MuseumWriters' MuseumA free museum of Burns, Scott and Stevenson in Lady Stair's House, off the Lawnmarket.Under a mile 3 min by road
  5. White Horse CloseWhite Horse CloseA white-harled courtyard of crow-stepped houses at the foot of the Canongate.Under a mile 3 min by road
  6. Scottish Poetry LibraryScottish Poetry LibraryA free library of poetry off the Canongate, home of the first of the book sculptures.Under a mile 4 min by road
Directions
The front of Bonnie & Wild on Level 4 of the St James Quarter, its name above the doors, with people eating at the tables outside under the glass roof.RestaurantsBonnie & WildA step away
A table at Roti King: roti canai with a bowl of curry, nasi lemak with fried chicken and sambal, chicken satay, morning glory and glasses of iced tea.RestaurantsRoti KingA step away
The banking hall at The Spence, Gleneagles Townhouse, with its glass dome, gilded ceiling and granite columns above diners and the central bar.RestaurantsThe SpenceA step away
The stone arch at the foot of Fleshmarket Close, its name above and steps climbing away, people walking up.AttractionsFleshmarket Close0.2 miles
Framed pictures line an exposed brick wall beside a yellow-topped bar with beer tapsRestaurantsArcade Bar0.2 miles
A wooden market chalet hung with greenery and lights at Edinburgh's Christmas Markets, with people walking past.AttractionsIt’s Time to Admire Edinburgh’s Christmas Decorations0.2 miles
Cafe Calton's terrace on top of Calton Hill on a sunny day, people at tables looking out over the city to the Firth of Forth.CafeCafe Calton0.2 miles
The Cheese Gallery at The Big Cheese on Broughton Street: glass cabinets of cut wedges and whole wheels of cheese, each with its label.ShoppingThe Big Cheese0.3 miles
A flight of whiskies and their bottles on a table in a stone vault at the Lost Close, a chandelier behind.AttractionsThe Lost Close0.3 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the sculptures, and when each is next free.

A hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Poetry Library
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Poetry Library
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the Poetry Library
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the Poetry Library
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .