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One of the scrap-metal giraffes outside the OMNi Centre on Leith Walk, the city beyond.
Edinburgh

The Dreaming Spires

Two giraffes of scrap metal by Helen Denerley, a mother and calf, standing outside the OMNi Centre at the top of Leith Walk since 2005.

Welcome

At the top of Leith Walk, in front of the glass wall of the OMNi Centre, two giraffes stroll across the paving, heads high above the passing buses.

They are the Dreaming Spires, made by the Scottish sculptor Helen Denerley and put up in July 2005 as the winning entry in a competition for a work to stand here.

They are a mother and her calf, and their maker calls them Martha and Gilbert. Martha stands six metres tall, and both are built entirely from scrap metal, old parts welded together until the pieces turn into long legs, knobbly knees and patient faces. Look down at their feet and a ring of metal letters spells out lines from Roy Campbell's poem Giraffes, about a people who live between earth and skies.

They stand in the open and can be seen at any hour.

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Round the cornerPicklesA cosy wine bar on Broughton Street of Scottish cheese and meat platters, chutneys and pickles, wine and cider, with no bookings taken.1 min by roadSee itPickles

Before you go

The giraffes stand in the open in front of the OMNi Centre, and can be seen at any hour.

Where
Outside the OMNi Centre, Greenside Place, at the top of Leith Walk.

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Where it is

At the top of Leith Walk, outside the OMNi Centre, below Calton Hill.

Close byThe top of Leith Walk and Calton Hill.
  1. Man standing outside The Street bar, with rainbow murals and pavement seatingThe StreetA cafe and bar over two floors on Picardy Place, at the heart of the city's LGBT quarter, with food until late and DJs at the weekend.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Cheese Gallery at The Big Cheese on Broughton Street: glass cabinets of cut wedges and whole wheels of cheese, each with its label.The Big CheeseA cheese shop on Broughton Street, opened in 2026, with more than 50 cheeses from Scotland, the rest of the UK and Europe, cut to order.Under a mile as the crow flies
  3. Cushioned window seat between crowded bookshelves in a wood-panelled libraryMcNaughtan's Bookshop & GalleryScotland's oldest second-hand and antiquarian bookshop, since 1957.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Old Calton Burial GroundThe graveyard on the slope below Calton Hill.Under a mile 4 min by road
  5. Calton HillCalton HillA volcanic hill at the east end of Princes Street, crowned with monuments.Under a mile 4 min by road
  6. Nelson MonumentNelson MonumentA tower shaped like an upturned telescope on Calton Hill.Under a mile 4 min by road
Directions
Cakes and pastries on Polish pottery stands at Stòr on Broughton Street, EdinburghShoppingStòr Lifestyle, EdinburghA step away
A slice of New York-style margherita pizza on Flùr's printed paper, on a table in the Bonnie and Wild food hall.RestaurantsFlùrA step away
Lucky Yu's blue shopfront on Broughton Street at dusk, its windows lit pink by neon around an old wooden door.RestaurantsLucky YuA step away
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
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 CaltonA step away
Vinette's pale front on Broughton Street at dusk, its name above the apricot door and tall window, with lamps lit either side.RestaurantsVinette0.2 miles
The Broughton's deep blue pub front on Broughton Street, its name in gold above the windows and Welcome over the door.RestaurantsThe Broughton0.2 miles
Street food spread on a blue table, with Chix and Fabrica packaging visibleRestaurantsEdinburgh Street Food0.2 miles
Sesame bun burger with charred patty, frilly lettuce and red sauceRestaurantsHoly Cow0.2 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the giraffes, 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 giraffes
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 giraffes
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the giraffes
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 giraffes
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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