Smith Welcomes Extended Stay for ‘Lion of Scotland’

6/10/07

Margaret Smith MSP has welcomed the news that Cramond-based artist Ronald Rae has agreed to offer his ‘Lion of Scotland’ sculpture to the Scottish Parliament on an extended loan in recognition of local support. The Edinburgh West MSP has been campaigning for nearly two years along with other Edinburgh residents to keep Mr Rae’s lion sculpture in Holyrood Park, and further MSPs have now joined the campaign. Ms Smith has now written to First Minister and the Minister for Culture and the Arts to ask for their support in retaining the lion at Parliament.  

Commenting, Ms Smith said: “I am pleased that more and more people are joining the campaign to keep the lion outside Parliament. I have always felt that this is the ideal location for such a magnificent sculpture of our national symbol and I know that this a view shared by a great many others. It’s great that Ronald is happy for the lion to stay and I hope that I will receive positive responses from Mr Salmond and Ms Fabiani.”