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Sculpture
Sandy Stoddart
David Balfour
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Robert Louis Stevenson
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Alan Breck Stewart
'Kidnapped'
Western Corner
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Statue of Alan Breck Stewart and David Balfour

Statue of Alan Breck Stewart and David Balfour
Statue of Alan Stewart (left) and the fictional David Balfour (right), from Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped.

Is this the only double statue that features a real-life character and a fictional character?

THE AUTHOR ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON was born in Edinburgh in 1850. He based many of the characters and circumstances in his 1886 adventurous tale Kidnapped on actual people and places. Two such individuals were David Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart. At the conclusion of the story, the two characters bid farewell to one another at a spot referred to as “Rest and Be Thankful” on nearby Corstorphine Hill. This might explain their unusual placement on a busy road on the outskirts of Edinburgh’s city center. The statue was designed by Scottish artist Sandy Stoddart. It was unveiled by Sir Sean Connery, another of the city’s legendary citizens, in 2004. The grounds adjacent to the monument once boasted the Balfour Stewart House, the headquarters of a brewing company that was demolished in 2008. Quoted from Atlas Obscura

The main character and narrator [in Kidnapped] is 17-year-old David Balfour. (Balfour is Stevenson's mother's maiden name.) His parents have recently died, and he is out to make his way in the world. He is given a letter by the minister of Essendean, Mr. Campbell, to be delivered to the House of Shaws in Cramond, where David's uncle, Ebenezer Balfour, lives. Quoted from Wikipedia

The statue, depicting characters from the Robert Louis Stevenson novel 'Kidnapped', sits facing Western Corner, an important site within the novel. Quoted from the Canmore website

Alan Breck Stewart was a Scottish soldier and Jacobite. He was also a central figure in a murder case that inspired novels by Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Quoted from Wikipedia

╰☆☆June☆☆╮, Ulrich John, Percy Schramm, and 6 other people have particularly liked this photo


22 comments - The latest ones
 Daniela Brocca
Daniela Brocca club
Thank you, Joe. I don't know the personage, I don't even remember the book. A pity. I see, the other was a real person.
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Daniela Brocca club
I have read the book, Dany. It was fantastic. It was made into a film starring Michael Caine. Thank for you very kind comment. Cheers, Joe
3 years ago.
Daniela Brocca club has replied to Joe, Son of the Rock club
I have an old photo from a double in Berlin, Marx and Engels.
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Daniela Brocca club
I studied both of those at uni, Dany. Cheers, Joe
3 years ago.
 sea-herdorf
sea-herdorf club
Eine interessante Persionalie schlilderst Du uns zu den beiden Statuen, Joe.
Freundliche Grüße, einen schönen Sonntag und bleib gesund.
Erich
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to sea-herdorf club
Vielen Dank für deinen sehr netten Kommentar, Erich. HFF und ein schönes Wochenende. Mit freundlichen Grüßen aus Schottland, Joe
3 years ago.
 Rosalyn Hilborne
Rosalyn Hilborne club
One of the nicest statues I have seen Joe. What a great idea to put the two men together! A great book! About time they remade the film! Cheers, Rosa.
3 years ago.
 Joe, Son of the Rock
Joe, Son of the Rock club
I agree, Rosa. If they ever remake the film, I hope they pick someone who can do a better Scots accent than Michael Caine. LOL. Cheers, Joe
3 years ago.
Rosalyn Hilborne club has replied to Joe, Son of the Rock club
Ha ha....yes!! How about Mark Bonnar...I like him. Did you see the mini series 'Guilt' with him in? So good and great black comedy!
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Rosalyn Hilborne club
No, I haven't seen the mini series. Thanks for your very kind comment, Rosa. Cheers, Joe
3 years ago.
 Nicole Merdrignac
Nicole Merdrignac club
Superbes statues. Nicole.
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Nicole Merdrignac club
Merci pour ce beau compliment, Nicole. Amitiés, Joe
3 years ago.
 Jean
Jean
I really like the statue. I'm a big fan of Stevenson. He wrote such a variety of material and led a fascinating life.
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Jean
I have read Kidnapped, Jean. Reading the follow up, Catriona, is on my bucket list. Thanks for your very kind comment. All the best, Joe
3 years ago.
 Mario Vargas
Mario Vargas club
sharp shot, fantastic statues
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Mario Vargas club
Thanks for your very kind comment, Mario. Cheers, Joe
3 years ago.
 Madeleine Defawes
Madeleine Defawes club
Superbe double statue bien captée !
Bonne semaine. Amitiés
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Madeleine Defawes club
Merci pour ce très gentil commentaire, Madeleine. Bonne semaine. Amitiés, Joe
3 years ago.
 Jaap van 't Veen
Jaap van 't Veen club
Beautiful work.
Thank you for the info.
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Jaap van 't Veen club
Thanks for your very kind comment, Jaap. Cheers, Joe
3 years ago.
 Percy Schramm
Percy Schramm club
Very interesting history, Joe !
3 years ago.
Joe, Son of the Rock club has replied to Percy Schramm club
Thanks for your very kind comment, Percy. Cheers, Jo
3 years ago.

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