Royal launch for new sculpture and buildings on Campus
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited our Campus for the launch of a sculpture by the creator of The Kelpies and new buildings.
The Easter Bush Campus hosts the largest concentration of animal science and animal welfare related expertise anywhere in Europe. On 1 May, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has been to the Campus for the launch of new buildings and to unveil a new sculpture by the creator of The Kelpies Andy Scott.
The 15 foot steel sculpture of a horse’s head forms the centre piece of the landscaped entrance plaza to a new hub for staff and students. The Princess Royal, who is Chancellor of the University and Patron of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, unveiled the piece at the opening of the new building.
The new building has been named after the former Principal of the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Orlando Charnock Bradley. It houses the Roslin Innovation Centre, which provides laboratory and office space for animal and veterinary science start-up companies, a gym and the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre. Her Royal Highness also opened the School’s newly expanded equine hospital.
"Canter" has a similar composition to the Kelpies but creator Andy Scott said he wanted to produce something more animated, with a long flowing mane. Weighing in at around a ton and a half, the steel structure took one year from initial sketches to completion.
I chose a heavy horse to reflect the original intent of the School, which was set up to help workhorses in the early 19th Century. I am delighted with how it fits into the environment, blending with the unique architectural features of the building and the stone plinth.
As part of the visit, The Princess Royal toured expanded facilities in the equine hospital. These include new diagnostic and surgical suites, a critical care unit with 24 hour video monitoring and many features that enhance teaching.
The opening of the new expanded Equine Hospital represents a major step change in how we treat horses and we are delighted that The Princess Royal was here today for this event. We are also delighted with "Canter" by Andy Scott, an incredible piece of art and fitting for a veterinary school that was originally established to support the treatment of working horses.
The outreach centre is a purpose-built teaching laboratory which delivers interactive, curriculum-linked, hands-on learning workshops for school pupils and community groups of all ages. Her Royal Highness met pupils taking part in hands-on science activities and spoke to staff and researchers involved in delivering schools events.
She also visited the Edinburgh Medical School for the official launch of a major new initiative in global surgery aimed at improving care for cancer patients and the School of Engineering to celebrate 150 years since Queen Victoria bestowed the UK’s first Regius Chair of Engineering to the University. As well as meeting with leading staff and students, Her Royal Highness was given a demonstration of Professor Harald Haas' pioneering Li-fi technology, which transmits internet data through LED lights.
Contact
For more information please contact:
Jen Middleton
Press and Public Relations Officer
- Press and Public Relations
- Communications and Marketing
Contact details
- Work: +44 (0)131 650 6514
- Email: jen.middleton@ed.ac.uk
Relevant links
Equine Veterinary Services
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre
Photos