When Edinburgh was twinned with San Diego in 1977, the exchange of statues left some Scots feeling they got a 'bum' deal. The American city sent a statue of a stray dog named Bum, while Edinburgh gave a statue of Greyfriars Bobby.
Statue Exchange Marks Twinning
As part of the twinning agreement to boost tourism and international ties, the two cities exchanged statues of famous dogs. Edinburgh sent a statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal Skye terrier, while San Diego sent a statue of Bum, a stray dog adopted by the city's residents in the 1800s.
TikTok user Clan Broonford explained the story, noting that Bum was a stray who became a beloved figure in San Diego, riding horses, jumping on trams, and even attending baseball games. The statue in Edinburgh replicates Bum's injury from a railway accident, which cost him half a foreleg.
Where to Find Bum in Edinburgh
Visitors can see the statue at the base of Castle Rock, near St Cuthbert's Church at the west end of Princes Street Gardens. Some viewers of the TikTok post expressed regret at not knowing about the statue during their visits, while others were amused by the name. One commenter joked, 'So... it was a bum deal?' Another noted that San Diego also has a statue of Bobby in the Gaslamp District.
