Scottish Poetry Library
A Corncrake in Charlotte Square
9 – 25 August 2014
© Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
“Before the traffic, the corncrake” Thomas A Clark
Visitors to Charlotte Square Gardens might be surprised to hear the call of a corncrake. This is not a stray bird but an installation by Thomas A Clark. On summer evenings in the 18th century, before the construction of the New Town, this would have been a familiar sound: "…But how can I forget the nights in which I have stood at the north-west corner of Charlotte Square, and listened to the ceaseless rural corn-craiks, nestling happily in the dewy grass.” Henry Cockburn
A recording of this shy bird, now found only in remote locations, will be played each evening, as a historical reconstruction, or modest reparation. In collaboration with Edinburgh International Book Festival, supported by RSPB.
Mon-Sun, Evenings
Free admission