The bronze statues, which are a well-known landmark on Elm Row, have been subjected to vandalism in the past – with one going missing in December 2023.
A bronze pigeon sculpture has vanished again from Elm Walk
Police are probing the theft of a beloved pigeon statue in Edinburgh after it disappeared for a second time.
The bronze statues, which are a well-known landmark on Elm Row, have been subjected to vandalism in the past – with one going missing in December 2023.
Now two statues have once again been removed from their base.
One of the birds is in Edinburgh council’s possession but the other pigeon remains missing.
Councillor Jack Caldwell reported the incident to Police and has been encouraging anyone with information to get in touch with the authorities.
He told Edinburgh Live: “The second one is still very much up in the air. The city itself, it doesn’t make new public art in large quantities anymore so when the existing things go missing, it’s not just the things themselves but the sentimental value. People take note.”
The sculptures are a hit with locals
The birds, created by sculptor Shona Kinloch, were introduced to the area in 1996 before being removed ten years later.
They were reinstalled in July 2023 upon completion of the extension to the city’s tram line down Leith Walk.
The pigeons were placed alongside the London Road Pillar Clock, which was returned to Leith Walk in August 2022, following its full restoration.
But a few months later one of the pigeons, which was thought to have been stolen, was handed in to a local café.
Craig Jones Rowley spotted the bird on its side on Elm Row after he said it was “hacked” from its plinth.
He gave it to a friend who works in the nearby café for safekeeping before the artwork was reported missing to the council.
Each of the sculptures weigh up to 20lb (9kg).
Police Scotland confirmed that investigations into the latest reported theft are ongoing.
A spokesperson said: ” “Around 4.10pm on Thursday, 15 May, 2025, we received a report of a theft of a statue on Elm Row, Edinburgh.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
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