The DunBear

The DunBear is a five-metre high steel sculpture depicting a wild brown bear. Part of the Hallhill development, it is located next to the A1 at DunBear Park, Dunbar in East Lothian, Scotland.[1]

The DunBear sculpture

The DunBear was completed in 2019, unveiled on the 19th November of the same year, and is a tribute to the famous Dunbar-born naturalist John Muir. Muir, also known as ‘Father of the National Parks’, has been credited with playing a key role in the establishment of national parks around the world, including Yosemite National Park in the USA.[2]

This imposing brown bear sculpture was designed by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott, who is most famous for artworks like the Kelpies in Falkirk and the Beacon of Hope in Belfast.[3]

History

The name of the sculpture was chosen as the result of a competition between different local schools and The DunBear was voted as the favourite by a pupil at Dunbar Grammar School. Named The DunBear, this is a play in words between the town of Dunbar and the sculpture of a bear.[4]

The bear was chosen to symbolise the role that Dunbar-born naturalist John Muir had played in establishing national parks and helping preserve brown bears (‘grizzlies’).

According to sculptor Andy Scott "it is a symbol of the wilderness John Muir was such a passionate advocate of and is testament to his incredible desire to protect the natural environment” and that he hopes it “will provide an opportunity to enlighten people about the man and his work”.[5]

Planning permission for The DunBear was granted in October 2018 following the approval of the Scottish Government.

The sculpture forms part of the mixed-use Hallhill development, being undertaken by Hallhill Developments Limited, which started on site in 1999. This development features community hall and sports facilities, 56 acres of community woodland, park and ride parking and 1,500 homes including over 200 affordable family homes, as well as school provision and commercial and retail outlets.

In May 2020, it was announced that plans for a mixed-use low carbon development were being launched for the land surrounding the sculpture under the name DunBear Park.[6]

Structure
Andy Scott, Ken Ross and kids from Dunbar on the unveiling of the bear

Built of structural steel with a stainless-steel cladding, The DunBear is five-metres high and its construction began in 2018 and was completed by 2019. The DunBear is positioned on top of a mound at the Hallhill development in Dunbar[7]

This sculpture is fixed to a base erected on a mound planted with wildflowers and it is be illuminated by lighting using renewable energy. The bear is located off the A1 in close proximity to the Spott Roundabout at Dunbar.

In the media
  • The DunBear is unveiled with sculptor Andy Scott, schoolchildren from Dunbar Primary School and local dignitaries (BBC)
  • School girl wins competition to name the giant bear sculpture (STV)
  • DunBear dons virtual eye patch to mark ‘Big Night In’ and support local charity (North Edinburgh News)
  • Plans to create a low carbon community around The DunBear are revealed (East Lothian Courier)

References
  1. pm, InsightBernard PonsonbyPublished 30th July 2020 at 3:02 (2019-11-19). "Giant bear sculpture designed by Kelpies artist unveiled". STV News. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  2. "New bear sculpture in Dunbar to celebrate John Muir". John Muir Birthplace. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  3. McAlpine, Dayna (2019-11-18). "Dunbar bear: watch as new sculpture from Kelpies artist arrives in East Lothian". edinburghlive. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  4. pm, InsightBernard PonsonbyPublished 30th July 2020 at 3:02 (2020-02-04). "Schoolgirl wins competition to name giant bear sculpture". STV News. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  5. "Giant bear sculpture to honour John Muir unveiled". BBC News. 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  6. "Proposals for low carbon Dunbar community set to go on display". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  7. "Five metre high steel bear built by Kelpies sculptor unveiled in Dunbar". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
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