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In 1994 the Saltire Society commissioned Alexander Stoddart to create a statue of the Scots philosopher, David Hume. The sulpture is installed at the corner of Bank Street and High Street in Edinburgh contributing to the aesthetics of The Royal Mile.

Ownership of the statue passed from The Saltire Society to the City of Edinburgh. This was in agreement with the SAC and on the condition that the City of Edinburgh’s “use of the statue is consistent with the purpose of the Saltire Society’s application” and that they assumed responsibility for meeting any other conditions of the SAC Lottery funding.

The Saltire Society was later succesful in securing further funds from the SAC to meet an unforeseen shortfall in finances for this project.

Artists

• Alexander Stoddart

Funding

SAC Award amount

£25,000.00

Project total cost

£100,000.00

Funding purpose

Towards the cost of producing a statue in memory of the great Scots philosopher and historian, David Hume (1711-1776).

(Please note dates and details correct at time of award.)

Consultation & Commissioning Process

A judging panel (comprising the Hume Commemoration Committee and the Convener of the Society’s Arts and Crafts in Architecture Committee) selected a shortlist of three artists from a limited competition of seven artists. The shortlisted artists were interviewed by the judging panel prior to the final decision of Alexander Stoddart.

Outcomes

• Bronze statue of David Hume mounted on stone plinth