This statue in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens honours Wotjek, a Syrian Brown Bear that served in the Polish military during WW2.

Picked up in Iran by soldiers of the Polish 2nd Corps in 1943, and enlisted as a Private soldier in order to ensure his rations from the quartermaster, Wotjek would see active combat in Italy, where he helped to carry ammunition, eventually earning promotion to Corporal.

Following post-war demobilization, he retired to Edinburgh Zoo, where he lived peacefully until his eventual death in 1963.

The statue is seen here draped in the flag of Ukraine as a show of solidarity following the ongoing Russian invasion of that nation. The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv has been one of Edinburgh’s twin cities since 1989.

Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg,

And win the key-stane of the brig:

There at them thou thy tail may toss,

A running stream they dare na cross.

But ere the key-stane she could make,

The fient a tail she had to shake!

For Nannie far before the rest,

Hard upon noble Maggie prest,

And flew at Tam wi’ furious ettle;

But little wist she Maggie’s mettle—

Ae spring brought aff her master hale

But left behind her ain grey tail:

The carlin claught her by the rump,

And left poor Maggie scarce a stump.

Tam o’ Shanter – Robert Burns

On January 25th, we celebrate Burns Night with the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, often accompanied by an evening of songs and poetry (and the occasional dram!).

Robert Burns is undoubtedly one of the most famous Scots of all. Born into a farming family in 1759 in Alloway on the outskirts of Ayr, his works remain popular throughout the world, cementing his reputation as Scotland’s national Bard.

This willow sculpture in Burns’ home town is part of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, and depicts one of his best-known creations. Tam o’ Shanter tells the story of ‘a few pints after work’ gone horribly wrong, as our hero Tam flees for his life from an attractive but vengeful witch. Fortunately he had a responsible ‘designated driver’ in the shape of his faithful horse, Meg…