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Public park brings new life to iconic gasholder site

Craig Williams
BBC Scotland News
BBC A silver sculpture of a Humpback Whale head on a pebble patch within a green field inside a restored metal gas holder. The holder is painted blue and there is a rainbow behind.BBC
A sculpture of a breaching Humpback Whale is at the centre of the new park

Granton's three gasholders dominated Edinburgh's northern skyline for decades.

Now, almost 25 years since they were taken out of use, a public park is being officially opened on the grounds inside the remaining, restored structure.

It is part of the proposed £1.3bn regeneration of the wider area and the park includes a new sculpture of a breaching humpback whale, a regular visitor to the nearby Firth of Forth.

It is hoped the park will offer visitors and members of the local community an opportunity to learn something about the area's industrial history.

A silver sculpture of a Humpback Whale head on a pebble patch within a green field inside a restored metal gas holder. The holder is painted blue.
The sculpture is the work of Edinburgh artist Svetlana Kondakora Muir

The sculpture by Edinburgh-based artist Svetlana Kondakora Muir stands in the middle of the 252ft (76m) diameter frame - all that remains of the first gasholder on the site.

Opened in 1901, the 165ft (50m) tall structure underwent a £20m restoration which included removing the tanks and operating gear and a full refurbishment and preservation of its 100,000 rivets and 26 columns.

The site now includes three play areas with a range of play equipment and an inner ring walk going round the outer edges of the frame.

An outdoor exhibition has been created, explaining the history of Granton gasworks as well as the restoration process.

A metal frame silhoutted against a dark and brooding sky. Bare trees can be seen in the foreground, adding to the atmosphere.
The holder structure is 165ft (50m) tall and is built with 100,000 rivets
A colourful display on Granton Waterfront among a number of others, inside the blue frame of the restored holder.
The park includes a display describing the history of the gas works

Granton's gas works were built in the 1890s, amid increasing demand and the need to modernise production and supply of gas in Edinburgh.

The 106 acre site, which offered good potential for rail access, was purchased from the Duke of Buccleuch for £124,000, the equivalent of about £13m today.

Number 1 Holder opened in 1901 and was joined by two other holders completed in 1930 and 1966.

The site was later converted to handle natural gas and operated as a storage facility until 2001, the first holder's 100th anniversary.

PA Media A blue gas holder being blown up and falling to the left. A metal framed holder to its right remains untouched.PA Media
PA Media A blue gas holder being blown up and falling to the left. A metal framed holder to its right remains untouched.PA Media
The holders which stood either side of the main structure were demolished more than 20 years ago

The distinctive blue holders which stood either side of the main structure were demolished in 2003 and 2004.

Number 2 holder was built in 1930, with the third completed in 1966. It was the tallest of the three at 275ft (83m).

The restoration of Holder Number 1 was undertaken by contractors McLaughlin and Harvey and was funded by the UK and Scottish governments.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher said Friday's opening was a "huge milestone" for the regeneration project, which includes new homes and public spaces.

"The new park is a fantastic addition for local communities and the hundreds of new tenants including families who have recently moved into the homes we have built for social and mid-market rent in the area," she said.

"The historic gasholder gives the new park a unique look and feel and it will also be seen for miles around as the restored frame is lit up after dark."