Remember a stone Lion over door of Bath Place cottage?

Gordon Mackenzie · Post by **Gordon Mackenzie** » 11 Nov 2009, 14:46

Hi there,

Does anyone remember there being a stone lion over the door of the cottage at 4 Bath Place (the white cottage)?

My next door neighbour tells me there used to be a stone statue of a lion lying down around 3ft long which sat above the doorway. As the new owner, I am keen to restore it. It will be a fun thing to point out to kids on the promenade.

Does anyone know why it was there - was there a connection with lions at the marine gardens?

Does anyone have a picture where you can see the house? And does anyone know what happened to the lion or when?

Any clues welcome - they all help put the jigsaw together.

Thanks for your help
G

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 11 Nov 2009, 16:05

I have a vague memory of a lion about that size in Bath Street but I thought to sat on a wall in the front garden, can't be sure.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 11 Nov 2009, 17:19

I heard that as well - ask Sandy who lives next door to you in the cottage with the long front garden - he'll definately remember.

Gordon Mackenzie · Post by **Gordon Mackenzie** » 11 Nov 2009, 17:24

It was actually Sandy's wife Reena that told me about it in the first place, but she couldn't remember what the story behind it was, or what happened to it.

Sadly I have to report that Sandy passed away last week after a short illness.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 11 Nov 2009, 19:59

Oh no, I never knew. How sad. He used to chaperone me along the beach when each of us had dogs if it was a dark night. Thankyou for telling us Gordon.

I hope you'll be happy in your new house.

Gordon Mackenzie · Post by **Gordon Mackenzie** » 11 Nov 2009, 21:34

Yes he was a lovely man, and he had a lovely funeral to send him off.

Thanks for the good wishes. We love the house, and hope soon to do something about tidying up the unloved ground at the front.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 11 Nov 2009, 21:53

I'm so sorry to hear about Sandy.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 12 Nov 2009, 16:51

SoupDragon wrote:I'm so sorry to hear about Sandy.

Sad news. He was a lovely, lovely man. Have had many 'chaperoned' walks with him and dogs in my time too

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 14 Nov 2009, 05:27

it is very sad. What age was Sandy-i'm thinking 84?

Warcorro · Post by **Warcorro** » 18 Dec 2009, 11:53

I mentioned this to a friend who knows a lot about the area. My friend was pretty certain there was a stone lion above the door lintel on the white cottage on Bath Place. he confirms it was quite large, and the lion was in a recumbent position, possibly looking out to sea. Thinks there as a story about some connection with a man (possible resident?) who was involved with the Portobello Marine Gardens, where the bus station on Seafield Rd now is, which featured lions as part of the exhibit. However, apparently several of these cottages were also used as holiday homes for wealthy people, so it may have been a status thing or family symbol.