A famous Edinburgh clock which stands tall at a busy city centre crossroads has been taken away by the council after a routine inspection uncovered a small crack.
The clock at Tollcross crossroads was removed recently, with the community council telling how a recent inspection by the City of Edinburgh Council discovered a small crack at the foot of the clock, so it was taken away for repairs.
The C-listed clock was designed in the early 20th century and sits in a metal case, with white faces and block Roman numerals. It was made by James Ritchie & Son.
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The Facebook post from the Tollcross Community Council reads: "You might have noticed that the clock has disappeared from the Tollcross junction.
"Apparently there was a routine condition check recently and crack was spotted near the base.
"The Council decided it was safer to remove it. They estimate £60k is needed to repair it, and at the moment just say that it will repaired and replaced once they have identified a budget.
"Watch this space …"
The clock represents a significant part of the history of Tollcross, separating four significant Edinburgh areas. To the north, Lauriston Place, to the east, Broughham Street, to the south, The Meadows and Bruntsfield, and West Tollcross to the west.
The famous clock has been one of the city's landmarks since 1901, with many Victorian and Edwardian photographs featuring the clock at what was a busy tram hub.
As well as the clock at Tollcross, James Ritchie & Son also made three more similar versions of the clock, with the skeleton face and pillar being made by Macfarlane Castings. Originally a weight-driven pendulum clock, it was altered to a spring-driven mechanism in 1926.
It and the clock at the city's West End were the largest street clocks in Britain to be driven by this mechanism. It was wound weekly by a clockwinder employed by Ritchie's, using a crank handle inserted into the base.
In 1969, it was converted to an electric mechanism located between the dials. Junction improvements in 1974 led to the clock's removal but it was later returned to a spot close to its original position following public outcry.
The City of Edinburgh Council confirmed the clock was temporarily removed until funding to restore it can be gathered.
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture Vice-Convener said: "Despite being properly maintained, structural deterioration over time has resulted in the Tollcross Clock being removed temporarily for health and safety reasons.
"We’re currently seeking funding to fully restore the clock in all its glory and we’ll carry out the work and put it back in its pride of place in the local community as soon as we can."
