It's one of Edinburgh's most iconic monuments, but the Royal Scots Greys statue was almost accidentally destroyed before it was even unveiled.
On Saturday, November 3, 1906, a mishap of epic proportions occurred as the capital's bronze tribute to the legendary Scottish cavalry unit came crashing down to earth.
The majestic Princes Street monument, a memorial to the Royal Scots Greys who fought and died in the Boer War, was being hoisted into position atop its rock pedestal when one of the chain supports suddenly snapped.
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The three-tonne horse and rider statue, which was just days away from being officially unveiled, plummeted to the ground, chipping its plinth and crushing railings in the process. A figure of an eagle on the inscription tablet was destroyed.
Damage to the statue itself was not too bad, with the legs of the horse sustaining "the greatest injury".
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Worker injured
Three workers, who had been positioned on the plinth, had a narrow escape - although one of the trio suffered a minor knock to the head. This being 1906, of course, the injured man was soon put back to work.
The Scotsman newspaper reported: "When they heard the chain snapping, they crouched down and in that way managed to keep clear of the falling statue.
"One of them, William Smith, belonging to Musselburgh, sustained a slight blow on the head, but after the wound had been attended to at the ambulance station at the Waverley Steps, he was able to resume his work again."
There was a great deal of confusion as to how the accident had occurred. The chains attached to the crane had gone through testing and had been "guaranteed" to carry a ton more than the weight of the statue.
Mr Bernie Rhind, the sculptor of the monument, was, rather understandably, said to have been mightily upset when he arrived on the scene, but soon perked up as he learned that the damage was not too significant and could be fixed.
The official unveiling
A lightning-quick restoration effort had the statue repaired and ready for its ribbon-cutting ceremony, which took place just 10 days later.
In spite of the dreich November rain, a huge crowd, including several hundred military personnel and veterans, turned out to hear a "stirring" speech by Lord Rosebery as the unveiling was carried out - this time without a hitch.
Regiment origins
Formed in the 17th century, the Royal Scots Greys cavalry unit was one of Scotland's most famous and respected regiments.
During the Boer War in South Africa, the regiment fought in a number of key conflicts, including the relief of Kimberley in February 1900 and the Battle of Paardeberg that same month.
The distinguished unit was dissolved in 1971, when it was merged to become The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
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