Royal launch for sculpture by Kelpies’ creator

The 15 foot steel sculpture of a horse’s head forms the centre piece of the landscaped entrance plaza to a new hub for staff and students.

The Princess Royal, who is Chancellor of the University and Patron of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, unveiled the piece at the opening of the new building.

Her Royal Highness also opened the School’s newly expanded equine hospital.

Canter has a similar composition to the Kelpies but creator Andy Scott said he wanted to produce something more animated, with a long flowing mane.

Weighing in at around a ton and a half, the steel structure took one year from initial sketches to completion.

I chose a heavy horse to reflect the original intent of the School, which was set up to help workhorses in the early 19th Century. I am delighted with how it fits into the environment, blending with the unique architectural features of the building and the stone plinth.

Andy Scott, Sculptor

As part of the visit, The Princess Royal toured expanded facilities in the equine hospital. These include new diagnostic and surgical suites, a critical care unit with 24 hour video monitoring and many features that enhance teaching.

Her Royal Highness met 2017 Grand National winner One For Arthur who has undergone a routine heart scan as part of a research study into the hearts of elite athletic horses.

The opening of the new expanded Equine Hospital represents a major step change in how we treat horses and we are delighted that The Princess Royal was here today for this event. We are also delighted with “Canter” by Andy Scott, an incredible piece of art and fitting for a veterinary school that was originally established to support the treatment of working horses.

Professor David Argyle, Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

The new building has been named after the former Principal of the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Orlando Charnock Bradley. It houses new vet school facilities including a gym and a public outreach centre. 

It is also home to the Roslin Innovation Centre, which provides laboratory and office space for animal and veterinary science start-up companies.

Her Royal Highness toured the new building and met local school students taking part in laboratory science experiments at the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre.

Earlier in the day, she visited Edinburgh Medical School for the official launch of a major new initiative in global surgery aimed at improving care for cancer patients.

The Princess Royal also visited the School of Engineering to celebrate 150 years since Queen Victoria bestowed the UK’s first Regius Chair of Engineering to the University.

As well as meeting with leading staff and students, Her Royal Highness was given a demonstration of Professor Harald Haas’ pioneering Li-Fi technology, which transmits internet data through LED.