The iconic DunBear sculpture, located at DunBear Park in Dunbar, will be lit up green to mark the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow (31st October – 12th November). This is one of the most important global meetings ever to take place in the UK.
The five-metre high steel sculpture of a brown bear, created by renowned Scottish sculptor Andy Scott (who also created The Kelpies), was erected in 2019. Located beside the A1 at Dunbar, The DunBear is the focal point for DunBear Park, a proposed low carbon mixed-use development that is being undertaken by Hallhill Developments Limited.
The sculpture is a tribute to John Muir, the Dunbar-born naturalist and conservationist who emigrated to the USA with his family. He travelled extensively throughout the country, later helping to form the Sierra Club which has gone on to be one of the largest environmental organisations in the world.
John Muir petitioned the President and Congress to form National Parks, and through this Yosemite and other National Parks were eventually established. It is because of National Parks that certain species, such as the brown bear, have survived and thrived.
The DunBear is lit up on key dates throughout the year, including the birthday of John Muir in April (blue and white) and St Andrew’s Day (blue and white). It is also lit up for Remembrance Day (11th November) and Remembrance Sunday (when it is illuminated red), which will still be done this year. The lights are powered by onsite solar panels and will start at sunset and run till 12.30am, starting again at 5.30am until sunrise.
Aware of the need to tackle the climate emergency, DunBear Park aims to be an exemplar low carbon community.
A highly sustainable development, located within walking distance of the town centre, it will adopt the latest low carbon technology to generate renewable power on site. Powered by its own green electricity supply fed from solar panels and battery storage this will reduce the need for fossils fuels and thereby lessen carbon emissions, supporting the green recovery from Covid-19.
Ken Ross from Hallhill Developments Limited commented:
“Being in such a prominent position at the gateway to Dunbar, the stunning DunBear sculpture provides the perfect opportunity to commemorate key events such COP26, one of the most important global meetings ever to take place in the UK.
“It is also fitting that it should be part of our low carbon community of DunBear Park, which through significant investment will adopt the latest low carbon technology. This will deliver on our ambitious goal to be an exemplar low carbon development.
“The DunBear has become a much-loved piece of public art, well-visited by the local community and drawing visitors to Dunbar town centre to find out more about John Muir, the pioneering naturalist and conservationist which it is a tribute to.
“It not only celebrates the work of one man, but also reminds us that we can each make a positive contribution to tackling climate change, benefiiting both this and future generations.”
Notes to Editors
About DunBear Park
DunBear Park is a proposed low carbon community, located in the East Lothian town of Dunbar, renowned for being Scotland’s sunniest place.
The 54.3-acre mixed-use development will aim to include office, industrial, retail, leisure and community uses. It is also proposed to include worker housing, subject to further consultation with East Lothian Council.
DunBear Park aims to deliver a highly sustainable development, adopting the latest low carbon technology to deliver an exemplar low carbon community.
Part of the more than 400-acre Hallhill development, being undertaken by Hallhill Developments Limited, this exciting development is located beside the A1, designed around the magnificent steel sculpture, The DunBear.
Depicting a brown bear, The DunBear is five metres high and is a tribute to John Muir, the pioneering Dunbar-born naturalist and conservationist, who played a key role in the establishment of National Parks in the USA. Created by renowned Scottish sculptor, Andy Scott, it was named by a pupil at Dunbar Grammar School.
DunBear Park is an extremely well-connected community, offering an unrivalled quality of life. It is the ideal place to work, live and play.
For further information please go to: www.dunbearpark.com/planning