Historic Edinburgh 'landmark' to get new lease of life as local artist tears it apart

An artist from Edinburgh is giving a historic slide a new lease of life after it was deemed unsafe.

The once-loved helter skelter in Montgomery Street Park in Leith brought much joy to children over the decades after it was opened in the 1970s. However, over time it became weather beaten and a health and safety risk.

The slide was cordoned off in January 2022 before being ripped down the following year - much to the devastation to some locals. However, one artist from Leith has vowed to give it a new life.

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Paul Meikle, who also works part time in a car garage is taking apart the historic slide and will be wielding it to create new pieces of art as a way to honour the park's former main attraction.

Realising how much it meant to the community, the 31-year-old said he wants to keep the memories alive and will include excerpts in an exhibition next year.

He said: "The slide was being kept in the council's depot. It is just falling apart and has been left to rot over the years. My plan is to take it apart and rebuilt it in a series of art works to preserve the memories the slide has provided since the 1970s.

"It is obviously very dear to people in the area and they are so passionate about. The Friends of Montgomery Street Park really tried to save it. It was a landmark in Leith and hopefully it can still be a talking point."

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As part of the 'daunting' project, Paul spoke to locals to hear their memories of playing in the park as kids.

He said: "I was really surprised at just how many people reached out to me.

"One person told me they remembered going down the slide in roller skates. They said they quickly regretted that decision! Another person told me they were so quick to go down it but then halfway down they realised it was covered in seagull poo.

"So many people reminisce about the slide, it means so much to them."

Once the Leith artist takes the slide a part, it will be transfered to his work's garage for storage.

"It's a daunting task I've never worked with anything so big. I do sometimes think to myself, 'what have I got myself in for'. But I've called in a few favours and I'm hoping to have it finished by spring time next year."

You can keep up with Paul's project and the helter skelter's journey on social media.