A photograph of the current gateway to the picnic area and Sensory Garden in Victoria Park.

On top of the pillars can be seen a couple of Kelly's Cats. Named after architect William Kelly, these were historically finials on Union Bridge on Union Street. When the south side of the bridge was redeveloped in around 1963 for additional retail buildings about 14 or 15 cats were displaced.

In the years following the removal of the cats from the south side of the bridge there was considerable discussion about what was best to do with them. Newspaper coverage reports considerable interest from members of the public in purchasing the cats as souvenirs.

They were instead retained in storage by the council for future use. Since the 1970s they have increasingly been used to decorate parks, particularly Duthie Park, though in Victoria Park too, as can be seen.

The cats on the north side of Union Bridge can still be seen there today.

This image was taken on 28th February 2024.

Location

Rosemount

Keyword

Parks and gardens

Photographer

David Oswald