This cache is in memory of the dog that my geo-friend Grey Wolfe grew up with as a boy. His dog was a little Westie, a loyal friend and companion, whose name was Bruce. The cache was hidden by Grey Wolfe on March 1, 2009 for the CCARW09 geo-event and was adopted on September 23, 2012. In June 2013, due to construction on the monument, a new cache was hidden to replace the original micro-cache. It is a small (150ml) container with room for a logbook and small items.
This sculpture is by Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson (1887-1973). It is an exact replica of the statue of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, that is found in Stirling, Scotland at the site of the Battle of Bannockburn. Our sculpture can be found below the Jubilee Auditorium and Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary and was presented to the Province of Alberta by Eric Harvie in 1966.
Philanthropist Eric Harvie was one of Calgary’s own unique historical characters. His gifts to Calgary and Alberta are numerous: he established the Glenbow Museum and Heritage Park, amongst others. He was very proud of his Scottish heritage and served as Honorary Colonel of the Calgary Highlanders.
When Harvie heard that sculptor Charles Jackson was creating a large bronze statue of Robert the Bruce for Bannockburn, he arranged for an identical second statue to be made for Calgary. Information indicates that he may have also played a role in financing the Bannockburn statue.
Thus, Robert the Bruce came to keep a watchful eye over the city of Calgary from his perch atop a very high stone and concrete plinth at this location.
The Scottish monarch, Robert the Bruce, aka Robert I of Scotland or Robert Bruce, lived from 11 July 1274 to 7 June 1329 and was King of Scotland from 25 March 1306 to 7 June 1329. In this sculpture, both he and his horse are wearing full armour. The head of the statue was modelled on measurements of the king's skull following the re-discovery of his skeletal remains in Dunfermline Abbey in 1818. A sheathed sword is slung on his back and in his hand is the axe with which he cleft the head of Henry de Bohun on the eve of battle, sending a shiver down the spines of his enemies and filling them with foreboding. He seems thoughtful, as if he’s considering his battle plan. It’s an intricately detailed statue evidenced by the lion motifs on his shield and on his horse’s armour. The high plinth, while thwarting vandals, means it’s not possible to get close enough to see much of the detail, unfortunately. Unlike the Bannockburn statue, which currently has a rich green patina, Calgary’s statue is a dull grey, probably due to significant differences in climate and pollution between the two locations. The Bannockburn statue is currently being restored to its original bronze colour.
Enjoy the cache and the statue.