Here stands Lulla-Bye a poignant memorial in Princes Street Gardens. This sculpture honors the children of the Mortonhall baby ashes scandal. Imagine the heartbreak of those families. The ashes of hundreds of babies were secretly buried or disposed of at Mortonhall Crematorium. Parents were wrongly told that there were no remains. This scandal prompted a major review of crematoriums across Scotland. New rules were thankfully put in place.
Lulla-Bye is more than just a statue. It is a symbol of remembrance and a testament to love. Crafted by Andy Scott, who is also known for his work on the Kelpies, this two-and-a-half tonne bronze baby elephant sculpture was unveiled on February 2, 2019. The design was thoughtfully chosen by families affected by the tragedy. The City of Edinburgh Council funded this important memorial.
Notice the elephant’s trunk. It gently cradles an infant. See the small footprints going up towards its head. The sculpture is embossed with delicate forget-me-not flowers. These details add to the emotional weight of the piece.
Dorothy Maitland lost her baby daughter Kaelen. She battled for years to uncover the truth about what happened to her ashes. She sees Lulla-Bye as perfect because it exudes comfort and love. You can stop reflect and grieve without it being too obvious. She hopes people will see it as a way of moving forward.
The Lulla-Bye is located at the west end of the Gardens close to the Ross Bandstand. It is overshadowed by the Castle. The sculpture is a £250000 baby elephant. The baby elephant is the city’s second memorial to the Mortonhall babies. A walled garden opened in 2017 within the grounds of the crematorium.
Scott wanted to capture the imagination. He wanted to create something like a lost toy that a child might have left behind. It evokes a feeling of sadness and loss. Passers-by might see it as a nice sculpture. But it holds a more intimate meaning for the parents. Elephants never forget.
The inscription reads In memory of our precious babies gone but never forgotten. It is a reminder of the scandal and the need for change. The discovery of the Mortonhall scandal led to similar practices being uncovered in other locations.
This led to the passing in 2016 of The Burial and Cremation Scotland Bill. It sets out a legal definition of ashes. It requires authorities to keep details of burials and cremations indefinitely. Local authorities were also instructed to provide suitable memorials for families to access.
Lulla-Bye stands as a memorial for every baby that has died. Anyone who has lost a baby can find enormous comfort from visiting here. The elephant is so appropriate. Elephants care for their young. They are very protective. Lulla-Bye offers solace and a space for remembrance. It ensures that these little ones are never forgotten.