Historic Edinburgh landmark transformed as artist captures 'decades of memories'

Edinburgh Live

21-05-2025

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An Edinburgh artist has given a historic and much-loved 'landmark' of the city a new lease of life.
Paul Meikle, who also works part time in a car garage, took apart the iconic helter skelter that once sat in Montgomery Street Park in Leith. After generations of children enjoyed the slide since it opened in the '70s, it was deemed a health and safety risk and cordoned off in 2022.
Not willing to let that be the death of the slide, Paul took on the task of repurposing the metal slide to create pieces of art. Now, the pieces will be displayed in an exhibition.
Paul said: "People grew up with this helter skelter. My hope is that this is the helter skelter growing up with them."
(Image: Sam McGill)
The ornate slide is said to have become an 'integral part' of the community, and as Paul found out - many Leithers had either played, drawn... or peed on it. After its fate was decided, Paul dismantled the slide and created 15 different artworks.
It was set to be scrapped, alongside 'decades worth of memories'. Paul, whose work focuses on decaying environments, saw an opportunity and now hopes the stories 'live on forever'.
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He carried out interviews with residents in hopes of ensuring the pieces represented the local spirit, and the stories that came with it.
Paul continued: "Play parks shape our existence as we grow up.
"Leithers have told me of the creative ways they used the helter skelter over the decades, creating different obstacles and reimagining it as completely different worlds. Each of them viewing it through a different lens.
(Image: Sam McGill)
"An enchanting place you used to play with your dad. Somewhere you'd go with your pals, trying to wrap the swings around the top bar for hours on end.
"A chute that quite a few people have peed down, for some reason I couldn't see these stories go in the bin."
Speaking to us previously, Paul added: "I was really surprised at just how many people reached out to me.
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"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."
The artworks will go on display at Sett Studios in Leith over the weekend of May 30. This is Paul's first solo show, with the works also set to be shown at the Hidden Door festival in June.