Update 09/05/23 – By Debbie Jackson, BBC Scotland Could Hugo the west end cat change the law?
A well-known Edinburgh cat, taken to the hearts of the residents of the city’s west end, is at the centre of calls for a change to the law.
Anyone who has wandered the cobbled streets of William Street may have bumped in to him. Businesses and residents saw him as part of the community. He would stop for a quick chat, for food, a swift drink or even a quick cuddle before sauntering off to survey the rest of his empire.
As members of the West end resident’s Facebook now tell us, he even charmed his way in to some beds. He would love ’em and leave ’em but was always forgiven. He had his favourites and we all wanted to be The One.
After fearlessly roaming the streets for around 10 years, his mum broke the news on the 28th April that her boy, Hugo, had been in a car accident. There was little anyone could do and he sadly passed away.
Hugo was an Arabic Mau, rescued from the streets of Doha in Qatar by his owner Jane Rutherford. His breed are desert dwellers, used to having huge amounts of space. When he arrived in Edinburgh, he wandered off all the time but Jane didn’t worry.
He could look after himself and (occasionally) came home for meals and naps before taking off again to his usual haunts on William Street. If she wanted to know where he was, she simply called out on the West end resident’s Facebook page. There would always be a response. “He’s at the door of Lily Luna’s”, “oh he is in my bed” , “He is in Birrell Rainford”. “He’s hanging out at Teuchters”. Everyone looked out for him.
After hearing tales of his antics and the outpouring of sympathy from many of his admirers (including Bruce Findlay, Edinburgh’s music mogul and former Simple Minds manager) there has been talk of a statue being created in his memory.
His story even made it in to the Times Scotland. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cat-lovers-want-statue-to-knock-greyfriars-bobby-off-his-pedestal-gdn535b5r
With enough support it could happen. It would certainly be a talking point in the West End. It could bring visitors and cat-lovers to see our lovely neighbourhood. The statue could be linked by a QR code to the many stories about the King of the West end and possibly linked to an animal charity of the area’s choosing.
It is all quite ambitious but with enough thought and support, so many animals and our West end community could benefit from the life of our favourite cat, Hugo.
Published 30/04/23
Update 09/05/23 – Debbie Jackson, BBC Scotland Could Hugo the west end cat change the law?
A well-known Edinburgh cat, taken to the hearts of the residents of the city’s west end, is at the centre of calls for a change to the law.
