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Concrete Hippos of Glenrothes

This town hosts 170 pieces of public art, including giant irises, flying saucers, and, famously, hippos.

Glenrothes, Scotland

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Niall McCumesty
Hippos and mushrooms on display in Glenrothes.   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Colorful hippos of Riverside Park in Glenrothes.   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
A television and chairs in Glenrothes.   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Some mushrooms on public display in Glenrothes.   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
“Death of the Hippo”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Riverside Park   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Riverside Park   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Children’s drawings celebrating the 75th anniversary.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Recycled Hippo, Kingdom Shopping Center.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Mural alongside Kingdom Shopping Center   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Statues of crocodiles make up part of the public art display in Glenrothes.   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Friends of Riverside Park   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The newest hippo from 2019 made entirely from scrap metal   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
Herd of Hippos at Pitteuchar   niallmccumesty / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Following World War II, Scotland planned five totally new towns in an attempt to relieve congestion and over-crowding in many parts of central Scotland. In 1968, one of these towns, Glenrothes, became the first new town anywhere in the world to take on a dedicated town artist. As a result of this choice, Glenrothes has an eclectic and somewhat bizzare collection of over 170 art works, all set within its carefully planned urban landscape. Wandering the lanes and backstreets of the town you will stumble upon many bizzare concrete sculptures, from fields of mushrooms to crocodiles. 

Perhaps the most iconic creations are the numerous concrete hippos that parade across almost every corner of the town. Artist Stanley Bonnar created the first group of hippos in 1972 and they have been much loved ever since, having become something of a town mascot for Glenrothes.

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Mushrooms Sculptures Public Art

Know Before You Go

Glenrothes is easily accessed by bus and train from across Scotland. The sculptures are best explored by bicycle or on foot, with the largest concentration of artworks in the Pitteuchar area in the south of the town. 

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May 9, 2025

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