Emu and Rhea

There's a bronze sculpture of an emu and rhea standing in Edinburgh, and if you're expecting something grand, you might be caught off guard by how understated it actually is. It's a proper quirky landmark - two life-sized birds cast in metal, just there on the street, looking like they've wandered out of some southern hemisphere and got stuck in Scotland.

You'll find it near Newbridge, on the outskirts of the city, which makes it an easy detour if you're heading through that way. The sculpture itself takes about ten minutes to photograph and admire properly. There's no visitor centre or cafe attached - it's just the birds and whatever story you bring to them. Kids find it daft and brilliant in equal measure, which is exactly the right reaction.

Worth a stop if you're already exploring the wider Edinburgh area? Absolutely. A reason to make a special trip from Linwater Caravan Park? That's trickier. It works best as part of a broader wander around the Newbridge district, perhaps combined with other local spots. The real appeal is that slightly odd, unexpected quality - you're not getting hiking or extensive visitor facilities, just an eccentric bit of public art that doesn't take itself seriously.

No admission charge to see it, and you can view it any time. Best in daylight, obviously, when the bronze really catches your eye. It's the kind of thing that makes you smile and think 'only in Scotland'.