What links the Walled Garden with Edinburgh Zoo’s Penguins?
A few years ago, the charming little rocky footpath that used to pass the western wall of the garden was transformed into a wide, up-to-date and bike-friendly highway. Before its official opening we learned that, following a local consultation, the name Speirs Vruce Way hade been chosen from the shortlist.
” Who was he, and why have they spelt his name wrongly???” was the general bemused response from the Walled Gardeners. After this initial puzzlement, everyone was pleased to learn about the fascinating life of this relatively unknown scientist and explorer. It turns out that William Speirs Bruce connects our garden to the wider natural world, even to the penguins at Edinburgh Zoo. And yes, his name really is spelt Speirs, not Spiers.
Who was William Speirs Bruce?
William Speirs Bruce (1867-1921) was a Scottish naturalist, oceanographer, and polar explorer. Born in London to Scottish parents, he developed a love of nature early on, inspired by visits to Kensington Gardens and the Natural History Museum. He began studying medicine in Edinburgh but quickly switched to marine biology and polar science, after working at the Granton Marine Laboratory.
Bruce became one of Britain’s leading polar scientists. In 1902, he led the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, exploring the South Orkney Islands and the Weddell Sea. His team established the first permanent weather station in Antarctica, a major scientific achievement. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Bruce was more interested in science than in fame, which is partly why he isn’t a household name today.
The Link to Edinburgh Zoo and Penguins
Bruce was also a co-founder of Edinburgh Zoo, which opened in 1913. His vision was to create a modern zoological garden focused on scientific research and conservation. One of the zoo’s most most famous residents today is its colony of penguins, a direct nod to Bruce’s Antarctic legacy and love of polar wildlife.
Speirs Bruce Way, right next to the Walled Garden, is a path that pays tribute to a man who bridged the worlds of science, exploration, and nature conservation.
For a brilliant short film about his life, see William Speirs Bruce, 1867-1921
Jonathan Paterson