Edgar Colliander’s death on 4th July 2024, after a valiant and stoic battle against cancer, saddened everyone who had been privileged enough to have known him. His family and friends will always miss him dearly and life just isn’t quite as fun without him in it. Edgar was truly an unforgettable character and we all have such wonderful memories of him – he was my closest friend for 36 years and godfather to my son.

With that in mind - and working closely with Edgar’s family - I am looking to raise £3,000.00 from his friends to fund a memorial bench for him in Edinburgh. The bench will be made of galvanised black metal, bear an inscribed plaque dedicating it to Edgar’s memory and will be installed for an initial term of twenty years. (I was originally hoping for a statue of him on Prince’s Street, but sadly have had to lower my aspirations a little.)

The actual inscription has yet to be decided upon – my suggestion was “Who hated this spot and everybody in it” – so we would welcome input from everyone who donates, with the author of the chosen text winning a Gregg's sausage roll.

We are hoping that we shall be able to have Edgar’s bench placed in Scotland Yard Park in Stockbridge, round the corner from the old family home on Brandon Street and where he and his brother used to love to play as children. Should this prove to be unavailable for any reason, then we will find an alternative location with significance to him.

Subject to us receiving sufficient advance notice of when the seat will be installed, we are hoping to make an event of the occasion and afterwards gather for food and drinks in a nearby venue as a form of informal memorial service. Given that many friends were unable to attend Edgar’s original funeral due to the very short notice, we hope that they will be able to join us here instead.

Any surplus funds raised will be donated to Cancer Research, as would all funds in their entirety in the very unlikely situation that it is not possible to obtain a memorial seat anywhere meaningful in Edinburgh.

This page and social media will be updated as things progress and more information becomes available, however The City of Edinburgh Council have advised that they are not accepting any new applications until January 2026 so no bench can be physically installed until after then.

In the event of any financial shortfall, Edgar's father and I will make up the balance required.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for helping to keep the legend of The Big Fella alive.