Traffic cones that have become a distinctive symbol of Glasgow’s cultural identity have recently appeared on several statues in Edinburgh, prompting the City of Edinburgh Council to remove them and caution against further incidents. The cones, which have been famously perched on Glasgow’s Duke of Wellington statue since the 1980s, were placed on notable statues in Edinburgh, including those of Adam Smith, Sherlock Holmes, and the figure on Princes Street, drawing criticism from local authorities.

Stephen Jenkinson, Edinburgh’s transport and environment convener, explained that while the cones may have been placed in good humor, they present potential safety risks and public hazards. “Unsecured traffic cones could potentially cause injury or present a road safety hazard, which is why they’ve been removed,” Jenkinson said. He urged residents and visitors not to replicate the tradition outside of Glasgow, noting that “there is only one statue in Scotland that has truly immortalised the cone.”

The tradition of adorning the Duke of Wellington statue with an orange traffic cone originated in Glasgow in the 1980s and has since become emblematic of the city. It gained wider recognition during the World Cup when Scotland’s Tartan Army, known for their spirited support, decorated statues in cities like Boston and Miami with traffic cones, gestures that were well received by the host cities. The cones have come to symbolize the goodwill and playful character of Scotland’s football supporters internationally.

Reactions to the removal of the cones in Edinburgh have been mixed, with some Scottish political figures framing the issue with lighthearted rivalry. David Linden, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Baillieston, suggested that the East Coast might benefit from “some further devolution – perhaps humour.” Similarly, Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Sweeney interpreted Edinburgh’s response as an implicit acknowledgment of Glasgow’s cultural prominence, stating, “This is a tacit admission by folk in Edinburgh that Glasgow is the true capital city, after all.”

The traffic cone tradition continues to thrive in Glasgow, where it recently inspired a retail homage. A Lush store on Buchanan Street displayed traffic cone-shaped bath bombs to celebrate the Scotland football team, underscoring the longstanding affection for the quirky symbol within the city. Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s authorities remain firm in their stance against replicating the practice due to safety considerations.