Standing Stones marks the first Norwegian Seamen’s Church built outside of Norway, est. 1865. Originally designed by Johan Schrøder of Copenhagen and the Scottish architect James Simpson, this church is a Category 3 on the Historic Scotland Preservation List. It provided the Scandinavian seafaring community surrounding the historic Leith docklands with a spiritual safe haven, place of community, and reminder of home. Today, it is home to Leith School of Art, who, strive to uphold this same spirit of community, history and culture. This commemorative plaque marks the 150th anniversary of the church and as a benchmark year for Leith School of Art. It stands in homage to the site’s history and in promise to its expansion. With special thanks to The Helping Hand Trust, without whom, this signpost would not be possible. The Helping Hand Trust, established in 1985 by Bjorn Sedberg in Norway, are working to maintain the Scandinavian Lutheran Church as a cultural monument on Scottish ground, promoting Norwegian-Scottish relations both culturally and artistically.

It was unveiled on 2 September 2018 by Scottish Minister for Europe, Migration, and International Development Ben Macpherson MSP, Terje Inderhaug and Lisbeth Iversen of The Helping Hand Trust, Phillip Archer of the Leith School of Art and myself.