One local politician's campaign to rejuvenate the Meadows' decaying jawbone arch has sparked the interest of Marchmont's traders.

Councillor Cameron Rose wrote on his blog about how the “striking and well loved” 19th century arch, made from a whale's jawbone, narrowly missed being listed by Historic Scotland.

Rose has instead called for local enterprises to get involved in its preservation. “Businesses might like to sponsor having it spruced up a bit – it badly needs brightened up and repaired,” he said.

“It’s an important feature of the local landscape and it’s on one of the most heavily used pedestrian routes into the city centre.

“It’s a huge part of the character of the area.”

The ageing arch, located at the West end of the Meadows, was deemed unsuitable for listing as it wasn't considered of special architectural interest.

But the prospect of losing the rare structure, gifted to the city in 1886 to mark the International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art held in the Meadows, has struck a chord with local businesses.

Peter Ross, owner of the Earl of Marchmont pub, is certain his clientele would get behind a campaign. “There's a tight community in Marchmont,” he said. “They did their best to try to save their local post office which just shows you that people here are proud of their wee area.

“So we'd definitely be interested in something like that, preserving something that should be here. If it came up there'd be a big response locally.”

Scott Robertson, manager of the neighbouring Meadows Lamp Gallery and treasurer of the Marchmont and Sciennes Traders Association, thinks they could also play a part in the arch's renovation. “If the costs aren't too much it would be worth maybe taking something out of the association's fund,” he said.

“It's quite interesting really. It doesn't look like something you would think to renovate. But then there's the one on top of the hill in North Berwick.”

The famous jawbone arch on top of North Berwick Law was replaced entirely with a fibreglass replica in 2008 when it became unsafe. The replacement cost between £18,000 and £20,000, funded mostly by the Friends of North Berwick, with support from the City of Edinburgh Council.

As Michael Romer, co-partner at Marchmont's Peter Green & Co wine merchants says, “You're not likely to get more jawbones because the supply of them has kind of run out.

“We would want to make our small contribution because it's part of the history of the Meadows – it's nice to see that someone's taken an interest.

“The Meadows are such an important resource for everyone, it's wonderful to be here on the doorstep.

“And the Jawbone Walk is named after it, so it wouldn't quite be toothless, but lacking the jawbone would be rather a shame!”

Councillor Rose added that he was pleased with the response: “I’d be very happy if the suggestion I’d made caused people to act!”

Should the Meadows’ jawbone arch be preserved for future generations or is it a waste of money? Add your comments below.