The Trust was set up in 2005 to create an innovative sculpture of fiction’s most famous rascal (he also happens to be Bristol’s most famous pub landlord). This has evolved into a revolutionary idea for a further six artworks on Bristol’s Harbourside that will bring to life Stevenson’s classic novel ‘Treasure Island’.



Yo ho ho and a boat load of fun!

The long term objective of the Trust is to erect a sculpture of Long John Silver, the rascally anti-hero of the novel, who was cast as a Bristol landlord of the fictional ‘Spyglass’ inn. It is widely believed that the basis for the ‘Spyglass’ was the actual ‘Hole in the Wall’ inn, which still has the spyglass window used by revellers to watch out for the Press Gang.

Meanwhile the Trust is working to establish this ‘Treasure Island Trail’ of plaques or further sculptures or artworks around the Harbourside, in settings reminiscent of locations in the story. To this end the Trust has published through Broadcast Books ‘The Bristol Treasure Island Trail’ book, depicting the various locations, but also giving a potted history of Bristol’s piracy connections.



The Trail also features in ‘24 Family Walks in and Around Bristol’ published by Redcliffe Press.

As an interim step the Trust has commissioned a wicker sculpture of Long John Silver which is being displayed at a number of promotional events.

Patrons: Sebastian Peake and Cllr. Royston Alan Griffey JP