NEWS: Hobo Networking

By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
29 January 2010

THEY may not have a place to live but they've secured a place in the hearts of the city's social networking community.

A raft of Facebook and Bebo sites dedicated to some of the city's most well-known homeless men have sprung up on the internet.

By far the most popular individual is "Beaver Man", a gentleman with a mane of long matted hair resembling a beaver's tail who is regularly seen enjoying a burger and a glass bottle of Irn-Bru in and around Lothian Road.

"Beaver Man" - who has also been christened "Night Beaver" and "Carpetheid" - has more than 3,000 online fans over no less than seven social networking sites, including a dedicated Facebook page, two Bebo pages, three Facebook appreciation groups and a place in the "Edinburgh Cult Celebrities Appreciation Thread".

While many of the sites appear to be poking fun, their creators seem to have a genuine affection for the men.

Nadine Moore, a journalism student, is the creator of "Beaver Man Rocks!", dedicated to the colourful Lothian Road drifter.

She said: "The Beaver Man is definitely one of the cult figures of homeless people in Edinburgh. What sets him apart from his fellow wanderers is most certainly his very distinct appearance.

Beaver Man is also shrouded in mystery, as he has for as long as we loved him always kept to himself."

Other notable Facebook successes include "Meadows Big Issue Man" and "Rastatramp".

"Meadows Big Issue Man" is actually John White, 64, has 361 Facebook fans and calls the Meadows his "salvation".

Mr White, originally from the Home Counties, has been homeless for more than 30 years following the death of a loved one. He moved to Edinburgh to isolate himself from his loss.

He said: "The Meadows has really brought me closer to people again and I am lucky to have my regular customers and people I chat to every day."

"Rastatramp", so called because his dark skin and long white dreadlocks give him the appearance of a Rastafarian, is also known as "The Shaman of Leith Walk" and has two Facebook pages entitled "Does anyone else think Rastatramp could be God?" and "I honestly love the Rastatramp on Leith Walk!".

As well as featuring "Beaver Man" and "Rastatramp", the "Edinburgh Cult Celebrities Appreciation Thread" also pays tribute to "Shamblin' Man", a crooked gentleman with tattered clothes and a bin bag of possessions.

But Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, housing and homelessness charity, warned against making light of a very serious situation. He said: "While some of the comments are affectionate, there are some which are worryingly derogatory and perhaps serve as a reflection on those posting such comments."

He added: "I wonder whether people posting comments or setting up such pages would make better use of their time, perhaps volunteering, or lobbying for an end to homelessness."