Unicorn on column

A single horn, gleaming bronze against the weathered stone. This, my friends, is the Unicorn on column in Springburn Park. It’s more than just a statue. It’s a survivor, a piece of Glasgow’s history relocated from its original home. The Unicorn on column started its life as part of a grand terracotta fountain built in 1912 by the Doulton company. This fountain graced the nearby Balgray Recreation Grounds. Imagine children splashing in the water, the unicorn a silent guardian overlooking their play. Sadly, the recreation grounds closed around 1970. The fountain was dismantled. Only the unicorn and its column were saved, finding a new home here in Springburn Park. Notice the horn. It’s not terracotta like the rest of the statue. It’s bronze, a unique touch. This unicorn isn’t just a park ornament. It represents Scotland’s national animal, a symbol of purity, innocence, and power. This mythical creature was once believed to be the lion’s natural enemy, a symbol of English royalty. King James VI of Scotland, upon succeeding Elizabeth I of England, replaced one of the two unicorns on the Scottish Royal Arms with the English lion. A gesture of unity, but also a reminder of the unicorn’s chained depiction. Folklore held that a free unicorn was a dangerous beast. Our unicorn here, atop its column, remains safely chained. It stands as a testament to Glasgow’s history and a connection to Scotland’s rich mythology.