Who remembers their first encounter with a true literary giant? Here in George Square, we stand before the Sir Walter Scott Statue, a tribute to a man whose words built worlds. The Sir Walter Scott Statue, sometimes called “The Stone Man”, was the very first monument dedicated to this literary titan. It was finished in 1837. The statue depicts Scott wrapped in a plaid, perched atop a fluted Doric column. This column, designed by David Rhind, adds to the dramatic skyline of George Square. The statue itself is the work of Alexander Handyside Ritchie, brought to life from designs by John Greenshields. The Sir Walter Scott Statue isn’t just a static figure. It represents the enduring power of storytelling. Scott, through his Waverley novels and poems like “The Lady of the Lake,” shaped the way we see Scotland’s past. He breathed life into historical figures and gave us characters like Rob Roy and Jeanie Deans. It’s a testament to his influence that places across the country, from Edinburgh’s Waverley Station to the paddle steamer Waverley, bear his name or the names of his creations. Here in Glasgow, as we admire the Sir Walter Scott Statue, we’re not just looking at stone and bronze. We’re connecting with a legacy that continues to inspire readers and writers alike.
St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School
Did you know that St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School in East Kilbride boasts a history richer than its