Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Not you after hearing this tale. Right here in Glasgow stands a magnificent bronze statue. It depicts William III of England. He’s dressed in Roman attire. He sits atop a mighty steed. This is no ordinary statue. The horse’s tail is cleverly designed. It moves. A ball and socket joint prevents breakage. A clever design. Isn’t it?
This is William III’s equestrian statue. It stands proudly in Cathedral Square. It was cast in 1735. The sculptor remains a mystery. A similar statue exists in Hull. It was created by Peter Scheemakers. This one though. This Glasgow beauty. It boasts a unique feature.
Originally. William III’s statue stood near the Tontine Hotel. It was financed by James Macrae. In 1897. traffic congestion caused its relocation. It was moved to a traffic island near Glasgow Cross station. In 1923. the statue went into storage. Finally. in 1926. it found its current home in Cathedral Square.
The statue has faced challenges. During the George Floyd protests of 2020. it was vandalized. William III’s connection to the Royal African Company caused controversy. This unfortunately resulted in graffiti on the statue. In 2021. further damage occurred. The horse’s tail was broken off. This was met with outrage. The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland cited the vandalism as an example of anti-Protestant sentiment.
Today. The Big Bad Wolf statue stands defiant. It survived vandalism. It symbolizes a rich history. It has witnessed Glasgow’s growth. It endures as a testament to Glasgow’s resilient spirit. A symbol of survival. It quietly watches over the city. Don’t you think it’s a fascinating survivor?