Eleven statues in George Square will be removed in May as redevelopment work gets underway this month.
Glasgow City Council will work with specialists on the restoration of the square’s 11 landmark statues which we have taken a closer look at. You can find everything you need to know about the major project to redesign George Square in this article.
The square is set to dramatically changed over the next few years as work is set to begin on the redevelopment of George Square in the coming months.
Firstly, the hoardings which will surround the perimeter of the city’s key civic space during its 18-month redevelopment will begin going up from 14 April. The panels on them will showcase Glasgow's past and present, while displaying the future vision for both George Square and the city.
Once the hoardings have been completed, in May the Square’s bronze statues will be removed for restoration and storage.
You can read our readers’ suggestions on who deserves a statue in the square here.
5. Thomas Campbell
Scottish poet, historian and political commentator Thomas Campbell was born in Glasgow in 1777 and was educated at Grammar School. In November 1826, Campbell was elected to the Lord Rectorship of Glasgow University. The unveiling was performed by Dr James A. Campbell on the centenary of the poet’s birth. | Declan McConville
6. Lord Clyde
Military leader Lord Clyde was the eldest son of Glasgow carpenter John MacLiver but was given his mother's maiden name. Sir Colin Campbell’s most famous exploit being his command of ‘Thin Red Line’ of the 93rd Highlanders, which repulsed the Russians at the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854. His statue, by John Henry Foley, was unveiled in George Square in 1868 but prompted mixed reactions. | Declan McConville
7. Sir John Moore
Sir John Moore was brought up in ‘Donald’s Land’, in the Trongate. Moore served as captain-lieutenant in the Duke of Hamilton’s regiment in America (1778-83) followed by a short period as MP for the united burghs of Lanark, Selkirk, Peebles and Linlithgow. His statue was unveiled on George Square in August 1819. | Declan McConville
8. Robert Burns
Scotland's national poet Robert Burns' statue was designed by George Ewing and was erected in George Square in 1877. The monument was first under the care of the Dennistoun Burns Club, and was by them lovingly decorated on the anniversaries of the poet’s birth. | Declan McConville