A 30ft statue of William Wallace is to be repaired this spring after cracks appeared in the stonework.
The sculpture of the 13th-century Scots freedom fighter was built in 1814, after being commissioned by David Stuart Erskine, the 11th Earl of Buchan.
It overlooks the River Tweed near St Boswells, Scottish Borders. Work will begin in April, starting with the plinth.
An inscription at Wallace’s feet commemorates him as a ‘great patriot hero’.
It is hoped that a fundraising drive will lead to further preservation work to prevent any more deterioration of the iconic landmark, which stands in the grounds of the Bemersyde estate.
Jesse Rae, one of the William Wallace Trustees, said: “I was up at the statue last summer with friends and I noticed there was damage beginning to appear.
“When I went back up a few months ago it was looking in a sad way.
“We know what needs to be done and we’ll make a start with the repairs to the plinth in April.”
Historians have questioned the likeness of the red sandstone effigy, which is protected as a category B listed building.
But Isabel Hay from the William Wallace Society believes more should be done to protect the monument.
She said: “It hasn’t been looked after and it’s in the public interest for this tribute to William Wallace to be saved.
“We as a society want to help preserve the Wallace monument and make sure its condition doesn’t get any worse.”
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