STV NewsA monument to one of Scotland’s greatest authors has undergone renovation as part of a multi-million-pound revamp of George Square.
The ten-foot statue of Sir Walter Scott, sitting atop an 80-foot pillar, has towered over George Square for nearly two centuries.
It’s the landmark’s biggest restoration since it was built in 1837.
Council project manager Liam Lochran said: “Specialist contractors have been undertaking the works, working from the top down.
“They’ve been restoring stone courses, and in the upcoming weeks, scaffolding will be dismantled to a lower position where we will focus on cleaning and reducing vegetation.”
STV NewsWhen the restoration began in 2025, the monument was covered in moss, grass and bird droppings, and the figure’s thumb was cracked.
Scaffolding around Sir Walter Scott is due to begin coming down on Monday as work moves to the base of the monument.
Work is also progressing elsewhere in the square as part of the major £20.4m overhaul, but the disruption has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
“It’s a lot cleaner looking where my office is, but I think when you’re at the bottom, you’re not going to pay much attention,” a woman who worked nearby said. “It’ll be good when it’s done, but it’s a pain.”
STV NewsAnother passer-by commented: “It’s gone on far too long and it didn’t need one in the first place.
“It was lovely the way it was; everywhere is just a mess now, it’s embarrassing. I hope they finish it soon.”
Another man, from West Lothian, said: “Coming through to Glasgow to see friends, I find it really inconvenient trying to get around. I can only imagine how inconvenient it is for the people who live here.”
George Square is set to reopen to the public following its revamp by the end of August.
Its redevelopment will include more green spaces, seating and pedestrian areas, funded by the Glasgow City Avenues Region Project.
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