Sir Walter Scott Statue
Sir Walter Scott Statue
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Neighbourhood: Merchant City
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4.0
20 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
12
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
johnnymac2017
Kilmacolm, UK1,274 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Scott is one of Scotland's greatest authors, and was very famous in his lifetime for novels such as Ivanhoe and Rob Roy
The column is so tall, 75 feet or thereby, that you cannot actually see who it is, and only know from the plaque on the plinth so very easy to miss.
The column is so tall, 75 feet or thereby, that you cannot actually see who it is, and only know from the plaque on the plinth so very easy to miss.
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada14,505 contributions
Mar 2020
It is impossible to miss the Sir Walter Scott monument in George Square. Unlike the other statues that inhabit this space, the Walter Scott statue sits at the proverbial center of the square AND rests atop an 80-foot Doric column. Beautiful stone lion heads rest on each of the corner piers, giving the monument a heightened sense of importance. Indeed, the symbolism behind this monument is plain for all to see: Given Walter Scott’s international reputation as a novelist, playwright, poet and historian, he literally towers over all else in George Square. In addition, I cannot help but think there’s a bit of political metaphor going on here as well. Scott played a key role in the Romantic Movement, but he did so as a “high” Romantic and Tory; thus, the fact that he towers over George Square gains additional meaning.
As you observe this monument, which was erected in 1837, you will undoubtedly notice that it is showing its age much more readily than the other statues around it. It carries a green tinge throughout. Some may find this unappealing; however, I think it adds character to the monument and further helps it to stand out . . . not that it needs any help in doing that.
I will reiterate something I’ve said in all of my “statue reviews” for George Square: While attractive and aesthetically pleasing, I would not go out of my way just to visit the Sir Walter Scott monument. Instead, I would strongly recommend patronizing all of the statues in George Square in one go-around. That way, you make best use of time and learn about some of Scotland’s best and brightest.
As you observe this monument, which was erected in 1837, you will undoubtedly notice that it is showing its age much more readily than the other statues around it. It carries a green tinge throughout. Some may find this unappealing; however, I think it adds character to the monument and further helps it to stand out . . . not that it needs any help in doing that.
I will reiterate something I’ve said in all of my “statue reviews” for George Square: While attractive and aesthetically pleasing, I would not go out of my way just to visit the Sir Walter Scott monument. Instead, I would strongly recommend patronizing all of the statues in George Square in one go-around. That way, you make best use of time and learn about some of Scotland’s best and brightest.
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK25,852 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
Very large column honouring one of Scotland's most famous and best writers.One of many statues in this square.
Written 18 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C...
Victoria, Australia85,818 contributions
Apr 2023
Walter was educated at Edinburgh and also for a time at the grammar school at Kelso. In 1786 he was apprenticed to his father as writer to the signet, a Scots equivalent of the English solicitor (attorney). His study and practice of law were somewhat half-hearted, for his immense youthful energy was diverted into social activities and into miscellaneous readings in Italian, Spanish, French, German, and Latin. After a very deeply felt early disappointment in love, he married, in December 1797, Charlotte Carpenter, of a French royalist family, with whom he lived happily until her death in 1826.
He was a celebrated Scottish historian, novelist, poet, and playwright...so it seems right that he takes pride of place in this square. An interesting fact about him is in 1786, when Scott was just 15, he bumped into Scotland's celebrated poet at a party thrown by philosopher Adam Ferguson. The two didn't speak much, but Scott later remembered being struck by the poet's dignity and the emotion that glowed in his eyes. Burns in turn appears to have been impressed by the young Scott's knowledge of poetry.
Another tidbit about him is he found the Scottish Crown Jewels. For 111 years, Scotland's precious state jewels were actually lost. But because of his detailed study of Scottish history, Scott had an inkling that they might be hidden away in the walled up Crown Room of Edinburgh Castle.
When he asked the Prince Regent (the future King George IV) to search it, the prince agreed as he was a fan of Scott's writings. So in 1818, they broke down the wall and found the crown, sceptre and sword of state locked away in an old oak chest. As a reward, Scott was honoured with a baronet.
Believe it or not, it was Sir Walter who conjured up this fashion magazine term. It had a bit of a different meaning than it does now though — he actually took it from the old Scottish word 'gramarye', which means a spell that enchants the eye. It appears in his 1805 poem, 'The Lay of the Last Minstrel'.
There is so much to celebrate in one's man life and you will not get it all from standing there staring up at his statue... but it gives you a glimpse into why he is here.
He was a celebrated Scottish historian, novelist, poet, and playwright...so it seems right that he takes pride of place in this square. An interesting fact about him is in 1786, when Scott was just 15, he bumped into Scotland's celebrated poet at a party thrown by philosopher Adam Ferguson. The two didn't speak much, but Scott later remembered being struck by the poet's dignity and the emotion that glowed in his eyes. Burns in turn appears to have been impressed by the young Scott's knowledge of poetry.
Another tidbit about him is he found the Scottish Crown Jewels. For 111 years, Scotland's precious state jewels were actually lost. But because of his detailed study of Scottish history, Scott had an inkling that they might be hidden away in the walled up Crown Room of Edinburgh Castle.
When he asked the Prince Regent (the future King George IV) to search it, the prince agreed as he was a fan of Scott's writings. So in 1818, they broke down the wall and found the crown, sceptre and sword of state locked away in an old oak chest. As a reward, Scott was honoured with a baronet.
Believe it or not, it was Sir Walter who conjured up this fashion magazine term. It had a bit of a different meaning than it does now though — he actually took it from the old Scottish word 'gramarye', which means a spell that enchants the eye. It appears in his 1805 poem, 'The Lay of the Last Minstrel'.
There is so much to celebrate in one's man life and you will not get it all from standing there staring up at his statue... but it gives you a glimpse into why he is here.
Written 30 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Hush-Hush Reviewer
Stoke-on-Trent, UK1,026 contributions
Dec 2021
I often walk past this statue many a time, but I didn't actually know it was his statue which is quite remarkable actually
Written 1 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel42,744 contributions
Jul 2021
This is an ordinary statue, placed on a tall yellowish column, located in George square in central Glasgow.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichAdvisor
Reston, VA2,031 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
This statue is another of the Famous Scotsmen in George’s square. He was a novelist and wrote Ivanhoe, Lady of the Lake, and Rob Roy to name a few. His works are relevant even today as classics.
Written 25 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
malc1005
Kettering, UK5,537 contributions
Sept 2019
A lovely tall statue to Sir Walter Scott, in George Square. The biggest of the few there. Well worth a look.
Written 21 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PrestonGuild
United Kingdom56,007 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Sir Walter Scott is one of Scotland's greatest writer.
Glasgow remembers him with his statue on top of a column in George Square.
We liked the square and we thought the column fitted in nicely.
Glasgow remembers him with his statue on top of a column in George Square.
We liked the square and we thought the column fitted in nicely.
Written 29 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill R
Coffs Harbour, Australia1,122 contributions
Nov 2018
This is the most impressive site in George Square. Set high on a column is a statue of Sir Walter Scott - author of the hugely popular Waverley Novels. I had not appreciated how highly he must have been regarded!
Written 4 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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