Castle memorial for the 51st Highlanders Bronze piper statue is saluted by local veterans
Perth’s historic Black Watch Museum now has a magnificent bronze statue commemorating the bravery of the 51st Highland Division.
The three-quarter scale piper, sculpted by the well-known Scottish artist Alan Beattie Herriot, has been erected in the grounds of Balhousie Castle, the regiment’s Fair City home.
There are other memorials to the division in France, Holland, as well as closer to home at Perthshire’s House of Bruar and on the North Inch in Perth.
But to have a commemorative statue at the castle itself was the idea of Dr Tom Renouf MBE, MM, Legion d’Honneur, who served in the 5th Battalion The Black Watch in 1944/45.
Sadly, he died in 2016 before it could be sculpted and cast, but his widow, Kathleen, was there to see the piper – kitted out in Second World War battle dress – unveiled at Balhousie Castle on Wednesday.
She said: “Tom, who died a year ago next week, had always thought there was something missing at Balhousie, it was lacking a monument. He would be delighted by what Alan Herriot has created.”
The bronze statue commemorates the thousands of men, both Regular Army and Territorials, who joined the 51st Highland Division from 1908-67.
The division was first formed by bringing together the kilted Highland Infantry Regiments (The Black Watch, The Cameron Highlanders, The Seaforth Highlanders, Gordon Highlanders
Retired Major Ronnie Proctor and one of the veterans present and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) and other regiments.
They provided machine gun battalions, reconnaissance units and pioneers.
Sculptor Alan Herriot said: “The memorial at Balhousie Castle may well be the last, but I consider it to be my personal tribute to the 51st Highland Division and my friend Dr Tom Renouf.”
He revealed that as well as being a highly decorated soldier, Tom was a talented jazz pianist and he had enjoyed playing music with him.
“It was always Tom’s wish to do something in Perth. The problem Retired Major Ronnie Proctor, Ian Critchley OBE, sculptor Alan Beattie Herriot, Kathleen Renouf and Lt Col Grenville Johnston OBE with this one was there wasn’t any money to do it.
“While Tom was happy to finance getting it made and cast, it would need a setting and all the extra to install it.
“When Tom died, I got in touch with the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Association to see if they would give us a site.
“They were very helpful and arranged for this crescent-shaped wall to be built around it, giving the statue its own space.”
Lieutenant Colonel Grenville Johnston served in the division after the Second World War and, since 1972, has been a trustee of the 51st Highland Division Trust.
Among other things, he ensured the book of the 51st Division’s history by JB Salmond remained in print.
He said: “Today there are a series of magnificent memorials that stand as a testament to the courage of the men of the 51st Highland Division who fought for our freedom.
“I am particularly proud that
Col Ian Critchley OBE salutes the new bronze statue this statue is being unveiled in Perth.”
Colonel Ian Critchley OBE, who served with the Black Watch for 37 years, was there to see the statue.
The 91-year-old veteran, who lives near Crieff, commented: “I think it’s marvellous
“I hope it ensures that people will never forget the sacrifice, that it helps to make sure the young remember how dreadful wars are.”
Lieutenant Roddy Riddell, vice-chairman of the Black Watch Association and secretary of the 51st Highland Division and Ross Bequest Trust described the piper’s meaning for him.
He told the PA: “Sadly my uncle was killed in 1945 serving with The Black Watch so, from a family point of view, this memorial now has a very special place in my heart.”
Anne Kinnes, the chief executive of The Black Watch Castle and Museum, declared: “We are delighted to have this magnificent statue in the grounds of Balhousie Castle for our many visitors to enjoy”.