The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Rob Roy landmark could be replaced
Statue: Damage more severe than expected
One of Aberdeen’s most famous landmarks could soon be replaced after being removed from its cliff-top site for the first time in 25 years.
Statues of Scottish hero Rob Roy have stood proudly over the bridge, leaving west out of Culter, since around 1850.
Over the many years the historic figure has been represented at the site, a number of different monuments have been erected and replaced because of weather damage, vandalism and even target practice by the Territorial Army before World War I.
The current figure, made out of polychrome carved wood, was first unveiled in 1991, and has stood guard over the Culter Burn ever since.
But now, after 25 years of battling the elements, the commemoration to the 17th-century rogue has been taken down by the Rob Roy Preservation Trust (RRPT) for refurbishment work.
However, the group’s chairman, Doug Middleton, revealed yesterday that if the statue was too degraded, it could be replaced entirely.
Mr Middleton said: “During the last couple of years, we have noticed a lot of deterioration on the statue.
“With the current works going on at the bridge, we had an opportunity over the weekend to use a crane, thanks to the contractors, to remove Rob Roy and evaluate him.
“We’re going to take some professional advice to see if we can refurbish the statue, but unfortunately it’s a lot more damaged than we had anticipated.
“During the next few weeks, we will see if we can fix up the statue, but if not we’ll have to look at getting a new one.”
The effigy marks the point where legends say Rob Roy leapt across the Culter Burn in pursuit of Hanoverian troops, and the iconic Scotsman has proved to be a major tourist attraction for the village of Culter.
In September, the RRPT will have another window of opportunity to use the crane to put Rob Roy’s statue back in its place, but in the meantime, the trust is aiming to consult local residents to hear their views on the project.
Mr Middleton added: “Once we’ve had a proper evaluation done, we’re going to be speaking to community groups in the area to ensure that, whatever is decided will be a community decision for what’s best for the statue.”