Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
New tour of iconic
Historical secrets are revealed on guided walk
THE hidden secrets behind one of Dundee’s most iconic buildings are being revealed as part of a new guided tour.
History buff George McCann is taking people for a walk around McManus Galleries to reimagine life in the city centre 150 years ago, when the museum was founded.
And it’s not just tourists who can soak up George’s local knowledge — as the 60-year-old believes many lifelong Dundonians will be unaware of the area’s history.
A joiner by trade, George worked on the McManus’ multimillion-pound refurbishment in 2007.
It was during that time that he became fascinated with the artefacts spread across the outside of the building in Albert Square.
Now, he’s inviting people to join his Bright Dundee guided walk and learn first-hand of the stories behind the statues.
George told the Tele: “The inspiration came from when I was working on the McManus in 2007.
“We were having to repair the spire behind the Rabbie Burns statue and I saw these statues of eight women round the spire.
“They were each holding something different.
“I’m a joiner but it was after working on it that I kind of took more of an interest in the area and finally I’ve got this up and running to give people a better i nsight i nto some of the artefacts.
“That’s where the inspiration came from — and now I want to show people the history behind those and other parts of the buildings.
“I like sharing aspects of history that a lot of people don’t know actually exists.
“It’s almost like hidden history but in plain sight.”
In total, 51 carved stone faces of humans, animals and gargoyles surround the McManus.
The hour-long tour begins from outside the DC Thomson building and works its way anti-clockwise around Albert Square.
But not all of the features are easy to spot.
“I actually recommend people bring binoculars with them on the tour,” George said.
“There’s some that are etched highatop the building and that’s the best way for you to view them.
“The McManus is 150 this year so I tell people about what Dundee was like in 1867.
“A lot of the other buildings you see round here now weren’t around in 1867. All of those extensions came later and I give detail about what was there before.
“Nobody I’ve spoken to in Dundee had realised those features were even there.
“Hundreds of people will walk by this area every day and not realise some of the features that are actually there.”
The McManus initially stood alone as the Albert Institute when it first opened in 1867 and is now one of Dundee’s most popular landmarks and tourist destinations.