The statues of the city’s historical figures are being restored as part of George Square’s £20million makeover, which is set for completion in August next year.
Drone footage released by Glasgow City Council has given some insight into the ongoing restoration of George Square’s 11 bronze statues. The statues of the city’s historical figures are being restored as part of the Square’s £20million makeover, which is set for completion in August next year.
Footage shows an aerial view of the Square as restoration workers use cranes and high-reach equipment to place the statues back on their pedestals. Further video clips show the bronze figures being treated by experts from Rupert Harris Conservation.
Bronze statues that have faced deterioration over time, particularly those that are outdoors, are often treated with chemicals that prevent corrosion, or wax that provides a protective layer over the metal.
The video shared by Glasgow City Council shows conservationists carefully cleaning and treating the Glasgow figures, which have slowly turned green from years of exposure to outside air and moisture.
Many of the statues have turned green due to exposure to the outside air(Image: Glasgow City Council)
Glasgow Live previously reported that military items such as swords would not be reinstated on the statues of controversial military figures Colin Campbell and Sir John Moore, who promoted slavery and oppressed others while serving the British Empire.
A council officer who confirmed that the swords would not be reinstated previously said: “The restoring company had actually commissioned a new sword for one of the statues that was missing.
“They were doing that as part of what they saw as responsible conservation and restoration practice.
“When we were made aware of that it triggered an internal discussion and the decision was taken, for the reasons you have basically outlined, that it wouldn’t be appropriate to commission and invest any more in that type of military paraphernalia.
“Therefore the decision has been taken not to do that.”
The George Square project is part of the wider £123million Avenues programme, the biggest transformation of Glasgow city centre since the 1970s. The Avenues are funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with the required cash provided by the Scottish and UK Governments.