Memorial details

Memorial type
Sculptured / Cast figure
District
Nithsdale
Town
Dumfries
County
Dumfries And Galloway
Country
Scotland
Commemoration
Scottish Covenanters (1638-1687)
Maker
John Currie (Sculptor)
Ceremony
  • Presented
    Date: between 1840 and 1865
    Attended by:
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
71602

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Current location

in a shelter outside the museum
off Church Street
Dumfries
Nithsdale
Dumfries And Galloway
DG2 7AZ
Scotland

OS Grid Ref: NX 96982 75737
Denomination: Undefined

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Previous locations
  • Dr Grierson's Museum
    Thornhill
    Nithsdale
    Dumfries And Galloway
    Scotland

    OS Grid Ref: Undefined
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Private House
    Dumfries
    Nithsdale
    Dumfries And Galloway
    Scotland

    OS Grid Ref: Undefined
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Show More (1)
Description
Sandstone statue of a covenanter, only the head portion now survives
Inscription
[none]
Inscription legible?
yes
Commemorations
  • Scottish Covenanters (1638-1687)
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Figure
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone - Sandstone
Condition
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Reference
  • warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1718
  • "Statue of a Covenanter. Thornhill Museum - figure of a Covenanter - Dr Grierson's Museum has just been additionally enriched by a very effective piece of statuary, cut in red sandstone, by the late Mr John Currie, Dumfries, and which for twenty years or more adorned the grounds of a private residence in the neighbourhood of Dumfries. It represents a Covenanter of the Cameronian type, and the grave, stern, resolute cast of the face, combined with the pose of the form, bespeaks familiarity alike with both the Bible and the sword, and a readiness to play the Martyr's part if called upon. It was not intended by Mr Currie that the figure should individualise any particular Covenanter, though it has sometimes, we understand, been spoken of as intened for Richard Cameron. It certainly, however, conveys a good idea of what we would expect the nature of the man to be, who for conscience sake could dare openly to declare war against the King, as Cameron did at Sanquhar, and die resolutely "facing fearful odds" at Aird's Moss. The statue is of colossal proportions, being seven feet in height, and a substantial pedestal four feet high had been erected for it in the grounds of the Museum by Mr James Cook. It was placed in position on Friday last, under the skilful direction of Mr Dods, sculptor, Dumfries, and with the willing assistance of a numerous body of villagers. The task was no easy one, the statue weighing considerably over a ton, but it was successfully and speedily accomplished. The figure is so placed that it is displayed to great advantage. It was greatly admired by those assembled on the occasion; and it will be much prized in a district so full of stirring and sacred memories of the Covenanters. Dr Grierson, in thanking those who had assisted, said that when their children's children asked what meant those stones, they would be told that they represented one of the heroes of the liberty of Scotland, who had the boldness and determination in an age of oppression to vow allegiance to the God of Heaven rather than to the kings of earth, and whose blood mingled with that of the martyrs. (From the Dumfries Standard, of the 14th May 1884)"

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

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© WMR-71602

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