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Rob Roy Unveiling 1926
- Details
- Published on Saturday, 03 March 2012 16:59
- Written by Heritage Trust
"Rob" Never in District.
But for the many strangers to the district who were present at Saturday's largely attended ceremony, the legendary romance was shattered that, when pursued by enemies, Rob Roy made a daring jump across the chasm of the stream from off the point where his statue stands. That story, and others, concerning Rob's derring-do, received a quietus from the chairman of the proceedings, Mr James L. Geddes, Postcliffe, who declared that the erection of the statue had no historical significance--Rob Roy never having been in the district-and explained that the figure was there resurrected "simply because we in Culter and the surrounding district love to have it so."
The new Rob Roy stands in half-challenging, defensive attitude, with studded; targe at the guard and broadsword ready for thrust or parry. To the plain Kilmarnock bonnet of the erstwhile figure, a jaunty feather has been added. Rob's ruddy locks stream over the neck of his green tunic. Plaid and kilt and hose are of red, shot-red, and black-dyced tartan, and his expansive sporran is black-tasselled. He is altogether a bold-looking, weather-beaten, old warrior. For cutting the statue so skilfully out of a nine feet high block of Quebec yellow pine, Mr David K. Graham, 16 Hardgate, Aberdeen, received much deserved praise.
Hundreds watch Unveiling.
On a knoll of the bank of the burn, directly across the dell from where the statue stands, hundreds of folks, young and old, residents and passersby, gathered to witness the unveiling. Scores of others perched precariously, on the heights above Rob Roy, and the bridge was crowded along its parapets with lookers-on. Included in the platform party were Mr J. L. Geddes, Postcliffe (Chairman of the committee which got together the funds for the new statue), and Mrs Geddes; Colonel R.W. Walker, Culter Lodge (who took active part in the work of the committee), and Mrs Walker; Miss Jessie Thomson (who unveiled the statue) and Mrs Thomson, her sister-in-law; Mr D.K. Graham (the carver) and Mr John Graham (son); Mr James Hossack Craiglea (secretary of the committee); and Mr Hector Balfour, Westbrae (a member of committee).
Mr Geddes, the chairman, read a telegram sent from London, in which their old friend, Dr R Rannie, departed medical officer, Kincardineshire, conveyed his "compliments to young Rab". (Laughter and applause.) The committee who had charge of the collection of the funds and the erection of the new statue of Rob Roy, the chairman explained, had thought it desirable that there should be a ceremony in introducing the new figure to the public- hence the purpose of their meeting. It might be that some were anxious to know why that statue should be erected on its particular site.
No Historical Significance.
He might tell them right away that its erection there had, so far as he knew, little or no significance from a historical point of view. Rob, so far as he new was never at Culter, so they might in consequence give no credence to the story they sometimes heard that he jumped the chasm upon which they were looking down. The figure was there simply because they in Culter loved to have it so.
(Applause.)
The statue was the third which had had a home on the ledge of rock facing them. The first was, he believed, the figurehead of an old Peterhead whaler picked up in Aberdeen by Mr David Anderson, who was for many years a valued employee at Culter Mills. The original figure, which lasted for only a few years, must have been put up in the early fifties. it was succeeded by another, built by public subscription, about the early 'sixties, and it had a life of about 60 to 65 years.
To Last 100 Years.
The new one, the one they, were to unveil now, had also been built by public subscription. Thanks to the care and ability, of Mr Graham, a noted artist and carver, it was expected to last for 100 years. (Applause.) If it did, none there would see the end of it. The statue had cost, one way or another, nearly £100, and in case it was of interest to anyone he might mention that the subscription list was not yet closed, because, although there is enough money in hand to pay for the figure itself, they were anxious to leave ever sufficient to ensure its being kept in good repair and well painted during its expected lifetime. (Applause.) It was interesting to know that the previous statue, the one now displaced, was unveiled, or at any rate introduced, he believed, by Mr John Thomson, at one time a valued employee of the mill company, and as his daughter, Miss Jessie Thomson, was present at that function, and was now, happily, with them, the committee thought it would be nice if she were asked to unveil the present statue. He asked her to do so. (Applause.)
A Neat Unveiling.
Miss Thomson thereupon pulled a cord stretching many yards across the ravine, and, to the accompaniment of cheers, the covering placed over Rob Boy's head fluttered off, revealing the old warrior in his resplendent attire and accoutrements. The Chairman complimented Miss Thomson upon having unveiled the statue very gracefully and efficiently. On behalf of the committee he presented her with a scarf as a souvenir of the occasion, and called for a vote of thanks to her, which was heartily given.
Colonel R. W. Walker moved a vote of thanks to Mr Graham, the carver and maker of "Rob Junior." He was sure that when they looked on the exceedingly handsome figure no words of his were necessary to bring forth what was necessary to show their appreciation of Mr Graham's work. (Applause.) He, personally, had seen the log out of which Rob had been formed arriving in Aberdeen, and he had seen Rob from time to time in process of becoming what he now was, and he could assure them that Mr Graham's whole heart was in the work, and that he took keen personal interest in trying to give them a good job. (Applause.) As Rob was made out of really good seasoned wood, he should last with care for a century-it all rested with the Culter people to see that Rob was kept well painted and made to continue to look as handsome as he was that day. (Applause.)
The chairman conveyed the thanks of the community to Mr Graham, who acknowledged with a modest "Thank you very much."
Mr Hector Balfour, Westbrae, moved votes of thanks to Mr J. H. Geddes and Colonel R. W. Walker who had taken a leading part in making possible the replacement of the statue. (Applause.) The chairman thanked the company on behalf of both of them, and added the name of Mr Wm. Hargreaves to those deserving of recognition in bringing the movement to such complete success. (Applause.)
