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“Save Our Statue!” SCOTSMAN: ROB ROY "held to ransom by hotel" A BERDEEN JOURNALS Appeal launched to keep statue localA BERDEEN JOURNALS Rob Roy in New BattleSCOTSMAN Curse Warning over Rob Roy sale A BERDEEN JOURNALS Residents step up campaignA BERDEEN JOURNALS Public Protest to Keep Rob RoyA/DEEN JOURNALS Villagers Vow to Use Courts
The "Battle of Culter" began.....
Rob Roy, "The Mannie on the Rock", has been a popular tourist stop on Lower Deeside since the 1850s. The present incumbent, the fourth to stand on the craggy outcrop, was installed in 1991. Its predecessor, the figure in question (seen right), was sent into retirement in the foyer of the Gordon Arms Hotel in the village. A long running planning application, to turn the hotel into flats, has recently been approved. Like his present day successor, the retired McGregor’s foothold in Culter, now, looks mightily precarious. The Rob Roy Preservation Trust, who oversee the present warrior's upkeep, entrusted the former “Guardian of Culter” to the Gordon Arms Hotel on the assumption that he would always be displayed there - and remain part of the Culter community and heritage. However, like the Scotland the What song - "How are Things in Auchterturra?" - the Deeside Railway has gone, the Paper Mill has gone and, now, the village's hotel. Locals feel strongly that "their" Rob Roy should not join these as a dim memory of the past. The statue of Rob Roy was carved from an eight foot length of Quebec yellow pine by Aberdeen carver D.K. Graham. £100 was raised by public subscription and, in a ceremony in June 1926, he was unveiled by local resident Miss Jessie Thomson. Miss Thomson had been present at the unveiling of the previous statue, by her father John Thomson. in 1865. "As Rob is made out of really good seasoned wood he should last, with care, for a century, It rests with the Culter people to see that Rob is well painted and made to continue to look as handsome as he does today." (Unveiling ceremony, 1926) For many years, local painter, the late George Shaw (pictured right) risked a 100 foot drop down the craggy rocks of Culter burn to repair and varnish the statue. Fifteen to twenty different shades of paint were used to keep him resplendent for the thousands of visitors who admired him each year. George continued to maintain Rob until his death in 2001. The community now sadly finds itself in the position that it may have to raise, by public subscription, a fund to keep the statue in Culter before a proposed auction sale seals its fate. SAVE OUR STATUE APPEAL and PUBLIC PETITION is supported by:
All contributions to the campaign will be acknowledged in the "Rob Roy Appeal 2002 Donor List" to be retained, with the statue,in the St Peter's Heritage Centre,Peterculter. E-MAIL YOUR SUPPORT OR PLEDGE A DONATION
ROB ROYPetition 2002As a current resident of Culter, I wish to support the campaign to return the previous statue of “Rob Roy” to the safe-keeping of the village. I understand that the statue was purchased in 1926 through a public subscription, by our ancestors , and held in trust after that date by the Rob Roy Preservation Trust. “Rob Roy” belongs to the people- and must be returned to the people. heritage @culter.net
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The community
of Culter is mounting an all-out attempt to save one of the village's
most celebrated sons - the much-loved figure of Rob Roy McGregor.