Donald Dewar

Category: Statue

Statue of Donald Dewar (2002), outside Royal Concert Hall, Buchanan Street.

Donald Dewar became the first First Minister of Scotland in 1999. Following the Labour Party victory in the 1997 elections, he became Secretary of State for Scotland, overseeing the devolution process that led to the passing of the Scotland Act and the reinstatement of the Scottish Parliament after almost 300 years.

In 2000 Donald Dewar underwent heart surgery, and whilst recovering he suffered a brain haemorrhage and died, the aged 63. He is remembered by many Scots as the founding father of the reborn Scottish Nation.

In May 2002, Tony Blair unveiled a 9ft tall bronze statue of Donald Dewar in front of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Buchanan Syreet. This was sculpted by Kenny Mackay using funds raised the Glasgow newspaper the Daily Record.

Sadly, since its unveiling, the statue has been vandalised on a number of occasions and despite talk of relocating it from Glasgow to Edinburgh (where it has been suggested that it should be placed near the Scottish Parliament Building) it has since been elevated upon a higher pedestal to prevent further damage.