Field Visit
Date 10 October 2000
Event ID 612534
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/612534
Standing figure of Ramsay wearing a night cap, in the act of composing. He holds a book in his left hand and a pencil in his right. On a pedestal decorated with portrait heads in high relief of Lord Murray (north side), Mrs Ramsay (west side), General Ramsay (south side), and Lady Campbell and Mrs Malcolm (east side).
The whole stands on a base which houses the works of the floral clock, with cannons projecting from the corners. Below each cannon is a small head: (1) female (on the north-east, facing east); (2) bearded male (on the south-east, facing east); (3) female (on the south-east, facing south); (4) female (on the south-west, facing south); (5) female child (on the south-west, facing west); (6) bearded male (on the north-west, facing west). Each head has foliage in place of hair. On the west side of the base is an arched door, over which is a thick carved rope, knotted at each end.
Allan Ramsay, born in Leadhills 1686. Died 1758. Wig-maker and poet.
Inscriptions : On front of pedestal:
ALLAN RAMSAY
At base of each portrait head:
LORD MURRAY (north side);
LADY CAMPBELL / MRS MALCOLM (east side);
GENERAL RAMSAY (south side);
[MRS R]AMSAY (west side).
Signatures : On the west side of the statue:
J.STEELL, R.S.A., SCULPTOR
Design period : 1857 - 1865
Year of unveiling : 1865
Unveiling details : 25 March 1865
Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0174)