CALLS have been made for the Robert the Bruce statue in Lochmaben to get a clean up ahead of his landmark 750th birthday.
However, the much-needed tidy up of the monument in the Burgh’s High Street might not be able to happen due to costs.
Annandale North councillor Stephen Thompson revealed that he had been asked by the community and heritage groups to see if the now green-looking statue could receive some attention to improve the state of it.
But it seems it could be bad news as the clean up would cost “thousands” and it had already been refreshed a few years ago.
Cllr Thompson said: “They are saying it would cost so many thousand pounds to do – and it had been cleaned five or six years ago.
“It would cost quite a bit of money. I know Nicola Simpson, the council’s community assets manager, is aware of the request.”
One Lochmaben resident – who wished to remain anonymous – is pleading that the statue is looked at ahead of Robert the Bruce’s birthday which is on July 11.
He said: “The statue is looking tired and green in parts. The recent bad weather probably hasn’t helped but it’s concerning that Lochmaben might get a few tourists or history buffs for Robert the Bruce’s birthday and they see the statue in the state it’s in.”
Meanwhile, more concerns were this week raised about the safety of Lochmaben Castle due to the recent storms.
Community councillor Jane Purdie said: “The tallest tower left at the castle is on a big lean, it’s going to come down one of these days.
“A fence has been put up at a distance that they think it wouldn’t pass but if it did come down all at one, I feel it could spill out.”
“With the recent wet and windy weather it has got worse, it’s quite concerning.”
Councillor Thompson told members he would investigate and report back at the next meeting.
