George Square Statues Restoration – Conservation Phase

Project overview

Following on from our earlier case study documenting the removal of George Square’s statues, this second chapter focuses on the conservation phase of the project – revealing what happens once the monuments leave the Square, and how restoration continues when removal is not possible.

While 11 of the 12 George Square statues were carefully transported to a specialist workshop for restoration, one monument – the central statue of Sir Walter Scott, positioned atop an 80‑foot Doric column – remains in place.  Due to its scale, structural complexity, condition and historic significance, the statue cannot be removed and is instead being repaired in situ, surrounded by full scaffolding within the heart of the square.  Designed by John Greenshields and erected in 1937, the central statue is the world’s first public monument to the internationally acclaimed Scottish author of Rob Roy and Ivanhoe.

Commissioned by Glasgow City Council, this second phase of photography documents two parallel strands of work: conservation activity at the premises of specialist conservators Rupert Harris Conservation, and the commencement of on-site restoration works to the Sir Walter Scott monument in George Square itself.  Together, these images continue to build a comprehensive visual record of the care, craftsmanship and expertise underpinning the Square’s transformation.

Our role

McAteer Photo was commissioned to extend the original brief by capturing the statues’ journey beyond removal – showing the public monuments during conservation and highlighting the skill, precision and respect involved in conserving nationally significant works of art.

At the conservation studio our focus was on documenting the statues at close quarters: surface cleaning, structural repairs, patination and specialist handwork.  In Glasgow, the brief centred on the Sir Walter Scott statue and column – photographing access scaffolding, condition assessments and a photo opportunity with Cllr Angus Millar before conservation work is carried out in the coming months.

The resulting imagery supports public communications, media engagement, and the Council’s long-term heritage archive.

Approach and outcome

Each conservation environment presented distinct challenges.  In the south, work took place within an active conservation studio, requiring sensitivity to both workflow and artworks.  We coordinated the shoot with a key stage of the conservation process, liaising closely with conservators to ensure photography enhanced rather than interrupted their work.  Images were composed to place the statues at the centre of attention providing scale and context while keeping focus firmly on the monument and the care being taken.

In George Square, the Sir Walter Scott statue required a different approach altogether. Elevated high above ground level and enclosed within scaffolding, access, safety and sightlines were key considerations.  Working alongside the site manager and GCC’s media officer, Alan identified safe positions for ground-based photography and was given access to an elevated vantage point within The City Chambers overlooking George Square to provide a perspective of the Square in its current state of development.

Across both locations, we used a combination of Fujifilm medium-format digital cameras, mirrorless systems and drone platforms, all shooting in Camera RAW.  A consistent post-production workflow in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop ensured tonal continuity across sites, preserving bronze textures, stone surfaces and the subtle marks of age and repair.

This second body of work featuring unique imagery adds depth and narrative to the overall George Square project, moving beyond spectacle to reveal the quiet, skilled labour behind conservation.  The images have been shared with Glasgow City Council partners for use across digital channels, press briefings and public-facing updates, helping audiences understand both why the statues were removed and how they are being safeguarded for the future.

What's next

As conservation progresses and attention returns to George Square ahead of the statues’ reinstatement, we will continue documenting each stage through to project completion, creating a lasting visual record of one of Glasgow’s most significant heritage projects.

Take a look at the some of the first set of images from this project showing the removal of George Square Statues and a short video featuring all three shoots can be seen on our behind-the-scenes video of George Square restoration.  You can follow ongoing updates on McAteer Photo’s Instagram and Facebook channels.  

If you would like to discuss bespoke aerial, documentary and heritage photography that brings complex stories to life, call Alan on 07713 166398 or email him at alan@mcateerphoto.com.