Scott-Wilson Memorial Sculpture 1

Image: © Russel Wills Taken: 6 Apr 2016

2012 marked the centenary of the Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica and the South Pole. Edward Wilson was chief scientist, surgeon and artist on the expedition and died with Captain Robert Falcon Scott (Scott of the Antarctic) and his colleagues on the return from the Pole in late March 1912. After the deaths of the Polar party a Memorial Fountain was erected in 1919, in Glen Prosen at a point known locally as “Scott’s View,” due to Captain Scott’s admiration of the scenery at that place. Sadly the Fountain was destroyed in a car accident in 1979, although it was replaced by a Memorial Cairn, erected in 1981. The Cairn became very weathered and the inscriptions are difficult to read. In order to commemorate the centenary, Kirriemuir Landward East Community Council led a project, involving interested local people, schools and experts from Dundee Heritage Trust to undertake a number of commemorative events. However, the main aim of the group was always to improve the commemoration of Scott and Wilson in the Glen itself. Happily, through extensive fund raising, the group were able to engage local sculptor Bruce Walker to take on the design and development of a new sculpture, to act as a long term memorial to these two remarkable individuals and as an added attraction in Glen Prosen. This monumental sculpture was unveiled, by Scott and Wilson's descendants, to wide acclaim in December 2012, attracting hundreds of visitors to a remote part of Angus. See http://www.myplaceawards.org.uk/galleries/2013-gallery-of-entrants/scott-wilson-memorial-sculpture.aspx for image of original chunk of granite. This image shows Scott, full face, together with penguins. Link: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4900290

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