A row has erupted after pranksters scaled a prized statue of Scotland’s Bard and subjected him to the cone treatment.
In a move reminiscent of Glasgow’s famed Duke of Wellington cast — which perenially sees the nobleman perched astride his horse, resplendent with a traffic cone strategically placed on his head — Dumfries’ iconic Rabbie Burns statue has been decked out with the traffic appendage.
But the move, filmed and shared on social media, has sparked outrage and claims that it disrespects the area’s historic association with Burns.
Criticism has been levelled at the culprits online, with councillor Adam Wilson commenting: “This is not Glasgow”, while other residents level accusations of stupidity and disrespect.
Resident Tommy Macdonald also hit out, branding the stunt “an affront” and accusing the miscreants of “deliberately defacing the statue of the National Poet of Scotland.”
He added: “It’s not funny or clever to do what you did.
“Dumfries prides itself with our national bard connection... to do what you did is an insult to our heritage.”
Others dismissed the stunt as locals “only having fun”.
David Slater waded in to the online debate, adding: “It took a long time to get the council to clean Burns’ statue and to see this happening to it is disgraceful.”
And James Swan said: “The person who put the cone up should be sent the bill to take it down.”
But Robin Wishart of Loreburn Community Council played down the jape, saying: “I saw the statue and somebody has clearly put the cone up there as a bit of a joke.
“I don’t think it’s something to be taken too seriously.
“The bigger concern is that it’s unoriginal. It’s a clear copy of the Duke of Wellington. I just wish they could be a bit more innovative and come up with something more original.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council were contacted for comment but did not respond before we went to print.
.jpg?w=600)
