New home agreed for Hawick’s statue of James Wilson

Statue of James Wilson, the nineteenth century Economist who was born in Hawick.

A marble tribute to Wilson, who founded the Economist magazine, was created by Edinburgh sculptor John Steell in 1865 and until last year stood in the Economist’s old head office in London.

The 12ft-high sculpture was gifted to Hawick after the magazine moved office, and it arrived in town amid much fanfare in August last year, taking up a place of honour outside Tower Knowe.

In December the statue was damaged, with two fingertips from its right hand found to be missing.

Police were called in, but it was never established whether the damage was accidental or down to vandalism.

Hawick’s common good fund sub-committee have been looking at potential sites for the statue, with the Heritage Hub emerging as the frontrunner.

However, council officers have now ruled out the Heritage Hub, after a structural engineer unearthed problems with the load bearing capabilities of the floors due to the building’s under floor heating system.

Now, councillors sitting on the common good fund sub-committee have agreed to move the statue to just outside of the building, and under the external canopy that sits to the right of the entrance.

Presenting an update to councillors, Frank Scott, Scottish Borders Council’s maintenance officer, said: “As you know we had a structural engineer come out and check the Heritage Hub, and he has confirmed our suspicions that the floor is not strong enough to take the weight of Mr Wilson.

“He did suggest an alternative location hen he was there, which is outside of the of the building, but he would be under the canopy, although not completely.

“I was asked to get a quote, and it would cost around £1565 to move him there if you think that’s a good location, otherwise we’re back to the drawing board.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor George Turnbull commented: “I’d be quite happy with the location, as it would still be looking in the direction of where he was born along the High Street, but it would be great if we could get a complete glass box for him.”

Fellow Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer said added: “We’d be shifting it somewhere where there’s a bit of protection from the elements and it’s in a heritage area so I’d be quite happy with this.”

Councillors voted unanimously to agree to relocate the statue, and also instructed officers to look into the cost of constructing a glass box to shield the statue from harm.