Broken Statue & Broken Dreams

Why do some seek to destroy what others enjoy? It's an age-old question which continues to baffle minds. We shall probably never know or understand. What one man creates another man mutilates. It has long been known if you want it to last; cast it in stone. It has always been a need of mankind to leave some proof of his existence. Cro-Magnon man knew enough to protect and preserve his paintings from the light in a Dordogne cave. But soon it was realised that stone made up for in durability what it lacked in colour. We have lasting proof of this from the pyramids of the Eqyptians - the temples of the Aztecs & of Angkor; and numerous others throughout the ancient world. Nearer home we have the Stonehenge circle; and nearer still we have our own cromlechs and standing stones. On our own hillsides, we have the Clinkin' Stane: we have Cairnpapple: we have the stones at Kipps Castle. We don't always know the meaning behind these edifices but we respect their creation.

People of power also realised the potential of stone in propagating and perpetuating their reputation by having statues formed in their honour and memory. Commemorated by such statues are some who are worthy and some who are not. Among those most worthy to be so honoured must surely be our national bard. Robert Burns was no self-seeking politician: no megalomaniac dictator: no mere monarch. No, he was a genius, still recognised throughout the world today for his poetry which conveyed the basic truths of man's condition. His is a universal appeal and he is no greater honoured than in his own country. It is a shame on the town that the statue of Highland Mary was vandalised in the first case; but it is to its lasting shame it has been allowed to languish in its broken state for well nigh 40 years.

Isn't it high time it was restored and erected in a prominent place in the town, rather than be consigned to the hardcore of history? To its credit Bathgate has no statues commemorating the vainglorious.

But if we have only one statue of worth then let it be to the Immortal Memory of our National Bard - Robert Burns!