Unveiled in 1875, the famous statue is approaching its 150th birthday. In 2023, Moffat Museum and Moffat Civic Pride jointly funded a new information board for the Ram.
Moffat Museum has also developed our Window On The World to celebrate this occasion.
Previous to the erection of the Baths, the part of the street opposite was occupied by the bowling-green, which, being fenced by a compact line of old yews, had a certain picturesqueness of effect, though otherwise objectionable. In November 1875, an ornamental drinking fountain was erected in the centre of High Street, just at the head of what had been the site of the old bowling-green. The work consists of a pedestal of rough sandstone, surmounted by the figure of a black-faced ram, cast in bronze. An inscription on one of the back stones of the work tells its further story. ” A gift to the town of Moffat from William Colvin of Craigie-lands.” The artist was Mr. William Brodie, R.S.A., Edinburgh.
A full report of the September 2023 unveiling ceremony can be found HERE. Compare this with the report from November 1875 HERE and HERE (page 2).
The statue has also inspired poets Sam McVie and James Thomson – click on their name to see their respective poems.
If you want a full read download the Moffat Museum leaflet HERE.