The King of Scotland is in line for a clean-up.
A statue of Robert the Bruce proudly stands in Lochmaben High Street – just a few miles from the remains of the castle his ancestors once called home and where some claim he was born.
Now, Dumfries and Galloway Council is making plans to give the sculpture some TLC.
With 2024 marking the 750th anniversary of Bruce’s birth, paperwork has been lodged to carry out repairs, maintenance and cleaning of the statue, built in 1879 by John Hutchison.
The Grade B listed artwork is just outside Lochmaben Town Hall and a condition report reveals it is “showing signs of discoloration and bacterial growth, both of which is to be expected on a stone statue of this age”.
Issues include particle soiling – caused by exhaust fumes – moss, algae and lichens.
And the report, compiled earlier this year, believes “inappropriate cleaning” has been carried out in the past.
However, the report says this is not currently causing damage – although “there is potential for damage to the stone” if this is not addressed.
It recommends the statue is carefully cleaned by hand to remove moss, algae and lichen as well as specialist seam cleaning.
For the work to be carried out, the scaffolding will need to be to be assembled.