Duke of Wellington Statue with Traffic Cone, Glasgow
Wednesday, 9th January 2008 @ 8:21 am by Ed O'Keeffe
It took me a year to wait, and over six months before I realised this photo isn’t on my website but I now can finally bring you the photograph of the Duke of Wellington and the story of his mysterious traffic cone hat. Last summer I took the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow for the primary purpose of capturing this image. The statue stands outside the Gallery of Modern Art, sometimes referred to as GoMA.
The traffic cone is not Photoshoped on (although the photo has been covered to black and white, with the cone kept red to make it stand out more. It is permanently on the Duke’s head and for many years the authorities regularly removed cones, only for them to be replaced (usually the following night) by someone climbing the nearly 20 foot statue. This statue and his traffic cone has come to represent (particularly in tourist guidebooks) the city’s light-hearted attitude to authority, and the city authorities no longer remove Wellington’s cone hat.
I found out about this statue when researching the photograph below of David Hume taken on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, this “coning” is not accepted by the Edinburgh authorities and when I went back this summer to try and photograph Hume with his cone, it was gone. Still, the Duke of Wellington was the original traffic coned statue.
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I do not think this is very respectful.In doing this to his monument is virtually desecrating his name.In my solemn opinion, I think these ‘people’ have absolutely no respect.I’m a a 12 y.o. american, [unfortunately] and I think I have more respect for his memory.That’s just my opinion.Please take no offense.
Comment by Regina — 30 July, 2008 #
just a quick response to the previous comment.
I am from glasgow, and this is not disrespectful of the mans memory. However the authorities have chosen to leave the cone there now as it has become not only a tourist sight but almost a part of our culture now. as stated in the info about the photo, ed has traveled to glasgow just to take this photo, it would be stupid for the council to remove it now.
Comment by bob — 20 December, 2008 #
Regina,
I don't know why you say unfortunately. Hopefully you aren't saying it is unfortunate that you're an American. As far as Wellington, lighten up. You're only 12. It's actually comical. Irreverence doesn't necessarily mean a lack of respect.
Comment by Russell — 11 October, 2009 #
Your parents should be ashamed of you and themselves for not teaching you better! You are an American “unfortunately”, unfortunately for me you are an American! I incourage you to move to another country when you turn 18yrs old. Men and Women have given up their lives to make The United States Of America what it is today. Feel free to leave if you don't like it.
Comment by Name — 12 October, 2009 #
Your parents should be ashamed of you and themselves for not teaching you better! You are an American “unfortunately”, unfortunately for me you are an American! I incourage you to move to another country when you turn 18yrs old. Men and Women have given up their lives to make The United States Of America what it is today. Feel free to leave if you don't like it.
Comment by Name — 12 October, 2009 #
[...] of year this photo made the trip over from Edinburgh to Glasgow more than worth it. You can see the Duke of Wellington Statue with his cone clearly in the above photo. A big thinks to my old Uni friend Bob who told me about [...]
Pingback by Ed O’Keeffe Photography » GOMA Glasgow Christmas Lights — 23 December, 2009 #
wanker
Comment by wanker — 25 December, 2009 #
I totally agree with the comments re being disrespectful the the memory of this great man The Duke of Welington. However having served in the British Army for 28 years and having served with several Scottish Regiments I have come to accept this kind of disrespectful behaviour from Scottish youths regarding anything that is not of their era or taste.
Comment by Mike Hawkes — 27 February, 2010 #
Its glasgow wit u gawny expect
Comment by dontytyt — 19 March, 2010 #
i went to Glasgow over the weekend on holiday with my girlfriend Lorraine, my brother and his wife. we saw the statue of Duke of Wellington. until i saw this article, i thought someone been messing around and placed a cone on the statue's head. i will post the picture when its ready. thanks for this article and piece of information.
Comment by misheck garwi — 31 May, 2010 #
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, regardless of their age…
Comment by Emeeks — 24 June, 2010 #
Nope. A sense of entitlement, even to opinions, is the source of many of our problems in society. I could agree with that everyone is entitled to an opinion on something personal and subjective. A favorite color or type of pet, for instance.
But when someone is criticizing a nation that offers such a high level of wealth and personal freedom, the lack of perspective of being that young contributes in part to that. Although many much older still don't see what this nation has to offer.
That wasn't where I was going with that, however, you just assumed that. If you read the post CAREFULLY I said a 12 year old shouldn't be that serious about life.
Comment by Russell — 25 June, 2010 #