Donald Dewar

Scotland's very first, First-Minister!

When the UK government devolved certain powers to the Scotland and Wales, Donald Dewar was elected as the Prime Minister of Scotland. Well of course the UK has it's own Prime Minister so to distinguish, we had to use something else - so he became First Minister in the new Scottish Parliament.

Donald Dewar died in 2000 and this statue was erected and stands at the top of Buchanan Street in Glasgow. He looks south and gazes down the hill towards the St Enoch subway station and further on across the River Clyde.

It's a good likeness - I can remember being in his company once or twice when he came to watch the rugby. Following the theft of the spectacles on two occasions, the statue was removed and replaced on a higher (and slippier) plinth and this seems to have discouraged any further attempts.

I always smile when I go past - he was a popular man.