Lord Roberts Monument, Glasgow, Guida per visitatori e cosa fare nei dintorni

The Lord Roberts Monument is an equestrian statue in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, honouring Field Marshal Frederick Roberts, one of the best-known British soldiers of the Victorian era. It is a good example of how Glasgow's parks and streets carry the memory of empire, and of how that memory is debated today.

The story behind it

Lord Roberts served as a soldier in the colonial wars of India and Afghanistan, and later commanded British forces in the Boer War in South Africa. In his day he was a hugely popular public figure. Sympathy for him grew further after his only son was killed during the Boer War, and memorials to him were raised in several cities.

Today the statue is also a focus for a different conversation. In March 2020, anti-racist activists gathered beside it during a rally marking the United Nations day against racism. They spoke against the glorification of colonialism and the exploitation tied to it, as represented by this and other monuments around Glasgow. The statue is therefore a useful place to think about who is remembered in the city's public spaces and why.

What to look for

• The bronze figure of Roberts on horseback shows how Victorian and Edwardian Britain liked to portray its military heroes: upright, commanding and larger than life.
• The stone plinth and its inscription tell you how the memorial presents him, and they are worth reading before you decide what you think of the monument.
• The park setting is part of the design, with paths, mature trees and open lawns that make the statue feel like a landmark within a wider landscape.
• Look around at the other memorials and statues in Kelvingrove Park, and notice how many figures from Glasgow's imperial and industrial past are gathered in one green space.

Tips for your visit

• The statue stands in an open public park, so you can walk up to it at any time of day without a ticket. Allow ten to fifteen minutes for the monument itself.
• Morning and late afternoon give softer light for photographs, and the park is usually quieter on weekday mornings.
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the University of Glasgow are both close, so the statue fits easily into a longer walk through the West End. Check current opening hours for the museum before you go.
• Paths in the park can be wet and uneven after rain, so wear comfortable shoes.

See it on a quest

You can reach the monument as one stop on Glasgow's West End: The Portal Traveler, a self-guided walk through the area. The app leads you from place to place on foot, tells you about each one as you arrive, and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look at the statue properly instead of just passing it. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group. You can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.