Statue of Mary

I was interested to read the story (11 May) about the intention of the Marie Stuart Society to erect a statue of Mary Queen of Scots, and surprised at the claim that this would be the first statue of the queen in her homeland. There is already a statue of her in the garden of Annet House Museum in Linlithgow. It was erected ten years ago.

It is life-size and shows Mary looking across the rooftops of the town towards her birthplace at Linlithgow Palace. The statue was sculpted by Edinburgh sculptor Alan Heriot. Its erection was funded by sponsorship and public subscription.

The museum also houses a small exhibition, Images of a Queen, which examines how Mary was portrayed during her lifetime and since her death. It includes a maquette of the statue planned to be erected by the Marie Stuart Society.

Members of the society have visited the Annet House Museum and have seen the statue. On that occasion the museum was specially opened outside normal hours to enable their visit.

It may be that they assumed entrance to the museum for all visitors was by private arrangement. That is not the case. Entrance to Annet House Museum is free to all and it is open seven days a week from April to October. Opening for organised groups can be arranged by prior appointment. Further information can be found on annethousemuseum.org.uk.

Alan G Young

Bailielands

Linlithgow