NEWS RELEASE: Launch of appeal to erect a statue of Mary, Queen of Scots - Linlithgow Palace. Tourism boost for Scotland.

                    

Mary, Queen of Scots comes home....

The Marie Stuart Society today launch an appeal to boost tourism and awareness of one of the most famous figures in Scottish history, Mary, Queen of Scots.

The appeal will raise funds to build a statue of Mary, Queen of Scots at her birthplace, Linlithgow Palace, thereby creating a focal destination for anyone interested in the monarch and her incredible life story.

The Marie Stuart Society must now raise money to create the statue itself. It’s a project of international importance as Margaret Lumsdaine, President of the Society, explains: “As far as we are aware there is no official statue of the Queen in Scotland which is at all times accessible to the public. We believe that one at Linlithgow Palace would rightly honour one of our most famous historic figures and attract those following the trail of the Queen, thereby making a wonderful contribution to the promotion of the history of Scotland.”

The statue is already designed by the late Aberdonian sculptor Anne Davidson, and will now be scaled-up and cast by David Annand, a well-known Scottish sculptor. The statue will stand over 7ft tall and be cast in bronze. The estimated cost of the project is £80,000.

Historic Scotland will install the statue which will be situated in Linlithgow Peel near the Palace and will take responsibility for it once in situ.

Theresa Breslin, award-winning Scottish author who has written a book about the Queen, explains her intrigue: “She led an amazing life. Romance, revenge, love, violence, betrayal, injustice, tragedy, it’s no wonder her story captures the imaginations and hearts of so many people. Even today, Mary is inspiring mainstream culture – the new American drama series ‘Reign’ on TV is proof of her enduring appeal. We’re hoping that Mary’s popularity will compel people to donate to the fund - any amount is welcome, large or small.”

The launch of the appeal comes as ongoing research Mapping Memorials to Women in Scotland (womenofscotland.org.uk) reveals very few statues celebrating individual women in Scotland, compared to hundreds of male statues. Social Networking sites are calling for more famous and important Scottish women to be immortalized – raising a statue to Mary, Queen of Scots would help answer this plea.

The appeal launches today and hopes for international media attention. Donations via PayPal or cheque, details here: http://www.mariestuartsociety.org/appeal.php or directly by cheque made payable to The Marie Stuart Statue Fund and sent c/o The Treasurer, 1 Armit Place, ST ANDREWS, Scotland, KY16 8RE, UK.

"I strongly support this splendid and romantic endeavour"

Lady Antonia Fraser, supporter of the appeal and author of the classic biography Mary, Queen of Scots

Social media hashtag for the appeal is: #MaryofScotsStatue - Please spread The Word.