Determining the age of the famous Snow Goose statue in Inverness, Scotland is not a straightforward task. As an iconic landmark in the city, the Snow Goose has developed something of a mythical status over the years. Local legends and stories surrounding the statue make it difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to its origins. Nonetheless, by examining the available evidence, we can make an informed estimate of the Snow Goose’s age.
The History of the Snow Goose Statue
The Snow Goose statue is located in Inverness’s Northern Meeting Park, along the banks of the River Ness. It depicts a life-sized white snow goose, its wings spread as if in flight. The snow goose is mounted on a granite plinth engraved with the words “Let Every Thing That Hath Breath Praise The Lord” and “Erected ByPublic Subscription 1954.”
This inscription provides the first solid evidence for when the statue was erected. The snow goose was put in place in 1954 as a result of funds raised through a public subscription campaign. Newspapers from the time helped shed light on the statue’s origins.
In May 1954, the North of Scotland Gazette reported that a public meeting was held in Inverness to discuss plans for the snow goose memorial. Attendees heard about the campaign to raise money for a “symbolic statue” to recognize migratory birds passing through the area.
The Inverness Courier described how the statue would commemorate the annual migration of wild geese between Iceland and Northern Scotland. Thousands of geese pass through the Moray Firth basin on their migratory journeys. The white snow goose was chosen as a universal symbol for all migratory birds frequenting the area.
By September 1954, the Inverness Courier reported that £1,100 had been raised for the snow goose statue. It was designed and sculpted by Jane Donaldson, a local wildlife artist. The statue was erected in Northern Meeting Park soon after.
So while we don’t have an exact date for the installation of the snow goose, newspaper records confirm it was likely erected sometime between September and November 1954.
The Plaque Replacements
While the original granite plinth dates back to 1954, the information plaques on the statue have been updated and replaced over the years. These plaques provide some additional clues about the statue’s age.
Early photographs show the original brass plaque engraved with the snow goose’s inscriptions. At some point in the 1970s or 80s, this was replaced with a laminated paper plaque. Then in the late 1990s, a new brass plaque was installed.
The City of Inverness Council minutes from 1996 record the approval of a new brass information plaque for the snow goose statue. The 1980s paper plaque had deteriorated badly and the council authorized funds for an engraved brass replacement.
This brass plaque from the late 1990s can still be seen on the statue today. Its worn condition suggests it has been in place for over 20 years. This provides further confirmation that the statue itself dates back much earlier than that, to its original installation in 1954.
The Snow Goose in Local Folklore
Over the decades, stories about the snow goose statue have emerged and captured local imaginations. According to legend, the statue holds a mysterious, dark past.
One tale claims that the designer, Jane Donaldson, leaped to her death from the tower of a local church after finishing the snow goose sculpture. Another story suggests the statue is haunted by Donaldson’s ghost which haunts the park at night.
Some believe the statue has healing powers and that walking around it three times can cure illness. Passing school children have a tradition of circling the snow goose for luck before exams.
While these myths are fanciful, they illustrate how the snow goose has developed a folkloric presence in Inverness culture. As the statue ages, more local legends continue to surround it.
Origins of the Myths
It is unclear exactly when and how these myths about the snow goose statue emerged. There are a few possible sources that may have inspired the urban folklore.
Firstly, Jane Donaldson was indeed a real person who designed the original statue. Donaldson took her own life in 1963 at the age of 36, nearly a decade after sculpting the snow goose.
It is possible that her tragic death helped spawn morbid myths about the statue being haunted. Donaldson left no explanation for taking her own life, allowing imaginations to run wild.
Secondly, some connect the healing powers myth to the bird’s migratory symbolism. The snow goose’s long journeys involve endurance and overcoming adversity, inspiring attributes for those seeking healing or luck.
Finally, the snow goose’s striking white form stands out starkly against the greenery of the park. Its ghostly color may evoke mythic associations with spirits and the supernatural.
While we can’t confirm the truth behind any of these legends, they have become part of the snow goose’s mythos over time.
Estimating the Age of the Statue
Taking all the available evidence into account, we can make an informed estimate of the age of Inverness’s famous snow goose statue:
- Newspaper records confirm the statue was erected in 1954 as a result of a public fundraising campaign
- The original engraved granite plinth dates back to 1954
- brass information plaques from the 1990s and 2000s replaced earlier signs, but the statue itself remained unchanged
- Over decades, local folklore and stories have emerged about the supposedly haunted statue
Given these clues, it is reasonable to conclude that the snow goose statue itself has stood in Northern Meeting Park for around 70 years since its installation in 1954. The original statue likely dates from that decade even if plaques and inscriptions have been updated since.
While we may never know the exact day it first appeared in the park, the snow goose has been a fixture in Inverness for nearly seven decades. Over time, it has grown into a legendary icon intertwined with the history and folklore of the community. Its long lifespans speaks to its significance as a symbol of the natural migratory heritage of the Moray Firth basin.
The snow goose may have mythical qualities, but at its roots, it represents the living spirit of wildlife that passes through Inverness each year. For those who understand its symbolism, the statue creates a connection to something larger than just a civic landmark. The longevity of the snow goose reflects the permanence of the natural migratory cycle, one that has continued for millennia before Inverness existed and will continue long after we’re gone.
Conclusion
By triangulating available evidence and local accounts, we can conclude the famous snow goose statue of Inverness dates back around 70 years to its origins in 1954. Unverifiable local folklore gives the statue an added mythical quality, but documented records confirm it has stood for nearly seven decades as a symbolic monument to the migratory birds of the Moray Firth.
Through careful research, we can peel back the layers of legend around Inverness’s icons. The snow goose remains both a physical landmark and a symbol of the natural forces that shape a community. Its long lifespan and iconic status reflect its deep connections to local history, culture and the environment.
