Camperdown - Robert Burns Statue

Camperdown is home to the world’s oldest surviving statue of celebrated Scottish poet Robert Burns. The historic sandstone sculpture is now securely displayed inside the Corangamite Shire Civic Centre, adjacent to the Camperdown Courthouse.

The statue was created in Edinburgh in 1830 by Scottish sculptor John Greenshields. It was based on a portrait of Burns painted by his friend Peter Taylor in 1786 and depicts the poet accompanied by his dog, Luath.

The statue was displayed at the Crystal Palace in London in 1859 before being inherited by William Andrew Taylor, a Scottish settler living at Renny Hill near Camperdown. Taylor presented it to the people of Camperdown in 1883.

For the following 125 years, the statue stood on a pedestal in Camperdown Botanic Gardens. It was severely damaged by vandals in 2009, including damage to Burns’ hat and the legs of Luath. After careful restoration, the statue was moved inside the Camperdown Civic Centre in 2012 to protect it from further damage.

A plaque commissioned by the Scottish Government was unveiled beside the statue in 2015. It describes the sculpture as a story connecting a Scottish poet, painter, sculptor and settler with Camperdown.

The original pedestal remains in Camperdown Botanic Gardens, accompanied by information about the statue’s history.

Camperdown’s Scottish heritage and its connection to Robert Burns are celebrated through the annual Camperdown Robert Burns Celtic Festival.

Opening Hours:

The statue can be viewed through the Civic Centre window at any time. For a closer view inside the building, check the current Corangamite Shire Civic Centre opening hours.