The playful tradition of adorning statues with traffic cones, a practice that gained international attention with Scotland's Tartan Army during the World Cup, has seen a notable surge in its homeland. This trend, however, is not universally embraced, with local officials in some Scottish cities expressing disapproval.
The "coning" of statues became a recognizable symbol of Tartan Army's presence during international football events. After fans encountered coneless statues in Boston, a city historically linked to Scotland, the practice was adopted there. This gesture even led to a symbolic twinning of Glasgow and Boston, marked by the gifting of a signed traffic cone from Glasgow.
Local Variations and Reactions
Back in Scotland, the trend has manifested in various locations. Statues in Edinburgh, including those of Duke of Wellington outside Register House, and monuments to historical figures Adam Smith and David Hume on the Royal Mile, have been seen sporting traffic cones. While the image is strongly associated with Glasgow, some Edinburgh residents note that placing cones on statues is not entirely new to their city.
However, the practice has drawn criticism from some local authorities. Edinburgh city centre councillor Jo Mowatt stated that the practice makes the statues appear "undignified." She expressed a preference for the tradition to remain associated with Glasgow, adding that in Edinburgh, the "middle of where it's happening," it is "totally inappropriate."
Despite the mixed reactions, the spirited, albeit unconventional, adornment of public statues continues to be a visible, and sometimes debated, aspect of Scottish street culture, echoing the fan celebrations that propelled it into the spotlight.