A cast-iron statue of Robert Burns, one of the only surviving examples of its type, has been moved from South Africa to its new home in Stirling.

The statue, which dates to prior to the First World War and was designed by sculptor David Watson Stevenson was found in a compost heap in Durban in the 1950s.

Cast at the McFarlane's Foundry in Saracen, Glasgow, it was purchased by Paul and Alexandra Morris in 2013 and transported to their home in Alloway - where Burns was born.

There, ‘Rusty Rabbie’ was sympathetically restored, including lead testing on flakes of paint to confirm the original colour. It has now been re-painted with colours that reflect the original finish from when it left the McFarlane’s Foundry around 1900.

Read More:

The couple have now donated the statue to Historic Environment Scotland.

The statue will be on display at the Engine Shed as part of the site’s Doors Open Days weekend, where visitors will be able to learn about the innovative iron founders competing to make the best metalwork - from statues like Rabbie to massive decorative cast iron ceilings - and the traditional metalworking techniques they used. Eagle-eyed visitors may even see evidence of sculptor David Stevenson’s skill when crafting the statue of Rabbie Burns.

There is also lots to learn about other traditional skills vital for protecting Scotland’s buildings and monuments at the Engine Shed. Visitors will be able to explore the scientific techniques and labs which help maintain and protect our historic environment, as well as digital resources including a giant 3D printer, Digital Imaging Lab and ‘The Howff’, a cutting-edge immersive hub.

Alexandra Morris said: "We wanted to find a safe secure home for the statue, and after seeing how beautifully Rabbie was curated at the Engine Shed, we are delighted with our decision.”

Collections registrar Ross Irving with the statueCollections registrar Ross Irving with the statue (Image: Historic Environment Scotland)

Rachael Dorman, Technical Education and Training Programme Delivery Manager at HES, said: “We are excited to open our doors on 21 and 22 September to give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how Scotland is at the forefront of conservation and heritage research. From traditional skills and materials to digital and scientific innovation, there is a wealth of information and insights for visitors to enjoy at the Engine Shed.

“We’re particularly pleased to unveil the cast-iron statue of Robert Burns, which is fascinating both for its confounding history and as likely the only surviving example of its kind. We’re grateful to Paul and Alexandra for their generous donation, and the way in which this statue was made can teach us much.

"We hope this intriguing representation of our national poet will inspire visitors to learn more about the history and legacy of ironwork in Scotland.”

Burns is celebrated as the national poet of Scotland, with an annual celebration on the day of his birth, January 25.

The poet was born in Alloway, near to Ayr, in 1759 and had his first poetry collection published in 1786.

Known as 'The Kilmarnock Edition', under 100 are thought to survive today, with copies selling for up to £60,000 at auction.

Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, sold for just three shillings when it was first printed and the entire run of 612 copies sold out within a month of being made public. The book was published when Burns was 27 and the Kilmarnock Edition features many of his best known poems which were largely written as Mossgiel farm in Mauchline, Ayrshire.

To a Mouse, Address to the Deil, The Twa Dogs and Halloween all form part of the first edition and were written while he lived and worked with his brother – Gilbert – on the farm.