It is arguably Glasgow's best known non-intended landmark and according to Banksy was the reason he chose the city for his first solo show in 14 years.

The Duke of Wellington statue has not been without a cone since at least the 1980s but the identify of those who risk life and limb to return it, if it happens to topple off, has remained a mystery - a bit like the street artist's identity. Until now.

A video shared on X showing a man clambering up to returning it to the A-listed monument has caused upset for "pulling back the curtain" on the city's service service of statue climbers.

Ian MacNeil wrote: "Ahh, this isn't supposed to be seen how the cone gets up there! Now everything is ruined, the aura, the mystery, the mystique...the curtain has been pulled back."

Another said: "It's amazing to watch the Knights from The Ancient Order of the Sacred Cone, hard at work replacing the Sacred Cone, a ceremony steeped in mystery..... Truly a rare sight for any visitors to Glasgow."

Paul Cochrane wrote: "Beginning to think there is a secret Statue Watcher Society in Glasgow with a carefully planned “plonk it back on” protocol."

The video was shared by Kelly Mathieson and prompted a bit of surprise from one commenter that more people did not stop to watch.

He said: "Can't believe people just walk on by, Surely applause is merited!" 

It is synonymous with Glasgow It is synonymous with Glasgow (Image: Zoe Dargue) However, the video has also re-ignited the debate over a practice that has divided the public and probably council leaders since it began.

@FMLochearnhead posted: "The glorification of this childish nonsense by the establishment in Glasgow is patronising and condescending."

A council spokesman said: "Anyone climbing on the Duke is putting themselves and others at risk of harm and is potentially damaging an A-listed statue."

In 2005, Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police took a stance of asking the public not to replace the cone, citing minor damage to the statue and the potential for injury when attempting to place a cone.

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In 2011 the Lonely Planet guide included the statue in its list of the "top 10 most bizarre monuments on Earth".

Two years later the council put forward plans for a £65,000 restoration project, that included a proposal to double the height of its plinth and raise it to more than six feet (1.8 metres) in height to "deter all but the most determined of vandals".

Their planning application contained an estimate that the cost of removing traffic cones from the statue was £100 per callout, and that this could amount to £10,000 a year.

The plans were withdrawn after widespread public opposition, including an online petition that received more than 10,000 signatures.

As the council indicated that action against the practice could still be considered,[11] the art-political organization National Collective organised a rally in defence of the cone.

In 2014, in support of the Scottish Independence referendum, the statue was fitted with a "Yes" cone as well as a flag fitted in the statue's stirrup.

In June 2023 to promote his exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art, artist Banksy declared that the statue was his "favourite work of art in the UK".