JR Scaffold has played a pivotal role in the multi-million-pound refurbishment of George Square, Glasgow, with the latest project delivering a complex, free-standing scaffold to support the full renovation of the landmark Sir Walter Scott statue.

Invited to tender for this specialist project, JR Scaffold was also awarded scaffolding for the Queen Victoria, Robert Burns and Prince Albert monuments earlier this year, demonstrating the company’s growing expertise on high-profile heritage projects.

The scaffold enables comprehensive conservation work, from cleaning the monument to carefully removing, repairing, and reinstating large sections of damaged stone. Some stone pieces weigh up to 500kg, requiring specially designed lifting points to ensure safe and precise handling.

Constructed using Cuplok system scaffold, the structure rises approximately 25 metres to provide full access to all areas of the monument for the stone contractor. Concrete precast blocks at the base enhance stability and support the significant loads involved.

One of the biggest challenges was that no ties could be fixed into the historic monument, meaning the scaffold had to be entirely free-standing. Working closely with Gallery Access Solutions, detailed engineering drawings guided the build.

JR Scaffold’s team erected the scaffold exactly to the design, with engineers inspecting and signing off each section during construction. A team of five scaffolders completed the erection in just four weeks.

This marks JR Scaffold’s first project with this client and highlights the company’s ability to deliver precise, safe, and innovative access solutions for heritage and landmark sites.

John Jack, Contracts Director at JR Scaffold, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the completed structure we have built around the statue. It’s great to say JR Scaffold has played a small part in such a historic project. Being trusted to support the restoration of an iconic monument like Sir Walter Scott’s statue is something we are incredibly proud of.”