Statue House

William Gemmell (1814-1891) lived in Eaglesham and was a joiner by trade and self-taught sculptor. In the 1840s he became proficient in his hobby, and created many sculptures which received critical acclaim.

Gemmell spent 3 years creating a lifesize group of statuary depicting the domestic circle described in Robert Burns’ poem, 'The Cottar’s Saturday Night'. This was widely exhibited in the Glasgow area around 1845 and was favrouably covered by the regional press at this time. Sadly the whereabouts of this group is now unknown, and the only remaining examples of his work are the 6 lifesize figures in Statue House, in the conservation village of Eaglesham.