Dornoch 2, 'undying bronze'

The Dornoch war memorial today (2006).

The horrible poyeurethane coating which had been applied years ago (see previous page) has been removed to reveal the rich patina of the bronze.

Photograph supplied and reproduced by kind permission of Max Espie.

There might be a possibility that Carrick's Dornoch soldier was intended to complement that of Killin (see Killin). The Killin soldier seems to have been based on Michaelangelo's David and the famous Florentine sculpture, with its tense posture and frowning expression has been widely viewed as a portrayal of David before the battle with Goliath, a portrayal of that moment of decision as the simple shepherd resolved to fight. The Killin soldier is similarly portrayed 'before the battle', standing easy but alert and ready for the coming fight, and at Dornoch Carrick created an image of the aftermath. 'After the Battle' is a reminder of the true cost of war.