We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set optional analytics cookies to help us improve it. We won't set optional cookies unless you enable them or accept our recommended settings. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.
Options
Your preferences have been set. If you wish to change your preferences, you may do so on our cookies page.
This life size seated figure of the character Souter Johnie. Sculpted in a fine grained sandstone obtained from a nearby quarry at Belston, near the river Ayr. This was a companion to a similar sized statue of Tam o' Shanter.
James Crawford Thom (1802-1850) born near Tarbolton was a stonemason who was commissioned by David Auld custodian of the Burns Monument in Alloway in 1828 to carve a life sized figure of Souter Johnie. Not previously known for his carving, this commission established Thoms' name as one of Scotland's leading sculptors.
The carvings of Souter Johnie and Tam o' Shanter were taken on an exhibition tour of Glasgow, Edinburgh and London in 1829 by Auld and Thom and were so well acclaimed that the funds gathered enabled the building of a shelter for the Statues, and an enlargement of the Monument gardens.
A gift of £5 a month can help us ensure collections like the Robert Burns Collection receive ongoing care and are shared with as many people as possible.
