JR Scaffold has taken a key role in Glasgow's multi-million-pound George Square refurbishment by delivering a complex, free-standing scaffold to facilitate the full restoration of the Sir Walter Scott statue.

Invited to tender for the specialist works, the company also secured scaffolding packages earlier this year for the Queen Victoria, Robert Burns and Prince Albert monuments, reinforcing its track record on prominent heritage projects.

The temporary structure enables comprehensive conservation, from cleaning to the careful removal, repair and reinstatement of damaged stonework. Some individual pieces weigh up to 500kg, requiring specially designed lifting points to ensure safe, precise handling.

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Built using the Cuplok system, the scaffold rises to around 25 metres and is stabilised with precast concrete blocks at the base to manage the substantial loads involved.

Because no ties could be fixed into the protected monument, the entire solution had to be wholly free-standing. JR Scaffold worked closely with Gallery Access Solutions, following detailed engineered drawings throughout.

The team erected the scaffold exactly to the design, with engineers inspecting and signing off each phase. A five-strong crew completed the build in just four weeks.

This first project with the client showcases JR Scaffold's capability to deliver accurate, 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."