Approximate Location Map
Large Map »
Latitude: 57.3427 / 57°20'33"N
Longitude: -7.3607 / 7°21'38"W
OS Eastings: 77635
OS Northings: 840740
OS Grid: NF776407
Mapcode National: GBR 8969.Z6X
Mapcode Global: WGV3B.XP2V
Plus Code: 9C9J8JVQ+3P
Entry Name: Our Lady Of The Isles Statue, Ben Reuval
Listing Name: Ben Reuval, Our Lady of the Isles Statue
Listing Date: 23 May 2007
Category: B
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 399442
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB50888
Building Class: Cultural
Also known as: Ben Reuval, Our Lady Of The Isles Statue
ID on this website: 200399442
Hew Lorimer, 1956. Prominently sited monumental white granite semi-naturalist style statue of Madonna holding standing Christ-child at shoulder height. Child with right hand raised in blessing, left hand resting lightly on Madonna's crowned head. Both figures elongated with simplified columnar robes. Significantly sited on raised ground in remote setting of grand isolation, within low stone enclosure at end of long straight stone path.
Consecrated on 15 August 1958 by Bishop Kenneth Grant, the statue of Our Lady of The Isles is an outstanding example of Hew Lorimer's craft. His characteristic semi-naturalist style is more readily recognised in the stylised, columnar figures carved into the façade of the National Library in Edinburgh (listed separately), but in this rugged isolated terrain, the Madonna soars above the landscape and can be seen from great distances. A smaller version of this statue is located to the north of St Michael's Church, Ardkenneth, South Uist (listed separately), and a small bronze version was cast in 1972.
Hew Lorimer (1907-1993), second son of Scottish architect Sir Robert Lorimer, spent his early years in the studio of Catholic sculptor Eric Gill. Hew Lorimer's work is spread across Scotland, from Dundee, Tayport, St Andrews and Pittenweem, to Kippen Parish Church, the Castle of Mey, Fasnakyle Power Station and Pollok House in Glasgow. In 1996 The Hew Lorimer Trust was set up by Vincent Logan, Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld, in recognition of the importance of his contribution to Scottish sculpture. The 'Our Lady of The Isles' statue on South Uist is possibly Hew Lorimer's most famous sculpture. Unlike the comparable allegorical figures of 'Medicine, Science, History, Poetry, Law, Theology and Music' at Edinburgh's National Library, the South Uist statue is unusual for its isolated position and independent architectural qualities, rather than assuming a supportive or decorative role to a more substantial structure.
Current research by Fiona Pearson at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art has led to the understanding that this iconic statue is arguably the most famous and best of Lorimer's work. It was inspired by the Antoine Bourdelle, Vierge d'Alsace in the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
Other nearby listed buildings
