The historic Martyr’s Monument in St Andrews has been given a new lease of life following a massive fundraising campaign and restoration project.
A ceremony on Wednesday marked the completion of the £145,000 project to conserve and restore the landmark.
The event, staged on and around the bandstand on Bow Butts, began with a parade along The Scores by the City of St Andrews Pipe Band.
A platform party followed, with the master of ceremonies role being fulfilled by the Rev Dr Ian Bradley, honorary chaplain for the university and associate minister of Holy Trinity Church.
Fife Council Provost Jim Leishman welcomed the audience before the centrepiece of the ceremony began a retelling of the infamous martyrdom events of the 16th century, when religious splits caused bloodshed and disharmony in St Andrews.
Then the 40-minute event drew to a close with a poignant pipe lament played from the base of the monument.
Ray Pead of St Andrews Partnership, who chairs the Monument Working Group, said the event had been organised for late afternoon so schoolchildren and their families could attend and learn about the history of St Andrews and its martyrs.
“The whole restoration project could not have happened without the generous contributions made by scores of local people and organisations” Mr Pead said. “The ceremony gives us an opportunity to thank all of these donors and supporters and help demonstrate that by working together, St Andrews can achieve whatever it sets out to do.”
The Martyr’s Monument, overlooking the Bow Butts, was built in 1842-43 to commemorate four leading Protestant figures who were martyred in St Andrews between 1520 and 1560.
It also highlights the important role the town played in the Reformation.
Despite its historic importance and high profile, the condition of the landmark had deteriorated rapidly in recent years.
However, the works now undertaken will help prevent further damage, while also restoring some of its most attractive and interesting features, including ornamental stone carvings.
A fundraising campaign led by St Andrews Partnership has raised £145,000 to pay for the works.