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Scotland's tartan army placing cones on statues

The Cone on Wellington's Head: Glasgow's Beloved Tradition

Standing proudly in Royal Exchange Square on Queen Street in Glasgow, Scotland, the equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington has been a fixture of the city since 1844. Crafted by the sculptor Carlo Marochetti, the bronze monument depicts Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington — the celebrated military commander whose defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 made him one of Britain's most revered historical figures [1]. The statue sits outside what is now the Gallery of Modern Art, one of Glasgow's most visited cultural landmarks.

Notably, the statue portrays Wellington with his signature bicorne cocked hat held in his hand rather than worn on his head — a detail that may have proved irresistible to the city's irreverent sense of humour [1]. At some point in the late twentieth century, Glaswegians began placing a bright orange traffic cone atop Wellington's head, transforming the dignified military hero into an unlikely symbol of local wit and civic identity. The exact origin of the tradition remains uncertain, but it has endured for decades and become one of the city's most recognisable and affectionately regarded sights.

Glasgow City Council has made repeated attempts to put a stop to the coning, at one point proposing to raise the statue's plinth to make it harder for revellers to climb up and place the cone. The proposal was estimated to cost around £65,000 and was met with swift and vocal public opposition. Residents and visitors alike argued that the cone had become an key part of Glasgow's cultural character, far more representative of the city's spirit than any formal monument. The council ultimately backed down in the face of widespread resistance.

TL:DR – Today, the cone is removed regularly by authorities — and replaced just as regularly by the public. The Wellington statue, cone firmly in place, has become one of Scotland's most photographed landmarks and a point of genuine civic pride.

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Scotland v Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026

• Sport

Scotland's return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence has already delivered one unforgettable moment. A victory over Haiti in their opening Group C fixture ended nearly three decades of hurt and sent an entire nation into a state of joyful disbelief. Now, Steve Clarke's side face their sternest examination yet: a clash against Morocco at Boston Stadium that could, if results go Scotland's way, seal a place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare. This is not just another match. This is, without question, the most important fixture in modern Scottish football history. 

TL:DR – The Tartan Army descend on Boston stadium for a Group C showdown that Scotland dare to dream about 

Read more: Scotland v Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026