Statement of Special Interest
This bronze statue of General Gordon of Khartoum is prominently sited in Schoolhill, outside the arched vehicular entrance to Robert Gordon's college. The Correnie granite plinth matches the stone dressings of the Art Gallery and the gateway to Robert Gordon College. There is no known family connection between General Charles Gordon and Robert Gordon. This statue was one of the Scottish sculptor Thomas Stuart-Burnett's (1853-1888) last commissioned works.
The inscription reads 'Charles George Gordon R.E.C.E. Major-General. Born 28 January 1833. Fell in his country's service at Khartoum, January 1885. Dedicated to his memory by members of the Gordon Clan. I have done my best for the honour of our country. Khartoum, 14 Dec, 1884'. Charles Gordon was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. He saw active service at the outbreak of the Crimean War. Ordered to China where Britain was involved in the Second Opium War, Gordon became commander of a militia group known as "The Ever Victorious Army". He won the title of Titu, the highest grade in the Chinese army, from the Emperor. The British Government promoted him to Lieutenant-Colonel, he was made a companion of the Bath and earned the popular nickname, "Chinese" Gordon.
About Listed Buildings
Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.
We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.
Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.
We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)
Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.
These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.
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While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.
If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.
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