Description

Bon Scott, born in 1946, was raised in Kirriemuir in his early years before moving to Australia with his family in 1952 at the age of six. Bon Scott was the lead singer of hard rock band AC/DC and their 1979 album Highway to Hell reached the top twenty in the United States.

An annual music festival, appropriately named BonFest, pays tribute to his musical legacy. Bands from around the world converge on the town to play AC/DC covers and pay homage to their hero.

Out of the festival arose the idea of a more permanent memorial. Artist John McKenna was contracted to create a statue of Bon. The life-sized bronze figure was unveiled in 2016, at the 10th anniversary of BonFest by former AC/DC bass player Mark Evans. The £45,000 cost of the sculpture was paid for by a crowdfunding campaign. Two scrolls containing the names of all who donated money are sealed at the bottom of the statue.

Now Bon Scott, who was raised in the town, watches over all who enter Kirriemuir, with a microphone in one hand and bagpipes in the other.

The statue is on the Bellie’s Brae road into Kirriemuir.  There is a car park just off the road and next to the statue. Come and take a selfie with the rock and roll legend.