Lobey Dosser Statue, Glasgow

The Lobey Dosser Statue is one of Glasgow’s quirkiest landmarks, a bronze sculpture that captures the humor and creativity of the city’s comic tradition. Unveiled in 1992 on Woodlands Road, it depicts Lobey Dosser, a lanky, good-hearted sheriff, astride his loyal two-legged horse, El Fideldo. Clinging behind is his arch-nemesis, Rank Bajin, a reminder that in this comic world, even villains found themselves along for the ride. The statue pays tribute to Bud Neill, the Glasgow cartoonist who created the beloved “Lobey Dosser” strip in the Evening Times during the 1940s and 1950s.

Neill’s work stood out for its sharp wit and the unique dialect of Glasgow, which he wove into the speech of his characters. The comic was set in Calton Creek, a surreal Wild West town peopled with Glaswegian cowboys and outlaws. Lobey, a sheriff with a moral compass and plenty of local slang, became a cult favorite. When the statue was erected, it became the world’s only public monument to a two-legged horse-a fittingly offbeat detail for a city known for its humor.

Today, the Lobey Dosser Statue is more than a nostalgic nod to a bygone comic strip. It represents the city’s love of storytelling, satire, and the working-class creativity that gave Neill’s characters such life. Tourists often pause here not only to admire the whimsical bronze but also to reflect on how comic art has shaped Glasgow’s cultural identity. For many locals, it’s a reminder that laughter and imagination deserve as much space in the city as stone memorials and historic figures.