Developer open to trying to find a way to save Adelaide’s famous Giant Scotsman if Scottys Motel is demolished

A giant statue of a Scotsman that has loomed over one of the city’s busiest intersections could be saved from the scrap heap, despite plans to demolish his current home. Take our poll.

The giant Scotsman statue on Nottage Tce could be spared from the scrap yard despite his home – Scotty’s Motel – facing demolition.

A Future Urban Group report presented to Walkerville Council on Monday said site owner YS Super Investments Pty Ltd was open to suggestions about the bagpipe-playing kilted monument’s future.

Earlier this year, the State Government approved the owner’s request to look into rezoning the land at the prominent Nottage Tce and Main North Rd intersection,which could lead to the Medindie motel and two adjoining homes’ demolition.

The giant Scotsman on Nottage Tce might be saved, despite concerns he was destined for the scrap heap. Photo: Mike Burton

“(YS Super Investments Pty Ltd) is open to suggestions about what could happen with the big Scotsman, including incorporating the monument into a future redevelopment of the land or gifting the monument to a state agency for its future preservation,” the report said.

The 9m tall Scotsman has stood tall for nearly 60 years.

Unveiled sometime in 1963, the monument pre-dated the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour – sometimes incorrectly cited as Australia’s first big sculpture – by at least a year.

Changing the zoning could make way for developments such as townhouses, apartments, shops, consulting rooms, a petrol station, tourist accommodation, retirement homes and education establishments, a document says.

The Scotty’s Motel site on Nottage Tce faces being rezoned, which allows for redevelopment. Picture: Mike Burton

Under proposed zoning changes, a proposed development would only be allowed to build up to five storeys high – three levels less than originally proposed.

READ: The SA artist who started Australia’s obsession with big things.

However, Walkerville Council has concerns about heritage, suitability, traffic, height, shadowing and set back at the site.

It has called for at least eight more weeks of more community consultation so residents can be more informed about the rezoning.

Scotty circa April 1992. Hasn’t aged a bit.

Walkerville Mayor Elizabeth Fricker said some people in the community wanted the Scotsman to stay in the area.

“Some people feel very strongly about keeping it (the monument),” Ms Fricker said.

“But it may not be considered iconic.”

Ms Fricker, who did not say what she would like to see built at the site, said she wanted any new development to remain sympathetic with the area.

“I don’t want to see a huge building … we don’t want overshadowing and we don’t want to lose the heritage homes,” she said.

“(The building) doesn't have to be as high as they are saying – four storeys is enough.”

Future Urban, acting on behalf of owners YS Super Investments Pty Ltd, did not respond to The Advertiser before publication.