'Provost of Ceres'

Often referred to as a figure representing the likeness of a toby-jug, the “Provost of Ceres” is reportedly the depiction of Thomas Buchanan, Minister of Ceres. A Provost is another term meaning mayor, and Buchanan served as the last official Provost of Ceres during the reign of King James VI. He was also nephew to George Buchanan, a Scottish historian during the period of the Scottish Reformation.

This squat, grinning little figure situated in a niche of sandstone has a colorful history and has done a fair bit of traveling. The statue was the handiwork of a local stonemason John Howie, who was raised in Ceres and carved the statue in the 1830s. Howie is also responsible for the central panel, which is said to depict the “Battle of Bannockburn,” as well as the two feminine figureheads on either side.

Originally installed in 1837 in what was known as the Kirklands, (now the church parking lot) by Reverand Joseph Crichton. The “Provost of Ceres” remained in the garden of the church for nearly 100 years. The statue was eventually sold in the 1930s.

As the story goes, the postmaster who was living in the residence of the kirk sold the figurine to a woman living in the township of Cupar, a village just a few miles away to the north.

As one might imagine, this did not sit right with the citizens of Ceres, who demanded that their much-beloved mascot be returned. Funds were raised both locally and abroad in the amount of £54 7s, £2,488.44 in today’s money, (2021). On the last Saturday of June 1939 at 1 pm, the “Provost of Ceres” was unveiled by Jamas Henderson Stewart. The statue has faithfully remained in this post ever since, grinning at all who are fortunate to pass him by.