Mungo Park Memorial

The Mungo Park Memorial stands in Selkirk, in the Scottish Borders, as a tribute to the 18th-century African explorer Mungo Park. Born nearby in 1771, Park made two major journeys into West Africa in the late 1700s and early 1800s. His first expedition, funded by the African Association, took him from the Gambia River deep into the continent’s interior. The published account of that trip, *Travels in the Interior of Africa*, remains a classic of travel literature. Park’s second journey, this time financed by the British government, ended tragically in 1806 when he died near Bussa on the Niger River. The memorial itself is a bronze statue created by the Scottish sculptor Thomas Clapperton. Unveiled in 1913, it was placed close to the house where Park was born. The statue captures Park in explorer’s dress, one hand resting on a walking stick, the other holding a rolled map. It was commissioned to honour his contributions to geography and his courage in charting unknown lands. Clapperton, who lived from 1879 to 1962, specialised in portrait and historical figures, and this work remains one of his most recognised. Visitors find the statue in a quiet corner of the High Street in Selkirk. The surrounding area is a mix of old stone buildings and open spaces, giving the monument a dignified setting. A small plaque at the base provides a brief summary of Park’s life and achievements. The memorial is a focal point for local history and attracts those interested in exploration and the region’s past. It stands as a quiet reminder of a man who opened up parts of Africa to the wider world.