The monument takes the form of a representation of a soldier, dressed in the uniform of the Highland Light Infantry, and engaged in scouting duty. It commemorates those soldiers of that regiment killed in the South African War. Wearing a sola topi and puttees, and equipped with a rifle, ammunition belt, water cannister, bed-roll, and satchel, the soldier is shown clambering over a naturalistically carved rock as if responding to an unexpected event. His eyes are fixed on the near distance, and his posture is expressive of the urgency of the situation in which he finds himself.

This unique set of images captures the memorial immediately before the vandalism in February 2019, immediately after the vandalism took place, and, immediately after the restoration in October 2019.