Water fountain, Aberfeldy

Image: © Andrew Abbott Taken: 17 Aug 2020

Dated 1885. Small domed, baldacchino-style cast-iron memorial fountain. Fountainhead enclosing circular basin (now infilled with plants) with centre stylised flower stem supporting heron or stork Heavily decorated fountainhead with winged heraldic beasts at angles; medallions bearing coat-of-arms to N & S faces, heron or stork to E and inscription to W; dome surmounted by crown finial. Probably a Sir Walter Macfarlane casting from the Saracen Foundry, Glasgow or from Glenfield & Kennedy of Kilmarnock. The medallion inscription reads "THIS FOUNTAIN WAS ERECTED AND VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE TOWN OF ABERFELDY BY GAVIN, MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE AS A MEMENTO OF THE CORDIAL RECEPTION ACCORDED TO HIM & LADY BREADALBANE BY THE INHABITANTS ON THEIR FIRST VISIT AFTER THE RESTORATION OF THE MARQUISATE JULY 1885". Mackay records a metal drinking fountain located within Victoria Park, Taybridge Terrace, he continues "It was erected in the centre of The Square, where it stood, crowned with a stone lamp, for a number of years till, proving an obstruction to traffic, it was removed". Subsequently it was re-erected, minus the lamp, on its present site. Gavin, the third Marquis, had to fight for the title and inheritance. His Marchioness was Alma Graham daughter of the Duke of Montrose. Grade C listed. Listing number LB48872.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0