Ross Fountain

Ross Fountain is a cast-iron structure located in West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. It was installed in 1872 and restored in 2018.

The newly-restored Ross Fountain in West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

History
View from West Princes Street looking towards Edinburgh Castle showing the fountain before restoration

The Ross Fountain was produced at the iron foundry of Antoine Durenne in Sommevoire, France.[1] It was an exhibit at the Great Exhibition of 1862.[2]

It was purchased by gunmaker Daniel Ross in 1862 for £2,000 and subsequently gifted to the city of Edinburgh. It was transported to Leith in 1869 in 122 pieces.[3] It was installed in its current position in 1872. It had some extensive restoration work completed in 2001.[3]

Restoration
Switching on the newly-restored Ross Fountain in West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh on 8 July 2018

Water was turned off in 2008 and it was closed again from July 2017 for further restoration work undertaken by Lost Art Limited of Wigan on behalf of The Ross Development Trust, costing 1.9 million pounds.[4]

On 8 July 2018, it was re-inaugurated by Lord Provost Frank Ross and others, including the Head of Mission at the French Consulate in Edinburgh Emmanuel Cocher.[5][6]

The fountain is now painted in turquoise, brown and gold. According to the organisers, the colours should last for at least 20 years. The fountain has a new pump and will be switched on permanently.

Unfortunately, due to misuse by members of the public, the fountain broke down after only 19 days and had to be switched off for four days.[7][8]

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References
  1. "Other monuments: Ross Fountain". Edinburgh City Council. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  2. Holden, John-Paul (15 October 2014). "£1.5m bid to save iconic Ross Fountain". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  3. McLean, David (14 October 2013). "Lost Edinburgh: The Ross Fountain". The Scotsman. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  4. New Colour Palette Unveiled for the Ross Fountain, Ross Development Trust website
  5. Ross Fountain springs back to life following £1.9m renovation
  6. "Water flows again at historic fountain in Edinburgh". BBC. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  7. Damaged Ross Fountain switched off - just weeks after opening, Edinburgh Evening News, 31 July 2018
  8. Water flowing again at Ross Fountain after being switched off, Edinburgh Evening News, 3 August 2018
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