Ross Fountain

The Ross Fountain is a cast-iron structure standing in West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. Installed in 1872, it was made in France by Antoine Durenne’s foundry and shown at the Great Exhibition of 1862. Daniel Ross bought it for £2,000 and gave it to the city. Shipped to Leith in 122 pieces, it was reassembled on site. After a 2001 restoration it fell into disrepair and water was turned off in 2008. The fountain’s 2018 restoration cost £1.9 million and was carried out by Lost Art Limited of Wigan. Lord Provost Frank Ross and Emmanuel Cocher from the French Consulate reopened it on 8 July 2018. Its new turquoise, brown and gold paintwork should last at least twenty years. A new pump now keeps the water running continuously. The work was organised by the Ross Development Trust. Visitors find the fountain’s bronze figures arranged around a central pedestal. Water spouts from the mouths of cherubs and sea creatures into a wide basin. The surrounding gardens lie between Princes Street and the railway lines, offering views of Edinburgh Castle. The restored paint gleams against the dark ironwork. A nearby Hubert Fountain provides another historic water feature.