Ross Fountain is acast-iron structure located inWest Princes Street Gardens,Edinburgh. It was installed in 1872 and restored in 2018.
The Ross Fountain was produced at theiron foundry of Antoine Durenne inSommevoire,France.[1] It was an exhibit at theGreat 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 toLeith 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]
Water was turned off in 2008 and it was closed again from July 2017 for further restoration work undertaken by Lost Art Limited ofWigan on behalf ofThe 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 paintwork should last for at least 20 years. The fountain has a new pump and will be switched on permanently.
