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| ELGIN’S FOUNTAIN The fountain on Elgin’s Plainstones was designed by Thomas Mackenzie and completed in 1846 of Ashlar stone. It consists of 3 tiers of shallow stone basins. For many years the fountain lay dry, its tiers used for floral displays. As part of the regeneration of the town centre, restoration of the fountain was identified as a priority, funding was secured from a variety of sources and Richard Ham, in memory of his late father, voluntary assisted the re-commissioning of the fountain. The fountain was re-commissioned in the Golden Jubilee Year in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, 27 May 2002.  Photo of HRH and Lord Lieutenant of Moray copyright the Scottish Provincial Press Group and The Northern Scot newspaper. The story of the fountain is documented in local newspapers, which have highlighted the various peaks and troughs in its history. |
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| Courant May 1845 “The removal of the town jail from the centre of the High Street, a year or two ago, effected a very great improvement in the appearance of the town. It did appear to several townsmen that the great breadth of the street at that point required something ornamental to fill up the blank space in the centre. It was lately suggested that a fountain or some other architectural ornament might with propriety be erected there. A design was submitted by Mr Mackenzie, architect, which has a most chaste and beautiful appearance.” See Photo 1 |
 [1] 1900 |
| Forres Gazette June 1845 “It was anticipated that the copious and continuous stream of water in the fountain would rise twenty feet and then fall in a shower of ‘feathery spray’ into the basin reflecting the portico of St Giles Kirk.” See Photo 2 |
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| Courant 27 February 1846 “The first trial of the ornamental fountain was made in the presence of the Directors and a numerous assemblage on 26 February. At about one o’clock to the gratification of all present the water came sweeping upwards with the utmost precision.” See Photo 3 |
 [3] 1903 |
| Forres Gazette 6 June 1846 “The Gazette noted that the idea of constructing the fountain had first been mooted in Forres though unfortunately their friends in Elgin had beaten them to it.” From 1846 the fountain remained a key, if occasionally controversial, feature of Elgin life, in winter and summer. See Photo 4 |
 [4] Unknown |
| During the 1920s it was regarded as detracting from
the view of the war memorial. See Photo 5 |
 [5] 1922 |
| Elgin Courier and Courant
4 July 1930 The special High Street Improvement Committee recommended the removal of the fountain from the High Street in order to make the area from the Plainstones to the steps of the conveniences more suitable for modern day traffic. See Photo 6 “The motion was defeated as Councillor Souter declared that removal of the fountain would create a furore not only in Morayshire but all over the world.” |
 [6] 1930 |
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Emma Black watercolour |
 [7] Emma Black |
| Courant 24 June 1938 “It was noted that the fountain had been dry for years and the Burgh Surveyor identified that it could be reinstated by the purchase of a pump which would not cost more than a few pounds. There was some discussion of whether the fountain would be better placed in the Cooper Park or filled up with plants and flowering shrubs. See Photo 8 and Photo 9 |
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| Northern Scot 13 November
1992 A report noted that the fountain had been de-commissioned following complaints about water blowing all over the place, particularly pavements on windy days. Press and Journal 28 December 1992 A local journalist, Alastair Bissett (new local Councillor) reported that the fountain may be brought back into use. See Photo 10 And hence to 2002, the fountain restored . . . and alas on windy days unsuspecting visitors being caught in the spray. “Elgin’s Fountain” is the first of a series of essays about Moray drawn from material held by the Local Heritage Service. |
 [10] 2002 |
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