This is a fine example of a Victorian drinking fountain, which celebrates the versatility of cast-iron to decorative effect. It was cast by the Alexander Russell at the Kirkcaldy Foundry in 1824 and was one of a series placed along the length of the "Great Fife Road". The fountain is located in Newport 0n Tay in the Kingdom of Fife.

It is a substantial canopied cast-iron drinking fountain of Moorish design, prominently sited just by the pavement. Concrete stone steps to dais and concrete covered plinth. There are 8 columns on chamfered bases with foliate detailing to base, capital and interior supporting 8 arches with scallop edging. Plaques in roundels above all arches decorated with herons and stags and inscribed 'KEEP THE PAVEMENT DRY'. There is a plaque on the east side inscribed 'THE GIFT OF MRS BLYTH MARTIN 1882'. (The Blyths were a Dundee family). There are stylised creatures between plaques and a ribbed domed roof of traceried metal with floral designs. The fountain is painted cream colour, the plaques and capitals painted red and creatures and roof ribs painted gold. In the background it's possible to see the River Tay road bridge linking the Kingdom of Fife to the county of Angus.

I think it has been recently painted. It didn't look as posh as this when I was a child. ;-)


The fountain was designated as a Category B listed building on 27/11/2002.