Largs fountain built 150 years ago is working once more

The fountain at the heart of the Mackerston putting green was built in Victorian times but hasn't worked for some 20 years.

Now it's been brought back to life by the Largs Community Development Trust and by Paisley Engineering, who carried out the restoration work.

And while the project isn't quite finished, with some work still to do on the surrounding planting, the return to use of the fountain is understandably a cause for celebration for all those involved in the work.

It even has an eco-friendly touch as it recycles its own water.

Wendy Low Thomson, one of the volunteers behind the project, said: "We can't thank Paisley Engineering enough for all their hard work.

"They started last week and renewed all the pipe work in the fountain. You can see all the new chrome and pipework that runs up the sides and internally. 

"There are a few things still to do but we are so happy as I haven't seen it running in 20 years."

Wendy said she'd been inspired by a visit to Rothesay, where the fountain in the gardens on the town's esplanade is a focal point for locals and visitors alike - although unlike at Mackerston, the original Rothesay fountain, which dated from 1961, was replaced nearly 20 years ago, rather than being repaired.

"It made me wonder 'why can we not get our fountain working again at Mackerston?', Wendy continued.

"I spoke to someone who fixed the fountain in Largs 20 years ago and we went to work on it from there."

The John Campbell Memorial Fountain is named after a physician and surgeon who lived in the town and served its residents for 61 years.

He died on May 14, 1873, and by September of the following year, the people of the town raised £508 9s 6d to build a fountain in his memory.

A picture of the fountain taken in February (Image: Raibeart MacAoidh)

Wendy said: "I am so happy as I remember only seeing it working one weekend when the weans were wee.

"There is no point doing any planting around it until this was all done so that is the next stage.

"The water supply comes from underground piping nearby where there is water storage and a pump system. It drains into the same tank, so it is not a waste of water."

According to the Largs Advertiser of 1873, it was originally proposed that the memorial to Dr Campbell should consist of a drinking fountain, supplied with water from a fresh source.

The article stated: "Such a fountain, it is thought, would not unsuitably represent the purity of Dr Campbell"s character and the usefulness of his life."

Born in Lochwinnoch, John Campbell attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh before moving to Largs.

The fountain in his memory was erected in January 1878 on the esplanade opposite the original Parish Church of St Columba in Gallowgate Street, at a cost of £550.

In March 1881 the fountain was moved to its present site in Mackerston Place, with the cost of moving it met by an anonymous, though wealthy, donor.