An ornate stone fountain survives as a compact reminder of Victorian promenade improvement and public amenity.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1860; repaired after later storm damage
- Architect / designer
- Donor associated with former Town Clerk Mr Paterson; designer unrecorded
- Type
- Seafront drinking fountain
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB27529)
- OS grid reference
- NT 30867 74017
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
Pink sandstone and granite form a square base, low semicircular troughs, carved swags and a large gadrooned urn. The small composition was designed to work as both public utility and seafront ornament.
Its story
The fountain was installed in 1860 and associated with a gift from former Town Clerk Mr Paterson. A severe storm damaged the promenade in 1877 and affected the monument, which nevertheless survived as a public landmark.
Why it is included
The Category B fountain introduces public health, philanthropy, promenade culture and decorative civic design at an intimate scale.
What to notice
- Paired low drinking troughs.
- Carved swags around the upper drum.
- Large urn finial with gadrooned ornament.
Reading the surroundings
View from the public promenade without climbing or sitting on the stonework. Do not treat historic outlets or troughs as a confirmed source of potable water.
Timeline
- 1860 The ornamental drinking fountain was installed beside the promenade.
- 1877 A major storm damaged both the seafront and the monument.
- 1974 Category B listing protected the surviving fountain.
- 2026 Promenade renewal continues around the historic public landmark.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The donor is identified in a later historical account, while present water operation is not confirmed and should not be assumed.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Prince of Wales Fountain, LB27529 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- City of Edinburgh Council: Portobello Promenade Project — Current public-realm context and ongoing work along the promenade.
Location
OS grid reference NT 30867 74017 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; the independent source confirms the Place relationship, history or current identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.