Kelvingrove

It was my first time travelling into Glasgow by bus since the new timetables were introduced a few weeks ago, and I arrived a good 40 minutes early for my lunch appointment with former work colleagues.  (Note to self: just catch the later bus the next time.)

I took advantage of this good fortune to walk over to Kelvingrove Park and have a little wander in the eastern part of the park. Came across a grand fountain I don't remember visiting before: the Stewart Memorial Fountain (see also extra). Commissioned by Glasgow City Council in 1872 at a cost of £2000 it commemorates the opening of the Loch Katrine water supply system to the city. It is named after Robert Stewart of Murdostoun, Lord Provost in 1854 when the water supply system was first proposed. The images on the fountain reflect scenes depicted in Sir Walter Scott's poem, "The Lady of the Lake."

The fountain had fallen into disrepair and had suffered from vandalism over the years, but was refurbished and the restored fountain unveiled in October 2009 - the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first sluice gate at Loch Katrine.