Elected Member Briefing - Restoration work on Murray Fountain, Crieff

About this Briefing Note

Report by: Andy Clegg, Community Greenspace Manager

Date: 30th April 2024 

Subject: Restoration work on Murray Fountain, Crieff

Responsible Officer: Susan Whyte, Community Greenspace Team Leader

Details

Purpose

This briefing note is to update you on the project to restore the Murray Fountain in James Square, Crieff.

Briefing information

Background

A working group partnership between Crieff community organisations and Perth and Kinross Council has been applying for funding and drawing up proposals for the restoration of Murray Fountain in Crieff town centre.

Constructed by William Mossman and installed in 1894, it has been a long-held aspiration of the Crieff Community to see the Category B listed fountain restored to its former glory.

The Crieff Community Trust, Crieff at Christmas, Crieff Museum, Crieff in Leaf and the Council's Community Greenspace and Property Services have all worked with the Council to take the scheme forward.

Supported by the Council, Crieff Community Trust submitted successful funding applications to Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, the Scotland Loves Local fund, Community Environmental Challenge Fund, SGN, and Historic Environment Scotland, which has raised £60,000 towards the £120,000 cost of the work.

Update

After several setbacks - including the pandemic and its associated restrictions - the working group has announced that restoration work on the town centre landmark will begin in May 2024. The work is expected to last three months.

The improvement project will see the James Square landmark's masonry repaired and repointed, as well as electrical works to provide new lighting. The whole structure will also be cleaned.

Conservation Architects EKJN Architects have obtained Council permissions and prepared technical specifications for the project.

A press release will be issued by the Council this week announcing that work is about to begin on the fountain restoration scheme.

During the duration of the work there will be some restrictions put in place around the fountain and the wider James Square area, but we will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum.

We will keep you updated with progress of the project.

If you need further information, please contact Susan Whyte by emailing SFWhyte@pkc.gov.uk