Ross Fountain

The Ross Fountain, blue jewel of Princes Street Gardens

The Edinburgh audio-guided tour lets you discover the Ross Fountain, impossible to miss with its dazzling blue. It is one of the emblematic monuments of Princes Street Gardens, and it offers one of the finest views of Edinburgh Castle.

A gift to the city

Recently restored to recover this blue colour that stands out in the park, the Ross Fountain was installed here in 1872 and has since remained the symbol of the place. It had been exhibited ten years earlier, at the 1862 International Exhibition. It was the arms manufacturer Daniel Ross who bought it that same year and gave it to the city of Edinburgh.

What there is to see

The cast-iron fountain, richly adorned with allegorical figures, stands in the heart of West Princes Street Gardens, with the castle in the background. Its blue colour, recovered after restoration, makes it a much-photographed viewpoint. It is an ideal place for a walk, combining art, nature and a panorama over the old town.

Practical information

The Ross Fountain is in West Princes Street Gardens, between the Royal Mile and the new town of Edinburgh. The gardens are accessible during the day and on the level; the fountain can be discovered freely, with a fine view of the castle.

When was the Ross Fountain installed?

The fountain was installed in Princes Street Gardens in 1872. It had been exhibited ten years earlier, at the 1862 International Exhibition.

Who gave the fountain to the city?

It was the arms manufacturer Daniel Ross who bought the fountain in 1862 and gave it to the city of Edinburgh, hence its name of Ross Fountain.