Designating the Dalmuir Park Drinking Fountain, Clydebank

Closed 22 Oct 2025

Opened 1 Oct 2025

Contact

Designations

0131 668 8914

designations@hes.scot

Feedback updated 5 Nov 2025

We asked

From 1 to 22 October 2025, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to list the drinking fountain in Dalmuir Park, Clydebank.

The freestanding cast-iron public drinking fountain dates from 1907 and was manufactured by Walter Macfarlane and Company of the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow. Walter Macfarlane was one of the major suppliers in the Scottish ironwork industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, and they exported their decorative designs across the British Empire and the world. The fountain was gifted to the newly established Dalmuir Park and its casting pattern is the largest and most elaborate of the free-standing canopied fountains that the company produced. The fountain remains in its original location in Dalmuir Park. It is largely unaltered and is one of a very small number of this casting pattern that are known to survive worldwide.

Through Citizen Space, we invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed designation and if they had further comments to make.

We consulted directly with West Dunbartonshire Council, as the owner and the planning authority.

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document.  

You said

We received one response to the consultation, which was from the local authority, West Dunbartonshire Council, who own and manage the fountain. The response did not raise any issues that put into question the special architectural or historic interest of the building under review.

We did

After considering the comment received during consultation, we have listed the fountain at category B as Drinking Fountain, Dalmuir Park, Clydebank.   

We have published a Report on Handling for this case on the Heritage Portal.

Overview

We are proposing to list the drinking fountain in Dalmuir Park, Clydebank, which was manufactured by Walter Macfarlane and Company of the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow. It is a freestanding cast-iron drinking fountain, dated 1907.

The fountain is a major example of a public drinking fountain from the Edwardian period. The ornate design is technically detailed and demonstrates high quality materials and craftsmanship. Walter Macfarlane was one of the major suppliers in the Scottish ironwork industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, and they exported their decorative designs across the British Empire and the world.

It is the largest and most elaborate of the free-standing canopied fountains that the company produced and was gifted to the newly established Dalmuir Park by the ex-Provost of Clydebank, Samuel Leckie.  It remains largely unaltered and is one of a very small number of this casting pattern that are known to survive worldwide.

We are now gathering views on our proposal to list this building at category B.

Read more about why we think the Dalmuir Park Fountain meets the criteria for listing by downloading our Report of Handling.

 

Dalmuir Park Drinking Fountain with Dalmuir Park. From the many leaf-less trees behind the fountain, it appears to be a winter's day. The grass appears lush and the roads around the fountain look wet from recent rain.

Dalmuir Park Fountain © Stuart Neville

How we designate listed buildings

We list buildings of special architectural or historic interest. A dedicated team researches and assesses all designation applications.

Why your views matter

We’d love to know whether you agree with our proposal.

To help you respond to the following survey, please read why we think the Dalmuir Park Drinking Fountain meets the criteria for listing by downloading our Report of Handling.

You can tell us if you agree with our proposal by completing the short questionnaire below.

This questionnaire usually takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

Find out what comments we consider and what happens next in our consultation guide or watch our designations video on YouTube.

You can also watch a version of this video in British Sign Language.

 

What happens next

Please note that this consultation is now closed.

We are now considering the comments received at consultation before making a decision on designation. When we have reached a decision, we will publish this on our Portal, and it will also be available to view on Citizen Space.