Thistle Fountain

Cumnock, Ayrshire, UK 2014

The restored Walled Garden at Dumfries House in Scotland was officially opened in July 2014 (now called the Queen Elizabeth Garden). The fountain is on two levels. For the centrepiece I modelled a thistle flower – Scotlland’s symbol – cast in bronze with jets of water. The water flows over a circular bronze weir to the lower level, divided into a curtain of threads or rods.

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Concept Development

First visit to the site, distant view of the Walled Garden

Construction

Making a start on modelling a thistle shape

The Thistle shape ready to be cast in bronze

Testing the jet which will fit inside the Thistle

Fabrication of the bronze weir at Benson-Sedgwick Engineering

Fixing the bronze shapes to guide the water around the bronze

Testing the jet on the bronze thistle feature

Completion & Launch

Nearing completion, the base to be painted black instead of green

The Walled garden is ready for the official opening