Edward Vii Drinking Fountain, Kay Park, Kilmarnock

This is a four-sided drinking fountain dating from 1902, made by McDowall Steven & Co Ltd, and situated in Kay Park, Kilmarnock. The fountain is constructed of painted cast iron, with gilded detailing including an eagle at its summit, and stands on a stepped base with an ornate guard rail.

The principal (east) elevation features a stepped architraved plinth with a projecting water bowl, an ornamental central tap, a swept base column with floral relief, a lion’s head panel, and floreate angles. A round column is flanked by scrolled angle pilasters, and includes an arched panel dated 1902, displaying a relief of King Edward’s crown above an oculus containing a bust of King Edward, with decorative swags below. The lower section has scrolled feet supporting a ball finial, with the eagle carrying the rear of the crown resting on a shamrock.

The south elevation mirrors this design, with a plaque displaying the makers’ name on the plinth. An arched panel is inscribed with the dedication "Presented to his native town by ex Baillie James Craig of Hillhead and Dean in Commemoration of the Coronation of King Edward and Queen Alexandra 1902”. The eagle here rests on a rose.

The west (rear) elevation repeats the design with detailing relating to Queen Alexandra, including a bust within the oculus and a relief of her crown. The eagle is again resting on a shamrock.

The north elevation is similar to the south elevation, inscribed with the same commemorative text, and the eagle rests on a daffodil.

The fountain sits on a round stone base, which itself sits upon a roughly geometric base and is accessed by later flights of concrete steps to the south, east, and north. Four sets of cast-iron railings, composed of two rails joined by ball joints and finials, surround the fountain.