Tweedmouth Memorial Fountain, Tomich

Dated 1910 and sculpted by R Tait Mackenzie, the Tweedmouth Memorial Fountain is a shaped rubble mural fountain. It is topped by a polished ashlar urn, with slightly advanced outer plinths on either side. Narrow polished ashlar ribs define the central plaque and face of the memorial, converging at the water conduit within a semi-circular niche fronted by a low ashlar water trough with a central water spout. A central bronze plaque features a motto, coat of arms, inscription, and a winged cherub at its base. Long, round-headed plaques are set into the outer rubble plinths, each displaying a fox's head (originally each with a chained drinking cup hanging from its mouth), with a semi-circular basin at the base. Relief profiles of Lord Tweedmouth (right) and Lady Tweedmouth (left) are depicted, bordered by reeded detailing overlaid with leaf motifs of oak, larch, and willow. Very low rubble quadrants flank the memorial. The central bronze plaque is inscribed with the motto "Advance with Courage." The inscription commemorates Sir Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, 1st Lord Tweedmouth, born December 29, 1820, and died March 4, 1894, who lived at Guisachan from 1854 to 1894, built the village of Tomich, and worked for the area’s improvement. It also commemorates Isabel Lady Tweedmouth, who acted as a mother figure to the people on the Guisachan property from 1854 to 1905. The fountain was erected by their children, Edward, 2nd Lord Tweedmouth, and Ishbel Countess of Aberdeen. The profile reliefs are signed and dated R Tait Mackenzie.