Selkirk fountain is now true blue

The beautiful structure, thought to be of French origin, was donated to the Royal Burgh by the Murray family at the end of the 19th Century, but the intervening years have not been kind.

Last year, the vertically-challenged fountain resembled the leaning town of Pisa, as it’s thought tree roots had knocked it off centre, with water pouring out of its large middle bowl, and the community council, which used to meet in the hall every month pre-Covid-19, decided to put their efforts into its repair.

Initial inspections found that the cost of engineering work needed to save it was likely to be high, but the community council was successful in winning a £1,644 localities bid fund in order to strip and repaint the tired-looking structure.

Covid-19 and the resultant lockdown put paid to any repairs last year, but work is now under way to start the revamp … and it’s definitely noticeable.

Instead of the green patina which Souters are used to, it’s been repainted in the true blue of the town’s colours.

Local painter and decorator Gary Guthrie was spotted this week putting the final touches to the new paintwork, which does breathe new life into the old water feature.

Community council chairman Alastair Pattulo said: “The new colour ties it in with ties it in with the Market Place, Flodden 500 Garden and the hall railings, and we're picking out the details in gold.

"The internal plumbing has been renewed and we're waiting for word about repairs to the stonework.”