Linlithgow Palace was one of the principal residences for the kings of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1538 King James V had a 5-metre fountain built in the courtyard of the palace, which is known as King's Fountain. The fountain has this mermaid sculpture as one of its figures. map
Although Linlithgow Palace is a ruin now, certain parts have been restored and are maintained, including the King's Fountain, which now is again operational with flowing water. The site is a visitor attraction under the care of Historic Scotland.
The fountain is said to have been flowing with wine in 1745 in honor of a visit by Bonnie Prince Charlie. It was restored to working order in 2007, and on select days has water flowing up and out through the large crown at the top of the fountain, then down and out through faces such as the one on the right behind the mermaid in the above photo.
The fountain is a masterpiece of stone masonry and contributed directly to making Linlithgow Palace one of the favorite residences for the Scottish royalty.
It is said that King James V wanted the fountain created to show Henry VIII that the Scottish Monarchy was as grand and powerful as other monarchies in Europe at the time.
At this writing, this mermaid sculpture is one of three I know of in Scotland. The others are:
- The Mermaid of the North, a mermaid statue in Balintore
- The mermaids on the Edinburgh Ross Fountain
References:
● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linlithgow_Palace
● http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6240432.stm
● The Mermaids of Earth coffee-table book: See page 26 in the book about this sculpture.
