James M Gale Memorial

The James M Gale Memorial Fountain can be found next to the Mugdock and Craigmaddie Reservoirs. The position of the fountain was no accident, as the reservoirs were essential to the water supply for which Gale helped provide.

After a walk around the neighbouring Mugdock Country Park, I had spotted the memorial on a map. Time for a quick detour to see the memorial and find out more about James M Gale.

James Morris Gale was born in 1830 in Ayr. After being educated at the Ayr Academy, he moved to Glasgow to work for his brother at the Gorbals Water Company. While in Glasgow, he attended the University of Glasgow to further his education in engineering, studying under the famous William Rankine.

In 1854, Gale was appointed Chief Engineer at the Glasgow Corporation Water Works and was assigned to assist John Frederick Bateman in providing Glasgow with a fresh water supply. The intention of the project was to eradicate cholera and typhoid from the city. The project was designed to bring water from Loch Katrine to a local reservoir, then onwards to Glasgow. In 1855 the work commenced.

An aqueduct using the force of gravity, was built to carry the water from Loch Katrine to the Mugdock Reservoir, then a second aqueduct was built between Mugdock Reservoir and Glasgow.

Gale was mainly involved in the construction of the water treatment works here at Milngavie. The project was opened by Queen Victoria in October 1859 at Loch Katrine, and by December the supply was operational.

In the mid 1880's it was evident that the supply need to be increased. By 1886, Gale had started work on the construction of the Craigmaddie Reservoir. To provide enough water to the new reservoir, the water level was increased in Loch Katrine, and Loch Arklet was converted into a reservoir with a duplicate aqueduct to transport the water to Craigmaddie Reservoir. This expansion work was completed by 1896.

In 1902, James Morris Gale retired, and a year later died at his home in Aberfoyle.

The fountain was designed and built in 1904 by the employees of the Glasgow Corporation Water Works. The Art Nouveau style design features a bronze plaque with the face of James Morris Gale embedded in a granite block. The block sits on a rubble masonry base, that resembles a cairn.

While I was taking a few snaps of the fountain, a jogger stopped to take a drink from the fountain. It is lovely to see that it is used for the purpose for which it was built.

The fountain along with the reservoirs and towers are Category A Listed Buildings with Historic Environment Scotland.

Once you have visited the fountain, why not make your way over the reservoir to visit John Frederick Batemans Memorial.

It is a short pleasant walk from the car park. Simply cross over the road and make you way down the path that runs alongside the Mugdock Reservoir.

Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.