Argyll Square Memorial Fountain, Oban, Argyll & Bute.
Posted by: greysman
N 56° 24.725 W 005° 28.337
30V E 347472 N 6254686
The fountain in Argyll Square commemorates Robert Barbour McKelvie, M.D.
Waymark Code: WMJ3HC
Location: Northern Scotland, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/17/2013
Views: 2
Argyll Square in Oban is a major intersection and roundabout. In its centre is a memorial in the form of a drinking fountain, now dry. It is the memorial to Robert Barbour McKelvie M.D.(Glasgow) who graduated in 1858.
Robert Barbour McKelvie was born on the Island of Arran in 1836. He graduated M.D.(Glasgow) in 1858 and after serving as an assistant in Ayrshire was appointed Parochial Medical Officer, Appin and Lismore. After the death of Dr.McGillvray
he moved to Oban in 1875, and took on the medical care of four parishes and the Lorn Combination Poorhouse amongst other duties. This meant travelling a great deal on train and ferry around the islands.
After an outbreak of an infectious disease in the area in 1897 he presented the Infectious Hospital to the town which was called the McKelvie Hospital for many years.
He died of apoplexy on 5th November 1901.
His Obituary can be found in the British Medical Journal and seen here:- Robert Barbour McKelvie
The memorial takes the form of a tapering granite column surmounted by a four-faced tablet and globe, mounted on an octagonal plinth with coving and recessed arches, all on a two-step octagonal base. Two of the arches contain the inscriptions, one in English the other Gaelic, on opposite sides. Between these arches are four blank panels and two fountain recesses with cast lion's heads as the spigots above a basin. There is no running water in these basins now. Below two of the blank arches are semicircular openings looking like boot scrapers. The monument is the centre-piece of the roundabout and is surrounded by flower beds and four flagpoles, the whole area is paved and there is seating.
Access to the memorial is across the A85, but beware, there is no pedestrian crossing at this point!
The inscriptions read:-
ROBERT BARBOUR
McKELVIE, M.D.
A.D. 1836-1901.
Medical Officer
to the Parishes
of Lismore
and Appin
1860-1875
Kilmore
and Kilbride
1875-1901
A Man He Was To all
The Country Dear”.
Erected
By His Friends.
ROBERT BARBOUR
McKELVIE, M.D.
A.D. 1836-1901.
Ollamh Leigheis
Do Sgìreachdan
Lios-Mòire
Agus Apuinn
1860-1875
Cille-Mòire
Agus Cille-Bhrìde
1875-1901
“THA BEANNACHD
BHOCHD IS BHEARTACH
THA BEANNACHD
TINN IS SLÀN
BHO'N CHRIDHE
LE DEADH DHURACHD
DHUIT ANNS GACH
CÙIS GU BRATH.”