Proposal Advances to List Diana Fountain as Historic Site

A proposal to grant listed status to the Diana fountain at Victoria Pier in Lerwick is currently under public consultation. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is considering designating the fountain as a C-listed building, which would recognize its historic and architectural significance.

The Diana fountain, constructed in 1890, commemorates the crew of the Hull whaling boat, Diana. This vessel, which had many Shetlanders on board, became trapped in ice in Baffin Bay in 1866 and remained immobilized for over six months. Tragically, several crew members perished during this ordeal, while others returned in poor health after the ship eventually made it back to Ronas Voe in 1867.

The original drinking fountain has since been replaced by a chalice, but the memorial continues to serve as a reminder of the whaling industry’s impact on the region. The application for HES to assess the fountain for designation was submitted in 2023. The proposal emphasized the fountain’s importance as a historical marker related to the 19th-century whaling industry in both Scotland and England, particularly highlighting its connections to the Shetland Islands and Kingston upon Hull, where whaling was a crucial economic activity.

Significance of the Diana Fountain

In its consultation, HES noted that the fountain meets criteria for “special architectural or historic interest” for several reasons. These include the memorial’s social, historical, and commemorative significance, as well as its quality construction and historical setting. According to HES, while the Diana fountain is not unique among late-19th-century structures, it is one of a limited number of designated sites that symbolize the whaling industry in Scotland.

HES has confirmed that the consultation will remain open until 27 August. The designation process aims to protect and preserve sites of historic or architectural relevance. Other recent applications for designation include one for the Clickimin Leisure Complex in Lerwick, which HES ultimately decided against listing.

As the consultation progresses, community members and stakeholders will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the fountain’s significance and the potential listing, underscoring the continued relevance of this historical site in Shetland’s maritime heritage.