Stirling's 'Black Boy' fountain
The Black Boy Fountain and the surrounding area are a well-known and extremely popular area of civic open space in Stirling City Centre. It is popular with both residents and visitors to the City and the surrounding area provides informal meeting and recreational space in the heart of the City.
The fountain which sits in the Allanpark area of Stirling and is a very well-known and much-loved local landmark. This was manufactured by the Neilson Foundry of Glasgow.
The fountain was originally erected to commemorate those from Stirling who died in the Black Plague. It was recently restored in 1997
1369: Plague decimates over 30% of Stirling's population Although people did not realize it at the time, ordinary fleas spread the Plague. The fleas were transported by rats that were a common sight in the cities and towns. Living off garbage and sewerage, the rats spread the fleas - and diseases - to man. Ironically, the Plague did not affect the flea: when a rat died the flea just moved on to a new victim - be it man or beast. When the flea bit a new victim it regurgitated some of the blood in its stomach and therefore spread the disease.
It is thought that plague spread into Scotland Plague earned the nickname 'The Black Death" because of the discoloration of the skin and black tumours which appeared on the second day of contracting the disease. The 'Black Boy' fountain in the centre of Stirling commemorates those who died in the city from this terrible disease.
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