A LANDMARK Peebles fountain has been smashed by a vehicle – for the second time in three years.

Morning commuters and residents noticed the John Veitch Commemorative Monument was cordoned off on Wednesday, October 19, following damage overnight.

The fountain, which stands outside the Tontine Hotel oin Peebles High Street, is a pink granite circular monument and includes a horse drinking trough. 

Scottish Borders Council said: “The Council has made the Veitch Statue on Peebles’ High Street safe after it was damaged on Wednesday morning. The statue will be restored by the end of this month.”

The spokesperson added the total cost of the repairs will be upwards of £1,000.

The top half of the fountain has been taken off following the damage by the vehicle, and will be put back once it has been restored to its former glory.

Builder Andrew Williamson told the Peebleshire News: “It’s a huge job for us to repair the statue, which was previously damaged around two to three years ago by a lorry. We’re going to clean the base of the fountain before rebuilding it. 

“Luckily, a lot of the parts to the fountain can be salvaged, but it will take some time to fix as we want to make sure we take care and restore it correctly, plus we need to carefully lift vital pieces back into place.

“The last time it was struck, the damage was fairly minimal in comparison to the works we are carrying out a second time round.

“Given the damage involved, we estimate it could cost thousands to repair the fountain.”

The statue commemorates Professor John Veitch who was born in Biggiesknowe. He was a philosopher and poet and was professor of logic at the University of St Andrews between 1860 to 1864.

He was elected to the chair of Logic and Rhetoric in Glasgow in 184, which he held until he died in 1884.

During his life, John also published several collections of his own poems, and is remembered for his work on the history and poetry of the Scottish Borders.

A 35-year-old has been charged in connection with the incident. Police Scotland said: “A 35-year-old has been charged with failing to report a road traffic collision.

"This is in connection with damage that was caused to a fountain in Peebles High Street on Tuesday, October 19. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”