The Haven Sundial (N7)

“The Haven” in Slamannan Road, Falkirk, was designed by Thomas Copland around 1904 for Dr Prangnell who had a practice in Grahams Road and subsequently became the Medical Officer of Health for Falkirk Burgh.  It was probably at this time that the freestanding sundial was place in the garden.  It is of stone with an octagonal base and baluster-like column surmounted by a large octagonal block which has lightly carved dial faces on the three southern sides.  That facing directly south has Roman numerals, whilst those to either side are in Arabic.  The gnomons are missing and they are partially infilled with thick white paint.  On the flat top of the head is a copper dial engraved “1700/ Serene I Stand/ myddst Sun & Showers” – a copy of an earlier dial.  A compass occupies the base of the chunky gnomon.  The motto is similar to one at Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland which reads “Serene I stand among the flowers and only count life’s sunny hours, for me dark days do not exist, I’m a brazen faced old optimist.”