Former soldiers and members of The Black Watch Association reacted with outrage when photographs of the memorial appeared on a website showing it having been damaged and covered in graffiti by vandals. Subsequently, the city council consulted with veterans’ organisations and other bodies with an interest in war memorials on the best way to restore and preserve the fountain.

Councillor Bob Duncan, convener of the leisure, arts and communities committee, which has responsibility for parks, said the memorial’s sandstone construction also made it particularly susceptible to the effects of weather.

“The condition of the stone is poor and, while some form of cleaning has been carried out, it looks like the preferred option would be to move it to another location within Caird Park,” he said.

“The existing position, which is secluded in a woodland setting, puts the memorial at high risk of vandalism.”

Mr Duncan said the current proposal was to move the memorial close to Mains Castle and restore it to its former glory.

However, that was likely to be an expensive business and the council was investigating potential funding streams before a decision could be made.

“We have to ensure the funding is available,” Mr Duncan said.

“It is not going to be a straightforward operation and there is a meeting planned for next month to examine the practicalities of the proposal.”