Sacred Well: OS Grid Reference – NJ 42659 47528
Also Known as:
- Cailleach Well
- Tobar Chailleach
- Well of the Cailleach
Folklore
Described on the earliest OS-map of the region as Taber Chalaich, this great “well of the old woman, or hag” is found on the northern slopes of Cairds Hill, amidst increasingly dense woodland up the top of the stream which ebbs and flows in strength (depending on the weather). A water source dedicated the prima mater Herself — i.e., the heathen pre-Celtic female creation deity par excellence — it was once of considerable repute locally as being a great curing well and was described by Ruth and Frank Morris (1981) as being,
“the scene of a pagan ceremony in which the Earth Mother in her old woman phase bathed at the well and returned as a young maiden.”
On the hill at the top we find remains of old tombs (mistakenly ascribed by Mr & Mrs Morris as ‘stone circles’), some of which may have had some mythic relationship with this legendary water source. Further information and/or any photos of this little-known site would be hugely welcomed!
References:
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Morris, Ruth & Frank, Scottish Healing Wells, Alethea Press: Sandy 1982.
© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian