AT THE FotO committee meeting in May, Robin Kelsall asked if anyone knew anything about the Hielanman's Well. Robin had met a man clearing vegetation from around the site of this well, and the man was of the opinion that the site should be marked and maintained. Robin's question prompted fellow committee member Felicity Martin to ask about Maiden's Well. Since information regarding this was scant at the time, my curiosity was aroused.
It so happens I had received a gift of an excellent book, The Ochils: Placenames, History and Tradition, by Angus Watson. This has at least 23 references to sites in the Ochils with the word "Well" in a placename. The book also includes information regarding the names of hills, settlements, historic sites, etc. The origins of many of these placenames indicate activities and land use from bygone days. The Ochil hills were a very significant and busy area before the depopulation for sheep, ie for a long time pre-1900.
It must be noted that many of these well sites are now obscured or lost, due to changes in land use over the ages. In order to provide information on the location of some Ochil wells, I have turned to Angus Watson's book - but note that I am not on commission for sales. I do not know the author, but I thank him for a most interesting and fascinating source of information.
Hielanman's Well was also known as Faery Well and is by the Sheriffmuir road near Drumbrae Farm. Once it was known as a healing well of religious significance. The name could be related to the huge numbers of Highlanders in the area for the Main Event - the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. It is also well known that large numbers of cattle from the Highlands were driven south to markets, or trysts. Sheriffmuir was one of the regularly used drove roads. So take your pick for the naming of this historically significant well.
Maiden's Well is marked on Landranger 58 at grid reference NN969014, and is on record as early as the mid-1800s. Old records from Dollar allege that the spirit of a young woman lived in the well, and that she could be encouraged forth by night. Potential suitors who were brave (or daft) enough to visit were found dead in the morning. (Personally, I wonder if John Barleycorn might have had an influence here.) However, an early-1900s researcher advises that the well was named from the maiden held prisoner in Castle Gloom (now named Castle Campbell). This captive also gave the name to the Burn of Sorrow, and she was allowed to walk to the well to drink the waters.
As further indication of the significance of wells, these three are good examples:
The Bluidy Well - Where (allegedly) Wallace and his men washed their weapons following a bit of a fecht locally.
The Butter Well - The production of butter required it to be washed in burns, wells and springs. Cold water was also used for storage - there were no fridges in those days!
The Holy Well - On record in the late 1700s. Old records from Logie gives the site of this well a certain distance north of the foot of Dumyat. It was said to be of religious significance.
This is really only a glimpse of well sites in the Ochils. For anyone with a keen interest in the Ochils, Angus Watson's book is a must. My future walking will be given a whole new perspective by realising that many hardy souls spent their lives working and surviving up in the hills.
The Ochils: Placenames, History and Tradition, Angus Watson, published by Perth and Kinross District Libraries, 1995), ISBN 0 905 452 16 X