Sacred Well: OS Grid Reference – NR 6564 5190
Also Known as:
- Canmore ID 38609
- Great Well of the Winds
- St Beathag’s Well
- Tobar Bheathaig
Folklore
There are a number of sacred and healing wells on this small island, but this site in particular was deemed magickal by folk from far and wide. Found on the northwest slopes of Cnoc Largie (around which are other heathen spots) this legendary site had an attendant keeper of the well:
“an aged female direach, or guardian, whose uncanny powers could be commanded by a small offering of silver. Following this the cover of the sacred well would be removed in order that its waters might be ceremonially cleansed with a white clamshell prior to being stirred three times, sunwise, to the accompaniment of ritual incantations. Then three shell-fulls of the sacred water would be hurled aloft in the direction of the desired wind which, before the day was out, invariably appeared.”
This simple ritual obviously tells that it was a heathen site, seemingly one for divination and magick. Another piece of folklore (found at other wells) told that if the cover on the well were left unattended, its waters could overflow and flood the entire island.
References:
- Anonymous, Exploring Historic Kintyre and the Isle of Gigha, Harlequin Press: Oban n.d.
© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian
