<< Our Photo Pages >> St Bernard's Well - Holy Well or Sacred Spring in Scotland in Midlothian
Submitted by KiwiBetsy on Sunday, 05 December 2004 Page Views: 19309
Springs and Holy WellsSite Name: St Bernard's WellCountry: Scotland County: Midlothian Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring
Nearest Town: Edinburgh
Map Ref: NT2445174247
Latitude: 55.955282N Longitude: 3.211524W
Condition:
5 | Perfect |
4 | Almost Perfect |
3 | Reasonable but with some damage |
2 | Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site |
1 | Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks |
0 | No data. |
-1 | Completely destroyed |
5 | Superb |
4 | Good |
3 | Ordinary |
2 | Not Good |
1 | Awful |
0 | No data. |
5 | Can be driven to, probably with disabled access |
4 | Short walk on a footpath |
3 | Requiring a bit more of a walk |
2 | A long walk |
1 | In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find |
0 | No data. |
5 | co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates |
4 | co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map |
3 | co-ordinates scaled from a bad map |
2 | co-ordinates of the nearest village |
1 | co-ordinates of the nearest town |
0 | no data |
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Anne T visited on 17th Dec 2015 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 2 Access: 4 St Bernard's Well, Edinburgh: This was by far the most attractive of the three wells we saw in Edinburgh today, although again I wouldn’t have known it was a well but for the plaque next to it telling us it had been refurbished in Victorian times. It sits at the base of a steep hill with housing and private gardens above, with the Water of Leith running below. It is apparently possible to get inside the structure during ‘Doors Open’ day, although the gate and door were very well padlocked, and the number of vodka bottles and cans inside the temple indicates its well used by drinkers who hop over the gate. We did intend going up to Arthur's seat to see 2 other wells and the hill fort but the wet and windy weather drove us indoors to get warm.
feorag schwagmyre have visited here
Legend has it that the spring was first discovered by St Bernard of Clairvaux, founder of the Cistercian order in the 12th century. While living in a nearby cave and feeling quite unwell he was attracted to the spring by birds and after some days of drinking the water was restored to health.
In 1764 the water was very popular although likened to tasting like the “washings of foul gunbarrels”. In 1788 Lord Gardenstone was so impressed by the well’s effects that he commissioned the circular “Roman” Temple that still covers the wellhouse. Ten Doric columns support a lead dome and surround a marble statue of Hygieia, Goddess of Health.
Steps lead down to a small, locked wooden door in the base of the temple and an inscription in the stonework left no doubt that behind the door was St Bernard’s Well. Standing there, in that beautiful quiet spot by the Leith with trees soaring overhead, it was hard to believe we were just minutes from the heart of Edinburgh.
For more information see Canmore ID 52586 which adds that in September 1760, the following was reported in The Scots Magazine: " To preserve the well from the injury of the weather, and prevent its being overflowed by the Water of Leith, on the banks of which it is situated, a stone covering is to be erected over it. The foundation-stone of this building was laid September 15th...by Alexander Drummond, brother of Provost Drummond."
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