Location
Portsoy next to the cemetery
Portsoy, Banffshire
OS Map Reference
NJ 592 660
Description
Rubble built tunnel type entrance, the well is said to have been built in the early part of the 7th century. The well 2ft diameter, and still flowing, is now covered by a stone cupola with an arched entrance. The well is hidden away in an earth mound (Perhaps a burial mound since it is adjacent to the cemetery) You can only see the well if you actually enter the cemetery by the gate at the bottom of the hill opposite the caravan for the warden of the caravan site. The plaque, made from the soft unstable yellow sandstone of the area, is just recognisable as St Colm's well but will be lost soon, the plaque dates from when the well was restored in 1893 though the date is now hardly readable.
Near the site of an ancient chapel, or oratory, said to have been dedicated to St Columba the last remnants of which disappeared in the early 1800s.
Related Information
There are other Aberdeenshire wells dedicated to St Colm also the village of St Combs east of Fraserburgh. Along with St Drostan he is a legendary dark ages evangelist of the area.
The North East of Scotland is rich in healing, sacred and fairy related wells, survivors of pre-Christian religious sentiments despite the Calvinist Covenanter's attempts in the mid 17th century to put down all such beliefs.
Era
Dark ages
Information Source
S. Bruce, and RCAHMS
Categories
Photographer
- Andrew Bruce
Unavailable Data
- Date
- Related Artefacts
- Iconography
- Creator
- External Links
This content was submitted by external contributors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Aberdeen.