Tobar a' Bheathaig, Gigha & Cara

Grid reference

NR 656 519 (accurate position)

Six-figure easting & northing

165600 651900

Latitude

55.70377991546418

Longitude

-5.731194185679396

Altitude (metres)

20

County

Argyllshire

Nearby places

St Cathan's Church/Kilchattan, Gigha GCA (2.55 miles)

Gigha & Cara, parish (2.55 miles)

St Cathan's Well, Gigha & Cara (2.57 miles)

Kilchattan, settlement, Gigha GCA (2.62 miles)

Kilmichael, eccles. Kilcalmonell (4.4 miles)

Object Classification

Water

Is linear feature?

No

Notes

This is a spring which issues from a cup-shaped rock hollow. This is probably the well which Martin Martin encountered c.1695 which he calls Tobermore, i.e. 'the great well, because of its effects, for which it is famous among the islanders; who, together with the inhabitants, use it as a catholicon for disseases. It is covered with stone and clay, because the natives fancy that the stream that flows from it might overflow the isle; and it is always opened by a direch, ie. an inmate, else they think it would not exert its virtues.' See NMRS for further discussion of the name, and the cult and ceremonies surrounding the well. NOTE ALSO: Canmore ID 38598: Burial site with (tenth-century?) cross-marked stone. Canmore ID 38596: a Viking grave found nearby, possibly tenth-century. Canmore ID 38597: an early Christian cross-incised stone nearby.

http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/

Relationships with other parishes

Within Gigha & Cara, parish