St Kilda, Hirta, Gleann Mor, Tobar Nam Buaidh
Altar(S) (Period Unknown)(Possible), Holy Well (Period Unknown)
Site Name St Kilda, Hirta, Gleann Mor, Tobar Nam Buaidh
Classification Altar(S) (Period Unknown)(Possible), Holy Well (Period Unknown)
Canmore ID 3962
Site Number NA00SE 4
NGR NA 08644 00247
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3962
- Council Western Isles
- Parish Harris
- Former Region Western Isles Islands Area
- Former District Western Isles
- Former County Inverness-shire
NA00SE 4 0865 0025.
(NA 08650025) Tobar Nam Buaidh (TU)
OS 6"map, anotated by J Mathieson (1928)
Tobar nam Buaidh (the well of virtue) a holy well, the water from which was an alleged cure for deafness and nervous diseases. There was once a so-called altar nearby, where prayer was made. This has now disappeared but the well is protected by an erection of large stones and was used up to the evacuation (in 1930) (J Mathieson 1928).
Covered by a stone structure in 1697 (M Martin 1934).
J Mathieson 1928; M Martin 1934.
A stone-built well-house, situated on the hill-slope, and measuring 1.5 x 1.8m and 1.5m high. Spring water still runs into a trough within the housing. There is no trace of the alleged 'altar'.
Visited by OS (J L D) 8 August 1967.
Desk Based Assessment (19 April 1966)
Tobar nam Buaidh (the well of virtue) a holy well, the water from which was an alleged cure for deafness and nervous diseases. There was once a so-called altar nearby, where prayer was made. This has now disappeared but the well is protected by an erection of large stones and was used up to the evacuation (in 1930) (J Mathieson 1928).
Covered by a stone structure in 1697 (M Martin 1934).
Information from OS (BRS) 19 April 1966
J Mathieson 1928; M Martin 1934.
Field Visit (8 August 1967)
A stone-built well-house, situated on the hill-slope, and measuring 1.5 x 1.8m and 1.5m high. Spring water still runs into a trough within the housing. There is no trace of the alleged 'altar'.
Visited by OS (J L D) 8 August 1967.
Field Visit (3 September 2009)
A natural spring with a substantially built well-cover.
Visited by RCAHMS (ARG) 3 September 2009
Measured Survey (5 September 2009 - 9 September 2009)
RCAHMS surveyed Gleann Mor, Hirta, St Kilda between 5-9 September 2008, using GPS data and ground observation, to produce a site plan at a scale of 1:500 across five survey sheets. These survey drawings were later used as the basis for a site plan redrawn in vector graphics software for publication at a scale of 1:2500 (Gannon and Geddes 2015,84)
