The Brow Well
The Brow Well near Ruthwell
in Dumfries & Galloway (on the B725).
in Dumfries & Galloway (on the B725).
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All images are © 400photos.uk
All images are © 400photos.uk
This was the place where Robert Burns arrived on 4th July 1796 when he was near death to try to revive himself
with the healing waters of the well and sea bathing in the Solway Firth, a few hundred yards away.
There was at that time a small hamlet nearby with an inn where Burns stayed for two weeks until 19th July. The efforts failed and Burns died, more than likely from rheumatic fever, on 21st July 1796 just two days after he returned to Dumfries.
The Brow Well is a chalybeate spring which is a source of water rich in iron salts. That explains the dark brown colour of the water.
The recent re-design makes it look like an attractive prospect but the water in the well is a little less than inviting. Many Burns Clubs, companies, communities and individuals helped in the restoration of the well. There's parking nearby for a few cars and the paths down to the well are accessible for wheelchairs.
That's a Burns poem carved into the side of the well and there are several information boards telling the story of the well and its connections to Burns.
It's said that although he was near death when here Burns was willing to walk to the Clarencefield Inn over a mile away to buy a bottle of wine when he was refused credit in the local inn. (He seems to have had access to a pony and trap to travel from and back to Dumfries so maybe that needs confirmation.)
While this was happening his wife, Jean Armour, was heavily pregnant and gave birth to twins on the day Burns died.
There was at that time a small hamlet nearby with an inn where Burns stayed for two weeks until 19th July. The efforts failed and Burns died, more than likely from rheumatic fever, on 21st July 1796 just two days after he returned to Dumfries.
The Brow Well is a chalybeate spring which is a source of water rich in iron salts. That explains the dark brown colour of the water.
The recent re-design makes it look like an attractive prospect but the water in the well is a little less than inviting. Many Burns Clubs, companies, communities and individuals helped in the restoration of the well. There's parking nearby for a few cars and the paths down to the well are accessible for wheelchairs.
That's a Burns poem carved into the side of the well and there are several information boards telling the story of the well and its connections to Burns.
It's said that although he was near death when here Burns was willing to walk to the Clarencefield Inn over a mile away to buy a bottle of wine when he was refused credit in the local inn. (He seems to have had access to a pony and trap to travel from and back to Dumfries so maybe that needs confirmation.)
While this was happening his wife, Jean Armour, was heavily pregnant and gave birth to twins on the day Burns died.
