Building record MAB34090 - PANNANICH WELLS

Wells.

Wells. The medicinal value of the springs were discovered by 1745 when an old woman suffering from scrofula or tuberculosis of the lymph nodes, was said to have had a miracle cure. Elspet Michie had been bathing in and drinking water from the Pannanich wells. They were established as a spa centre in the late 18th century by Francis Farquharson when he returned from imprisonment in England. Queen Victoria was said to have frequented them. Ballater would not have come into being but for Pannanich Wells, 'beinn an acha', the hill beside the river. A price list and a copy of the regulations to be observed at the 'Spa' are in a Kirk Minute Book. They gave local employment, by caring for guests and their horses. John Brown, who later became a servant of Queen Victoria, worked at Pannanich as an ostler. The mineral water is said to cure a variety of illnesses including arthritis. The well heads date from circa 1770. The upper is a simple red granite ashlar well head with pediment containing a recess, and a rectangular basin. The lower well is also a simple red granite well but with a stepped top and rectangular basin. A long granite seat adjoins the well and extends towards the hotel. Now owned by Deeside Water, who sell the water bottled on a commercial scale.

Period Notes
Discovered by 1745 and established as a spa in 1760. Well heads c.1770.

MORRIS, 1982, SCOTTISH HEALING WELLS, 26 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1157.

SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, GLENMUICK 12,13 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.

Author unknown, n.d., LEOPARD MAGAZINE, Aug 1996, p. 21 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1074.

Record last edited

Feb 19 2020 2:15PM