Well of Spa

Date1635

Object NameWell

MediumPink sandstone and grey granite

ClassificationsSculptures

Object numberABDCC001101

About MeThe Well of Spa stands at the corner of Skene Street and Spa Street. This ornate sandstone gable-end entrance is all that remains of the vault that was gifted to the City in 1635 by George Jamesone. Jamesone, a Scottish portrait painter who lived in Schoolhill, drank the waters daily and highly praised the spring, known as the Spa, which ran under Woolman Hill. The curative powers of the waters were well known to physicians of the time and its virtues were extolled in an earl y printed book of 1580. Unfortunately the Spa was vulnerable to flood damage. This wall was rebuilt in 1670 after it fell into disrepair following a violent torrent in the Denburn in 1650. In 1751 the well disappeared and it was 100 years be fore it was moved and renovated by Dr James Gordon of Pitlurg. Two cups hung from chains and the people of Denburn regularly used the water until they we reconnected to the city's water supply. Finally, in 1977 it was skilfully restored by Moray Stone Cutters of Birnie.