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Image Not Available for Corbie Well
Corbie Well
Image Not Available for Corbie Well

Corbie Well

Object NameWell
MediumGranite
ClassificationsSculptures
Dimensions41cm x 168cm
Object numberABDCC001103
About MeSupplied by a chalybeate spring, producing cool mineral water, this well existed before the 18th century. Moved from its original site - Map Ref. 938061 - in Union Terrace Gardens about 100 yards (30m) to the south, the older well was replaced in 1898 by an outlet in a plain granite ashlar wall. An inscription - "Renewed 1856" - from the old well was removed during later modernisation, and until the 1960s the wall supported one of the stone pillar lamp-posts from the 1747 Bow Brig surmounted by the weather-vane from the steeple of old St Nicholas Kirk.

Corbie Heugh was the name - because rooks nested there - of the brae above the Gardens. Near the original Corbie Well steps led up to the south end of Denburn Terrace and to the lower part of Skene Terrace, which along with the iron foot bridge over the new underground Denburn to Mutton Brae and Schoolhill, were cleared away by 1888, prior to the construction of Rosemount Viaduct and the north end of Union Terrace.