OS1/11/17/80
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OILY WELL | St Catherines or the oily well | R Grieve Cames Cottage Thomas Torrance Meadowhead |
006 | This name applies to a well dedicated to St Catherine from a supposed circumstance of St Catherine bringing a bottle of holy oil from Rome which however by accident was spilt here and which gave rise to this well it is allowed by Berce to have been the most famous in Scotland for working miracles: on its surface continually float a black oily substance similar to Tar which is supposed to arise from the great coal bed below; however it serves as an excellent medicine for individuals troubled with cutaneous diseases. it was held in high veneration by Catholics, who attributed so many miracles to be derived from it, and for which a body of nuns went in procession annually from Edinburgh; King James the 6th paid it a visit in 1517, and who ordered it to be surrounded with a building however at present it is covered with a neat little house about 6 ft square, under which a person formally descended by 24 circular steps, but from some neglect the water has covered them that not one is visible. |
| ST CATHERINE'S WELL (Petroleum) | St Catherines or the oily well | R Grieve Cames Cottage Thomas Torrance Meadowhead |
006 | This name applies to a well dedicated to St Catherine from a supposed circumstance of St Catherine bringing a bottle of holy oil from Rome which however by accident was spilt here and which gave rise to this well it is allowed by Berce to have been the most famous in Scotland for working miracles: on its surface continually float a black oily substance similar to Tar which is supposed to arise from the great coal bed below; however it serves as an excellent medicine for individuals troubled with cutaneous diseases. it was held in high veneration by Catholics, who attributed so many miracles to be derived from it, and for which a body of nuns went in procession annually from Edinburgh; King James the 6th paid it a visit in 1517, and who ordered it to be surrounded with a building however at present it is covered with a neat little house about 6 ft square, under which a person formally descended by 24 circular steps, but from some neglect the water has covered them that not one is visible. |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 80P.6.D -- List of Names Collected by Pte [Private] John E Daveran RS&M [Royal Sappers and Miners] 1st Examiner
Field Book No 2
[Object] Well
Liberton Parish
[signed] John E Daveran
11 Nov [1851]
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
douglas
Location information for this page.
