Burns Words are carved in stone to add a new dimension to the Famous Brow Well
Burns Groups from all around the country will mark the anniversary of the death of Robert Burns during a commemorative service on Wednesday 20 July at the newly renovated Brow Well.
The Brow Well, a natural iron-salt rich source of water that seeps from underground, sits on the shore of the Solway close to the villages of Ruthwell and Clarencefield. During the 1700’s the well was renowned for the healing qualities of the water and was popular with the residents of Dumfries who would visit to take the waters.
It is well documented that Robert Burns came to visit the Brow Well in 1796 to drink the water and sea bathe in the Solway to cure his ‘flying gout’ which was in fact rheumatic fever. He died shortly afterwards and since then the Brow Well has become a place for Burns enthusiasts to visit and contemplate his life and poetry. An annual commemoration service is held in July to mark the Bard’s stay at the Well.
The Well was in need of a facelift and so last year Solway Firth Partnership set up a steering group to lead the initiative to improve the site and preserve the story of this fascinating piece of Burns’ history.
The result, ready in time for this year’s service, is a transformed site – complete with a new Well surround using natural materials and featuring carved Burns poetry, a fully accessible path to the site and an interpretation panel to highlight the importance of the Well to the local Burns experience.
The project was funded by Solway Heritage, The Landfill Communities Fund through Solway Heritage and Dumfries and Galloway Council along with contributions from many Burns Clubs and volunteers.
Colin Mitchell, Chairman of Solway Heritage, said: “The Brow Well is an important site locally and nationally. It sits on the Solway Coast Heritage Trail and features on the Burns Heritage Trail. Solway Heritage is delighted to have been able to fund this improvement project which clearly embraces the Built, Cultural and Natural Heritage within one location.”
As part of the improvement works the Core Path from the Brow Well to Ruthwell has also been upgraded for walkers by Dumfries and Galloway Council. A short walk onto the merse gives the visitor the opportunity to interact with scenes of nature that Robert Burns would have experienced – from the wild geese, duck and waders feeding on the merse and mudflats to the natterjack toads calling on a summer evening.
Clair McFarlan, Solway Firth Partnership Manager said: “We are really grateful to all the funders and everyone else who has contributed to the improvements at the Brow Well. And we hope that local residents and visitors alike will enjoy this special historic site for many years to come. Just don’t drink the water!”
The public are welcome to attend the commemorative service which takes place at 7pm on Wednesday 20 July at the Brow Well. A Social will follow at the Cairndale Hotel (approx 8.30pm) where a buffet supper will be served and the assembled gathering will be entertained by local artistes and guests.
Mike Duguid, President of the Robert Burns SSBCA said: “The Annual Service at the Brow Well is held in very high esteem by admirers of Burns because it offers them the opportunity to reflect on the fact that he died so young and yet left behind such a magnificent legacy of poems and songs which have helped define Scotland’s place in the world.”
The service is free of charge with tickets for the Social available at £10 each, available from John Caskie, Secretary SSCBA, on 01387710975, 07711573071 or [email protected]
