Saint Hilda’s Well can be found in the churchyard in Hinderwell.
The legend is, that there was once a drought in the area and Saint Hilda was asked to intercede. Her prayers were answered and a spring appeared on the hillside. The well is said to have healing properties for eye diseases and became a place of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages.
On Assumption Day, a ceremony called Shaking Bottle Sunday was held at the well. Local children would collect the well water in bottles and add a stick of liquorice to make a pleasant drink.
Green-eyed greedy,
Brown-eyes needy,
Black-eyed never blin’
Till it shames o’ its kin.
Trad Scottish
The Smell of Water 