The Clootie Well at Munlochy

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Munlochy is a village nestled in the Black Isle northeast of Inverness. The clootie well there harkens back to an ancient Celtic tradition where people would visit holy wells and springs in search of healing. They would take a strip of fabric or a rag (known in Scots as a clootie), saturate it in the holy water, and tie it on a nearby tree. Originally, the pilgrims prayed to the local spirit or god. After Christianity arrived, Christian saints supplanted the local deities. The Munlochy well was dedicated to St. Boniface, who served as a missionary in Scotland circa 620 AD.

Today, the Clootie Well attracts tourists who festoon all manner of fabric-esque items all over the trees in the area. Steve and I visited the well early on a Sunday morning. I found myself of a divided opinion about the perpetuation of the tradition. On the one hand, I love keeping old traditions alive and like that so many people want to be involved. On the other hand, it's obvious that many people are doing it just to do it. Their choices of "fabric" run the gamut from work gloves to safety hi-vis vests; shoes to entire jackets; and windscreen sunshields to knickers (including two pairs of lacy thongs). Whilst it's a bit of a visual treat to see a tree festooned with dozens of fabric ribbons, it's not quite as enjoyable seeing dirty y-fronts wrapped around a branch. 

Originally the clooties would be tied on the trees by the water. Here, the rags extend all the way down the hill to the carpark.



 The first glimpse of the actual Clootie Well.

Because there are so many full-sized garments included in the mix, the area just looks trashy. Small strips of natural fabric would disintegrate over the years. But full-size items made from synthetic materials - like the sunscreens, hi-vis jackets, and flags - are pretty much there to stay. We saw one rag dated 1995. Thankfully it was just a rag, but imagine what this place is going to look like in another few years as more and more full-size garments are added. It won't be the Clootie Well so much as the Munlochy Dump.

The entrance to the spring is heavily obscured by full-sized t-shirts and more than a few pairs of knickers.

In an interesting/spooky aside: After I took this photo, I swore I saw movement in that well just behind that bright blue rag near the center of the opening. But a closer look revealed nothing.

The view back up the stairs as we left. 

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