The Brow well at the village of Ruthwell near Dumfries has strong connections with the Bard, Robert Burns.
During the 1700s, the Well was renowned for the assumed healing qualities of its waters, especially amongst the local residents. The Bard lodged in the nearby Brow Inn (demolished in 1863) on 4 July 1796 to seek a cure for what we now know was rheumatic fever on the advice of his doctor, William Maxwell. Still only 37 years of age he felt that his illness was getting the better of him, he was advised to drink the waters of the well and bath in sea waters of the Solway Firth. He returned to his home in Dumfries on 18 July 1796, and died three days later.
Brow Well has since become a place of pilgrimage for followers of Burns from around the world.
Progress is currently being made with the Brow Well upgrade as highlighted in the attached documents. Works have started on site, the previous paving has now been lifted and the surfaces prepared.
It is anticipated that the works in bringing back The Brow Well to how it looked in Burns time will be complete for the annual SSCBA service on Wednesday 20th July 2016.
John M Caskie
Secretary SSCBA
(Many thanks to Clair MacFarlan of Solway Firth Partnership for the update as listed)
