St Ronan's Wells (saline spring), EH44 6RB

## Overview St Ronan's Well is a historic saline spring and one of Scotland's finest examples of an early 19th-century spa. Situated on steeply sloped ground overlooking the town of Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, the well and its grand pavilion buildings played a pivotal role in transforming Innerleithen from a quiet village into a thriving town. The healing properties of the spring waters have been recognised since at least the 18th century. The mineral-rich saline and sulphurous waters drew visitors from across Scotland and beyond, establishing Innerleithen as a fashionable spa destination. The renowned architect William Playfair designed the first St Ronan's Well pavilion, which opened to the public in 1826. The well's fame was greatly amplified by Sir Walter Scott's 1824 novel *St Ronan's Well*, which brought national attention to the spring and the town. Scott also established St Ronan's Games in 1827 — a tradition of border games that remarkably continues to this day. Together, the well and the games ushered in a prosperous era for the burgh. During this golden age, the spring was also affectionately known by the nickname "Doo-well" (Scots for "dove-well") due to the large number of pigeons that gathered around the well head. The well reached its peak popularity around 1840, after which interest gradually declined — partly due to shifting fashions in health tourism and partly following the opening of the Peebles Hydropathic in 1881, which drew visitors to a nearby rival. In 1896, a new public company — the St Ronan's Well Mineral Water Co. — was formed with the ambition of restoring the well to its former glory. A new pavilion was constructed, featuring waiting rooms, retirement rooms, and baths fed directly by the sulphurous spring. The grand opening ceremony took place on 10th September 1896. A bottling plant was also built alongside a newly tapped saline water spring, and it is claimed that this was the first facility in the United Kingdom to bottle pure mineral water commercially, with a capacity of 1,500 bottles per day. The business was later acquired by Harry Rawson of Joppa, who added the Royal Warrant coat of arms to the building's pediment. During World War II, the buildings were requisitioned to provide sleeping quarters for troops. In 1954, a caretaker was appointed and a programme of improvements was carried out, including the removal of redundant machinery. The business continued under the name Cairns and Rawson. The buildings were refurbished again in 1991. The former bottling plant was converted into a community exercise centre, and as of 2007, it also houses a museum dedicated to the history of the wells and the local area. The site is managed by Scottish Borders Council. ## Directions 1. Head to the town of **Innerleithen** in the Scottish Borders, which lies on the **A72** between Peebles and Galashiels. 2. From the centre of Innerleithen, look for signs to **St Ronan's Wells** — the pavilion buildings stand prominently on the hillside above the town. 3. The postcode **EH44 6RB** can be used for sat-nav navigation. 4. The well head itself is located behind the main pavilion buildings. ## What to Expect Visitors will find an impressive collection of historic spa buildings set against the scenic backdrop of the Scottish Borders hills. The pavilion stands prominently above Innerleithen, and the well head — the actual spring source — is tucked behind the main structures. The spring water is saline and sulphurous in character, and has historically been regarded as having healing and restorative properties. While the water was once commercially bottled and widely consumed, visitors today should note that no current water quality testing data is publicly available, and the water should not be assumed safe to drink without independent verification. The on-site museum (housed in the former bottling plant) offers a fascinating look at the history of the wells, the mineral water industry, and Innerleithen's development as a spa town. It's well worth a visit for anyone interested in Scotland's social and industrial heritage. The site is publicly accessible and managed by Scottish Borders Council. If you're visiting during the summer, look out for the annual **St Ronan's Games** — a living link to Sir Walter Scott's legacy, held every year since 1827. The surrounding area offers excellent walking, with the Tweed Valley and Glentress Forest nearby.