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Well located in the church yard of St Mary's Chapel in Stoneywood (see NJ81SE0555). Macfarlane's commentary, in the 17th century, provides the first historical reference to a well at the site. The existence of this well has, however, always been implicit in the history of the chapel of St Mary. The lands of Stoneywood were originally called the lands of Auchriny, which were comprised of two adjacent plots, Waterton and Wellton. Given that these names existed from at least the 13th century it seems fair too assume that a well has been here since that time, although it is not possible to say definitely that it was the well under discussion here. Macfarlane's comments that the churchyard was: 'Remarkable for a well reckoned medicinall whether crowds flock about the beginning of May. It is said to be good for the stomack and for cleansing and curing any ulcerous tunours on any part of the body when bathed within it'. In 1732 Sir Samuel Foveran noted in his Description of the Diocese that at 'The Virgin Mary's near Stoneywood, at which is a well resorted to, in May, for washing of ulcerous sores' . These practices seem to hark back to pre-Christian tradition, with the significance of May. Clearly it was felt that the water there was miraculous or at least had curative aspects. This was, no doubt, an older tradition. Logan wrote about the site at some point between 1814 and 1820 at which time he noted that the well had 'very pure water'. Writing in the later 19th century Jervaise commented that 'The Holy Well.is still a copious spring'. Although it is not linked to ritualistic traditions here it seems to be implied. A 1930 article in Scottish Notes and Queries notes that 'this practice continued down to living memory, it being customary to drop a pin in the well when wishing a wish. ......The Holy Well continues to flow, but no crowds now come on a May-day morning to do it reverence' . Today the well remains as a declivity in the ground. It may be assumed that the well structure was removed at some point after the 1930s once its popularity had begun to wane. In 2004 the well was partially excavated - see NJ81SE0305 for excavation.
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Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Aberdeen City
HER -
NJ81SE0581 - ST MARY'S CHAPEL WELL