Fiona from Edinburgh
The Witches' Well Edinburgh
Horrible history
A few years ago I visited Salem in Massachusetts to learn about witch trials. I'll never forget the advice I was given at the end of my visit, "There's one place in the world that executed more suspected witches than anywhere else in the world - Edinburgh, Scotland."
I'd always know we'd a history of witch trials, just not how we compared to other countries. In Scotland it's thought between 4,000 and 6,000 people were tried under the Witchcraft Act between 1563 and 1736. That's three times as many as England and four times as many as the European average.
If you were suspected of being a witch, the sure-fire way to find out was to tie your arms and legs together and throw you into the Nor Loch (where Princes Street Gardens and Waverley Station are today). If you drowned you were innocent. If you survived it proved you were a witch. The sentence was then either hanging or burning at the stake. In Scotland around 1,500 people were executed. The largest group, over 300 people, were strangled or burnt on the Castle Esplanade at the site of the Witches' Well.
The Well is easily missed. It's just inside the Esplanade, on the right-hand side if you are looking at the Castle.
In 1894, urban planner Patrick Geddes, commissioned the Well as a memorial to those that had died this horrible death. The Well is dry now but the carvings illustrate the duality between good and evil with the serpent representing both wisdom and evil.
About this spot
Castlehill 555
- 24 hours daily
£
free
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh
Craiglockhart Hill
The overlooked hill
Craiglockhart Hill is one of Edinburgh's 7 hills. In contrast to Calton Hill, Castle Hill and Arthur's Seat, even many locals can't name this one!
by
Fiona
Diack
Corstorphine Hill
Not just the zoo
The zoo is one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions. Next to it is "Corstorphine Hill" that's in my opinion much more interesting to explore!
by
Fiona
Diack
Little Free Library
Birdhouse book stops
"Little Free Library" in Edinburgh is a project for neighbourhood book exchanges. It has really caught on here -- look for the birdhouse mini libraries!
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Antony Gormley Sculptures
River statues
The "Antony Gormley Sculptures" are six human-like statues across Edinburgh. Four of them are actually in the river! I love introducing visitors to them...
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
The Cactus House
Henderson Row
"The Cactus House" is one of my favourite little hidden gems (and photo stops). This impressive doorstep is adorned with flowers, cacti and so much more!
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
The Forgotten Railway Tunnel
Scotland Street
There's a forgotten railway tunnel on Scotland Street in Edinburgh. I like toake people down there to give them a lesser-told history lesson...
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
The ‘Heave Away’ Hoose
"I'm not dead yet"
"The ‘Heave Away’ Hoose" tells the story of a young boy who was the sole survivor of the collapse of a tall house in Edinburgh. So many such stories...
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Grow Urban
Plant & coffee shop
"Grow Urban" in Edinburgh is an independent plant shop that also has its very own coffee shop! Entering feels like stepping inside a jungle...
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Lupe Pintos
Travel the world in Edinburgh
"Lupe Pintos" is so much more than a deli, with all the unusual and hard-to-find international ingredients crammed in it, it's an Aladdin's cave of food...
by
Fiona
Diack
Wild West Town
Hidden cowboy street
"Wild West Town" is a mini town in Edinburgh that's just like... well, a town from the American Far West. The ghost town-style feel only adds to it!
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Nor Loft
Rooftop champagne bar
"Nor Loft" in Edinburgh's Market Street Hotel's loft champagne bar has marvellous views and an unrivalled champagne selection. Lovely sunsets in summer!
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
David Bann
Vegetarian food for every diet
"David Bann" Edinburgh isn't just for vegetarians, it's for anyone who enjoys good food. It's my favourite restaurant in the city, even as a meat eater.
by
Fiona
Diack
Heading to Edinburgh?
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Edinburgh
Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh
As featured on:
