Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for Pannanich Wells

Pannanich Wells, an inland watering-place in Glenmuick parish, Aberdeenshire, near the right bank of the Dee, 2 miles ENE of Ballater. Its four chalybeate wells, all near one another, on the N side of Pannanich Hill (1896 feet), are said to have been discovered by an old woman about the year 1760, and soon began to attract notice for their medicinal virtue. They differ somewhat one from another in properties, but all contain carbonates of iron and lime, with small proportions of other ingredients; are chalybeate, stimulant, and tonic; and have been found beneficial for gravelly, scorbutic, and scrofulous complaints. Under date 3 Oct. 1870- the day of the Princess Louise's betrothal to the Marquis of Lorne-the Queen writes in More Leaves from the Journal of a Life in the Highlands (1884)-'I had driven with Beatrice to Pannanich Wells, where I had been many years ago. Unfortunately almost all the trees which covered the hills have been cut down. We got out and tasted the water, which is strongly impregnated with iron, and looked at the bath and at the humble but very clean accommodation in the curious little old inn, which used to be very much frequented. Brown formerly stayed here for a year as servant, and then quantities of horses and goats were there.' Mr Mackenzie of Glenmuick has greatly improved the accommodation for visitors to the wells.—Ord. Sur., sh. 65, 1870.


(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)

Linked entities:
Feature Description: "an inland watering-place"   (ADL Feature Type: "recreational facilities")
Administrative units: Glenmuick Tullich and Glencairn ScoP       Aberdeenshire ScoCnty
Place: Pannanich

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