Pitkeathly Wells Explained

Official Name:Pitkeathly Wells
Country:Scotland
Static Image Name:Cross Tower - geograph.org.uk - 69151.jpg
Static Image Caption:Pitkeathly Wells
Label Position:left
Os Grid Reference:NO115178
Edinburgh Distance Mi:40
Edinburgh Direction:S
London Distance Mi:440
London Direction:SSE
Coordinates:56.3442°N -3.4333°W
Post Town:Perth
Postcode Area:PH
Postcode District:PH2
Dial Code:01738
Unitary Scotland:Perth and Kinross
Constituency Westminster:Ochil and South Perthshire
Lieutenancy Scotland:Perth and Kinross
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Perthshire South and Kinross-shire

Pitkeathly Wells (spelling variants: Pitcaithly, Pitceathly, Pitkethley, etc.) is a hamlet in the Perth and Kinross area of Scotland, famed for its mineral water. The water was recommended for health during the 19th century, and was bottled for sale, sometimes carbonated. In 1910, Schweppes took over bottling the water, however, they shut down production after a fire.

Hamlet

Pitkeathly, historically known as Pitcaithly, is situated north of the Ochil Hills, 20NaN0 southwest of Bridge of Earn.[1] [2] Pitcaithly Bannock, a kind of bannock quite similar to a shortbread, is named for the town.[3]

Mineral water

The hamlet has five main wells which produce Pitkeathly mineral water, which were known in the 19th century as the East, the West, the Spout, the Dunbarny, and the Southpark. The wells had been used for restorative properties by the local community, but in 1772 the scientific community started investigating them. A scholar from Glasgow discovered that the water contained quantities of calcium, salt, magnesium and limestone.[4] There are records of people bathing in the springs going back to 1711. By 1876, the water was bottled and sent round the country, sometimes carbonated. In addition, the owner of the land, Mr Grant of Kilgraston, had opened a mineral spa at the springs, with accommodation for guests.[5]

Schweppes took over the springs in 1910 and subsequently bottled the water in a plant employing thirty people. In 1927, a disastrous fire ended the bottling operation. The mineral spa was closed in 1949.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Guide to Pitkeathly Wells and Neighbourhood . Edinburgh Medical Journal . September 1876 . 22 . 3 . 270 . 5323656.
  2. Web site: Overview of Pitkeathly Wells . 2008-10-21 . The Gazetteer for Scotland . The Editors of the Gazetteer for Scotland .
  3. Encyclopedia: Pitcaithly Bannock . Practically Edible: The Web's Biggest Food Encyclopaedia . 2008-10-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120214145052/https://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/pitcaithlybannock. 14 February 2012.
  4. Web site: Pitkeathly Perthshire . A Vision of Britain through time . 31 March 2020.
  5. Book: The Lancet . 22 April 1876 . J. Onwhyn . 599 . Composition of the Pitkeathly Mineral Waters.
  6. News: John L. . Wilson . Pitkeathly Wells . Perthshire Diary . 2008-10-24 .