Fuaran Choluim Chille

Fuaran Choluim Chille, or St. Columba’s Well, relatives and I found near the Highland town of Invermoriston. It was once thought to be a haunt of demons until the saintly Columba kindly appeared and expelled them. The water, which had previously scalded and burned any skin it touched, became pure and healthful, as well as a source of healing for rheumatism and hangovers, to which a great many Scotsmen may be able to testify.

Although I have greater confidence in the sincerity of Celtic saints rather than their Romish colleagues, they too are the subject of unhelpful myths and foolish legends. The well’s water that day did not tempt me to drink, even though the air was uncommonly hot. Like the saint after whom it is named, one cannot quite be certain of its purity. Better to drink from a trusted, lively source such as a tap and the scriptures, than to set store by ancient legends and mysterious saints.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 1 Tim 4:7