Dunfermline is home to many historical sites; and Pittencrieff Park has a few of its own.
We conducted a poll on our Instagram; and 27% of people who took part have never heard of Wallace’s Well, and 4% were not sure if they had heard of it before.
This well is situated within the Glen, just past the peacock bridge.
It is thought to be where Scottish knight, William Wallace, took refuge while fleeing from his enemies (scouts of the King of England).
He is well-known for his role in the first Scottish War of Independence, but the stories surrounding his supposed time in Dunfermline seem to be less well-known.
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An information board just across from the well states: “While work was being carried out on the Tower Hill in 1906, a cave was found close to the Tower Burn which is believed to be the site of Wallace’s Well.
“It had a small entrance and there was some evidence of it being used as a habitat. Recent investigations were carried out as recently as 2013 when stone steps, which appear to lead from the entrance up the banking to the west and possibly towards the Abbey, were revealed.”
The well isn’t Wallace’s only supposed link to Scotland’s newest city. He visited in 1303 and it is thought that his mother is buried in the Abbey’s graveyard, with the spot being marked by a thorn tree.
Wallace's Well is small and discreet, making it difficult to find even now if you aren’t looking for it.
In Wallace’s time, the Glen would have been dense woodland, making it a perfect hideout if the story is accurate.
The board states: “In the forest of Dunfermline the renowned Wallace may have had meetings with friends to discuss delivering himself up to Edward of England.”
Wallace was eventually captured and executed in 1305.
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A more obvious historical site in the park is Malcolm Canmore’s Tower.
Not much remains of this site, but the spot, which is only a few minutes’ walk from Wallace’s Well, has been traditionally accepted as the site of the Tower House of King Malcolm and Queen Margaret.
Margaret had a huge impact on Dunfermline, she founded a priory here and established a ferry across the Firth of Forth for pilgrims.
According to a plaque at the Tower, there was no historical mention of it until about 1070 A.D. when Malcolm Canmore and Margaret celebrated their wedding. It also states that historians believe the tower was where:
“The King sits in Dumferling toon,
Drynking the bluid-red wyne.”
These two historical landmarks are less well-known than the Abbey, but a trip into the Glen to find the well and the tower is a good way to immerse yourself in Pittencrieff Park’s unique history.
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