Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs

James M. Mackinlay's book on the folklore of Scottish lochs and springs begins with a chapter on the worship of water. Its heading lists topics such as divination by water, the superstitions of sailors and fishermen, the sea serpent, mer-folk, sea charms, ancient beliefs about rivers, lakes, St. Margaret's Well and the survival of well-worship. The author says the subject is a chapter of social history not yet closed.

One passage quotes Mr. Walker's account of a group at St. Anthony's Well in Queen's Park, Edinburgh: two old women, a younger woman and a pale child of three or four years, who drank from cups, bound the child's head with a wet linen bandage and filled a bottle with the water. Another passage says that springs came to be thought of as givers of health, and that cold water is an excellent tonic. A later chapter heading lists St. Keyne's Well and St. Ludvan's Well, and its text, on springs called wonderful, mentions the legend of Tre Fontane near Rome.