Events Edinburgh

Event Details

This beautiful architectural gem on the banks of the Water of Leith will be opened by volunteers from the Dean Village Association this Summer.

It is on the riverside pathway between Saunders Street, Stockbridge and the Dean Bridge.

The well-house was created in the late 18th century by Lord Gardenstone to enhance his estate, at a time when ‘taking the waters' was a fashionable and healthy pursuit in Harrogate or Bath.

Alexander Nasmyth, ‘the father of Scottish landscape painting', was commissioned as architect, as he had been inspired by drawing Sybils's Temple at Tivoli near Rome while on the Grand Tour.

Ten fine columns support the domed roof with pineapple finial above a marble statue of Hygeia, the Roman goddess of health, while the interior has a wonderful blue ‘Cosmati' mosaic ceiling with a golden sun.

Opening times: between 12 noon and 3pm on the following dates:-

Sundays May 2nd, June 6th, July 4th, August 8th, 15th and 22nd;
also Saturday 25th September, on Doors Open Day.

(Any queries can be sent to Conservation Officer paul.mcauley@edinburgh.gov.uk, 0131 556 9536, who will be presenting ‘Classical Temples in Edinburgh' - a comparison between St Bernard's Well and the Burns Monument - one of the Lauriston Castle Lectures on 29 June.)