Burghead Well and Iron Age Fort

Within the precincts of the old fort, but outside the area owned and cared for by the Burghead Headland trust is an ancient subterranean well which is cared for by Historic Scotland.  The Burghead well was discovered and cleared out in 1809 while searching for a possible water supply for the new town development.  It was initially thought to be of Roman origin, however it is now clear that this is not the case.  Its purpose is still a source of archaeological debate,  however it is generally agreed that it dates back to the dark ages. The well consists of 20 steps leading down to a chamber containing a tank fed by fresh water springs.  It measures approximately 12 feet high, 12 feet across, with a ledge around the edge of the tank measuring approximately 4 feet.  The tank itself is 4 feet deep and once took six days to refill when it was emptied.  The well would have been situated within the walls of the fort, and it makes sense that it may have supplied the fort with drinking water.  A fort without a protected water supply would quickly succumb to any type of siege.  What is clear is that the effort involved in creating the well out of the living rock would have been unimaginable, so the debate continues as to whether this unique site also has pictish ceremonial significance.