Best place to make a wish

SCOTLAND has a wealth of wishing trees and wells where generations of superstitious types have come to make a wish or try to get healed - or possibly both. These are Steve's top five, although there are certainly more that could be on the list - are there any more recommendations out there?

1 ST CURITAN'S WELL

Munlochy

Named after a 7th-century Scottish missionary but probably much older than that. This is Scotland's best example of a "clootie well", so called because people tie cloth to surrounding trees in the hope of having a wish fulfilled or something healed. This well, which lies about half a mile west of Munlochy in the Black Isle, is reached by stone steps. The well and surrounding trees are festooned with rags.

2 WISHING TREE

Kilmelford

This tree has been embedded with coins over many years. It is situated on a path up the Bealach Gaoithe above Armaddy Castle in Argyll. The tree itself is a hawthorn, an early blossoming tree that is held sacred in Celtic tradition and has associations with fertility. It is thought that removal of a coin from the tree will bring bad luck.

3 CLOOTIE TREE

Aberfoyle

Located on Doon Hill and centred on an old pine tree. This tree is said to hold the spirit of the Rev Robert Kirk, minister of the nearby Old Kirk of Aberfoyle. He was a seventh son, thought to have the gift of second sight. In 1691, he wrote a book called The Secret Commonwealth, an account of nature and society of the fairy world.

4 ST MARY'S WELL

Culloden

Named after a nearby chapel dedicated to St Mary and lying close to the famous battlefield. It sits on an elevated plateau where a natural spring flows from a stone basin and it is surrounded by a low circular wall.

This well is another example of a "clootie well" and is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the fallen warriors of Culloden.

5 WISHING TREE

Loch Maree

This ancient oak tree is situated on Isle Maree, part of a small archipelago in Loch Maree. Both loch and island are named after the 7th-century saint Maelrubha, who is said to have founded a small church on the island, close to an ancient holy well. The tree is studded with coins and was visited by Queen Victoria in 1877.