Monument record MHG2424 - The Grey Hen's Well - Latheron, Caithness

The Grey Hen's Well.
OS 6" map, (1964)

A roadside well with a modern stone surround. A nearby plaque bears the legend: "The Grey Hen's Well. Erected by the Duke of Portland 1934." Visited by OS (N K B) 8 November 1982.

An article was written about the Grey Hen's Well by C Baldwin in 2011 for the Caithness Field Club Bulletin, her ancestor Christina Sutherland grew up in Badbea and was named on the monument. Baldwin pulled together a collection of narratives, myths, poems and other literature relating to the well. She noted the following points:
During the early to mid 19th century, the Grey Hen's Well was used as a mail and coach stop. John Badbea Sutherland, a notable Christian who lived in proximity to the well, sent letters to 'The Men' of the free Church in Scotland from here.
It was also noted that there was once a small township close to the well which has since been deserted, the inhabitants are said to have scattered to the corners of the earth, although many have traditional connections with this place.
In 1976, the editor of the John o' Groats Journal requested information on the well and was subsequently sent three responses about the origin of the name of the well. One speaks of an eldery widow who had many attractive daughters who were courted by young men at the well. At dusk, she would appear to usher the girls home and eraned the nickname 'The Grey Hen' hence giving the well its name. Another speaks of the introduction of grouse to the area, saying that the Grey Hens Well was situated near a 'lek' - the stamping ground of the male grouse during their nuptial displays. The female grouse were said to gather in the well nearby during the displays, hence giving the well its name. The last speaks of an old woman who was a war widow (her husband had been killed at Waterloo in 1815), she wwas nickname in Gaelic 'the Grey hen'. She was tormented a great deal by young folk who shouted the nickname at her often. It was said that when her cottage had fallen into ruin, the doorstep was re-used to form the front 'kneeling pad' at the well for forming water. Apparently, the Duke of Portland had the large stone erected and the well named after her so that she would be remembered, where those who had tormented her would be forgotten.
Other myths surrounding the well suggest another story about a young couple followed by the girls mother, who earned the nickname 'the grey hen' and also that the well was named after the Duke of Portlands horse - although this appeared to be an unpopular myth. <1>