Monument record MHG32358 - Well of Baldevist

Well of Baldevist marked in field to W of road on 1st ed OS. <1>

No built structure was discovered during walkover survey across this area, although a spring is clearly visible towards the north-east corner of the Baledavist fields. It is possible that there never was a built well in the vicinity of the spring, although since these appear to be the most intensively cultivated fields, which, in addition, have been subject to cattle poaching in more recent times, any such feature could since have disappeared. Its presence highlights the probability that there should be a settlement associated with the place-name, Baledavist, since it contains the prefix, baile-, meaning township. This is confirmed by Reid's estate plan of 180 I, which - at Bowlavadebist - shows a long building with an attached enclosure, to the south of which are a further three buildings. Another larger, square enclosure is also shown, with a square patch of rig in the centre. Since this settlement is not shown on the OS First edition, it is likely to have been cleared away by this date, in order to form the sheep farm of Achkeepster. <2>