At St Michael’s Well in Banffshire an undying fly was believed to keep watch over the water. Chambers quotes the Statistical Account of Scotland: a wife anxious about her husband’s illness, or a girl pining over her sweetheart, went to the well and watched the fly in silent awe. If it seemed lively the news would be good, and if it seemed dejected they feared the worst.
The Fly of St Michael’s Well
Printed under 1 July · Banffshire
Lore and belief
an immortal fly was ever at his post as guardian of the well.
From Chambers's Book of Days, vol. 2, p. 7. Read the original
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