The Spier's Wish Tree
30 August
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The Aira Force Wish Tree
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Spier's coin Wish Tree
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The Wish Tree trunk - plenty of space left!
A Wish Tree is an individual tree, often in the past distinguished by species, position or appearance, which was used as an object of wishes and offerings. Such trees were once identified as possessing a special religious or spiritual value. By tradition, 'believers' make these so called 'votive' offerings in order to gain the granting of a wish from the nature spirit, saint or goddess. One form of votive giving is the offering of a coin and local traditions in Scotland state that a wish will be granted for each of the coins. On an island in Loch Maree in the Highlands stands an old oak wish tree made famous in 1877 because of a visit by Queen Victoria, and its inclusion in her published diaries. The tree, and others surrounding it, are festooned with hammered-in coins. It is near the healing well of St. Maree. The popular Aira Force Glen at Ullswater in Cumbria (once part of Scotland) has a spectacular example. Elsewhere in Scotland nails were used or rags were tied onto tree branches at holy wells, producing the so called 'Clootie Wells'. Tossing a coin into water is another modern example of exchanging a gift for the hopeful granting of a wish! At Spier's the Wish Tree is a felled lime tree trunk as living trees would be of course be harmed by such actions.
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