Trumpeter's Well

The Category C Listed Trumpeter's Well is located in the hamlet of Caldermill (NS 66013 41683) in a field beside the entrance drive to Hillhead Farm, on the A71 route to Strathaven from Darvel, Parish of Avondale, South Lanarkshire.

[5] During the covenanting period there was a battle in 1679 near the village of Drumclog following an illegal religious meeting known as a conventicle that was held in this isolated moorland site.

[1] This trumpeter is said to have been a boy of around 14 years of age who was subsequently caught at Caldermill, killed by the covenanters and his body was thrown into the well that lay close to the road.

[4] A further element of confusion is that the cornet to Claverhouse was in common parlance a 'trumpeter' and is said to have been killed in the battle: "The Rebels upon Captain Graham's Approach, sent out Two Parties to skirmish with him, which he beat into their main Body.

Then they advanced with their whole Force upon him, who after a considerable Slaughter of the Rebels, and the Loss of his Cornet, Two Brigadiers, about Eight Horse, and Twenty Dragoons, (his own Horse being killed under him, and mounting another)...."[8] Scotlands Places records details given by Sheriff Aiton of a skirmish at a dwelling, now demolished, known as Capernaum near Drumclog Bridge: "The Covenanters pursued the Troops to Calder Water about 3 miles from the field of Action.