ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Clootie well

A clootie well is a special kind of well that people visit in Scotland and other parts of the world. It is said to be magical and can heal sicknesses or help people with their wishes.

When people visit a clootie well, they usually bring something made of cloth or "cloot" like a piece of clothing or a ribbon. They tie the cloth onto a nearby tree or bush, or sometimes even dip it into the well.

They believe that by doing this, the well will take away their sickness or grant their wish. The cloths left behind by people are called "clooties," and they are seen as a sign of faith and hope.

The tradition of clootie wells goes way back in time, even before people had hospitals and medicine that worked well. They turned to the magic of the wells as a way of healing themselves and their loved ones.

Today, people still visit clootie wells as a way of connecting with their ancestors and seeking comfort and healing.