"Clouties are fragments of garments worn by those with an ailment. As the rag deteriorates, the ailment lessens. "

Is the definition you will find on the web; in matters of religion and belief one should step warily, and a cloutie at least stretches back into history so has some justification to be there. In the interests of tradition, wells seen as magical or healing places should be continued. But wells fall on a particular cusp; pagan or christianity beliefs are found at the same site its difficult to judge what is being offered. Having said that, the Swallowhead is the natural site of a spring maybe sacred in its time, but is'nt now.