- a weel is a deep pool or whirlpool in a river or stream. In its description of the River Ayr in Ayrshire, the Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-45) reported that
There has been a considerable loss of life in the Ayr, owing to the darkness of its waters concealing from the view of persons who had ventured into it, deep places, with which the river abounds, termed... 'Weels, almost every 'Weel' bearing the name of some person who has perished in it.
Other weels include Weel Pool and Barmuck Weel, both in Ayrshire.