The Scott Country

ady" Scotts, until it went by marriage to its present possessors the Napiers. Tushielaw was another hold of the clan, and here dwelt Adam Scott-"King of the Thieves", and "King of

an earlier claim. They are even said to have drawn their name and their chief title from this deserted glen, high up which lies Buccleuch, now marked only by the foundations of a chapel wall. Scott of Satchells, who

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nce of old forest times survives in such names as Hindhope and Hartwoodmyres; the shell of an ancient peel 54 guards, at Kirkhope, the "Swire Road" across the "Witchie Knowe" from Yarrow to Ettrick Bridgend; and Oakwood has something more substantial to

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d "Laird Nippy", at Ashestiel. The Rutherfords of Fairnilee-the old house in which was born Alison Rutherford, the author of the popular version of "The Flowers of the Forest", stands roofless and deserted, but a new mansion has risen in its neighbourhood-were of his kin. He was a welcome guest also with the Pringles of Yair, whose home, bound about by the woods and hills, is across the river, with the "sister heights of Yair", otherwise known as the "Three Brethren", as background. It may be remembered that it was with a son of "the long-descended lord of Yair", Alexander Pringle of Clovenfords, tha

oll shaded by oak and birch-the "Shirra's Knowe"-where part of Marmion is said to have been written. The house, much changed since Scott's day, turns its front and two extended wings away from the Tweed; but its most attractive aspect is perhaps that towards the river. The little stream, that with its hoarse roaring in spate used to keep the great author, then just blossoming into fame, from his sleep, still tumbles through the garden. His armchair, which came back from Abbotsford after his death, and the window through which his

s, are perched on the ridges, or hide in the folds or "hopes" of the hills, on whose summits are found the forts and cairns of a still earlier day. The outposts of the Moorfoots come to the left bank of the river, and behind them are the broad shoulders of Windlestraelaw; while over against them are steep outliers of Minchmoor-Elibank, Bold and Plora Laws. "Juden" Murray's tower is of feudal date and aspect. Scott tells the story of how Young Harden, son of Auld Watt and the "Flower of Yarrow", and presumably a personable young man, was captured by the owner of the tower and was about to be hanged, when the more politic lady pointed out that she had three ill-favoured daughters to dispose of, and the prisoner was h

ogg was once a herd laddie, and on the lower slope of the Pen, south of Lee Tower and above the village, the beginnings of the new "Spa". The topographical resemblances of "St. Ronan's" to Innerleithen are not very close; and Sir Bingo Binks, Lady Penelope Penfeather, Dr. Quackleben, and other types in Scott's solitary attempt at a satiric portrayal of the social manners and humo

l to those of Stow and of Tyninghame. On the farther side is the entrance to the valley of the Quair, and the woods surrounding the venerable form of Traquair House. Its claim to be "the oldest inhabited house in Scotland" applies specifically to its western wing, which is said to date back fully nine centuries. However this may be, the antique character of Traquair is written on its outward features as well as inscribed in its record. It passed through the hands of a succession of royal favourites, of whom the last wa

ot some scrogs of birch left by the waterside of the much besung "Bush aboon Traquair"? Were not the dwelling of Willie Laidlaw, and the scene of "Lucy's Flitting" in the upper

hich on a clear day can be seen, it is said, the Calton Hill in Edinburgh and the Isle of May. The little country-town of Peebles is in a level space where Eddleston Water, side by side with rail and highway, meets Tweed; and from time immemorial it has been a resort of royalty, a place for pastime and relaxation-"Peebles for pleesure!"-and, in a modest way, for trade. It had a reputation for sanctity, also, in witness whereof there are the remains of the two medi?val churches-those of St. Andrew and of the Haly Rude. The house of the Archdean of Glasgow is represented by the Lodging, in the High Stre

water swirls around rock and boulder below the castle base; and the screen of trees, whose destruction by that "degenerate Douglas", Old Q., provoked Wordsworth's indignant sonnet, has been partially restored. Access to the lofty thick walled double tower, still partly occupied, is by a gateway and courtyard; and over this outer portal are the arms of the early owners-the strawberries of the Frasers of Oliver Castle, from whom are descended the Frasers of the North; and the goat's head of the Hays of Yester, who here en

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low the remains of the great Roman Camp of Lyne. The Manor Water draws its springs from the neighbourhood of Yarrow. Once it was defended by eight strong peels, only one of which, Barns-where Mr. John Buchan has laid the scene of his "John Burnet of Barns"-stands erect. Posso Craigs, where the Stewart Kings bred their falcons, and the sites of St. Gordian's Kirk and Cross and of "Macbeth's Castle" can be pointed out. But Manor's chief memorials

inn?us, though the honour is disputed by Kailzie lower down Tweed. Across the river is another fine wooded domain-Stobo-whose ancient church preserves a Norman doorway, a saddle-back tower, and a "jougs"; while, from the hills behind, this level strath seems to be menaced by the fragments of Tinnis Castle, set, like a robber tower on the Rhine, on the summit of an almost inaccessible rocky spur. It is believed to have been the original hold of the Tweedies of Drummelzier, a race w

, Scotts and Hays, and other clans of Upper Clydesdale have had a part; and "forts" and "rings" and "chesters" are plentifully sprinkled on the hill-tops. They are especially rife on the heights looking down on the Holms water, which comes from the grassy and heathery folds of Culter Fell and Cardon, and, after joining the Broughton burn, falls into the Tweed below Rachan. For in this neighbourhood, by the "Pass of Corscrine", ran for a time the frontiers of 66 the Kingdom, as fixed between Edward I and Edward Baliol. Like many other old families of the district, the Geddeses of Rachan, "chiefs of the name", passed out of t

Logan Water", which runs by it. Beyond the Kinkledoors burn is the "Crook Inn", beloved by the many anglers who have sought sport and recreation in this solitude among the hills, where, besides Tweed itself, there are many wild side streams-Hearthstane, Menzion, 67 Fruid, and Fingland; Glencraigie, Glenbreck, and Glencor-frequented by brown and yellow tr

and followed them in their flight. Few, and set far apart, are houses and "bields" of any kind, on the lonely road that keeps high up

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