226 Field Meetings. 



the mansion-house, and adjoining' a particularly charming dell on 

 the Kirtle, is a cave around which hangs an air of old romance. 

 It is an opening in a steep wall of sandstone, some twenty-five 

 feet from the level of the stream, and, roughly, as far from the 

 top of the cliff, and the only access to it is by a wooden platform 

 or bridge overhanging the precipice, at the end of a winding 

 footpath. The cave is roughlj'^ circular in shape, its greatest 

 diameters being 17 feet and 13 feet, and its height 6 feet 8 in. 

 It has been protected by stout double doors or gates, for the 

 reception of which the opening has been chiselled and the rock 

 pierced with socket-holes. There are also four holes in the rock, 

 which would serve purposes both of ventilation and observation, 

 and might also be used as shot- holes in case of an enemy approach- 

 ing. Within the cave is a recess in the rock that would serve 

 the purpose of a cupboard or " aumry." On the roof and walls 

 many initials are carved or scratched, and one is accompanied by 

 the date 1717. Legend has associated the mysterious Druids 

 with the early occupation of the cave. It is also said to have 

 formed a hiding-place of Bruce. The story is that the King was 

 in hiding at Bonshaw when an English force invaded Annandale 

 in quest of him ; but before their arrival he had been conveyed to 

 this cave, where he was maintained in secrecy for six weeks ; the 

 English meanwhile continuing their march northward after they 

 had knocked down a portion of Bonshaw Tower and vainly tried 

 to burn the rest. Certainly King- Robert in course of his wander- 

 ings was driven to shelter in many a place less secure and quite 

 as comfortless as this would be ; and within this nest of the rock 

 he may have revolved the plans that were to issue in the ultimate 

 vindication of his own rights and his country's independence. 

 Whatever the original purpose or early history of the cave, it 

 would readily lend itself to the arts of the smuggler, and a 

 cottage that anciently stood athwart the pathway, with its back 

 to the cave, would aid their efforts at concealment. The present 

 proprietrix during a brief residence at Cove caused the following 

 inscription, in which her own Christian name occurs, to be carved 

 in old English letters (without any capitals) over the entrance : 



Kynge Robert Bruce from foes pursuant soughte a truce. 

 Lyke my forbearers who for hymn fell 

 I Ermengarde doe guard yt well. 



Crossing by a footbridge the party inspected an ancient 



