HEATHER ALE. 



man, wishing some of his oppressors to shake hands 

 after they had completed their bargain, they became 

 suspicious of his intentions and held out to him the 

 bone of a horse's leg, which with a firm grasp of his 

 old withered hand he crushed to powder. Made aware 

 by this, that it was not over safe to shake hands with 

 the old fellow, they kept at a respectful distance, but 

 insisted that he should now reveal his secret accord- 

 ing to bargain ; but they could get nothing from him 

 but the doggerel couplet which we find still here re- 

 peated : 



'Search Brochwhin well out and well in, 



And barm for heather crop you'll find therein.' " 



The place mentioned here as Brochwhin is a glen 

 close by, and the tradition is still believed. 



Various localities claim the distinction of having 

 witnessed the extinction of the Picts and the loss of 

 their Heather ale secret. 



Leyden says: "The traditions of Teviotdale add 

 that when the Pictish nations were exterminated, it was 

 found that only two persons had survived the slaughter 

 a father and a son. They were brought before Ken- 

 neth the conqueror, and their life was offered them, on 

 condition the father would discover the method of 

 making the heath-liquor. 'Put this young man to 

 death, then/ said the hoary warrior. The barbarous 

 terms were complied with; and he was required to 

 fulfill his engagement. 'Now put me to death, too,' 

 replied he. 'You shall never know the secret. Your 

 threats might have influenced my son, but they are lost 

 100 



