140 Craigmillav and its Environs. 



Scott's "Antiquary," that "it may be only a lie with 

 a circumstance." Still, assuming that the old lady 

 referred to had the tradition, in all likelihood, handed 

 down to her, the fact is at least established that 

 Queen Mary's reputed connection with the tree is 

 by no means a modern invention. 



About a dozen years ago this Sycamore tree 

 showed certain indications of decay, and fears were 

 entertained that it might succumb to a high westerly 

 gale. After consulting the best authorities, the late 

 Mr Little Gilmour, with great reluctance, in Sep- 

 tember 1 88 1 had the upper branches sawn off, in 

 order that the tree might thus offer less resistance to 

 the wind, and so ensure a likelihood of preserving it. 

 As the branches fell to the ground, a large crop of 

 seed was shaken off, which was carefully gathered, 

 and sown in a neighbouring nursery. The tree 

 received a great addition to its popular fame in 

 1886, when her Majesty, driving past it on her way 

 to Dalkeith Palace, expressed a wish that it should 

 be protected with an unscalable iron fence, which 

 desire was readily acceded to by the proprietor. 



