Proximate Landscape. 239 



his demands, and in a fit of rage he seized a torch 

 from one of his servants and set fire to the thatch. 

 As a high wind was blowing, the house was speedily 

 reduced to ashes, all the occupants, including the 

 young lady Margaret Herries, perishing in the flames. 

 The place was thereafter called Burntdool or Burn- 

 dale. The exact spot where the tragedy took place is 

 not known, but the gamekeeper's house at Melville is 

 called Burndale Cottage to this day. 



Drum. — A little to the east of Gilmerton stands 

 the historical house of Drum. Situated on rising 

 ground, the surrounding trees are distinctly seen from 

 Craigmillar. Built originally by Hugh seventh Lord 

 Somerville in 1585, it was long regarded as a vener- 

 able building. Shortly after completion it was burnt 

 down, was anew rebuilt, and in 1629 was again 

 burnt, being this time left for more than a century 

 in ruins. Between 1730 and 1740 James thirteenth 

 Lord Somerville pulled down what remained, and 

 built the house as it at present stands, the stones 

 from the ancient edifice being utilised in the con- 

 struction of the new one. Formerly the barony 



