THE TWEED 13 



flood the water of the Leithen excavates this refuse tip and carries 

 the refuse into the Tweed. Some of the mill owners here have 

 tanks for settling the spent liqiiids after dyeing, and in this way 

 some of the solid refuse is retained, but the coloured liquid is allowed 

 to enter the river." 



This serves to show how " the silver Tweed " is treated while it is 

 yet sixty miles from the sea. 



The river now passes through the north-east portion of Selkirk- 

 shire by famous Ashiestiel, where Scott spent seven of perhaps the 

 happiest years of his life. It is one of the most beautiful parts of 

 Tweed. Abbotsford was bought by Sir Walter in 1811. I will not 

 attempt to do more than mention it, so many able pens have already 

 been busy with everything which pertains to the sacred place. 



Opposite Abbotsford, the Boldside fishings are situated, and from 

 a return furnished to Lord Elgin's Salmon Fisheries Commission by 

 the proprietor, Mr. Scott of Gala, it is possible to make an estimate 

 of their productiveness. The return is for the years 1880-1900, 

 excepting 1891, and deals with results obtained only between 15th 

 September and 30th November each year. The average take for 

 the eleven years is 70 fish, the extreme of variation being from 31 

 to 103 fish. The return is of interest since it refers to a fishery 

 of the upper waters. 



Through the heart of Selkirkshire flow the tributaries of the 

 Ettrick and Yarrow which unite at Philiphaugh two miles above 

 the county town. Below the junction, the river is called Ettrick, 

 since Ettrick is 27 miles long and Yarrow only 20. But if the 

 Meggat Water, which flows into St. Mary's Loch at the head 

 of Yarrow, is taken count of, the waterways would be practically 

 the same length. At the Meggat Water, which passes the south 

 side of Dollar Law, we are only across the divide from the source of 

 Manor Water already referred to. 



There are four caulds or weirs on Ettrick ; the Selkirk cauld, 

 which is about eight feet high, and which in spite of a fish-pass, so 

 called, salmon can only ascend with difficulty or when the river is 

 in flood ; Philiphaugh cauld, about six feet high and of a steep 

 gradient, now being provided with a new pass by which fairly easy 

 ascent is expected ; Oakwoodmill cauld and Collins Bridge cauld, 

 both of which are not very formidable structures, and which do not 

 appear to offer much difficulty to fish except when the water is low. 



Away up at Ettrick Church lie the remains of Hogg and of 

 " Tibbie Shiels." From St. Mary's Loch, where Tibbie many a time 



