Anniversary Address. 11 



Lady John Scott's paper directed the attention of the meet- 

 ing more particularly " to the ancient site known as the 

 Harefaulds, on the farm of Ely the, from which a rampart 

 or wall, called Heritsdyke, formerly ran to the English 

 Border, but of which the traces are now nearly obliterated. 

 A camp above Channel Kirk * was also indicated, near 

 which a stone circle formerly existed, but it has been destroyed 

 and the materials used for building dykes within the last five 

 or six years. Camps are also to be found at Admiston, at Hill- 

 house, above Longcroft or Dod's Head, and two on Thirl- 

 stane. Near Edgarshope is a curious place called the Barrow 

 Stanes, which has never been examined ; and a cave, hewn 

 through the solid rock, was discovered some few years since 

 at Brailshaw-rig, which has not been fully explored. A 

 ruined gable at Thirlstane village, marks the site of Thirl- 

 stane Convent. The High Cross, where the old London road 

 began to descend, is supposed to be the place where the 

 convent first came in sight. On the hill behind Byre cleugh 

 is a very curious and remarkably-shaped cairn called the 

 Deil's Mitten, which, according to tradition, marks the 

 burial place of a Pictish King." f 



These places, embracing too large an area to be visited 

 in one forenoon, it was arranged in communication with 

 Mr. Romanes, that the party should proceed first to Thirlstane 

 Castle, graciously thrown open by the noble proprietor, 



* General Roy considers it to have been one of Agricola's temporary camps. 

 Mil. Antiq, 61 and PI. VII. 



f This monument is deserving of more careful investigation. In the old Stat- 

 istical report of the parish of Longformacus, it is described by ihe Rev. Selby 

 Orde, as "a heap of stones 80 yards long, 25 broad, and. 6 high, collec!ed 

 probably by some army, to perpetuate a victory or other remarkable event," 

 Vol. I., 71. In the new Statistical report, the Rev. Henry Riddell observes 

 " that a large heap of sonesat Byrecleugh, 2-10 feet long, 76 broad, and IS high, 

 appears to attest a similar conflict The stones have been carried to their present 

 place from a crag half a mile distant They have received the name of meeting 

 stones, but there is no authentic account of the occasion that led to their accumu- 

 lation." Vol. II., 94. In 'fowler's map of Berwickshire, 1826, they are called 

 tb° meeting stones. Being far removed from the line of the excursion selected, it 

 vas impossible to explore the place, but it will be well worth a visit on some 

 future occasion. 



