My. Ihivdy on the Wolf in Scotland. 291 



Not half-a-mile to the Avest, a small dell is called Wolden, 

 and a piece of ground bordering it is the Wolden-lees, quasi 

 Wolfden. But without resorting to doubtful etymologies, the 

 animal's name is retained in full in Wolf-cleugh, a short open 

 ravine on Penmanshiel moor, almost within sight of the 

 Soldier's Dike, a ruined wall, which tradition affirms en- 

 vironed the grazing grounds of the ancient castle. A well- 

 known tradition, connected with the wolf, prevails all over 

 the Lammermoors, of which a version has been presented by 

 Mr, Robert Chambers, in his "Picture of Scotland." "At a 

 very remote period the whole region was overspread with 

 wood ; but there is now not so much as a single tree anywhere 

 to be seen. Besides being universally wooded, it was infested 

 by wild beasts. The lady of Gamelshiels Castle, a ruined 

 strength, situated in a hope or small glen near the farm of 

 Millknowe, was one evening taking a walk at a little distance 

 below the house, when a wolf sprung from the wood; and, 

 in the language of the simple peasantry who tell the far- 

 descended story, worried her. Her husband buried her 

 mangled corpse in the corner of the courtyard, and ever after, 

 till death sent him to rejoin her in another world, sat at his 

 chamber window, looking through his tears over her grave ; 

 his soul dark as the forest shades around him, and his voice 

 as mournful as their autumnal music. This castle was one 

 of a chain which guarded the pass between Dunse and Had- 

 dington; a natural opening across the hills formed by the 

 Whitadder, near the head of Avhich stream it is situated. 

 Two tall, spiky, pillar-like remains of the tower are yet to be 

 seen, by the traveller passing along the unfrequented road, 

 far up the dreary hope; and a flat stone covering the grave 

 of the unfortunate lady yet exists, to attest the verity of a 

 story, so finely illustrative of the aboriginal condition of the 

 county."* The proprietor is said to have been a Home, 

 descended from the Wedderburn family. The lady was buried 

 in the garden, rather than the family burial place, that he 

 might indulge his sorrow over her grave. He caused a stone 

 to be placed above it, on which he sat inconsolable, nursing 

 his sad frenzy. He survived her for many years ; and when 

 he died he was buried beside her. In confirmation of the 

 tale, the tenant of Millknowe was till lately restricted by his 

 lease from ploughing or digging within a certain distance of 

 their remains. It is now ploughed over, and the stone 

 removed. 



* Chambers' Pict. Scot. i. p. 45, 46. 



Tt 



