120 The Gatrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Small. 



As a defence it -would present a strong barrier to an enemy on 

 either side of it, but the total absence of all war-like weapons or 

 instruments in or near its precincts, for none have been found, 

 goes some way, at least, to show that the purposes of warfare had 

 not been especially considered along its route. 



For my part, I am inclined to think that it would be used 

 much oftener as a road than a defence, although I also think, 

 from its construction, it in many places and cases might have 

 answered well for both. In those wild marauding days the resi- 

 denters in the district might find it useful and convenient to have 

 a secret road of this kind, more for the peaceable removal of 

 their herds and flocks from place to place, than for enabling 

 those living on the one side of it to protect themselves from 

 those on the opposite side. Besides, under its covert of from 6 

 to 12 feet in depth, and hidden by its many windings and curv- 

 ings as already described, large numbers of men, for war or 

 other purposes, would, with a little caution, be able to move 

 along it unseen, unless from distant points here and there, 

 chiefly on the hills. 



What many writers call forts on its course, I am inclined to 

 caU resting-places or shelters ; but those were so formed and 

 placed as to enable those under their protecting walls to defend 

 themselves when necessary. These shelters have been in most 

 cases very small, and are not by any means to be confounded 

 with forts or camps like those at Eink, Pyot's nest, or Dawston's 

 Rig on Liddell water-side, and others. It must be remembered, 

 too, that had the Catrail been made chiefly as a defence, it 

 would have proved a better barrier had it been constructed on 

 the flat lands, where it would have been filled with water; 

 whereas it has been, as a whole, run through wonderfully dry 

 land, which would make it aU the more useful as a road, along 

 which to drive sheep and cattle. 



In the neighbourhood of several of the forts or shelters there 

 have been small spurs of Catrail thrown out, and such spurs have 

 also in a few instances been made where no resting houses or forts 

 had been placed. These spurs would answer as sidings, into 

 which flocks could be driven, either to allow flocks travelling in 

 another direction to pass, or for refuge in storms, or for a lair at 

 night, or even for temporary concealment. Traces of the sidings 

 can be seen at Hollybush, Eink, Girnwood, Wormescleugh, and 



