Report of Meetings for 1885. By Jas. Hardy. 11 



Sunnybrae Scaur, a high, precipice formed of the Old Red Sand- 

 stone. These scaurs, which form a fine and characteristic feature 

 in the landscape of this district, have been specially noticed by 

 B,uskin in his ' Modern Painters ; ' and record his high apprecia- 

 tion of this part of the scenery of the Jed. Thomson, Burns, 

 and Leyden, besides a whole host of minor bards, have also sung 

 of its beauty. The Capon Tree, a noble survivor of ancient 

 Jed Forest, was next pointed out in a meadow opposite Hunda- 

 lee Mill. It is a grand old oak and is alluded to in ' Gilpin's 

 Forest Scenery.' The tree suffered greatly during a severe 

 snow-storm a few years ago. On reaching the fourth bridge 

 from the town, Lintalee House was seen on the high bank to 

 the right, near to which are the remains of a camp formed by 

 the good Sir James Douglas. It was here that Sir James 

 erected a mansion for his own residence about 1317, on the com- 

 pletion of which he resolved to give a banquet to his military 

 vassals. At the same time, the Earl of Arundel, warden of the 

 English marches, crossed the Border with 10,000 men to surprise 

 the Scots in the midst of their festivities. Sir James Douglas, 

 hearing of the advance of the English, went out to meet them, 

 and engaged them in battle. Sir James slew Sir Thomas de 

 Eichemont, and took as a trophy of victory a furred hat which 

 he wore above his helmet. The English army was put to flight, 

 and was pursued for a while by the Scots, who afterwards 

 returned to Lintalee. On retiring to their encampment three 

 hundred Englishmen were found enjoying themselves on the 

 cheer provided for the Scots before the battle. The unbidden 

 guests, as may be imagined, received little courtesy ; many were 

 put to death, and only a few escaped. Douglas was rewarded 

 by Eobert the Bruce with a gift of land in Jed Forest for these 

 and other services. 



" Shortly beyond Lintalee the drive was along a fine level 

 road. To the left were seen the turrets of Fernieherst Castle, the 

 ancient residence of the Kerrs, ancestors of the Marquis of 

 Lothian. This castle, which stands on a finely wooded bank, 

 was the scene of many a bloody fray during the rough days of 

 Border warfare. The castle was first built by Sir Thomas Ker 

 of Kersheugh (a place a little farther up the river) in the fifteenth 

 century, but most of the present buildings belong to a later date. 

 The modern mansion house of Langlee, the seat of Mr Charles 

 Scott, was seen to the right. After passing Glendouglas school- 



