1GS The Edgars of Wedderlie. By Rev. J. II. Edgar. 



oblige," but it has been ingeniously conjectured by Major 

 Archer that it was assumed by Sir Richard Edgar, when he was 

 one of Bruce's companions at the time of the death of Comyn, in 

 reference to that event. 



The ancient manor house has been described as "a fortalice 

 and tower"— one portion of it bears still plain evidence that it 

 was constructed for purposes of defence ; and no doubt it must 

 again and again when the English raids swept over the Border, 

 have had its strength put to the test. It is a wonder that we 

 have no records of the troubles the old house must have passed 

 through. The neighbouring Twinlaw cairns, however, are con- 

 nected with the Edgar family, and are understood to mark the 

 graves of two Edgars who, not knowing their relationship, fought 

 as champions of the Scotch and English respectively, and 

 perished in the combat. The Ballad in the Statistical Account 

 tells the story of how one brother had been stolen by the English, 

 and did not know his origin until about to die bj' his brother's 

 hand. 



The site of the old Chapel at Wedderlie is pointed out. Before 

 the Reformation the Edgars were buried in their own Chapel at 

 Wedderlie ; from the Reformation to 1 649 at Bassindean ; and 

 subsequently at Westruther. 



A story is told of the departure of the Edgars from their 

 ancient inheritance. The family were in straitened circumstances, 

 and obliged to sell their estates ; and in the words of the narra- 

 tor " the auld Laird and leddy drove out in their carriage and 

 four horses at midday : but the young laird was broken-hearted 

 at the thoct o' leaving the auld place, and he waited till the dark- 

 ening; for he said the sun should na shine when he left his hame," 

 and "it was a dark nicht when the last Edgar rode out of 

 Wedderlie." 



Major Archer shows with much ingenuity that Sir Walter 

 Scott must most probably have had the Edgar of Wedderlie in 

 his mind when he wrote the "Bride of Lammermoor." 



P.S. — Those who care to refer to Major Archer's book on " Edgar " will 

 find the authorities duly quoted in support of what has been written. 



