Report of\)/eetinys for l88(). By J. Hardy. 395 



after soine Border strife to have rim three days with blood, and 

 still called the Bloody Burn. Passing the base of bare rocky- 

 headed hills, with a few dwarf ferns among the scant grass on 

 their thin turf, we descended again towards the Teviot, with 

 G-oldieland's Tower in front. We then went along the river, 

 gladdened by some fine well-grown trees beside the road, and 

 crossed the Borthwick at Old Borthaugh, here broad and river 

 like, and rolling proudly its dashing waters, and turned up 

 towards Harden, passing on our left Todshawhaugh and High- 

 chesters. A great hill on our left was taken to be the back of 

 Todshawhill. AVheie it slopes at its upper end and becomes 

 depressed, there are some pretty birch groves, line refuges for 

 native birds and wild flowers ; and in that direction Todshaw- 

 burn traverses a winding birch-clad ravine full of promise for 

 future explorers. Above this Whitehope lies. The dwellers 

 in Whitehope of old had a propensity, or at least the propensity 

 was attributed to them, of appropriating other people's iron. 

 In 149.5, James Turnbull, brother to the Laird of Quhithope, was 

 accused and acquitted of stealing iron windows, doors, and 

 crukis from the tower of Howpaslot. (Pitcairn's Crim. Trials, 

 i., p. 23. — Orig. Paroch., i., p. 330). There are two British 

 Camps on Todshaw Hill Farm, and another close behind High- 

 chesters. "The names generally given to these camps," says 

 the Minister, are " Pict's or Peoch's works." (New Stat. Acct. 

 Eox., p. 91). The Swallow (rustica) was still sporting about 

 Highchesters, but would probably depart on the morrow, as 

 during the night the thermometer fell below zero, and every- 

 thing tender in the gardens in low situations such as this was 

 blasted. Bramble-berries and hips were noticed on the dry 

 banks. Adders occur on the banks of the Borthwick, as they do 

 in most slaty districts rising towards the uplands. The carriages 

 remained at the bottom (Harden-burn foot) while the company 

 ascended to the house. Harden is placed at the top of a trian- 

 gular tongue of land and rock, with a very deep dry ravine, closed 

 at the upper end on the one side, and a more winding and more 

 open cleugh traversed by Harden Burn on the left. Going by 

 the Harden Burn side, the new road has been cut through a much 

 contorted greywacke slate and rock, but there is not any crag in 

 either of the ravines, which have been excavated from rotten 

 slate. Hazel, oak, and fine old elms, as well as birches form 

 constituents of the woodland filling up the sides of this western 



