Report of Meetings for 1888. By J. Hardy. 209 



an elevation in a corner at the east end of the bridge, but there 

 are now no structural remains. It has been planted with Beeches 

 and Limes, which are now of considerable age. It overhangs by 

 a steepish cliff or bank well clad with Bilberry bushes, the river 

 Esk, and within view of the grey upright walls of the Hollows 

 Tower on the grassy holm on the further side of the river. It 

 had been surrounded by water from the Esk, and there being no 

 bridge then, was isolated, and rendered secure from attack. The 

 portion of the river that had been conducted round the tower is 

 now filled up, and forms a depression, but its exit into the Esk 

 at the south-east side remains open. Here Dr. Snodgrass read 

 a letter from Thomas Carlyle's brother on the traditionary site of 

 Johnnie Armstrong's castle. On the bridge grew much of 

 Asplenium Ruta- muraria and A . Trichomanes. Encalypta streptocarpa 

 abounds on the mortar. The bridge had its own advantageous 

 command of sights. Southwards down the river Esk, the banks 

 are finely wooded and the river sweeps along between broken 

 crags fantastically shaped. The steep rocks here are called the 

 Cat-Olints. Here one of the old Duchesses of Buccleuch had a 

 bower to which she resorted to enjoy the fine view up and down 

 the river. This is now dilapidated by the action of the river 

 having undermined the rocks on which it was erected. Looking 

 northwards up from the bridge, Gilnockie or Hollows Tower is 

 the main object of interest. The Hollows corn mill lies on the 

 west side. Mr Bowie has here to remark " that the thick Lime- 

 stone beds are well exposed in the river near the bridge, aud are 

 the same beds that were seen at Penton Linns, forming a 

 semicircular basin or margin having the Coal Measures, Lower 

 and Higher, in the centre, with the east and west points running 

 into the great New Bed Sandstone Fault, lying S.E. and N.W. 

 like the string of a bow." We then drove northwards, passing 

 the village of Hollows, and arrived at the entrance to Gilnockie 

 Tower. 



The tower is in good preservation ; about \ storeys high ; 

 oblong in shape, with very small windows ; doorway square ; 

 the stones above the door and some of those in the building have 

 Stigmaria impressions. The materials had been obtained from 

 the neighbourhood. The chimneys are crenellated and the gables 

 have crow steps ; the battlements are the finest architectural 

 feature : there being a pretty well preserved rope pattern at the 

 top of the moulding. The vault was only dimly seen. It will 

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