4S4 Report of Meetings for 1889. By Dr. J. Hardy. 



present condition of cultivation ; and the nomenclature now in 

 vogue of localities needs to be known. Opposite to us, on the 

 north, lay Mindrum Mill and Mindrum Farm ; and looking out 

 from a projecting screen of trees, Beaumont Hill, backed by the 

 Yetholm Hills. The scene opened out as we proceeded till there 

 came in view the clustering (mostly) slated village of Yetholm 

 and its adjoining common, and opposite to it the high Venchen 

 grounds, rising to Cherrytrees, and the line trending backwards 

 towards Hoselaw. 



The bright sultry day proved rather too melting for those 

 unused to the hot Border hills, on which, from a cloudless sky, 

 the sun poured down its unmitigated rays. A halt was called at 

 the Gamp side near the plantation, and then after a few directions, 

 the majority proceeded towards the lake at the base, and then 

 took the line for Harelaw, and ultimately held on to Yetholm, 

 leaving Mr Gr. H. Thompson and myself to recover our breath, 

 and examine the Camp. The Camp has a double ring and is 

 not entirely enclosed within the wall of the plantation ; which 

 with internal combination of parallel walls, has been erected at 

 the expense of the camp rings, supplemented by stones gathered 

 from the cultured area. Beside these internal walls, there are 

 foundations of rough hut circles. One account of the Camp says 

 that the outer ring is 400 yards in circumference. Mr Thompson's 

 estimate, obtained by pacing, is much less. Of the camp he says 

 " The diameter (it is neaiiy circular) from N. to S. is 86 yards, 

 tuside there are 7 ridges of stones running E.S.E. to W.N.W., 

 three of them crossing the whole distance. There are also 

 indications of hut-circles, but whether ancient or belonging to 

 the times of Border warfare is uncertain." They are certainly 

 newer and more loosely constructed than the Camp rings. I 

 noticed that several of them were" connected together at the 

 eastern end, where they form arches without a thoroughfare, 

 like " bughts." They were perhaps intended to shelter, or sort 

 sheep, or for ewe-milking. Sheep naturally resort to the hill 

 tops in the evening, and advantage may have been taken of this 

 habit to assemble the flock here. The Border Day Watch of 

 1552, was here : " Paston to watoh Paston Hill with one man on 

 the day." The Night Watch was placed in a more advanced 

 position nearer to Scotland, on the other side of the valley. The 

 original part of the camp does not differ from the ordinary type 

 of hill fortresses prevalent in the district. 



