188 REPORT OP MEETINGS FOR 1907 



represented only by a blacksmith's shop and a gamekeeper's 

 cottage — whose history, according to Hateley Waddell's "Old 

 Kirk Chronicle," supplies an instance of the ancient and 

 barbarous custom of witch-burniug. "In August 1649," it 

 was demanded by the minister of Prestonkirk, " if any in 

 the parische have anytliing against Janet Nicholsone, suspect 

 of witchcraft"; and in September of the same year it is 

 stated that she was " execut and burnt at Hailes for witch- 

 craft." 



Crossing the river by a substantial wooden bridge the 

 party reached the South bank on which stand the remains 



of the Castle of Hailes, beloved of landscape 

 Haiies painters, and notable as having been a possession 



Castle. of the family of James, Earl of Bothwell. 



It is now the property of the Eight Honour- 

 able A. J. Balfour, M.P., to whose courtesy the members 

 were indebted for permission to view the ruins. It 

 occupies a rocky promontory on the riverside, surrounded 

 by higher ground which renders it far from being a strong 

 defensive position. A part of the existing structure dates 

 from the 13th century, but the larger portion from the time 

 of the famous Earl, or his immediate predecessors. To some 

 extent it resembles Bothwell, though in one essential feature 

 it differs, namely the keep, which is square instead of round. 

 It has long been laid in ruins, but at the time of the battle of 

 Pinkie (1547) it was described as being "a proper house, and 

 of some strength," in proof of which may be cited the fact 

 that it withstood a siege by the Earl of Dunbar, accompanied 

 by Henry Hotspur, on the occasion of their making an 

 inroad into the territories of Douglas, when they set fire 

 to Hailes and Traprain, and laid waste the country as far 

 West as Haddington. The walls of the Castle, which enclose 

 an area of 240 feet by 90 feet, are 8 feet 6 inches thick, 

 and have been strengthened at intervals with towers. The 

 lower portion of them seems to be original all round, but 

 the upper portions have been subjected to considerable alter- 

 ation. The Northern postern adjoining the square donjon 

 is undoubtedly ancient, as is also a postern stair, strongly 

 vaulted and ribbed, which conducts to the river and is 

 specially noteworthy. About half-way down there is ^ 



