REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1908 247 



loyalty and efficiency of the Volunteer force. To this summons 

 a gallant and speedy response was given ; aud the Hume 

 people still pride themselves in the fact that their contingent 

 was the first to muster iu the square at Kelso. It is inter- 

 esting to know that their standard-bearer was Robert Hume, 

 the father of Miss Margaret Hume, who is still resident in 

 the village. 



Before wending their way to the ancient churchyard of 

 Hume, of which a detailed account has been already 

 published,^" a cordial vote of thanks was given to Mr Cuth- 

 bert, on the call of Mr Eutherfurd, for his entertaining 

 description of the Castle, and his conduct of the party. 

 Proceeding through the adjoining grass-parks, liberty to do 

 so having been readily granted by Mr A. Veitch, Hume-hall, 

 the members sauntered towards the site of the 

 Church ancient Church of Hume, which lies to the 



of Hume. West at the bottom of the hill. Its history 

 is older than that of the Castle, dating from 

 1127. The building was ruinous in 1673, and it is with 

 some difficulty that the plan of the Church can be traced at 

 the present day. It seems to have been about 27 yards long 

 and 7 yards wide. The nave and chancel are still traceable. 

 The vault on the North is a burying-place of the Home 

 family, and has no apparent connection with the sacred edifice. 

 The Church appears to have been of Celtic origin. In 1147 

 it was dedicated to St. Nicholas, and it would appear to have 

 been in turn Celtic, Saxon, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Prelatic, 

 and Presbyterian. Latterly, it was included in the diocese of 

 St. Andrews, and the deanery of the Merse. In 1157 it was 

 attached to Kelso Abbey, and had rights of superiority over 

 Wedderlie (Westruther) and Gordon. The elevated ground in 

 the South-East corner is known as the "Pest Knowe," but 

 on examination it was found to consist only of the debris of 

 the building. One hour was allotted for the examination 

 of the Castle and Church, and at one o'clock the members 

 left Humebyres to drive through Stichill to Newton Don. 



Owing to the warm character of the weather and the 

 persistent collar-work exacted of the horses, the scheduled 



* Ber. Nat. Club, Vol. xvi., Part ii,, pp. 217-230. 



