274 Statements concerning Sir Walter Scott. 



consequence of, the caution the fish have learnt from many 

 anglers, they are there still for those who can catch them. 



Mr James Skene and his family seem to have been at 

 Ashiesteel every year the Scotts were there ; but, as familiar 

 friends, they would not naturally write accounts of these 

 visits to other people. 



A reminiscence, probably, of the limitations of Ashiesteel 

 before there was any bridge near it, was the recollection 

 of Mr Blore, the architect employed by Sir Walter, at 

 Abbotsford, that Miss Scott, which must mean Sophia, 

 suffered for years from rheumatism, from her having waded 

 the burn without taking off her shoes and stockings. 



This might, of course, have happened in many places, but 

 much the most likely is the crossing of the Peel burn, at 

 the foot of what was then the very steep road leading to 

 the Peel and Ashiesteel. The present small bridge seems 

 to have been built when the present line of road was made, 

 taking a more gradual slope, lower down the bank, but 

 cutting across the Peel crofts, as the level in front of the 

 house was called, which the old road went round. Where 

 the house for the water-bailiffs now is, there was a small 

 cottage with a shop, which sold liquorice and similar 

 delicacies. 



The burn must have been a considerable obstacle to 

 communication, for it is only at its lowest that it can ever 

 be crossed dry-shod ; and when at all in flood, even the 

 ford might be rather formidable for a carriage. There was 

 a recollection of the Ashiesteel family being very nearly 

 prevented getting to some festivity at Yair by the Peel burn 

 having risen ; they certainly got there, but how I do not 

 know. Supposing the Tweed did not happen to have been in 

 flood, there would have been no difficulty in crossing the 

 Ashiesteel ford, and then re-crossing by the Yair bridge, 

 which was built before this. 



Stilting was a favourite amusement of Colonel Russell's 

 family, but it is doubtful whether it was ever of any prac- 

 tical use, or was much more than an excuse for getting wet. 



That Traquair was the regular place of worship of the 

 Ashiesteel family, both before and after Sir Walter's time, 

 is accounted for by its being the only church from which 

 they were not liable to be cut off by a very moderate rise 



