40 EEPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1896 



In addition to the row of houses adjoining the Castle, another 

 row ran along the top of a field in the middle of the village, 

 known as "The Nursery," and continued down "The Style 

 Well" road to the plantation. 



From the earliest accounts we have of Redpath, its inhabi- 

 tants appear to have been chiefly employed in the weaving of 

 linen. These linens — as was then the custom — were all disposed 

 of at the annual district fairs — St. Boswells, St. James', 

 Earlstoun, and Mellerstain, the latter, long since numbered 

 among the things that were, being held in a field adjacent to 

 the Earl of Haddington's mansion. 



Eedpath was well known at one time for its horse races, 

 which were held on a level piece of ground on the south of 

 the village, still called the " Race gate," between "Redpath rig" 

 and the "Cadgers' gate." These annual races seem to have 

 been very popular, but the making of the new turnpike road to 

 Kelso across the course caused them to be transferred to 

 Redpath moss. Whether, owing to the change of ground, 

 or that such sports gradually gave way to other forms 

 of amusement, the races at the moss never seem to have 

 been so much frequented, and their existence having been 

 maintained for some years with difiiculty, they were, in June 

 of "Waterloo year," finally abandoned. 



Redpath lies about 3 miles north from Dryburgh, and long 

 before macadamized roads were dreamed of, there existed a 

 way from the Abbey to the Hospital on Soutra Hill. This way 

 was called "The Pilgrims' Path," and in its course passed 

 over the height at "Redpath rig," where tradition says a 

 Cross stood, and close by was a well whose waters doubtless 

 were prized as no common beverage by many travellers. At 

 this part the path bore the name of " The Pilgrims' Rest," and 

 continuing down to Redpath, a branch struck off to the mill 

 where pilgrims intending to visit the Church of St. Mary at 

 Melrose, crossed the Leader on their way. From Redpath the 

 path is said to have proceeded to Earlstoun, along the valley 

 and thence over a hill to the north of the town known as 

 "The Corse Hill." At the head of this hill, not far from the 

 present farmhouse of Huntshaw, was another Cross, the 

 produce of a piece of land — " The Corse rig," — being devoted 

 to its upkeep, as was that of Redpath rig to the maintenance 

 of the Cross at "The Pilgrims' Rest." 



