REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1897 167 



5. — JOHNSCLEUGH AND THE SoURCE OF THE WhITADDER. 



By J. Ferguson, F.S.A. Scot., Duns. 



The fifth meeting of the season took place on Thursday, 

 16th September. Its object was to complete the survey of 

 the Upper Eeaches of the River Whitadder, an undertaking 

 which was only partially accomplished last year. Owing to 

 the remoteness of the objective, and the unsuitableness of 

 the train arrangements, it was found necessary to organise 

 two parties for the excursion, one proceeding to the place 

 of meeting from Duns, of which journey I have written the 

 following account ; and the other travelling from Dunbar 

 which has found a historian in Mr Wilson, who at the 

 request of Dr Hardy has contributed the narrative of their 

 journey. 



I. From Duns to Johnsclbuqh and the White Well. 



The Duns party proceeded in brakes from the White Swan 

 Hotel (Mr MacA.lpine's) leaving Duns about ten o'clock. 

 It is unnecessary to describe the earlier stages of the journey, 

 as this was done in the report of the Priestlaw meeting 

 last year. The valley of the Whitadder was entered at 

 EUemford, and the route continued past Cranshaws, Millknowe, 

 Priestlaw, and Johnscleugh, to the source of the river, on 

 the pastoral farm of Stoneypath, the property of the Eight 

 Honourable A. J. Balfour of Whittingehame. The two con- 

 tingents met at the White Well, a mossy spring set in a rushy 

 spot in the heart of the moorland, where the river Whitadder 



