REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1897 175 



getting near the foot of the hills, and acclivities and declivities 

 gave frequent opportunities of being merciful to the horses, and 

 at the same time of stretching our legs. An extensive view of the 

 valley of the East Lothian Tyne, the shores of the Firth 

 of Forth, and part of Midlothian would in ordinary circum- 

 stances have been obtained here, but unfortunately the haze 

 permitted only a very limited view. The obelisk pillar on 

 Blaikeyheugh was quite near. This monument was reared 

 by the East Lothian and Berwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry in 

 memory of James Maitland Balfour, Esq. of Whittingehame in 

 1857. Baro lies to the S.W. of Tanderlane, and gave its name 

 to a separate parish until united to Garvald in 1702, It is 

 pleasing to record, as showing a growing appreciation of 

 antiquity, and of reverence for things sacred, the completion of a 

 scheme, the week before the Club's visit, whereby the church- 

 yard of Baro was tidied up and fenced, the gravestones 

 unearthed and placed in position; and such of the foundation 

 stones of the old fane as remained erected into a mound, on the top 

 of which a beautiful cross of white marble had been placed, bear- 

 ing the inscription ' 22nd June 1897. In memory of the Diamond 

 Jubilee Year of Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria.' 

 The district through which we had hitherto passed had been of 

 a lowland character, possessing all the beauty of scenery and the 

 richness of soil in a more or less degree appertaining to the valley 

 of the Tyne below ; but even now, that we were face to face with 

 the hills and a changed aspect, it was not until we were beyond 

 Castle Moffat, that the energy and enterprise of the East Lothian 

 farmer gave place to similar qualities in the stock farmer of Lam- 

 mermuir. The village of Garvald occupies the N.E. extremity of a 

 large parish. Eobert Neillans, a Garvald cooper, well-known in 

 the county when every large mansion had its own ' home 

 brewing,' and not less known as the possessor of a wonderful 

 collection of antiquities obtained from the hills, was in the habit 

 of claiming patronage at Lauder Fair for the sale of his wares, 

 as he came from the ' next parish.' The distance between the 

 one place and the other, by the nearest road is somewhere 

 about 30 miles ! The village is cosily situated in a narrow 

 valley so hidden away, that, from whatever direction it is 

 approached, the traveller is within a few yards of it before it 

 appears in view. Before descending the steep brae into the 

 village, we passed on our left Garvald Grange, formerly the 

 store for the grain and stock of the nunnery of Nunraw, and 



