REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1898 267 



that no ivy clings to its walls and no neighbouring trees 

 soften its aspect. 



A member, however, drew attention to bunches of Harebell 

 hanging from chinks in the inner walls, and pointed the analogy 

 that days of sturt and strife may have had their tender episodes 

 of gentle affection and chivalrous deed. 



In his " Beauties of the Borders," William Scott thus descants 

 on the scene. " The fierce and arbitrary mandate of the tyrant 

 Soulis, calling forth his quaking slaves, to resume the oppressive 

 toils and burdens of the day — the prancing of horses and the 

 rattling of armour, when the fierce Douglas marched his chosen 

 warriors forth to encounter the foe — the piercing groans of the 

 wounded and dying — the pitiful plaint of the brave hero Ramsay 

 perishing for hunger, in a dark dungeon is heard no more — nor 

 is the ill-fated Queen Mary weeping over the couch of her favour- 

 ite Bothwell, to be seen in this much-famed fortress. All is now 

 hushed into stillness and tranquillity. The ear is only regaled 

 with the early notes of sweet songsters, and the constant 

 murmurs of the chrystal stream, pouring its limpid waters from 

 the eddying pool over the shelving rocks, as if still lamenting 

 the fate of the brave Keilder, Mangerton, and the other heroes 

 that suffered there." (pp. 198, 199.) 



The Castle took its name from a Chapel and Hermitage, the 

 ruins of which are still visible in a little graveyard about 

 200 yards further up the stream. Between the wall of this 

 graveyard and the stream is the mound under which lie the 

 remains of the Cout of Keeldar. This Northumbrian laird 

 or chief, known as the Cout {i.e. Colt) for his strength and 

 activity, perished in an encounter with Lord Soulis. Being 

 arrayed in armour of proof, he sustained no hurt in the combat ; 

 but, as he retreated across the stream, he fell into a deep pool 

 and there he was held down by lances till he was drowned. 

 Leyden in his poem the " Cout of Keeldar," makes his armour 

 to have been enchanted. 



" And now Yoang Keeldar reached the stream, 

 Above the foamy linn ; 

 The Border lances round him gleam 

 And force the warrior in. 



