REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1901 105 



antiquities. In the belt of plantation to the north-west of 

 the stables there used to be a fort or broch, built of whinstone, 

 with circular dwellings in the walls. In the gable wall of 

 the West Lodge there is a window, from the house of Arch- 

 bishop Spottiswoode, with the inscription of " mihi vivre et 

 MORI ET CHRisi ET LUCRUM" — (For me to live is Christ and to 

 die is gain) — with a date of 1595. Not very far from this is 

 an upright stone, on the roadside leading to Eaecleugh ; this 

 boulder was found in digging drains, and was erected by the 

 late laird, with the assistance of his brother-in-law. Admiral 

 Wauchope ; I think it used to be called Tarn. About a mile 

 from this, up the Bruntyburn, is a place called the Crummels, 

 being so named from the tradition that the soldiers of Oliver 

 Cromwell were camped there ; there used to be earth-works 

 there, near the wood bridge. Down the burn stands the old 

 mill of Bruntyburn, where the Brownies or Fairies of Brunty- 

 burn cleaned the house and baked the scones for the guid 

 wife of Pyotshaw. On the road leading to Raecleugh and 

 Flass is Eundies ford, with a monolith erected by the 

 late Lady John Scott, where it is said that she and Lord 

 John Scott plighted their troth — Burns and Highland Mary 

 fashion. Along this road on Halloween or Walpurgis night 

 rides old Rundie without his head, a legend similar to the 

 "Sleepy Hollow" of Washington Irving. Not far from here 

 is Raecleugh, where Madeline Hay was abducted, whence 

 arose the Border tale of the Hilton prophecy. 



There was at one time a chapel near Spottiswoode, for which 

 Lady John sought and dug near and far, but she could find 

 no trace of it. On the road leading to Wedderlie is the old 

 wood of Flass, where it is said Osmunda regalis grows ; this, 

 I think, must have been planted by Lady John. Thence, on 

 to Wedderlie, I don't know a more romantic old world place, 

 with its fine old avenue. Part of the house is old 14th century 

 work. There is here preserved an old two-handed sword, 

 found in a moss to the east of the house ; flint arrow heads 

 have also been found on the Cammerlaws Farm. There was 

 an old chapel, situate to the east of the present farm house 

 of Wedderlie. and to the south of the present steward's 

 cottage. 



G.F. 

 



