114 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1-901 



General Assembly in December 1703, at Dalkeith, where also 

 he is buried. The people of Westruther again departing 

 from their church, because they cannot own other than Christ's 

 authority within Christ's Kingdom, and remembering the 

 example of one who being dead yet speaketh, erected this 

 stone in the year of Grace, 1843." 



Spottiswoode House is prettily situated on that rising ground 

 which slopes towards " the wild and stormy Lammermoors." 

 The stone, which has been quarried in the neighbourhood, 

 is of a pinkish hue. The terrace, from which is had an 

 extensive view, is about 300 feet long. Lines and cluoips 

 of magnificent forest-trees lead through the " Steek the yett " 

 all the way to the Lauder and Kelso Road. For many 

 generations the family name of Spottiswoode has been sustained 

 in honour. In 1558 John Spottiswoode was superintendent 

 of Lothian. Last of a line great in nobleness was Lady John 

 Scott Spottiswoode, whose poetry, charity, and reverence gave 

 token of a gentle-woman — ever tender and true. She sang 

 of nature and of love, albeit there was sadness in her song 

 laden with the lingering memories of long-lost joys. She 

 did not " remove the ancient land-mark." Her affection for 

 old times, old ways, old folks, was intense. Her heart clung 

 to the simplicity of rural life. Alas ! the pathos of it — 



" Parting was never sae pain." 



Wedderlie House lies about a mile north-east of Westruther 

 village. It has a weird place in Border story from its being 

 the residence of Edgar, whose sons fell in battle amid the 

 pathos and romance of filial tenderness. The ballad of the 

 Twinlaw Cairns gives the incident historic setting, while from 

 afar are seen the "Brother Stones" taken, it is said, from 

 hand to hand in line from Watch Water at the base of the 

 hill. The Cairns are about 10 feet high, and stand 70 yards 

 apart. Wedderlie has long been the property of the family 

 of Blantyre, and along with Cammer (Gimmer) Laws is now 

 possessed by William Baird, Esq. On the heights of Wedderlie 

 Farm is the shadowy semblance of a cross — " Gibb's Cross" — 

 with its sanctified sibilant story of sin, sorrow, sacrifice, and 

 the one Salvation, 



