REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1901 115 



Eve-(Ive-)law Tower lies further east, biding the frown 

 of the surly Dirringtons. It is a fine example of the Border 

 keep, partially restored, or at least preserved, by one who 

 has respect to the record of the past. 



Bassendean House is in close proximity to the chapel of 

 the same name. It lies low by the "fields of Eden." Sir 

 James Home of Ooldenknowes received a charter of lands at 

 Bassendean from James VI. in 1573. 



Of antiquarian interest are the antlers of deer found at 

 Whitebura, and the bronze urn and Roman camp-kettle in 

 Jordon-law Moss, where 10 feet down the large oaks of 

 pre-historic times give a wholly hard-wood bed. In 1760 was 

 traced a rampart and fosse which ran from Hutton on the 

 Whitadder to Boondreigh, hon-trych, the end of the trench. 

 At intervals there were erected forts, which thus formed an 

 impreguable Hue of defence. It is named variously Herits 

 or Herrits or Herriots Dyke, and was probably the work of the 

 Gadeni or Cumbrian Britons. At the above named date it could 

 be traced for fourteen miles eastward from Spottiswoode, along 

 the north of the village of Westruther, to a point about a 

 mile from Greenlaw. It extended westward as far as Boon. 

 It is not improbable that it joined the more widely-known 

 yet mysterious Catrail, whose character it so much resembles. 

 It probably crossed the Duns and Lauder Road at Dods Mill, 

 where kiln-cowl and water-wheel preserve the simpler ways 

 of eld. Westruther Mains, too, locally known as the "mill," 

 is near the church and village — the name alone surviving 

 the memory of the last miln-knave. 



At the present day, when railway lines direct trade and 

 traffic, our quiet parish lies beyond the beaten track. How- 

 ever, in most things of vital importance it keeps pace, for 

 even here (may it be spoken ever so softly!) — 



" The old order changeth, yielding place to new." 



[For another brief account of this parish and church 

 members are referred to the Club's Proceedings, Vol. xiii., 

 p. 166.] 



