189 



Elwyndale and its Three Toiuers. By John Freer, F.S.A., 

 Scot., Melrose. (Plates VL, VII., VIII.) 



After an existence of about 60 years, and excursions every 

 summer in all directions over the length and breadth of the 

 Border Counties, it is not many places of note in these Counties 

 that have been left unvisited. The Club, however, lit upon one 

 such, on the 30th of July last, when for the first time, with 

 Melrose as the base of operations, they paid a visit to the Vale 

 of the Elwyn and its three old Towers of Colmslie, Glendearg 

 and Langshaw. 



The larger part of the Parish of Melrose lies north of the 

 river Tweed, and is bounded on its eastern side by the Leader 

 and on its western side by the Gala. 1'hese two famous streams, 

 renowned in song and story, do not drain the entire district 

 bounded by them. The Elwyn or Elwand, a smaller stream than 

 either, flows in the same direction southward through the coun- 

 try between, and like them discharges its waters into Tweed. 

 The name Elwyn means White Water, and is most appropriate 

 in wet weather, when the full tide of the stream, swollen with 

 the drainage of its entire basin, and hurrying on to pour itself 

 into Tweed, is of a pale clayey colour. Sometimes the Elwyn is 

 styled the Allan — both words have the same etymological signi- 

 fication — from the idea that Allan-shaws a property in the north 

 part of the Parish, where the headwaters of the Elwyn have 

 their source, preserves the original and true name of the stream. 

 But Allan-shaws is believed to be so called from one of its 

 earliest known proprietors, Allan, Lord of Galloway, the owner 

 in his own day of most of the country between Gala and Leader. 

 The Elwyn iu the upper part of its course is only a burn flowing 

 through a bare treeless upland district, and is increased mainly 

 by two burns from Blainslie or Threepwood Moss, and not till it 

 reaches Langshaw Mill does it assume the dignity of a stream 

 and offer attractions to anglers. After leaving Langshaw Mill 

 it flows past Glendearg and Langlee, and finally pours its waters 

 into Tweed, midway between Melrose and Galashiels. The 

 lower part of its course presents many scenes of sylvan beauty, 

 its steep banks are well wooded, and in the course of ages have 

 been worn away, so that haughs or level ground of some extent 

 are found along Elwyn side for half-a-mile above where it falls 

 into Tweed. Down this low ground flows the Elwyu, passing 



