200 Elwyndale and its Three Towers, By J. Freer. 



Bassindean appears before the Council for himself and in name 

 of NicoU Caruecros of Oalfhill, Walter Carneeors of Lug^at and 

 Gawin EUott of Stobbis, sureties for the entry of Eoben EUott 

 of Eedheuch, before the King and Council, and having now 

 presented him as required, protests that he and his co-cautioners 

 shall be free of their caution in time coming, quhilk protestatioun 

 the saidis Lordis admittit. In 1591 caution is given by Andro 

 Ker of Faldounsyde for Nichol Carneeors of Calfhill, by Andro 

 Ker of Faldounsyde for Robert Carneeors of Comyslie : — Nichol 

 Carneeors of Calfhill becoming surety in relief, by Johnne 

 Cranstoun of Morestoun as principal, and NichoU Carneeors of 

 Calfhill as surety for him. 



lu 1602 complaint is made by Margaret Home, relict of 

 Robert Mitchelsones and others, against Wiliiame Cairncorse of 

 Colmuslie, brother-son of Walter Cairncors, James Cairncors 

 his son and apparent heir, Alexander and Johne Cairncorssis, 

 brothers of the said Wiliiame Cairncors of Colmsislie, NicoU 

 Cairncors of Calfhill, Nicoll, James, George Robert, and 

 Cairncrossis his sons, Robert Cairncors his brother, George 

 Cairncors his brother, Charles Cairncors in Birksneip, George, 

 Robert, James, Wiliiame, Johne, and Nicoll Cairncorssis his 

 brothers, Walter Cairncors Elder, and Walter Cairncors Younger, 

 and Wiliiame Cairncors. sons of the late Walter Cairncors, 

 Johne Cairncors called the " cheif," and others, that they not 

 only molest and oppress pursuers in the possession of their lands, 

 but also menace to have their lives, lying "at await for thame 

 at all occasionis " with that view. 



William was ordered to find caution and lawburrowa for the 

 indemnity of the complainers in 3000 merks, James in 3000 

 merks, Nicol of Calfhill in 2000 merks, and Charles in 1000 

 merks, the rest of the defenders who appeared in 1000 merks 

 each, and the others who failed to appear including " Johne the 

 Cheif," were denounced as rebels. 



From these and many other similar entries it might be 

 imagined that the Cairncrosses and particularly Nicol of Calfhill, 

 was a giver of Caution by profession, just like a money lender, 

 doubtless receiving a substantial equivalent or reward or pay- 

 ment of one kind or another for the risk he ran in subscribing 

 80 many bonds. In this way he might accumulate the wealth 

 which he must have possessed in order to build and furnish 

 what was, for those times, the splendid mansion of Hilslap. 



