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Notes on LadyJdrk Parish. By the Rev. William Dobie, 

 Ladykirk. 



The Club held its fourth Meeting for the seasou at Ladykirk, 

 on 26th August, when 75 members and friends attended. A 

 sumptuous breakfast was provided, and a cordial welcome 

 greeted every one present from Mr and the Hon. Mrs Askew 

 Eobertson and their family. Breakfast over, the company had 

 every facility afforded them for examining the Conservatory, 

 which was in full bloom, and also the many valuable pictures 

 adorning the walls of the mansion, which are well worthy the 

 examination of those who take an interest in ancient and modern 

 pictorial art. A list of a few of the principal paintings is 

 already given at pp. 310-311 of the present volume. 



A brief account of the various objects of interest to be met 

 with in the immediate locality was read in the billiard room, and 

 after a cordial vote of thanks had been given to their hospitable 

 entertainers, the company sallied forth under the guidance of 

 Mr Askew Robertson, and the Rev. William Dobie, the minister 

 of the parish. Within the park wall are perhaps the finest 

 stables, harness room, and riding school to be met with in the 

 kingdom, and these were duly visited and admired deservedly. 

 They were built about 1839 by David Robertson, Esq., who 

 died in London 19th June 1873, Lord Marjoribanks of Ladykirk, 

 and Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire, aged 76, and was buried 

 within Ladykirk Church. Crossing the pasture field to the north 

 of the mansion house, we come to the site of the ancient village of 

 Upsetlington, of which mention is frequently made in Border 

 history. It stood on the northern bank of the Tweed somewhat 

 higher than Norham, and on the northern side of the road which 

 still leads to the ford from which Norham took its ancient 

 (Danish) name of Ubban ford. 



The foundations of the village are still traceable, especially 

 when the grass is affected by drought. A long continuous 

 building, now occupied as three cottages, and called the Black 

 Ra', seems from indications in the northern gable, to have 

 originally formed part of a larger dwelling, while a lintel on the 

 S. gable has the initials W.R., and the figures 1747. Perhaps 

 the disproportion between the width at the base and the height 



