Report of the Meetings for 1893. 251 



has evidently been at one time a spiral stone stair of the regular 

 feudal type, and the principal entrance to the tower was at this 

 place, and though blocked inside has still a wooden door outside. 



We may add Ashiestiel was one of the forest steadings for- 

 feited by Douglas in 1455, and annexed to the Crown. From 

 1486 to 1574 it was held by the Kers of the Ferniehirst branch. 

 In 1643 it belonged to the Earl Traquair, and in 1661 to a 

 Murray of the Philiphaugh family, who was a zealous 

 Covenauter, the husband of three wives in succession, and who, 

 to put it briefly, was in 1679 rouped by the Crown, most likely 

 because he could not pay the fines for his covenanting 

 delinquencies. In 1712 it was purchased by William Russell. 

 Colonel William Eussell, his grandson, who died in 1804, 

 married Miss Rutherford, daughter of Professor Rutherford, 

 Edinburgh, and half-sister of the mother ot Sir Walter Scott. 

 The late General Russell was their son, and his daughter. Miss 

 Eussell, is his successor. Miss Russell, we are told, thinks the 

 original tower was built iu the time of Charles first — 1600-1649. 

 The Earl of Traquair was not likely to build it, as he could not 

 require a residence there, and it may be older than the time of 

 Charles, and built by the Kers. 



From Ashiestiel the drive was by Caddonfoot, Fairnielee, the 

 Rink, and Abbotsford without pause. The party proceeded 

 along Church Street to the Cross and the Old Hall, which Mr 

 Wood pointed out as associated with Sir Walter Scott. 



Dinner was taken iu the Hotel, the party being joined by 

 Provost Craig-Brown, Selkirk; and Mr William Little, banker. 

 Mr Boyd, Faldonside, was moved to the chair in the absence of 

 the President, and Mr James Wood was croupier. 



After dinner the Rev. Mr Sharp, Heatherlie Church, Selkirk, 

 was proposed as a member. 



The Chairman, in giving the toast, 'The Berwickshire 

 Naturalists' Club,' said he had heard from a friend who had 

 seen their indefatigable Secretary, Mr Hardy, at Warkworth, 

 that his health was improving much. (Hear, hear.) 



The Rev. Mr Gunn, Stichill, in proposing the health of 

 'The Lady Members,' referring to Miss Russell of Ashiestiel, 

 said the work done for the Club by her could never be 

 forgotten. Not only had the Club enjoyed her hospitality 

 and the pleasure of seeing many interesting things under 

 her roof, but she had contributed many valuable papers to 



