Draw & Eng by J. Bartholomew, Edin
Published by A. & C.Black. Edinburgh

EDINBURGH TO MELROSE, ABBOTSFORD, AND DRYBURGH, BY NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.

In November, February, and March, the admission to Abbotsford House is restricted to Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10 A. M. till dusk.

At other times, the Principal Objects of Interest are shewn daily (Sundays excepted) from 10 A. M. till dusk.

Visitors cannot pass through the House in parties of more than 10 at one time. Passengers by Excursion Trains cannot be admitted except under special circumstances, and by previous arrangement. Applications on this subject should be addressed to Mr. EDWARD GEFFREY, at least a week beforehand.

A separate Entrance and a Waiting Room have been provided for Visitors, and it is hoped that they will abstain from causing annoyance to the Family by endeavouring to obtain admission at other times than those above specified, or by trespassing on the Reserved Parts of the House and Grounds.

No admission during the months of December and January.

To accomplish this tour in one day from Edinburgh, leave by an early train from the station at Waverley Bridge and take a return ticket for Melrose, which is reached in about two hours.

Order a carriage for visiting Abbotsford and Dryburgh, and while it is getting ready, visit the ruins of Melrose Abbey; then drive to Abbotsford, which is three miles westward, and on returning to Melrose, proceed to Dryburgh, four miles eastward of Melrose.

On returning to Melrose, take the evening train to Edinburgh. To visit Abbotsford by Rail, without first going to Melrose, book to Boldside Station, where there is a ferry across the Tweed to Abbotsford. It is necessary to change carriages at Galashiels, see note, p. 102.

The scenery of the country through which we pass on our way from Edinburgh to Melrose is pleasing, although not particularly striking,

On emerging from the tunnel, shortly after leaving the station at Edinburgh, a view is obtained on the right, of Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Palace, and ruins of St Anthony's Chapel. Passing Portobello, and the grounds of Dalhousie Castle we obtain a beautiful prospect of the Pentland Hills to the right. Close to Gorebridge Station, on the left, are the ruins of Gorebridge Castle. A little beyond the station, after passing through two short tunnels, a glance may be had on

the right, of Arniston House, the ancient seat of Dundas of Arniston. About two miles further on, we come in sight of Borthwick village and the ruins of Borthwick Castle on the right, and those of Crichton Castle on the left, both situated in the valley of the Tyne.

Borthwick Castle is an ancient tower of double form, 74 feet in length, 68 in breadth, and 90 feet in height, enclosed within an outer court, fortified by a strong outward wall, having flanking towers at the angles. The hall is a stately apartment, with a vaulted ceiling of smooth ashler work. The license for its erection was granted by James I. to Sir William Borthwick, 2d June 1430; and it was here that Queen Mary resided, three weeks after her unfortunate marriage with Bothwell, and from which she fled, a few days afterwards, to Dunbar, in the disguise of a page. It held out gallantly against Cromwell, and the effect of his battery still remains on the freestone facing of the eastern side. The present proprietor, John Borthwick, Esq. of Crookstone, is a claimant of the ancient peerage of Borthwick, which has remained in abeyance since the death of the ninth Lord Borthwick, in the reign of Charles II. In the old manse of Borthwick, Dr. Robertson, the historian, was born.

The ruins of Crichton Castle stand a mile and a quarter to the eastward of Borthwick. It forms a square pile, enclosing an interior court-yard; and, according to Scott, was built at different periods.

"The towers in different ages rose;

Their various architecture shews

The builders' various hands;
A mighty mass, that could oppose,
When deadliest hatred fired its foes,
The vengeful Douglas' bands.
Still rises, unimpair'd below,
The court-yard's graceful portico;
Above it's cornice, row and row

Of fair hewn facets richly shew

Their pointed diamond form,

Though there but houseless cattle go."

The eastern side is the most modern, and affords an example of architecture unusually decorated for Scottish castles, and the interior is correspondingly elegant. It was the

patrimonial estate and residence of the celebrated Sir William Crichton, Chancellor of Scotland, whose influence during the minority of James II. contributed so much to destroy the formidable power of the Douglas family.*

A little beyond Heriot Station to the left, is Crookstone (J. Borthwick, Esq.)

Proceeding onwards, we reach the ancient village of Stow, situated in the centre of a district which formerly bore the name of We-dale (the vale of Wo), a territory which belonged at one time to the Bishops of St. Andrews, and from which many of their charters are dated. By a viaduct across the Lugate Water, we reach Bowland, on the confines of the county of Roxburgh. The boundary between the counties of Roxburgh and Selkirk is here formed by the river Gala, celebrated in Burns's well-known lyric of "Braw Lads of Gala Water." In the immediate neighbourhood, but not visible from the line, is the mansion of Pringle of Torwoodlee.