to your marriage in, nor in which I died, for that is in the grave
rotting; but it is such a body as answers me in a moment, for I can fly as
fast as my soul can do without it, so that I can go to Dumfries and return
again before you ride twice the length of your horse: nay, if I incline
to go to London, or to Jerusalem, or to the moon, if you please, I can
perform all these journeys equally soon, for it costs me nothing but a
thought or wish; for this body you see is as fleet as your thought, for in
the same moment of time that you carry your thoughts to Rome I can go
there in person. And for my horse, he is much like myself, for 'tis Andrew
Johnstoun, who was seven years my tenant, and he died 48 hours before me.
_Ogilvie_--So it seems when Andrew Johnstoun inclines to ride you must
serve him for a horse, as he now does you?
THE THIRD CONFERENCE.
Upon the 9th of April, 1722, as I was returning from Old Hamstocks, Coul
struck up with me upon the back, at the foot of the ruinous inclosure
before we come to Dodds. I told him his last conversation had proven so
acceptable to me that I was well pleased to see him again, and that there
was a vast number of things which I wanted to inform myself further of, if
he would be so good as to satisfy me.
_Coul_--Last time we met I refused you nothing that you asked, and now I
expect you will refuse me nothing that I ask.
_Ogilvie_--Nothing, sir, that is in my power, or that I can with safety to
my reputation and character. What then are your demands upon me?
_Coul_--All I desire is that, as you promised that Sabbath day, you will
go to my wife, who now possesses all my effects, and tell her the
following particulars, and desire her in my name to rectify these matters.
First, that I was justly owing to Provost Crosby £500 Scots, and three
years' interest; but upon hearing of his death, my good-brother (the laird
of Chapel) and I did forge a discharge narrating the date of the bond, the
sum, and other particulars, with this onerous clause that at that time it
was fallen by and could not be found, with an obligation on the Provost's
part to deliver up the bond as soon as he could hit upon it, and this
discharge was dated three months before the Provost's death; and when his
only son and successor, Andrew Crosby, wrote to me concerning this bond, I
came to him and showed him that discharge, which silenced him, so that I
got my bond without more ado. And when I heard of Robert Kennedy's death,
with the same help of Chapel, I got a bill upon him for £190 sterling,
which I got full and compleat payment of, and Chapel got the half. When I
was in Dumfries the day Thomas Greer died, to whom I was owing an account
of £36 sterling, Chapel, my good-brother, at that time was at London, and
not being able of myself, being but a bad writer, to get a discharge of
the account, which I wanted exceedingly, I met accidentally with Robert
Boyd, a poor writer lad in Dumfries. I took him to Mrs Carrick's, gave him
a bottle of wine and told him that I had paid Thomas Greer's account, but
wanted a discharge, and if he would help me to it I would reward him. He
flew away from me in great passion, saying he would rather be hanged, but
if I had a mind for these things I had best wait till Chapel came home.
This gave me great trouble, fearing that what he and I had formerly done
was no secret. I followed Boyd to the street, made an apology that I was
jesting, commended him for his honesty, and took him solemnly engaged that
he should not repeat what had passed. I sent for my cousin Barnhourie,
your good-brother, who with no difficulty, for one guinea and a half
undertook and performed all that I wanted, and for one guinea more made me
up a discharge for £200 Scots, which I was owing to your father-in-law and
his friend Mr Morehead, which discharge I gave in to John Ewart when he
required the money, and he, at my desire, produced it to you, which you
sustained. A great many of the like instances were told, of which I cannot
remember the persons' names and sums. But, added he, what vexes me more
than all these is the injustice I did to Homer Maxwell, tenant to Lord
Nithsdale, for whom I was factor. I had borrowed 2000 merks from him, 500
of which he borrowed from another hand, and I gave him my bond. For
reasons I contrived, I obliged him to secrecy. He died within the year. He
had nine children, and his wife had died a month before himself. I came to
seal up his papers for my lord's security. His eldest daughter entreated
me to look through them all, and to give her an account what was their
stock and what was their debt. I very willingly undertook it, and in going
through his papers I put my own bond in my pocket. His circumstances
proved bad, and the nine children are now starving. These things I desire
you to represent to my wife; take her brother with you, and let them be
immediately rectified, for she has sufficient fund to do it upon, and, if
that were done, I think I would be easy and happy. Therefore I hope you
will make no delay.
_Ogilvie_--After a short pause I answered--'Tis a good errand, Coul, that
you are sending me to do justice to the oppressed and injured; but
notwithstanding that I see myself among the rest that come in for £200
Scots, yet I beg a little time to consider on the matter.
THE FOURTH CONFERENCE.
Upon the 10th of April, 1722, coming from Old Camus, upon the post road I
met with Coul, as formerly, upon the head of the path called the _Pease_.
He asked me if I had considered the matter he had recommended? I told him
I had, and was in the same opinion that I was of when we parted: that I
could not possibly undertake his commission unless he would give it in
writing under his hand. I wanted nothing but reason to determine me, not
only in that, but all other affairs of my life. I added that the list of
his grievances was so long that I could not possibly remember them without
being in writing.
I know, said he, that this is a mere evasion; but tell me if your
neighbour, the laird of Thurston, will do it? I would gladly wait upon
him.
_Ogilvie_--I am sure, said I, he will not, and if he inclined so I would
do what I could to hinder him, for I think he has as little concern in
these matters as I. But tell me, Coul, is it not as easy for you to write
your story as it is to tell it, or to ride on--what-is-it-you-call-him?
for I have forgotten your horse's name.
_Coul_--No, sir, 'tis not, and perhaps I may convince you of it
afterwards.
_Ogilvie_--I would be glad to hear a reason that is solid for your not
speaking to your wife yourself. But, however, any rational creature may
see what a fool I would make of myself if I should go to Dumfries and tell
your wife that you had appeared to me and told me of so many forgeries and
villainies which you had committed, and that she behoved to make
reparation. The event might, perhaps, be that she would scold me; for as
'tis very probable, she will be loth to part with any money she possesses,
and therefore tell me I was mad, or possibly might pursue me for calumny.
How could I vindicate myself? how should I prove that ever you had spoken
with me? Mr Paton and the rest of my brethren would tell me that it was a
devil who had appeared to me, and why should I repeat these things as
truth, which he that was a liar from the beginning had told me? Chapel and
Barnhourie would be upon my top and pursue me before the Commissary, and
everybody will look upon me as brainsick or mad. Therefore, I entreat you,
do not insist upon sending me an April errand. The reasonableness of my
demand I leave to your consideration, as you did your former to mine, for
I think what I ask is very just. But dropping these matters till our next
interview, give me leave to enter upon some more diverting subject; and I
do not know, Coul, but through the information given to me, you may do as
much service to mankind as the redress of all the wrongs you have
mentioned would amount to, &c.
Authorities Consulted and Quoted.
No. Page
1. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix
p. 228 11
2. Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway, vol. II., p. 13 14
3. Do. do. p. 459 15
4. _Gallovidian_, vol. IV., p. 40 17
5. Andrew Donaldson, Esq., Ardwell, Stranraer, letter from 24
6. Do. do. 24
7. Do. do. 25
8. Do. do. 26
9. Do. do. 29
10. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix
p. 230 31
11. Wigtown: Historical and Descriptive Sketches, by Fraser,
p. 359 34
12. East Galloway Sketches (Dalry), p. 349 35
13. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Superstitious Custom in Galloway," by J. M'Kie
(March, 1895) 40
14. John Copland, Esq., The Studio, Dundrennan, letter from 43
15. Do. do. 44
16. Do. do. 46
17. Do. do. 49
18. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Folk-Lore in Tynron," by James Shaw (November, 1887) 50
19. Folk-Lore of Uppermost Nithsdale, by Wilson, p. 17 52
20. The Bard and Belted Knight, by Johnstone, p. 21 53
21. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix
p. 233 56
22. Andrew Donaldson, Esq., Ardwell, Stranraer, letter from 57
23. East Galloway Sketches (Dalry), p. 350 58
24. Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia (2nd ed.), p. 114 59
25. Law's Memorials, edited by Kirkpatrick Sharpe 62
26. The Book of Galloway (privately printed) 64
27. History of Galloway, by Mackenzie, vol. II., appendix p. 37 77
28. Do. do. p. 40 82
29. Do. do. p. 42 87
30. History of Dumfries, by M'Dowall (2nd ed.,) p. 375 91
31. The Book of Kirkpatrick-Durham, by Stark, p. 94 93
32. The Scots Worthies (Howie), by John Semple 93
33. History of the Parish of Minnigaff, by Jas. G. Kinna, p. 119 96
34. Wigtown: Historical and Descriptive Sketches, by Fraser,
p. 360 97
35. Kirkmaiden, Guide to, by Andrew Donaldson, p. 40 98
36. History of Dumfries, by M'Dowall (2nd ed.), p. 377 111
37. Do. do. p. 375 112
38. Do. do. p. 376 113
39. Do. do. p. 376 113
40. Do. do. p. 376 115
41. History of Dumfries, by M'Dowall (2nd ed.), p. 375 116
42. Do. do. p. 377 116
43. Do. do. p. 379 117
44. Domestic Annals of Scotland, vol. III., p. 66 118
45. History of Dumfries, by M'Dowall (2nd ed.), pp. 378 and 379 120
46. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Kirk-session Records of Irongray Parish, 1691-1700"
(February, 1906) 122
47. Unique Traditions of the West and South of Scotland, by
Barbour--"The Witch's Well" 124
48. History of Witchcraft in Scotland, by C. Kirkpatrick Sharpe,
p. 160 131
49. Law's Memorials, edited by Kirkpatrick Sharpe 141
50. The Testimony of Tradition, by M'Ritchie, p. 115 161
51. Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway, by Agnew, vol. II., pp. 168
and 169 164
52. Droll Recollections of Whithorn, by Jas. F. Cannon, p. 105 166
53. Galloway Gossip, by "Saxon"--"Riddled in the Reek"--p. 289 169
54. _Dumfries and Galloway Magazine_, 1822--"Glenkens
Anecdotes"--p. 456 172
55. The Castle-Douglas Miscellany, 1827 174
56. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix
p. 241 176
57. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix
p. 239 177
58. Do. do. p. 242 179
59. Do. do. p. 238 180
60. Do. do. p. 246 182
61. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Folk-Lore of Glencairn," by John Corrie (February,
1891) 183
62. Folk-Lore of Uppermost Nithsdale, by Wilson, p. 75 184
63. Bard and Belted Knight, by Johnstone, p. 19 185
64. Cromek's Remains of Galloway and Nithsdale Song, appendix
p. 265 188
65. Do. do. p. 266 190
66. Do. do. p. 268 191
67. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Folk-Lore of Glencairn," by John Corrie (February,
1891) 202
68. Galloway Gossip, by "Saxon," p. 175 205
69. _Dumfries Standard_ 209
70. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Folk-Lore of Glencairn," by John Corrie (December,
1890) 212
71. Drumlanrig and the Douglases, by Ramage, p. 185 214
72. Celtic Lecture, Glasgow University, by Dr Henderson 218
73. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Bee Folk-Lore," by P. Dudgeon (May, 1892) 218
74. Life and Times of the Rev. John Wightman, D.D., p. 120 224
75. The Laird of Lag, by Lieut.-Col. Fergusson, appendices II.
and III., p. 251 227
76. Do. do. p. 144 232
77. Old Church Life in Scotland, by Edgar (2nd series), p. 249 239
78. Memorials of Sanquhar Kirkyard, by Tom Wilson (_Courier
and Herald_, Dumfries) 240
79. Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway, by Agnew, vol. II., p. 164 248
80. Wigtown: Historical and Descriptive Sketches, by Fraser,
p. 208 253
81. Jas. F. Cannon, Esq., Edinburgh, letter from 254
82. Do. do. 256
83. Galloway Gossip, by "Saxon," p. 337 258
84. The Tinkler-Gypsies of Galloway, by M'Cormick, p. 123 263
85. John Copland, Esq., The Studio, Dundrennan, letter from 269
86. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Kirkbean Folk-Lore," by Sam. Arnott, Esq. (November,
1894) 274
87. Appendix to the earlier (1774, 1781, 1816) editions of
Howie's Scots Worthies 282
88. John Corrie, Esq., Burnbank, Moniaive, letter from 283
89. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of
(March 14th, 1902) 293
90. Reminiscences of Thomas Carlyle, by Froude (Longmans, Green
& Co., 1881) 294
91. Poets of Dumfriesshire, by Miller (1910), p. 220 295
92. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of
(November 18th, 1898) 296
93. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions
of--"Antiquities of Eskdalemuir," by Rev. John C. Dick
(November 18th, 1896) 297
94. Concerning Certain Apparitions, by Frances M'Laughlin
(_Chambers' Journal_, January 1909) 299
GLOSSARY.
The student of Scots dialect will not always find the quoted
vernacular running through the text quite pure, many words having been
unconsciously modified by a too free use of phonetic spelling.
A
ADDER-STANE, the adder-bead charm.
ADOWE, stir.
AIRLESS, heirless.
AIRT, direction.
ANON, immediately, thereupon.
ASK, newt.
AVA, at all.
AWSOMLY, in fear.
B
BACKGANE, not thriving, wasting.
BAGS, entrails.
BAYILLIS, bailies.
BEES BIZIN', noises in the head caused by alcohol.
BELDAM, an old woman.
BELTANE, the festival of May first.
BEK, bake.
BENISON, prognostication for good.
BENSHEE, a banshee or fairy, really an Irish fairy.
BERRY, thresh.
BESOME, broom.
"BEST AUCHT," the most valuable possession, usually a horse or ox, claimed
by the superior on the death of a farm tenant.
BICKERING, moving noisily.
BIEN, prosperous.
BIGGIT, built.
BINWUD, ivy.
BLACK-SPAULD (SPAUL), a pleuritic disease of cattle.
BLEW SPOT, a significant witch-mark also another term for "dede-nip."
BLINMENS' BAWS, common puff-ball (devil's snuff-box).
BLINKING, attractive, comely.
BLUIDY-FINGERS, foxglove.
BOGLE-BO, hobgoblin.
BOOR-TREE, elder-tree.
BOWCAIL, cabbage.
BOWTE, to strike against.
BRATTLE, a clattering sound.
BRECKAN, bracken.
BREERS, briars
"BROCKEN," the important mediæval place of witch festival in Germany (see
_Faust_).
BROSE, pease-meal mixed with boiling water.
BUMBEE, humble-bee.
BUTTER-SKEP, butter-basket.
BYKE, a wasp's or bee's nest.
C
"CA CUTTIE CA," called upon to eat freely, even greedily.
"CANNIE MOMENT," significant time.
CANTIE, canty, contentedly.
CANTRIP, charm or spell.
CAP, caup, a wooden bowl.
CARLE, a man.
CERTES, certainly.
CHAMPIT, bruised.
CHANNEL-STANE, curling-stone.
CHESSEL, the tub for pressing cheese.
CHICKEN-WORT, chicken-weed.
CHIST (KIST), a wooden box.
CHOWED, chewed.
CLOWT, cloth.
COG, a wooden domestic vessel.
COGFU', the full of such a vessel.
COMPEARED, appeared.
COUPE, to empty or capsize.
COUTERS, thick mucous secretion.
COUTHIE, in rude comfort.
COWER, to bend down.
COWES, bushes, more particularly of the broom.
COWSHERNE, cow-dung.
CRAFT, croft or field.
CRONE, hag, old woman.
CROUSELY, proudly.
"CRUMMIE," a term for cows with usually crooked horns.
CRUNE, a murmuring sound, sometimes threatening.
CRUPPEN, contracted.
D
DEAD-BELI }
}
DEDE-CHACK }
}
DEDE-DRAP }
}
DEID-LICHT } See text, pages 210 to 213.
}
DEDE-NIP }
}
DEDE-SPALL }
}
DEDE-SPEAL }
}
DEAD-WATCH }
DEIL'S MILK, milky sap.
DEMPSTER, judge.
DEERAY, disorder.
DIVINATION, conjuration.
DOME, doom.
DONNERT, stupid.
DOOR (DOUR) here used (page 59) in the sense of sour or astringent.
DRABBLED, slobbered.
DRUBBING, thrashing.
DRUGGET, coarse woollen cloth.
DRUMLIE, thick.
DWINED, pined away or wasted.
E
EEN, eyes.
"EFFIGIES CLERICORUM," a mock poem on the clergie when they met to consult
about taking the Test in the year 1681 (printed A.D. MDCXVII.).
ELFIN, fairy.
ESHEITE, forfeited.
F
FALD, fold.
FARINTOSH, whisky.
FASH, trouble.
FEARIE, used here (page 203) in the sense of fearless.
FEAT, tidy.
FEATS, clever doings.
FECKET, under-jacket.
FEN, to strive hard for the means of livelihood.
FEY, a small field or croft.
FIENT, no one at all.
FIRSLE, to rustle.
FLEYED, frightened.
FLUTTERBAWS, puff-balls (see blinmens' baws).
FOGGY, mossy.
FORFOCHTEN, exhausted.
FOWK, people.
FRENZIET, eccentric, mad.
FUMART, pole-cat.
G
GALL, bile.
GARS, makes or compels.
GAUR, to compel.
GELLOCKS, earwigs.
GIRN, girning, whining, or fretting.
GLAMOUR, bewitchment.
GLED, kite.
GLENTED, sparkled, gleamed.
GLOWER, to gaze intently.
GOWAN, mountain daisy.
GOWK'S SPITTLES, plant froth (discharged by an insect, Cicada).
GREETS, cries or weeps.
GRINWAN, a noose of horse-hair attached to a stick or rod.
GRUN, ground, referring to the grinding of grain.
GYRE-CARLINE, a mother-witch.
H
HAED, possessed.
"HAGGERT WEE GRANUM," a rather ragged small old woman.
HAG-RIDDEN, bewitched (_lit._, ridden by a witch).
HALD, hall.
HALE, well, in good health.
HALLOW-EVE, the night before All-Hallow.
HALVE, a hand-fishing net on a wooden frame.
HANNIE, suitable, a fitting time.
HANTLE, much.
HAURNED, roasted.
HAURPAN, brain-pan or skull.
HAWCKET, probably finely chopped.
HAWS, fruit of the hawthorn.
HEREZELD, the best beast on the land, given to the landlord on the death
of a farm tenant.
HERIOT, the fine exacted by the superior on the death of a tenant.
HERRIE, confiscate.
HEUGH, a small height or eminence.
HIP O', shoulder or edge of.
HINNIE-SUCKLES, honeysuckle.
HOOSE-RIGGIN', roof.
HOOVES, abdomen, (_lit._, swollen by gaseous distension).
HOWE, depth.
HOUK, to dig up.
HOWLET, an owl.
HOWS, house.
HYNT, caught up.
I
ILK, the same name.
ILL E'E, evil eye.
J
JIMP, neat and slender.
JOW, ringing of a bell.
K
KAIN, rent or exchange in kind.
"KELLY," Satan, Old Nick.
KEP SKAITH, avert evil.
KEPPIT, caught.
KILTED, tucked up.
KIMMER, witch-wife or "gossip."
KNAG, keg, or wooden vessel.
"KNOCK THE BIG," to hull the barley.
KOW, a goblin.
KYE, cows or oxen.
L
LAIR, quagmire, to entice into a quagmire.
LAMMASTIDE, August, beginning of.
LAVE, remainder.
LIFT, vault of the heavens.
LINGLE, leather-thong.
LOCHEN, small loch or tarn.
LOOFIE, fingerless glove.
LOUPES, jumps.
LOURING, lowering of clouds.
LOUTHE, abundance.
LOWNE, silent, still.
LOWSE, loosen.
LUGS, ears.
M
MALEFICES, offences.
MALISON, prognostication for evil.
MART, a fattened ox (killed at Martinmas for winter use).
MAUN, must.
MAUT, meal.
MEAL-ARK, meal chest.
MEALL, male.
MEIKLE, much.
MEIL, meal.
METTLE, with spirit.
"MILKED THE TETHER," extracted the milk by witchcraft through the halter.
MINNIE, mother.
MOOLS, earth or soil.
MORT-CLOTH, funeral pall.
MOU', mouth.
MUIR-ILL, a disease specially affecting black cattle.
N
NAIG, riding-horse or nag.
NAPPLE-ROOTS, heath peas.
NEERS, kidneys.
NEIST, nearest or next.
NETTLE-STINGERS, nettle leaves.
NIEVE, hand or fist.
NOB, nose, also boat's prow.
NOOL-SHEARINGS, horn parings.
NOWT, oxen (a corrupt form is noat).
O
O'ERSWAK, sound of breakers.
ONSTEAD, home or farm-steading.
P
PADDOCK, a frog.
PAWKY, shrewd and crafty.
PAWT, movement of foot, kick.
PHILIBEG, a pouch worn in front of a kilt.
PICKLE, small quantity.
PIG, an earthenware vessel.
PINGLE, a small pan.
PIRN, a reel.
PIZION, poison.
PLOTCOCK, the Devil.
POULDER, gun-powder.
POYNTIS, points.
POW, head or skull.
PREENS, pins.
PUDDOCKS (YELLOW), here (page 58) probably the toad-stool fungus.
PYCKERING, pilfering.
PYET, magpie.
PYKED, picked.
Q
QUARTER-ILL, a disease of cattle affecting one limb or quarter only.
QUEEN (QUEAN), girl, damsel.
R
RASPS, raspberries.
"RAVE THE THACK," tear the thatch.
REAMIN, full to overflowing.
REDE, wild.
REDE, counsel.
REID, red.
REMEID, remedy.
RIDDLE, sieve.
RIDDLE-TURNING, divination by means of a riddle balanced on the points of
scissors.
RINNEN DOON (DARN), a disease of cattle with diarrhoea present.
RIPPISH, cleanly.
RESSET, receive.
ROSSEN, clump of thorns.
ROUTH, abundance.
ROWANS, mountain-ash berries.
RUE, regret.
RYDAND, riding.
RYE-BOWT (RYBAT), hewn stone.
S
SAIN, to make the sign of the cross.
SALL, shall.
SAMIN, same.
SARK, shirt or chemise.
SAUGH, willow.
SAWNS, sands.
SCAITH, injury.
SCAUM, thin mist.
SCARROW (SCARRIE), stony incline.
SCLATER, wood-louse.
SCRUNKED, dried (_lit._, shrunk).
SEGG, yellow iris plant.
SHEIP, sheep.
SHEARINGS, clippings or parings.
SHIELING, a shepherd's hut.
SHILPED (SHILPIT), puny and shrunken.
"SICH AND GREIN," sigh and regret.
SIDE-ILL, a disease of cattle named from the situation of the disease.
SIEW, sieve.
SINDRIE, sundry.
SKAITH, injury.
SKELLET, dead-bell.
SKIMES, side-glances.
SKIRL, a shrill cry.
SLADE, glided.
SLAVERIN', saliva running down.
SLOCKENED, quenched, _i.e._, put out.
SLUDGE, miry-mud.
SMOORED, smothered.
SORNING, exacting free board and lodging.
SOUGH, moaning as of wind.
SOWENS, a dish made by steeping, fermenting, and then boiling the husks or
siftings of oats in water.
SPANGS, leaps or bounds.
SPATTER'D, dropped.
SPENCE, country parlour.
SPURTLE, porridge-stick.
STANCE, stand.
STARNIES, stars.
STAVERING, sauntering.
STICK AND STOWRE, completely.
STRAUGHTED, straightened in preparation for burial.
STRICKEN HOUR, a full hour.
STUE, stew or concoction.
SUGHS, moaning of the wind.
SWARFED, swooned.
SWEIR, reluctant.
SWITCHING, threshing with a thin stick or switch.
SYNE, afterwards.
T
TADE, toad.
TAIL-ILL, a disease of animals affecting the tail.
"TAK' THE GAIT," peremptory dismissal.
TAIN ALOWE, caught fire.
TAPPIN, the crest of a hill.
TATE, spot (_lit._, a small lock of hair).
THACKLESS, roofless.
THIGGING, begging.
THRAW, a twist.
THREID, thread.
THRISSLES, thistles.
TIRLED, rattled at the door.
TOD, a fox.
TOOM, empty.
TOUK OF DRUM, sound of drum.
TREDDED, trodden.
TRYSTED, made an appointment with.
U
UNCA, unusually.
UNCHANCY, ill-omened.
UNSONSY, ill-proportioned.
UNYIRTHLY, unearthly.
V
VAUNTY, inclined to be boastful.
VACANS, holidays.
W
WALPURGIS NIGHT, Eve of First of May, a night of witch revelry (see witch
Sabbath).
WAUCHIE, clammy.
WARBLES, a parasitic worm disease of cattle.
WATER-ILL, a disease of the kidneys in cattle.
WATTLES, wooden roof supports on which the thatch is placed.
WHOMEL'D, turned round and round (_lit._, upset).
WHORLED, wheeled or spun.
WIGHT, man or fellow.
WIND A CLEW, a witchcraft rite in which a reel of coloured thread is
wound.
WINGLAN, walking feebly.
WIRREIT, strangled.
WIS, know.
WITCH'S SABBATH, the gathering together of all the witches of Scotland on
the evening between the first Friday and Saturday of April.
WITHRE-SHINES, contrarily (_lit._, against the sun's course).
WONS, dwells.
WYLIE, wily.
WYME, belly.
WYTE, blame.
Y
YAIRD, yard or garden.
YELL, barren, dry.
YESTREEN, last night.
YILL-BOAT, ale-barrel or brewing tub.
YIRBS, herbs.
YOWLED, howled.
YULE, Christmas, also Hogmanay (December 31st).
[Illustration]
INDEX.
A
Abbey of Glenluce, 15, 61
Abbey of Holm-Cultram, 16
Abraham Crichton, Ghost of, 285
Abraham Crichton, Laying of ghost of, 287
Act against Witchcraft (1563), 66
Act for burying in Scots linen (1686), 220
Adder Beads, 55
Agnew, Sir Andrew, 245
Agnews of Galdenoch, 245
Aikieslak (Dalbeattie), 274
Aikendrum, 191
Alloway Kirk, 17
Annan River, 290
Auchabrick House (ghost legend), 250
Auchencairn, 300
Auchenmalg Barracks, 257
Auchensheen (Colvend), 185
Auchenstroan (Glencairn), 283
B
Ballad--Prisoner of Spedlins, 291
Balmaghie, 46
Bard of Corrie, 213
"Bards of Galloway," 166
Barnamon (Stoneykirk), 37
Barncorkerie, 154
Barr, 13
Beadle (Sexton), 241
Bee Folklore, 218
Bell of St. Ninian (Clog Rinny), 243
Bellknowe of Penninghame, 243
Bengairn, 172
Bess o' Borgue, 17
Birns, 47
Bishop's Castle (Kirkmaiden), 154
Bishopton Crofts (Whithorn), 254
Blackaddie (Sanquhar), 51
Black Art, 10, 16
"Black Clud's Wyme," 16
Black Esk, 296
Blackett Tower (legend of spectre), 294
Bladnoch, 64
Blew Spot, 213
Blink o' an ill e'e, 26
"Bloody Bell," 295
"Bloody Passage" (Drumlanrig), 282
"Bluidy Brae," 73
Bodsbeck Ha', 188
Bogha (Balmaclellan), 72
Bogle-Hole (Dalry), 267
Bonshaw Tower, 294
"Book of Galloway," 62
Bower, Walter, Abbot of Inchcolm, 277
Boyd, Rev. Mr (Dalry, 1690), 34
Breath-blasting, 182
Brig o' Ken, 18
Brishie (Minnigaff), 185
"Brocken" of Dumfries and Galloway, 7
Brocklock Burn, 42
Brownie, The, 186
Brownie o' Blednoch, 149, 191
Brownie of Newabbey, 190
Buckland Burn, 270
Buckland Glen, Ghost of, 269
Buittle, 301
Burial without Coffins, 237
Burnfoot, 45
Burnes, William (father of Poet), funeral of, 234
C
Caerlaverock Castle, 2, 10, 277
Cairn, 283
Cairnmon (Stoneykirk), 37
Cantrip Incantations, 58
Cardoness Castle, 151
Cardrain, Ghost of, 251
Carlin's Cairn, 35
Carrick, 13
Carsphairn Parish (origin of), 55
Castle-Douglas, 63
Cassencarry, 262
Changelings, 182
Charles the Second, 36
Charms against Witchcraft, 54
Churchyard Superstitions, 239
Cere-cloth, 227
Clash, The (Kirkmaiden), 23
Claunch (Sorbie), 253
Clay Slap (Glenluce), 14
"Clog Rinny" (Bell of St. Ninian), 243
Closeburn, 49
Cocklick, 173
Coltran, Provost (Wigtown), Ghost of, 252
Comyn, John (murder of and ghostly legend), 276
Corbie, Janet, Sentence of, 80
Corrie (Dumfriesshire), 53
Craigdhu (Glasserton), 254
Craighlaw House (ghost legend), 257
Craik of Arbigland (family tragedy), 275
Crichton Family, 284
Crawick Mill, Witches of, 50
"Cromek's Remains," 10, 182
Cubbox (Balmaclellan), 72
Culloch, 173
Cumberland, 46
Cunningham, Allan, 9
D
Dalry, 34, 35, 57, 263
Dalry Kirk, 17
"Daemonologie," 67
Dead-bell, 212
Dead-bell (skellat), 241
Dead-days, 217
Dead-watch, 212
"Dear Meal Johnny," 213
Death Customs and Funeral Ceremony, 216
Dede-chack, 212
Dede-drap, 212
Dede-nip, 212
Dede-spall, 212
Dee, The, 47
Deid-lichts, 213
Derry's Howe (Kirkbean), 274
Devil's Grace, 62
Devil of Glenluce, 252
"Devil-Raiser of Urr," 106
Dinnans (Whithorn), 97
Douglas, Sir Wm., of Gelston, 62
Dream of the Abbot of Tungland, 16
Dribblings (Kirkmaiden), 24
"Droll Recollections of Whithorn" (Cannon), 165
Drumlane, 173
Drumlanrig Castle, 282
Drummore, 55
Drumrash, 269
Duncan, Henry, of Ruthwell, 235
Dunbars of Mochrum, 262
Dundrennan, 269
Dunnan Fort, 149
Dunreggan (Moniaive), 202
Dunskey Castle, 244
E
Edinburgh Bibliographical Society publications (note on Jean Maxwell), 99
"Effigies Clericorum," 142
Elf-cups, 55
Eliock, 284
Elspeth M'Ewen--
Suspected of Witchcraft, 72
Examined, 73
Prison Expenses, 73
Commission appointed for new trial, 74
Execution at Silver Craigs, Kirkcudbright, 77
Note of expenses of trial and execution, 78
Executioner's petition, 80
Encoffining, or "kistin'," 219
Eskdalemuir Parish, 296
Eskdale Moor (funeral adventures), 223
F
Fairies and Brownies, 143
Fairies--
Attitude towards mankind, 143
Capriciousness of, 144
Elf-shot wounds, 144
Explanation of fairy and brownie belief, 148, 149
"Fairy Rade," 176
Fairy Park (Logan), 157
Feasting and dancing, 143
"Good neighbours," 144
Kidnapping by, 145
Pageants, 143
Practices to counteract fairy influence, 146
Unreality of fairy fabric, 147
"Wee fouk," 144
Fairy-lore in Galloway and Dumfriesshire (from West to East)--
Dunnan Fort, 149
Kirkmaiden, 151
Barncorkerie, 154
Compass Stone (Port Logan), 156
Ringuinea, 157
Nick of the Balloch, 158
Curghie Glen, 158
Grennan, 158
Kirkbride, 158
Killumpha, 158
Slock-an-a-gowre, 158
Sorbie, 166
Kirkinner, 166
Longhill, 166
Dalry District, 169
Hazelfield (Auchencairn), 172
Nick of Lochenkit, 172
Dalbeattie, 172
Edingham Loch, 172
Long Wood (Lochanhead), 174
Dumfriesshire--
Caerlaverock, 180
Auchencreath, 175
Dalswinton, 183
Closeburn, 182
Drumlanrig, 183
Sanquhar, 184
Kirkconnel, 184
Polveoch, 184
Kello Water, 184
Glen Aylmer, 184
Glen Wharry, 184
Bale Hill, 186
Annandale, 184
Lochmaben, 175
Burnswark, 184
Corrie, 185
Fin M'Coul, 43
"Fire Spangs of Faustus," 16
Funeral festivities ("Gallovidian Encyclopædia"), 232
Funeral refreshment (Draigie), 234
Funeral rites and customs, 236
Funeral "services," 225
G
Galdenoch Tower, 245
"Galloway Gossip," 166
Galloway Mansion near Castle-Douglas, Ghostly story of, 273
"Galloway Register," 26
"Galloway Traditions," 26
Galloway, Western, Traditions of, 22
Gap's Mill, Glencairn, 283
Garryhorn, 36
Gatehouse, 262
General Assembly (Condemnatory Acts), 68
"Gentle Shepherd" (extract from), 59
Ghost-lore and Haunted Houses, 244
Ghost Legends of the South-west of Scotland (arranged in their order,
from West to East)--
Dunskey Castle, 244
Galdenoch Tower, 245
"Lodnagappal Plantin'," 248
High Ardwell, 248
Auchabrick House, 250
Cardrain House, 251
Tirally, 251
Glenluce, 252
Provost Coltran (Drummorall), 252
Packman's Grave (Bladnoch), 253
Claunch, Sorbie, 254
Whithorn, 254
Craigdhu, Glasserton, 255
Church of Kirkmaiden, 256
Auchenmalg Barracks, 257
Craighlaw House, 257
Machermore Castle, 258
Creetown, 262
Kirkdale Bridge, 263
Glenlee, Dalry, 263
Bogle-Hole, Dalry, 267
Moor of Corsock, 267
Buckland Glen, 269
Ringcroft of Stocking, 272
Mansion House near Castle-Douglas, 273
Wood Forester's, Dalbeattie, 274
Laird o' Coul's Ghost, 300, 344
Kirkbean--
Murder Fall, 274
Derry's How, 274
Farm-house, 274
Howlet's Close, 275
Three Cross Roads, 275
Near Newabbey, 276
Minorite Friary, Dumfries (1306) and Caerlaverock Castle, (1358), 276
Solway legend of the passing of "Aul' Lag," 278
Coach legend of passing of William Duke of Queensberry (Drumlanrig),
281
Drumlanrig Castle, 282
Tynron Doon, 282
Glencairn--
Auchenstroan, 283
Marwhirn, 283
Pentoot, 283
Gaps Mill, 283
Nut Wood, 283
Jarbruck Bridge, 283
Kirkland Bridge, 283
Sanquhar Castle, 283
Littlemark, Sanquhar, 284
Abraham Crichton's Ghost, 285
Poldean, Wamphray, 287
Spedlins Tower, 288
Jardine Hall, 290
Knockhill, 293
Orchard, Hoddom, 294
Bonshaw Tower, 294
Blackett Tower, 294
Kirkconnel Hall, 295
Todshawhill, 296
Lowland Manor House, 298
Gilchristland, 50
Gilroanie, 270
"Girzie M'Clegg," 17
Glasserton, 165, 215
Glencairn, 283
"Glencairn Kate," 17
Glencaple Quay, 199
Glenkens, 19
Glenkens, twenty years' holidaying in (Blacklock), 265
Glenlee House (ghost narrative), 263
Glenluce, 13, 14
Greenmill (Caerlaverock), 209
Grennan, The, 25
Grierson, John, of Lag (funeral expenses of), 227
Grierson of Lag, Sir Robert (funeral expenses of), 229
Grierson of Lag, Sir Robert (funeral legend), 230
Grierson of Lag (Solway legend of his "passing"), 278
Grose's "Antiquities of Scotland," 289
"Gyre Carline," 8
H
Hallowmass, 2
Hallowmass Rade, 3
Hannayston, Witch of, 17
Harper's "Rambles in Galloway," 17
Hay of Park, 60
Heron, Robert (Journey through Western Scotland), 54
High Ardwall (white woman apparition), 248
Holm Glen (Dalry), 275
Howlet's Close (Kirkbean), 275
"Hydrostatics," Sinclair's, 300
I
"Il Penseroso" (extract from), 186
Inshanks Moor, 29
Irvings of Hoddom, 293
J
James VI. of Scotland, 67
Jarbruck, 283
Jardine's of Applegarth, 289
Jardine Hall, 290
"Jean o' the Howff" (Rerwick), 45
"Jock o' the Horn," 182
K
Kain Bairns, 7
"Keekafar" (Kirkmaiden), 155
Kells, 35
Kells Rhynns, 36
Keltonhill, 40
Kenmure (Stoneykirk), 157
Kenmure Castle (Dalry), 269
Killymingan (Kirkgunzeon), 105
Killumpha Farm (Kirkmaiden), 204
Kilmeny (Jas. Hogg), 146
Kincaid, John (Witch-pricker), 70
King's Croft of Stocking, 63
Kirkdale Bridge, Ghost of, 263
Kirkdale House, 262
Kirkmaiden, 22, 29, 151
Kirkmaiden Church, 30
Kirkmaiden, Legend of, 256
Kirkmaiden Witches, 29, 32, 98
Kirk-session (Borgue) examination for alleged fairycraft, 159
Kirkpatricks of Closeburn, 214, 227, 231, 284
Kirkpatrick, Roger, 277
Kirkpatrick Sharpe, Charles, 288
Kirkwaugh (Bladnoch), pedlar's ghost at, 253
Kippford, 274
Kirkennan Woods (Dalbeattie), 199
Kirkland Bridge (Glencairn), 283
Knockhill Mansion (tragedy at), 293
Knocknishy (Whithorn), 185
Knocksheen (Dalry), 17
L
Lady Ashburton, 267
Laird o' Coul's Ghost, 344
Langhill Fairy, The, 166
Lapps or Finns, 149
Latewake, 223
Law's Memorials, 287
"Lay of the last Minstrel" (extract from), 16
Liethin Hall, 187
Leswalt, 245
Levitical Law, 68
Library of Michael Scott (list of works), 16
Lichts before death, 209
Lindsay, James (Caerlaverock tragedy), 277
Little Cocklick (Urr), 101
Littlemark Farm, Sanquhar, Ghostly appearance at, 284
Locharbriggs Hill, 3
Lochar Moss, 8
Loch Doon, 36
"Lodnagappal Plantin," Apparitions at, 248
Logan, 24, 25
Logan Mill, 31
Lord Crichton (6th), 284
Lord Glenlee, 263
Lords of Sanquhar, 284
Lord Stormonth, 227
Lotus Hill (Kirkgunzeon), 173
Loup o' the Grennan, 151
Low Curghie (Kirkmaiden), 24
Luce, 13, 15
Luce Bay, 215
Lykewake, 223
M
Machars of Galloway, 33
Machermore Castle, Legend of, 258
Maggie's gate to Gallowa', 13
Mainsriddel, 274
"Maggie o' the Moss," 6, 17, 21
"Mak' Siccar" (tragedy, Dumfries), 278
Manor House in Lowlands (story of apparition), 298
Manxman's Lake, 270
March Moon, 55
Marshall, Rev. Mr (Kirkmaiden), 97, 248
Marwhirn, 283
Millar, Mary (alleged witch), 74
Mary Queen of Scotland (Act against witchcraft), 66
Master of Logan (Allan Cunningham), 19
Maxwell of Carriel (Carzield), 227
Maxwell of Dalswinton, 188
Maxwells of Monreith (successors to M'Cullochs), 214
Maxwell, Thomas (Laird of Coul), 301
Maxwell, Jean, trial of (for pretended witchcraft), 98
Maxwell, Jean (copy of title page of publication of trial), 110
Meg Elson (Kirkmaiden witch), 32
Meg Elson's Elegy, 32
Meg Macmuldroch (Galloway witch), 62
Melrose Abbey, 16
Michael Scott of Balwearie, 15
Mochrum Parish (extravagant funeral expenditure), 226
Moffat Churchyard, 213
Monkland Shore, 44
Monreith House, 161
Moor of Corsock (ghost of headless piper), 267
Moor of the Genoch, 248
Moor Kirk of Luce, 13
Mort-cloth (use of), 239
Mountsallie (Rhinns), Witchcraft at, 57
Muirhead, Dr James, 107
Mull of Galloway, 149
Murder Fall (Kirkbean), 274
Myrton Mound (fairy legend), 161
M'Cullochs of Myrton, 214
M'Culloch, Sir Godfrey, 151
M'Millan Cup, 195
M'Milligan of Dalgarnock, 283
N
"Necromancy," 16
Newabbey, Witchcraft at, 10
Newabbey (ghost of lady in white), 276
Nicholas Grier (witch of Hannayston), 17
Nick o' the Balloch, 13
"Nithsdale Minstrel" (poetical collection), 34
Nith, 51, 189
Nut Wood, Maxwelton (Moniaive), 283
Nicholson, Wm., poet (fairycraft examination, recollection by his
mother), 159
O
"Old Church life in Scotland" (Edgar), 237
Old Hall at Ecclefechan, Ghost at, 295
Old House of Park, 61
Old John Orr (Carlyle reminiscence), 293
Old Meg of Twynholm (reputed witch), 43
Old Red Cap (ghost of Blackett Tower), 294
Old Turnpike House, Dumfries, 231
Orchard, Hoddom (laying of ghost), 294
Osborne, "Maggie" (Wigtownshire witch), 11
P
Packman's Grave (Bladnoch), 258
Palmallet (Whithorn), 96
Palnackie, 199
"Passing Bell" (custom of ringing), 241
Passing Bell (reference in "Book of Galloway"), 243
Patiesthorn, Legend of, 269
"Pawky Auld Kimmer," 65
Pentoot (Glencairn), 283
"Philosophy of the Devil," 16
Picts, 148, 149
Poldean, Wamphray (ghost reference), 287
Portankill (fairy haunt), 149
Porteous, ghost of, at Spedlins Tower, 289
Portencockerie Bay (fairy haunt), 156
Port Logan, 31, 156
Portpatrick, Legend of, 245
Port-William, 254
Presbytery of Penpont (warning regarding burial festivity abuse), 234
Prestonmill, 274
"Pricking" of Witches, 70
"Prince of Darkness" (and witch revelry), 8
Privy Council Commissions (to try cases of witchcraft), 71
R
Rab's Howff (Rerwick), 45
Ray's Itinerary (Dumfries), 242
Red Comyn, 277
Rerwick, 44
Rerwick Apparition, 272, 321
Rhinns, 25
Rhonehouse, 40
"Riddling in the Reek," 166
"Ridden post by a witch," 5
Ringdoo Point, 15
Ringcroft of Stocking, 272
Ringcroft of Stocking, site of, 300
Robert the Bruce, 36
"Robin Goodfellow," 186
Roodmas, 176
Rotten Row (Whithorn), 33
S
Sanquhar, 50
Sanquhar Castle (ghostly legends), 283
Sanquhar, History of (Simpson), 184, 285
Sanquhar Kirkyard, 240
"Satan's Almanac," 16
"Satan's Invisible World," 300
Scots Money, 227
Shaws of Craigenbay and Craigend, 35
Shawn (Stoneykirk), 185
Shennaton (Bladnoch), 64
Shinnel Water, 283
Shirmers, 269
Sin-eating, 218
Sir Chesney Shaw, 35
Sir Walter Scott, 16, 244
Slip Coffins, 237
Solway Firth, 8
"Soothsayers' Creed," 16
Spell-casting, 60
Spedlins Tower, Ghost of, 288
Spedlins Tower Bible, 291
St. Ninian, 39
Stake Moss, Sanquhar, 239
State and Church (action against witchcraft), 22
Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, 151
Stoneykirk, 36, 248
Suicides, Burial of, 239
Surprising Story of the Devil of Glenluce, 299, 302
Sweetheart Abbey, 2, 10
T
Tam o' Shanter, 6, 17
Telfair, Alexander (Minister of Rerwick), 272
Three Cross Roads (Kirkbean), 275
Tirally (Kirkmaiden), 56
Tirally, Ghost at, 251
Todshawhill, Bogle of, 296
Tolbooth of Kirkcudbright, 108
Tongland, 16
Tower of Craigend, 35
Traditional Witchcraft described, 1
Train, Joseph (account of funeral superstitions), 236
True account of an apparition in Ringcroft, parish of Rerwick, 299, 321
Tynron, 49
Tynron Doon, Spectre of, 282
U
"Unique Traditions of the West and South of Scotland" (Barbour), 35
Upper Nithsdale, 50
W
"Warlock Feckets," 55
"Walpurgis" (witch festivals), 8
Warnings, accounts of from--
Caerlaverock, 209
Closeburn, 214
Corrie, 2
Craigdarroch, 214
Dumfries, 213
Glencairn, 210
Kirkmaiden (in Fernes), 214
Moniaive, 208
Tynron, 209
Waterside Hill (Dalry), 19
Water of Urr, 207
"Waulking" the dead, 219
Walter de Curry, 244
Well of the Co' (Kirkmaiden), 150
White Loch of Myrton, 161
Whithorn, Old Manse, 254
Whinnieliggate, 40
Whithorn (similar legend to Tam o' Shanter), 33
White Lady of Machermore, 258
"Witch Cake," 9
"Witch Chronicle, The," 16
Witches Gathering, 3
Witch Marks, 8, 70
Witch Narrative, 21
Witch Narrative (Southern Kirkcudbrightshire), 40
Witches Sabbath, 7
Witches' Stairs (Crawick), 50
Witches' Rocks (Portpatrick), 36
William, Duke of Queensberry (legend of ghostly coach), 281
Witchcraft, proceedings against, in Galloway--
Kirkcudbright (Presbytery, 1662), 72
Kirkcudbright, 1671, 72
Dalry (Kirk-session, 1696), 72
Dalry (Kirk-session, 1697), 73
Kirkcudbright, 1698, 74
Kirkcudbright, 1698, 80
Kirkcudbright, 1701, 82, 86, 87
Twynholm, 1703, 87
Urr (parish of) 1656, 91
Kirkpatrick-Durham (parish of), 92
Carsphairn (parish of), 93
Minnigaff (parish of), 93
New Luce (parish of), 96
Whithorn (parish of), 96
Kirkmaiden (parish of), 97
Kirkcudbright, 1805, 97
Maxwell, Jean, trial of (pretended witchcraft), 98
Dumfriesshire (proceedings in)--
Burgh of Dumfries, 1657, 111
Kirk-Session of Dumfries, 1658, 111
Dumfries (official information regarding the judicial burning of
nine women), 112
Dumfries (attendance of clergy at the burning), 115
Dumfries (resolution against Janet Burnes, alleged witch), 115
Dumfries (warrant of execution against two alleged witches), 116
Dumfries (last trial for witchcraft in Scotland, Elspeth Rule), 117
Dumfries (Presbytery of--Southern district), 118
Caerlaverock, Kirk-session records, 118
Irongray, Kirk-session records, 120
Irongray Parish (traditional account of witch punishment), 122
Closeburn Parish, 124
Penpont Presbytery, 131
Glencairn Kirk-session records, 132
Glencairn, Case of Alexander Deuart, 133
Durisdeer, 138
Torthorwald, 140
Wood Foresters', Dalbeattie (scene of murder and ghost appearance), 273
Warnings, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212
Wraiths--
Seen at Balgreggan House, 205
" Buittle, 199
" Dalbeattie, 205
" Glencairn, 201
" Kirkmaiden, 204
" Moniaive, 202
Wraiths (account of from "Gallovidian Encyclopædia"), 202
Wylliehole, Witch of, 53
Y
Yule, 278
Yule Candles, 219
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The Well of the Co', Kirkmaiden, once much celebrated for the healing
and medicinal properties of its waters.
[2] These berries make excellent preserves.
[3] Heather after being burned.
[4] "Confessions of Isobell Goudie."
[5] Dwining.
[6] Shall be.
[7] Stubble.
[8] Kiln.
[9] Sighing.
[10] A famous haunt of witches in the parish of Rerwick.
[11] Extract from King James's _Daemonologie concerning Sorcery and
Witchcraft_ (1597):--
"The persons that give themselves to witchcraft are of two sorts, rich and
of better accompt, poore and of baser degree. These two degrees answere to
the passions in them, which the divell uses as means to entice them to his
service: for such of them as are in great miserie and povertie, he allures
to follow him, by promising unto them great riches and worldly commoditie.
Such as though rich, yet burne in a desperate desire of revenge, he
allures them by promises to get their turne satisfied to their heart's
contentment."
[12] "The witch mark is sometimes like a blewspot, or a little tate, or
reid spots, like flea-biting; sometimes also the flesh is sunk in, and
hallow, and this is put in secret places, as among the hair of the head,
or eyebrows, within the lips, under the armpits, _et sic de ceteris_." Mr
Robert, minister at Aberfoill, in his _Secret Commonwealth_, describes the
witch's mark--"A spot that I have seen as a small mole, horny, and
brown-coloured; through which mark, when a large brass pin was thrust
(both in buttock, nose, and rooff of the mouth) till it bowed and became
crooked, the witches, both men and women nather felt a pain nor did bleed,
nor knew the precise time when this was being done to them (their eyes
only being covered)."--_Law's "Memorials," ed. by C. Kirkpatrick Sharpe._
[13] The extreme penalty took two forms. The condemned were either in the
first place strangled or, to use an old expression, "wirreit" and then
burned; or, worse still, they were straightway burned quick (alive).
[14] Thessr = Treasurer.
[15] Printed in Dumfries by his brother, Robert Rae, 1718.
[16] _The Parish of Glencairn_, Rev. John Monteith.
[17] Coshogle mansion-house or keep, belonging to the Douglases, was
situated on the hill overhanging the Enterkine burn, above the farm-house
of the same name. A marriage stone, built into a cottage wall, is all that
remains of the structure.
[18] Sir James Douglas of Parkhead, styled Lord Torthorwald as having
married the heiress of that barony, was afterwards run through the body on
the High Street of Edinburgh by a nephew of Captain James Stewart, and
died without uttering one word. On clearing away the rubbish, which till
lately covered the pavement of the Chapel at Holyrood House, his tombstone
was found, with this mutilated inscription:--"Heir lyes ane nobil and
potent Lord James Douglas--and Cairlell and Torthorall wha mariet Daime
Elizabeth Cairlell, air and heretrix yr. of, wha was slaine in Edinburgh
ye 14 day of July, in ye yeir God 1608."--_Law's Memories._
[19] Another theory associates the fairies with the dwarfish Lapps or
Finns who, driven out of their own country, settled in the outlying
districts of Scotland.
[20] The mother of William Nicholson the poet, a native of Borgue, where
her family had long been settled, and a woman of great intelligence, often
told that in her day there lived a man belonging to Borgue parish whose
mother and grandmother had been examined before the Kirk-Session regarding
his having been carried away by the fairies.
[21] "Brownie" here synonymus with "Fairy."
[22] Langhill (now Longhill), adjacent to the Rispain Roman Camp, about a
mile from Whithorn on the Glasserton Road.
[23] Roodmass: The festival of the finding of the Holy Cross (May 3rd).
[24] "When the mother's vigilance hinders the fairies from carrying her
child away, or changing it, the touch of fairy hands and their unearthly
breath make it wither away in every limb and lineament like a blighted ear
of corn, saving the countenance, which unchangeably retains the sacred
stamp of divinity. The way to cure a breath-blasted child is worthy of
notice. The child is undressed and laid out in unbleached linen new from
the loom. Water is brought from a blessed well, in the utmost silence,
before sunrise, in a pitcher never before wet; in which the child is
washed, and its clothes dipped by the fingers of a maiden. Its limbs, on
the third morning's experiment, plump up, and all its former vigour
returns."--_Allan Cunningham, in "Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and
Galloway Song."_
[25] The leaden figure of a man connected with a cascade, once a prominent
feature of the gardens.
[26] Simpson's _History of Sanquhar_.
[27] The "Brownie" of Scotland corresponds with the "Robin Goodfellow" of
England.
"Tells how the drudging goblin sweat
To earn his cream bowl duly set,
When in one night, ere glimpse of morn,
His shadowy flail hath threshed the corn
That ten day labourers could not end;
Then lies him down the lubber fiend,
And, stretched out all the chimney's length,
Basks at the fire his hairy strength,
And crop-full out of door he flings
Ere the first cock his matin rings."
--_Il Penseroso_
[28] A communion cup, belonging to M'Millan, the well-known ousted
minister of Balmaghie, and founder of a variety of the species
_Covenanter_. This cup was treasured by a zealous disciple in the parish
of Kirkcowan, and long used as a test by which to ascertain the orthodoxy
of suspected persons. If, on taking the precious relic into his hand, the
person trembled, or gave other symptoms of agitation, he was denounced as
having bowed the knee to Baal, and sacrificed at the altar of idolatry;
and it required, through his future life, no common exertion in the good
cause, to efface the stigma thus fixed upon him.--_Note to original
edition._
[29] Several striking examples of wraith appearance may be found in
Wilson's _Folk-lore of Uppermost Nithsdale_ (1904).
[30] A wonderfully graphic account of a manifestation of "deid lichts" to
a Dumfries lady occurs in the _Dumfries and Galloway Monthly Magazine_,
1822, p. 169.
[31] The dog.
[32]
"Open lock, end strife,
Come death and pass life."
--"Meg Merrilees" in _Guy Mannering_.
[33] There seems to have been some variation in this usage. On the
Borders, for example, the door was usually left wide open. (See
Preparatory Note to "Young Bengie," _Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_.)
[34] Bearing upon this last statement of Mr Dudgeon's, the writer has been
told of a comparatively recent instance in the parish of Anwoth.
[35] "In the second session of the first Parliament of James VII., held at
Edinburgh, 1686, an Act was passed called the 'Act for Burying in Scots
Linen,' in which it was ordained, for the encouragement of the linen
manufactures within the kingdom, that no person whatsoever, of high or low
degree, should be buried in any shirt, sheet, or anything else, except in
plain linen or cloth, of Hards made and spun within the kingdom, and
without lace or point. There was specially prohibited the use of Holland,
or other linen cloth made in other kingdoms: and of silk, woollen, gold,
or silver, or any other stuff than what was made of Hards spun and wrought
within the kingdom, under the penalty of 300 pounds Scots for a nobleman,
and 200 pounds for every other person for each offence. One-half of this
penalty was to go to the informer, and the other half to the poor of the
parish of where the body should be interred. And, for the better discovery
of contraveners, it was ordained that every minister within the kingdom
should keep an account and register of all persons buried in his parish. A
certificate upon oath, in writing, duly attested by two "famous" persons,
was to be delivered by one of the relatives to the minister within eight
days, declaring that the deceased person had been shrouded in the manner
prescribed; which certificate was to be recorded without charge. The
penalty was to be sued for by the minister before any judge competent; and
if he should prove negligent in pursuing the contraveners within six
months after the interment, he himself was liable for the said
fine."--_Life and Times of Rev. John Wightman, D.D., of Kirkmahoe._
[36] Scots money, equal to one-twelfth value of our present currency,
abandoned after 1760.
[37] Cere-cloth--a cloth smeared with wax, put upon the body after a
modified embalming, only used, on account of its expense, by the rich.
[38] "An old antiquarian friend, long since dead, told me that Sir Robert
had grown so corpulent in his latter days that his body could not be
decently carried down the winding stair for burial; and that accordingly a
portion of the wall between the two windows looking on to the Plainstones
had to be temporarily removed, and that through the wide vacancy thus
created the coffin was lowered down. My informant, who was old enough to
remember all about the taking down of the lodging in 1826, added that the
appearance of the wall between the windows justified the
tradition."--Letter from Wm. M'Dowall, Esq., author of the _History of
Dumfries_, to Lieut.-Col. Alexander Fergusson, author of the _Laird of
Lag_.
[39] A corrupt form of the Latin "dirige," from a Catholic chant for the
dead.
[40] A commonly used term for the dead bell is "skellat."
[41] The bell here referred to was the old bell of St. Ninian, the "Clog
Rinny" or bell of Saint Ninian, made of malleable iron coated with bronze,
and which only measured 6-1/2 inches in height. It is mentioned in the
accounts of James IV.: "March 17, 1506, in Penyghame to ane man that bure
Saint Ninian's bell IX._s._" It was in existence at old Penninghame in
1684 when Symson wrote, one hundred and seventy years after. It is
described and illustrated in Wilsons' _Prehistoric Annals of Scotland_
(1857).
[42] Curiously enough, a few years ago, workmen engaged in the Portpatrick
water and drainage scheme stumbled upon a large cavernous space at the
very place where the reputed sounds of the ghostly pipe music were heard.
[43] Lodnagappal (Celtic): The swamp of the horses.
[44] Patiesthorn, situated at the north end of Parton Mill, overlooking
Drumrash and Skirmers and the Ken below Kenmure Castle. There is no house
now--only Patiesthorn Wood.
[45] Captain John Garmory of the _Bardsea_, lost afterwards with all hands
on the passage from Liverpool to the Water of Urr.
[46] Walter Bower, or Bowmaker, Abbot of Inchcolm.
[47] The account of these wonderful happenings was published in the form
of a chapbook, and obtained a large circulation.
[48] The first appearance that Coul made was to Dr Menzies' servant at a
time he was watering his master's horse. At some subsequent appearance,
while the lad was upon the same business, whether Coul had done him any
real harm, or that the lad had fallen from his horse through fear and
contusion, is uncertain, but so it was that the lad was found dead on the
road.