Earlston

Back when the place was a hamlet of rude huts it was called ''Arcioldun'' or ''Prospect Fort'', with reference to Black Hill (1003 ft.), on the top of which can still be traced the concentric rings of the British fort for which it was named. It is also said to be possible to make out the remains of the cave-dwellings of the Ottadeni , the aborigines of the district. Also of historical interest is the ivy-clad ruin of the ''Rhymer's Tower'', a keep built in the 1200s, and traditional residence of Thomas Learmont, commonly called Thomas of Ercildoune, or Thomas The Rhymer , poet, prophet, and legendary friend of the Fairies, who was born here about 1225 .

In the 12th and 13th Centuries the Lindsays and the Earls Of March and Dunbar were the chief baronial families. Some 3 m. away is the estate of Bemersyde, said to have been in the possession of the Haigs for nearly 1000 years. The prospect from Bemersyde Hill was Sir Walter Scott s favorite view, and is now commonly known as " Scott's View ". The castle at Bemersyde was erected in 1535 to secure the peace of the Border.

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Earlston