burgh

Nisbet of Dirleton's House

through which many illustrious prisoners passed on their way to Edinburgh, among them George, Marquis of Huntly, and also Montrose and Argyle. It was through this gate that Hertford led his army in 1544; here too the Abbot of Kilwinning was killed on Black Saturday,' 1571; and here in 1601 the Earl of Bothwell's attempt to

6

seize the King proved a failure. Another entry at the HolyWatergate, though less surely authenticated, is not with- rood and out its own interest. In the city records for 1661 we Canonread of Barbara Mylne, a witch, who was seen to come gate in at the Water Gate in likeness of a catt, and did change her garment under her awin staire, and went into her house.' It was close to the Watergate that 'Lucky Wood's' hostelry flourished in the time of Allan Ramsay.

Near the foot of the Canongate may be seen White Horse Close. It retains many of the features of bygone days, when, instead of being among the worst slums of Edinburgh, the closes off the Canongate were inhabited by the Scottish nobility. White Horse Close has, moreover, interesting associations. Probably, in spite of tradition, it has no connection with Queen Mary's White Horse, for the earliest date on any house is 1623, although one of the gables bears the date 1573. But it was here that the Royalist nobles were intercepted on their way to join the King at Berwick, Montrose being the only one who managed to carry out his purpose. This is known as the 'Stoppit Stravaig.' Many of the Highlanders lodged here in 1745, and it was to the hospitable house of Widow Flockhart that Fergus MacIvor conducted Waverley after his interview with the Prince.

6

Near White Horse Close may still be seen Whitefoord House, built on the site of my Lord Seaton's house in the Canongate,' which is noted historically for the visit of the French ambassador Manzeville in 1582, but has a far greater interest for all lovers of romance as the scene of Roland Graeme's exciting chase after Catherine Seyton. There is, however, now no trace of the 'projecting shield of arms supported by two huge foxes of stone' nor of the 'paved court decorated with large formal vases of stone, in which yews, cypresses, and other evergreens vegetated in sombre sullenness.' But Whitefoord House is not without an interest of its own, irrespective of site, as it

was for some time the home of Lord Bannatyne, a fine Holyspecimen of a Scottish gentleman of the old school, and rood and interesting, moreover, as the nephew of Lady Clanranald, Canonwho was imprisoned for helping Prince Charlie to escape. gate Golfers' Land, on the south side of the Canongate, is connected with a tale setting forth the golfing prowess of John Paterson in the days when the Duke of York held court at Holyrood. Unfortunately the evidence is not considered absolutely unquestionable, for the story possesses considerable interest. Queensberry House has more general interest. It was built in 1681 by Lord Halton, but soon afterwards was acquired by the first Duke of Queensberry. He was a famous man in his day, celebrated for many things and for nothing more than for his inconsistency. He supported Charles II. and James VII., and earned the hatred of the Covenanters by his cruelty, but he was equally ready to serve the Prince of Orange when it was his interest so to do. He was miserly in the extreme, yet he built Drumlanrig, bought Queensberry House, and collected a fine library. He was almost illiterate, yet his letters-written by a secretary to his dictation-are well and tersely expressed. His son was High Commissioner of the Parliament which passed the Treaty of Union, and in consequence was heartily detested by the mob. They even went so far as to declare that the awful tragedy connected with his idiot son was a judgment on his unpatriotic conduct. His son and successor, the third Duke, was born there in 1688, and here the third Duchess, Prior's 'Kitty ever fair,' kept court attended by her protégé the poet Gay. Gay and Allan Ramsay struck up a friendship, and Gay used to visit Ramsay's shop at the Cross. Like most 'southerners' Gay had considerable difficulty in understanding the phraseology of The Gentle Shepherd, but Ramsay explained the meaning of obscure words and phrases and the allusions to Scottish customs, which explanation Gay promised to pass on to Pope, who was

Edinburgh

another of Ramsay's admirers. 'Jenny Ha's Change House,' which was opposite Queensberry House, was also haunted by Gay when he was in Edinburgh. Queensberry House passed from the Douglases in 1801 when Old Q' sold it to the government. It was used first as barracks, then as a hospital, and is now a House of Refuge for the Destitute and Home for Inebriate Women. Near Queensberry House is Bakehouse Close, which contains Acheson House and the town house of the Marquis of Huntly, the front of which faces the street. Acheson House belonged to the Achesons of Gosford and bears their arms. One tale declares that Lady Jane Grey once visited this mansion, but its date (1633) settles that story.

JENNY HA'S CHANGE HOUSE

6

6

The house of the Marquis of Huntly has many associations. It has curious timber-fronted gables adorned with Latin mottoes, e.g. Constanti pectori res mortalium umbra' and 'ut tu linguae tuae sic ego mear; aurium dominus sum.' This ancient building is now a publichouse. 1510 is the year assigned for this house, but its name came from George, Marquis of Huntly, who killed the bonny Earl o' Moray.' His son, who was executed at the Cross in 1649, also lived here. In spite of his own loyalty which indeed cost him his life-the daughter of this Marquis married Lord Drummond, son of the Earl of Perth, who, Spalding tells us, was ane preceise puritane and therefore weill lyked in Edinburgh.' In spite of the Puritanic tendencies of the bridegroom the wedding was the occasion of great festivities, which were celebrated in this old mansion.

6