OS1/13/26/1/39
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MERLSFORD | Merlsford Merlsford Meralsford Meralsford Merlsford |
Full [Fullerton's] Gazetteer Archaeologia Scotica Smalls Antiquities Mr William Gilmour Prehistoric Annals of Scotland |
016 | [Situation] ⅞ Mile E. [East] of Edentown The general opinion of this locality is that a great battle was fought in olden times at or about this place it is asserted by tradition that the Eden ran red with blood for 24 hours after the fight Caused by the numerous slain that fell on both sides of the River, the ford was called after the battle Marvellous Ford and subsequently Corrupted into Mearls Merls or Meralsford at present there is not a ford across this narrow river the Sides of the Eden on North & South are Steep and in places Sunk Walls at or about where this Sanguinary battle is said to have taken place That a battle was fought and that the banks of [continues on Page 40] |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 39Plan 16A Trace 9 Parish of Strathmiglo
Note: Smalls Antiquities page 40 "The Slaughter here seems to have been so dreadful, that even after
the lapse of 17 Centuries the Common tradition of the Country bears, and
Seems to be as fresh in the Mouths of both old and young as though the
battle had been fought only a hundred years ago, - that after this battle
the River Eden ran red with blood for two days; which tradition being
So long kept, seems to be nearly as Marvellous as the Circumstance which
gave name to the ford viz [Namely] Merals or Marvelous Ford."
Note: "Archaeologia Scotica by the late Col [Colonel] Miller
"All that tradition says of it is that a great battle was fought there
and that the Eden ran with blood for 24 hours after, it is Called
the Battle of Merlsford which is a ford of the Eden about half
way between the two Armies. The river itself there is an inconsiderable
Stream except in floods and is accordingly not mentioned by the Historian namely Tacitus"
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
GreenflyNZ, JCB
Location information for this page.
Linked mapsheets.
