OS1/24/31/53

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
THIEF'S ROAD Thief's Road
Thief's Road
Thief's Road
Thief Road
Mr W Welsh Romannobridge
James Murray Esqr Drochil
New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account]
Companion to Map of Tweeddale
008 ; 016 [Situation] Passes North of Drochil Castle

This road is said to have extended from Annandale Borders to the Firth of Forth.
It crosses the Forth Water (which forms part of the boundary of Newlands parish) about a mile above Drochil Castle running Eastward and following the Course of the water, till it passes the Castle it then turns and passes first S. [South] Callands then Callands House and on to Mountain Cross there it crosses the public road and passes on in the inside of the western boundary of the parish till it enters the parish of Linton; the reason for its having got this name was because of its having been traversed by Mosstroopers or Salters as they were also called for the purpose of processing salt at the Forth at the same time stealing everything that they could get a hold of.

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 53
Parish of Newlands -- Sheet 8 No 14 -- Trace 5

[Note] -- The route which was pursued by the border
freebooters, again whose incursions this
defensive system was Chiefly adopted, is
still distinguished by the name of the
"Thief's Road". It passes along the heights
of Mannerhead and Dollar-Law to the North
end of Scrape; And Crossing Tweed below
Stobo, runs Northward in the direction of Lyne
Newlands, And Linton." -- New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] of Peeblesshire Page 117

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Moira L- Moderator, JOANMUIR

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