OS1/29/40/12
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATRAIL or PICTS' WORK DITCH | Catrail | Mr W.N. Kennedy Hawick W. Scott Esqr. Priesthaugh G. Oliver Esqr. Hawick |
[continued from page 11] Whatever the object of the Catrail may have been, it never was a continuous work. Time and tillage may have destroyed it in some places, as alleged by Mr Jeffrey, but in many parts of the route (I believe to the extent of fully one half of its whole length in this locality) it never had existence and I concur in the opinion generally believed in, along its route, that it was made only when no natural boundary existed, such as a deep cleuch or water course, which it invariably took when it lay in the line of its course. All of these, and the ascent up Whitehillbrae, are utterly impracticable as roads for men or flocks, and conclusively negative the fence and screen theory of Mr Jeffrey. As he has traversed nearly every inch of the Catrail, I would here recall to his recollection the break which occurs from Hoscoat plantation to Woodburn a distance of a mile and a half. At Hoscoat it falls into the Hoscoat Burn, takes the burn's course to the Borthwick, down that stream to where Muselee Burn enters in on the opposite side, follows it to near its source, where the artificial work commences and continues to Slatehillmoss, where another break occurs for about two miles; it follows the streamlet ie.Teindside Burn from Slatehillmoss to the Teviot, then down that River to where Northhouse burn enters on the opposite side, follows that burn for a short distance, where the artificial part recommences and continues to near Allan Water. Of errors common to Chalmers and his plagiarists, and to Mr Jeffrey, who did not Copy from his account of the Catrail, there may be mentioned the statements, that it passes Broadlee farm house, that after crossing the Allan, it is lost for about a mile, and that between Dodburn & Langside burns, it stands and descends the Carriage Hill - It is not visible on Broadlee farm at all, and its nearest point to the farmhouse at least half a mile distant. A British hill Fort, is close to Broadlee farm house which might have been mistaken for the Catrail by a person who never saw the Catrail. The above extract are taken from documents written by & in possession of Mr W.N. Kennedy Hawick |
Continued entries/extra info
[page] 12Parish of Teviothead -- Sheet 31 No.3 Trace 3
See Preceding Page.
[signed] Thomas Watson 2nd Corp. R.E. [Corporal Royal Engineers]
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Bizzy- Moderator, Brenda Pollock
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