OS1/34/42/7

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
WILLOW TREES Willow Trees
Willow Trees
Mr. R Glen Linlithgow
Mr. J Hardie Linlithgow
[Situation] In the N E. [North East] end of Linlithgow Loch
This name applies to a small island in Linlithgow Loch, which from the many traditional legends told concerning it, has given rise to the device on the Burgh Seal. The device represents a black bitch chained or tied to a tree. One of the stories is, that in former times there used to be every evening a black bitch taken from the palace and tied to a tree on this island that in case any warlike party were striving to make adescent on the Town in the night time, she would arouse the inhabitants by her loud barking. Another, It is said that one of the Kings sons having committed some misdemeanor was banished from the palace to this island and that the black bitch used to swim out to him every morning carrying his breakfast in in a basket which she held in her mouth, Another, It is said that the morning previous to the day on which King James went to the battle of Flodden there was seen a favourite hound of the Kings carrying her whelps in her mouth, from the shore to this Island which was taken as a bad omen regarding the Kings expedition as it was said the instinctive powers of the hound enabled her to know that the King would be defeated and in order to have herself and offspring secure from danger she retired with them to this island.

Continued entries/extra info

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Parish of Linlithgow -- Sheet 1 No 15 Trace 4

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Alison James- Moderator, Jeanette

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