Tales are told of fugitives mysteriously disappearing from sight and local people had tales of hidden caverns there. One writer describes how he found such a hiding spot concealed in the heather, given away only by the gentle tinkling of underground water. However, when he returned the following day with a friend, they could not find it although never more than a few yards from the original spot.
Indeed, such were the passions aroused in those days that, for another couple of hundred years, it was the custom of hill shepherds to destroy every nest of the peewit whose shrill cries and aerial antics had given away many a Covenanter
Fugitives not lucky enough to find such a cache would hide in the heather, but were in danger of being given away by wildlife concerned only with protecting its young.
Indeed, such were the passions aroused in those days that, for another couple of hundred years, it was the custom of hill shepherds to destroy every nest of the peewit whose shrill cries and aerial antics had given away many a Covenanter. Then, about 15 miles from the source, you will come to the pretty hamlet of Tweedsmuir.
© 1996 Douglas Gregor