Ettrick Water

Ettrick Water, a stream of Selkirkshire, rising on Capel Fell, and winding 32 miles north-eastward, past Thirlstane Castle, Tushielaw, and Philiphaugh, till, after a total descent of 1500 feet, it joins the Tweed, 3 miles below Selkirk, and 5 from the influx of its chief affluent, the Yarrow. In Ettrick churchyard, towards the stream's source, lie Boston and Hogg the 'Ettrick Shepherd.' Ettrick Forest, erst so 'fair,' now treeless and pastoral, included all Selkirkshire, with parts of Peebles and Edinburgh shires. It was a favourite royal hunting-ground till James V.'s expedition against the Border thieves (1529), after which deer gave place to sheep. See Craig-Brown's History of Selkirkshire (1886).