Good evening listers John Martine's analytical record of the rural "past" of Haddingtonshire includes family names we see from time to time on the list. He puts them in contect and throws in a few anecdotes that brings the humanity out of all the lists of dates, places and statistics. This postings extracted from my copy of "Reminiscences and Notices of the Parishes of the County of Haddington " by JOHN MARTINE published 1890 using information from the 1755, 1793 and 1841 Statistical Accounts of Haddingtonshire. To help while away the wee hours . <There are in and around Gifford many pleasant houses and residences, such as Gifford Vale, long the residence of William Begbie, Esq., Mr Hutton, Mr John Hay, and Mrs Hay, who lived to a long age, now of Mr Alexander Hay, merchant, Leith; Holyn Bank, where Miss Hay, late of Duncan Law, long lived, now the residence of Peter B. Swinton, Esq., the factor on the estate; and Gifford Bank. The Free church and manse are pleasantly situated on the road leading south to Danskine, &c. There are a row of excellent houses, including Mr Ogilvie's opposite the village green. Gifford is a post and telegraph town, a sub-office to Haddington. There are three trysts or fairs held annually in March, June, and October. They were important and large fairs some years ago for the sale of sheep, cattle, and horses, and frequented always by showmen, gingerbread vendors, merry-go-rounds, coopers to sell bickers, cogs, and tubs; shoemakers to sell shoes; tinkers and gipsies to sell baskets and horn-spoons. Cooper Neillans of Garvald used to tell that he attended Gifford fair for over fifty years. The school boys at the Haddington schools used to get the play to go up and see Gifford fair. Lots of horse dealers from all parts attended. An old Haddington deacon used to remark that they were the "waill of men.' Of late years Gifford fairs have fallen off very much, and have almost died a natural death, owing chiefly to the weekly auction sales for cattle and sheep in Edinburgh, Dalkeith, and Haddington. They are now the relics of former days. There were for many years six public houses in Gifford for the sale of foreign and British spirits, porter, and ale. Now there is but one - the Tweeddale Arms. A louping-on-stane, a distinguishing erection yet in many a Scotch village, stands opposite the inn door, and above it the old fashioned swinging signboard, with the Tweeddale arms painted on it. An old occupant and owner of the Tweeddale Arms was David Swinton, who carried on a small brewery for many years, a necessary appendage in old times to a village hostelry. His successors also carried it on for some time. Mrs Ayton for many years also carried on another of the principal houses. A roaring trade was done on fair days in spirits and ales.&c. A good story is told of two Lammermuir herds who always attended Gifford fairs. They made a point of drinking a gill of whiskey in every public house. On one occasion when on the road going home they recollected that they had forgot one house, and they came back to drink it. When the late Earl of Gifford was born in 1822, the first male heir at that time to the Yester estates, great rejoicings and jollifications took place in Gifford. An ox was roasted in the green and the meat with a certain quantum of ale was distributed among the villagers. The marriage of Lord Ramsay, afterwards Marquis of Dalhousie, Governor-general of India, with Lady Susan Hay, in 1836, was a grand event on the Yester estate. After the marriage and before he carried off his bride, Lord Ramsay came out to the lawn accompanied by the Marquis, the Earl of Dalhousie his father and a large assemblage of relatives, and addressed the large crowd of tenants, villagers, and Haddington people. He made an elegant and grateful speech, and said he was just about to carry off the "Lily of the valley." A large company was entertained to dinner in the riding school. It is sad to think that the largely gifted life of the Marquis of Dalhousie was not longer spared. During his eight years' government of India, from 1847 to 1855, he accomplished and carried through many important events which have tended much to the consolidation and strength of British sway in India. A bleachfield on the banks of the Gifford water was long carried on by Mr Wood. afterwards by Mr John Traill, where a considerable trade was done, but it was given up many years ago. A woollen or "wauk' mill was also carried on by Mr Weir. and afterwards by Mr Roger Robson, who removed to Haddington. A meal mill still exists on the Gifford water. At one time there were a great number of weavers in Gifford.Not one now exists. Among them were Blacks, Barries, Browns, &c. Many old names will still be recollected in Gifford - Miss Hay. Mrs Carfrae, Mrs General Forbes at Holyn Bank. Mr Gilbertson, factor at Gifford Bank; Mr James Porteous, saddler (the Pin of the Tabernacle); William Craise, wood merchant; William Wight, baker; James Sligh. grocer; Miss M'Connel. baker; Richard Ewen. merchant; Mrs Ayton. innkeeper; Peter and James Cockbum. shoemakers; William Tait, wood merchant; Miss Coalston, post mistress. James Lidgate; carrier; James Bald, butcher; Alexander Instant, wright. The old schoolmasters were Mr Paterson, Mr Peter M'Kay. and Archibald Hunter in Long Yester, much respected in their day. Mr William D. M'Kay, the celebrated Scotch artist, is a son of Mr Peter M'Kay. and a native of Gifford.> Hope you found that entertaining if not informative. Regards George Wallace