Biggar and the House of Fleming

CHAPTER III.
Ths Town (xf Mgg&v.
IGGAR, in all likelihood, was an ancient British
village. It may possibly be the Gadanica of the
Romans, a town which was situated near the Clyde
in this locality, but the exact site of which has
nrmch perplexed our modern antiquaries. However this may
be, it can certainly boast of considerable antiquity, as it is
mentioned in some of the earliest Scottish records extant. We
have no means of knowing what sort of town it was in primi-
tive times, but in all probability it was a mere accumulation
of mud and turf cabins, possessing the miserable accommoda-
tion of the wigwams of the Indian or the huts of our own
Highland population. During the early part of last century,
the houses were still .of small dimensions, and for the most
part covered with thatch. The appearance of the town at
that time was remarkable on account of the number of malt-
kilns with which it was studded, several of the inhabitants
being maltmen by profession, and the whole of them being
evidently great drinkers of ale. Like most old towns, it was,
down to a recent period, kept in a very dirty and unhealthy
condition. Dunghills, peatstacks, noxious gutters, and fulzie
of different sorts, were to be seen in all directions. This state
of things has been now very much changed for the better. A
number of good houses have been built, ornamental trees
planted, gas-lamps to light the street put up, shops enlarged
and embellished, old houses that incommoded the street pulled
down, the common sewers covered, and nearly all unseemly
accumulations removed ; so that the High Street, as may be
observed from the engraving, has now a very spacious and re-
spectable appearance.