Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

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EXCURSIONS FROM MELROSE.
banks of the Yarrow, a fierce and rapid stream, which unites
with the Ettrick about a mile and a khalf to the east of the
castle.
Newark was built by James II. The royal arms, with
the unicorn, are engraved on a stone in the western side of the
NEWARK CASTLE.
tower. There was a much more ancient castle in its immediate
vicinity, called Auldwark, founded, it is said, by Alexander III.
Both were designed for the royal residence, when the king was
disposed to take his pleasure in the extensive forest of Ettrick.
Various grants occur in the records of the Privy Seal, bestow¬
ing the keeping of the castle of Newark upon different barons.
The office of keeper was latterly held by the family of Buccleuch,
and with so firm a grasp, that when the forest of Ettrick was
disparked, they obtained a grant of the castle of Newark in
perpetuity. It was within the court-yard of this castle that
General Leslie tarnished his victory by putting to death a
number of the prisoners whom he had taken at the battle of
Philiphaugh. The castle continued to be an occasional seat of
the Buccleuch family for more than a century ; and it is said,
the Duchess of Monmouth and Buccleuch was brought up here.
For this reason, probably, Scott chose to make Newark the
scene in which the “ Lay of the Last Minstrel ” is recited in
her presence, and fcr her amusement.