History and genealogy of the family of Wauchope of Niddrie-Merschell

IT must be peculiarly interesting to a family of
long standing to know all that can be accurately
ascertained of their rise and progress — how many
generations have passed away — and what part
their ancestors acted in the great drama of life. In point of
antiquity the WauchOpes of Niddrie-Merschell perhaps
stand amongst the highest in the district. In Mid-Lothian,
at all events, there are few — as associated with their respective
properties — that exceed them. Their contemporaries of the
fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries have all dis-
appeared. Even before the beginning of last century the
following old families were extinct :"""
x &
" The Logans of Lochsterrick.
The Fairlies of Brede.
The Prestons of Craigmillar, quherof Whitehill was a
cadet, now both extinct.
The Herrings of Gilmerton.
Edmiston of Edmiston, tho' Edmiston of Edmun be the
stock. Both these places belonged to the same
family, and it's thought strange that they took the
tittle of Edmiston, it being vassal to the superior
of Musselburgh, as also Woolmet, &c, tho' now
* MS. dated in 1700.