Earlston

Coordinates: 55°37′59″N 2°40′01″W / 55.633°N 2.667°W / 55.633; -2.667

Earlston (Scots: Yerlston,Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Airchill) is a civil parish and market town in the county of Berwickshire, within the Scottish Borders. It is on the River Leader in Lauderdale, Scotland.

Early history

Earlston was originally called Arcioldun or Prospect Fort, with reference to Black Hill (1,003 feet (306 m)), on the top of which can still be traced the concentric rings of the British fort for which it was named. It is also said to be possible to make out the remains of the cave-dwellings of the Votadini, the tribal confederation in this part of Scotland.

In the 12th and 13th centuries the Lindsays and the Earls of March and Dunbar were the chief baronial families.

Also of historical interest is the ivy-clad ruin of the Rhymer's Tower, a keep said to date from as early as the 13th century. It is the traditional residence of Thomas Learmonth, commonly called Thomas of Ercildoune, or Thomas the Rhymer, poet, prophet, and legendary friend of the Elves, who was born here about 1225, more likely in a small house which preceded the later Tower-house.