a common saying in the village, if a pigeon is wanted,
you are
sure to find one on the " Doo's Rock. "
RINGAN'S HOLE AND ROCK.
This, I daresay, with the exception of the " Girdle,
" has come to be the best known rock along the whole
village coast. It derived its name in the first place from
Ringan, who had a public house adjacent to it, and the "
Hole, " of course, was added, when it became the well-known
" western hole " in the old seaside golf course.
A short distance from Ringan lay
MATHIE'S ROCK.
About the middle of last century the Mathies were a very wealthy
family in Prestonpans. A great stone which lay on the seacoast
here took its name from their feu-charter; but that family
have long since died out in the district, and it is doubtful
if the real stone has not disappeared in the sands, or slipt
out into deep water.
Next in order comes the " Hepburn Rock, " followed
by
THE GIRDLE ROCK.
This beats all the others, named or nameless, along the seacoast
easily, not because of its height or its beauty, for it has
not the one and lays no claim to the other, but simply because
it is the quiet resting-place of Johnnie Moat. Here also is
the Dub, a circle of rocks surrounding a never failing supply
of salt water, wherein the fishermen long ago were wont to
keep their oysters sweet.
THE CANTY ROCK.
A strange name indeed, and according to local tradition its
derivation was no less strange. One evening when an old wifie
was passing this way it happened to be clear moonlight, and
she had got something to make her either very dim or very
gleg o' sight. " My, " she said, looking over, "but
that maun be a canty rock. Where the de'il ha'e a' these naked
bairns come frae, I wonder, now dancin' owre it?" "Stupid
auld gowk, " quoth an urchin passing, " d'ye no'
see that these are only seamaws jumping aboot, an' no' bairns
at a'. " " Blast yer impudence, ye monkey, "
she screamed, and set after him with her umbrella ready to
lay on; " d'ye think I dinna ken the yell o' a bairn
frae the
yowl o' a seamaw?"
MACKIE'S ROCK.
This is not very far distant from the " Canty. "
It derived its name from the Mackies of Prestonpans, and their
lands adjacent to it. A little farther west lie
THE SKELLY OR SCALEY ROCKS.
The correct name of these, it is understood, is the "
Scaley Rocks. " They lie just outside Walford Lodge.
It is recorded that no less than three salt pans were located
at one time among these rocks. They derive their name from
the fact that thin pieces like scales are always splitting
off them. A little out at sea from these lie the
Ox CRAG ROCKS.
These instead of deriving their name from lands or proprietors
of houses give a name rather to the feu-charter of that very
substantial property belonging to the Messrs Clark, of "
Roperee " fame in the neighbourhood. West from these
may be found
M'KEENIE'S ROCKS.
There is nothing very peculiar about these. They have their
name from M'Kenzie, a proprietor, who some time ago resided
there.
THE GAP ROCK
Lies a little distance westward of the foregoing, and derives
its name from its situation. In looking through a gap or opening
between two properties it catches the eye very conspicuously.
MITCHELL'S ROCK
Follows next. It derived its name, like many others, from
a proprietor in the neighbourhood.
ROBERTSON'S ROCKS AND CUTHILL ROCKS.
The first of these derive their name from a proprietor, and
the latter from their adjacency to the old village of Cuthill.
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