Breaking News - the Turnbulls save Scotland, again! In 1515 ...

Reading through Rulewater and It's People, by George Tancred of Weens (Published in 1907) I came across this interesting little snippet, which tells of the bravery of the Turnbulls of Rulewater, amongst other clans, who managed to save Scotland, again.

Not only did they save the life of King Robert the Bruce when he was faced with a fierce charging bull, but they drove back an English invasion in 1515.

The wee bridge will be worth adding to a visit to Rulewater, to take in the scene of the battle.

I have made no attempt to correct the typos in this online extract found by clicking here, but the book is available to buy, and I'd really recommend a copy on your shelf its a wealth of stories and information about the Turnbulls and the Rulewater valley, click here for more info.

Although the estate of Abbotrule is now much smaller in extent than it was formerly, it still contains one or two places of interest. On the farm of West Fodderlee an encounter with the place where the Bowset bum enters the Rule. After the battle English took place in 151S at the Sclaterford, which is near the 

chiefly of mounted men, and the inhabitants of Rulewater being of Flodden, Lord Dacre, Warden of the English Marches, entered Scotland not far from Hindhope. The English forces consisted English mosstroopers could not ac.: with any freedom. The warned of this, the Scots took up a position of defence at Sclaterford,^ where from the boggy nature of the ground the Scots, and Kers, who, to use Lord Dacre'^s own words, ^ bickered Turnbulls, who were on this occasion very numerous, particularly distinguished themselves. There were also present Rutherfurds, graphic account of this gallant affair I refer my readers to the with us and gave us hand strokes.** '"^he English were driven back, and the valley of the Rule was saved from ruin. For a paper published for the Hawick Archaeological Society by Mr. the situation and its surroundings, together with local tradition Adam Laing, solicitor. The Society has erected a tablet in memory of the event on Fodderlee bridge which spans the water of Bowset, now called Fodderlee bum. It has been proved by as a portion of the burn which rises on Bowset hill takes a course which crosses the and circumstance, that the fight of Sclaterford took place in close proximity to where the bridge now stands. Mrs. Oliver of 

^ There was a difference of opinion at one time where the Sclaterford was situated, Thornwood, who has written much on Border subjects, kindly road from East Fodderlee to Fulton and where at one time a large cairn existed. 

JOHN USHER^ TENANT OP GATEHOU8ECOTE 

JOHN USHER 191 undertook to unveil the memorial, which she did after giving proach of the English. Bonchester-townhead was one of these farms an interesting address on the battle and the moral impression it produced on the English. 

Before the Union of the Crowns, farmhouses in exposed positions were frequently built where they could communicate with a neighbouring tower or peel to give timely warning of the ap- places visible. The peels of Langraw and Fulton were both on the north side of Bonchester hill, and on the estate of Abbot-rule. The foundations are still well defined, and in the adjoining dyke stones of large size, which were evidently used in the building, are numerous. It had a vaulted chamber, the ruins of which sixty years ago were distinct, and the arched roof was in Abbotrule records his death. within sight of this defensible farmhouse ; and from its elevated position a few minutes^ walk commanded a view of Wauchope Castle and several of the Southdean peels. In 1645 Thomas Turnbull was the tenant. He was succeeded by his son William, who died in 1686, and a tombstone in the old churchyard of Abbotrule records his death. 

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