Nixt day, Tuesday and 5 of November, on by tymes for Durham, 14 miles.  My saddle proved so unmeit for the horse back that it turned perpetually with me.  At last changed horses with the postillon.  Came to Ferryhill, 4 miles to the south of Durham, askes for Isabell Haswal their, is most kindlie received; comes to Durham be ten a cloak, on of the most strong tounes, and that naturally, we saw in all England; then for Newcastle, 10 miles.  Our postillon Need of Durham the greatest pimp of England.  Neer Newcastle saw thesse pits of coall that carries its name.  Then to Morpeth, 10 miles; which wearied us so sore that we resolved to post no more, but to hire horses home the Kelso way; wheirupon the postmaster furnished us horses to carry us to Ulars,[486] 22 miles; but ere we had reached Whittinghame throw that most sad and wearisome moore and those griveous rocks and craigs called Rumsyde Moore we ware so spent that we was able to go no further; sent back our horses and stayed their all night.

    [486] Wooler.

Nixt day, being Thursday 7 November, got horses from that miserable village to carry us the other 8 miles to Ulars [Wooler[487]].  After we was once up the braes we meet with wery good way.[488] At Ulars had much difficulty to find horses for Kelso, 12 miles further.  At lenth we found, which brought us thither about the evening; crossed the Tuede in boate just forgainst the toune, which beyond compare hes the pleasantest situation of ever any toune I yet saw in Scotland.  Their stands the relicks of a magnifick Abbasie that hes bein their.  Lodged at Charles Pots; fand a sensible decay of service by that a man hes in England.  Having provided horses to carry us to Edinburgh, 28 miles, we parted nixt morning Fryday 8 November.

    [487] Interlined.

    [488] i.e. the road was good.

Saw hard by Kelso thesse 2 most pleasant houses that belong to my Lord Roxborough, the Flowers[489] and the Friers.  Throw muiresh, barren ground we came in sight of Lauder, 10 miles of Kelso, on the west bray, face of the Lider Water.  Over forgainst it stands a pretty house belonging to my Lord Lauderdale:  4 mile further of excellent way all amongs the mids of hills stands Ginglekirk[490] wheir we dined; then forward our Sautry[491] hils of whilk we discovered Edinborough.  Passing throw Fallean[492] came to the Furd within 6 mile of Edinborrough, yet we called first at New Cranston, Sir J. Fletchers house; but himselfe was in the north marrieing the Lady Elsick; his sone James and his daughter ware at Ormaston.  James as soon as he heard we was their came to the foord to us, stayed with us all night; took us up to Cranston with him; wheir was receaved most magnifickly by him and his sister.

    [489] Now Floors.

    [490] Now Channelkirk, still locally pronounced Shinglekirk.

    [491] Soutra.

    [492] Now Fala.

Parted that day, being Saturday and 9 of November 1667, for Edinborough, whither by Dalkeith I arrived safelie about 4 a Cloak in the afternoon amongs my friends, from whom I had bein absent some 2 years and 8 moneths.