An Historical Overview
The Tait's were an armigerous clan who hailed from the area of Innerleithen. {An armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognised as such by Lyon Court.}
There is mention of the Taits living at Pirn which is one of three hills that surround the small border town. As the eldest son of Alexander Horsburgh and Jean Riddell died without 'issue' their second son succeeded to the family estate and in 1662 he held the office of Sheriff Depute and sat in the tollbooth of Peebles "for serving of heirs." This was the beginning of the Horsburgh connection with the Taits of Pirn for on the death in 1664 of George Tayt of Prin the estates passed to his daughters Margaret and Anne. (around 2,00 acres) In 1677 they appeared before William Horsburgh, the Sheriff Depute for the ratification of their claims.
It was 1784 that the Sheriff's Depute's son Alexander married Margaret Tait. Alexander and Margaret had one child, William who died unmarried at the age of 24 and was buried in the family grave at Kirkburn. (loosely translated means church at the small river). A mural tablet bore the inscription 'Here lies the apparent chief of two old families the Horsburgh of that ilk and the Taits of Pirn. A man of courage, strength and comely features, of a good temper and obliging nature.'
After the death of his first wife Margaret Tait, Alexander Horsburgh married Elisabeth Mitchelson and had by her a son, John on whom the estate devolved. It was this John's son Alexander who was Laird of Pirn and entertained Robert Burns to tea.
After the Marriage of Alexander Horsburgh of that ilk and Margaret Tait the family moved from Horsburgh Castle to Pirn. The Taits or Tayts of Pirn had been in possession of their land since the time of King Robert the Bruce and there was a Feudal Tower attached to the property which they inhabited and from which many of the old charters were dated.
The ruins of Horsburgh Castle stand on an old bluff above the Tweed between Interleithen and Peebles. It was one of the chain of peel towers, wardens of the marches, stretching from Berwick to the Bield and from its battlements the beacon fire flared to summon the men-at-arms to ward off an attack of the English. *
There is mention of the Taits living at Pirn which is one of three hills that surround the small border town. As the eldest son of Alexander Horsburgh and Jean Riddell died without 'issue' their second son succeeded to the family estate and in 1662 he held the office of Sheriff Depute and sat in the tollbooth of Peebles "for serving of heirs." This was the beginning of the Horsburgh connection with the Taits of Pirn for on the death in 1664 of George Tayt of Prin the estates passed to his daughters Margaret and Anne. (around 2,00 acres) In 1677 they appeared before William Horsburgh, the Sheriff Depute for the ratification of their claims.
It was 1784 that the Sheriff's Depute's son Alexander married Margaret Tait. Alexander and Margaret had one child, William who died unmarried at the age of 24 and was buried in the family grave at Kirkburn. (loosely translated means church at the small river). A mural tablet bore the inscription 'Here lies the apparent chief of two old families the Horsburgh of that ilk and the Taits of Pirn. A man of courage, strength and comely features, of a good temper and obliging nature.'
After the death of his first wife Margaret Tait, Alexander Horsburgh married Elisabeth Mitchelson and had by her a son, John on whom the estate devolved. It was this John's son Alexander who was Laird of Pirn and entertained Robert Burns to tea.
After the Marriage of Alexander Horsburgh of that ilk and Margaret Tait the family moved from Horsburgh Castle to Pirn. The Taits or Tayts of Pirn had been in possession of their land since the time of King Robert the Bruce and there was a Feudal Tower attached to the property which they inhabited and from which many of the old charters were dated.
The ruins of Horsburgh Castle stand on an old bluff above the Tweed between Interleithen and Peebles. It was one of the chain of peel towers, wardens of the marches, stretching from Berwick to the Bield and from its battlements the beacon fire flared to summon the men-at-arms to ward off an attack of the English. *
Pirn House was erected circa 1700 and built in stages with the final pavilion wings being added in 1746.
It was known as the old-world home of Lady Horsburgh-Porter. Sadly the home fell to ruin and was demolished in 1953.
Pirn House was erected circa 1700 and built in stages with the final pavilion wings being added in 1746.
It was known as the old-world home of Lady Horsburgh-Porter. Sadly the home fell to ruin and was demolished in 1953.
*Source: The Scottish Field, October 1927, 'Pirn House', pages 170-173
The Taits and Innerleithen
The name Tait is probably of Norse-Viking origin, deriving from the pre 7th century Old Norse word "teitr", meaning glad or cheerful. In the 1881 census Tait was the 2nd most popular name in the town of Innerleithen.
The area occupied by the town has been inhabited since pre-Roman times. The remains of an Iron-Age hill fort are visible atop Caerlee Hill, in the form of defensive ditchworks. Ditchworks are also visible on the hill of Windy Knowe and, whilst there is some local speculation that these belong to an unusual round Roman hill fort, they are in fact typical of an indigenous iron age hill fort. Crop marks from aerial photographs of the 1950s suggest the existence of a semi-permanent Roman marching camp on the flood plain by the river Tweed at Toll Wood (near Traquair) and at nearby Eshiels.
The town is said to have been founded by an itinerant pilgrim monk called St Ronin in A.D.737, who came to Innerleithen via the River Tweed in a coricle. Monks would certainly have travelled the natural route of the Clyde and Tweed valleys on their way between the religious centres of Iona and Holy Island. A Celtic stone carved with cup and rings/channels, known as the Runic Cross (although there are neither runes on it, nor any evidence that it was a cross shaft) was found on the slopes of the Leithen valley suggesting that a church existed during the Early Middle Ages. The stone can be viewed in the courtyard of the parish church on Leithen Road.
Saint Ronan's Wells: In the local legend of the town's founding "St. Ronan Cleik't the Deil by the hind leg and banished him", possibly a metaphor for the monks bringing Christian learning back into these regions. The legend was actually formalised by Sir Walter Scott and was later instigated in a town festival called "The Cleikum Ceremonies" in 1901. This was seen as a way to prevent the legends and folktales of the region from dying out. Scott wrote about the town in his 1824 novel St. Ronan's Well.
The Ceremonies continue to this day as part of St. Ronans Borders Games, also known as 'Games Week' (although, in reality, this is a 10-day-long festival). The Border Games date from 1827 and are the oldest organised sports meeting in Scotland. These happen in the first and second week in July and draw significant local and tourist participation.
Accounts of Innerleithen date from the 12th century, when it was recorded as "Inverlethane". It is said that a son of King Malcolm IV of Scotland (who was staying at Traquair House on a hunting trip), drowned accidentally in a deep pool at the confluence of the rivers Leithen and Tweed. The body was recovered by locals and taken to the church, in recognition of which the King bestowed the right of sanctuary to the land. The pool where the drowning is alleged to have taken place is still known locally as "The Droont Pool". However, it should be borne in mind that Malcolm IV is reported to have died childless at the age of twenty five, so the tale is questionable.
Later written accounts of the town date from the 15th century when it is referred to as "Henderleithen", and at this point it is recorded as a hamlet within the Parish of Traquair, which with its major baronial house was centre of the Parish.
The industrial revolution and wool milling saw Innerleithen outgrow Traquair and become the larger village. Innerleithen's population rose from 1130 (1861 census) to it current level of over 2500. At one point it had five significant wool mills (or hosieries).
The area occupied by the town has been inhabited since pre-Roman times. The remains of an Iron-Age hill fort are visible atop Caerlee Hill, in the form of defensive ditchworks. Ditchworks are also visible on the hill of Windy Knowe and, whilst there is some local speculation that these belong to an unusual round Roman hill fort, they are in fact typical of an indigenous iron age hill fort. Crop marks from aerial photographs of the 1950s suggest the existence of a semi-permanent Roman marching camp on the flood plain by the river Tweed at Toll Wood (near Traquair) and at nearby Eshiels.
The town is said to have been founded by an itinerant pilgrim monk called St Ronin in A.D.737, who came to Innerleithen via the River Tweed in a coricle. Monks would certainly have travelled the natural route of the Clyde and Tweed valleys on their way between the religious centres of Iona and Holy Island. A Celtic stone carved with cup and rings/channels, known as the Runic Cross (although there are neither runes on it, nor any evidence that it was a cross shaft) was found on the slopes of the Leithen valley suggesting that a church existed during the Early Middle Ages. The stone can be viewed in the courtyard of the parish church on Leithen Road.
Saint Ronan's Wells: In the local legend of the town's founding "St. Ronan Cleik't the Deil by the hind leg and banished him", possibly a metaphor for the monks bringing Christian learning back into these regions. The legend was actually formalised by Sir Walter Scott and was later instigated in a town festival called "The Cleikum Ceremonies" in 1901. This was seen as a way to prevent the legends and folktales of the region from dying out. Scott wrote about the town in his 1824 novel St. Ronan's Well.
The Ceremonies continue to this day as part of St. Ronans Borders Games, also known as 'Games Week' (although, in reality, this is a 10-day-long festival). The Border Games date from 1827 and are the oldest organised sports meeting in Scotland. These happen in the first and second week in July and draw significant local and tourist participation.
Accounts of Innerleithen date from the 12th century, when it was recorded as "Inverlethane". It is said that a son of King Malcolm IV of Scotland (who was staying at Traquair House on a hunting trip), drowned accidentally in a deep pool at the confluence of the rivers Leithen and Tweed. The body was recovered by locals and taken to the church, in recognition of which the King bestowed the right of sanctuary to the land. The pool where the drowning is alleged to have taken place is still known locally as "The Droont Pool". However, it should be borne in mind that Malcolm IV is reported to have died childless at the age of twenty five, so the tale is questionable.
Later written accounts of the town date from the 15th century when it is referred to as "Henderleithen", and at this point it is recorded as a hamlet within the Parish of Traquair, which with its major baronial house was centre of the Parish.
The industrial revolution and wool milling saw Innerleithen outgrow Traquair and become the larger village. Innerleithen's population rose from 1130 (1861 census) to it current level of over 2500. At one point it had five significant wool mills (or hosieries).
Latest TAIT arms to be registered with the Lord Lyon are of Thomas Tait of Kirkintilloch described as follows-:
Argent, a saltire engrailed Gules, on a chief of the Second three towers Or between each tower a quill paleways of the First veined Or.
Above the Shield is placed an Helm befitting his degree with a Mantling Gules doubled Argent and on a Wreath of the Liveries is set for Crest a Bengal cat sejant guardant Proper,
And in an Escrol over the same this Motto “CURAE EST SENTIRE”. (I feel therefore I care)
Grant: The Court of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh, Dr Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon (awaiting letters patent)
Artist – Arms: Anthony Maxwell.
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Note the Mantling Gules Doubled Argent same as the Tait of Pirn arms contained in the Horsburgh arms pictured above.
Argent, a saltire engrailed Gules, on a chief of the Second three towers Or between each tower a quill paleways of the First veined Or.
Above the Shield is placed an Helm befitting his degree with a Mantling Gules doubled Argent and on a Wreath of the Liveries is set for Crest a Bengal cat sejant guardant Proper,
And in an Escrol over the same this Motto “CURAE EST SENTIRE”. (I feel therefore I care)
Grant: The Court of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh, Dr Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon (awaiting letters patent)
Artist – Arms: Anthony Maxwell.
____________________________________________________
Note the Mantling Gules Doubled Argent same as the Tait of Pirn arms contained in the Horsburgh arms pictured above.