GARVALD-AND-BARA, a parish, in the county of
Haddington, 5 miles (S. E. by E.) from Haddington;
containing 862 inhabitants, of whom 257 are in the
village. The district of (iarvald derives its name, signifying
in the Gaelic language "the rough water", from the
situation of its village on a rapid and impetuous stream,
forcing its way through a channel of rugged fragments
of rock, and which, after floods or continued rains, in
the violence of its course throws out stones of great
weio-ht upon the low grounds. Garvald and Bara were
united in 1/02, and service was alternately performed in
the church of each parish till the year 1744, when that
of Bara fell into a state of dilapidation. The parish is
nearly nine miles in length from east to west, and almost
five in breadth from north to south; and is bounded on
the north and east by the parish of Whittingham, on
the south by that of Lauder in Berwickshire, and on the
west by the parishes of Giiford, Haddington, and Morham.
Its surface is varied, rising in elevation towards
the Lammermoor hills, displaying in some parts an intermixture
of heath and grass, and in others being richly
cultivated and covered with lu.vuriant verdure. In several
places the soil is a deep loam, resting upon clay, and
exceedingly fertile; and in others, of a light gravelly
nature, well adapted for the growth of turnips and potatoes,
both of which are raised to a very considerable extent.
The chief crops are oats and barley, potatoes,
turnips, beans, and peas, with some wheat. The system
of agriculture is highly improved; the farms are
thoroughly drained and well inclosed, and much ground
that was formerly barren heath has, by a liberal use of
lime, been brought into an excellent state of cultivation.
On the higher lands is fine pasturage for sheep, of which
more than 7000 are in general kept, chiefly of the blackfaced
and Cheviot breeds, with an occasional cross of the
Leicestershire, which appears to answer well; about 300
black-cattle, also, are annually fed and fattened for the
butcher. The farm-houses and offices are substantial,
and all the recent improvements in agricultural implements
have been generally adopted. The annual value
of real property in Garvald and Bara is £7571-
Nunraw.-d seat in the parish, was anciently a nunnery,
a cell belonging to the priory of Haddington; a great
portion of the building has been modernised, but it still
displays many indications of antiquity. Hopes is an
elegant mansion built by the present owner; it is
pleasantly situated in a sequestered glen, near the Lammermoor
hills, and in a well-disposed demesne, enriched
with thriving plantations formed by the proprietor, who
has also added greatly to the beauty and interest of the
parish by various other plantations on the estate. The
village is neatly built, and has facility of communication
with neighbouring places by good roads kept in repair
by statute labour, and by the turnpike-road from Dunse
to Haddington, which passes for six miles through the
parish. Most of its inhabitants are employed in weaving,
and in the various trades requisite for the supply of
a country district; and several are engaged in some
freestone-quarries situated near the village. Ecclesiastically
the parish is within the bounds of the presbytery
of Haddington, synod of Lothian and Tweeddale. The
stipend of the incumbent is £189; the manse is a comfortable
residence, erected in 18'20, and the glebe comprises
thirteen acres and a half of land, valued at £2.5
per annum. The church is an ancient structure, repaired
and enlarged in 1829; it is adapted to a congregation of
360 persons, but is inconveniently situated at one extremity
of the parish. There is a place of worship for
members of the Free Church. The parochial school
affords a useful education to about sixty children; the
master has a salary of £34, with a house and garden,
and the fees average about £16 per annum. Two
friendly societies are kept up. Near the Lammermoor
hills are the ruins of Whitecastle, a strong ancient fortress,
erected for the defence of a pass from the Merse
and from the English frontier. On the lands of Garvald
farm are the remains of a circular encampment, about
1500 feet in circumference: there was a similar camp
on the lands of Carfrae, the stones of which were used
to form an inclosure; and in removing them for that
purpose, the brass handle of a sword was discovered.
At Newlands are tumuli called respectively the Black
and the Green Castle; the spot was planted by the
Marquess of Tweeddale, within the last few years, with
Scotch firs. There are two other encampments, one on
Park farm, and the other on the estate of Hopes.