GIFFORD, a village, in the parish of Yester, county
of Haddington, 4 miles (S.) from Haddington; containing
525 inhabitants. "This village, which is beautifully
situated on the east bank of the Gifford water, and
in the picturesque vale of Yester, is built chiefly on
lands leased from the Marquess of Tweeddale, and held
by tenure of certain feudal services. In consequence of
agreeing to render these services, the inhabitants were
exempted by the marquess from various taxes and imposts,
and were endowed with a grant of common land,
comprising sixty acres, valued at £100 per annum, and
the produce of part of which, now under cultivation, is
apphed to the improvement of the place. The marquess,
as lord of the manor, formerly appointed a baron-bailie,
and held a Birla or Boorlaw court, to which was attached
an officer called a constable. This court, which was
discontinued only within the last fifty or sixty years,
exercised jurisdiction in petty misdemeanors, and had a
prison and stocks for the confinement and punishment
of offenders. The constable continued to retain his
office until the appointment of county or district constables.
The village consists principally of two streets
of regularly-built houses, one of which extends in a line
with the avenue leading to Ycster House, the property
of the marquess, and terminates with the parochial
school-house, a handsome building surmounted with a
small cupola and town clock: at the extremity of the
other street is the parish church. The inhabitants are
employed chiefly in the various trades requisite for the
supply of the vicinity, and partly in the cultivation of
the adjacent lands. The weaving of linen was formerly
carried on to some extent, affording occupation to more
than twenty persons at their own houses; but since the
introduction of improved machinery, it has greatly diminished,
and not above three or four persons are little
more than half engaged in that pursuit. A sub-postoffice
has been established, which has a daily delivery;
and the East Lothian Agricultural Society hold an annual
meeting here, to award premiums for improvements
in husbandry, and for the best pens of sheep. Fairs for
the sale of sheep, cattle, and horses, are held on the last
Tuesday in March, the third in June, and the first in
October, which are numerously attended, and at which
seldom less than 4000 sheep, .500 head of cattle, and an
equal number of horses, are brought for sale. All the
poor used to receive soup three times in the week, from
the kitchen of the Marquess of Tweeddale, when the
family were residing at Yester; and they still derive an
ample supply of fuel from his lordship's grounds.