HIGHTAE, a village, in the parish of Lochmaben,
county of Dumfries, 2| miles (S. W. by W.) from
Lockerbie; containing 436 inhabitants. It is situated
in the eastern part of the parish, and a short distance
from the river Annan, which separates Lochmaben from
the parish of Dryfesdale. This is one of the villages denominated
the " Four Towns ", the lands around which
being portions of the original royal domains granted by
Robert Bruce in small plots to the domestic servants of
Lochmaben Castle, are still held without any written
title other than a transference, by a tenant, of his right
to a successor. The holm ground attached to these villages,
of which Hightae is the largest, is uncommonly
rich and fertile. Loch Hightae, in the vicinity, is a fine
lake of fifty-two acres, abounding in perch, pike, trout,
bream, roach, and other fish. The Cameronians have a
place of worship, built in 1*96, originally for a Relief
congregation; and a school is endowed with the interest
of £100, left by Mr. James Richardson in 1*26. See
Lochmaben.