SPOTT, a parish and village, in the county of Haddington,
2 miles (S.) from Dunbar; containing 603 inhabitants,
of whom 161 are in the village. This place,
the name of which appears to be descriptive of its retired
situation, is chiefly distinguished for its proximity
to the scene of the memorable battle fought on the 3rd
of September, 1650, between the Scots under General
Leslie and the English under Cromwell. The former,
strongly encamped on the summit of Doon hill, and
superior in numbers, were induced to descend into the
plain at the moment when Cromwell, despairing of success,
and weakened by want of provisions, was about to
re-embark his troops at Dunbar. Observing this movement
from an eminence on which he stood, Cromwell
ordered an immediate attack; the Scots were put to
the rout, and pursued with great slaughter. The remains
of Leslie's camp are distinctly traceable; and warlike
implements, and bones of the slain, are still found in
the vicinity. The parish is about ten miles in length
and five in breadth, and comprises nearly 4000 acres, of
which 2800 are arable, 100 woodland and plantations,
and the remainder rough pasture and waste. A wide
tract of land intersecting the parish was formerly an
open common, and supposed to belong to the parish of
Dunbar; it is now inclosed and brought into cultivation,
and in all probability will eventually be annexed,
in portions, to the several parishes to which its divisions
are contiguous. The surface of Spott is pleasingly undulated,
presenting a striking combination of hills and
dales. The eminences generally increase in elevation as
they approach the Lammermoor hills, where they attain
a height of 7OO feet above the level of the sea. Doon
hill, the site of General Leslie's camp, and within a mile
of the village, rises to 550 feet. The principal stream is
the Spott water, which abounds with trout, and which,
after winding along the vale where the village is situated,
is joined by a smaller burn from the grounds of
Spott House; it is then called the river Broxburn, and
falls into the sea at Broxmouth. Another stream, called
Bothwell water, after skirting the parish on the south,
falls into the Whitadder near the parish of Cranshaws.
In the vicinity of the village is St. John's Well, from
which the town of Dunbar is supplied with water.
The SOIL is generally light and sandy, but in some
parts clayey: the crops are wheat, barley, oats, potatoes,
and turnips, for which last the lighter soils are
well adapted, and of which large quantities are raised.
Agriculture is in a very forward state, and bone-dust
and rape manures have been extensively introduced; the
farm houses and offices are substantial and well arranged,
the lands inclosed, and the fences kept in good order.
Great attention is paid to the improvement of live-stock,
and considerable numbers of sheep and cattle are pastured;
the sheep are principally of the Cheviot, Leicestershire,
and black-faced breeds, and the cattle of the
short-horned and Highland breeds. In the lower parts
the substrata are red sandstone and conglomerate rock;
the hills are chiefly of greywacke and secondary trap.
The sandstone is quarried for building and for other
purposes. Spott House is beautifully situated at the
foot of Doon hill, in a demesne embellished with natural
wood and with thriving plantations; it is a handsome
mansion, and has been greatly enlarged and improved.
Oliver Cromwell slept in this house the night after the
battle of Dunbar: the room is still shewn. Bowerhouse
is a modern mansion, pleasantly situated near the northern
boundary of the parish, and commanding extensive
and richly-diversified prospects. The village is delightfully
seated in the small valley watered by the Spott
rivulet; it is neatly built and well inhabited, and, when
seen in combination with the church nearly adjoining it,
forms an interesting feature in the landscape. A manufactory
of potato starch and flour, which employs about
six persons, is carried on upon the farm of Easter
Broomhouse. Facility of communication with Dunbar,
the nearest market-town, and with other places in the
vicinity, is afforded by good roads. The annual value
of real property in Spott is £6445. It is ecclesiastically
in the presbytery of Dunbar, synod of Lothian and
Tweeddale, and in the patronage of James j^sq.;
the minister's stipend averages £272, with a iii^K, and
a glebe valued at £30 per annum. The church is conveniently
situated. The parochial school is well conducted;
the master has a salary of £34. 4., with £18 tees,
£3. 6. 8. the proceeds of an ancient bequest, and a house
and garden.