EARLSTON (formerly ERCILDOUNE, of which it is a corrup tion), parish and market town, Berwickshire, Scotland. Pop. 1,689. It is on Leader Water in Lauderdale, 7 2 1 m. S.E. of Edinburgh by the L.N.E.R. branch line from Reston Junction to St. Boswells, and about 4 m. N.E. of Melrose. Originally it was called Arcioldun or "Prospect Fort," an ancient earthwork on Black Hill. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Lindsays and the earls of March and Dunbar were the chief baronial families. The ivy-clad ruin of the ancient tower, "The Rhymer's Castle," is the traditional residence of Thomas Learmont, commonly called Thomas of Ercildoune, or Thomas the Rhymer, poet and prophet, and friend of the Fairies, who was born here about 1225. The Edinburgh Border Counties Association acquired this relic and surrounding lands in 1895. The leading manufactures are ging hams and tweeds, and the town is also an agricultural centre, stock and corn sales taking place at regular intervals and cattle and horse fairs being held every year. Some 3 m. away is Bemersyde, said to have been in the possession of the Haigs for i,000 years, and presented to Field Marshal Earl Haig by the nation in 1921. The prospect from Bemersyde Hill was Sir Walter Scott's favour ite view. The castle at Bemersyde was erected in 1535 to secure the peace of the Border.