Warlocks, witches and wizards, in olden times, were believed to be evil spirits in the guise of human beings, and were very much feared. A knowe, pronounced "now," is a well-defined hillock or knoll, and when in a spot similar to the site of this green it was regarded with awe as being indeed a place where warlocks were wont to disport themselves. In "Rob Roy" it will be remembered, Bailie Nicol Jarvie's maid remonstrates: - "Ane would think that ye'd seen a witch or a warlock and no' a bonnie lookin' lassie like.

As is well known, Burns sang "Ca' the yowes to the knowes "; and in another of his beautiful songs, "Dainty Davie," we find -

Meet me on the Warlock Knowe,

Dainty Davie, dainty Davie, There I'll spend the day wi' you,

My ain dear dainty Davie.

And we have it again in " Last May a braw Wooer ": -

Hut a' the neist week, as I fretted \vi' care, I gaed to the tryst o' Dalyarnock,

And wha hut my tine tickle lover was there !

Wha glower'd as gin he'd seen a warlock, a warlock, Wha glower'd as gin he'd seen a warlock.

A curious anecdote is told concerning John Napier, of Merchiston, the inventor of Logarithms. He was residing at Gartness near Loch Lomond when engaged on his calculations, and was so absorbed in his task that on occasions of a night he wandered out of doors wearing his night-gown and night-cap. This habit gained for him the unenviable reputation of being a warlock. It was firmly believed and currently reported that he was in compact with the Devil, and that the time he spent in his study was occupied in learning the Black Art and holding conversations with "Auld Nick."