Cranston

Cranston or Cranstown is a parish in north-east Midlothian. It contains the villages of Cowsland, Preston, Chester Hill, Sauchenside, and part of the village of Ford. It is bounded by the East Lothian to the east and by the parishes of Crichton, Borthwick, Dalkeith, Newbattle, and Inveresk. Its length northward is five miles, with a breadth of three miles.

The surface is undulating, picturesque, and well cultivated. Coal, limestone, and sandstone are abundant. Cakemuir Tower, in the middle of the parish of Crichton, is in an isolated portion of this parish. It is square, four storeys high, and is said to have been occupied by Queen Mary on her escape from Borthwick Castle.

The A68 road from Edinburgh to Lauder passes through the parish. The church has been rebuilt in the pointed style. There is also a United Presbyterian church at Ford. Cranston gives title of baron to the noble family descended from Sir W. Cranston, who was raised to the peerage in 1609. Turnips, cabbages, and other vegetables are said to have been first introduced into thus part of Scotland by Sir J. Dalrymple; and coal-tar was first made there by Earl Dundonald.

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