Crossword-Solution: ELLIOTTS 8 letters, 6 clues 🏆 scrabble score: 8

The Elliotts themselves have had a chequered history; but these Elliotts deduced, besides, from three of the most unfortunate of the border clans—the Nicksons, the Ellwalds, and the Crozers.

Pride glowed in their bosoms to publish their relationship to “Andrew Ellwald of the Laverockstanes, called ‘Unchancy Dand,’ who was justifeed wi’ seeven mair of the same name at Jeddart in the days of King James the Sax.” In all this tissue of crime and misfortune, the Elliotts of Cauldstaneslap had one boast which must appear legitimate: the males were gallows-birds, born outlaws, petty thieves, and deadly brawlers; but, according to the same tradition, the females were all chaste and faithful.

The men of the Elliotts were proud, lawless, violent as of right, cherishing and prolonging a tradition.

All the other Elliotts were as lean as a rake, but Clement was laying on fat, and he panted sorely when he must get into his boots.

His “Hermiston Burn,” with its pretty refrain— “I love to gang thinking whaur ye gang linking, Hermiston burn, in the howe;” his “Auld, auld Elliotts, clay-cauld Elliotts, dour, bauld Elliotts of auld,” and his really fascinating piece about the Praying Weaver’s Stone, had gained him in the neighbourhood the reputation, still possible in Scotland, of a local bard; and, though not printed himself, he was recognised by others who were and who had become famous.