The Row

About The Row

'The Row' was, until 1823, part of a road which led through Lord Lauderdale's policy to the Easter Road at Norton. Two notable houses in The Row are Nos 4 and 19.
No 19 The Row was the home of Dr John Wilson (1804-1875), minister of the West Kirk, who went to India as a missionary and founded Wilson's College. He was held in high esteem throughout India and was a close friend of Dr Livingstone.
No 4 The Row was built by the Burghers in 1795 as a meeting house and church. It has subsequently been used as a school, joiners shop and more recently a house.
There are two entrances to The Row from the High Street and between these entrances stood in bye-gone days the "Sumer Tree". This "Sumer Tree" was a maypole. A single storey cottage on the High Street now occupies the site of the "Sumer Tree".
At the top of The Row, turn right, this was once the West Port to Lauder Burgh.
The West Port was renowned for Bailie William Lauder at the West Port who was slain by the Earl of Home's men who had been pursuing him. He took refuge in the Town Hall then the Tolbooth and they set fire to it in order to "burn" him out (1606).