Stobo

STOBO, a parish, containing a post-office station of its own name, in Peebles-shire.  It is bounded by Newlands, Lyne, Peebles, Manor, Drummelzier, and Glenholm.  Its length north-north-eastward is 6 miles; and its mean breadth is between 3 and 4 miles.  Biggar water runs a short distance on the south-western boundary.  The Tweed, immediately after receiving Biggar water, runs about 6½ miles partly on the southern boundary, partly in the interior, and partly on the south-eastern boundary.  Lyne water runs along the northern and north-eastern boundary to a junction with the Tweed.  The western border of the parish has a basis of no less than 700 feet higher than the eastern, or the level of the Tweed; and from this basis it sends up summits, four or five of which rise upwards of 1,600 feet above sea-level, but all of which necessarily appear, from the low or rather table grounds in their vicinity, to be of inconsiderable altitude.  The chief is PYKED STANE: which see.  All the western division is wildly upland, and fit only for sheep-pasture.  The interior heights are on the whole arranged into three chains or ranges, which extend east-south-eastward,—diminish in altitude as they approach the Tweed,—enclose between them two vales, each drained by its own stream,—and overlook, respectively on the north and the south, the vale of the Lyne and that of the Tweed.  Some of the hills are green; but most are covered with heath.  The vale of the Tweed is naturally beautiful, and not a little artificially embellished.  Greywacke, more or less of a slaty structure, is the prevailing rock; and clayslate of a dark-blue colour, and well adapted to roofing purposes, occurs in some quantity, and has been extensively quarried.  The total extent of arable land is about 1,300 acres, and of woodland about 600 acres.  The soil presents much variety, yet is prevalently a light fertile loam,