Originally published in 1907, this book describes the Valley of the Rule River in the Borders region of Scotland and the lives of the people who lived there during the 18th and 19th centuries in picturesque yet objective terms.
Rulewater and its People is an unusual resource for those wanting to know about life in rural Scotland including the villages and estates like Bedrule, Spittal-on-Rule, Abbotrule, Hobkirk, Bonchester, Hallrule, Bullerwell, Town O' Rule. Hawthornside, Harwood, Stonedge, Wauchope. The author's extensive family tree records make this work a valuable reference for many seeking information about the geneology of their families including those named Turnbull, Oliver, Scott, Armstrong, Eliott, Minto, Rutherfurd, Rutherford, Young, Kerr, St. Clair, Sinclair, Usher, Laidla, Laidlaw, and others.
In 1907 the author said "The population of our Border parishes are all much alike-landowners, ministers, farmers, shepherds, tradesmen, gamekeepers, and farm-servants. Some are here today and away tomorrow; others cling to their native parish. They may leave it for a time, but generally return-these all find a place in this history of the district. In whatever part of the world this book falls into the hands of a Rulewater man or one who is united to this district by the ties of ancestry or kindred, I trust its perusal may have the effect of intensifying his love, and of drawing him in closer bonds of fellowship with his brethren in the Watergate. I publish this book, not for the landowners of the valley, but for the descendants of those old residenters who in their day and generation have helped to keep together the clanship of the Borders. If this humble attempt of mine should in any way promote this object, I shall feel well repaid for the trouble I have taken."
