"In the bounds of the lands of eccles, belonging to a lyneage of the name of Maitland, there is a loch called the Dowloch, of old resorted to with much superstition, as medicinal both for men and beasts, and that with such ceremonies, as are shrewdly suspected to have been begun with witchcraft, and increased afterward by magical directions: For, burying of a cloth, or somewhat that did relate to the bodies of men and women, and a shackle, or teather, belonging to cow or horse; and these being cast into the loch, if they did float, it was taken for a good omen of recovery, and a part of the water carried to the patient, though to remote places, without saluting or speaking to any they met by the way; but, if they did sink, the recovery of the party was hopeless.
"Minstrelsy of the Scottish border (3rd ed) (1 of 3)"
Walter Scott
At the same time he destroyed about 30 towns, towers and villages on the Tweed, 36 on the Teviot, 12 on Rulewater, 13 on the Jed, 45 on the Kale, 19 on the Bowmont, 109 in the parishes of eccles and Duns in Berwickshire, with 20 other towns and villages in the same county.
"In the Border Country"
W. S. (William Shillinglaw) Crockett
"Mr. eccles, sir, will be down in a moment, if you 'll be pleased to wait for him," said the man.
"That Boy Of Norcott's"
Charles James Lever
