SELKIRKSHIRE, called also the Sheriffdom of Ettrick Forest, a county of Scotland, extending about 20 miles in length from east to west, and about 12 in breadth from south to north. It borders on the north with part of Tweeddale and Mid-Lothian; on the south and east with Teviotdale; and on the west with Annandale. This county was formerly reserved by the Scottish princes for the pleasure of the chace, and where they had houses for the reception of their train.
At that time the face of the country was covered with woods, in which there were great numbers of red and fallow deer, whence it had the name of Ettrick Forest. The woods, however, are now almost entirely cut down, and the county is chiefly supported by the breed of sheep. They are generally sold into the south, but sometimes into the Highlands, about the month of March, where they are kept during summer; and after being improved by the mountain-grass, are returned into the Lowlands in the beginning of winter.