Field Meetings. 73 



of Trinity, wbo had kindly ofFei-ed to guide them to the various 

 places of interest. The Town Hall was first visited, where some 

 objects of antiquity were duly examined and explained. From 

 there they proceeded to the site of the old Castle, situated on the 

 Castlehill overlooking the Kirk Loch. This building was proba- 

 bly erected before the days of David I., and is supposed to be the 

 castle referred to in the charter by which David conveyed to 

 Robert Bruce, the second Lord of Skelston, " all the territory called 

 Estrahanneit" — i.e., Annandale, "with his castle there and all the 

 customs pertaining to it." Round the Castlehill there are traces 

 of a deep fosse, and near its summit heaps of building material 

 crop above the surface. Near to the Kirk Loch, and at the west 

 end of the town, is the " Kirkyaird" of Lochmaben, where stood 

 the old palish church with its choii-, dedicated to St. Magdalene. 

 Within that sacred edifice a sanguinary conflict between the Max. 

 wells and the Johnstones took place, which resulted in the total 

 destruction of the biiilding by fire, all the Maxwells who had 

 taken refuge therein perishing. The party next proceeded to the 

 Castle Loch, and, having taken seats in four boats which were in 

 waiting, sailed across to " Bruce's Castle," situated at the 

 opposite side. Mr Graham described the building, and narrated 

 several incidents connected with its history from the days of 

 Bruce. He suggested that the present keeper of the " keys," Mr 

 Hope Johnstone, and Mr Jardine, as "proprietor of the land 

 without the gates," should be asked to allow the inner fosse to be 

 cleaned out, so as to admit boats to pass round the Castle. A 

 Business Meeting was now held on the site of the Old Castle, at 

 which Mr Carruthers, of the Botanical Department, British 

 Museum, and Mr Graham were elected Honorary Members, and 

 Messrs Laurie and Duncan ordinary members. Several specimens 

 of the fishes in the loch were obtained from the boatmen for pre- 

 servation in the Observatory Museum, and a bottle of the water 

 which is of a greenish tint, was taken for analysis. Having 

 thanked Mr Graham, the party returned to the landing stage, and 

 from there proceeded to the residence of Mr Waugh, where an 

 extensive collection of coins and interesting curiosities was 

 inspected. A call was next made on the Rev. Mr Hill, who shewed 

 his visitors over his extensive flower garden, which aftbrded a 

 pleasing and refreshing variety to the day's enjoyment. The 

 party returned to Dumfries about eight o'clock. 



