Operations and Finds in Upper Nithsdale. 29 



up to the level of the ground so far as not covered by the present 

 building, and covered with picked freestone. This was done by 

 the Marquess of Bute with consent of the heritors. The old 

 church was of great antiquity, and had several altars and figures 

 of freestone within its walls. One of these figures, traditionally 

 known as the " Bishop of Sanquhar," was removed to Friars' 

 Carse about the end of last century by the celebrated antiquarian, 

 Captain Riddel, and long lay in the railed enclosure adjoining 

 the Hermitage there. I exhibit two photographs of the figure 

 taken from dilfei'ent views as it lay in the enclosure. It has now 

 been restored to its former habitation by the Marquess, and 

 placed on an elegant slab of Dumfriesshire red sandstone, set on 

 pillars with ornamental wrought iron railing around the open 

 sides. An inscription on the plinth narrates its history, and 

 states that it was placed there by the Marquess as 14th Baron 

 Crichton of Sanquhar, in 1897. 



The figure is believed to commemorate William Crichton, who 

 was Rector of Sanquhar in the reign of James V., and if this 

 assum2ition is correct it would further embellish tlie church and 

 gives additional interest to the figure to place in the west wall 

 tlie slab at Blackaddie (the old manse of Sanquhar) with black 

 letter inscription commemorating his erection of the manse. It 

 may, however, be suggested that the slab at Blackaddie may 

 have been removed from the church when the figure was picked 

 up by Riddel and built into the manse for preservation. 



Captain Riddel raided the whole district for antiquities. The 

 font stone of Morton Old Chui-ch is at Friars' Carse, correctly 

 labelled, and I believe a movement is on foot to have it restored 

 to the present church of Morton. 



The most extensive work of the nature in this district is in 

 progress at Sanquhar Castle. Works of restoration and pre- 

 servation are being rapidly pushed forward, and the members of 

 this society could not do better than visit in the coming summer 

 the ancient residence of the Crichtons and take notes for them- 

 selves. I would have given a full description of the work at 

 present accomplished, had it not been that the Dumfries Standard 

 a few weeks ago gave an accurate account of all that has been so 

 well done under Lord Bute's directions. 



It must also be mentioned that Morton Castle, in the parish 

 of Morton, has been dealt with by the Duke of Buccleuch by 

 way of pointing and filling up of gaps so as to preserve the 



