FIELD MEETINGS. 



The first tield meeting for the season took place on tlie 9th of 

 June. The [jroyraninie for the day was a drive from Castle- 

 Douglas, embracing Threave Castle, the reputed site of an old 

 Abbey near (xlenlochar, Balniaghie Churcli, and Croft moat, but 

 the state (^f tlie weather seriously curtailed it. The Dumfries 

 party reached Castle-Douglas in a downpour of rain, where they 

 were joined by Dr Reid, of Balniaghie, and Mr Imrie, architect, 

 and drove at once to Abbeyyard, reputed to be the site of an oM 

 Abbey, and marked as such on an oM Ordnance Survey niaii. 

 No trace, however, now remains of sucli a l)uilding, if one ever 

 existed. Crossing the Dee at Glenlochar Bridge, the party next 

 proceeded to Balniaghie, where they inspected the church and 

 chuichyaid. the former of whicli dates from 1794, and has re- 

 cently l:)een improved and enlarged, having a handsome i)ulpit of 

 carved oak, and behind it a Rood screen of similar character, 

 tlie gift of Mr Graham Hutcliison of Balniaghie, who also pre- 

 sented two stained-glass windows tlanking the pulpit ; while at 

 tlie opposite end is another beautiful three-light window, the 

 gift of a brother. Tlie church contains mural tablets commem- 

 orative of former ministers, the most noted of whom was tlie 

 Rev. John M'Millan, founder of the modern Cameronian Church, 

 M'hose incumbency of Balniaghie extended over 26 years, in tlie 

 beginning of last century, during all liut the tirst three of wliich 

 he was maintained in tlie benefice by the parishioners in the face 

 of a sentence of deposition by the Presbytery. Tlie only 

 remarkable thing about the churchyard is that it contains the 

 tombs of three martyrs who suffered in the times of the per- 

 secution. The party were afterwards hospitably entertained in 



