REPORTS ON EXCURSIONS. 101 
was formerly known as Balvie, and was acquired by the father of 
Mr. A. C. Douglas, the present proprietor. 
Near the entrance gate to the old castle, and on one side of the 
road, are several old beeches which formerly were part of an avenue 
leading to the castle. The kitchen (now converted into a dwelling- 
house for one of the employés on the estate) and some outhouses 
are now all that remain of this ancient habitation. By the road- 
side, in close: proximity to the castle, are several very fine great 
maples (Acer Pseudo-platanus). Two of these were measured, and 
one (to the east) girthed 11 ft. 5} in. at 4 ft. 8 in. on the side next 
the road, while the other (to the west) measured 10 ft. 11 in. at 
5 ft. ll in. Another tree of the same kind, on a hillock west of 
the old castle, girthed 14 ft. 104 in. at 6 ft. on south side. The 
stump of a walnut (Juglans regia), blown down about four years 
ago, was pointed out by Mr. Ferguson. In the WVew Statistical 
Account of Scotland, this tree was reported to measure 11} ft. 
A Scots fir in the Mains Wood was found to measure 8 ft. 
2 in. at 6 ft. 4 in. on north side. In the neighbourhood of the 
mansion-house, the largest beech, situated a short distance north 
of the house, girthed 12 ft, 84 in. at 4 ft. 10 in. on west side; 
while a hornbeam measured 8 ft. 2 in. at 3 ft. 3 in. 
Dawze.y, 6th May, 1893.—The party, numbering over 20, 
travelled by rail to Motherwell, and proceeded from thence through 
the town to Dalzell, the residential estate of Lord Hamilton. On 
reaching the house they were met by Mr. Angus, gardener, who 
conducted them over the estate and pointed out the various 
features of interest. 
The house, which attracted considerable attention, is pic- 
turesquely situated on the north bank of the Dalzell Glen. It 
was originally a peel-keep with walls of great thickness, and is 
supposed to have been built about the year 1450. Several 
_ additions have been made to it since that time, the most important 
of which date from 1650 and 1865. In front of the courtyard 
stands the cross of the old village of Dalzell. This village stood 
at one time on the bank of the glen in the neighbourhood of the 
mansion, but few traces of it now’remain. To preserve the cross 
from injury, it was removed to its present position a number of 
years ago. 
