104 EXCAVATIONS AT HOLYWOoD. 
the scene, and he also showed coins (one of them of the period 
of Henry II.) found in graves in the churchyard. 
Mr Barbour observed that the ruins that had been excavated 
were certainly part of the ancient abbey buildings, but whether 
they were part of the ancient abbey itself or not was another 
question. Personally, he would not go the length of saying so, 
though there were certain evidences to support the theory. He 
had not seen any positive evidence of ecclesiastical buildings at 
the churchyard, however, and he did not think they should go 
beyond what they could actually prove. A great many interesting 
mouldings had been found, and it was to be learned from these 
that the period was generally early English. He produced a 
slate that had been unearthed, and which he supposed must at 
one time have been taken from a quarry at Routin’ Bridge, where 
such slate was to be found. He also produced a very curious 
carved stone, the character of which showed that the original 
sculptors must have possessed a good deal of humour.* Mr 
Barbour added that he was informed the heritors of Holywood 
had agreed to the preservation of the excavated wall. 
2nd February, 1906. 
Chairman—Mr JAMEs BarRzovur, V.P. 
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE BURGH OF LOCHMABEN. 
By E. B. Raz, Town Clerk. 
Lochmaben may justly claim to be considered one of the 
oldest burghs in Scotland, having been the capital of the Western 
Marches and ancient shire or Stewartry of Annandale. Various 
conjectures, more ingenious than correct, have been made as to 
the origin of the name of the burgh. The Gaelic loch-maol-ben 
signifies the Lake of the Bald or Smooth eminences, hence Loch- 
maben. ‘The father of the present laird of Rammerscales, who 
was an authority on the subject, considered that Malben or Maben 
was simply a contraction for Magdalen, the patron saint of the 
burgh, hence Loch Malben or Maben. It was also supposed 
* A plan of the wall is preserved in the Society’s Portfolio, 
