30 Ormiston Hall: its Yew-Tree [Sess. 



Ked-deer were very plentiful in Lord Middleton's forest in 

 the neighbourliood. On one occasion, while two of our number 

 ascended Beinn Bhan, they saw a herd of over 200 at one time. 

 We noticed few wild animals, but Mr M'Eae, Lord Middleton's 

 gamekeeper, informed us that he occasionally trapped wild cats, 

 large and splendid specimens, and that lie sent the skins to 

 Inverness, where he got five shillings each for them. 



Though we met with nothing very rare, as I have already 

 said, in our rambles, still we enjoyed a most delightful holiday 

 trip, not alogether without profit, amid the wild and picturesque 

 scenery of this Ross-shire village, overlooking the Western Isles ; 

 while, last but not least, we laid up a store of health and had 

 our energies renewed for the labours of the winter. 



Nil.— ORMISTON HALL: LTS YEW-TREE AND 

 OTHER ANTLQULTIE8. 



By Mr JOHN LINDSAY. 



{Read Jan. S6, 1S87.) 



A VISITOR to the quiet little village of Ormiston is at once 

 struck by its peculiar aspect, it being so unlike all other Scottish 

 villages with which he is acquainted, and so remarkably similar 

 in appearance to some English villages which he may have 

 seen. It is situated on the north bank of the Tyne, in the 

 centre of a fertile district, and is noteworthy for its acres of straw- 

 berries and other fruits. Sitting down beside the monument 

 lately erected to the memory of Dr Moffat, the African mission- 

 ary, in this place of his birth, on a still, warm June day like 

 that on which the Club visited it last summer, we may rest a 

 while to take in the scene before us. The silence is almost 

 oppressive as we look away west, up the long line of village 

 street, with its tall and fine trees set at regular intervals on 

 each side, and casting dark shadows athwart the wide interven- 

 ing space. Not a living thing is to be seen moving out-of- 

 doors, suggesting the fancy that some enchanter's wand has been 

 waved over the scene ; while the only sound is a dull clang 

 which reaches us lazily through the heavy noontide air from the 



