llu • Field Meetings. 



the persecuting- gToup of Dumfriesshire lairds, but of whom a 

 more fragrant memory survives as the father of Annie Laurie of 

 the song. Her mother was a Riddel — daughter of this Walter of 

 Minto anr Ulenriddel. A later memorable conjunction of the 

 families occurred when Captain Robert Riddel, at his house of 

 Friars' Carse, engaged in a bacchanalian contest for the " Whistle " 

 with his relatives, Sir Robert Laurie and Fergusson of Craig- 

 darroch. In the interval two members of the family had figured 

 on opposing sides iu the Jacobite rising. The Rev. Simon Riddel, 

 minister of Tynron, led a party of his parishioners iu the Royalist 

 army at Sheriffmuir. His relative and family chief, Riddel of 

 Glenriddel, supported the luckless Stewart cause, and was one of 

 the fourteen hundred prisoners taken at Prestou. The Captain 

 Riddel of the Burns period and of the whistle contest was the last 

 of the family who owned Glenriddel. It was sold in 1792, two 

 years before his death ; and Friars' Carse, where he had lived, 

 was put in the market by his testamentary trustees. His younger 

 brother, Walter Riddel of Woodley Park (Goldielea), an equally 

 intimate friend of the poet's, is represented in the government of 

 the country at the present day by a great-grandson, Mr G. D. A. 

 Fleetwood Wilson, C.B., assistant under-secretary of the War 

 Department. 



On the farm of Snade, and lying nearer to the river, between 

 the farmhouse and that of Boreland, is one of the most perfect 

 examples of a British camp to be found in the district. The double 

 earthen rampart and two ditches are wonderfully entire, and 

 enclose a large circular space upwards of a hundred feet in 

 diameter, forming a saucer-hke depression within these lines of 

 defence. The total area extends to 1,608 acres. Seedling oaks 

 grow profusely in the neighbourhood, and the camp is covered by 

 young wood of that species and birch and hazel, which has no 

 doubt contributed to its preservation. 



Dardarroch was reached shortly before two o'clock. Here 

 a most hospitable welcome awaited the party. They were, 

 received by Mrs Martin, with whom were her daughter. Miss 

 Martin ; her sons, Mr Robert Martin, Mr Samuel Martin, W.6 

 Mr Henry Martin (lately returned from service in South Africa 

 with Lord Strathcona's Horse), and Dr Martin — and Miss Hair of 

 Fleuchlarg, Luncheon was dispensed on the lawn, under the 

 shade of a fine copper beech and other trees. Then an adjourn- 



