Field Meetings. 817 



was the last to occupy the castle, which has been deserted since 

 1697. The Cardoness estate passed from William Gordon to 

 his niece Elizabeth, daughter of his elder brother John. She 

 married the Hon. William Stewart, younger son of James, second 

 Earl of Galloway. Her son succeeded to Castle Stewart, in 

 Penninghame parish, and her daughter Nicolas inherited Car- 

 doness. Nicolas married Colonel William Maxwell, of the family 

 of Calderwood. He erected the mansion-house at Bardarroch, 

 changing its name to Cardoness. In 1766 the old castle was 

 sold by David Maxwell to James Murray of Broughton and 

 Cally. It remained in the possession of that family until 1904, 

 when on the death of Mr Murray Stewart the estates passed to 

 his cousin. Colonel Murray Bailie of Cally, from whom it was 

 purchased in the same year b\' Sir ^^'illiam Maxwell, the present 

 baronet. 



Cardoness House. 



Later in the day the party drove to Cardoness House, and 

 were welcomed by Sir William and Lady Maxwell and Mr Horatio 

 Macrae, W.S., Lady Maxwell's brother. The flag was flying 

 from the mansion-house in honour of the birth that day of a 

 son and heir to Mr and Mrs Rainsford Hannay. Mrs Rainsford 

 Hannay is a daughter of Sir William and Lady Maxwell. The 

 present mansion-house was rebuilt by Sir William so recently as 

 1889, and is a handsome building of modern design. The party 

 were shown over the grounds by Sir William and Lady Maxwell, 

 who, along with Mr Macrae, pointed out and described the more 

 outstanding objects of interest. The grounds, which are large 

 and extensive, are well laid out. The late Sir William had a 

 passion for shrubs and ornamental trees, and the wide circle of 

 rhododendrons which enclose a bit of delightful sward are evi- 

 dence of the enthusiasm with which the late baronet applied 

 himself to the cultivation of his hobby. Unfortunately the 

 visitors were unable to see the rhododendron at its best, as 

 already the bushes had cast their summer glory. Sir William 

 pointed out several fine specimens of pines and cedars, one of 

 the former (the pinus insignis) being regarded as the finest of 

 its kind to be found in the country. A Turkish Oak also 

 attracted attention. It has an enormous spread of branches, 

 extending to a total length of twenty-six paces. A lofty Auri- 



