Field Meetings. 171 



Thornhill Distbict. — ith July. 



The third meeting of the session was held on the 4th July, 

 when, according to the programme, the party was to leave Dum- 

 fries Station by the 8.57 a.m. train for Thornhill, and proceed 

 from there by conveyances to Drumlanrig Bridge. From there 

 they were to walk along the Duchess's Drive, and through woods 

 and glens by the side of the Nith to Glenairlie Bridge, where the 

 machines and those who preferred remaining in them, would be 

 in waiting. On re-assembling they were to \asit Ballagan Moat, 

 Tibbers Castle, and Dr Grierson's Museum. At the appointed 

 hour 36 members left the station, and on their reaching Thorn- 

 hill they were joined by Dr Grierson, and subsequently by Mr 

 Shaw and Mr T. Brown, the latter having promised to conduct 

 the party in their explorations. The tirst halt was made at 

 Drumlanrig Bridge, to allow the party to view the beautiful 

 scenery there, and to walk along the bank for a sliort distance to 

 the foot-bridge spanning the river. Having spent half-an-hour 

 in this delightful spot, they retraced their steps to the machines, 

 when the botanists and those who cared for a tive-mile walk 

 started along the Ducliess's Drive. The ladies and a few others 

 took their seats in the machines and drove to Glenairlie Bridge. 

 From Glenairlie they proceeded to the farm-house of Burnmouth, 

 where they were most hospitably entertained to luncheon by Mr 

 Milligan. 



Owing to corn liaving been sown in the held in which Ballagan 

 Moat was situated, and it being now saturated witli the lieavy 

 showers of the preceding night, it was thought advisable not to 

 visit it on this occasion, so the party resumed their seats and 

 drove to Tibbers Castle, along the high road over Crairie Hill, 

 thus enabling them to have a magnilicent view of the valley of 

 the Nith, which is one of the finest pieces of scenery in tiie south 

 of Scotland. Tibbers Castle was reached in good tiuje, and it 

 was duly described by Dr Grierson. It is supposed to have been 

 originally a Roman fortress, named in honour of Tiberius C;esar. 

 Very little of the structure now remains, except portions of two 

 of the outer walls. 



Under Mr Brown's guidance the party spent half an hour in 

 the gardens at Drumlanrig, and from there they drove to the 

 Thornhill Museum, which was reached about half-past five. 

 Having partaken of tea, thoughtfully provided by Mary (Dr 



