Field Meetings. 173 



ing about tifty left the Dumfries Station by the 12.20 train for 

 Dalbeattie. Here they were joined by some of the Kirkcudbright 

 members, and by Mr Well wood Maxwell, who came to welcome 

 them, and to conduct those who felt inclined for a five mile walk 

 by way of Barsoles Hill, Buittle Old Church, and Kirkennan 

 Wood to Munches ; those otherwise disposed were to proceed 

 direct to Munches, halting by the way to inspect the granite 

 quarries. As tlie day was most favourable, a large majority 

 decided for the longer and more attractive walk. Accordingly 

 the start was made without delay, and the party proceeded along 

 the railway embankment to the viaduct across the Urr, the 

 botanists picking up Areimria serpyllifolid, Campamda lati/'oliii, 

 and Calamintha Clinojwdiuin. Leaving the embankment they 

 proceeded through Barsoles Wood, over Barsoles Hill, and one or 

 two adjoining heights until the Old Church of Buittle was 

 reached, noticing by the way Buittle Old Castle. On arriving at 

 the Church they were met by the Rev. Mr Grant, and under his 

 guidance the interior was inspected. Mr Barbour furnishes the 

 following note respecting this very ancient and sacred edifice : — 



The remains of the old church of Buittle stand within the churchyard, 

 a little south of the present church. The situation is an elevated one, and 

 commands extensive prospects of the broken and diversified country 

 around. The church itself is unroofed, but its walls continue entire, or 

 nearly so. A grateful feeling is experienced on viewing the remains and 

 observing with what evident veneration they are regarded, and how well 

 they are cared for. The floor is of turf, well kept ; and tlie walls, inside 

 and out, are wholly overgrown with ivy, trimmed, and leaving apparent 

 the true outline of the stonework, even the lancet forms of the narrow 

 windows being clearly traceable. Tiie ruin, foliage-bound, and presenting, 

 with its three high pitched gables, a characteristic outline, well deKned, 

 but softened by projecting stray leaves, viewed against the ligiit of the 

 descending sun, tlie golden rays streaming through the openings, is truly 

 picturesque and beautiful. The buihling consists of two parts — the church 

 and the chancel, divided by a chancel arch. The church measures 44 feet 

 in length by 16 feet 3 inches in width inside the walls ; and the chancel 29 

 feet 3 inches in length by 19 feet 6 inches in width. The total length of 

 the building over the walls extends to 82 feet, and its width at the cliurch 

 is 21 feet 9 inches, and at the chancel 2.5 feet. The side walls of the church 

 measure 7 feet 6 inches, and those of the chancel 10 feet in height above 

 the present turf floor ; but the original floor was several feet below the 

 present surface. The opening of the chancel arch measures 9 feet 10 

 inches in width, 6 feet 9 inches from the turf floor to the top of the 

 impost capital, and 13 feet (j inches to the apex of the pointed arch. 

 In the west gable of the church is the entiance doorway, which has 

 a semi-circular arched top. Over it is a narrow lancet-topped window. 



