174 Field Meetinya. 



and on the apex of the ga])le is a bell turret. The east gable is 

 pierced by three narrow lancet - topped windows. The dressings 

 of the door and window spaces are hewn and chamfered. The chancel 

 arch is a pointed one, and its ring is double chamfered. On the 

 jambs of the archway are formed round pointed edged, shafts, having 

 capitals, the necks of whicii are bell-shaped and their upper members are 

 semi-octagonal on plan. Over the chancel arch the wall is carried up to 

 form the west gable of the chancel. The walls are built of whinstone, and 

 the dressings are of millstone grit. The style of the building is early 

 English, some members of the capitals of the chancel arch shafts being 

 allied to Norman work. A glance is sufficient to discover that this little 

 parish church had its origin in pre-reformation times. There is, well 

 marked, the arrangement and division of it, suitable for the service of the 

 old religion — church and chancel. The architectural character of the 

 edifice indicates considerable antiquity, the forms exhibited being common 

 in buildings belonging to the end of the 12th and the early part of the 13th 

 centuries. The church of Buittle is mentioned as early as 1297, when 

 Master Richard de Havering, clericus, had letters of presentation to the 

 Church of Botel, vacant, and in the gift of the King, addressed to the 

 Bishop of Candida Casa. The church, the remains of which are before 

 described, is probably the same l)uilding to which Richard de Havering 

 was presented by Edward I. of England. In this same building also we 

 may suppose the pious Lady Devorgilla often worshipped when residing at 

 her neighbouring castle of Botel (from whence she dated her statutes relat- 

 ing to the endowment of Balliol College, Oxfoi'd, in the year 1282), as did 

 also her son John Balliol, King of Scotland, and the subsequent Lords of 

 Galloway, the Earls of Douglas. The church was dedicated to St. Col- 

 monel. lb was probably granted, as was that of Kirkennan in 1275, by 

 Lady Devorgilla to the Abbey of Sweetheart, as there is mention of it 

 being regranted by her successors in the Lordship of Galloway to that 

 Abbey, and in which connection it continued until the passing of the 

 Annexation Act in the year 1587. The old church of Buittle is worthy of 

 being better known than it appears to be. It is a fine specimen of an 

 ancient Scottish parish church, rare at least in this district, and as a land- 

 mark of history it is interesting and valuable. 



Leaving the cliurcliyard the party directed tlieir steps towards 

 Munches, over Kirkennan hill, and through Kirkennan wood, 

 wliich was strewn with fallen trees, tlie effects of the severe 

 storms of the winter 1882-83. Arriving at Munches about 5.30, 

 tliey were met by Mr Maxwell and Mrs Maxwell, and most 

 hospitably entertained, as the other party had already been. 

 After luncheon the gardens and policies were inspected. 



On the motion of E)r Grierson, seconded by Rector Chinnock, 

 a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr and Mrs Maxwell, and to 

 Mr Wellwood Maxwell, for the hearty reception given, and the 

 kindly interest taken in the Society. Having bade adieu to Mr 



