Fiplfl Mcpfingf 183 



Morton Castle, Gatelaw Bridge, and Crichope Linn. 

 MJuhj, 1886. 



The third Field Meeting was held in the Thornhill District on 

 the above date, when a party numbering thirty-six left Dumfries 

 station by the morning train. On arriving at Thornhill they 

 were joined by Dr Grierson and eight otlier members, and pro- 

 ceeded immediately in waggonettes to Morton Castle. From the 

 Castle they walked to the ruins of Morton old churcli, and this 

 interesting building was described by Rev. Mr Oswald, wlio also 

 gave a short account of its history. 



Resuming their seats in the conveyances tliey proceeded to 

 Crichope Linn, without calling at Gatelaw Bridge Quarries. 

 Several hours were here spent in rambling through the woods 

 and enjoying the scenery of that romantic glen, but very few 

 botanical " finds " were made. The party returned to Dumfries 

 by the 7.30 p.m. train from Closeburn. In the unavoidable 

 absence of the Secretary, Mr T. Brown conducted the party. 



KiRKCONNELL Lea AND BiRRENs Camp. — 1th August, 1886. 



The fourth Field Meeting was held in the Annandale district, 

 when a party numbering 22 left Dumfries by 9.15 a.m. train for 

 Lockerbie. On arrival, they were joined by two other members, 

 and proceeded in conveyances to Ecclefechan, where a halt was 

 made for a short time to permit those who had not seen Carlyle's 

 house to visit it. After duly examining all that could be seen, 

 the drive was continued to Kirtlebridge, and from there the 

 party proceeded on foot up the beautiful and romantic glen 

 through which the Kirtle Water flows, as far as " Fair Ellen's 

 Bower." An obliging forester conducted the party thence to the 

 spot at which " Fair Ellen of Kirkconnell Lea " was shot, and 

 also to her grave. Having botanized for a couple of hours in the 

 glen, the old Churchyaid of Kirkconnell was next visited, where 

 there are several old and curious tombstones. Returning to 

 Kirtlebridge, the drive was continued to Merkland Cross, which 

 stands near the roadside, not far from the village of that name. 

 This cross is octagonal at the base, tapering to the top, and 

 measures 9 feet high. It is su)iposed to have been erected in 



