274 Transactions. 



the Isle of Man, with mists hovering over it, and of the Wigtown 

 coast. 



The carved stones and remains of the vitrified fort on Trusty- 

 Hill adjoining were then inspected. 



After dining at Gatehouse, votes of thanks were passed to the 

 Kii'kcudbright Society and to the Eev. Mr Black. As represent- 

 ing the Kirkcudbright Field Naturalist Club, Mr Thomas Campbell 

 expressed the pleasure they had in meeting the Dumfries Society. 



Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs George Hamilton and 

 M'Kie, Kirkcudbright, for superintending the arrangements of the 

 excursion. 



2;/^ of August, 1890. 



Field Meeting — Jrongray, Jarbruck, Moniaive, Glencairn Church. 



A large party drove first to Irongray Church, where the grave 

 of Helen Walker, the prototype of Scott's Jeanie Deans, was 

 visited. The beautiful falls of the Old Water of Cloudeu at 

 Routan Bridge were next reached, and then the party proceeded 

 to Glenriddell and Jarbruck Butts. This remarkable elevation 

 was mounted and carefully examined. There are four theories of 

 the origin of this mound — first, that it was a Roman encampment ; 

 second, that it was an ancient British burial place for chiefs or 

 priests ; third, that it was erected as a moat or place of judgment j 

 and fourth, that it was a British encampment. The visitoi's, after 

 an investigation and discussion, in which Messrs Barbour and 

 Watt took the principal part, came to the conclusion that the only 

 artificial part of the hill is the western knoll, and that the whole is 

 due to the natural action of the river or water in bygone ages. 

 Probably the place was utilised by the ancients as a moat, and 

 subsequently as a place for the exercise of archery. Here a meet- 

 ing of the Society was held, under the presidency of Mr James 

 Shaw, and, on the motion of the Secretary, Mr Thomas M'Kie of 

 the Moat was elected a member. Dr Chinnock also intimated 

 that the Council had recommended the election of Messrs W. 

 Lennon and W. Hastings as honorary members on account of 

 their merit as scientists and their services to the Society. On the 

 motion of Mr J. Barbour and Mr W. Moodie respectively the 

 election of these gentlemen was ratified. Mr John Corrie, 

 Moniaive, now conducted the visitors to various objects of interest 



