162 Field Meetings. 
erected on an adjoining height to the memory of the Rey. 
James Renwick, the last of the martyrs, who was a native of this 
village. The party now divided, a few going to visit the Caitloch 
Cave, while the majority proceeded on foot to Craigdarroch, about 
two miles distant. On arrival, the latter were cordially welcomed 
by Mr A. Fergusson and hospitally entertained. This family is 
the oldest in the parish, and has been on many occasions nobly 
distinguished. During the persecution of the Covenanters, the 
Fergussons were the staunch friends of the oppressed. In 1689, 
at the battle of Killiecrankie, John Fergusson, one of the noble 
defenders of the ‘‘ Kingly Covenant,” was slain, and the saddle 
on which he rode is now preserved at Craigdarroch, and was 
exhibited to the party. A number of interesting objects were 
exhibited ; chief among them was ‘‘ The Whistle” of the contest 
sung by Burns. It is not an ebony whistle, as described by the 
poet, but tawny-coloured and probably of olive wood. It is 
mounted in silver, on which the Fergusson coat of arms is 
inscribed, and the words—‘ Whistle won by Craigdarroch, sung 
by Burns.” 
‘* Thy line that have struggled for Freedom with Bruce 
Shall heroes and patriots ever produce ; 
So thine be the laurel, and mine be the bay ; 
The field thou has won, by yon bright god of day.” 
Mr Fergusson also exhibited a document which was only recently 
discovered among family papers, and is of great interest. This 
was the last will and testament of Annie Laurie, subscribed by 
two witnesses, and written upon a sheet of paper. Having 
visited the gardens and grounds the party took leave of Mr 
Fergusson, but before doing so, on the motion of Mr Brown, they 
accorded him a hearty vote of thanks. Returning to Moniaive 
and joining the other party, they commenced the homeward 
journey under a pelting thunder shower of hail and rain. The 
next place visited was Barjarg, and here they were cordially 
welcomed and hospitably entertained by Mr Hunter-Arundell. 
Having partaken of refreshments they were shown a number of 
handsomely illuminated manuscripts of pre-Reformation dates. 
One of these was a copy of the Magna Charta on vellum, It 
was of Mr Hunter-Arundell’s library that Carlyle, in writing 
to his brother in 1833, says — “ Yesterday I drove over to 
Barjarg in the middle of a thick, small rain, to get the keys of 
the Library, which I find most handsomely left for me, so that I 
