Lield Meetings. 173 
ing about fifty left the Dumfries Station by the 12.20 train for 
Dalbeattie. Here they were joined by some of the Kirkcudbright 
members, and by Mr Wellwood 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 the 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 Arenaria serpyllifolia, Campanula latifolia, 
and Calamintha Clinopodium. 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 the 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. The ruin, foliage-bound, and presenting, 
with its three high pitched gables, a characteristic outline, well defined, 
but softened by projecting stray leaves, viewed against the light of the 
descending sun, the golden rays streaming through the openings, is truly 
picturesque and beautiful. The building 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 church 
is 21 feet 9 inches, and at the chancel 25 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 6 inches to the apex of the pointed arch. 
In the west gable of the church is the entrance doorway, which has 
a semi-circular arched top. Over it is a narrow lancet-topped window, 
