Field Meetings. 185 
formerly stood on the site now occupied by the Town Hall and 
the churchyard, but of this building not a trace could be dis- 
tinguished. There is, however, a large stone built into the 
boundary wall of one of the adjacent gardens, bearing the follow- 
ing inscription :—“ Robert De Brus, Counte De Carrick, et 
Seniour De Val De Annand 1300.” This old castle was the 
scene of many border frays, and on more than one occasion it 
was plundered. In 1332, shortly after Edward Baliol was 
crowned at Scone, the nobility of the South of Scotland were 
summoned to Annan Castle to do him homage. On this occasion 
the castle was attacked in the night by Archibald Douglas, who 
killed the guards, and took Baliol’s brother Henry with many of 
his supporters prisoners. In the confusion Baliol escaped to 
Carlisle, and found a temporary refuge there with Lord Dacre. 
Leaving this part of the town, the party adjourned to Mr 
Watt’s residence, where they were entertained to luncheon, 
and had an opportunity of examining some interesting objects. 
The house in which Edward Irving was born was next visited, 
and also that of Hugh Clapperton, the African traveller. 
From here the party drove to Brydekirk to inspect an old fort 
which is situated on the farm of Brydekirk Mains, halting on 
the way to examine the Corsehill quarries. At Brydekirk the 
usual business meeting was held—Dr Grierson presiding—when 
Messrs J. M‘C. Arnott and F. Miller were elected members. The 
Chairman intimated that the Committee had decided to hold a 
conversazione in the end of October, and suggested that the 
members in the meantime should look out local objects of interest 
only for exhibition. 
After awarding votes of thanks to Messrs Miller and Watt, 
the party walked along the banks of the river to the town, and 
returned to Dumfries by the 8 o’clock train. 
Only the usual autumn flowering plants were collected, no rare 
finds having been made. 
