46 TRANSACTIONS. 
Common Loft. The Trades Galleries began to be erected in the 
year 1610. The Smiths, in support of their claim to their gallery, 
declared they once had an extract of an Act dated about the year 
1612, allowing their trade to build their loft. The Wrights 
founded on an Act of Session, dated 4th August, 1636, which they 
produced, with others. The Weavers declared they had lately the 
extract of an Act granted by the Session in the year 1655. The 
Shoemakers produced an Act of Session dated the year of God 
1613, likewise another of date 27th September, 1655. In regard 
to the Tailors’ Loft, the following interesting old Act of Session 
was produced. The minute proceeds—* Adam Wright, Deacon of 
Taylors, produced ane Act of Session, dated the 9th day of 
Feby., 1610, which (the register not being now extant quherin 
it was) is here insert as follows :” 
“The 9th day of Februarie, 1610, the Minister and Session 
being convenit in the Kirk of Drumfreis, the quhilk day George 
Lorimer, Deacon of the Tailzoris, in name and behalf of the 
remnant of that Craft, desyrit libertie to build ane Loft, for the 
use of the Tailzoris of Drumfreis in time of Divine Service, in that 
part of the Paroch Kirk of Drumfreis quhair lang befoir ye said 
Craft had obteint libertie to build ane Alter of Saint Anna, as the 
warrant granted by the Counselle of the saide Burgh the yeir of 
God ane Thousand fyve hundred and fortie seven, therein producitt 
be the said George in parchment, at length purportes. To the 
quhilk desyre the Provost, Baillies, & Session fullie condescendit 
allin ane voyce without contradictioune, providing allwais that 
the sd Loft come not further without the pillars within the bodie 
of the Kirk above the space of ane feet and ane half, or thairby, 
wn the quhilk boundis the first furme of the said Loft might 
stand, and no more.” 
For the Glovers it was alleged there were several Acts in their 
favour, and one extant in the Session Register dated 25th May, 
1654. And the Fleshers founded their right on an Act of Session 
dated 17th March, 1659. 
The lofts were not then arranged in the church continuously 
and symmetrically as now, but each stood. by itself with its own 
stair. One is described as being supported on “three stoops,” 
and that they were not regarded as integral parts of the building 
appears from the terms of a Minute of Session dated. February, 
1638. Absentee seatholders were not tolerated by the Session ; 
their seats were liable to be taken down or otherwise disposed of ; 
