71 ANNALS OF SCOTLAND. 



held an annual fair in the bay, trafficking with each 

 other, and with the natives. The fair lafted from 

 twelve to fifteen days, and contributed, with the 

 literary andecclefiaftic eftablifhmentsof St. Andrews, 

 to that eminent degree of wealth and fplendor for 

 which the place was long celebrated. 



Such was the commercial fpirit of the nation, 

 in antient times, and even during the unfettled 

 reigns of Mary, and James VI. Both fides of the 

 Forth exhibited an almoft continued line of trading 

 ports, and wealthy boroughs. Nor was foreign 

 commerce neglected on the weftern coaft. 



In the annals of Glafgow, mention is made of 

 one Elphinflon, as a promoter of commerce in 

 that antient city, about the year 1420. Its trade 

 confided of pickled or cured falmon and herrings, 

 which it exported chiefly to France. The returns 

 were fait, brandy, and wine, particularly the latter, 

 which was both plentiful and cheap. 



In 1569, cc It is ftatute and ordainit, be ye 

 magiftrats and council, yat ye pynt of wine be fald 

 na darrer yan eighteen perinys ye pinj:." Which 

 eighteen pejinys is only equal to three halfpence 

 fterling, and the Scqttifh pint is equal to four En- 

 glifh pints. 



Dumbarton, Air, and Irvine, fituated upon the 

 Clyde, were alfo places of trade and fhipping, as 

 appears from an order of the national council, upon 

 the cefTaton of" arms between the two Britilh king*- 

 doms ; which order, as it particularifes many of the 

 principal commercial towns of Scotland, during 

 the middle ages, is inferted in this place for the 

 information and amufement of the reader. 

 Order of council, Edinburgh, 2 Aug. 1546. 

 ff The qiihilk day, forafmekle as thair is ane 

 pece taken and ftandand betwix our foverane lady, 

 and hir derreft uncle the king of Ingland, quha 

 has written to hir grace, fhawand, that thair is 

 eertane Scottis fchippis in the eft feis, and utheris 



placeis. 



