AND STIRLINGSHmE HUNT 



We then went on to Eiccarton — also blank. Found a 

 strong fox at Cockleroi, ran him to Lochcote, then over 

 the hill towards Eiccarton. Hounds then took a southerly 

 direction to the Byres, and from that right west to the 

 covert above Bathgate. Skirting this, they went down to 

 the east of Kirkton, crossed the Edinburgh road, and then 

 made right south to Livingstone, where we lost him. This 

 run, the best certainly this season, was the fastest thing 

 I have ever seen, as we never but once drew bridle all 

 through — horses and men knocked up. The distance run 

 over must have been fourteen miles, fortunately over grass. 

 The fencing all through was severe. 'A burning scent 

 after the frost.' " 



Some description of the great run to Slipper- 

 field, which took place in or about the year 1849, 

 must not be omitted. It fell upon a Saturday 

 — the 24th of the month — when the hounds 

 met at Shieldhill, in Lanarkshire. Hitting the 

 line of a travelling fox, they ran a ring round 

 the young plantations on Quothquhan Law and 

 swung south. Then, skirting Huntfield coverts, 

 they went on to Edmonston, and through that 

 to a covert at the foot of the Black Mount, up 

 to which point, although the pace had been 

 tremendous, hounds had run together in the 

 closest order. Now they turned sharply to the 

 left, and carried the line up the steep slope of 

 the Black Mount, and right over its highest 

 point ; Mr Bamsay on Lambton lying nearest 

 the pack, and he. Captain Balfour Ogilvie and 

 Bintoul being the first over the hill by a long 

 way. But the Black Mount was too much for 

 many. Sir Alexander Maitland's horse burst a 



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