HISTORY OF THE LINLITHGOW 



On the 22nd of the month of February immedi- 

 ately preceding Captain Sandilands' retirement, Mr 

 Charles Ramsay attained majority, and Barn ton 

 was the scene of much rejoicing and festivity. In 

 celebration of the event, a ball, to which the friends 

 of the family were invited, was given on the even- 

 ing of the 21st, — a ballroom being specially built 

 for the occasion on the lawn to the east of the 

 house. On the following day there was a dinner 

 to the tenants on the properties of Barnton, Sauchie, 

 and Bannockburn, succeeded in the evening by 

 another ball ; while the whole festivities, which 

 were spread over several days, terminated with 

 the entertainment of the Hunt servants and the 

 people employed on the estate,^ Although it had 

 been understood generally that Mr Ramsay would 

 assume the mastership on coming of age, no def- 

 inite arrangement in regard to the matter was 

 made until the 31st of March (1865), when, at a 

 meeting held at Linlithgow, he intimated that he 

 was willing to hunt the country, and that, while 

 he expected a subscription of £1000, he would 

 trust, as far as the next season was concerned, to get 

 the best support he could. At this meeting a com- 

 mittee was formed for the purpose of raising sub- 

 scriptions. It consisted of seven members, — two 

 for Linlithgowshire, Major Thomas Shairp and 

 Colonel Gillon ; three for Stirlingshire, Sir W. 

 Bruce, Sir Molyneux Nepean, and Mr Walker ; and 



1 ' Edinburgh Evening Courant,' 22nd February 1865. 

 182 



