AND STIRLINGSHmE HUNT 



at the water, which she cleared, covering, accord- 

 ing to a measurement made by Colonel Gillon the 

 following morning, eighteen and a half feet from 

 rise to landing, 



o 



Turning to the sport which was had in these 

 years, Colonel Gillon's diary ^ shows how he de- 

 scribed those hunting days which appear to have 

 been the best or most eventful ones during his 

 mastership. 



Season 1866-67. 



1866. Dec. 6. Dalmahoy. 15J couple of hounds. Eode 



Norman. Fine. Scent good. Went from Hanley 

 to meet. Large and good field. Found a brace and 

 ran all about for an hour and three-quarters. At 

 last a fox broke away south crossed railway and 

 into hill plantation, and on over hill and across 

 Lanark road. Here a nice burst over a good 

 country took place to Buteland farm where a check 

 occurred, which was soon rectified, and away with 

 a good scent towards Malleny. Then south-west 

 on to the heather to a quarry on hill, and in to 

 Thrashie Dean. Here Horton dismounted and 

 hit off his fox and hunted him clean over Easter 

 Cairn-hill to Cauld-stane-slap where the hounds 

 were eventually stopped. Time from Dalmahoy 

 to Easter Cairn one hour and three quarters. 

 Sleet and rain and snow brought in a dirty night. 

 Having refreshed at Bradshaw, I rode to Mid- 

 calder for hack, and after a cold dark ride arrived 

 at home at 7 p.m. very fresh indeed. 



1867. Feb. 9. Champfleurie. 17 couple of hounds. Eode 



Beauty and Norman. Fine. Scent good. Found 



1 In the possession of Mr Andrew Gillon, Edinbiu'gh. 



201 



