HISTOEY OF THE LINLITHGOW 



continued along the northern side of Cockleroi, 

 through Williamscraig, the Kettleston planta- 

 tions, and Belsyde, to Woodcockdale cottage, 

 where they crossed the Avon. On the Stirling- 

 shire side of the river they dwelt a little in the 

 wooded banks of the Union canal, but almost 

 immediately ran on, threading the Muiravonside 

 policies from east to west, and going away again 

 on the far side from Bowhouse, over the farm of 

 Bedford, and thence to Torphichen bridge, where 

 the first and only check occurred. But Atkinson 

 was at hand to help his hounds, and when he cast 

 them, they recovered the line and carried it up 

 the banks of the river to the old steel or spade 

 mill at Crawhill, beyond which they could no 

 longer own it, and a fine run ended somewhat 

 unsatisfactorily. The distance from point to point 

 is stated to have been about nine miles, and at 

 least twelve as hounds ran ; the time, from the 

 find to the check at Torphichen bridge, one hour 

 and ten minutes.^ 



Meeting at Torwood, in Stirlingshire, on the 11th 

 of January 1873, Mr Hope was told that he might 

 find a fox, but that it would take him all day to 

 get him away from the covert, a wood of some five 

 hundred acres in extent. Nevertheless, a fox was 

 found at once, and before man and horse were well 

 away, the pack was racing, with a burning scent, 

 over the open towards West Plean. The country 

 being strange to all and strongly fenced, it was 



1 'Edinburgh Courant,' 7th March 1872. 



236 



