536 HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



was held there took place on nth January 1825. The 

 property consisted of the whole of the centre house, No. 6, 

 and a portion of No. 7, with extensive premises in the back 

 area, which were at first used as model rooms, and after- 

 wards, on the completion of the Museum at No. 3, George 

 IV. Bridge, converted into writing chambers. The fine 

 lofty hall at Albyn Place, consisting of two flats, was in 

 1854 converted into bedroom accommodation for the 

 Secretary, and the half-yearly meetings were transferred 

 to the hall of the Museum, the first General Meeting taking 

 place there on the 12th of July 1854. The Directors and 

 Committees continued to hold their meetings in Albyn 

 Place till February 1862, when it was resolved that all 

 meetings of the Board should be held in the Museum. 

 The Committees continued to meet at the former place till 

 1866, when the property was sold, and the Society removed 

 entirely to No. 3, George IV. Bridge — the present hall and 

 chambers of the Society — the Society's collection of models, 

 &c., having, as already mentioned, been handed over to the 

 Museum of Science and Art. 



A Standing Committee for the Hall and Chambers was 

 added to the official list in 1855, when Mr Jas. Anstruther, 

 W.S., was selected as Chairman. He acted till 1862, when 

 Mr John Ord Mackenzie of Dolphinton was appointed. 



The hall in which the Society holds its meetings is 

 adorned by several portraits. Prominent amongst these is 

 the fine portrait of John, fifth Duke of Argyll, President 

 of the Society from its institution in 1784 till his death in 

 1806. This portrait, which is a copy of an original painting 

 by Gainsborough, was made, by desire of the Society, at 

 Roseneath in 1826, by Mr Colvin Smith. Another pro- 

 minent portrait is that of Mr William Macdonald of St 

 Martins, principal secretary of the Society from its institu- 

 tion in 1784 till July 1804; thereafter treasurer of the 

 Society from July 1804 till his death in 18 14. This por- 

 trait was painted in 1803 by desire of the Society. Another 

 portrait is that of Mr John Hall Maxwell of Dargarvel, C.B., 

 .secretary of the Society from January 1846 till May 1866. 



