32 The Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Hunt. 



In March, 1909, the Master received a protest from the Houston Kirk 

 Sessions in regard to the practice of members of the Hunt walking over 

 the point-to-point course on the Sunday prior to the races, and requesting 

 that this desecration of the Sabbath be discontinued, as it gave so much 

 offence to people in the parish. Mr. Barclay sent a courteous reply to this 

 communication, but I am afraid it is beyond the power of any man to 

 prevent people walking over the course on Sundays. I simply mention 

 this to remind all that in doing so they are incurring the displeasure of 

 Houston Kirk Sessions. 



I now come to season 1909-1910, which had its opening at Houston on 

 6th November, but although a brace of foxes were killed in the course of 

 the day there was very little attendant sport. Nothing in the shape of a 

 really good run came during the closing months of that year, and a very 

 bad scenting period was experienced early in January, to be followed by 

 several stoppages through frost. Then in February came a spell of ill-luck 

 with wet and stormy weather on most hunting days, but some good sport 

 followed the meet at Fulwood on 19th February. A spin from Barochan 

 Moss up the country by Corslie Hill was a sort of preliminary, the run of 

 the day being from Goldenlea Gorse, which was then a well-known haunt. 

 Over the country to the right of Houstonhead Loch hounds ran to Gryffe 

 Castle, thence by Botherickfield, Massington, and Ennelly up to High 

 Barlogan, where scent failed. Another nice hunt was afterwards had from 

 Barochan North Brae by Haddoxton to Drums, where they killed. 



What was described as the run of the season came on 8th March, the 

 meet being at Auchengrange, where a good sportsman in the late Mr. P. 

 Stuart Brown then resided. It may be added that Mr. Charles Stuart 

 Brown is now there to welcome followers on occasions, and another son in 

 Mr. Harry Stuart Brown is also a keen follower. They did not find until 

 reaching Peatman's Moss, and hounds set a scorching pace as they 

 careered over Finnie Brae to run to ground in a drain near the railway at 

 Caldwell. Finding again in Caldwell Law, the pace was again very fast to 

 the left of Finnie Brae by Mid Woods to Threepgrass. To the left of 

 Capellie Strips they continued by Mossneuk through the end of Bardrain 

 Strip, and skirting Mid Hartfield Moss went on through Hartfield Strip, 

 hounds running right into their fox in the open near Hartfield Moss. The 

 time occupied was about thirty-five minutes, and it was one of the fastest 



