The Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Hunt. 37 



Trearne as the starting point on 26th December. Finding a brace in Over 

 Hesilhead, hounds hunted one by the Wilderness and Shutterflet Muir to 

 go on at a terrific pace by Riglaw Braes and Hartfield Moss, through Hart- 

 field Strip, to kill in the open near South Castlewalls. Time, thirty-five 

 minutes, and about ten miles as hounds ran. 



Following this came another good run from Cuffhill to the right of 

 Threepwood and Rowbank Dam, past Sproulston and Rigfoot to Caldwell 

 policies, where hounds were stopped. A nice bit of country with some 

 stiff fences to get over. Early in January, 19 12, I had the misfortune, 

 through that accursed barbed wire, to meet with a nasty accident, so I had 

 to take the remainder of the sport of that season from hearsay. It was not, 

 however, of great account, and from 20th January to 10th February they 

 were stopped owing to frost. 



On 20th February, with Trearne as the meet, there came something 

 worth writing about, the first gallop of twenty-five minutes from Hout's 

 Wood being really good. Hounds simply raced over that fine stretch of 

 country between here and Caldwell, and on reaching Caldwell Law several 

 fresh foxes were afoot, so they were stopped and taken back to Cuffhill. 

 From here they ran another over a similar line of country to Caldwell, 

 afterwards hunting slowly back nearly to Cuffhill, where the Master decided 

 to apply the closure on a very hard day. 



Barochan and Finlaystone were apparently the favoured places for any 

 interesting ceremony associated with the Hunt, and on 9th March at the 

 former venue Ted Parker was made the recipient of a cheque for £175 

 in recognition of his eight years service as whip. Ted had previously been 

 many years in a similar capacity with other packs, and it may be said of him 

 that he possesses a typical hunting countenance, which necessarily implies 

 a bright and cheerful manner. He still remains in the service of Mr. 

 Barclay at Thornhill. In connection with the presentation referred to, I 

 must not omit to mention that it was one of the oldest and most respected 

 members of the Hunt who officiated. This was Colonel Shanks, who was 

 for so many years a familiar figure in the field, and advancing age did not 

 prevent him enjoying much of the sport. Many will recall the old sports- 

 man's remarks at a bunting function when he referred to the fact that he 

 had so many times made up his mind to retire from hunting as each season 

 came to an end, but when the opening of other seasons came round 



