Fie_D MEETINGS. 193 
Field Meetings. 
27th May, 1922. 
Birrenswark. 
This excursion was arranged in conjunction with the 
Dumfries Branch of the Geographical Association, and about 
40 took part in it, travelling by motor char-a-banc via Locker- 
bie and Ecclefechan. Before ascending the hill a meeting was 
held in a sheltered spot, and Mr John Murray, Rector of 
Annan Academy, delivered an address on the significance of 
Birrenswark, geographically and historically, which he illus- 
trated by a set of sketch maps. Under Mr Murray’s guidance 
the company subsequently explored the hill. 
On returning to Ecclefechan, Mr R. C. Reid moved'a vote 
of thanks to Mr Murray for his address and the trouble he 
had taken to ensure the success of the visit. 
Most of the company before leaving Ecclefechan visited 
Carlyle’s house. Miss M. Carlyle Aitken, niece of the Sage, 
added greatly to the interest of the occasion by her personal 
reminiscences of the exhibits. 
Mr Murray’s address was as follows :— 
The Significance of Birrenswark. 
By John Murray, M.A. 
In all I have to say this afternoon about our chosen area, 
I would wish to make one small stipulation—my main object 
is geographical, not archzeological; geographically historical, 
not antiquarian. I think this is necessary in view of the fact 
that, though our friends of the Antiquarian Society are with 
us, and though I belong to both bodies, the following notes 
were put together prior to the joint excursion arrangement. 
No area of similar dimensions offers, within our county, 
such a variety of interest to geologist, geographer, archzeolo- 
gist, and historian as does the Birrenswark district. The 
story which gathers round it epitomises the county’s record, 
be that record of rocks or of warfare. We look down on a 
