FieLp MEETINGS. 207 
pine was also seen striving for a foothold amongst the marsh. 
The wooded shores were examined, and it was seen how the 
birch and pines had given place to trees of even stronger 
growth — oaks and beeches. Amongst the many plants 
associated with these trees — wood sage and others — the 
woody nightshade was shown. All too soon the road was 
reached, and the tired but satisfied visitors said good-bye to 
host and hostess, and embarked for the ride homewards. 
Thus was spent an enjoyable and instructive day in grey 
Galloway. 
7th September, 1922. 
Holywood, Cowhill Tower, The Isle, Blackwood, 
Dalswinton, and Quarrelwood. 
Shortly after one o’clock the party, numbering about 4o, 
and under the guidance of Mr R. C. Reid, Mouswald Place, 
set off from Greyfriars’ Church, Dumfries, in a motor char-a- 
banc and three private cars. Dr. King Hewison was one 
of the party, and his remarks on the various places passed en 
route added to the interest of the outing. Leaving by way 
of the Glasgow Road, the site of the house in which Jeannie 
Deans is said to have died was passed on the hillside to the 
left of the main road just after passing the Irongray road end, 
and shortly afterwards the excavations of Holywood Abbey— 
just behind the present church—were reached. Here Colonel 
Clarke, factor on the Cowhill Estate, kindly showed the party 
round. 
Holywood Abbey. 
Not much is known of the Abbey. The date of its 
foundation is uncertain, but it seems to have been before the 
year 1180. Previous to this, however, there seems to have 
been a cell occupied by a monk named Congall, hence the 
name Dercongall, meaning “‘ the oak wood of Congall.’’ The 
abbey was also known by the name of ‘‘ Abbacia Sancti 
Nemoris.’’ A large part of this grove remained in the 
time of Charles I. The foundation could not have been much 
