210 FreLtp MEETINGS. 
Time did not permit the party to see the two old bells of 
the Abbey now in the church tower but never rung. 
Cowhill Tower. 
On proceeding to Cowhill the afore-mentioned pottery, 
glass, and stone fragments were viewed, also all that remains 
of this historic tower, which was burned down by the return- 
ing Jacobites after the rebellion of 1745. Above the doorway 
is a marriage stone bearing the date 1597, and the initials 
R. M. and B. M. The present house occupies a better site, 
and the harmony of its style has not been spoiled by additions 
and alterations made by the different members of the family, 
in whose hands it has now been for many generations. These 
additions all conform to the same style, and include what, but 
for the recent date it contains, would be one of the best fakes 
on record. 
Major Keswick and Colonel Clarke were heartily thanked 
on the call of Mr R. C. Reid for their kindness in showing 
the visitors the excavations at Holywood and the various 
items of interest at Cowhill. 
The Isle. 
At the Isle Tower the visitors were received by Brigadier- 
General W. E. R. Dickson, C.M.G., C.I.E., and Mrs Dick- 
son. The General, whose hobby is printing, had a very 
interesting souvenir for his visitors in the form of a neat little 
’ printed folder—his own work—giving a concise history of the 
tower. 
The tower at the “‘ Isle,’’ which measures 19 ft. by 
22 ft., is one of the oldest inhabited buildings in Scotland, and 
was originally built, it is believed, in 1414 as a fortified post 
guarding one of the fords over the Nith. The remainder of 
the house is more modern, but portions date back to the 
seventeenth century. The tower contains three stories, 
reached by a narrow winding stair, with the right-hand twist 
so that the defenders should have the advantage of sword 
play if an entrance were forced. There is also a dungeon, 
now an excellent larder, and the original iron gate is still 
there. It is described in detail in the Report of the Ancient 
Monuments Commission. 
