president's address. 183 



gathered at Miss Snaith's unpretending but most comfortable 

 and well managed Inn the " Murray. Arms." 



On the drive from Woodburn Station to Otterburn a Curlew 

 settled by the side of the road and walked backwards and 

 forwards undisturbed by the closeness of our presence. I 

 mention this as I have always found these birds most difficult 

 to approach, and it has only been by stratagem that I have 

 ever been able to come near to them. After enjoying an 

 excellent breakfast, we visited the church, but this is a modern 

 structure, having been built so late as 1857. It, however, 

 possessed a particular interest to our worthy secretary, Mr. 

 Adamson, he and his wife being the first couple married in it. 

 A glimpse was obtained of Otterburn Tower, which is now in 

 the market for sale. The northern corner of a modern tower 

 incorporates part of the walls of the old Castle besieged by the 

 Scots for several days before the battle of Otterburn. The 

 site of the battlefield, or what is supposed to be the site of the 

 battlefield, was visited. A "Cross" in the form of an arrow- 

 pointed stone, for support let into a circular stone, which is 

 further strengthened by a round wall of apparently modern 

 masonry, was inspected with interest. This " Cross " now 

 stands in a wood not far from the highway, and probably a 

 little more than a mile from the village of Otterburn. It is 

 said to mark the spot on which Douglas fell, but there can be 

 little doubt this " cross " formerly stood some distance away 

 from its present site. The drive was resumed, and much 

 interest was manifested in the miniature locomotives with 

 carriages and trucks travelling upon a very narrow line of 

 rails which have been laid near to the highway between 

 Woodburn and Catcleugh, the site of the new reservoir of the 

 Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company. It is used for 

 the purpose of conveying pipes and other material, and a 

 branch of it for the clay used in the dam. The country is 

 here very wild and interesting, and the atmosphere of the 

 greatest purity. At Catcleugh a temporary village of wooden 

 houses has been erected for the residence of some six or seven 

 hundred navvies and their families. The reservoir will consist 



M 



