270 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1908 



Hardy in his elaborate report of a former meeting,^ Yearnup, 

 Wideup, Lingup, Bladdering Cleugh, and Burnup, up in each 

 representing Iwpe, as on Cheviot. The course of the burn on 

 the present occasion proved so dry that it could be crossed 

 almost anywhere at pleasure, but from its width and the abun- 

 dance of embedded boulders, it could easily be imagined that 

 in the time of melting snows its volume would be enormously 

 augmented. Indeed, in illustration of its rapid and dis- 

 concerting rise it is alleged by one, old enough to remember 

 the present site of the lambing sheds on the South side 

 occupied by the houses of the farm servants, that during a 

 season of flood they were prevented for two days from cross- 

 ing to discharge their duties at the steading. By the time 

 that the members had partaken of the proverbial hospitality 

 of the hills at the hands of Mr John Wilson and his daughter, 

 mid-day was reached, and an indication of a change of weather 

 was given by the wind backing into the East, and heavy 

 clouds rolling up from the same quarter. A choice of routes 

 was presented, but the majority elected to visit Aikengall, 

 on which farm lies concealed the deep and impressive Shippeth 

 Dean. Under the guidance of Mr Wilson most of the members 



followed the cart-road leading past the farm- 

 Shippeth house, and gained the South side of the ravine 

 Dean. at a point where a comparatively easy descent 



to the bed of the stream was obtained, while 

 a botanical section headed due West towards the shepherd's 

 cottage at West Aikengall, and following the left bank of 

 the burn beyond a point on the hillside at which a porphyritic 

 dike, locally known as the Fairy Castle, crosses it obliquely, 

 found a more gradual and secure means of descent. The 

 porphyry is of a brown colour, probably obtained from the 

 conglomerate which it has partially fused, and assumes the 

 appearance of an irregular narrow wall which cannot fail to 

 attract the attention of the passer-by. The same dike is said 

 to re-appear in one of the other glens before named. At its 

 base two of the members lunched, and learned thereafter, on 

 comparison of notes, that the site was memorable in the Club's 

 annals as having been occupied by Dr Hardy and others in 



* B.N.C., Y«l. j?i„ Part I, pp, 77-91, 



