280 REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1898 



Kelso Museum, where there was also a brass basin, profusely 

 engraved with peculiar figures, which had been found in the 

 old Verter Well, on the farm of Hume Byres. The earliest 

 mentioned minister of Hume was Orm, who was priest 

 before 1127. The site of the high altar where the dowry 

 of Margaret, daughter of James Ker — upon her marriage 

 to Lord John Home, if he became heir to the earldom of 

 Hume — was to be paid in 1471, was pointed out. Mr 

 Gunn also briefly touched on the history of the parish. 



Continuing their drive, the party, through the courtesy of 

 James Deuchar, Esq., passed through the fine policies of Stichill 

 House, and on arriving at Stichill village a brief visit was 

 paid to the manse, the residence of the Rev. Mr Gunn. 



The next stage of the journey was to Floors Castle, which, 

 after a pleasant drive downhill of three miles, was reached in 

 due time. The party were received by Mr J. H. Milne 

 Home, acting for Mr Brunton (chamberlain to the Duke of 

 Eoxburghe), who had been unexpectedly prevented from 

 attending the meeting. On this occasion the rule excluding the 

 public from the Castle was relaxed, and, under the guidance of 

 Mrs Bedford, the housekeeper, the members and friends had the 

 pleasure of inspecting the fine pictures in the dining-room, 

 drawing-room, and other apartments. A memorandum of 

 the pictures shown, and of some of the most remarkable 

 trees seen, was promised by Mr Milne Home to be attached 

 to this Report. A considerable time was spent in the museum 

 viewing the excellent collection of birds. Those native to 

 the district were specially interesting, and were freely com- 

 mented upon. A case of minerals and a number of antiquities 

 were also inspected, and notice was also taken of a large 

 stone cannon ball recently found at Roxburgh Castle. The 

 magnificent views from the Castle terrace, which take in the 

 town of Kelso with its hoary Abbey and graceful elliptical- 

 arched bridge, and the ruins of Roxburgh Castle peeping out 

 amidst the luxuriant trees which grow on the Castle mound, were 

 greatly admired. A visit to the gardens was also much enjoyed. 

 Under the guidance of Mr Street, the head gardener, the 

 company inspected some magnificent trees on the way, and the 

 flower beds in the garden and the fine exotic plants and flowers 



