On the Popular Weather Prognostics of Scotland. 219 
to me by Archibald Gibson, Esq., and I have extracted a 
few from the recent returns to the Scottish Meteorological 
Society, while others, so far as I am aware, are nowhere 
recorded.—(5.) I could give more than one authority for the 
greater number, and numerous authorities for many, so that 
I have thought it best to give no references where the prog- 
nostics are popular ones.—(6.) When I fell in with any popu- 
pular prognostic in the course of reading I noted it down, 
and made inquiries on the subject when I reached the locality 
in which it was said to hold. Thus I established its exist- 
ence, and at the same time put myself in the way of hearing 
of others.—(7.) The notes must be regarded as simply sug- 
gestive, and their accuracy must not be assumed.—(8.) It is 
possible that errors may have been made in taking down 
some of the prognostics—A. M. 
I, Hills or Mountains—Local Prognostics. 
(1.) In Kilconquhar and Elie, a cloud resting on Largo Law is 
a sign of coming rain, while one on Kellie Law presages clear 
weather. This is interesting, because the first hill lies to the 
west, and the last to the east of the district. The popular version 
~ of this prognostic is as follows :— 
1. When Largo Law puts on his hat, 
Let Kellie Law beware of that. 
2. When Kellie Law gets on his cap, 
Largo Law may laugh at that. 
(2.) To the people of Sorbie, in Wigtownshire, a cloud on Cairns- 
muir after dry weather indicates coming rain, and in the adjoin- 
ing parish of Whithorn the same prognostic runs thus :— 
“ When Cairnsmuir wears a hat, 
The Machers’ rills may laugh at that.’ 
Cairnsmuir (1737) hill lies to the N.N.E. of the district in 
which this prognostic prevails. 
(3.) To the people about Stranraer there is a prognostic thus 
expressed in rhyme :— 
‘There is a high wooded hill, above Lochnaw Castle, 
Take care when Lady Craighill puts on her mantle ; 
The Lady looks high and knows what is coming, 
Delay not one moment to get under covering.” 
This hill lies to the north-west of the district in question. 
(4.) In Dumfries, Kirkpatrick-Fleming, and several of the in- 
