The rough-cut blocks, known in the north of England as writhings, were stacked in this way to allow air to circulate and dry them. The wood being blocked here is birch.
Photocopy from magazine/book.
See ExC_40 - The Farmer for the beginning of story.
The poor farmer pled his innocence, seemingly with no effect. Witnesses spoke of seeing him wearing the bonnet and wig at the scene of the crime. All seemed to be lost until, suddenly, a man who had been sitting in the body of the court, rushed to the exhibits (the bonnet and the wig) put them on and said to the Laird. “Look at me, sir and tell me on your oath, am not I the man who robbed you?" The astonished Laird looked and suddenly recognised, beyond all doubt, that this was his assailant. “By heaven,” he exclaimed, "you are the very man!
The stranger turned to the judge and said. “You see what kind of a memory, the gentleman has, my lord. He swears to the bonnet, whatever features are under it. If you yourself, my lord, will put it on your head he will be willing to swear that your lordship was the man who robbed him!”
After some hesitation, the judge agreed and acquitted the farmer. The highwayman, who had saved him, gave the Laird a complacent smile and left the court,
Many years ago the Laird of Bargally was riding alone on the road between Carsphairn and Dalmellington when he met a stranger who succeeded, after a struggle, in stealing the Laird’s purse. In the struggle, the assailant's bonnet and wig fell off but these were left behind in the thiefs haste to leave.
Later, a well known, respected local farmer rode by and seeing the bonnet and wig, picked them up and put them on his head and rode home, thinking that he would give his family surprise
and some amusement.
But, as soon as he had put them on, the Laird of Bargally came buck with some re-inforcements. The unlucky farmer, caught with the vital evidence on his head, was taken away, put in prison and eventually tried.
See ExC_42 - The Laird of Bargally for the next part of the story.
Places shown on map in Kells Parish associated with the Covenanters - Ordnance Survey Numbers relate to Landranger Sheet 77 - Description, O.S. Reference: 1, Kells Kirkyard. Gravestones for Adam McWhann and Roger Gordon, NX 631783; 2, Kenmure Castle, NX 635765; 3, Largmore - home of John Gordon, NX 569824; 4, McWhann’s stone - where Adam McWhann was captured, NX 482802; 5, Auchencloy. This may be in either Girthon or Balmaghie parishes, NX 603709.
Places shown on map in Balmaclellan Parish - Ordnance Survey Numbers relate to Landranger Sheet 77 - Description, O.S.reference, 1; Kirkyard. Robert Grierson and Thomas Verner gravestones, NX 652791; 2, Old Mortality statue, NX651791; 3, Barscobe Castle, NX656806; 4, Holy Linn, NX656809; 5, Society Holm, Holy Croft, Jean’s Wa’s all on Garple Burn, NX646809 upstream; 6, Mulloch Hill, NX632806
2 parts, map and location details: Places shown on map of Dalry Parish associated with the Covenanters - Ordnance Survey Numbers relate to Landranger Sheet 77 - No. Description O.S.reference - 1, Gravestone of Robert Stewart of Ardoch and John Grierson, known as the “Covenanters Gravestone” which is in the Kirkyard, NX 618812; 2, Covenanters Sculpture, NX 618813; 3, The Cush - the site of the inn where the incident took place which sparked off the Pentland, Rising NX 625814; 4, Earlston castle, oak tree and chapel, Around NX 613840; 5, Ardoch, NX 634832; 6, Stroanpatrick, The Covenanter Roan was killed here, NS 643919; 7, The River Ken below the High Bridge of Kenflowing towards Arndarroch, NS 618900; 8, Whig’s Hole - the site for conventicles NS 670000; 9, Allan’s Cairn - memorial commemorating George Allan and Margaret Gracie, NS 698008
— see map of the mine. The smelterers lived in this row near the smelter. The five house row is the only building left in tact at the mine and is currently used as a barn When Kate Hainey looked into the building on a visit in the 1980s she was sorry to see agricultural machinery where the table had been in her cottage. See Seeking the Graveyard
