TDGNHAS Series III, Volume 82

During the complete county census of 2008 the total of 13,459 rook nests was recorded. Thus, in the five years since 2003, there has been a 25% decline in nest numbers. This continues to confirm the 5% per annum rate of decline extrapolated from the parti

Extracts from the ornithological and wild-fowling notebook of James H Wilson a Glencaple Wildfowler 1872-1947. Full species records are provided as also records of communications with noted ornithologists of the period such as Sir Hugh Gladstone, Sir Pete

A trapezoidal enclosure, previously known only from aerial photographs, was the focus of archaeological investigations at Evan Road, Beattock. No dating evidence for the enclosure was retrieved, although it is likely to be later prehistoric on the basis

The name of the river Sark has been obscure, but evidence from Welsh and Breton suggests it is a Cumbric form meaning 'lover'.

The old ruined church and graveyard at Kirkconnel Lea on the Springkell Estate near Eaglesfield (NGR: NY 250753) is best known for its association with ‘Fair Helen’ Irving or Bell and her betrothed Adam Fleming de Kirkpatrick. This connection dominates th

In preparation for the last crusade, the Pope ordered that all church-men should pay a tithe towards its cost. This tithe was to be calculated, not on the ancient valuation of their holdings, but on their current value. In about 1275 Master Baiamundus de

A general account of the de Hoddom family from the 12th to the 16th centuries - detailing estate holdings.

This article explores the distinctive features of the Accounts for the shires of Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Wigtown and the changes revealed in the lives of the people and their environments between the First and Second and between the Second and Third A

This report has arisen from the production of a management plan for Cally designed landscape for the Gatehouse Development Initiative in 2007. That plan is a practical tool to inform management and maintenance of the landscape and interpretation and enjoy

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland was established by Royal Warrant in February 1908, entrusted with the task of making an inventory of the ancient and historical monuments and constructions connected with or illustra

Brief report of the exposure of traces of Kirkcudbright's town-wall in the garden ground at number 62 High Street. The evidence from the excavation supports other similar exposures within the burgh.

A short article describing the finding of a sock in a recess close to the chimney flue at Mull Cottage, Kirkmaiden. The sock was found to be stuffed with thistles and it is suggested that it may be of 18th century date and concealed to trap spitits: it is

A short article describing, from newspaper reports, the finding of an unclothed bog-body at Glenhead, parish of Leswalt, in 1852.

A short article describing a grooved stone tool from the Wanlockhead area presented to the Society's Museum in 1929. It is considered to represent a form of tool utilised in prehistoric mining activities - parallels are provided from other sites.

A review article

A review article

A review article

A review article

A review article

Obituary of Duncan Adamson a former President of the Society - he contributed a significant number of articles to the Transactions on various aspects of the history of the Dumfries and Galloway area. He acted as historian to the Anne Hill Committee.

Obituary of Frank Stewart a Life Member of the Society - he contributed a numner of articles to the Transactions on the history of the New Abbey area.

In an illustrated lecture, the retiring President, David Devereux, Museums Curator for the Stewartry in Dumfries and Galloway Museums Service, presented a wide variety of archaeological and local historical artefacts, fine and decorative art, photographs,

Mr Kirkland made a comment at the start of his talk that it might seem to be an odd title for his talk to link the butterflies of Scotland with those of Bulgaria. There were two main reasons for the choice. Firstly the contrast between the two countries

Since the 1960s the historiography of the Union has been dominated by those historians who believe it was achieved by means of corruption, English threats and the venality of Scots MPs, and on the other hand, those who have concentrated on Scotland’s de

This talk covered the new information that has emerged about the early farming communities (4000-2500 BC) in this part of Scotland over the past 25 years. It emphasised the importance of Bill Cormack’s work in laying the foundations for what we know today

Mr Unwin took advantage of an organised group visit to the Antipodes to go plant-hunting in the South Island of New Zealand and Tasmania in 1996, since when he has made return visits to the latter. It was mid-summer with temperatures of 30 degrees C when

This presentation described the content and interim results of a field project being undertaken by the Peeblesshire Archaeological Society, of which the speaker is currently Chairman. Since its formation in 1994, the society has undertaken an active prog

From earliest times mankind has used the movement of shadows produced by the apparent movement of the sun to reckon time and to determine the importance of daily and seasonal activities. Any device, which uses the direction of the shadow by the sun, or th

The Vikings have a bad name in history as harbingers of wanton destruction piling off longships to raid villages and sack monasteries. Recent movies such as Pathfinder and Beowulf reinforce the stereotype of early mediaeval warriors engaging in drinking

Since last speaking to the Society, major technical advances in the Sites and Monuments Record database and the use of a Geographic Information System have been made, facilitating electronic communication with the area planning offices and others. Key ar

The illustrated talk was a journey from about 1600 to the late 20th century, showing how communion vessels developed in the Church of Scotland. The earlier cups date from 1617 when the Scottish Parliament passed an act that communion should be dispensed

Lecture in Kirkcudbright Town Hall The speaker showed how records from some dozen English and Scottish archives had enabled a picture to be built of the lives of three generations of the Birtwhistle family, possibly the greatest drovers and graziers of th

A presentation which revealed how the Murray family developed their parks and pleasure grounds at Cally, Gatehouse of Fleet. Although the designed landscape is now largely hidden by forestry planting many historical features are still recognisable and hel