Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ... harvest homes, etc., how their feelings of propriety would be shocked. The ploughmen of the parish at the present day, however, have, by the cultivation of their minds and morals, elevated their characters and increased their power far beyond the time when the poet depicted them thus--VILLAGE CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS. GARGUNNOCK FARMERS' CLUB. 'HE oldest club we have any record of in the parish is that instituted by General John Fletcher Campbell, of Boquhan, in 1794--and who was its first president--called the Gargunnock Farmers' Club, which embraces the parishes of Gargunnock, Kippen, Stirling, Fintry, Balfron, Killearn, Drymen, Port of Menteith, Kincardine, Kilmadock, and that part of StNinians west of a line from the port of Stirling, south to Gillies Hill, and from thence, west the north side of Touch Hill until it meets the parish of Gargunnock. In 1807 General Campbell bequeathed to this club the sum of 500, the interest of which is laid out in promoting the object of the institution. At first the members of the society met at Boquhan and other places for the purpose of discussing matters of interest concerning agriculture, and in 1796 we find members agreeing to send two or more horses, carts, and drivers, if called upon, to assist His Majesty's troops into the adjoining counties. A match was also resolved upon for the ploughing of lea, which ultimately took place the following year, the date and place of match being advertised at the kirk doors of the different parishes in which the club was concerned. It was stipulated that the furrows were to be 8 inches broad and 4 J inches deep. The first prize was a watch with engraving on back, value 4 5s., and was won by Henry Redpath; second prize, watch with engraving on..."