History and traditions of the land of the Lindsays in Angus and Mearns

PREFACE. Vll
would desire ; but this, it is hoped, has been so far obviated by
the introduction of snatches regarding popular superstitions, and
a sprinkling of anecdote. Due advantage has been taken of the
most authentic works which bear on the history of the district
for the use of the greater part of which, and for a vast deal of
valuable information, the Writer is particularly indebted to the
kindness of Patrick Chalmers, Esq., of Aldbar. He is also under
deep obligation to the Right Hon. Lord Lindsay, not only for
many important particulars which he has been pleased to com-
municate regarding his family history, but for the great interest
he has taken in otherwise advancing the work.
In notices of pre-historic remains, the lover of antiquity
may find the volume rather meagre. This, the Writer is sorry
to remark, has arisen, in a great measure, from the penchant
which most discoverers have of breaking any valuable relics with
which they meet. For, although a change for the better has
recently taken place in the mind of the general public regard-
ing antiquities, the peasantry, into whose hands those treasures
are most likely to fall, have still a sadly mistaken view of
their value ; and, in the vain hope of being enriched by the
supposed wealth of their contents, they not infrequently de-
prive themselves of remuneration altogether, but, in destroy-
ing pieces of pottery-ware, metals, and similar articles, tear
so many leaves — so to speak — from the only volume which
belongs to the remote and unlettered past, and thus place the
attainment of some important particular regarding the history
of our forefathers — perhaps for ever — beyond the reach of en-
quiry. The baneful law of treasure trove has much to account
for on this score ; but, there is reason to believe, that the evil
might be so far modified, through an express understanding
between landlords and tenants, and tenants and servants.
The Appendix will be found to contain many interesting
and hitherto unpublished papers, particularly those illustrative of