Eminent Arbroathians

WILLIAM FULLERTON LINDSAY
CARNEGIE,
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^!7Y^57"HILE the affairs of the burgh during centuries bygone
^f/f have usually been administered by the burgesses
themselves, now and then in the history of the
town we find county magnates taking an active part in its
government. Notable among these was Sir David Carnegie of
Kinnaird, who in 1 781 entered the Town Council of Arbroath,
and continued to give to the town the benefit of his administra-
tive skill for several years, notwithstanding more than one
ineffectual protest against his election and continuance as coun-
cillor, on account of his being neither a trader or residenter in
the burgh. Arbroath was not the only burgh where non-resident
landed proprietors were chosen as councillors. The idea seemed
to be that the office being mainly honorary, the affairs of the
burgh could suffer no prejudice by the non-residence of coun-
cillors ; and that by the assumption of gentlemen of property
and high social standing in the neighbourhood they had in them
men who were qualified to advise the burgh on important
occasions. Such a man was Sir David Carnegie. Besides being
an excellent man of business, Sir David was possessed of con-
siderable literary attainments, and Arbroath was highly honoured