18–24 May 1863

I went out in the little carriage (Donald Stewart leading the pony, as John Brown was unwell) with Lenchen and Dr. Robertson ' (Grant following), and drove up to the cairn on the top of Craig Lowrigan, which is a fine sharp pyramid admira- bly constructed out of granite without any mortar. The inscription is very well engraved and placed. There is a good path made up to the top of the hill.

My poor birthday ! At a quarter past ten service was performed by Dr. Macleod. All the children but Baby there. He read the ninetieth and hundred and third Psalms ; part of the twenty-fourth chapter of St. Matthew, ninth verse: "All hail." His sermon very fine, but he read it, not having had time to prepare one by thinking the subject over, or even by the help of mere notes. I saw him in the evening, and he was most kind and sympathising.