We now come to the other great house and family connected with
Banff, and long resident in it —

THE LAIBD OF AUCHMEDDEN^S TOWN HOUSE,

Still to be seen at the top of the Strait Path, with its laige ancient
gateway, surmounted by a richly carved entablature of freestone, con-
taining ihe family armorial bearings in bold relief. The mansion bears
evidence of having been commodious, according to the fashion of the
day, and the apartments finished with considerable taste, the ceilings
decorated with the family arms, &c., and we remember a large room in
it used as a place of worship for the Methodists, as well as for the con-
vocation of the ancient Society of Gardeners, who held their meetings
in the large hall. There was another much larger edifice and town
residence of the Lairds of Auchmedden once stood on the site of a man-
sion built by the late Sir G«orge Abercromby, on the High Street, very
near the Parish Church. This was supposed to be the domicile of the
chief.
In 1568, George Baird being connected by marriage, »id in habits
of great friendship, with the Kegent, Earl of Moray, received from him
a disposition, heritable and irredeemable, to the lands of Auchmedden,
the Regent assigning the following cause : ^^ For many acts of utility
and fiiendship done to me, and many sums of money given out by him
in my service."

1647. James Baird was bred to the law, and became a person of
high reputation in his profession. King Charles I. reposed great confi-
dence in him, and appointed him sole Commissary of the Ecclesiastical
Court of Scotland, an employment in those days of great honour and trust.
