hamberlain from the burgesses of Cromarty,
Dingwall, and Ochterardor, because no Chamberlain aires had been held
within those burghs at the time when the account was made up. Under
date August, 1569, in the accounts of the High Treasurer there is an
entry, where the "customaries of Ochterairder" are mentioned along with
those of St. Andrews.

On 14th August, 1565, by Act of the Privy Council, in name of Henry and
Mary, it was ordained "that lettres be direct to officiaris of armes
chargeing thame to pas to the mercat croces of the Burrowis of
Edinburgh, Hadingtoun, Linlythquow, Striviling, Clakmannane, Kinross,
Uchterardour, Perth, Cowper, and all utheris places needful, and thair
be oppin proclamation in thair Majesteis' name and autoritie to charge
all and sindrie Earlis, Lordis, Baronis, frehalderis, landit men, and
substantious gentilmen dwelland within the bundis (_inter alia_ of the
Stewartrie of Stratherne), with their houshaldis, honest friendis, and
servandis weil bodin in feir of weir, and providit for xv. days after
thair comin, to convene and meet the King and Quenis Majesteis at the
places and upon the days respective efter following--that is to say,
the inhabitantis of Stratherne to meit thair hieneises at Striviling
Brig upon Sounday the xii. day of August instant."[10]

Not only is there thus evidence of Auchterarder being assessed in dues
and exercising the privileges of a Royal Burgh, but, what is of more
importance, as showing its burghal character, is, that there are three
separate precepts of Parliament--in 1570, 1581, and 1600--summoning
Commissioners to Parliament from the Burgh. No doubt the names of the
Commissioners do not appear in the Rolls of Parliament, but that did
not derogate from the right of the Burgh to send them; and the probable
cause of their not having been sent, and of the infrequency of
Auchterarder appearing in the public records, arose from its being
completely inland, and without foreign trade, on which the great
customs were levied, and consequently being one of what were called dry
burghs. Owing to this, and being much exposed to predatory incursions,
it had fallen into an unprosperous and decayed state, which would well
account for the fact common enough to Royal Burghs of its not sending
any Commissioners to Parliament.

This state of matters is quaintly described in the Act of Parliament of
30th November, 1581, entitled "Ratification of the Fair of
Vchterardour," w