hich had been obtained with a view to restore the
prosperity of the burgh. The Act is in the following terms:--

"Oure Souerane Lord and three estaites of this p'nt Parliament,
understanding that the burgh of Vchtirardour is of auld erectit in ane
frie burgh regall, and that the samin is far distant fra the say
portis, and hes not usit faires nor m'cat dayis; the samin is becum
decayit, and the inhabitantis thereof pure sua that thai ar not abill
to intertene the civill ordor of ane frie burgh, nor zit execute sic
justice as thay micht in the cu'trie about being opressit dyvers tymes
be broken men and lymmeris, quha makis incursiones, and hereis mony
cu'trey men and manassies aftymes the inhabitantis of the said town and
burgh; and thairfoir said Souerane Lord wt. auise foirsaid, for help of
the comoun welth of the said burgh, and support of the inhabitantis
thairof, hes given and grantit lyk as his heires wt. auise forsaidis,
gevis and grantis license, fredome, and libertie to the provost,
bailleis, inhabitantis, and communitie of the said burgh of
Vchtirardour to hald zeirlie ane trie fair and m'cat day upoun the 25th
day of November nix to cum, and to cotinew zeirlie thairefter in all
tymes cu'ing, declarand expresslie be thir p'ntis that all or Souerane
Lordis liegis may resort and repair thairto for bying and selling of
all guidis and m'chendice thairintill, quhairby the policie of the said
burgh may the better incres, and that the liegeis also may haif the
better eisement and intertertenigment for decora'un of the realme; and
ordainis l'res of publica'un to be direct hereupon in form as effeiris."

This fair--the date being transferred by the change of style to 6th
December--though shorn of its former importance, is still held. It was
the day for reckoning and paying yearly accounts in the town and
district, and was until lately a large cattle market.

After the Act of Parliament establishing the fair there is little
reference in contemporary records to Auchterarder. The Castle and
Barony continued in possession of the noble family of Perth, which
during the eventful years of 1715 and 1745 exercised its influence, not
without effect, in the district in favour of the exiled family. One of
the most memorable events in the history of Auchterarder was the
burning of the town in January, 1716, by the Earl of Mar, after the
Battle of Sheriffmuir, in order to prevent shelter to the Duke of
Argyll's army, which in p