Off Anadderdaill he had thaim led that nycht.—V. 536.
This denotes Annandale. But it seems to be an error of the copier, for Ananderdaill, the more ancient designation of this district, watered by the river Annan.
—Haistit thaim nocht, bot sobyrly couth fair
Till Towrnbery; thar captane was at Ayr
With lord Persie, to tak his consaill haill.—V. 835.
In Edit. 1594, 1620, 1714, and Perth 1790;
To Turneburie that captaine was of Air.
This passage does not seem to have been hitherto given intelligibly, in any one edition. Towrnbery has still been viewed as the name of the person who was “captain of Ayr.” But this deprives the passage of any reasonable meaning. How could this supposed person be “captain of Ayr” with Lord Percy, who had the charge of the whole district? Thus, also, these words, “to tak his consaill haill,” according to the construction, apply equally well to Wallace and his troops, as to the supposed “captain of Ayr.” But Turnbery is the name of a place, particularly mentioned in The Bruce, V. Note, III. 829. The line must have been written as given in this edition. At Aire is the reading, Edit. 1648 and 1673; and what has been rendered that, in MS. may be read thar, i.e., their. This shews the reason why the Scots did not hurry on, but went sobyrly to Turnbery. They had learned that their captain, the captain of those who had the defence of “Turnbery castle,” as it is denominated by Barbour, was at Ayr with Lord Percy, to take his advice about the state of public matters.
Apon the morn in Cumno sone thai socht.—V. 846.
This is Cumnock, in Ayrshire, whence two parishes now take their name.