By John Leslie, Bishop of Ross.

Translation kindly provided by George Dixon and the staff of the Stirling Archives

In this wood were not only cows, but oxen and bulls snow white with a [mane thick and low hanging which they bear like the] mane of a lion. They, moreover, were so cruel and wild that from mankind they shrank in such a way that whatever thing the hands of man had touched or the air of the mouths had blown upon, or endet (breathed upon) as we speak, from all such they avoided many days thereafter. Further, this ox or bull was so bold that not only in his ire or when he was provoked would he overcome horsemen but even feared he nothing, neither tired he, commonly all men to attack both with horns and feet, indeed the dogs which with us a re most violent he feared not, but would tear him with hooves or show (skewer and display) him on his horns. His flesh was all grissly, but of a good taste. He used to be a frequent beast in this Tor wood, but now consumed through the gluttony of men only in three places is left, in the park of Stirling, the wood of Cumbernauld and of Kincardine.

For more information about any of the topics contained in this web page please contact: Kincardine Local History Group