In the area of Bogue Farm are many strange names for some of the features. An explanation of some can be found here. Taken from the book Lights and Shadows of Scottish Character and Scenery, by "Cincinnatus Caledonius" published in 1824.

THE SOCIETY HOLM.

In the latter days of the unhappy Stuarts, when the persecuted peasantry of Scotland were hunted about by a Lagg, a Claverhouse, and a Turner, they were often compelled to seek their God amid the covert of a wood, or the hollow of a stream. There were several spots, from the glen of Dundeugh to the Garpal Holy Linn, where the people of Glenkens assembled to meet their God.

One of these sequestered spots lay on the banks of the humble Garpal. It was situated half-way betwixt Holy Linn and the Holm Glen. On the south side of this holm, (for it was a little holm,) a small mount rose rapidly from the water edge. - Opposite to the holm, its side was rugged, rocky, and overhung with birches. To the east, the west, and the north, spread a thick but natural wood. The Garpal murmured gently o'er its pebbly bed, along the south side of this holm, save where sometimes be-pooled by some strangelooking rocks.

On a spot so secluded and so covered around, did the persecuted peasantry often assemble. And often was the consolation of Heaven bequeathed to them here by the late worthy pastor of Balmaclellan.

In those days of persecution and of field devotion, even virtuous love would sometimes intermingle. One constant and pious pair sometimes made part of this hallowed assembly. Katherine Ramsay was daughter of the tenant of the farm in which the place of meeting lay. She was modest and comely, and in more respects not unlike the Jeanie Deans of more famous St Leonard's. She had for some time been courted by a virtuous youth, who was present when Stewart of Ardoch* was shot by Claver'se at Water of Dee. Indeed, the relations of this youth rented land from the family of Ardoch.

* A tomb-stone in the church-yard of Dairy points out the place where his remains are deposited. It bears the following inscription:-

"MEMENTO MORI."

"Here Lyeth Robert Stewart, (Son to Major Stewart of Ardoch,) and John Grierson, who were murthered by Grahame of Claverhouse, Anno 1684, for their adherence to Scotland's Reformation and Covenants, National and Solemn League.
"Behold I Behold! a stone's here forced to cry,
'Come, see two martyrs, under me that ly!'
At water of Dee, they ta'en were by the hands
Of cruel Claverhouse, and's bloody bands;
No sooner had he done this horrid thing,
But's fore'd to cry 'Stewart's soul in heav'n doth sing!'
Yet, strange! His rage pursued even such when dead,
And in the tombs of their ancestors laid -
Causing their corps be rais'd out of the same,
Discharging in church-yard to bury them:
All this they did; - 'cause they would not perjure,
Our Covenants and Reformation pure:-
Because like faithful martyrs for to die,
They rather chose, than treacherouslie comply
With cursed Prelacie, the Nation's bane, -
And with indulgencie, our Church's stain. -
Perjured Intelligencers were so rife, -
Shew'd their curs'd Loyalty - to take their life."

Thomas Barbour was a well-trained youth. He had been bred in pure Presbyterianism. He was loyal to his king; but from witnessing some scenes of brutal barbarity exercised by Turner's and Claver'se's dragoons, on innocent people, (about the village of Dalry, and elsewhere,) he had latterly adhered to those who would resist such outrage.

Thomas was the wooer of Katherine. - Though rather beneath her in worldly prospects, yet this was no bar to virtuous love. He had resolved to ask her in marriage - but the state of the times debarred such union. They had, however, plighted their love, and only waited till a more favourable period.

The family of Earlston, in the immediate vicinity, were disposed to the Covenanters' cause. Lady Gordon had even built a chapel in Earlston Wood, for the use of the persecuted. Its vestiges remain, after the lapse of thrice forty years. Earlston was called on to join the Covenanters in the west. Among friends or retainers who accompanied him, Thomas Barbour was one.

The parting of Thomas with his Katherine was severe. "Perhaps," said the meek damsel, "we shall never meet more. We have met to seek our God at Society Holm - we have met our Redeemer in the woods of Earlston: at neither of these places may we worship again! But go - the cause is surely good. Heaven may prosper it. You may return, if not unwounded, yet alive. Meanwhile, I will seek my God, and be faithful."

They parted. - The affairs of Drumclog and Bothwell Bridge are both recorded. Thomas was wounded at Bothwell. He returned, however, in sorrow, to his native glens. He again met his Katherine. Their love was unaltered. Again they attended, on the sequestered banks of the Garpal, and joined their devotions for more peaceable times.

Often, when Thomas was absent, had Katherine carried victuals through the wood to Society Holm. Often had she concealed the persecuted in her father's out-houses. Often went she to the top of the little hill, which overtopped the wood, east from Society Holm. Here would she meditate on disastrous times. Here would she pray for the persecuted of Scotland. Here would she drop a tear, when she thought on her Thomas.

The times, however, took a happier turn. The one Stuart died;- the other deserted his kingdom. The deliverer arrived. The Grahame and the Grierson were forbid their barbarities. The sword of persecution was broken in twain. Presbyterianism was again established in Scotland; and every one was permitted to seek his God according to his soul.

After the Revolution the persecuted clergy returned to their kirks. The churches were again filled with those who had long sought God by the wood and the stream. The tender charities of life were revived, and indulgence was again given to virtuous love.

Thomas and Katherine were now united; 'Twas a sweet summer evening. Many were invited to the wedding; for Thomas and Katherine were greatly beloved. The tempest of cruelty had now blown away; the melody of music was heard on the green. And sweet was the music, and soft was the sward beneath the dancers' feet.

There was a lovely mead in her father's farm. It was nigh a once sacred spot; for on that spot had the Catholic said his Ave-Maria, and in that spot had the worshippers deposited their ashes! Thus the field of mirth was for a time set beside the field of death! Nor was the contrast unappropriate. But a very few years, or months, and new fields of death had been laid around the Gallovidian peasantry.

There was a lovely mead; - on that mead tript the dancers. There was nigh, a fairy-looking knoll; - there was on that knoll a bushy thorn in full blossom. On that knoll was the homely supper spread; - around that thorn did the bridal band partake it. And the same revered pastor, who had often in the day of persecution divided the bread of life at Society Holm, now dealt the nuptial benediction at the Supper Thorn!

These days indeed are past. Religious persecution in Scotland hath since been a stranger. But at the distance of 140 years, 'tis delectable to some to recall these long-evanished times. And the Holy Linn and the Society Holm yet remain - and the little hill, on which Katherine wept, is still named Kate's Hill - and the wood beneath is still named Kate's wood - and the meadow where they danced is yet named the Fiddler Bog - and the knoll where they supped is still called the Supper Thorn - and the ground consecrated in the days of popery, nigh to where they danced, retains the distinction of Chapel Yard to this very day.