HEATHER CLUB INTEREST - AN IMPRESSIVE MID VICTORIAN CAPTAIN'S BATON CHARLES ROBB & SONS, EDINBURGH of cylindrical form, applied with individual bands each engraved with details of each annual meeting and Captain, with embossed floral decorated terminals and central waist, presented in a fitted mahogany box; together with a stand of scroll form, the central plaque with engraved inscription 'THIS STAND IS PART OF THE GREAT PLANE TREE AT KIPPENROSS...1871' with knopped finials to either end (52.5cm long, 46cm long (stand)) Footnote: Note: The Heather Club was founded in 1823 by Joseph Sutherland who was a merchant of Edinburgh. He sought for those around him to appreciate the rural happiness away from the hustle and bustle of city life. His notion was that businessmen would meet at least once a year for a walk over the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh. The unwritten law that politics and religion were not to be discussed gave these men an opportunity to be in good company and absorb the countryside. The membership increased so much over the years that a committee was founded with a captain and lieutenant. Within the retrospective notes by James Hogg, it states, ‘The minutes of the 21st July 1834 says ‘ The party walked to Currie, breakfasted there and passed over the hills to Logan House, where they enjoyed themselves till four o’clock’ Furthermore, Hogg mentions, ‘About 12 years ago an elegant baton beautifully silver mounted, was presented to the Club by the late Captain Robb, Wine Merchant Frederick Street…a silver band with the name of the captain for the year is put on this baton’ This baton, handcrafted for a popular 19th century social group is unique and reflects a moment in time. For further reading, see The Edinburgh Heather Club. Retrospective notes. Hogg, James, 1806-1888