A leaf, part of a bifolium, has been stitched in at the end (folio 25).

The music is undated but may have been written about 1910.

Some music has been written in a later (possibly a child's) hand at folio 20.

Leaves have been torn out before folios 13, 22, 23, 26, and 28, and folios 13-19, 21-28 are blank.

The music book is inscribed (folio i) 'Leonora M H Grant from James Thomason. Calcutta. 1842'.

The music book is a more professional compilation than some, and it is possible that Lieutenant Tapp composed a few of the tunes himself (for example “San Josef's Jig” folio 10 verso).

The music book includes traditional material both English and Scottish, the works of Purcell, Pepusch, and Corelli, and those of slightly later composers such as Handel, Vivaldi, and McGibbon.

Robert Kelsall was apparently interested in trumpet music, for the volume contains numerous trumpet minuets, and a transcript of 'Trumpet tune' by Nicola Matteis.

Leaves have been cut out after folio 2, and folio 3 has been mutilated. Folios 10 and 12, which contain additional verses, are tipped in.

The notebook includes the following. Extract (folio 1 recto) from introduction to ‘The Psalmody of the Free Church of Scotland’, with ‘French’, as sung in Ross-shire (folio 2 recto) and in Sutherland and Caithness (folio 2 verso); “O hao o hao ‘s mi fo mhìghean” as heard in South Uist, 1946 (folio 5 verso); ‘Urnuigh fheasgair’ (folio 6 verso); “Òran do’n Urramach Calum MacLeòid” (folio 8 recto).

The notebook contains the following. “Mo thasdan bòidheach” (folio 1 verso); ‘Chunnaic mi na gruagaichean’ (folio 2 verso); ‘Ba ba ba mo leanabh’ (folio 3 verso); ‘Uisdean Friseal’ (folio 4 verso), etc.

Francis Hughes appears to have been the first owner and to have written most of the pieces; a tune apparently entitled 'March y[e] 21:' (folio 16 verso) is described as having been 'Perform:[d] at the Kings Coronation', apparently that of George III, in September 1761. The signature of John Hughes appears inside the back cover, and, dated 1768, at folio i (inverted). Most of the pieces at the back of the volume are religious. The book appears to lack a leaf before folio 1.

The music book contains a contents list at folio i and a note referring to a newspaper report dated 1852 at folio iv. There are references to a Mrs P Douglas at folios 1, 27 verso, and 50 verso. A leaf from another source watermarked 1811 is bound in at folio 56.

The music book is apparently lacking both covers.

Compositions by Mary Douglas are at folios 5-6 verso and by James Douglas of Cavers at folio 19.

The paper is watermarked 1797 and the pieces appear to be written in a contemporary hand. An engraved preliminary leaf (with a large space for the owner's name, etc.) is at folio i. Leaves have been cut or torn out after folios i, 30 and 39, and folios 38 and 39 were formerly stuck together with wax seals.