The journal is profusely illustrated with pencil drawings of the scenery described and of places visited. Several of the drawings bear the initials R D.

The Mure of Caldwell papers are chiefly of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Some of the earlier papers belonged to the Mures of Glanderston, the two families having been united in 1710 by the succession of William, 4th Laird of Glanderston, to the Caldwell estates.

The Mure of Caldwell papers are chiefly of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Some of the earlier papers belonged to the Mures of Glanderston, the two families having been united in 1710 by the succession of William, 4th Laird of Glanderston, to the Caldwell estates.

The journal is unsigned, but the text indicates that the writer was an Irishman living in Glasgow or Greenock. Inside the front cover is written in pencil 'Mr Jn. Gordon'. The journal is a connected narrative interspersed with scenic descriptions of places such as Glen Farigaig, the falls of Foyers (folios 55-61) and Glencoe (folios 70-72). It is incomplete, ending in an unfinished sentence when the travellers had arrived at Greenock, one day's journey from the writer's home.

The journal concludes with the words, 'So came to an end this glorious outing, for the great pleasure and profit of which I owe most hearty thanks to the best of Fathers that ever lived'. It was on this tour that Edmund Gosse met Robert Louis Stevenson, but there is no mention of the meeting in the journal.

Many of the manuscripts contain notes, indexes, etc., by George Neilson.

John Walker, from Kilmarnock, had previous experience on the Congo. The journal covers his voyage from Southampton to Cape Town, where he met H.M. Stanley, thence to the Congo, and the steamship operations to convey the expedition into the interior.

The journal describes sealing activities and unsuccessful attempts at whaling off the east coast of Greenland. Admiral Seymour was interested in the animals, birds, and fishes of the area, which he listed (folio 51 verso), and in the possibility of an expedition to the North Pole. Also included are sketches and descriptions of the ship and her equipment (folios i verso, 26 verso, 31 verso) and a table of the crew's wages (folio 21 verso).

Throughout the period, except for a short visit to Gibraltar in August 1855 to load ammunition, HMS ’Terrible’ was stationed in the Black Sea, where she took part in bombarding the forts at Sebastopol, pursuing Russian shipping, and carrying troops. Much of the journal concerns the movements of ships and officers, but it also refers to contemporary events, and includes some descriptions of the Crimea and the British army. Some small sketches and plans of engagements have been inserted.

To a great extent the papers have been examined by William Scott, the sixth laird (died 1855), whose notes, signed 'W.S.', appear throughout.

To a great extent the papers have been examined by William Scott, the sixth laird (died 1855), whose notes, signed 'W.S.', appear throughout.

To a great extent the papers have been examined by William Scott, the sixth laird (died 1855), whose notes, signed 'W.S.', appear throughout.

To a great extent the papers have been examined by William Scott, the sixth laird (died 1855), whose notes, signed 'W.S.', appear throughout.

Lieutenant-Colonel Brown makes many observations on the state of the towns and country and the condition of the people. At the end are miscellaneous notes of Lieutenant-General John Brown.

The journal contains many remarks on local conditions.

The journal contains many remarks on local conditions.

The journal contains many remarks on local conditions.