Itemised autograph 'Accompt Good Toun to Adam Burknay 1697' for expenses incurred 'At ye ryding of ye Marches [riding of the marches]' at 'Lythgow [Linlithgow]', with signed authorisation from the council, and Burknay's signed receipt.

8vo, 1 p. Good, on lightly-aged laid paper, with text clear and complete. The account, in Burknay's hand, is headed 'Accompt Good Toun | to | Adam Burknay | 1697 | Imp At ye ryding of ye Marches'. Itemised with eight entries totalling £29 19s 0d. Items are 'meal', 'ale tobacco & pyps', 'to ye men yt sett ye march-stone', 'to ye officers ale & bread', '6 pynts 1 chopen wyne', 'at ye making doctor Bane and othr burges 5 pynts wyne', 'Tongues & bread' and 'to ye servtts'. Beneath this, in another hand 'Aug: 14: 1697 | The Counsill appoints ye treasurer to pay ye above accott to Bailzie Burckney | [signature]

'. And beneath this, again in Burknay's hand: 'Lythgow 26 Apryll 1698 | Receaved ye full contents of ye abovewrn by me | [signature] Burknay'. Docketed on reverse 'Accompt good Toun to Adam Burkney [sic] app: 29 - 19 - 0 (46)'. The Riding of the Linlithgow Marches, first recorded in 1541, was held every Easter Sunday, with the Provost and the Deacons of the various trade guilds visiting all parts of the Burgh to verify that standards of quality and workmanship were being maintained. The festival survives in Linlithgow to this day, with the Burgh's perimeter checked every June amidst celebrations.