[1594/4/70]¹

Regarding the fair of Bathgate

Our sovereign lord and estates of this present parliament, understanding that the sheriffdom of Bathgate is and has been of old a sheriffdom within itself and is a patent part of the country where open fairs were very fit and apt to be held yearly, which would tend to the great benefit of the whole country and inhabitants of this realm, and in special for furnishing of goods to his highness's house and to the burgh of Edinburgh where common repair is of a great part of the lieges of this realm, as well for their particular as common affairs, therefore his highness and estates foresaid give and grant full power and liberty to Robert Hamilton of Bathgate to proclaim, hold and continue two several fair days yearly to be held within the town and upon the crofts of Bathgate, the one thereof to be held upon 4 August and the other to be held upon 21 October yearly in time coming. And to this effect, grants thereto all liberties, commodities and casualties as belongs to any likewise free fair within this realm, providing always that the same fairs be neither held upon the Sabbath day nor upon any day granted to the head burgh of the shire of before.