five o'clock
For the sake of the fishermen , the first Saturday after the commencement of the home fishing was appointed . The few serious ones , mostly Methodists , objected on the ground of the proximity of the Sunday ; but their attitude was , if possible , of still less consequence in the eyes of their neighbours that it was well known they would in no case have accepted such an invitation . The day dawned propitious . As early as five o'clock Mr Crathie was abroad , booted and spurred -- now directing the workmen who were setting up tents and tables ; now conferring with house steward , butler , or cook ; now mounting his horse and galloping off to the home farm or the distillery , or into the town to the Lossie Arms , where certain guests from a distance were to be accommodated , and whose landlady had undertaken the superintendence of certain of the victualling departments ; for canny Mr Crathie would not willingly have the meanest guest ask twice for anything he wanted -- so invaluable did he consider a good word from the humblest quarter -- and the best labours of the French cook , even had he reverenced instead of despising Scotch dishes , would have ill sufficed for the satisfaction of appetites critically appreciative of hotch potch , sheep 's head , haggis , and black puddings . The neighbouring nobility and landed gentlemen , the professional guests also , including the clergy , were to eat with the marquis in the great hall . On the grass near the house , tents were erected for the burgesses of the burgh , and the tenants of the marquis 's farms . I would have said on the lawn , but there was no lawn proper about the place , the ground was so picturesquely broken -- in parts with all but precipices -- and so crowded with trees .