6 10 57 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/10/533/GGLP-CYDI-BuildingBiographies_Vol3_Kirkcudbright_to_Kirkmichael.pdf 71493eda0d5a378643c8b0deeb11cc2f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies – Volume 3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The Building Biographies project recruited volunteers to undertake research into some of the large country houses within Galloway, with the research taking place from February to June 2023. Each volunteer was given their own specific house to research, piecing together timelines from their initial construction through to how they stand today. The project included houses that were still in use, ruinous or even demolished, featuring a variety of functions dating back to the 19th century or earlier. As more volunteers signed up the study area expanded to include a mix of country houses from across Galloway, and even a few from Dumfriesshire. By the end of the project, 32 volunteers submitted their findings as summary reports, which covered 42 country houses across Galloway. The volunteers included people from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Glasgow and America. Their results revealed stories of the people who designed, lived and worked within these houses, stories which reflect both local history and connections to far-flung places during times of peace and war. The passion and commitment shown by the volunteers in uncovering the stories of these houses, both good and bad, has been inspiring, and they have created an impressive record which will be shared for many years to come. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Building Biographies: A 2023 volunteer research project into the country houses of Galloway VOLUME 3: KIRKCUDBRIGHT TO KIRKMICHAEL With contributions from: Laura Anderson, Bill Craig, Gabrielle Reynolds, Joyce Simpson, Bruce Smith and Robert Thorne Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 2 Kirkcudbright Parish Ardendee, Kirkcudbright ........................................................................................................ 4 Balmae House, Kirkcudbright ................................................................................................. 8 Fludha, Kirkcudbright ........................................................................................................... 14 Janefield, Kirkcudbright ....................................................................................................... 27 Marks, Kirkcudbright............................................................................................................ 33 Neptune Park, Kirkcudbright ................................................................................................ 37 Kirkinner Parish Barnbarroch, Kirkinner ......................................................................................................... 41 Kirkmaiden Parish Logan House, Kirkmaiden .................................................................................................... 47 Kirkmichael Parish Over Courance, Kirkmichael ................................................................................................. 70 Other Volumes in the Series .............................................................................................. 117 1 Introduction The Building Biographies project recruited volunteers to undertake research into some of the large country houses within Galloway1. These imposing buildings have borne witness to centuries of history, standing through changing eras and shifting social and economic climates. Their walls have enclosed the lives of many, their grounds the lives of many more and they have fulfilled a variety of needs from homes, hospitals and schools, to war rooms and tourist attractions. The decision to focus on country houses stemmed from their longevity and assorted histories: their status and sheer size making them notable features in the landscape which inspire the imagination and curiosity of locals and visitors alike. These are buildings which appear frequently in our landscape but their histories often remain unknown to the public. Many have been demolished or stand as ruins: a resource that disappears a little more with each passing decade. For the project, each volunteer was given their own specific house to research, piecing together timelines from their initial construction through to how they stand today. Initially, the selection of houses to research was driven by location, with the catchment area of the Galloway Glens being the focus. Second to this, the aim was to avoid any that had already been subject to a significant amount of research. The resulting selection included houses that were still in use, ruinous or even demolished, featuring a variety of functions dating back to the 19th century or earlier. As more volunteers signed up, however, the study area expanded to include all of Galloway (and even a few from Dumfriesshire) and the biggest influence came from the preferences of the volunteers themselves; many had specific areas or even houses that had already piqued their interest and so the list grew to encompass a sporadic mix of country houses from across the region. Each researcher was given a Guidance Note outlining the main resources available online. People could visit their local library or archive centre but the choice of online resources kept the project open to anyone who might face constraints in attending such places in person. By the end of the project, 32 volunteers submitted their findings as summary reports, which covered 42 country houses across Galloway. The volunteers included people from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Glasgow and America. Their results revealed stories of the people who designed, lived and worked within these houses, stories which reflect both local history and connections to far-flung places during times of peace and war. The volunteers’ research has revealed the importance of recording these histories, and the origins of many bring to light a legacy that is not always acknowledged. After the abolition of slavery within the British Empire, the Slave Compensation Act of 1837 authorised a commission to manage the distribution of £20 million to compensate slave owners in the British colonies for the freeing of slaves. 2 Not all, but many of these country houses were initially funded with profits from slavery, with several connections to plantations in Jamaica. It is important to record all aspects of our history and these houses seem able to reveal both the good and bad from our collective past. The passion and commitment shown by the volunteers in uncovering the stories of these houses has been inspiring, and they have created an impressive record which will be shared for many years to come. Claire Williamson The Building Biographies project was undertaken in February to April 2023 as part of ‘Can You Dig It’, the community archaeology project of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. Galloway Glens was a five-year initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and ‘Can You Dig It’ was match funded by Historic Environment Scotland and delivered by Rathmell Archaeology. 2 The Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery contains a database of their records https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/project/details/ 1 2 Over Courance Ardendee Janefield Barnbarroch Neptune Park Marks Fludha Balmae House Logan House Locations of houses researched during the Building Biographies Project – red marks the houses reported in this volume 3 Ardendee, Kirkcudbright by Bruce Smith This property was recently sold to new owners and the estate agent descriptions as to the current state were very helpful. For the majority of its life Ardendee has been a family home and one familiar with the sound of children and young people. The particulars of the house and property did not require much creative license from the agents. Their, “beautifully matured gardens including greenhouses, a walled garden, fruit and vegetable patches and a wood shed. An equestrian arena, a stable and a private golf driving range. Extensive garden lawns surrounded by thinned woodland. Views over Kirkcudbright and the River Dee”, gives a very fair idea. Originally built in the mid 19th century, it still retains many original or period features as well as over 13 acres of ground, making a small estate. Front of main house In 1872 we have the owner recorded by The Return of Scotland’s Landowners as George Hamilton with 4 acres. Hamilton was the Sheriff Clerk, indicating that it was certainly as gentleman’s residence. Sheriff Hamilton was a keen antiquarian and some of his collection of dirks and rapiers are in the Stewartry Museum in Kirkcudbright. He was a Chairman of the Antiquarian Society and was one of the principal founders of the Stewartry Museum and left his entire collection to them. The importance of this contribution to setting up the original Museum is recognised by a Plaque dedicated to his memory and to the official designation as ‘The Hamilton Memorial Building’. Maxwell’s Guide Book to the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright from the Nith to the Cree [1878] described the property as, “A little further on, to the east, on the rising ground, can be seen the mansion-house of Ardendee, the residence of George Hamilton, Esq., Sheriff-Clerk of the county. It is most beautifully situated, and commands one of the finest views of the river Dee and surrounding scenery which can be obtained in the district. McLachlan Harper’s “Rambles in Galloway”, went further by describing Ardendee as the most prominent of the residences in the area and commanding one of the finest views in the south of Scotland in 1878. 4 George Hamilton, Portrait in Stewartry Museum, Kirkcudbright The County Directory of Scotland informs us that Mrs Julia Hamilton stayed in Ardendee for some years after the death of Sheriff Hamilton. In fact, it was 1894 before the widow died. It looks as though Ardendee passed into the hands of a Dowager Countess, the Rt. Hon. Lydia Lucy Lifford [nee Wingfield Digby] who lived there until her death in 1919 at the fine age of 91 according to the will presented before Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court. Lydia was the widow of James, 4 th Viscount Lifford, an Irish Peer. Just after the Second World War, Miss Alice Clark Kennedy, moved out of Knockgray and Carsphairn and moved in with a great friend, Mrs Margaret Cathcart, owner of Ardendee. This was to allow renovations to a Clark Kennedy property in the Glenkens area. Miss Alice was a daughter of Viscount Lifford. Mrs Cathcart is likely to have been the widow of Major Frederick Adrian Cathcart. Maj. Cathcart is recorded in the Post Office Directory for 1921 as resident at Ardendee. He had connections to the Carsphairn area that also housed the Clark Kennedys. In fact, the Valuation Rolls indicate that he was a major landowner, mostly around Carsphairn and Kells. 5 Major F A Cathcart out for a days’ walking. [Carsphairn Archives] Cathcart was a noted sportsman and also President of the Carsphairn Angling Club at Kendoon Resevoir. He was also instrumental in the formation of Carsphairn Golf Club. Major Cathcart is still listed as the owner of Ardendee in 1940. Major Cathcart died in 1943 and his widow, Margaret [nee Elliot-Murray-Kynynmount] died in 1956. Margaret’s parents were the 3rd Earl and Countess of Minto. We are informed by Burke’s Peerage, that another military man resided at Ardendee for while around this time. Major-Gen. John Archibald Henry Pollock of the Indian Army died there in 1949. He fought in the Afghan Wars, Waziristan, the Boxer Rebellion and the North West Frontier. He also served as a JP for the Stewartry. Maj-Gen Pollock is likely to have known Cathcart from the Indian Army and from belonging to a similar social and military background. 6 Maj-Gen Pollock’s Dress Uniform. Sold at auction with accoutrements in 2014 Their son, Major Alan Reginald Cathcart and his wife, Daphne [nee Pollock] are recorded in Burke’s Peerage as living there during the 1960s and beyond. Major Cathcart fought in the Second World War with the Indian Army. Their two children, Julia and Charles, are remembered as living at Ardendee by contemporaries in Kirkcudbright. Most recently, probably from the late 1970s, the house was owned, and lived in, by Edward and Margaret Shamash with their children, Addi, Maurice, Ben and Joel. They were another family renowned for their sporting talents, particularly golf. With a nice sense of symmetry, Edward Shamash is credited with being the driving force behind the expansion of Kirkcudbright Golf Club into an 18-hole course in 1976. Edward was a golfer of some note, reaching the final of the British Boys’ Championships in 1958. He represented both Scotland and Great Britain at Under 18 level and was runner up in the British Youths’ Championships in 1959. Edward died in 2010 and Margaret remained at Ardendee for some years before relocating. One of the cottages on the property is available as a holiday let. 7 Balmae House, Kirkcudbright by Bill Craig Balmae House was built as a Dower House by Lord Daer the 5th Earl of Selkirk for his recently widowed mother, Helen Hamilton, following the death of his father, Lord Dunbar Douglas the 4th Earl of Selkirk in 1799. Thought to have been built in or around 1800, it is not currently known exactly when the building was completed or if the Dowager ever occupied the mansion before her death in 1802. The assumption is that Balmae was used as the Selkirks’ Dowager House until 1920 when it was sold. Balmae House continued to be used as a country mansion until 1943 when, as part of the acquisition of the Dundrennan military range during WW2 by the Ministry of War, it was used as the range commanding officer’s quarters until the house became unusable. It was demolished completely around 1963 and nothing remains of the house itself other than the remains of the landscaped garden and lake, large walled garden and a few of the buildings in the policies. Early history Canmore shows early history (numerous cup and ring) both in the surrounding area and within the policies of Balmae House. A bronze age half-moon Gold Plate was discovered in the policies with a photograph held in Kirkcudbright Museum. Balmae is shown on Blaeu’s 1654 map of West Kirkcudbright and on Roy’s Military Survey of Scotland 174755 but no houses are identifiable as on or near the location of Balmae House. It is a possibility that Balmae House was built on the site of an earlier building. During the second half of the 18th century, the extensive lands of Balmae were either tenanted or owned by Alexander Birtwhistle from Craven, Yorkshire, who made his fortune as a cattle/sheep drover between Scotland and the North of England, and then his son William Birtwhistle, who subsequently became a landowner in the Stewartry, cotton mill owner in Gatehouse of Fleet, and merchant and Provost of Kirkcudbright. The Land Tax Rolls of the late 18th century show Balmae as having one of the highest taxes in the County of Kirkcudbright. Balmae House Balmae House, grid reference NX 68440 44923, occupied a small parcel of land of the larger estate of Balmae and was described in the O/S Name Books 1848-51 as: “A handsome Mansion House partly of the Corinthian style of Architecture. It was built in 1800 by the late Lord Selkirk as the Sometime house of the Dowager Lady Selkirk. It is surrounded by a small demesne well ornamented with plantation.” 8 Map of Balmae House and Gardens 1949 – reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland (https://maps.nls.uk/) The entrance to Balmae House came from the looped road between Mutehill and Townhead using the current “west” entrance. At some point between 1850 and 1894 a second entrance was built about 100 yards to the East of this entrance giving a “Y” shaped route to the front of the house. Balmae House was positioned to the north of the demesne with the main entrance to the house facing northeast. The rear of the house had panoramic views to the southwest over Ross Island, the southern reaches of Kirkcudbright Bay and the Solway Firth. The Ross Island lighthouse, built in 1843 by Stevenson, still shone its light into Balmae’s bedrooms in the 1950’s. The desmesne of the House included a large walled garden with walls of at least 15 feet, still standing, dog kennel and a small lake at its southwest corner controlled by a sluice gate. The demesne contained three wells on its eastern side which may have fed the lake. The OS map of 1850 shows Balmae House, the walled garden, a Gardener’s Cottage built into the southeast walls of the garden, some buildings inside the northern parts of the gardens, and some other unidentified buildings to the northeast which may have been or become the coachman’s house and stables. The OS map of 1894 shows one additional building near the coachman’s house and the disappearance of the kennels and buildings inside the walled garden although it is a much more poorly drawn map with much less detail. The second entrance to the house is shown on this map. The 1946 OS map gives more detail again with a number of buildings/structures to the northeast of the house and buildings outside of the northwest wall of the garden. The Mansion Although there are some early photographs of the house, there are no original architect plans currently available and the architect is not known. It is not listed in the Dictionary of Scottish Architecture. However, there are broad similarities in design and layout with Arbigland House near Kirkbean, which was built in the 1750’s in the style of Adam. The Ministry of Works produced plans of Balmae House in 1961 as it was at that time. This may give an indication of the general layout of the house perhaps as it was when originally built although the usage of particular rooms may have changed over time. 9 The plans show a substantial rectangular building of four storeys including a basement and attic rooms with a 2-storey “extension” to the southeast side. The main part of the house has five bedrooms on the first floor. The main entrance to Balmae House was framed by four corinthian-style pillars supporting a pediment. The doorway led into a substantial hall with wood panelling and a “magnificent” inlaid wooden staircase. A particular feature of the House is a semi-circular bay on the first three floors which forms a large oval room on each. On the MoW plans these rooms are shown as the lounge on the ground floor and a bedroom, possibly the master bedroom, on the first floor, both presumably with views down to the coast. The basement contained the kitchen, which is located in the oval room, two larders, a wine store, scullery, and various stores connected to the laundry and wash house in the extension. There were also three cellars to the northeast of the basement. A lift, possibly a dumb-waiter, connected the kitchens to the main floor with public rooms. The second floor contained the servants’ quarters in the attic. The MoW plans show five rooms. The Gardens The large Walled Garden has an area of around 25000 sq yards and has unusually kept much of its internal contours with sizeable mounds. A culvert runs through the garden and supplies the lake, with the external wall separating a small pond inside the garden from the rest of the lake. There is evidence that part of the garden area was planted at some point with beech hedges perhaps used as divisions. Greenhouses were constructed in the northern part of the walled garden. The Head Gardener lived in the cottage built into the wall on the southeast of the garden. This cottage still stands and has been refurbished by the MoD. Before the Second World War, one of the gardeners lived in a small bothy, no longer standing, on the side of the gardener’s cottage with a third gardener living at Craikness Cottage on the road towards Dromore, northeast of Balmae House. Other buildings Just outside the southwest corner of the Walled Garden was a building named Ross View. This house no longer exists. The stables and carriage house were situated to the northeast of the policies with a connecting roadway to the main house. The coachman in the early to mid 20 th century was called Baynes and his residence was known as Baynes’ House during the mid 20th century. These buildings no longer exist. 10 Ownership The accessed records do not show when the lands of Balmae came into the Earls of Selkirk’s possession, or if the lands were actually owned by father and son Alexander and William Birtwhistle or just tenanted by them. ? - 1799 Dunbar Douglas, 4th Earl of Selkirk (1722–1799) 1799 - 1820 Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk (1771–1820) 1820 - 1885 Dunbar James Douglas, 6th Earl of Selkirk (1809–1885) 1885 - 1886 Charles George Hamilton (1847–1886) 1886 - 1895 William Alexander Louis Stephen Douglas-Hamilton (1845–1895) 1895 - 1919(?) Alfred Douglas Douglas-Hamilton (1862–1940) 1919(?) - ? David Duncan ? - 1943 Mrs Duncan who moved to Ellenbank, Tongland Road, Kirkcudbright on the acquisition by the Ministry of War 1943 - current Ministry of War/MoD Occupiers 1800 - 1802 Helen Hamilton, Dowager of Dunbar Douglas the 4th Earl of Selkirk who died 1802 at her lodgings in Bath. Not known if she resided at Balmae House 1802 - 1820 Unknown 1820 - 1871 Jean. Dowager of Thomas Douglas, the 5th Earl of Selkirk 1871 - 1885 Unknown 1885 - 1920 Cicely Louisa Dowager of Dunbar James, 6th Earl of Selkirk 1919(?) - ? David Duncan ? - 1943 Mrs Duncan 1943 - 1957(?) Commanding Officer quarters Officers in residence 1944 - 1957 Col Dunne Col Smith Col O’Rourke Col Fitzpatrick Col Miller The House was deemed unusable by the Ministry of War in about 1957 and stood empty until it was completely demolished in about 1963 by local builder George Watson with any items of value – wooden panelling and ornate staircase – removed by local residents Neil McWhirter and Joey Sassoon. 11 Recollections and Anecdotes of Balmae House David Collin, Local resident and Architect As a young boy, he stayed for a weekend in about 1952 in Balmae House with his friend, the son of Colonel O’Rourke. He describes the House as very attractive and in good condition, particularly remembering the large oval rooms and the large bedrooms that the light from Ross Island Lighthouse shone into at night, wooden panelling and the in-laid staircase which they used an old mattress to slide down. Some of the fireplaces had been restored with tiles from the Selkirks’ main residence at St Mary’s Isle. The family occupied the lower basement which opened on to the lawn from which Colonel O’Rourke flew petrol fuelled model planes. David Picken, Local farmer Recalls the grand columns framing the main door of the house which after demolition lay on the shore near Mutehill for some time. He also remembers the coach houses and harness rooms near the Walled Gardens which had a large glassed area for washing the carriages. Bayne (or Bain) was the coachman who lived in a house in the northeast of the grounds. Alex Southen – MoD Archaeologist Officers were housed in Balmae House until the building of the new accommodation at Townhead Camp in late 1943. It seems that in 1947 there was a requirement to extend the ranges and once again Balmae House was highlighted as an accommodation for the officers of the range staff. This seems to be only mentioned in minutes of a meeting, so I’m not sure if it happened. Also, apparently, water was supplied to Balmae House through two underground concrete tanks, and fed through a 1 ½ inch pipe into the house. Finally, a red sandstone sundial was relocated from Balmae House after the Ministry of War took over the land, and stood next to the road hub of the original Townhead Camp. However, in recent years it was relocated once more and it now stands next to the modern range buildings at Dundrennan Camp. Galloway News - 25th November 1961 “After the death of the sixth Earl of Selkirk (Dunbar James) in 1885, his widow took up residence at Balmae, a lovely mansion overlooking the Solway Firth. There she remained until her death in 1921. She was a great horse-woman, and nothing gave her greater pleasure than driving her own carriage and pair. Later, during the 1914-18 war, in order to keep up the morale of the land-workers, she drove the horses in the reaper at Torrs Farm, with Jamie Smith "guiding" or tilting. Many a Christmas tree did the Countess provide in her home for the children attending this little school. She always opened the proceedings by reciting the Selkirk Grace, as it was called after Burns had himself quoted it at St Mary's Isle in 1793. But we had to be respectful and remember to say "My Lady." School memories from early 20th century Townhead School 12 Images from Canmore 1. SW facing frontage showing large Bay with Oval rooms 2. SW frontage 3. NE frontage showing main door framed by four corinthian columns supporting pediment 4 Sundial which was moved from Balmae House to Dundrennan Range HQ by MoD 5. Large sweeping staircase with inlaid treads 6. Interior columns beside staircase 7. Ornate fireplace 13 Fludha, Kirkcudbright by Bruce Smith A HOUSE WITH A HISTORY Introduction Welcome to this very brief history of the building. The address for most of its life was, Fludha, Tongland Road, Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. The New Statistical Account of Scotland, Volume IV, listed Fludha as one of the five mansion houses of the parish of Kirkcudbright in 1845 [interestingly, Janefield on the opposite side of the main road was another]. Similarly we can locate the house in other prestigious Directories from the C.19th and early C. 20th, such as The County Directory of Scotland and The Directory to Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Seats as far back as 1852. Prior to 1839 Fludha was a simple two room dwelling, very similar to another, which was later rebuilt as Fludha Cottage, and stands just behind us to the north of the hotel. We can chart how a rude or simple dwelling became such an attractive dwelling and occupied such a prominent location. Fludha has been a hotel or guest house since opening in 2005 when Steven and Christine Laycock bought the 2 acre property and the period house and sympathetically renovated the inside to achieve a 5 Star Tourist rated, six bedroom, hotel. In addition the gardens were landscaped to try to bring back some of the elegance of previous years. Fludha has many links with some of the bigger houses in Kirkcudbrightshire, including Barcaple and Cumpston House, and with one of the most famous buildings in America. Many of the previous owners have also had close links with Canada. The house has generally passed into the hands of family members when death called for the existing owner. A large proportion of the previous owners have been women. We are very grateful to such people as Margaret Torrance and other sources, such as the autobiography by Stuart Lauchlan, and oral contributions by some of our neighbours that have allowed us to put this brief history of the house and its links together. 14 So, as you will discover, Fludha is a house that has paid its way for much of its life, one that has helped to protect the dignity of elderly and younger ladies, that has known the joy of young children and their voices, that made its contribution to the wars against Hitler, and is a house that has been famous locally for its hospitality. Fludha is Born Our first mention of Fludha is of a small two room dwelling, rather than the current period mansion. The property that stood on the land was known as Fludha Cottage. We have a brief mention of it from Stuart Campbell Lauchlan. His mother and father, Mr and Mrs Joseph Campbell, owned or lived in Fludha from 1922 and he grew up there for at least some of his childhood. He has suggested that the property was rebuilt to its present shape and proportions in 1839. The two rooms became the dining room and a drawing room. Two acres of lawn and rough field were attached to the property, although it is not clear if this land was purchased at this time to add to the property. This land more or less corresponds to the existing footprint of the land today. The new house was an impressive one and had been carefully chosen. Stonemasons, carpenters and builders produced the current shape of the house on classical lines, although we have no record of any architect yet. The average wage for a stonemason in Kirkcudbright in the 1840s was 2 shillings and 6 pence daily [12 ½ pence] and a house carpenter would expect to be paid 2 shillings [10 pence]. There seems to be a very strong American influence in the choice of the location for the new house and for the choice of name. The first recorded occupants [through the 1841 Census] of Fludha were three ladies. They were Grace Maitland [nee Gordon] and her two step daughters, Elizabeth Agnes Maitland [Miss Betsy] and her sister, Susanna Poythress Maitland. Grace was the widow of David Maitland of Barcaple. There were many family links between Fludha and Barcaple, one of the more imposing mansion houses in the area. It had an estate of nearly 4 000 acres and a 21 acre park and was about 4 miles away across the rivers Dee and Tarff. In fact, one author described Fludha as a dower house for the Maitland women. Miss Betsy was born in Virginia, USA in 1793. Her father, David Maitland, was a merchant and trader concerned largely with the eastern states. Tobacco was a very important, and lucrative, trade between the USA and Great Britain. Virginia was also a leading cotton producer and this was in high demand in Britain. Around 1820, nearly half of all American imports were cotton. Tobacco exports were about one-fifth of cotton totals. David Maitland married Susanna Poythress, the daughter of Joshua Poythress in Prince George, Virginia in 1788. Joshua owned the tobacco plantation on the crook of the James River, on the south side, halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg. The name of the plantation was the Flowerdew Plantation. The Flowerdew Plantation is a very famous and historical one in America today. Flowerdew Hundred was among the earliest English settlements in the New World, and its 1,400 acres contain some of the country's best preserved and most significant archaeological site. Flowerdew Hundred survived an Indian attack in 1622. Originally it was owned by Sir George Yeardley, the first Governor of Virginia. He was a very able and popular Governor and the economy of Virginia soon began to prosper. The house, Flowerdew, was built in 1620 and the plantation was named after the Governor’s wife, Temperence Flowerdew. However, it may have been already farmed by Temperence’s brother and already named after him. The family originating from Norfolk, England. Temperence Flowerdew was one of the first Americans, arriving on the Falcon in 1609. For many years the Flowerdew Hundred [the name given to a 15 grant of land] was a famous historical museum. It is also a site of archaeological importance and the excavations there have helped to fill in some of the early history of America and Virginia. Old map of the James River showing the location of the Flowerdew Plantation and house on the south bank of the river as it crooks 16 Flowerdew Hundred changed hands over the years, usually within an extended network of families linked by marriage. The spellings of the plantation are various, from Fleur Dieu to Fludha. By 1725 the Poythress family were the owners. It was into this family that David Maitland married Susanna. Susanna died in 1799 leaving David with 2 daughters to bring up. He soon returned to Scotland, having inherited the Barcaple estate on the death of his father. In 1804 he married Grace Gordon from nearby Campbelton, Twynholm and they lived at Barcaple until his death in 1838. Shortly after this the Fludha purchase was made and the three ladies moved out of Barcaple. The location of Fludha, on the south of the river by the bend clearly reminded the ladies of their American roots. The River Dee standing in for the James River. The Dee itself had attractions. It was described in 1845 as, “In summer, its margins are sweetly bedecked with wild flowers. To saunter here and listen to the mournful sound of the passing stream is to visit nature in her loveliest and most interesting form….. the river is picturesque from the rising ground at Boreland” A glimpse of the view that captivated Miss Betsy and her sister. Today’s visitors to Fludha will still be able to appreciate the view that captivated Miss Betsy and, all too briefly Susanna Maitland, who died in 1840. Grace Maitland died in 1847 in Surrey but is commemorated in Tongland Kirkyard. There have been suggestions that the origins of the house name was either a version of Flood Hall or a Gaelic sounding Flud Ha. However, the many links to America and the Plantation are a little more convincing. The house is, however, marked on the 1843 Ordnance Survey Map as Flud Ha. Miss Betsy lived at Fludha until her death in 1879 aged 86. In addition there was usually a Cook/Housekeeper, a Housemaid and a Coachman/Footman who lived in the house. Miss Betsy was buried in Tongland Kirkyard. The 1841 Census listed Hugh Lamont, Margaret Shaw and a 15-year-old girl, Agnes Lamont, as servants. In the 1851 Census, Margaret Shaw was the Housekeeper/Cook. She was aged 51, unmarried and was born in Kirkcudbright. She was assisted by Grace Henry and Robert Murray. After the death of Betsy Maitland, the coachman, Alexander Clark, purchased some adjoining land from Kirkcudbright Town Council and built a house known as West View. This was, presumably a legacy for faithful service and/or his savings. Clark lived 17 there with his wife, Janet Hannay, the housemaid at Fludha until she died in 1909 and then until he died in December 1912, aged 73. Both are commemorated in Tongland Kirkyard. One event that may have annoyed Miss Betsy was the opening of the railway into Kirkcudbright. It ran a few metres from the eastern boundary when it opened in 1865. Fortunately, trains were forced to slow down for the bridge over the lane between Fludha and West View going up to Low Boreland. The estate was left to a cousin, David Campbell of Ayrshire but we do not have any record of him occupying Fludha. The property was purchased by a John Charters in the early 1880s. He was a coachman’s son and worked as a draper in Whithorn, evidently successfully. He is recorded as having 4 employees. However, once again, there is a close connection to Barcaple. His parents, John and Grace, lived at Barcaple Cottage and John was the coachman there. Once again, the links to Maitland properties at Barcaple are evident. Their son bought Fludha and lived there until his death in 1886. Again, the owner of Fludha is buried in Tongland Kirkyard. John Charters passed the house to his sister, Jane and she lived there with her niece, Grace Palmer until her death in 1910. She is commemorated in Tongland Kirkyard. The census records for 1891 and 1901 only record one or two servants living on the premises. The general servant in 1891 was Janet Dempster, aged 23 and born in Dalbeattie. It may be that the ladies were able to look after the many household tasks themselves or those servants and gardeners came up for the day. In 1901 Grace Palmer and Mary Dalziel were the servants. A local house, West View, was built by the Coachman to Miss Elizabeth bordering on to the Fludha property to the south. In the Census Alexander Clark is described as a jobbing gardener. 18 Fludha in 1907 Grace Palmer inherited Fludha in 1910 and seven months later married a Kirkcudbright GP, David Jackson McAdam and they made their home here, moving up from his bachelor accommodation in St Cuthberts Street in the town. They then went on a grand Honeymoon Tour to Canada. Unfortunately, Grace took ill in Montreal and died in June 1911. She is commemorated in Tongland Kirkyard. David McAdam returned home to his practice and threw himself enthusiastically into the life of the community. He was a respected medical man and a very active supporter of many local groups. He was a Chairman of St Cuthberts Wanderers FC, a member of the Town Council, and a keen sailor. He particularly delighted in taking groups of young people aboard his yacht for a trip to sea. His memorial in the Dumfries Standard in 1922 recalled his hearty and infectious laughter and willingness to pay for medicines for the poor out of his own pocket. His grave is located in Kirkcudbright cemetery. Fludha was one of the very few properties in Kirkcudbright to have a telephone. The number in 1921 was Kirkcudbright 34. Fludha appears to have been left to a niece of Dr McAdam, Esther Jackson Campbell [Essie] who lived here until sometime in the 1960s. Essie moved into the house with her parents, her three siblings and grandmother. In addition, she shortly married and brought her husband, Stuart Lauchlan, to Fludha too. He had been employed by the Nigerian Forestry Department and it is not clear if he travelled back to join them. The elder Stuart Lauchlan is remembered as a sociable and likeable neighbour. By 1929, Stuart and Essie had added a son to the inhabitants of Fludha. 19 Stuart Campbell Lauchlan whose mother and father owned Fludha in the 1920s. He grew up here and has many happy tales of living at Fludha. Stuart married Marian Bevan and later moved out to Warren, Rhode Island where both were doctors. Stuart died in Rhode Island in 2014. Essie made some changes to Fludha in the 40 years or so that she lived there. The gardener’s cottage in the grounds to the north of the main building was a two roomed and basic structure. Essie had it rebuilt into the two story building that exists today, called Fludha Cottage, and sold sometime in the early 1960s. It shared the old drive that was the main entrance until the existing drive was built in 2005. In addition, Essie changed some of the internal features of the house. It was Essie had intended to live in the newly converted gardeners’ cottage but she changed her mind and sold it. She moved into the bottom flat and rented out the top floor to a retired couple. Unfortunately, we know little about them at the moment. The grounds required a gardener and we know that a Mr Louden was there in the 1920s and a Mr Cole in the 1940s and into the 1950s. The latter is remembered as a rather typical hardworking man but rather taciturn, to say the least. David McKill worked some of the grounds as well in the 1960s and 70s. Fludha in World War Two Unusually the Great War of 1914-18 appears to have left the house and its inhabitants untouched. However, Fludha was to make a more vigorous and robust contribution to the defeat of Hitler and Nazi Germany. The house made its contribution in five main areas, looking after evacuees, billeting soldiers, collecting salvage, helping to make munitions and producing food for the war effort. Firstly, the house took evacuees from Glasgow in 1939-40. There was a great fear of the bomber and the authorities were keen to get women and children out of a key target, with its shipyards and munitions factories. After war was declared, people expected that the Luftwaffe would bomb Britain and that civilian casualties would be enormous. Evacuation was voluntary. Some had made private arrangements but when the order came at 11.07 on 31 August 1939 to ‘Evacuate Forthwith’, nearly 176,000 children assembled: 120,000 leaving Glasgow within three days. By Christmas 1939, the feared German blitzkrieg hadn’t happened and three-quarters of the evacuees had returned home. Sometimes children were sent on their own or whole families came down. Fludha put up a family from Glasgow under instruction from the government and the children would have been enrolled in the local schools. One school that has recorded its evacuation to Kirkcudbright was Greenfield School in Govan. Eventually they went back to Glasgow. Locals, including Stuart Lauchlan took the view that the quiet of Kirkcudbright was too hard to adjust to for city folk. 20 However, once the government sponsored family had returned, Fludha had others who came down privately during the bad bombing phases later in the war. Kirkcudbright has an army training range and a large number of soldiers were trained there and billeted in the town and surrounding farms. Fludha took its share of soldiers, particularly when nearby farms were requisitioned as a tank range. Fludha had a number of soldiers, ranging from officers to enlisted men. Ronald Searle, the creator of the St Tinian’s cartoons was one of the soldiers billeted in the town. He got the idea from talking to two young girls who had been evacuated to Kirkcudbright. His memories of the town are very warm and typical. "[Those families in Kirkcudbright] opened their doors with a generosity that made life unbelievably tolerable for a bunch of miserable soldiers." The Army Commando unit that was stationed there from 1943 onwards is particularly remembered for their fitness and for their sense of fun. They became almost part of the Lauchlan family. They were training for D Day and the family were relieved that they all survived, although one was badly wounded. It looks like the men were from either No 4 or No 6 Commando. Fludha also made a contribution to the war effort by sacrificing their aluminium cookware to help build Spitfires and Hurricanes. Stuart Lachlan went out every Saturday morning with the Scouts, like thousands of others, to enthusiastically collect material that could be recycled for the war effort. Many accounts from residents during the war recall the Scout trek cart on a Saturday morning. The inhabitants of Fludha rather dreamed that one of their pans had shot down a German bomber or two. Stuart Lauchlan had retired from his post with the Nigerian Forestry Commission. However he volunteered to work on munitions production for the war effort. He became a shift chemist and travelled to Dalbeattie on the train that ran about 20 metres from his boundary to make nitro-glycerine and cordite. This material was used to fill shells and as propellant for the shells and rifle bullets. He also practiced rifle shooting with his son just in case the German should make an appearance in Kirkcudbright’s streets. Due to the U boat menace, Britain was rather short of food. Fludha, having over 2 acres of land was well placed to become reasonably self-sufficient in such things as fruit and vegetables. The greenhouse on the south side of the house and the one to the rear were fully utilised and there was a walled vegetable and fruit garden. Apples were grown and carefully laid out in the fruit store at the rear. Soft fruits were made into jams and chutneys. Plums, loganberries, gooseberries, currants, and strawberries were carefully grown and stored. Brambles, crab apples and mushrooms were gathered for the surrounding area. Rosehips, a valuable source of Vitamin C were gathered as well. Today the bramble bushes and crab apple trees along the Dee Walk continue to offer their bounty. Much of the vegetable garden would be laid out for the growing of potatoes during the war, with carrots and onions. In addition, Fludha kept a full supply of chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, turkeys and bees. The average ration was meagre and country folk were luckier than city dwellers in that they could produce extra food. At some point during the war Fludha played host to one of the Intelligence Agencies. They commandeered one of the annex rooms with the nautical round windows. This allowed them to keep Ellenbank, a neighbouring property, under surveillance. In the early days of the war Kirkcudbright was awash with rumours and stories of German spies and parachutists. Clearly an aggrieved or nervous resident had communicated their suspicions to the authorities. However Fludha did not escape unscathed during World War Two. Possibly the Germans were aware of its many contributions to the war effort. A German bomber on its way back from Glasgow or Clydebank dropped its bombs on an abandoned farm nearby. The blast woke up Mr and Mrs Lauchlan and dislodged some plaster from the bedroom ceiling. In addition, the base of the water fountain was cracked and it never worked again. 21 Interestingly a new fountain was put in by Steven Laycock in 2010. As far as we know, this was the only bombing incident during WWII in Kirkcudbright. Possibly the story of the spy in Ellenbank had some truth to it, with Fludha to be bombed for its crucial contributions to the war effort. Changes and more changes For most of its life Fludha has been a family house. Generally changes to the inside and outside of the house and to the gardens were minimal. The most obvious change has been the painting of the walls. In the 1870 photograph we can see that the stonework is intact with the sandstone windows, corners and balustrades painted white. In addition there is a window into the attic at the top of the south facing wall. This no longer exists and probably disappeared by the turn of the century. The 1907 photograph shows that the Charters had opened up the gardens at the front of the house, giving a similar aspect to the present time. In addition the south facing part of the house had a greenhouse or conservatory attached to it. In here tomatoes and grapes were grown. In the late 1920s or 30s the stonework was painted black. During the war supplies of oil based black paint disappeared and the walls were painted with a type of whitewash. This lasted until the 1960s when new owners after Essie had the paint removed and the original stonework restored. This would have been a fairly expensive and time consuming job then. Large trees at the front were removed and the front lawn was used for tennis, croquet and bowls parties. Today guests are still invited to try their hand at croquet on the front lawn. 22 We think that one of the Charters added the fairly extensive but graceful extension to the gable to the north of the property. We suspect that most of the rooms created were functional. Indoor toilets, airing cupboards, housemaid’s new bedroom, storerooms and a new upstairs parlour or sitting room seem to have been the main uses. The current dining room was the drawing room for most of the time, the two windows being perfect for the purpose. Fludha’s large and well-appointed kitchen today was the family dining room, with its view over the river. During the 1920s, 30s and 40s some of the rooms were partly lined with hardwood brought home from Nigeria by Stuart Lauchlan. We certainly know that the parlour or sitting room in the annex was laid out this way. In addition such African mementos and curios, such as fly swats were hanging from the walls. Through the 1960s until around 1992 much of the ground was leased to a local commercial gardener, David McKill. His family had originally owned, and worked, Janefield opposite. David grew a variety of produce commercially and always said that the quality of the soil was excellent assisted by an employee, William Kennedy. David still has an excellent gardening business today about 30 metres across the road from the old entrance. David grew, and sold, mostly potatoes and early chrysanthemums on the rich soil. Fludha was purchased from Essie when she finally gave in to the entreaties of her son and moved to Canada, and later Rhode Island in the USA. In 1984 Essie died and was cremated there. The new purchaser was a Mr James Beattie. He had been born in Carlisle is believed to have been a sheep farmer from Eskdalemuir. He had retired and moved in with his third wife. James appears to have made few changes to the property. He always insisted on being called Mr Beattie and is remembered as a man of slightly uncertain temper. The ladies who brought him Meals on Wheels in his latter years certainly recall his grumpy demeanour. Interestingly he had four children with Agnes, who died in 1972, none of them inherited the property. James Beattie appears to have married his third wife, Jean, and she moved into Fludha. James died in January 1994 at the age of 89 but we think Jean lived there alone for a number of years before it was sold again. We have an aerial photograph of the house and part of the grounds taken in the 1960s and the basic shape of the grounds are still recognisable. This includes a slightly smaller copper beech than exists today. There have been a few gardeners who have contemplated how much easier their life would be if it got struck by lightning one night. In addition, the huge poultry shed is visible at the bottom of the picture standing on thick concrete bases. These were a terrible job to remove when the grounds were returned to grass. Essie sold eggs to the folk in the local community who did not fancy the long walk to get shop ones from Kirkcudbright. We think that Mrs Beattie rented out the top flat to a number of people. It is a big house and it may well have been a lonely spot. We know a little about two of the tenants. Fludha was also proving hard to sell, possibly being a little dilapidated and the division into flats was perhaps unappealing to prospective purchasers. For example, the roof was in a very poor state and almost all of it had to be renewed, even though it was a January. A neighbour, David McKill, remembers the “hellish weather” and the poor, frozen roofers. In the 1990s the top flat was lived by the Inghams. Sarah Ingham was the RE teacher at Kirkcudbright Academy in town. Her husband was also highly qualified with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Divinity. In addition he had a qualification in music and Gaelic as well as being elected as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in December 1997. The couple later moved north and Mrs Ingham is currently a Headteacher somewhere up in the Central Belt. One day, a few years ago, Steve Laycock received a visit from a pair of twins who once stayed in Fludha as a holiday let. Being in the area, they wanted to see the old place again. 23 Some time in the 1990s the property was bought by Mrs Amanda McQueen, who lived there with her teenage daughter Katy. Amanda was a local businesswoman with a string of enterprises in the area. She and her daughter were keen on horses and they put in modern fencing and turned the grounds into a paddock for their horses. Neighbours could hear the ghostly thunder of their hooves as they tore around the paddock at night. She also relocated the road to Fludha Cottage that ran within 6 inches of the back of the house. Amanda McQueen remarried and put the property up for sale, wanting more land for her horses, and so she went off to Crossmichael. Fludha was bought by a Marianne Fraser. She had a house in Italy but put it on the market to come home and help her sister nurse her ailing husband. She moved in to Craigmullen in Dundrennan with the Kennedys. Tragically her husband soon died and within three weeks her sister died also. At this time Fludha was up for sale and it no doubt seemed a good idea to move from Dundrennan. Within two years of purchase and moving in, Marianne also passed away. In 2006 Steven and Christine Laycock sold their bed and breakfast hotel in Castle Douglas and came here with an exciting vision. The couple originated from Yorkshire. Fludha was to be turned into the only 5 Star hotel in the region. Christine was a superb cook and her evening meals were a sight to behold, and even better to eat. The couple created 6 bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms. In addition, the stable block and some of the back outbuildings were integrated into the house. Mr Stephen Laycock, owner from 2005 to the present. A tremendous amount of time, effort and money had to be expended to realise the dream. One of the painters employed on the task described, with some wonder, how things were to be done. “We were not allowed to take short cuts, even though the guests would never see that bit. Everything had to be done properly and it was all best quality stuff that went in from the builders through to the plumbers. It did look nice when it was all finished.” The grounds were reshaped. The grand drive through the trees was created and a safer entrance was build. A number of large trees were taken town in order to create a feeling of space. Hospitality and Fludha Although Fludha has extended a warm welcome and hospitality to guests from 2006, the house does have an honourable tradition of extending hospitality to others. We have already mentioned the welcome given to various officers and soldiers during the Second World War. Another incident typifies the whole approach from Fludha’s owners to other. Stuart Lauchlan remembers cycling down the old drive and finding a jeep full of soldiers parked there one hot day. Although perhaps only 13 years old at the time, he knew how to behave in such a situation. The hot and thirsty soldiers were invited up for tea. He cycled up to tell his mother, Essie, about the men just about to follow. What he had not realised was that the jeep was the lead vehicle for a slower lorry full of soldiers, for which they were waiting to catch up. Both vehicles turned up the drive and a lot of cups of tea were provided. 24 In a similar vein, Fludha was a tramp’s favourite in the 1940s and 50s. As they walked up the drive they were always made welcome with hot soup or scones and cheese along with a huge mug of tea in the back courtyard or wood store. The ‘Gentlemen Of The Road’ were always full of tales, adventures and interesting patter. Generally they would be expected to chop kindling to maintain self-respect. Many were allowed to stay the night and to sleep in the woodshed. The only stipulation being that they would have to go outside to smoke. Gypsy women were also frequent visitors, selling clothes pegs, dried flowers or lucky heather. They are remembered as polite but reserved. They never spent the night and the residents of Fludha often wondered where they went. Many had babies wrapped in brightly coloured shawls or blankets with then. Stuart Lauchlan remembers trying to find the secret signs at the bottom of the driveway that informed fellow travellers that the people in the house were generous to their kind. Gypsies and tinkers were a regular feature of life in Kirkcudbright. The artist William Mouncey, who married one of E.A. Hornel’s sisters, lived at Woodlea further along this road towards the town. His painting of the gypsy encampment is hanging in the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock. Typical gypsy/tramp signs on drives and gateposts Fludha’s large rooms were utilised for Kirkcudbright Academy social functions at times. In the late 1990s Sarah Ingram offered the imposing rooms to the staff for their end of term ‘do’. No doubt Fludha coped with the clearly articulated requests for, ‘ just a little bit of cheese and plenty of wine’. In 2023 Fludha is operating as a self-catering facility. The stable blocks and outbuildings have been rebuilt. With the death of Christine Laycock a few years after opening, it gradually became too much to operate as a 5 Star hotel. In 2023 it is run as a number of self-catering rooms. 25 Fludha 2020 Owners of Fludha 2006-present Steven and Christine Laycock [died Oct 2011] 2002- 2005 Marianne Fraser 1998/9-2002? Mrs Amanda McQueen 1960s-1998/9 Mr James Beattie and Mrs Beattie [Agnes and later Jean] 1922 -1960s Esther [Essie] Jackson Campbell [daughter of Mr and Mrs Campbell and niece of Dr McAdam] and married to Mr Stuart Lauchlan 1911-1922 Dr David Jackson McAdam [husband of Grace Palmer] 1910- 1911 Grace Palmer [niece of Jane Charters] 1886-1910 Jane Charters [sister of John Charters] 1881 -1886 John Charters 1839-1879 Elizabeth Agnes Maitland [Betsy] 26 Janefield, Kirkcudbright by Bruce Smith Owner/Occupier History 1836 Mr Thomas Roy. 1851 Mr William Hyacinth Dunbar. 1851 Census. Also, Post Office Directory of Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Seats in Scotland [1852]. 1875 Mrs Catherine Chute Mackenzie. The Post Office. County Directory of Scotland. 1878 Miss Mackenzie, recorded in Maxwell’s Maxwell’s Guide Book to the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright from the Nith to the Cree. Eliza MacKenzie Pierce Chute Mackenzie 1891 Mr Atkinson Habbishaw. 1891 Census. 1913? Mrs Annie Stewart Marshall. Widow. Valuation Rolls, 1915-30. 1930s Dr Alexander Fraser, Medical Officer of Health for Stewartry. 1951 Mrs Fraser, widow of above. 1952 William McKill. A farmer from Biggar purchased the property from Mrs Fraser. It was used as a family home for Mr McKill, his wife and son and daughter. 1957 Mr Sinclair with his daughter and his son-in-law, Mr Fleck. Early 1960s Mr Sidney Alexander Lockhart and his wife, Jean. Lockhart was the Sheriff at Kirkcudbright and Wigton. When Mrs Lockhart was widowed in 1969 she continued to stay there for a short time before moving closer to town. 1987 The next owners were two ladies, one who had been a teacher. They are remembered locally as Mollie Abbott CBE and Dr. Jean Carroll. Eventually the ladies sold up and moved to the Grange over Sands in the Lake District. 2000 The current owners are Rod and Toni McAllister, who bought the property to raise their two young children, Matthew and Helen. A Brief History Apart from the above, Janefield, as a residence without details of owners or inhabitants, is mentioned in: 1. The 1837 estate map of Kirkcudbright by John Gillone [Jr]. 2. The 1845 New Statistical Account for Scotland. 3. The 1845 edition of A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. “The houses of Balmae, Janefield, St. Cuthbert's Cottage, and Fludha, are handsome residences finely situated.” 4. The 1857 Post office Directory of Nobleman and Gentlemen’s seats in Scotland. 5. The 1868 National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland as one of the four mansions in Kirkcudbright. There does not appear to be a great deal of excitement around Janefield. Our first mention is the Sheriff Court case proceedings in 1836 against one William Sharpe McCaughie, a tailor from Kirkcudbright, who was caught trying to burgle the property. The residents listed as witnesses or complainants were Thomas Roy, Grace McMinn and Marion Ross. Marion Ross may well have been a servant as her address is listed as St Cuthbert’s Cottage. On the other hand, she may well have been visiting when the theft took place. 27 In 1837 Thomas Roy is listed by the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Royal Association for the Promotion of Fine Arts in Scotland as purchasing an Arcadian Shepherd sculpture by James Ritchie. Ritchie’s son, Alexander Handyside Ritchie, was more famous as a sculptor. Both Ritchies, and possibly, Roy had contacts with David Octavius Hill, one of the more notable Scottish artist, painter and photographer. William H. Dunbar who owned the property in the 1850s was an Advocate and Steward Substitute. In the 1851 Census he is described as unmarried, 46 years old and having been born in Tueern, Ireland. The Valuation Roll of 1860 indicates that it was a leasehold property, the land having originally belonging to Andrew Coltart. The household included the Housekeeper/cook, Helen Hunter. She was aged 32, unmarried and born in Edinburgh. Margaret Johnston, an unmarried 24-year-old girl was the housemaid. She was born in Tongland. In addition there was Daniel Morgan, aged 30, who may well have been the coachman. In 1861 the servants were Elizabeth Wilkinson, 53 and Sarah Thompson. Ten years later Elizabeth Angus and Elizabeth Wilson were the servants. By 1875 Mrs Catherine C. Mackenzie was using Janefield as a family home for her and her 7 children. It would appear that her husband, Basil William Mackenzie [b.1805], a man from Co. Cork, had died around 1847. Catherine Chute, her maiden name, was born in Tralee, Co. Kerry in 1812. After her death in 1877, one of her daughters, Catherine, took over. In the 1881 Census Mary Mackenzie lived with her sister Eliza, her husband John Picken and 3 very small children. The 1885 Kirkcudbright Valuation Rolls has a Mr Pierce Chute Mackenzie as the Tenant/Occupier. In 1886, EA Hornel famously painted his, ‘Distant View of Kirkcudbright from Janefield.’ [Figure 1]. Whether Hornel paid a visit to Janefield while he was preparing and sketching is a matter of supposition only. Figure 1 In 1891 Janefield was owned by a Mr Atkinson Habbishaw. He was a retired banker from England, we think from Yorkshire, and he lived here with his sister Helen, aged 55. She is described as having Private Means. The household also included the servants, Elizabeth Cowan, aged 35 and born in Dumfriesshire and Elizabeth Johnstone, aged 20 and born in Fifeshire. In the 1901 Census we have two local girls, Jessie Mackenzie, 22 and Mary Russell, 19 as servants. Helen Habbishaw died in 1911 and her brother in 1912. 28 The owner after WW1 was a widow, Mrs Marshall, and she rented out the field to a Mr Archibald Martin. This arrangement continued into 1935 when Martin was the tenant of Dr Fraser. Dr Fraser and, later his wife, kept the house until 1951. Judging by the Valuation Rolls, it looks as though Janefield also operated as a doctor’s surgery while Dr Fraser was alive. In 1952 William McKill purchased Janefield partly with a view to utilising the attached field to the north of the property, known as Janefield Field, as a horticultural Nursery. Janefield Nursery still exists today and is run by his son David. Interestingly the field was still known locally to young boys seeking conkers in the 50s and 60s as ‘Habbishaw’s Field’. Figure 2: Janefield House. South Elevation, early 1950s 29 Figure 3: Remains of Heating System for the Greenhouses A number of impressive brick and glass greenhouses were erected. The remains of the coal fired heating system and, in particular, the chimney and the boiler house and coal store still remain today in Janefield Nursery. In 1955 the property was flooded when the River Dee burst through the bank. There was another flood in the 1960s. However Sheriff Lockhart had a word with Kirkcudbright Council and a few weeks later men and diggers turned up to increase the height of the bank. Details on the Lockharts are few but he is remembered today as keen on his cars and protective of the ducks in his garden. One of the gardeners employed at Janefield House was a Mr Hannah, who lived in a cottage on St Mary’s Isle. He worked for Sheriff Lockhart, Mrs Lockhart and also for the two ladies. Jimmy Hannah had earlier worked for Hope-Dunbar on St Mary’s Isle. 30 Figure 4: Mr McKill studying the flood Figure 5: Dorothy McKill boating in the flooded garden 31 The two owners were keen swimmers and in the late 1980s they built the indoor swimming pool that still exists today and created a wetland area with a small bridge. The remains of these features can still just be seen today from the Dee footpath. Both women made considerable contributions to opening up educational and career opportunities for women. Mollie Abbott had a very distinguished career as a female educator. She was Principal of Dunfermline College of Physical Education [now part of the University of Edinburgh] and on the Board of a host of educational organisations. She was awarded a CBE for her efforts and passed away in 2007. She is remembered locally as a pleasant and sociable lady and her partner, Jean was a little more forceful. Dr Carroll, who also had a very distinguished academic career in both England and Scotland, died in 2021. Both ladies received obituaries in the national press. Figure 6: Dr Carroll in retirement, The Scotsman One of the memorable occupants of Janefield in the early 2000s was a huge hound called Max. He looked rather fierce with a deep bark but was the softest and most gentle creature. In 2014 Janefield flooded once again with a combination of a high tide and strong winds as a surge of water poured over the embankment. Mr and Mrs McAllister were on holiday and neighbours had to rally around to try to save some of the cars from a flooded garage area. Janefield House now boasts a new flood defence wall around the house. 32 Marks, Kirkcudbright by Joyce Simpson NGR: 273190, 551950 what3words: https://w3w.co/evaporate.discount.casual Date 1759 to 1773 People William Bell Marks Appears but No of windows not indicated Source Scotlands places Window tax, volume 060 8 October 1804 12 June 1809 9 August 1809 18 July 1818 1821 David McLellan Note David lived 1762 -1832. He married Catherine Hannay, daughter of William Hannay of Bargally David McLellan David McLellan David McLellan Map Purchase of the Lands of Marks, Bond by David McLellan now of Mark, repayment of the final instalment of the price of the lands of Marks in the parish of Kirkcudbright which he had purchased from John Culton, now of Auchnabony, Captain in the 8th Regiment of Dragoons, and from his sisters, Mary, Helen, Margaret, Jane and Grizel Culton and his mother, Mary Cluden, widow of deceased John Culton, formerly of Auchnabony in the parish of Rerwick. (Writs of Marks and Kirkbride) Bond and Disposition under Reversion by David McLellan of Marks in favour of the trustees of deceased William Hannay of Bargally. Discharge by the Misses Culton to David McLellan now of Marks concerning his payment of the final instalment of the purchase price of the lands of Marks in the parish of Kirkcudbright. (Writs of Marks and Kirkbride) Instrument of Sasine in favour of Mrs Janet Morton spouse of John McClellan merchant in Kirkcudbright in the four merkland of Marks (except Kirkbride Farm) in the parish of Kirkcudbright upon a Heritable Bond to her by David McLellan of Marks enclosing the said Bond dated 1 July 1818. (Amongst the writs of Marks and Kirkbride) Note: John McLellan was David’s brother House appears on map as Mark 33 E326/1/60/6 Dumgal Archives Call no GGD222/14 Title to the Lands of the McLellan of Auchlane Dumgal Archives Call no GGD222/15 Title to the Lands of the McLellan of Auchlane Dumgal Archives Call no GGD222/17 Title to the Lands of the McLellan of Auchlane Dumgal Archives Call no GGD222/18 Title to the Lands of the McLellan of Auchlane John Thomson's Atlas of Scotland, 1832 NLS Maps Thomson,John, 1777- ca 1840, Johnson, William, fl. 1806-1840 Title: Kirkcudbrightshire. Bottom section 1868 William Hannay McLellan Died in London. 1872 Mrs Frances Sophia McLellan of Marks Estimated Acreage of property Scotlands Places 364 acres Land Ownership Commission 1872-3 Gross annual value £463 10s LIBRAR/GA149/560/119 1903 Thomas Rainsford Mclellan Died suddenly at Marks on the morning of 27th August 1903 aged 63 Civil and Military Gazette Lahore 4th September 1903 And Indian Daily News 24 Sep 1903 1919 Moyra Rainsford Born at Marks 30th September, daughter of McLellan Thomas Rainsford McLellan Captain 1st Battalion Cameronians and Marie Bradbury Erskine Mclellan ms McFarlane Register of births 1921 census Thomas R McLellan Age 38 Head of house with wife Marie and daughter Moyra. Also landlord of Marks farm Scotlands People census 1921 Joan Rainsford McLellan Born at Marks 1st November McLellan Captain 1st Battalion Cameronians and Marie Bradbury Erskine Mclellan ms McFarlane Register of births Pre 1924 Thomas R McLellan Possibly sold to Gilbert H Williams The McClellans in Galloway by D Richard Torrance 1929 1986 McLellans moved to Largs House so possible sale Mark D Caygill Of Marks Farm married in Auchencairn The Galloway news 20th February 1986 1993 Alec Caygill Cattle herd of Marks Farm slaughtered after cattle sent to auction found to have TB The Galloway News January 21st 1993 1993 Richard Caygill of Marks Farm married in Kirgunzeon church Dumfries and Galloway Standard 23 April 1993 34 History of the Lands and Their Owners in Galloway By PH McKerlie P 209 Mark We do not find the MacLellans mentioned as the owners, but it seems to us that this farm may have belonged to them. On the 19th September 1604, John, son of John Maxwell of Buittle and Munches had retour. He was followed, on the 13th July 1619, by his son Robert. We next find Mary Scott, Countess of Buccleuch, with a wadset over it on the 6th October 1653; followed by her sister Anne (who succeeded as countess) on the 17 th October 1661. On the 6th April 1670, John, Viscount Nithsdale, had retour; and on the 26th May 1696, William, son of Robert, viscount. These latter named were only as regards the superiority. In 1682, Robert Maclellan of Barmagachen, parish of Borgue, was the owner. We next find it in the possession of Robert MacLellan of Barclye, but he evidently was the same who owned Barmagachen. His trustees sold Mark, with Gribdae and Kirkbride, to James Bell, second son of John Bell of Arkland, parish of Anwoth, an account of whom is given under Gribdae. We learn from the valuation roll of 1799 that the farm was owned by the Miss Cultons, but by the account from the Bells, James Bell sold it (see Gribdae). In 1819 David McLellan was the owner. He was succeeded by William Hannay McLellan, who died in 186-,3 and has been succeeded by his widow Mrs Frances Sophia McLellan who has issue. Their names, and other particulars, we are not in possession of. The late owner took much interest in the subjects we are dealing with, and in the History. In the name Marks we have the Norse word mark for a march, a boundary. The McLellans who owned Marks David McLellan 1762-1832 David was a writer in Kirkcudbright, baptised 11 June 1763 and died 31 August 1832. He was admitted a burgess of Kirkcudbright on 16 February 1798. In 1796 he had a disposition of a tenement bounded on the South by the King’s Highway, on the east by Corby Slap, by a stank (slow moving or stagnant pool) on the south and a house on the north. In 1825 he was mentioned in Pigot’s Directory as writer, notary and town and Stewartry clerk, with a business address in Castle Street, Kirkcudbright. He married Catherine Hannay the daughter of William Hannay of Bargally. In 1822 there was a precognition against David of Marks McLellan (NRS reference AD14/22/200). He is described here as a farmer. The Crime was Assault with intent to rape. He would have been 60. Reference is also made in Dumfries & Galloway’s Smuggling Story by Frances Wilkins of the collector of customs referring to contraband goods believed to be the property of Baillie David McLelland and Alexander Hesker, merchant in Kirkcudbright. He later states that ‘McLelland was either gone out of town or kept himself out of the way so that I could not find him’. 3 note Mckerlie doesn’t give the full date but it was 1868 35 William Hannay McLellan 1805-1868 Of Marks and Old Bank House was a writer and agent for The Bank of Scotland in Kirkcudbright. He was admitted a burgess of Kirkcudbright on 28th February 1829 and was town clerk in 1852. He married Frances Sophia Rainsford (see below). He died in London on 25 July 1868. Frances Sophia Rainsford McLellan 1805 - 1884 Wife of the above. She was born in France the daughter of Captain Thomas Rainsford, 2 nd Life Guards and Jane Hannay daughter of Sir Samuel Hannay of Kirkdale. The Rainsfords can trace their line back to the time of Richard 1 and were probably descended from Danish royalty. Captain Rainsford was a prisoner of war at the time of the Napoleonic wars when Frances was born. He was later sent to St Helena as part of the guard for the exiled Napoleon and died there. Frances left a fascinating account of her early life and return as an orphan from St Helena. By the census of 1881 she was widowed and living in High Street Kirkcudbright with her unmarried daughter Sophia Mary. Thomas Rainsford McLellan 1842 – 1903 Thomas seems to have inherited Marks although he was the third son. David, his elder brother, had absconded to India in 1889 having embezzled a significant sum from his client’s estate. He was tried and outlawed in his absence. The second son Samuel Hannay McLellan died in Argentina in 1868 before his mother died. Thomas spent considerable time in India (Kurrachee, Sainde) and almost certainly knew where his errant brother was. In October 1879 he married Mary Ann Adelaide Hughes at Christ Church, Byculla, Bombay daughter of William Hughes of Bahia. They had one son named after his father. Mary Ann died at sea on board the SS Lalpoora near Aden in 1886 and is buried there. Thomas secondly married Jane Caroline Edwards. Thomas Rainsford McLellan - 1882-1941 Born 1882 in Karachi (Kurrachee) which was still part of India. He was educated at Fettes College and The Royal Military College. He Fought in The Anglo Boer War, in West Africa in 1913 and in Belgium and France during the First World War. He was on the army list till 1915 when he retired as Major. He married Marie Bradbury Erskine McFarlane in 1914. 36 Neptune Park, Kirkcudbright by Bruce Smith Neptune Cottage was built circa 1837. On June 30th 1837 the land Neptune Park was first mentioned in the Burgh Chartulary. It belonged to William Davidson. He was granted the land on the understanding that a house was built on the land within two years. Local legend has it that there is more than a hint of a ship’s prow or bridge. Through the years with different occupants, the house was altered and enlarged in many ways. It had, perhaps, one of the finest views of the Dee Estuary in the area. In 2021 the fine C.19 th house was demolished and a modern bungalow put in its place. Neptune Park before the tower addition, probably late C.19th Captain William Davidson died at his residence at Neptune Park, as it was renamed after building work, in February 1848, aged 63 years. The Ordnance Survey Map for Kirkcudbrightshire still has the property as Neptune’s Cottage. Captain Davidson’s wife, Margaret [nee Bell] lived there until her death on 6 th December 1854, aged 71 years. In the will, Margaret was left the house and an annual allowance of £100. Davidson had been a mariner and is recorded as the master of the Augusta of Dumfries, bound for Nova Scotia in 1817 [‘Bell Family History’ on Rootschat website4]. In 1852 Mrs Davidson is recorded as owning, or certainly living there as the occupant, in Neptune Park by the Scottish Post Office Directory. 4 https://www.rootschat.com/ 37 Early C.20th, possibly 1923 For much of the C.19th the Neptune Park property also included the field to the south. After the death of Mrs Davidson there were a series of owners who often rented out the house and the field to tenants. The Valuation Rolls give us a fair idea of who owned the property and who the occupiers were. In 1865 Mr John Strong owned Neptune Park and he appears to have sold it around 1876. Capt. Davidson’s grandson had been a William Davidson Strong and it was likely that the property moved towards the Strong family through marriage to one of his two daughters. In 1865 the tenant is recorded as Mr Robert Hetherington. From 1875 the tenant was a Mr Thomas Williamson and he is recorded as the occupier in Maxwell’s Guide Book to the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright from the Nith to the Cree5. By 1885 Mr Peter Johnstone Wallace was the owner, with Mr Williamson as tenant for at least some of the time. By 1905 Neptune Park was owned and occupied by a Mr Martin L. Howman, Procurator Fiscal, who bought Neptune Park around 1904. He lived there till 1915 when appointed Fiscal at Perth. We think that the tower was added to the property around this time. By 1915 Evelyn Fullerton was the tenant and then a more notable tenant moved there while painting in the area and preparing to build his own family property. William Hanna Clark the landscape and figure artist is recorded as living at Neptune Park between 1918 and 1923 with his wife Betty. This is also recorded in the 1921 Stewartry Post Office Directory6. Clarke may have been better advised to have continued to live in Neptune, since he died in an accident during the construction of his new house. 5 6 Published 1878, available at: http://www.old-kirkcudbright.net/extracts-articles/books/maxwell/ [accessed 24th April 2023] [online] available at: http://www.kirkcudbright.co/historyarticle.asp?ID=2&p=19 [accessed 24th April 2023] 38 Some of his paintings and of the Dee estuary and shore can still recognised today. Clarke had a national reputation and the Kirkcudbright Galleries website7 has much more detail for him and for his work. William Hanna Clark Mr James Williamson is recorded as the owner in the 1925-40 Valuation Rolls. In the 1950s a local solicitor owned the house. Mr Williamson was part of the firm now known as Williamson and Henry in Kirkcudbright today. Mrs Williamson moved into a smaller neighbouring property when she sold Neptune Park to Mrs Alice Malvina Coles in 1963. Mrs Coles lived at Neptune from 1963 until selling in 1972. 7 Available at: https://www.kirkcudbrightgalleries.org.uk/artists-footsteps/artist/william-hanna-clarke/ [accessed 24th April 2023] 39 The last owners were Mr and Mrs Ronald White, who had it from the very early 1970s. They, along with their children, Linda, Douglas, Barbara, Nicola and Hazel moved from Castle Douglas into Neptune Park early in 1973. Phyllis was a nurse in the local hospital and died before Ronald. He was a retired Art teacher from Castle Douglas who later developed an interest in glass engraving. Their son, Douggie, still works and lives in the town in a house built on the old Neptune field. In 2021 the whole house was demolished and the grounds and garden removed. The new owner of the site is a Mr Thewlis. All that is expected to remain is a section of the beautiful wall to the north of the property. Sam Kelly, a local photographer recorded its demolition and posted it on YouTube8. There is a local feeling that rather more of the features of house and garden could have been retained. The scale of the demolition rather lacked sensitivity. Now we have a brand new, modernist bungalow to admire and a lovely mansion to lament. 8 Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGeKrZuGt18 [accessed 24th April 2023] 40 Barnbarroch, Kirkinner by Laura Anderson Barnbarroch as it is now Both images are from https://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/892855 - (Top photo taken in 2014 and bottom photo taken in 1990) The original Barnbarroch is now a ruinous mansion that lies 4.3km to the southwest of Wigtown. The building resides within an area of forestry to the southeast of a new farm that comprises modern metal buildings and farmsteads. 41 The mansion is predominantly still standing. Not a single window remains nor the front door. The entire roof has been removed, potentially for safety concerns. The building consists of three possible floors, a lower floor that is partly dug within the ground as a basement, a main ‘ground’ floor and an upper floor. The windows of each floor differ in size with the main ‘ground’ floor having the tallest windows. At the front of the building, there are two tower style adornments as well as a roman style entrance way. The rear of the building reveals a SW tower with two larger windows and an area of the roof that may have been open for occupants to sit on the roof. The building was constructed using granite and there is evidence of extensions to the building, particularly focusing on reworking the floor levels. Much of the building is collapsing or at threat of collapsing due to excessive tree growth. A conditional planning permission was approved in December 2009 to convert the building into six flats. However, nothing has come of this. Barnbarroch in the past: A postcard of Barnbarroch House before 1941 Barnbarroch was the home of the Vans Agnew family, built around 1771 following the marriage of John Vans of Barnbarroch to his cousin the heiress Margaret Agnew of Sheuchan, until 1942 where the house was abandoned after a house fire destroyed the roof and sections of the house. There is evidence for a ‘Barnbarrow’ on Robert Godern’s map of 1654, a ‘Barnbarraug Cast’ on Joan Blaeu’s map of 1654 (which is based on Timothy Pont’s survey in the 1590s) and ‘Barnbarraugh Cast’ on Joan Blaeu’s map of 1662. The maps detail a structure with one central tower and two smaller flanking towers in an area of green forestry. There is a possibility that the house contains aspects of the original castle. 42 Barnbarroch on Blaeu’s - Gallovidia Pars Occidentalior in 1662 Within the genealogical and historical account of the family of Vans written by Robert Vans Agnew in 1800, he notes that ‘Robertus … got a Charter confirming to him the Lands of Barglas and Barnbarrow … dated Jan.26, 1451.’ Robert Vans Agnew quotes at the end of the account: ‘The principal Residence of the Family is at Barnbarrow, (anciently Barnbarrache), four miles from the Town of Wigtown. It was formerly an ancient Castle, from the Wall of which when it was demolished by the present Proprietor, was taken a Stone, upon which were the Arms as before described, with the Date 1433, and the Initials I.V & E.K being those of John Van’s, the Proprietor when it was built, and of Elizabeth Kennedy, his wife’. It is on John Ainslie’s 1782 map of the count of Wigton, that Barnbarroch is first illustrated akin to the structure still visible today. The structure is surrounded to the south and the west by decorative forestry. The structure is called ‘Barnbarrow’ and notes that the owner is Vans Agnew’s Esq (Robert Vans Agnew). John Ainslie’s ‘A map of the county of Wigton’ from 1782 43 In the early 1800s, John Claudius Loudon was employed to remodel Barnbarroch. He added a west wing, pediments to the main door and attic windows. More well known as a Landscape Gardener, it is no surprise that Loudon predominantly worked on the surrounding grounds of the house, adding in pathways, trees and small ponds. An ornamental pond was position to the front of the house on a canal that ran through the forestry. The Vans Agnew’s, and by association Barnbarroch, were noted within the New Statistical Account for the Parish of Kirkinner, County of Wigton in 1845. Barnbarroch house was noted as ‘the only modern building in the parish’ and the seat of Colonel Vans Agnew. Barnbarroch is noted within the Wigtownshire Ordnance Survey Name Book, 1845 to 1849, as a ‘large and handsome house of the modern style with attached suitable office houses and is surrounded by ornamental ground, woods, parks etc in all consisting of 310 acres and is the property and resident of Robert Vans Agnew, Esqr.’ On the 1850 Ordnance Survey map, a large building is depicted to the NW of Barnbarroch house. The new building has many enclosures and roads that run throughout the forestry area. Barnbarroch is depicted with a small enclosure attached to the west and roads leading out with the forestry area. In the 1896 OS map, the building and enclosure is still present, however, there is greater development at the larger building to the NW. Six inch Ordnance Survey Map - Wigtownshire, Sheet 25 from 1850 In the early hours of the 23rd of October 1941, a blaze began in one of the many bedrooms of Barnbarroch House. Servants within the building woke first and managed to raise the alarm. Some of the occupants jumped from windows while others managed to descend via ropes. Unfortunately, in spite of the best efforts of local farmers, Mrs Ada Vans Agnew perished in the flames as she was sickly and unable to leave her room. In the 1957 OS map, Barnbarroch house is depicted as an unroofed building consisting of a main L shaped building and two rectangular buildings attached to the west. There are two main paths that run away from the building, connecting it with the larger building to the north-west and the rest of the forestry area. After the house fire, the building became derelict as detailed above. 44 National Grid Map - NX35SE - A - from 1957 History of the Vans Agnew The Vans family has been in Scotland since the 10th century. Sir Patrick Vans, Lord Barnbarroch is recorded as being born at Barnbarroch House in 1540 and died at Barnbarroch in 1597. ‘In 1587, he was sent Ambassador to Denmark, where he conducted himself with much Ability, and on his Return proposed to the King a Marriage with Anne, the younger Danish Princess ... He afterwards attended the King when the Marriage was solemnised, and upon the Occasion received a Charter of Lands, and the Patronages of the Churches of Wigton, Kirkinne, Colmonel and Kirkowan, dated at Upsal, in Norway, Nove. 30th 1589” In the New Statistical Account of Kirkinner (1845), it is noted that the family has given two bishops to Galloway. Alexander Vaux was consecrated Bishop of Galloway some time before the year 1426 and George Vaux, cousin to Alexander was also Bishop of Galloway. ‘In 1429, he (Alexander Vaux) was appointed by James I … one of the preservers of the peace on the borders of Scotland and he is said to have contributed much to the overthrow of then all-powerful family of Douglas.’ Alexander Vaux of Barwhannie, ‘brother-german’ to John Vaux of Barnbarroch and Margaret Maxwell, his lady (Who afterwards became Laird and Lady of Barnbarroch) ‘… from 1666 to 1689, the time of the ‘late happy revolution’ were harassed, processed and fined, though there was nothing could be laid to their charge, but that they would not comply with the times and did reset godly people and ministers.’ The couple were ‘sympathetic’ to the punishment and actions towards the Covenanters, however, they were not as brutally tortured or deposed due to their standing and their titles. Patrick Alexander Vans Agnew (1822-1848). He was born in Nagpur and was a civil servant of the East India Company. He was murdered in a fortified temple by adherents of Diwan Mulraji Chopra during the Siege of Multan. His murder led to the Second Sikh War and to the British Annexation of the Punjab region. Ada Sarah Van Agnew (nee Bates) lost her life during a house fire at Barnbarroch in 1941. She was 83 years old. Her husband was John (Johnny) Vans Agnew who was born at Barnbarroch in 1859 and passed away at the home aged 84 in 1943. 45 Bibliography Ordnance Survey Name Book - Wigtownshire- 1845 to 1849 - Volume 64 Sketch of a genealogical and historical account of the family of Vaux, Vans, or De Vallibus: now represented by that of Vans Agnew, of Barnbarrow, and c. In the County of Wigton, Scotland. - Robert Vans Agnew - 1800. https://archive.org/details/sketchofgenealog1800vans/mode/1up Building at Risk website - https://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/892855 Ruination Scotland - https://ruination-scotland.com/the-ruins/ruin-of-the-month-reports/barnbarrochhouse/ 46 Logan House, Kirkmaiden by Gabrielle Reynolds Logan House Ardwell, DG9 9ND Listed Building Status: A 13th Century 1295 McDouall family granted lands in Kirkmaiden by John Balliol, Lord of Galloway. 14th Century 1307 The McDoualls ambushed and routed the brothers of Robert the Bruce (Thomas and Alexander) as they attempted to land in Loch Ryan with a force of Irishmen. The brothers were sent to and executed in Carlisle. 15th century Dougal McDougall surrendered Logan to his superior, the Earl of Douglas, who regranted the lands to Dougal’s son, Thomas McDouall in 1414. www.nrscotland.gov.uk 16th Century By about 1500 Logan castle, known as Castle Balzieland is abandoned/ruined. Local lore has it that the castle was destroyed by a fire although this may not be accurate. 1504 “A new charter was procured by Patrick McDouall; the document stated that the McDuoalls had held these lands “beyond the memorie of man”. Since then the ownership of the estate has passed invariably, from father to son.” Logan guide book, Sir Ninian Buchan Hepburn, 1982 1513 Uchted and Charles McDouall of Logan killed at the battle of Flodden. www.nrscotland.gov.uk 1547 Patrick MacDowall of Logan killed at the Battle of Pinkie. RBGE Medieval Report, Clark, A. & Wyeth, W. 2022. 17th Century 1636-52 Logan is shown on “A map of the coast from Loch Ryan to the head of the Solway”, Gordon, Robert, 15801661. www.maps.nls.uk 47 1682 Robert McDouall younger of Logan made a supplication to the Privy Council to build a pier in Nessock Bay. 1685 Birth of Andrew McDouall (second son of Robert McDouall). As an advocate Andew became one of the senators of the College of Justice, under the style Lord Bankton. He was author of “An Institute of the Laws of Scotland in Civil Rights” (1751-1753). www.nrscotland.gov.uk 1691-95 Hearth tax “The house of Logan 9 (hearths)” Hearth tax records, 1691-95, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 18th Century Logan House. Illustration taken from Logan guidebook produced by Sir Ninian Buchan Hepburn in 1982 1702 Current Logan House built for Colonel Andrew McDowal on the site of previous houses. There is possible evidence for the foundations of these earlier buildings in the cellars of Logan House. (www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk) 1721 Land tax rolls “Laird of Logane Ane thowsand thrie hundrethe fourscoir sex punds £1386.0.0” Land tax rolls for Wigtownshire, vol 1. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 48 1768 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDoual Esq Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 17481798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1769 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDonald Esq Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1770 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowall Esq Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1771 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowal Esq Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1772 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDoual Esq Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1773 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDougal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1774 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDougal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 49 1775 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDougal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1776 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John Macdoual of Logan Esq 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1777 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDougal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1778 Male servant tax rolls John MacDowal of Logan John Maxwell – Footman James McBride – Groom James Sloan – Gardener Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 1, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1778 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDoual of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1779 Male servant tax rolls John MacDowal of Logan John Maxwell – Footman James MacBride – Groom James Sloan – Gardener Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 3, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1779 Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John Macdowal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 50 1779-1798 Inhabited house tax Name At L 5 and Duty at 6d under L 50 per L John MacDowal of Logan £10.0.0 £0.3.9 Inhabited house tax, 1778-1798, vol 61, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1780 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John Macdougal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1781 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John Macdougal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1782 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDougal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1783 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1784 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1786 Carriage tax rolls Name Carriages with 4 wheels Duty John McDoual of Logan 1 £5.5.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 1, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 51 1786 Female servant tax rolls John McDowal of Logan. Margaret Roll – Chamber maid Agness McKinal – Cook Female servant tax rolls, 1785-1792, vol 2, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1786 Male servant tax rolls John McDowal of Logan James Sloan – Gardener Alexander Murray – House servant James McBryd – Groom Alexander McBryd – Postillion Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 5, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1786 Horse tax rolls Name Actual Duty John McDowal of Logan 3 £0.15.0 Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 2, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 7th September 1786 Carriage tax rolls Name Carriages with 4 wheels Duty John McDoual of Logan 1 £7.0.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 3, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 13th September 1786 Male servant tax rolls John McDoual of Logan James Sloan – Gardener Alexander Murray – Footman James Mcbread – Groom Andrew Mcbread – Postillion Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 7, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 14th September 1786 Horse tax rolls Name Actual Duty John McDoual Esq. of Logan 3 £1.10.0 Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 4, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 14th September 1786 Female servant tax rolls John McDowal of Logan. Mrs. Gifford – House keeper Agnes McKenet – Cook Agnes ___ - House servant Female servant tax rolls, 1785-1792, vol6, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 52 1786 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John Mcdoual of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1787 Carriage tax rolls Name Carriages with 4 wheels Duty John McDoual Esq. of Logan 1 £7.0.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 5, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 5th November 1787 Horse tax rolls Name Carriage horses (10s each) 2 Saddle horses Duty (10s each) John McDowal Esq. of Logan 1 £1.10.0 Andrew McDowal Esq. of Logan 2 £1.0.0 Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 7, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 5th November 1787 Female servant tax rolls John McDowal Esqr. Of Logan. Mrs Gifford – House keeper Agnes McKie – Cook Agnes Moubray – House servant Female servant tax rolls, 1785-1792, vol 10, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 6th November 1787 Male servant tax rolls John McDowal Esq. of Logan James Sloan – Gardener Alexander Murray – Footman James McBride – Groom Andrew McBride – Postilion Andrew mcDowal Esq. of Logan James Harrison – Valet John Sommers – Groom Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 9, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1787 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowal Esq of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1788 Female servant tax rolls John McDowal Esq of Logan Mrs Gifford – House keeper Agnes McKie – Cook Agnes Moubray – House servant Female servant tax rolls, 1785-1792, vol 14, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 53 11th September 1788 Horse tax rolls Name Carriage horses Saddle horses Duty (10s each) (10s each) John McDowal Esq. of Logan 2 2 £1.10.0 Andrew McDowal Esq. Yr of Logan 2 £1.0.0 Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 10, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 12th September 1788 Male servant tax rolls John McDowal Esq. of Logan John Cream – Gardener Alexander Murray – Footman & Gamekeeper James McBride – Groom Andrew McBride – Postilion Andrew McDowal Esq. Ynr of Logan James Harrison – Valet Batchr John Sommers – Groom Male servant tax rolls, 1777-178, vol 11, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1788 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowall Esq of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1789 Carriage tax rolls Name Carriages with 4 wheels Duty John McDoual Esq. of Logan 1 £7.0.0 Andrew McDoual Esq. younger thereof1 £7.0.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 8, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 12th November 1789 Carriage tax rolls Name One carriage Duty John McDoual Esq. of Logan 1 £0.15.0 Andrew McDoual yr. of Logan 1 £0.15.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 9, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 13th November 1789 Female servant tax rolls John McDowal Esq. of Logan Mrs Quie – House keeper Helen Carson – Cook ______ - Chambermaid Female servant tax rolls, 1785-1792, vol 18, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 54 13th November 1789 Horse tax rolls Name Carriage horses (10s each) 2 Saddle horses Duty (10s each) John McDowal Esq. of Logan 1 £1.10.0 Andrew McDowal Esq. Yr. of Logan 2 £1.0.0 Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 13, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1789 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowal Esq of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1790 Carriage tax rolls Name Private 1 carriage Duty John McDoual Esq, of Logan 1 £8.0.0 Andrew McDoual Esq. Jr of Logan 1 £8.0.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 11, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 13th November 1790 Horse tax rolls Name 1 horse 2 horses 3-5 horses Duty (10s) John McDowal Esq. of Logan 1 2 £2.5.0 Andrew McDowal Esq. yr. of Logan 1 1 £1.5.0 Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 18, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1790 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowal Esq of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1791 Carriage tax rolls Name Private 1 carriage Duty 10% John McDowal Esq. of Logan 1 £8.0.0 £0.16.0 Andrew McDowal Esq. Yo of 1 £8.0.0 £0.16.0 Logan M.P Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 13, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1791 Female servant tax rolls John McDowal Esq. of Logan Mrs McGiue – House keeper Joan McKantz – Cook Helen McDowal – Chambermaid Female servant tax rolls, 1785-1792, vol 22, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 55 1791 Male servant tax rolls John McDowal Esq. of Logan John Cram – Gardener Alexander Murray – Footman & Gamekeeper James McBride – Groom Andrew McBride – Postilion Andrew mcDowal Esq. Yr of Logan James Hastings – Valet Batch John Somers – Groom Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 15, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 2 November 1791 John McDowal Esq.of Logan Mrs McQuie – House keeper Elizabeth McCredie – Cook Helen McDowal – Chambermaid Female servant tax rolls, 1785-1792, vol 26, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 2nd November 1791 Male servant tax rolls John McDowal Esq. of Logan John Cram – Gardener Alexander Murray – House servant & Gamekeeper James McBride – Groom Andrew McBride – Postilion Andrew McDowal Esq. Yr of Logan James Hastings – Valet Batch John Somers – Groom Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 17, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 2nd November 1791 Horse tax rolls Name 1 horse (10s) 1 1 2 horses 3-5 horses Duty 10% per 31 George III £2.5.0 £0.4.6 £1.5.0 £0.4.6 John McDowal Esq. of Logan 2 Andrew McDowal Esq. Yr 1 of Logan Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 21, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1791 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowal of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1792 Carriage tax rolls Name Private 1 carriage Duty 10% John McDowal Esq. of Logan 1 £8.0.0 £0.16.0 Andrew McDowal Esq. yo of Logan 1 £8.0.0 £0.16.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 15, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 56 5th November 1792 Horse tax rolls Name 1 horse (10s) 1 1 2 horses 3-5 horses Duty John McDowal Esq. of Logan 2 £2.5.0 Andrew McDowal Esq. Yr 1 £1.5.0 of Logan Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 24, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 10% per 31 George III £0.4.6 £0.2.6 1792 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowal Esq of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1793 Male servant tax rolls John McDowall Esq. of Logan John Cram – Gardener Alexander Murray – Footman & Gamekeeper James McBride – Groom Alexander Maxwell – Postilion Andrew McDouall Esq. of Culgrot James Hairstones – Valet Batch John Somers – Groom Male servant tax rolls, 177-1798, vol 21, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1793 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDowall Esq of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1794 Carriage tax rolls Name Private 1 carriage Duty 10% John McDowal Esq. of Logan 1 £8.0.0 £0.16.0 Andrew McDowal Esq. Younr of Logan 1 £8.0.0 £0.16.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 17, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 11th July 1794 Horse tax rolls Name 1 horse (10s) 1 1 2 horses 3-5 horses Duty 10% per 31 George III £2.5.0 £0.4.6 £0.10.0 £0.1.0 John McDowal Esq. of Logan 2 Andrew McDowal Esq. Yr 1 of Logan Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 27, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 57 11th July 1794 Male servant tax rolls John McDowall of Logan John Cram – Gardener Alexander Murray – Gardener & Footman James McBride – Groom Alexander Maxwell – Postilion Andrew McDowall Esq. Younr John Simmons – Groom of Logan James Haistings – Valet Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 23, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk 1794 Window tax rolls Duty and upwards John McDowal Esq of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) Name Windows 25 1797 Carriage tax rolls Name Private 1 carriage Duty 10% 10% Per 31 36 John McDoual of Logan 1 £8.0.0 £0.16.0 £0.16.0 Col. Andrew McDowal Yr. of logan 1 £8.0.0 £0.16.0 £0.16.0 Carriage tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 19, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 13th October 1797 Male servant tax rolls John McDowall Esq. of Logan Alexander Murray – House servant & Gamekeeper James McBride – Groom John Cram – Gardener David McTeir – Coachman Col. Andrew McDowal Yr of Logan John Somers – Groom ______ - Valet Male servant tax rolls, 1777-1798, vol 25, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 13th October 1797 Dog tax rolls Name Dogs at 3s Dogs at 5s Duty John McDowal of Logan 3 £0.15.0 Col. Andrew McDowal Younger 2 £0.10.0 of Logan Dog tax rolls, 1797 -1798, vol 2, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 13th October 1797 Farm horse tax rolls Name Horses liable in duty 5 4 Horses not liable 4 4 Duty John McDowal of Logan £0.10.0 Col. Andrew McDowal Younger £0.8.0 of Logan Farm horse tax rolls, 17971798, vol 5, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 58 13th October 1797 Horse tax rolls Name 1 2 3-5 Duty 10% per 31 horse horses horses George III John McDowal of Logan 1 2 £2.5.0 £0.4.6. Horse tax rolls, 1785-1798, vol 30, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 10% per 36 George III £2.5.0 1797 Window tax rolls Name Windows 25 Duty and upwards John McDoual Esq of Logan 39 £3.18.0 Window tax rolls, 1748-1798, vol 124, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 19th Century 1800 Construction of Logan Fish pond completed. At some point in the early 19 th century the Fish Pond and the Walled Garden walls were enlarged and improved using labour provided by Napoleonic prisoners of war. 1802-1805 Andrew McDouall (1758-1834) serves as M.P for Wigtownshire. www.nrscotland.gov.uk 1845-1849 “In the north side of the Parish of Kirkmaiden & about 1 ½ miles ENE of Mull of Logan. A large and handsome house of Modern construction, the main plan of the house is a plain rectangular building and attached is a plain wing on each side, the entrance to which is by covered passages from the nearby building, attached to this house is a large kitchen garden & surrounded by a large portion of ornamental growth & demesne well wooded some of which is full grown, the remainder consists of young plantations at a distance from the house, there is an extensive farm yard, the houses of which are in middling repair, there is a new farm yard now in progress a little farther from the house there is also a large tract of land attached for farming purposes. This building is the family residence of Col McDowall” Authorities for spelling Col. McDowall David McCulloch – Auchness, Factor William Stewart Ordnance Survey Name Books, 1845-1849, vol 81, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 1845-1849 Logan Fish Pond “4 chains East of Farie Rock. A Pond excavated out of solid rock at the North end of a small Narrow Gully or inlet of the Sea by which the pond is filled at high water, the superfluous water returns or discharges by a grating when the Tide ebbs. Adjacent to it is a neat Cottage for the fisherman & caretaker who preserves the fish and feeds them with limpets etc. in the pond. The fish of this pond are for the use of Col. McDowalls table & the fisherman is allowed a yearly salary for the supplying of Logan House with fish” Authorities for spelling William Gibson John Milroy William McDowall Ordnance Survey Name Books, 1845-1849, vol 81, Wigtownshire. (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk) 59 1848-51 Extensions made to Logan House. (www.scottish-places.co.uk) 1862 The Auchness Embezzlement Case “The High Court of Justiciary met yesterday at Edinburgh. The first case called was that of Wm. Davidson, formerly employed as managing clerk by Mr David McCulloch, farmer at Auchness, in the parish of Kirkmaiden, Wigtownshire and factor for Col. James McDouall, Logan House. He was placed at the bar under the indictment of 25 counts of embezzlement and appropriation of the funds of Colonel McDouall of Logan and his employer, Mr David McCulloch, factor.” Glasgow Morning Journal. Tuesday 15th July 1862. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) William Davidson was convicted and sentenced to eight years penal servitude. 1867 Theft of Money by Two Young Girls “A very foolish, yet aggravated case of theft of money, occurred at Logan, Kirkmaiden, on Thursday last, by two young girls, named respectively Elizabeth Pearson, aged 18 years, and Agnes Bell, aged 16 years. The two girls it seems have made it up, unknown to their friends, to go to England. Before leaving, Pearson abstracted from the press in the dwelling house of Thos. Ferguson, coachman to Col. McDouall, with whom she was residing, £14 in bank notes and three sovereigns. She also carried off a carpet bag belonging to Mr. Thos. McClure, Logan, which happened to be in Ferguson’s house.” Glasgow Evening Post. Saturday 20th July 1867. (www.britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk) The theft was discovered and the two girls arrested at Dumfries railway station. 1869 James McDouall (1840-1896) marries Agnes Buchan-Hepburn. Agnes was a keen gardener and started experimenting with exotic plants. www.nrscotland.gov.uk Lady’s Own Paper. Saturday 2nd October 1869. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1872 The Late Colonel McDouall of Logan “Colonel James McDouall of Logan died at his residence, Logan House, Kirkmaiden, Wigtownshire, early on Saturday morning. He was descended from an ancient Galloway family which has been in possession of the lands of Logan for many centuries. The estates extend over three fourth of the entire parish of Kirkmaiden, and the family also own land in several other parishes in the Rhins of Galloway. Colonel McDouall was born in 1796, and was thus 76 years of age when he died. He entered the 2 nd Life Guards in 1819, and he became Colonel of that regiment in 1845. On the death of his father, who was also a colonel in the army, and for some time M.P for Wigtownshire in 1834, Colonel McDouall succeeded to the estates. He left the army in 1854. The deceased was deputy-lieutenant of Wigtownshire and a Justice of the Peace. He was also a member of the Prison Board and the Police Committee. Until lately, when failing health incapacitated him for work of any kind, he was very attentive to his duties. He was a director and large shareholder in both the Portpatrick and Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railways. He held several large farms 60 in his own hands, and there was scarcely a system of improvement or an improved agricultural implement but which received the first trial in the Rhins of Galloway, on his farms. Col McDouall was mainly instrumental in establishing the The Kirkmaiden Agricultural Society – an association which has been the means of advancing agriculture in the parish, and keeping its members abreast of the improvements of the age; and, by the judicious distribution of prizes for the best kept farm on his estates, encouraged an emulative spirit among the tenantry, which was productive of the best results. He took an active part in all the public business of the district; and was very popular among all classes. In policies the deceased was Conservative. He married Miss Barnet, daughter of Mr William Barnet, Apeton, who survives him, by whom he had two children, a son and a daughter. He is succeeded by his son, James, who married, in 1869, a daughter of Sir Thomas Buchan Hepburn, Bart. The remains will be interred in the family vault in Kirkmaiden Churchyard on Saturday first.” Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald. Saturday 27th July 1872. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1872 Port Logan Mutual Improvement Society “A meeting was held in Port Logan School on Monday evening for the purposes of forming a Mutual Improvement Society. Mr McMeeking, gardener, Logan, being called to the chair, the meeting was addressed by Mr Roxburgh, teacher, Port Logan. A society was formed, and the following gentlemen were elected office bearers: James McDouall, Esq of Logan, hon. President; Mr Murray, Chapelrossan, President; Mr Jamieson, Logan Mains, vice-President; Mr Roxburgh, teacher, librarian; Mr James D Jamieson, Logan Mains, Secretary and Treasurer.” Galloway Advertiser and Wigtownshire Free Press. Thursday 31st October 1872. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1873-74 Baronial style extensions added to Logan House by David Bryce. (www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk) 1882 Agricultural Notes “Mr. John Ferguson, factor on Ardwell and Logan Estates, Wigtownshire, has been appointed inspector under the Drainage and Improvement Acts, for Ayrshire and Galloway, in room of the late Mr. Peter MacLean of Duchra.” North British Agriculturist. Wednesday 13th December 1882. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1886 Wigtownshire Pollution Case “In the Bill Chamber of the Court of Session on Monday, Lord Fraser heard counsel upon an application for interdict against pollution at the instance of Mr James McDouall of Logan against the Creamery Company (Limited), Dunragit, Wigtownshire. Mr McDouall is proprietor of the estate of Genoch, which is partly bounded and partly intersected by the Pillanton Burn. He alleges that since the formation of the respondents company the water of the burn has been rendered unfit for primary and domestic purposes by the discharge of sewage from their butterine works and piggeries. In this action he seeks to havethe respondents interdicted from continueing the pollution. The respondents resist the interdict on the ground that the stream has been polluted for more than forty years. His Lordship, after hearing counsel, passed the note for the trial of the case, but refused to grant interdict.” Ayr Advertiser. Thursday 15th April 1886. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 61 1891 Rejoicings in Wigtownshire “Rejoicings are also taking place today at Logan, Mull of Galloway, over the coming of age of Mr Kenneth McDouall, heir to the Logan estate. A ball takes place in the evening, at which the leading country people will be present.” Glasgow Evening Post. Tuesday 24th November 1891. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1896 James McDouall dies and is succeeded by his eldest son, Andrew Kenneth McDouall (1870-1945). Kenneth along with his brother Nigel Douglas McDouall, inherited a love of gardening from their mother. www.nrscotland.gov.uk “MCDOUALL – On the 30th ult., at Calais, James McDouall, of Logan, Wigtownshire.” Morning Post. Tuesday 3rd November 1896. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Plaque showing James McDouall on his monument in Kirkmaiden Churchard 20th Century Early 20th century Andrew Kenneth and Nigel Douglas McDouall subscribe to many plant collecting expeditions. Including those of Reginald Farrer, Ernest Wilson, Frank Kingdom Ward and George Forest. Seeds from these expeditions are grown at Logan and formed the foundations of the current gardens and Logan Botanic Garden. Andrew Kenneth and Nigel Douglas McDouall with a specimen Rhododendron at Logan. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh 62 1908 Robert Finlay became Head Gardener at Logan. Robert Finlay had a distinguished career. In 1915 he joined the Field Artillery and after four years of service, returned to become Head Gardener to the Earl of Stair at Castle Kennedy in 1919. Robert Finlay went on to become keeper of the Royal Horticultural Society’s garden at Wisley. He died in 1963 aged 81. Other house and garden staff from Logan May have served during WW1. If they did, then they returned home more or less in one piece and are therefore not recorded on the parish War Memorial. Julia MacDonald’s excellent book ‘The Faithful, the Fallen and the Forgotten’ (ISBN; 978-0-9569331-0-2) gives biographies of Kirkmaiden’s casualties, but none have a direct link to Logan House. 1913 Court Circular “An announcement of marriage is made between Alma, daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Stepford, and Kenneth McDouall of Logan, Scotland.” Manchester Courier. Saturday 7th June 1913. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) “On Friday last is was announced that the marriage arranged between Mr. Kenneth McDouall and Miss Alma Stepford would not take place.” Evening news (London). Monday 29th September 1913. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1917 RED CROSS “A garden party fete in the grounds of Logan House, the seat of Mr Kenneth McDowall, was opened by Provost Roger, Stranraer, and the drawings amounted to £312 18s 6d. The sum drawn at the fete at Lochinch castle amounted to £219 4s 4d.” The Scotsman. Friday 3rd August 1917. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1918 Scottish News “Mr John Laughton, J.P, interim factor on the Duke of Hamilton’s estate of Kinneil, West Lothian, has been appointed factor on the Logan estates, Wigtownshire, the property of Mr A. Kenneth McDouall of Logan.” The Scotsman. Friday 23rd of August 1918. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1926 Death of Agnes McDouall (nee Buchan Hepburn). 1928 Kinneil Factor for Wigtownshire “Mr John Bowie, who has for nine years been resident local factor on Kinneil estate, has been appointed factor to Mr A. K. McDouall of Logan, Wigtownshire, and takes up his new duties on 1 st July.” The Scotsman. Friday 4th May 1928. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1940’s Improvements made to Logan Fish Pond by German or Italian prisoners of war. 1943 Death of Nigel Douglas McDouall. 63 1945 Andrew Kenneth McDouall dies and Logan is inherited by his cousin Sir Ninian Buchan-Hepburn. “ McDOUALL – At LOGAN, Wigtownshire, on 17th May 1945, in his 75th year. ANDREW KENNETH mcDOUALL, of Logan. Funeral (private) to Kirkmaiden Churchyard, on Monday 21 st May, but any friends will be welcome to attend, meeting the cortege at the churchyard gate at 3.15pm.” The Scotsman. Saturday 19th May 1945. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1948 Owing to heavy death duties, Sir Ninian Buchan Hepburn is forced to give up Logan 1948 Country Properties “Beautifully situated residence and gardens of Logan (13 miles south of Stranraer). This most substantially built house stands on a well chosen site, commanding magnificent views over well laid out policies to Luce Bay and the Galloway Highlands. Contains handsome suite of reception rooms, entrance hall, 20 bed and dressing rooms, 10 staff bedrooms, bathrooms and very complete offices; servants hall, and garage for 6-7 cars; man’s house; gardeners cottage; world famous gardens contain unique collection of exotic plants and rare rhododendrons; grounds , gardens and grass parks extend in all to 95 acres; eminently suitable for residence, school , home, or other similar purpose. Full particulars and orders to view from SIR THOMAS WHITE, Factor, Logan Estate Office, Chappel Rossan, Ardwell, Stranraer, or WALKER, FRASER & STEELE, Estate Agents, 58 Castle Street, Edinburgh.” The Scotsman. Monday 26th April 1948. (www.britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk) 1949 Ronald Olaf Hambro buys Logan Estate. 1949 “Another Head Gardener in the programme is George Steadwood of Logan House, Wigtownshire. Here at port Logan flourishes a most interesting sub-tropical garden.” Falkirk Herald, Wednesday 1st June 1949, Broadcasting News. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1949 House and Garden with a History “Logan House famous throughout the country for its “magic” three acre garden is to be largely demolished. About 50 rooms of the Wigtownshire mansion, finished in 1875, will be pulled down, leaving an older part consisting of about a dozen rooms. The house and estate belong to Mr Ronald O. Hambro, chairman of Hambro’s Bank, Ltd, who also owns Glendoe, Fort Augustus. Two years ago he bought Logan from the McDouall family, who are direct descendants of Robert the Bruce. The famous garden has a much shorter history. It was the result of 20 years hard work on the part of Mr. Andrew Kenneth McDouall, who died about four years ago. He was the brother of the Marchioness of Ailsa. Mr McDouall spent much of his youth abroad, particularly in Abyssinia, Kenya and Uganda. He studied plant life and methodically collected strange specimens. These found their way to Logan House. Gradually the new garden took shape. Bamboos, palms, magnolias, Chinese poppies, eucalyptus trees and hundreds of other foreign plants were put in. Tropical birds of gorgeous plummagewere brought over to fill a large aviary. In a grotto tame codfish came up to the surface for food. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the war the birds had to be sent to a zoo owing to the shortage of feeding stuff. Mr McDouall used to say “There is magic in the air of this garden. None of these plants would grow even a mile away from here.” Whether botanical experts agreed about the magic or not, they came from all over the world to see the garden which was recognised as the finest tropical garden in the country. 64 Gardeners are still tending it carefully, and even at this late season of the year it is a riot of colour. The new owner intends to keep it in its present state. The task of demolishing the mansion itself is being undertaken by Charles Brand, of Dundee, 45 Commercial Street. It contains some very fine oak panelling. Much of the stonework will be used to make terraces round the small part which is to remain. The demolition will take about six months.” Dundee Courier. Thursday 22nd September 1949. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 1952 19th century baronial style extensions to Logan House are removed with the exception of the service wing which is retained (www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk). The demolition rubble was used to create a raised terrace at the east front of the house. 1961 Death of Olaf Hambro. Logan is administered by a charitable trust until the funds became exhausted. 1969 The walled garden along with some adjacent land and woodlands are gifted to the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. These form Logan Botanic Garden. 1970 Sir Ninian Buchan-Hepburn buys back Logan House along with its gardens and surrounding policy woodlands. 1973 Logan is used in the filming of ‘The Wicker Man’. The Head Gardener Martin Colledge and many other locals appear in the film. Logan House in 1980. Drawing by Sir Ninian Buchan Hepburn used in his guidebook to Logan produced in 1982 65 Map of Logan and it garden. Logan guidebook, Sir Ninian Buchan Hepburn, 1982 Map showing the route from Logan House to Logan Fish Pond via the Primula Walk. Logan guidebook, Sir Ninian Buchan Hepburn, 1982 66 Front cover of Logan guidebook showing the Primula Walk. Sir Ninian Buchan Hepburn, 1982 1992 Death of Sir Ninian Buchan Hepburn. Logan is acquired by Mike and Sally Coburn who continue to repair and restore the house and gardens. 1997 Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser. Thursday 13th February 1997 (www.britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk) 67 21st Century 2000 Death of Mike Coburn. 2001 Logan House and estate bought by Andrew and Vicky Roberts for £1,232,000. 2022 Report ‘Characterising the medieval heritage and associated stories of four RBGE properties: Inverleith (Edinburgh), Logan Dumfries & Galloway), Dawyck (Borders), Benmore (Argyll).’ Produced for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh by Alison Clark BA MRes & William Wyeth BA MSt PhD. 29th April 2022 Logan House in May 2023 68 Red sandstone armorial plaque showing the McDouall arms incorporated into the east front. This plaque may have come from the 19th century additions to Logan House or from an earlier building. Carved faces are set on each corner of the roof. These may have come from the 19th century additions to Logan House or an earlier building. 2023 Logan House and estate are currently for sale. Guide price £9,500,000. 69 Over Courance, Kirkmichael by Robert Thorne Part One 70 71 Map No 2 - Over Courance 1825 72 Map No 3 - Over Courance Post-1907 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 Part Two 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies – Volume 3 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_73 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Description An account of the resource Kirkcudbright to Kirkmichael GGLP heritage https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/10/532/GGLP-CYDI-BuildingBiographies_Vol2_Colvend_and_Southwick_to_Kelton.pdf d6ae2a3a7b2249f39f1e0e15076a3c3f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies – Volume 2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The Building Biographies project recruited volunteers to undertake research into some of the large country houses within Galloway, with the research taking place from February to June 2023. Each volunteer was given their own specific house to research, piecing together timelines from their initial construction through to how they stand today. The project included houses that were still in use, ruinous or even demolished, featuring a variety of functions dating back to the 19th century or earlier. As more volunteers signed up the study area expanded to include a mix of country houses from across Galloway, and even a few from Dumfriesshire. By the end of the project, 32 volunteers submitted their findings as summary reports, which covered 42 country houses across Galloway. The volunteers included people from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Glasgow and America. Their results revealed stories of the people who designed, lived and worked within these houses, stories which reflect both local history and connections to far-flung places during times of peace and war. The passion and commitment shown by the volunteers in uncovering the stories of these houses, both good and bad, has been inspiring, and they have created an impressive record which will be shared for many years to come. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Building Biographies: A 2023 volunteer research project into the country houses of Galloway VOLUME 2: COLVEND AND SOUTHWICK TO KELTON With contributions from: Lynn Bell, Jennifer Cianci, George Currie, Lawrence Holden, Lynda Mackie, Caroline Reeves, Lyn Walby and Mik Wisniewski Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 2 Colvend and Southwick Parish Southwick House, Colvend and Southwick ............................................................................. 4 Crossmichael Parish Glenlochar House, Crossmichael .......................................................................................... 26 Dumfries Parish Castledykes, Dumfries.......................................................................................................... 33 Dunscore Parish Stroquhan House, Dunscore ................................................................................................ 38 Glasserton Parish Physgill House, Glasserton ................................................................................................... 49 Ravenstone Castle, Glasserton ............................................................................................. 75 Kelton Parish Dildawn House, Kelton ....................................................................................................... 104 Lochbank, Kelton ............................................................................................................... 107 Other Volumes in the Series .............................................................................................. 110 1 Introduction The Building Biographies project recruited volunteers to undertake research into some of the large country houses within Galloway1. These imposing buildings have borne witness to centuries of history, standing through changing eras and shifting social and economic climates. Their walls have enclosed the lives of many, their grounds the lives of many more and they have fulfilled a variety of needs from homes, hospitals and schools, to war rooms and tourist attractions. The decision to focus on country houses stemmed from their longevity and assorted histories: their status and sheer size making them notable features in the landscape which inspire the imagination and curiosity of locals and visitors alike. These are buildings which appear frequently in our landscape but their histories often remain unknown to the public. Many have been demolished or stand as ruins: a resource that disappears a little more with each passing decade. For the project, each volunteer was given their own specific house to research, piecing together timelines from their initial construction through to how they stand today. Initially, the selection of houses to research was driven by location, with the catchment area of the Galloway Glens being the focus. Second to this, the aim was to avoid any that had already been subject to a significant amount of research. The resulting selection included houses that were still in use, ruinous or even demolished, featuring a variety of functions dating back to the 19th century or earlier. As more volunteers signed up, however, the study area expanded to include all of Galloway (and even a few from Dumfriesshire) and the biggest influence came from the preferences of the volunteers themselves; many had specific areas or even houses that had already piqued their interest and so the list grew to encompass a sporadic mix of country houses from across the region. Each researcher was given a Guidance Note outlining the main resources available online. People could visit their local library or archive centre but the choice of online resources kept the project open to anyone who might face constraints in attending such places in person. By the end of the project, 32 volunteers submitted their findings as summary reports, which covered 42 country houses across Galloway. The volunteers included people from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Glasgow and America. Their results revealed stories of the people who designed, lived and worked within these houses, stories which reflect both local history and connections to far-flung places during times of peace and war. The volunteers’ research has revealed the importance of recording these histories, and the origins of many bring to light a legacy that is not always acknowledged. After the abolition of slavery within the British Empire, the Slave Compensation Act of 1837 authorised a commission to manage the distribution of £20 million to compensate slave owners in the British colonies for the freeing of slaves. 2 Not all, but many of these country houses were initially funded with profits from slavery, with several connections to plantations in Jamaica. It is important to record all aspects of our history and these houses seem able to reveal both the good and bad from our collective past. The passion and commitment shown by the volunteers in uncovering the stories of these houses has been inspiring, and they have created an impressive record which will be shared for many years to come. Claire Williamson The Building Biographies project was undertaken in February to April 2023 as part of ‘Can You Dig It’, the community archaeology project of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. Galloway Glens was a five-year initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and ‘Can You Dig It’ was match funded by Historic Environment Scotland and delivered by Rathmell Archaeology. 2 The Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery contains a database of their records https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/project/details/ 1 2 Stroquhan House Castledykes Glenlochar House Dildawn House Lochbank Southwick House Ravenstone Castle Physgill House Locations of houses researched during the Building Biographies Project – red marks the houses reported in this volume 3 Southwick House, Colvend and Southwick by Lawrence Holden 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Glenlochar House, Crossmichael by Caroline Reeves Glenlochar House timeline (Italics used for Danevale Park items) 1793? Glenlochar House - then known as Glenlochar Lodge - built (according to previous owners) 1795 Danevale Park Estate built (late Georgian country house) Glenlochar House was originally named Glenlochar Lodge, built on land that became Danevale Park, with extensive farmland that was part of the Crofts estate owned by William Renny. It seems Walter Sloane Laurie (1730-1801) of Redcastle purchased or rented Danevale in 1789. He died in 1801. He is known for changing the name of the village of Clauchenpluck to Laurieston. The Laurie/Lawrie family appear to be very litigious. They were the developers of Sloane Square in London. Their money came from plantations in Jamaica. He lived at Woodhall, now known as Laurieston Hall. 1806 Mr J Macintyre (Glasgow merchant) married Miss E A Ferrier at Danevale Park 1807 Isabella Andrews was born to Robert and Christie Andrews 1809 Catherine was born to Robert and Lydia Christie 1811 Margaret was born to Robert and Lydia Christie 1826 Danevale Estate including Glenlochar Lodge, for sale 500 acres Scotch measure, farm houses are in good repair, another house (Glenlochar Lodge) with offices and garden suitable for the accommodation of a small, respectable family. 1838 Claims against James Donald, deceased, of Danevale Park 1841 census living at Glenlochar Lodge: David Gerrard aged 25 – farmer Margaret aged 20 3 children and 2 servants 1846 Glenlochar Lodge to let, unfurnished, 7 1/4 acres, garden, offices and a field measuring seven acres and a quarter Scotch. Apply to Webster and Renny, Edinburgh. Andrew Duff, gardener at Danevale will show the house and grounds (Danevale also advertised at same time, to let furnished) Ad from Glasgow Courier 26 1847 William John Renny inherited Danevale from his father and married Julia Isabella Robertson. 1847 Mary Margaret, youngest daughter of Captain Sanderson, died aged 11 months 1847 Captain Sanderson gained game certificate ‘for the year 1847, ending 5th July, 1848, between 1st August and 1st September 1847. William Renny married Julia Isabella Robertson 1848 Daughter born to William Renny. 1849 Earthquake Mrs H Christie died at Glenlochar Lodge (relative of P Sanderson, Banker, Edinburgh) 1850 Captain A C Sanderson gained game certificate ‘for the year 1850, 5th July, 1852, between 21 August and 1st September 1851. 1850 Captain A C Sanderson gained game certificate ‘for the year ending 5th July, 1851, between 1st August and 1st September. 1851 Captain A C Sanderson gained game certificate ‘for the year ending 5th July, 1852, between 24 August and 1st September. 1852 A daughter born to Mrs Richard Jones Congreve, at Danevale Park 1854 A son born to Mrs Richard Jones Congreve 1856 Tolls and duties levied at Glenlochar Toll House (Gate and side-bar) to let for one year from 26 May 1856, at Castle Douglas Court House A son born to wife of W J Renny at Danevale Park 1857 Imposter, Richard Taylor of Lancashire, lodged at Glenlochar Lodge, defrauding local businesses. Ended up in prison. 1859 Trustees meet to discuss the turnpike from Gatehouse, by Lauriston and Glenlochar, to Gerranton. 1860 An ‘old woman’ named Carruthers was residing at Glenlochar Lodge, was walking along the Crossmichael Road, charged by a cow and thrown in a ditch. Dr Finlay attended to her at a house next to CD post office. 27 Farm of Crofts on Danevale Estate to let… 1864 Robert Cochrane drowned, found in the water near Glenlochar Lodge. 1864 29 January The Stewartry Foxhounds meet at Danevale 1865 William John Renn resident 1872 John C Gray married Marianne, eldest daughter of William John Renny at Danevale Park 1874 Stillborn daughter to William Renny 1876 Teacher wanted immediately for Glenlochar School by the School Board of Balmaghie. A new house is being built for the teacher, and meanwhile an allowance made for rent. Salary £40 1876 Premature twin boys born to John Renny’s wife 1879 February death of William John Renny, J.P. Married second time 1873, Margaret Forbes. His daughter Edith Maud, died the same day 1879 William Duncan, S.S.C., Edinburgh, Principal Extractor of the Court of Sessions, purchased Danevale Park, 493 acres, £28,000 Isabella Halliburton Black Duncan dies, aged 87. Grandfather, Adam Black, was the founder of publishers A&C Black. Lover of music, founded the Galloway Music Festival. 1880 Proposals to lower the height of the river by doing work at Threave Castle, Threave Bridge and Glenlochar Bridge. Shouldn’t affect Glenlochar Lodge. 1881 The Maid of Livingstone story mentions Glenlochar. 1882 Story that the stones taken from Glenlochar Abbey to build Threave Castle were then taken by Sir Alexander Gordon of Greenlaw to build his mansion. It isn't definite that Glenlochar Abbey existed. Confusion over site or Roman fort. 1882 Danevale House altered by David Robertson, well known Edinburgh architect 28 1883 Charles Renny (son of William Renny of Danevale Park) died in Queensland Australia. 1884 Mr Thompson, gardener at Danevale and Glenlochar House 1884-5 Glenlochar House, office, houses, garden and small park. If let on lease the proprietor will paint the house and repair the office-houses. 1885 Cows from Glenlochar House at Wallet’s Auction, CD. 1887 Isabella J Lees, niece of William Duncan, married AJ Burgess. Wedding at Crossmichael church Mrs Bridget ??? of Orroland, the Lady of Major General Ferrier?? 1898 William Threipland Duncan, died aged 38, only surviving son of the late William Duncan 1890 May. Two of the sons of William Thompson, gardener at Danevale. Thomas, 14 and David, 11, swam out of their depth. The other two brothers tried in vain to rescue them. Called their father and others working close by to help but both boys drowned. Buried at Crossmichael church. 29 1895 1905 May Margaret, The Fair Maid of Galloway story. By S R Crockett. Mentions Glenlochar 1908 Mr Thomas Shaw, the Lord Advocate, has taken Danevale House for August and September. 1912 Glenlochar House to let, apply Miss Duncan at Danevale. 1913 1914 Crossmichael Relief Fund, Miss Duncan onto committee 1916 Private James Riley, chauffeur at Glenlochar House, killed in action. 1918 Miss Duncan elected to the French War Emergency Fund 1919 Certified assistant female teacher wanted for Glenlochar school. Ability to teach singing and play accompaniment. £100 salary 1919 To let from Danevale estate, Glenlochar House, with garden, stables etc. Apply Miss Duncan, Danevale 30 1934 Glenlochar House to let 1940 Miss Duncan, secretary to the North-Eastern branch of the RNLI Ladies Guild presented with a framed award in recognition of services. 1942 Miss Isla Black Duncan died, 9 November 1944 Glenlochar House Country Quarters to let. Unfurnished, with early possession. 3 sitting rooms, 5 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, larder, pantry and servants’ accommodation, and garage, wash house, productive garden, lit throughout by electric light, rent £80. 1949 To let unfurnished with possession at 28 May 1949, Glenlochar house. 3 sitting rooms, 5 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, larder, pantry and servants’ accommodation. Garage, wash house and productive garden, house is lit throughout with electric light. Rent £50. Contact Hewat, Dunn & Ramsey, Castle Douglas. 1951 Original Danevale House demolished and a new house built in the Park. 1951 Danevale re-opened for the Snowdrop Festival by Mrs Gillespie. 1952 For sale: Glenlochar House, 29 May. House and one cottage in about 6 acres. 2 public rooms, 3 bedrooms and one dressing room (all bedrooms with wash hand basins), servants’ accommodation and good kitchen premises with an Esse cooker, mains electricity, a range of outbuildings including a garage, vegetable garden and small orchard. Assessed rental £83. Vacant possession. Lidderdale and Gillespie, Castle Douglas 1952 New headteacher appointed at Glenlochar School, Mr Thomas P McCulloch 1953 22 June, Glenlochar House purchased by Douglas Black McWilliam £2,250. (Marchfield and Loch Dow sold in December 1983, Charles Stewart and Wilma McKerlie) 31 1956 Event ID: 728257 Category: Descriptive Accounts Type: Archaeology Notes Permalink: http://canmore.org.uk/event/728257 NX76SW 13 c. 734 647 (Area: NX 734 647) A fairly worn denarius of Trajan (98-117 AD) dug up by a gardener at Glenlochar House "with other coins" was submitted by A E Truckell, Dumfries Burgh Museum, on 25 May 1956. A S Robertson 1963 Glenlochar House (NX76SW 59) is now under new ownership. The former gardener could not be located and the present owner knows nothing of this coin. Visited by OS (RD), 29 July 1968 1970s and 80s Danevale full time gardener, hothouses full of melons, cucumbers, trees with peaches. Myra and Bridget two donkeys in the middle of the walled garden, plus chickens. (written by daughter of the gardener) 2001 Glenlochar Bank sold for £70,000. Glenlochar Lodge sold for £60,500. 2011 5 April, Glenlochar Roman Fort, annexe, road, camps and barrows entered on the Schedule of Monuments. 2018 Servitude rights from Danevale to Marchfield (Robert Young Wallace) 32 Castledykes, Dumfries by Lynda Mackie Castledykes Park lies between Glencaple Road and Kingholm Road 1.5km south of Dumfries Town Centre. There are five hectares of public park on a site where once stood two ancient castles and throughout more than 800 years a number of dwellings occupied the site, the most recent of which, built by Walter Newall in 1820, was demolished in 1952 to make way for the park we see today. The name “Castledykes” is from the original Castle of Dumfries which stood on this site in the 13th century. The earliest records of Castledykes are to be found in the papers of King Edward I, commonly known as “The Hammer of The Scots.” This castle had replaced an earlier timber keep and was built of stone. In 1298 the castle of Dumfries was garrisoned by 76 soldiers, crossbowmen and engineers, who were in charge of siege machines, together with carpenters and masons. The castle at Castledykes commanded a strategic position overlooking the River Nith and could easily be reached by boat at a time when land routes were beset with difficulties. King Edward I began to develop Castledykes Castle as a fortress to control southwest Scotland and work began on the fortifications on 5/9/1300. Wages of masons, sawyers, smiths, ditchers and clerks are recorded as ranging from 2 pennies to 9 pennies per day, though women working on the site as ditchers were only paid one and a half pennies per day. Many of the ditchers had come from Lochmaben where they had been working on Lochmaben Castle. On 17/9/1300 King Edward I visited the castle at Dumfries to check on the progress of the defences. Robert the Bruce seized the castle from the English and it was to this castle that he escaped after he, on 10/2/1306, murdered John Comyn of Badenoch and Dalwsinton at Greyfriars Church in Dumfries. When Edward I’s men re- entered the castle in 1306, when Robert the Bruce was on the run, they found missing from the inventory of castle contents, 9 casks of wine, 2 casks of honey, 222 quarts of salt and 100 horseshoes. By 1332 the Chapel of the Castle of Castledykes is recorded as The Chapel of St Mary The Virgin. It and the site of the castle were declared in the records of The Sheriff of Dumfries as a waste and of no taxable value, so the castle seems at that time to have been completely destroyed. The lands of Castledykes in 1666 were owned by Robert McBrair. By 1707 the Burgh of Dumfries held the site of the castle ruins and the sandstone quarry there which was of vital importance as a source of stone for the town. Trees were planted at this time and a road constructed between St Michaels Church and what was the town’s quarry at Castledykes. 33 By 1738 James Moorhead was the tenant of Castledykes. He was a Dumfries merchant of some standing and built a substantial house on the site. In his will he left provision for the establishment of Moorheads Hospital for the poor which still stands opposite St Michaels Church. He also left £10 to Robert McBrair in Bristol and £30 to the apprentice James McBrair in Annan so we are to assume he was in some way related to the McBrair who held the land in the 17th century. A French émigré, Joseph Elias Perochon, may have built, but definitely occupied, Perochon’s Cottage on the lands of Castledykes, shown on Wood’s Map of Dumfries in 1819. He had escaped the French Revolution and married Agnes Eleanor, the daughter of Mrs Dunlop of Dunlop in 1794. Mrs Dunlop was a friend and correspondent of Robert Burns and describes Mr Perochon in a letter to the poet as being, “One of the worthiest of men without a sixpence to his name.” Joseph Perochon was a merchant in Dumfries and is believed to have been blind. His wife was buried in the grave in St Michaels Churchyard which prior to the building of the Burns Mausoleum was the first resting place of the poet. In 1803 Castledykes was up for sale and it was purchased by William Thomson, Writer. He already owned a great deal of property in Dumfries. In 1824 he became Provost of Dumfries and died in 1847 at Woodhouse in Kirkpatrick Fleming, the parish where he was born some 84 years previously. He was in dispute with the council immediately after he had purchased Castledykes and was complaining that the council were allowing quarrying of sandstone on his land and the workers were destroying his trees when they were transporting the stone. The Council gave in to his complaint, presumably since he had a finger in many Dumfries pies. No images of this original mansion house exist but we do have a description of it when the house came up for let in 1817. It is described as having fine views of shipping and public walks. It had three sitting rooms, six bedrooms, a nursery, a servants’ house and stables with stalls for three horses as well as a stall for a cow and a gig house to store the coach. It had well turned-out grounds with fruit trees and shrubs. In 1821 the property of Castledykes was acquired by Ebenezer Stott. As a young man he had gone to America to be factor for Richard Barnham’s cotton plantation in North Carolina. He founded the firm of Stott & Co of Pittsburgh Virginia and made a fortune. In 1825/26 the Pigot’s Directory valued the estate of Castledykes at £20,000 which was an enormous sum at the time. He and his wife developed the grounds at Castledykes and scandalised the Dumfries population by paying the Town Council the huge sum of £100 for soil from the Merse to enhance his gardens. 34 Ebenezer Stott built a new house on the site. The architect was Walter Newall. The old house at a value of £400 was demolished and Newall built an Italianate villa on the site. The cost of the house, offices, gardens, vinery and conservatory was £20,000. The first floor of the house had a 20 foot by 18 foot dining room with a drawing room of the same size, a library and a butler’s pantry. The second floor had four bedrooms, three dressing rooms and a water closet on each floor. The basement housed the housekeeper’s room, store room, warm shower and baths, a servants’ hall, washhouses, kitchens and cellars. In addition, the garret had four bedrooms, presumably for servants since the Stotts were childless. The offices, or other buildings on the site had four stables for horses so had been extended as the stable block in 1819 had only room for three horses. There were two porters’ lodges or gatehouses and a gardener’s cottage. This was a fabulous house and garden. Fruit grown there included grapes, nectarines, peaches, apricots, pomegranates, figs, plums pears and apples at a time when the general population of Dumfries would have no knowledge of such exotic produce. Ebenezer Stott had no children and his wife took many of her exotic plants back to America when he died. Both Ebenezer Stott and his brother Watson Stott had inherited Threave Grange and Threave Castle from their uncle James Gibson in 1770 when they were still resident in America. At that time there was considerable dispute as to the ownership of Threave Castle which James Gibson claimed was his property but the general population believed it belonged to the Crown. Many stones from the castle were used in the mid-18th century to construct dykes on the land which the Stott brothers inherited from their uncle. Watson and Ebenezer Stott are buried in St Michaels Churchyard Dumfries. Ebenezer Stott’s nephew, Gibson Stott, inherited Castledykes in 1830 but sold it almost immediately to John McAdam of Craigadam at Kirkpatrick Durham. He had started off life as a poor shepherd in the hills above Carsphairn. He went to America as a young man and became a cotton merchant based in Liverpool. He died a wealthy man in 1836 aged 62. Sir Simon Heward of the East India Company inherited Castledykes in 1837 but sold it to John Alexander Pringle, also of The East India Company, who may have been related to John Pringle who owned the land at Troqueer almost opposite the site of Castledykes. We know that Robert Burnet, who was born in Aberdeenshire 1803, was gardener at Castledykes in 1852 and at the time the owner of the property was Sir Thomas Buchan Hepburn of Seaton in East Lothian, but occupied by his son, John Buchan Hepburn, a lawyer and writer to the signet. Robert Burnet had been employed as a gardener at Kirkbean from 1837 when he first came to Dumfries and Galloway. He was 35 gardener at Castledykes from the 1840s until 1870 when he returned to Aberdeenshire. He is listed in the records there as a provision merchant so seems to have set up as a greengrocer. The under gardener in 1851 was a Joseph Hiddlestone from Terregles aged 18. The son of John Buchan Hepburn died at Castledykes in 1851 and in 1857 he was given a loan of £3000 from Robert Scott who is described as a jute manufacturer. He and his sons owned the Dumfries tweed mills. The business had its origins at Kingholm Quay but soon outgrew its premises and was established by the banks of the Nith. Robert Scott 1780-1861 was from humble beginnings and was the son of a gardener, but by the time he died at Albany Place Dumfries he was an extremely wealthy man. His son Robert Scott was the tenant of Castledykes when £3000 loan was given to its owner until he secured the property and is listed as the owner in 1865. He lived there until he died in 1871 when the property went up for auction. During Robert Scott’s ownership in 1867 there was an enquiry into the pollution of the Nith by effluent from his mills, but Robert Scott blamed the Burgh Sewer and the matter was not pursued by the Town Council. At the time of the auction of Castledykes in 1871 a Mr Peacock is listed as the head gardener so must have taken over from Robert Burnet in 1870. As well as a gardener and coachman there were two lodges, where gatekeepers were employed to open and close the gates at any time of day or night and ensure only those permitted to do so entered the environs of the property. In 1861 one of the lodges was occupied by the Lewis family. It was a dwelling with only two rooms. He was a woollen spinner and since his wife was from Lilliesleaf near Hawick. I think she was one of the many woollen mill workers who flocked at this time from the border towns to work in the tweed industry in Dumfries. They lived in the two-roomed lodge with their five children. Robert Burnet, his family and an under gardener, William Neilson from Irongray, lived in the six roomed gardeners’ cottage. There is no record of what became of the under gardener, Joseph Hiddlestone, who had been there ten years earlier. John Johnston, a labourer from Torthorwald, his wife, their 20-year-old draper’s apprentice son and two other teenage children, lived in the other two-roomed gatehouse. The stables and three-roomed house was occupied by the coachman, George Wightman from Dornock, his wife from Tinwald and their children. John aged 15 was an apprentice clerk. Agnes, George, Robert and Janet were still at school. When Castledykes estate was sold in 1871, George Wightman and family moved to Maxwelltown where he was employed as an ostler at The Kings Arms Hotel which used to stand on the corner of Glasgow Street and the approach to The Buccleuch Street Bridge. He was taking care of the horses and carriages of hotel guests. None of his large family left home and with the arrival of the railway George Wightman moved from horses to become a warehouseman in the mill. With all his grown-up children still at home unmarried and employed as clerks printers and dressmakers the family prospered and moved to 2 Montague Street Dumfries. Castledykes was purchased by Dr James Bruce who served as honorary sheriff substitute. He caused quite a stir in 1875 when he attempted to remove the ancient roots of trees on his property by blasting them out with cotton patent gunpowder to the alarm of all living nearby. In 1887 Castledykes was sold to Hugh McGregor who had a confectioner’s business on the corner of Queensberry Street and High Street. He is recorded as producing in the region of 40 tons of preserves annually. Probably it was a good commercial venture to purchase Castledykes since the grounds contained very many fruit trees and bushes as well as greenhouses and a vinery. Many of the glasshouses had been built during Robert Scott’s time. By 1891 Hugh McGregor had died but his widow Jessie McGregor aged only 37 and her young family remained at Castledykes. Unlike the previous owners they seem to no longer employ a coachman but the coachman’s house and stable yard were let to Frederick Thomas, an Englishman, who 36 at the time describes himself as a self- employed book agent and his wife was a Laundress probably employed at The Crichton Laundry. With their six children they lived in the three-roomed stables cottage. Although shown as a book agent in 1891 ten years earlier, Frederick Thomas was a humble porter living in two rooms in Dumfries High Street and by 1901 he and his family were living in Church Street where he is employed as a navvy so he seems to be a guy with big ideas which never quite materialised. The gardener’s house was occupied by James Bayne who was a gardener in his own right and ran a fruit and flower shop. By 1895 James Bayne was still the tenant of the gardener’s house but the stables and coachman’s house were tenanted by James Callaghan and The Reverend Alexander Chapman. There seems to have been a rapid turnover of tenants of the stables between 1891 and 1895 and the coachman’s house was occupied in 1895 by Thomas Hall. Hugh and Jessie McGregor’s son, James McGregor, became a nurseryman and seedsman and ran the grounds of Castledykes as a market garden. His mother, Jessie McGregor, lived at Southerness and leased the mansion house to James Carmont who lived there until his death in 1922, although the Town Council bought Castledykes from Mrs McGregor in 1901 in preparation for the establishment of the sewage works. John Carmont was born in Maxwelltown in 1840 and worked as a clerk for the Ordnance Survey before becoming a banker with The Crichton Royal Bank and an agent for the British Linen Bank. From 1888-1916 he was treasurer to The Nith Commission. He was a devout Roman Catholic and conducted the choir at St Andrews Roman Catholic Cathedral as well as being the music critic for The Standard. One of his sons became a distinguished advocate, one a priest and a daughter an abbess. Two unmarried daughters remained as tenants in the house long after the death of their father. When the town purchased Castledykes in 1901 it cost £17,500. James McGregor continued to operate his gardening business in the stables and stables house. Other houses on the property rented from the council were occupied by William and Ellen Townsley in the gardener’s cottage and George Halliday, a miller, in the lodge. In 1906 Castledykes was the setting for the 600-year anniversary of the capture of Castledykes Castle by Robert the Bruce. After lunch for 100 gentlemen there was a procession from the town to Castledykes led by Masonic Lodges Burns Clubs and Provosts from near and far. The procession was accompanied by bands and volunteer regiments. A block of sandstone was laid at Castledykes to commemorate the event. In 1914 there was an open-air Burns Festival at Castledykes. Maxwelltown Male Voice Choir sang and there was music poetry and dancing. The Guild of Players performed scenes from the life of Burns. It was planned that this would be an annual event but did not continue after the outbreak of war in 1914. There is a commemorative stone at Castledykes in tribute to the coronet and two lynors who were killed in WW1. The fine mansion built by Walter Newall for Ebenezer Stott fell into disrepair and in 1952 Castledykes house was demolished to make way for the park we know today. There are no longer gatehouses at the entrances to the grounds but the gardener’s cottage still exists and recently the stables have been converted to become a family home. 37 Stroquhan House, Dunscore by Mik Wisniewski Stroquhan House (also known as Stroquan House) Parish: Dunscore Postcode: DG2 0UP NGR: 284298, 583496 what3words: https://w3w.co/nuggets.leaned.snowboard Stroquhan House (also known as Stroquan House) is a sandstone country house in Glenesselin, approximately 2 miles (3 km) southwest of Dunscore to the west of the Cairn Water. It dates from the end of the 18th Century with 19th-century additions3. Stroquhan House in 20204 One local legend is that in the 14th century three brothers named Kirkhoe had been responsible for dispatching a notorious thief named Coulton who lived in nearby Glenesslin. As a reward they were granted The Gazetteer for Scotland 2022 ‘Stroquhan’ [online] available at: https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst4702.html [accessed 29 August 2023] 4 Scottish Field 2020 ‘Stroquhan Estate, Dunscore, Dumfriesshire’ [online] available at: https://www.pressreader.com/uk/scottish-field/20200907/289115730672348 [accessed 29 August 2023] 3 38 land by the monarch and each built a tower, one being built at Stroquhan. This was recorded in 1615 as being owned by a John Kirkhoe. The current house was built in the second half of the 18 th century on the site of the tower.5 Note: Kirkhoe (or Kirk) was historically a common name in the Dunscore area. It is associated with the Maxwell Clan which itself had strong links with the wider area. The original house was built to a 2-storey rectangular plan in the second half of the 18th century. A full-height bow was added around 1800 at the north end of the east elevation. The house was remodelled in 1845 in the style of Walter Newall (architect) with a 3-storey piend-roofed rectangular tower added to south.6 The house is mostly rubble-built with ashlar dressings. The bow addition is rendered and the 1845 work is polished red ashlar. The tower bipartites to elevations, paired at east and linked by cills or cornice; the ground floor windows project, the upper windows are architraved; the remaining south-facing bay is similarly treated. The house has a margined near-centre porch (also circa 1840) on the east elevation with consoled pediment above the door; there is a crest in square panel on house above. Sash windows (mostly small-paned) throughout; cornices; chimney stacks are mostly 1845 with corniced octagonal flues; slate roofs. There is a twin-gabled west elevation. It was denoted as a Class B listed building on 26th June 1986.7 Walled Garden The house has a walled garden which itself is Category C listed (19868). The garden is thought to be early 19th century with a roughly quadrangular enclosure, The wall is curved at the southeast and linked to stables at the southwest. Rubble-built, partly brick-lined walls with ashlar coping. Circular pier at northwest angle beside gate; small lean-to boiler house on north wall and a small glass house. View from southeast taken 1975-76, copyright HES via https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1633493 Savills 2020 ‘Stroquhan Estate, Dumfriesshire’ [online] available at: https://assets.savills.com/properties/GBEDRUEDR200012/EDR200012_EDR20000312.PDF [accessed 29 August 2023] 6 Historic Environment Scotland 1986 ‘Stroquhan’ [online] available at: https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200335387stroquhan-dunscore [accessed 29 August 2023] 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 5 39 View from the north taken 1975-76, copyright: HES via https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1633494 View from the southwest taken 1975-76, copyright HES via https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1633495 40 Stroquan Lodge A lodge house (Stroquan Lodge) stands at the junction of the estate by the public road. Entrances to the private landscaped grounds around country houses at this time were often guarded by lodges. It was the role of the lodge-keeper – often an elderly estate employee – to give access for bona fide visitors and to exclude undesirables. The iron gates barred the way to any unwanted visitors. Lodges were small, but often reflected the architectural style of the mansion. This lodge is in a mild form of 'Tudor-bethan'. The Lodge was built c. 1840-50 at around the same time as the main house was remodelled. It is a symmetrical, single storey, 3-bay lodge built from painted rubble, with chamfered margins and hoodmoulds9. The North elevation: central panelled door, 12-pane sashes in the outer bays with a single window to either flank (that to west without a hood-mould). There is a central apex stack; a piended roof with graded slates. There is a modern addition to south: chamfered, square gatepiers; painted ashlar; corniced; Gothic acanthus leaf finials on raised bases. The main gateway is flanked by similar piers to the pedestrian ways; fine Gothic traceried cast-iron gates with foiled, cusped and crocketed decoration. The Lodge is category B listed (1986) View from northeast taken 1975-76, copyright: HES via https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1633490 Historic Environment Scotland 1986 ‘Stroquan Lodge, Gates and Gatepiers’ [online] available at: https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB4161 [accessed 29 August 2023] 9 41 In 2020 Stroquhan Estate was put on the market for sale by Savill's Estate Agents who produced a detailed sales brochure and an accompanying viewing video10. The Estate was put up for sale in 3 lots: Lot 1 Stroquhan House This included the house itself; gardens and grounds (including a walled garden); stables and former coach house; Stroquhan Lodge; around 35 acres of parkland and grassland. Savills 2020 ‘Stroquhan Estate, Dumfriesshire’ [online] available at: https://assets.savills.com/properties/GBEDRUEDR200012/EDR200012_EDR20000312.PDF [accessed 29 August 2023] 10 42 43 Lot 2 Skinford Farm The farm lies to the south of Stroquhan House itself and comprised: two cottages; a variety of farm buildings; around 170 acres of farmland. Lot 3 Craighead Plantation & Stroquhan Hill This consisted of around 450 acres of farmland, grazing and forestry. According to the Registers of Scotland, Stroquhan House was sold on 2nd October 2020 for £980,000. The property type is shown as Agricultural and it is not clear if this sale was for the agricultural land on the estate or the buildings also11. There are no previous online records of property purchase. Ownership now appears to be by Stroquhan Estate Ltd.12 At the time of the 1851 census Stroquhan House was owned by Francis (I. or J.) Wilson shown as "landed proprietor" farming 300 acres. Clearly some of the land shown in 2020 had been acquired later in addition to the original estate, which also included Stroquhan Lodge. Scotland’s Land Information Service ‘Stroquhan House, Dunscore, Dumfries DG2 0UP’ [online] available at: https://scotlis.ros.gov.uk/property-summary/DMF7191 [accessed 29 August 2023] 12 Companies House services ‘Stroquhan Estate Limited’ [online] available at: https://find-and-update.companyinformation.service.gov.uk/company/02236653 [accessed 29 august 2023] 11 44 People associated with Stroquhan Note: names are frequently associated simply with "Stroquhan" and not explicitly with Stroquhan House. However, in the context of the sources, it is reasonable to assume that Stroquhan House is often the location. The exception are the Moffat names who cannot be placed at the House with certainty. The area contains a number of Stroquhan name places - Stroquhan Moor, Stroquhan Hill etc - but it's not clear if the house was named after the area or the landmarks named after the house. Walter Newall Walter Newall (1780-1863) was the architect responsible for the remodelling of the house in 1845. He was born in nearby New Abbey and was the leading architect in the Dumfries area, from the 1820s until his retirement.13 His built works included villas at Cardoness (1828), for Sir David Maxwell, and Glenlair, Corsock (1830), home of mathematician and theoretical physicist James Clerk Maxwell. In Dumfries, Newall built the Assembly Rooms (1825), several commercial buildings including offices for his own use on the High Street, and several private houses including Moat Brae (1823), whose gardens, a childhood haunt of author J. M. Barrie, were the inspiration for Peter Pan. Newall remodelled a windmill in neoclassical style to serve as the town observatory, which later became Dumfries Museum. He designed St Mary's Church and clergy house at New Abbey (1824). He also designed several Gothic churches, including those at Buittle (1818–19), Anwoth (1826–27), and Kirkpatrick Durham (1849–50).14 Moffats Samuel Moffat of Stroquhan Born 1726 Stroquhan Died 31 May 1778 RMM, Dunscore Churchyard, CMN 2 p2 https://genealogy.clanmoffat.org/getperson.php?personID=I60668&tree=ClanMoffat Alexander Moffat (son of Samuel above) Born 1763 Dumfriesshire Listed 1797 at Stroquhan, Dumfriesshire Died 2 March 1835 Bush Cottage, Sundaywell, Dumfriesshire, Scotland OPR, Dunscore Churchyard, CMN 2 p2 Andrew Moffat Born 7 May 1896 Stroquhan Lodge, Dunscore, Dumfriesshire GRO-Edinburgh 4, 168 https://genealogy.clanmoffat.org/getperson.php?personID=I38906&tree=UKEire 13 14 Colvin, Howard, (1978) A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600–1840, John Murray, pp.697-699 Wikipedia ‘Walter Newall’ [online] available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Newall [accessed 29 August 2023] 45 Andersons Robert Anderson Born 1751 Stroqhan Died December 25, 1828 Stroquhan House https://www.geni.com/people/Robert-AndersonEsq/6000000038912172020?through=6000000038910944210 https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/85572227 John Anderson HEIC (Honourable East India Company) Born 1795 Stroquhan Died Dec 24 1845 - No 1 Euston Place, Euston Square, London Acting Resident Councillor of Penang, Malaysia from 1829-1830. https://www.geni.com/people/John-Anderson-of-Straquhan-Dumfries-HEIC/6000000038910944210 William Anderson Died 2/12/1845 - At Penang, fourth son of the late Robert Anderson, Esq., of Stroquhan. Mary Martha Anderson, Stroquhan At Edinburgh, on the 12th inst. James Anderson, Esq. younger of Stroquhan, to Mary Menzies, daughter of Dr Robert Anderson, one of the ministers of Edinburgh. 20th June 1820 Thomas Carlyle (the Scottish historian and philosopher) lived at Craigenputtoch, some 6 miles away from Stroquhan House from 1828-1834 and mentions various members of the Andersons in his letters. https://carlyleletters.dukeupress.edu/search-results/stroquhan In May 1831 he writes: "Miss Anderson and other members of her family had moved from Stroquhan, a farm near Craigenputtoch" to Moffat from the letter contents. and " they [the Anderson family] had moved to Moffat after the family’s financial collapse." This may be connected with the fact that Robert Anderson and his son died within a short time of each other. Carlyle writes in 1829: "Old Mr Anderson of Straquhan also is dead" and "James Anderson, the young Laird of Stroquhan, our kind neighbour and acquaintance died of two days’ illness a few weeks ago; an event which causes deep sadness among all connected with him. What will become of his Distillery is not known." Previously in 1830 he had written: "… with regard to the Bridgewater, Inddia-ship [sic], I have engaged to the Stroquhan people (who are living in trembling hope and fear about the fate of their Brother and his whole family embarked therein) that you will get the best information, which is to be had in London, about the real chances of safety or destruction for this ship: I believe, it sailed from Penang, of which place the Governor also was in it, and a son (or perhaps this was he) of the India Directors’ chairman; it was seen last in the straits of Sunda, and must either have perished or taken refuge in Bombay." 46 It appears the Andersons on board the ship survived as Carlyle later in 1830 writes: "John’s letter to the family bringing joyful news concerning the long-lost ship Bridgewater and the Anderson kin on her." "Apparently the son and brother thought for some months to have been lost at sea on the Bridgewater and only recently returned home." It appears that Stroquhan was put up for sale along with its contents in 1831. Carlyle writes: "The Stroquhan Roup (auction) has been [going on] these two days; and, it would seem [one or two words missing], John Anderson means to occupy the house; for he is buying in all the furniture of any value." and in 1833: "It is said Stroquhan has found a Purchaser; yet also that we are not to have a new Neighbour, but only the Edinburgh people a new Lawsuit. The case it seems is this: John Anderson hearing that the property is sold suddenly steps forward and says: This property was never my Brother’s, for my Father who survived him, was of unsound mind when he gave it up; and so now it is by fair inheritance mine; and I will pay my Father’s debts from it, but of my Brother’s not a shilling!" The outcome of the legal dispute is not known. Wilsons However, by 1843 Stroquhan is occupied by the Wilson family who presumably commissioned the remodelling of the house around this time. https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/85560236 The 1851 census shows the Wilson family at Stroquhan: Francis J. Wilson, Age 30, Landed proprietor farming 300 acres employing 9 labourers, born Berwick on Tweed. Jane M. Wilson, wife, age 23, born Kilwinning, Ayr Thomas T. Wilson, age 5, born Dunscore George C. Wilson, age 4, born Dunscore Jessie M. Wilson, age 1, born Dunscore Other people at the time of the census at Stroquhan: Helen Colville, sister in law, age 21, born Kilwinning, Ayr Henrietta Somerville, cousin (unmarried), age 42, born Ruthwell, Dumfries May Somerville, cousin (unmarried), age 34, born Dalton, Dumfries Mary Douglas, housemaid (unmarried), age 24, born Mouswald, Dumfries Grace Bellby, housemaid (unmarried), age 23, born Holywood, Dumfries Grace Alton, nurse (unmarried), age 24, born Glencairn, Dumfries Marion Brydon, cook (unmarried), age 27, born Applegarth, Dumfries The 1861 census shows: Jane M. J. Wilson, widow and fund holder, age 33, born Kilwinning, Ayr Jessie M. J. Wilson, age 12, born Dunscore Francis W.J. Wilson, age 11, born Dunscore Jane M. J. Wilson, age 9, born Dunscore 47 Others: Mary F. Brystocke, governess (unmarried), age 32, born England Eleanor Mathison, lady's maid (unmarried), age 27, born Aberdeen Margaret Lawrie, cook (unmarried), age 36, born Dunscore Mary Ferguson, housemaid (unmarried), age 28, born Kirkbean, Kirkcudbright Jane Goodfellow, table maid (unmarried), age 17, born Canonbie, Dumfries Set in the South wall of the church in Dunscore is a memorial in white marble to Francis Johnstone Wilson of Coglin and Stroqhan, who died in 1856 aged only 36 years. The verse of scripture reads:I know that he shall rise again in the Resurrection at the last day. This poem follows:Write no record of the dead But that Christ for him has bled And the thought may solace give That the dead in Christ shall live https://www.dunscore.org.uk/items-of-interest/dunscore-churchyard/ By 1862, Mrs Wilson had moved to 14 Dean Terrace, Edinburgh although in 1872/3 Thomas J Wilson of Stroquhan was listed as farming 4198 acres. https://electricscotland.com/history/Scotland_Owners_of_Lands_and_Heritages_1.pdf Stansfield A Stansfield is show at Stroquhan in 1872. https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/87055598 Watson J. Watson and Archibald Watson 1878 https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/85157696 Timms J. Timms is listed at Stroquhan in the 1882/1885 Post Office Directory https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/87044937 Ainslie C.A. Ainslie is listed at Stroquhan in the 1883/1896 Post Office Directory https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/85168803 Ewing Colonel John Ewing is listed at Stroquan in the 1903 Post Office Directory https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/90676837 Johnstone The Dunscore War memorial was unveiled on 21st June 1920 by Mrs Johnston of Stroquhan following a united service in a packed Dunscore Parish Church. Brig. General Johnston gave the address. 48 Physgill House, Glasserton by Jennifer Cianci 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Maps: 56 57 Photos: 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 References: 70 71 72 73 74 Ravenstone Castle, Glasserton by Lynn Bell 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 APPENDIX FOR RAVENSTONE CASTLE15 15 A selection has been included within this document but the full report, with appendix attached, will be submitted to the Dumfries & Galloway Heritage Service 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 Dildawn House, Kelton by Lyn Walby Dildawn is a fine-looking house and estate, seen across the River Dee from the A75, on the edge of the village of Rhonehouse, Castle Douglas. Its walled garden is a listed feature. Dildawn across the fields from the A75 Current owner's requirement The current owner, who inherited Dildawn from his grandfather, wishes the property to be a very private family home, and has several signs indicating this. He was reluctant to be involved in any research as he didn't want people coming on his property – on the land there are nesting birds and livestock, and he spoke of people in the past letting their dogs run off the lead on his fields. Dildawn modern house Front door handles – as close as the author got to the interior The estate has the main house, Dildawn, and several of the outbuildings have been converted as Orchard House, Coach House and Garden Cottage. In recent times (2004) these properties have been available as self-catering accommodation with 10 bedrooms, sleeping 18-20. The website seems to suggest that this is still available (2023) but that is clearly not the case. There seem to have been some sales, or rentals. Two images of Dildawn House from early postcards (Old Postcard views in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright -Parish of Kelton) 104 A substantial reference to the history of Dildawn's ownership is to be found in Parish of Kelton – History of the Lands and Their Owners in Galloway by P.H. McKerlie, which was published in 5 volumes in 1878 The land of Dildawn ... appears to have formed a portion of the old Kelton barony. The name may be derived from the Gaelic dail, or Norse dalr or dale, and the Gaelic dun or duin, a fort, etc. The earliest reference to Dildawn is from the 16th century when the Maxwells were in possession. On 17 March 1635 John, Viscount Kenmure had retour (legal term for mortgage/rental?). Mary, Countess of Buccleuch had retour in 1653, and her sister, Anne in 1661. In 1665, Margaret Gordon, had sasine (another legal term referring to conferring of possession of feudal property) in liferent of the four merk land of Dildowand. In 1667 Margaret Browne had sasine of the lands of Dilldawand. In December 1668 Alexander son of Thomas Hutton, styled younger of Dildawn.... had sasine of Dildawn. Whoever the Huttons were, they did not hold the land long. The superiority appears to have been retained by the Nithsdale family who had retour in 1670 and 1696. In 1698, John, son of Alexander, Viscount Kenmure had retour. In 1672, Alexander M'Ghie of Balmaghie, had principal sasine. This, however, may have only been a wadset (mortgage or pledge), as in 1702 Alexander Gordon ... conveyed Dildawn to William M'Ghie of Balmaghie. In 1729, the son of Balmaghie sold Dildawn to Robert Muir In 1749 Robert Muir sold the land to William Muir, late schoolmaster in Borgue. In 1770 he again sold the land to Alexander Carson who in 1789 parted with them to William Sturgeon. In 1801 William Sturgeon conveyed, by disposition and settlement, the property to his eldest son, Robert Sturgeon. In 1808, by trust disposition, Robert Sturgeon conveyed Dildawn to James Hannay …and James Barbour … as trustees for his creditors. In 1811 they sold Dildawn to Captain Archibald M'Dougall …. who built the present residence. When Archibald M'Dougall died (1823 or 1824), by deed or settlement [he] conveyed Dildawn to Mrs Frances M'Dougall and Alexander Forsyth, George M'Dougall and James Adam, writers in Edinburgh, as his trustees. In 1843, they sold the property to James Cowan LL.D. … He died ... in 1870 ... and in 1872 Anna Cowan died at Dildawn. The present owners are John Cowan and Janet Cowan. In the OS Name Books 1848-1851 there is a reference to Dildawn Pool, in which “the fish are the property of the proprietor of Dildawn Estate.” Another referring to the Island, “planted with oak, ash and fir, that belonging to the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge”. In A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland by Samuel Lewis, 1846, he makes reference to the “handsome mansion” of Daldawn, … built by Captain McDougall. In Maxwell's Guide book to the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, 1878, there is a reference to “the mansion-house of Dildawn, the residence of John Cowan, Esq.” 105 Dildawn is described in the Historic Environment Scotland account of it as a listed building, with much technical detail: “Dated 1813 on rainwater head; probably incorporating 18 th century house in NE. (Kitchen) wing, with additions and alterations of 1852 by John Dobson, architect, 2-storey and basement. Rubble walling with 4-bay main elevation with central bays shallow advanced; mid 19th century projecting single-storey porch with pilasters at angles, projecting Roman Doric porch to centre with balustrading. All windows single light sashes mostly with 12-pane glazing pattern; some ground floor windows with lower sash of plate glass. Moulded eaves cornice, blocking course raised over centre bay. Garden front with central projecting 3-window bow. Single storey projecting bay (later 19th century) to left with tripartite window. All other windows single light, glazing as above. To SW flank, full-height canted bay window (1852) with cornice and blocking course. 2-storey L-plan wing to NE now containing kitchens, but possibly part of earlier house. INTERIOR: good later 19th century glazed vestibule door. Mainly earlier-mid 19th century plasterwork and door cases. One good late 19th century chimneypiece. Coped rubble wall surrounds rectangular garden. Pair of round-arched gateways with decorative corbelled castellated parapet above.” The architect of Dildawn is an interesting man, John Dobson. John Dobson (1787 – 1865) was a 19th-century English neoclassical architect. During his life, he was the most noted architect in Northern England. He designed more than 50 churches and 100 private houses, but he is best known for designing Newcastle Railway Station and for his work with Richard Grainger, developing the centre of Newcastle in a neoclassical style. His country houses are too little known, mainly because they are not so large that they are open to the public, and are often still in private hands, hidden away behind parkland and trees. The outstanding characteristics of his houses are his use of beautiful golden sandstone, and Corinthian or Ionic pillared entrance porticos. Inside there are elegant staircases with beautiful ironwork balustrades leading to an upper gallery … and the hall's having a domed ceiling and glass centrepiece. (Wikipedia article) 106 Lochbank, Kelton by George Currie Situated one mile from Castle Douglas town centre lies Lochbank House in its own extensive grounds on the west bank of Carlingwark Loch. Built in 1784 for a Mr Hannay, on land acquired from William Douglas, who took residence there one year later. There have been several occupiers and alterations made over the many years of this beautiful family home. Description: It is a two storey, attic and cellar house with a decorative regency porch. Originally a three bay, with a twostorey service wing and a two-storey drawing room added. It has a stair tower and a water tower with outbuildings to the rear. There is a hand operated water pump which is still in place in the centre of the house. Water was raised from the well below the house to a tank in the purpose-built tower within the house. The outside walls were of painted harl with painted ashlar dressings and quoin strips with a base course and eaves course, with the loch on one side the property and a fine curving high wall on the other. Principal (SE) Elevation: Slightly advanced centre bay to a 3-bay 18th-century house. Early 19th-century segmental bowed porch to centre with flagstoned segmental plinth, stone steps, plain iron railings and latticed iron pilasters and pelmet, swept lead roof. Tripartite doorway within, dividing colonettes, panelled aprons to sidelights, panelled door, sunburst fanlight with metope and triglyph surround. Single window above and later stone mullioned bipartite flanking. Drawing room extension slightly recessed to outer left with projecting 4-light corniced window and two single windows above. Recessed service wing to outer right with 2-bay windowed gable breaking eaves. 107 Rear (NW) Elevation: Pined-roof elevation stair tower to original centre with lean-to addition in re-entrant formed with pined-roof former water tower, projecting service gable and further ancillary range to North. Timber sash and case windows predominantly with 4-pane glazing patterns (with horns, many good quality replacements). Broad coped stone wallhead stack to original SW side elevation; more slender stacks to gablehead of later additions. Graded grey slates, Lancashire to rear. Piended roof to original house, gabled to 19th-century additions. Cast-iron guttering with some funnel water hoppers. Interior: Excellent decorative detailing to interior, much 19th century. Plan single pile with corridor to rear to both floors. Suggestion that focus of house has been turned around to face loch, stair tower introduced and presumably plan form changed to accommodate, causing much decorative work to date to 19th-century alterations. Fine plasterwork to cornicing, shouldered, decorative archways and ceiling rose. Notable chimneypieces including one from Lion's Club, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, 1800s, and further 'Adam' and classical timber and marble chimneypieces throughout, one with table depicting stone masons at work. Carved timber stair. Round archways into corridor off 1st floor landing. Fine run of linen cupboards at 1st floor. Panelled shutters. Cellarage. Boundary Walls, Gatepiers: Long run of curling harl pointed rubble whinstone walls, sandstone coped, lining roadside to North, dating to late 18th century or early 19th century with some later minor realignment, running from North East of house to South West continuing around former lodge Littlebank (now a private home) and along road toward Threave Gardens bordering Gallows Slot (noted below) and the shore of the loch to North. Fine pair of sandstone gatepiers, corniced with ball finials to head of drive (re-sited). Other plain sandstone piers and pedestrian vehicular gateways. The house has had two major transformations in its lifetime, the first by James and Jane Lidderdale the second owners, who turned the house around so the front door would now face the loch; a drawing room with fine cornices was added, kitchens and outhouses were extended and a water pump installed. The second major change took place in the 1960's by Colonel and Ruby Smith. Many of the features are still present today including the Regency porch. Ruby also brought fireplaces from her old home in Ayrshire, one in the style of William Kent which is in the drawing room, a very interesting marble one in the hall which shows stone masons at work. This fireplace originally came from the Lions Club in Glasgow. The Smiths also converted the stables/lodge at this time into a house in its own right, now known as Littlebank. It was not unusual for servants to be employed here sometimes staying in the house. Cooks, cleaners and gardeners were required to look after this sizeable property. A chaffeur/gardener was working here in the 1950s to drive and look after the newly acquired automobile. Previously horse and cart had been used. The chaffeur/gardener was a Mr David McVittie whose family still live in Castle Douglas. Lochbank at one time owned cottages known as the Buchan but were all sold privately. Lochbank was used by the army during WW2 as a command post for troops stationed in Castle Douglas. The Raid on St Nazaire was planned and executed from here. The attack was later made into a full-length feature film. 108 The Gallows Slot, marked on maps adjacent to Lochbank was thought to be where victims of feudal tyranny were tortured and executed but there are various opinions to this story, also the bodies of executed (hanged) prisoners were allegedly disposed of here. A pit containing bodies may have been found here in 1800 (Sourced from the book Y Tref by Alistair Livingston). Listed by Historic Environment Scotland: Lochbank with Gatepiers and Boundary Walls Cat B Listed Building – Listed May 2005 Building Class – Cultural Source ID: 39800550 Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB Parish – Kelton Town – Castle Douglas County – Kirkcudbrightshire Canmore ID: 64659 Site No: NX76SE Owners and Occupiers: Mr and Mrs Hannay 1784 - 1820 Mr and Mrs Lidderdale 1820 - 1905 Writer, Bank Agent and partner in local Solicitors Mr and Mrs Skirving 1905 - 1935 Miss McKenzie 1936 - ???? Colonel and Mrs Smith ???? - 1962 Mr J Miller 1962 - 1989 Dr and Mrs Wilkinson 1989 - 2006 Local GP Ter Spitte 2006 - 2011 Mr and R Mrs Andrews 2011 Sources: Historic Environment Scotland Mr R Andrews Mr D McVittie 109  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies – Volume 2 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_72 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Description An account of the resource Colvend and Southwick to Kelton GGLP heritage https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/10/531/GGLP-CYDI-BuildingBiographies_Vol1_Anwoth_to_Borgue.pdf e862c67c35c98ad6e4c1c63b2ed4950a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies – Volume 1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The Building Biographies project recruited volunteers to undertake research into some of the large country houses within Galloway, with the research taking place from February to June 2023. Each volunteer was given their own specific house to research, piecing together timelines from their initial construction through to how they stand today. The project included houses that were still in use, ruinous or even demolished, featuring a variety of functions dating back to the 19th century or earlier. As more volunteers signed up the study area expanded to include a mix of country houses from across Galloway, and even a few from Dumfriesshire. By the end of the project, 32 volunteers submitted their findings as summary reports, which covered 42 country houses across Galloway. The volunteers included people from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Glasgow and America. Their results revealed stories of the people who designed, lived and worked within these houses, stories which reflect both local history and connections to far-flung places during times of peace and war. The passion and commitment shown by the volunteers in uncovering the stories of these houses, both good and bad, has been inspiring, and they have created an impressive record which will be shared for many years to come. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Building Biographies: A 2023 volunteer research project into the country houses of Galloway VOLUME 1: ANWOTH TO BORGUE With contributions from: Pamela Edwards, Alexander Hall, Keith Hamblin, Eileen Johnson, Bianca Leder, Michelle MacIver, Samantha Oakley, Jennifer Roberts and Louise Turner Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 2 Anwoth Parish Cardoness House, Anwoth ..................................................................................................... 4 Balmaclellan Parish The Holme, Balmaclellan ..................................................................................................... 17 Balmaghie Parish Balmaghie House, Balmaghie ............................................................................................... 23 Hensol House, Balmaghie .................................................................................................... 30 Laurieston Hall, Balmaghie................................................................................................... 54 Slogarie House, Balmaghie................................................................................................... 60 Borgue Parish Borgue Old House, Borgue ................................................................................................... 70 Senwick House, Borgue........................................................................................................ 93 Other Volumes in the Series .............................................................................................. 105 1 Introduction The Building Biographies project recruited volunteers to undertake research into some of the large country houses within Galloway1. These imposing buildings have borne witness to centuries of history, standing through changing eras and shifting social and economic climates. Their walls have enclosed the lives of many, their grounds the lives of many more and they have fulfilled a variety of needs from homes, hospitals and schools, to war rooms and tourist attractions. The decision to focus on country houses stemmed from their longevity and assorted histories: their status and sheer size making them notable features in the landscape which inspire the imagination and curiosity of locals and visitors alike. These are buildings which appear frequently in our landscape but their histories often remain unknown to the public. Many have been demolished or stand as ruins: a resource that disappears a little more with each passing decade. For the project, each volunteer was given their own specific house to research, piecing together timelines from their initial construction through to how they stand today. Initially, the selection of houses to research was driven by location, with the catchment area of the Galloway Glens being the focus. Second to this, the aim was to avoid any that had already been subject to a significant amount of research. The resulting selection included houses that were still in use, ruinous or even demolished, featuring a variety of functions dating back to the 19th century or earlier. As more volunteers signed up, however, the study area expanded to include all of Galloway (and even a few from Dumfriesshire) and the biggest influence came from the preferences of the volunteers themselves; many had specific areas or even houses that had already piqued their interest and so the list grew to encompass a sporadic mix of country houses from across the region. Each researcher was given a Guidance Note outlining the main resources available online. People could visit their local library or archive centre but the choice of online resources kept the project open to anyone who might face constraints in attending such places in person. By the end of the project, 32 volunteers submitted their findings as summary reports, which covered 42 country houses across Galloway. The volunteers included people from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Glasgow and America. Their results revealed stories of the people who designed, lived and worked within these houses, stories which reflect both local history and connections to far-flung places during times of peace and war. The volunteers’ research has revealed the importance of recording these histories, and the origins of many bring to light a legacy that is not always acknowledged. After the abolition of slavery within the British Empire, the Slave Compensation Act of 1837 authorised a commission to manage the distribution of £20 million to compensate slave owners in the British colonies for the freeing of slaves. 2 Not all, but many of these country houses were initially funded with profits from slavery, with several connections to plantations in Jamaica. It is important to record all aspects of our history and these houses seem able to reveal both the good and bad from our collective past. The passion and commitment shown by the volunteers in uncovering the stories of these houses has been inspiring, and they have created an impressive record which will be shared for many years to come. Claire Williamson The Building Biographies project was undertaken in February to April 2023 as part of ‘Can You Dig It’, the community archaeology project of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. Galloway Glens was a five-year initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and ‘Can You Dig It’ was match funded by Historic Environment Scotland and delivered by Rathmell Archaeology. 2 The Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery contains a database of their records https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/project/details/ 1 2 The Holme Hensol House Slogarie House Laurieston Hall Balmaghie House Cardoness House Borgue Old House Senwick House Locations of houses researched during the Building Biographies Project – red marks the houses reported in this volume 3 Cardoness House, Anwoth by Keith Hamblin A Plan of the foot of the river Fleet by James Tait 1934 (Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland maps.nls.uk) Gallovidia by Joan Blaeu 1654 (derived from Timothy Pont's survey in 1596) (Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland maps.nls.uk) 4 Cardoness House in the early 1900s 5 Pages 6-13 reproduced from www.gatehouse-folk.org.uk: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Reproduced from the Statistical Accounts of Scotland3: A B (A) NSA 1845 ‘General Observations on the County of Wigton’, Vol. IV, p.226 [online] available at: https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/viewer/nsa-vol4Section_on_the_county_of_Wigton_from_volume_4_in_account_2/; (B) NSA 1845 ‘Parish of Anwoth’, Vol. IV, p.375 and p.382 [online] available at: https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/viewer/nsa-vol4Parish_record_for_Anworth_in_the_county_of_Kirkcudbright_in_volume_4_of_account_2/ [accessed 18 July 2023] 3 14 The 1851 Census Returns for Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire 4: 4 [online] available at: https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/HistoricalIndexes/Home/DisplayDetailedSearchResults_Census_1851 [accessed 18 July 2023] 15 Extract from the Curle Diaries (1912)5: 5 [online] available at: https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/rcahms-archives/curle-diaries/curle-diary-09/175 [accessed 18 July 2023] 16 The Holme, Balmaclellan by Alexander Hall 17 Much of the land in the Glenkens was occupied by the Gordon family and their cadet branches early in the 15th century, following their arrival from Berwickshire. Their stronghold at Kenmure Castle was their centre of operations. The castles of Lochinvar and Shirmers and the baronies of Troquain and the Holme are in Balmaclellan parish and were occupied by Gordons for many generations. The Gordons of Holme There are 22 gravestones in Balmaclellan churchyard recording the deaths of Gordons, but only two are specifically Gordons of Holme or Shirmers. One stone, in the group of six enclosed by iron railings, which constitutes the Gordon family plot, is mostly illegible but has a coat of arms which includes three boars’ heads. This confirms their attachment to the Gordons of Lochinvar and Kenmure as one lady is the daughter of Viscount Kenmure. William Gordon of Holme, died in 1714 aged 76, and his wife Jean Gordon died in 1721 aged 70. Presumably it was their son William Gordon of Holme who died in 1752 aged 68. He was the last Gordon who owned Holme. The Spalding family Alexander Spalding was a successful Dumfries merchant who acquired the 32 shilling land of Killochie and the 16 Shillingland of Knocklea in 1753. He was sheriff-depute of Wigtown in 1792. He bought the Holme estate c.1751 having married a Gordon heiress, Jean Gordon, daughter of Robert Gordon of Shirmers. The estates of Holme and Shirmers were thus united. 18 They had four sons: Alexander, born 1750 succeeded to the land, but after some difficulties, John, the youngest son, a successful merchant in London was able to buy back the whole estate. Alexander was unmarried and died in 1794, less than a year after his widowed mother. Robert, a writer in Dumfries, was born in 1752. William, born April 1755. John, born March 1758, was sent to London for a commercial education from Thomas Sword of Pancras Lane. In 1781 he went to Madras as a writer with the East India company and returned as a junior merchant in 1789. Under the patronage of the Earl of Galloway, he was returned to Parliament as member for the Wigtown Burghs in 1796 and again in 1802. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in July 1797. 1799 was the year William Dunbar completed farm maps – including Holme House and the estate of Holme, Hardland, two of Killochy, Cubbox and Knocklay. On 19 December 1797 John married Mary Anne Eden, daughter of Thomas Eden and his wife Marianne Jones, niece of Lord Auckland. Their children were John Eden Spalding and Dora Marianne Spalding (Malet). He had business interests in London where he was a director of the British Fire Office and Westminster Life Insurance 1814. He died on 26 August 1815 and was buried at St Mary’s Wimbledon. John was succeeded by his only son John Eden Spalding J.P. who married the Hon. Mary Upton, daughter of Henry Upton, 4th Viscount Templetown in 1831. She died in 1876. The Upton family Henry Upton, 2nd son of Arthur Upton of L’Upton in Devon, was a soldier in Ireland who settled in Co. Antrim and was M.P. for Carrickfergus. His grandson Clotworthy Upton, of Castle Upton joined the standard of William lll and was taken prisoner at the siege of Limerick. He was succeeded by his brother John Upton created 1st Baron Templetown in 1776. His eldest son John Henry was created 1 st Viscount Templetown, of Templetown, Co. Antrim, in 1806. The 4th Viscount was his great nephew. Holme Estate ‘The estate of Holme, the property of Augustus F. M. Spalding Esq. The mansion house . . . is prettily situated near the Garple Burn, and the grounds around it command views of great extent and beauty.’ In 1779 five landowners in the Glenkens combined to send a notice to the press about the ‘Preservation of Game’, requesting would-be poachers to keep off their land. Alexander Spalding Gordon of Holme was one of them. In 1794 Mr. Spalding advertised to let by auction four parcels of land: 1. The lower part of Cubbox with house, farm buildings and cottages, totalling over 143 acres; 2. The upper of Hill part of Cubbox with 74 acres; 3. Aikie-bush Park of 37 acres; 4. The lower part of Holme of 60 acres. At this time, 1798, the Government was having trouble raising funds above assessed taxes to defend the country against a possible French invasion. Out of a total of £122.5.6 contributed by the parish of Balmaclellan, John Spalding Esq. of Holm subscribed £100. In 1810 Mr. Spalding wished to stand down as M.P. for Wigtownshire and applied to be Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds. 19 In 1810 and 1812 various farms were advertised to rent. Delarran 64 acres Scots, Holme 70 acres, Hill 200 acres, Trolane 63 acres and Cubbox. John Spalding was succeeded by his only son John Eden Spalding in 1815. In 1823, ‘The oak bark of the wood cut this season on Mr. Spalding’s Estate of Holme and Shirmers’ was advertised as ‘ready for sale’. In 1824, the Hill was advertised to rent at not less than £60 per year. Ten years later the tenant of the Holme held a sale of farm stock. Sheep, pigs, hay and farm and dairy utensils were to be sold by public roup. Cattle would be the main attraction with a breeding herd of Galloway cows and a bull, 40 Galloway cattle of various ages and 19 three-year-old Highland cattle. This is an example of the once thriving cattle droving industry when Highland cattle were brought down from the north of Scotland and joined with locally bred Galloway bullocks. Then they grazed for some months before continuing their journey to Carlisle and the south. Eden Spalding was married in 1831 to the Hon: Mary Upton, daughter of Henry Upton 4th Viscount Templetown. Their eldest son, Lieutenant John Henry Upton Spalding R.N., born 19th April 1834 was killed by a cannon ball in the trenches before Sebastopol on 21st January 1855. He was in command of the naval batteries and mate in H.M.S. London. In 1856 at the Glenkens Agricultural Society’s show Mr. Spalding won the 1st prize for the best tup of any age in the Leicester breed. In 1865 J.E. Spalding gave a dinner to the tenantry on the Holme and Shirmers estate. ‘Hotel dinner was provided by Mrs. Rowe of the Spalding Arms Hotel . . . everyone present being highly gratified with the evening’s entertainment.’ Augustus Spalding D.L., J.P, succeeded his father at the Holme in 1869. He had a house in London, 24 Charles Street, Berkeley Square. Rather than live at the Holme, he lived at Dalarran Lodge, near the Ken bridge. The Holme was let to Major J. M. Kennedy jnr. of Knocknalling. When he left, a sale of furniture was held at the Holme in 1886. 1874 ‘A marriage has been arranged between the Hon. and Rev. John Grey, brother of Earl Grey, and Miss Spalding, only daughter of the late Mr John Eden Spalding of The Holme, New Galloway’. 20 In October 1894, Augustus Spalding or his trustees, advertised a portion of the estate of Holme, some 2,280 acres, for sale by private bargain. Clearly this did not take place as the mansion house policies and shooting were let to a number of tenants – William Mather, Hugh Laing and Alexander Grosvenor Linzee. The Hon. H. M. Upton did not obtain possession until after W.W.1. In October 1908 ‘a deputation from the tenants on the Holme and Shirmers estate waited on the proprietor, Mr. Spalding . . . at Dalarran Lodge, his Glenkens residence’, to celebrate his 70th birthday where he was presented with an illuminated address. A list of those present was published in the local newspaper. In the course of his reply Mr. Spalding said ‘he had been in possession of the Holm and Shirmers estate for nearly forty years, and during that time he had encountered many ups and downs, many difficulties, and many troubles. Indeed, at times he had been in despair of making two ends meet – that is making the estate support itself – whilst for more than twenty years he had not one shilling to put into his own pocket . . . On the same day a deputation from tradesmen, bailiff, labourers, and domestic servants . . . presented Mr. Spalding with a silver flower beaker as a token of their esteem.’ Mr. Spalding also had a house in London. In the Supplement to the London Gazette Feb. 27 th 1867, his address was ‘The Admiralty, Whitehall’. Augustus Spalding died, unmarried, in 1911 and the property devolved to the Hon. Augustus Upton. Holme House ‘Holme is a handsome residence in the parish’ (1846). ‘Holme House is pleasantly situated among thriving wood near the river Ken’ (1906). There are few records of what must have been a substantial house on the site of the present house. John Gifford says that the c.1840s house was remodelled by the architect Antony C. Wolffe. The only feature from an even earlier building was set into a gable, ‘a stone carved with the coat of arms of the Gordons, the initials RG and EG, and the date 1525’. The c.1970 reconstruction consists of a two-storey hall complete with a 21 gallery, flanked by two wings. One has a kitchen/dining room, south hall and sitting room while the other has a library, studio and the north hall and utility room. Bedrooms and bathrooms are on the first floor. An old stable building was converted into guest accommodation in 1986. More work was carried out on the house between 1991 and 1994. Balmaclellan HOLME 1642 1682 1777 1819 £sd Laird of Holme Hardland 84.6.8 84.6.8 84 84 Lands of Holme with Alms Mill 130 130 127 127 Over Minnibuie 100 100 Killoghy 66 66 Knocklay 29.16 29.16 Shirmers 70 70 Cubbox 125 125 Hill 60 Sources History of the Lands and their Owners in Galloway by P.H. McKerlie Vol 3 p. 74 and pp. 76-83 Valuation Rolls 1859/60, 1867/68, 1884/85, 1878/79 and 1911/12 Census 1792, 1841 and 1851 Baptisms/Deaths transcribed by Howard E. Sproat The Border Towers of Scotland: The West March 2006 by Alastair M.T. Maxwell-Irving pp. 231-233 Dumfries and Galloway by John Gifford 1996 p. 346 Archives of A.C. Wolffe, Dumfries and Galloway Archives Balmaclellan Parish Memorial Inscriptions, DGFHS 2014 Graveyard Stones 191, 208x6 The Dumfries and Galloway Standard 22 Balmaghie House, Balmaghie by Eileen Johnson In the 1846 Topographical Dictionary of Scotland6, Lewis described the house as “an ancient mansion, in which parts of an older building have been incorporated, is pleasantly seated near the river Dee, in grounds beautifully undulated, and embellished with plantations.” However, this was demolished to make way for a fine and substantial building, outlined in the Gordon Castles7 webpage as follows: “Balmaghie House, on the River Dee near Glenlochar, was built by Sir John Burnet for the Gordon family of Balmaghie in 1880 on the site of the much older property of the same name. In the 1960's the house suffered from a major fire, the first two floors were later filled in, leaving a small bungalow atop a large mound.” In October 1868, the mansion was advertised for sale in the Edinburgh Evening Courant: “TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC ROUP, Within Dowell’s Rooms, No. 18 George Street, Edinburgh, on Wednesday the 4th November, at One p.m. (unless previously disposed of Private Bargain), The estate of Balmaghie, in the Parish of Balmaghie, and Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. This fine Estate consists of 3113 Acres Imperial measure, principally Arable Land, and is beautifully situated near the centre of the Stewartry, three miles from CastleDouglas and nine miles from Kirkcudbright, the County Town. The Mansion-House is old but commodious, and is surrounded by timber of three hundred years’ growth. The Coach-House, Stables, and other Offices are suitable to the Estate, and, with the Porters’ Lodges and Gamekeeper’s Cottage, are in good order. There is excellent fishing, both for salmon and trout, in the River Dee, which marches with the lands for three miles. The Estate abounds in game of every description, which has been preserved for many years. The Proprietor is patron of the Church and Parish of Balmaghie. The whole Lands are in admirable condition, and the Home Farm and Boreland (both in the occupation of the Proprietor) particularly are in the highest state of cultivation. Three of the farms fall out of lease at Whitsunday. The present Rental is £2600, but the estimated Rental by an experienced Land Valuator shows £300 a year more, a large sum having been expended on Drainage, Fences, and other improvements during the currency of the existing leases. The Public Burdens amount to about £200 a year. The Feu-duty is merely nominal; and the Composition on Entry is taxed. The Teinds are valued. Upset (sic) Price, £85,000. The Title-deeds, Articles of Roup, and Lithographed Plans of the Estate are in the hands of William Bremner Hay. Esq., Solicitor Supreme Courts, 3 Howe Street. Edinburgh, to whom application may be made for farther particulars. Mr Donald Ross, Boreland, Balmaghie, Castle-Douglas, the local Factor will point out the boundaries.” By 2017 in a sales brochure, Threave Rural Estate8 agents describe it thus: “The house is now a mixture of traditional and modern with further potential to convert the lower ground floor to reception space. With high ceilings and timber panelling to the traditional parts of the house, the property retains a country house feel whilst being more manageable in size than many of its larger counterparts. The principle drawing room has a bay window overlooking the front gardens. There are seven bedrooms (two en-suite) and three large reception rooms with a selection of the original features of the house remaining including fireplaces, oak panelled walls, oak doors with leaded window lights and ornate timber carvings. There is a sunroom off the dining room overlooking the garden and a modern kitchen with adjacent laundry room and smaller utility room/kitchen. There are two first floor areas providing bedrooms 6 http://www.kirkcudbright.co/balmaghie.asp on the old house quotes A TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF SCOTLAND, by Samuel Lewis. Published in 2 vols, London, 1846 [accessed 21 July 2023] 7 https://gordoncastles.fandom.com/wiki/Balmaghie Includes pre-fire picture [accessed 21 July 2023] 8 https://media.onthemarket.com/properties/3620870/doc_0_0.pdf Sales particulars March 2017 [accessed 21 July 2023] 23 and dressing rooms, one of which could be sub-divided to create a self-contained flat within the house with access through the back door.” The brochure includes internal and external photos and a floor plan which cannot be copied, see https://media.onthemarket.com/properties/3620870/doc_0_0.pdf Canmore9 has: 3 photographs, 5 digital images and one other, namely “Archive relating to Civic Trust Awards for reconstruction of Balmaghie, Antony Wolffe”. Sir John Burnet's design photographed in 1937 Antony Wolffe's reconstruction after the fire, photo 1975 (https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1633619) https://canmore.org.uk/site/64684/balmaghie-house 3 photographs, 5 digital images and one other, namely “Archive relating to Civic Trust Awards for reconstruction of Balmaghie, Antony Wolffe” [accessed 21 July 2023] 9 24 PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOUSE The Architect John James Burnet FRSE FRIBA RSA RA of John Burnet and Son Architects. A successful and prolific Glasgow based architect. “The death of the distinguished architect Sir John Burnet took place on the 2nd July at Colinton, where he had made his home since retiring three or four years ago. He was eighty-one years of age, having been born in 1857, and is survived by Lady Burnet. “Educated in Glasgow his professional training was begun with his father, of the firm which became eventually John Burnet, Son & Campbell. Proceeding to Paris he worked in the studio of M. Pascal and subsequently gained entrance to the Ecole des Beaux Arts, where he was premiated for mathematics and construction. He completed his studies at the Royal Institute of British Architects and thereafter returned to Glasgow. “One of his first undertakings in Glasgow was the Royal Institute of the Fine Arts in Sauchiehall Street, which was won by competition. Other notable buildings there are the offices of the Clyde Trust, the Athenaeum, the Botanical Department and extension of the University, the Pathological Institute, the Barony Church. “In Edinburgh he designed the Professional and Civil Service Stores, George Street, the business premises of R. W. Forsyth in Princes Street, and in Scotland and England generally many public, ecclesiastical and domestic buildings. He was also architect for the Edinburgh International Exhibition of 1906. “Important commissions came to him from London and to London he devoted the latter part of his life, the firm, of which he was senior partner, being known as Sir John Burnet, Tait & Lorne. He had the honour in 1905 of being entrusted by the Government with the important additions to the British Museum, now known as the King Edward VII. Galleries. “Among his numerous London designs are the Institute of Chemistry in Russell Square, the Kodak building in Kingsway, Adelaide House and Vigo House, and the Second Church of Christ Scientist. He was the chief architect in Palestine and Gallipoli for the Imperial War Graves Commission. “The professional esteem with which Sir John was regarded in Britain may be expressed by the words used in connection with the conferring of the Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1923, ‘‘Few architects living can compare with him either in quantity or quality of output, and fewer still may be said to have had as pervasive an influence on the work of their own time.” “In France he had received both bronze and gold medals at the Salon and was a corresponding member of the Institute of France and of the Société central des Architectes Francais. He had the same relation with the American Institute of Architects. “Knighted in 1914, Sir John was a member of both the Royal Scottish Academy (1919, Associate 1893) and the Royal Academy (1925). He was an Honorary LL.D., of Glasgow and Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, of the Royal Society, Edinburgh, and of the Royal Society of Antiquaries.” Transcribed from the 1870 RSA Annual Report The Gordon Family 27 March 1846 The marriage of Geraldine (a widow) and youngest daughter of James Murray Gordon, RN, of Balmaghie House, to Rev Edward O’Bryan Pratt in Monaghan. The Pilot 25 Rear Admiral James Murray Gordon 14 January 1850 Donations.— Our reporter is re-quested to acknowledge the receipt of a cheque for 10., upon Messrs. Drummond and Co., from Admiral Jas. M. Gordon, of Balmaghie House, Castle Douglas, N. 8., for the widow of a military officer, who was recently robbed of £91. 10s. in an omnibus. London Evening Standard 15 January 1851 We regret to announce the death of Rear-Admiral of the Red James Murray Gordon, which took place on the 28th December, at Balmaghie house, in the 79th year of his age. The gallant deceased was son of the late Thomas Gordon, Esq., and brother of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon of the Fusilier Guards. He married, December 10, 1810, the daughter of Archdeacon Caulfield, and relict of Captain Charton, E.I.C.S. That lady died in 1821, leaving issue two sons and two daughters. The second son, a lieutenant the 92d Highlanders, died in 1841. We learn from O'Bryne's "Biography," that Rear-Admiral Gordon served fourteen years afloat during the war. He was born March 1782; entered the navy 1791, on board the Britannia, 100, bearing the flag in the Mediterranean of Admiral William Hotham, in whose ensuing action of July 13, with the French fleet, we believe, he was a participator. After serving for rather more than five years as midshipman, on the same and on the home and East India stations, in the Tarlton and Virginie, Mr Gordon became acting lieutenant, July 18, 1800, of the Vulcan bomb, also stationed in the East Indies, where he removed in a similar capacity to the Trincomalee, 18, and Dedaigneuse frigate, to which latter vessel he was confirmed by commission, dated February 25, 1803. He assumed the acting command, on May 26, 1805, of the Albatross sloop, and being officially appointed to that vessel, Feb. 1, 1806, continued to serve in her in the East until Feb. 28, 1806. He then returned to England, but was soon again ordered to India in the Procris, 18, of which vessel he assumed command on the 19th of the following October. As a post captain—a rank he attained Feb. 15, 1808—Captain Gordon was further employed on that station in the Terpsichore frigate from April 28, in the same year, until July 28, 1809. We do not find that he has since held any appointment. His promotion to flag rank took place Nov. 9, 1846". Dumfries and Galloway Standard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balmaghie In the people section: Rear Admiral James Murray Gordon (17821850) of Balmaghie House, buried in his private chapel-mausoleum on the estate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balmaghie#/media/File:Admiral_Gordon's_Chapel_-_Glenlochar__geograph.org.uk_-_963863.jpg Graham Hutchison 9 May 1873 HUTCHISON—GRAHAM—On the 6th inst., at St. Peter's, Baton -square, by the Rev. R. M. Graham, rector of Arthuret, Graham Hutchison. Esq., of Balmaghie, N. 8., to Florence, youngest daughter of George Graham, Esq. The Hour 10 Jan 1879 Castle Douglas Soup Kitchen Committee acknowledge with thanks receipt of £5 subscription and vegetables from the garden. 31 December 1880 BALMAGHIE—Each of the children on Balmaghie estate was invited to the annual treat at Balmaghie House on Christmas day. The treat this year consisted of a Christmas tree, and, as an after amusement, a magic lantern. After tea the children adjourned to one of the large rooms, which was tastefully decorated, and contained the feature of the evening, adorned with articles useful and amusing, which ere long found their way into eager little hands. So soon as the tree was cleared of its Christmas blossoms the lantern was produced—the whole bearing an impression of a merry Christmas which cannot soon be effaced. The magic lantern was again exhibited on Monday to those who had not the opportunity of seeing it on Saturday. It may not be out of place to state that great interest is taken in the children of Balmaghie not only 26 by Mr and Mrs Hutchison, but also by Mrs Hay Thompson, who made parcels of books to be distributed to the most promising pupils in Glenlocher School. Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 9 April 1886 GLENLOCHAR—During the late winter months the children attending the school here were supplied with a hot dinner every day. Nearly all the children took advantage of these dinners, and they were in every respect a great success. The charge was 1/2d for each child, but when there were more than two children of the same family, only 1d was charged for the family. Well-to-do parents, however, had, and did take, the opportunity of making a return for the small charge by gifts of potatoes, &c. The dinner was taken in school and occupied about twenty minutes. Mrs Murphy, Post Office, acted as cook, and gave satisfaction to all concerned. As most of the children attending this school come some distance, it is needless to say that they benefited considerably by their hot mid-day meal. It had, no doubt, an effect upon their attendance, and it made them better fitted to resist the effects of bad weather, and to profit by the instruction in school. For the success of these dinners great credit is due to Graham Hutchison, Esq. of Balmaghie, chairman of the School Board. Among others who contributed towards their success were Major Graham, Balmaghie House, who sent a contribution of a sovereign, Messrs Craig, Camp-douglas; Ken, Drumlane; M'Conchie, Glenlochar; Crawford, Boreland; and Tait, Culvennan. Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser Aug-Dec 1904 To let – house and shootings. Field Magazine 23 June 1905 Marriage of Miss Marjorie Wood, only daughter of Mr. John Wood, J.P., D.L., of Whitfield House, Glossop, and Hengrave Hall, Suffolk, who on Monday, at St. Peter's Church, Eaton Square, London, was married to Captain George Graham Hutchison, of the 21st Lancers, Only son of Mr. Graham Hutchison, DL., and J.P., of Balmaghie, Kirkcubrightshire. As fully reported elsewhere in this issue, the wedding was a picturesque military one, and the non-commissioned officers of the loyal Suffolk Hussars, of which the bridegroom is adjutant, lined the aisles, while among the dresses a military turn was given to the ceremony by the little train-bearer, the bride's brother, being dressed in Hussar uniform of blue and gold. On their way to Balmaghie, Castle Douglas, the happy pair are staying at Twycross, Atherton, lent by Mr. and Mrs. Harrington Holton. Glossop-dale Chronicle 7 May 1910 Mr and Mrs Graham Hutchison from Balmaghie House, Castle Douglas, and Baron and Baronne Fallon are among the latest arrivals at the Grand Hotel. The Queen magazine 25 April 1923 Recent Deaths. The death occurred last week of Lady Inger Henniker-Hughan, wife of ViceAdmiral Sir Arthur J. Henniker-Hughan. She was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Graham Hutchison, of Balmaghie, and was married in 1904. Both in her husband's Service and among her neighbours she will be remembered for her activity in “good works." During the war she made herself extremely useful at the various naval bases where her husband was stationed, particularly in the South of England when he was Admiral-Superintendent of Devonport Dockyard. She also took a leading part in the Girl Guides movement in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. There was a very large attendance last week at her funeral in Balmaghie Churchyard. Truth 9 October 1925 LATE SIR A. HENNIKER-HUGHAN, M.P. FUNERAL AT BALMAGIE The funeral of Admiral Sir Arthur John Henniker-Hughan, Bart., C.B., member of Parliament for Galloway, took place yesterday afternoon at the family burial-ground at Balmaghie Churchyard, Castle-Douglas. The remains arrived from London in the morning, and the coffin was placed on a catafalque in front of the pulpit. Lying on the coffin were his Admiral's hat and sword and his decorations. The service was conducted by Rev H. R. Anderson, St Margaret’s Episcopal Church, New Galloway, and Rev. W. A. Mowat, Balmaghie. The pall-bearers were Mr Graham Hutchison of Balmaghie (father-in-law); Col. Hutchison, Rockend, Helensburgh (brother-in-law); … Mr Rutherfurd Gillespie of Walbut, and Mr Thos Carter, gardener at Airds. Besides the immediate relatives, there was a very large attendance … The Scotsman 27 17 Sept 1938 CELEBRATIONS AT BALMAGHIE HOUSE : On the invitation of Lieut.-Colonel Graham Hutchison of Balmaghie, and Mrs Hutchison, over a hundred guests were entertained at Balmaghie House in celebration of the recent wedding of Miss Catherine Graham Hutchison, elder daughter of Colonel and Mrs Hutchison, to Mr John Hopwood, only son of Captain William Schroder, late 9th Lancers, and Mrs Schroder, of Attadale, Ross-shire, and The Rookery, Nantwich, who is a grandson of Colonel Hopwood of Hopwood. The bride is a granddaughter of Sir John Wood, Bt., of Hengrave Hall, Bury St Edmunds, and- Forrest, Kells; while her father Colonel Hutchison, is a member of the King's Bodyguard in Scotland. Among the guests were the Earl and Countess of Galloway, Cumloden, Newton-Stewart; Lord and Lady Sinclair, Milton Park, Dalry; the Hon. Patricia St Clair, Colonel and Mrs Herries of Spottes, Mrs Maitland of Dundrennan, Major Colin Gordon, C.V.O., and Major Alan Gordon, Threave; Colonel and Mrs Hope-Vere of Blackwood, Mr and Mrs Milner Gibson, of Slogarie; Mrs Laurie Johnstone, Drumpark; the Misses Duncan, Danevale; Mrs Bristowe, Craig, Balmaclellan; Mr A. Donald, Chief-Constable of Galloway and Mrs Donald; Mr C. A. Phillips of Olldawn. Mr Robert Walker, The Nook, on behalf the tenantry on the estate, presented Mrs Hopwood with a wedding gift consisting of a silver tray and sauce-boats. The Scotsman 7 September 1938 … Young Women who work. Miss Graham Hutchison, Dress Designer – Barbara Graham Hutchison, daughter of the Laird of Balmaghie, is one of the trio, the other two are Russians, who run a new dress house. They designed the wedding cortege for her sister Catherine, now Mrs. John Hopwood. Photographs by Radial Press Service. The Bystander Employees of Col Hutchison – Donald, and daughter, Florence Mackenzie 23 November 1938 MISSING GALLOWAY GIRL RETURNS HOME Brought in Car After All-Night Search for Her. After an unavailing all-night search for a missing 16-year-old Galloway schoolgirl, the girl returned to her home in a car early yesterday afternoon. She is Florence Mackenzie, daughter of Mr Donald Mackenzie, chauffeur-gardener at Balmaghie House, near Castle-Douglas. She said she had been walking all night on the Galloway hills and had rowed herself across Loch Grannoch, which is about 11 miles, as the crow flies, from her home. Florence had not returned home from Kirkcudbright Academy on Monday night, although she was seen at the drive leading to Balmaghie House about five o ' clock. Some time after she was due home, her parents became anxious, and on making a search found her school books and a glove lying behind some bushes near the drive along with her cycle. The police were informed, and as no trace of the girl could be found, an all-night search of the woods was carried out. A large number of villagers, farmers, and gamekeepers took part. At daybreak attention was turned to the River Dee, which runs close by, but this was also without result . Early yesterday afternoon, however, Florence was brought home by Mr William Milligan, New Galloway, in his car. She said she had been walking all night over the hills, and in the early hours of the morning found a boat at Loch Grannoch. There were no oars, so she broke one of the spars and rowed herself across. She attracted the attention of a young shepherd, Thomas Logan, who conveyed her to Clatteringshaws, a small upland village, and from there Mr Milligan took her home. A search has also been carried on for Ken Robson , under gamekeeper on the estate , who also disappeared on Monday night. The Scotsman Employee of Col Hutchinson – Ken Robson 24 November 1938 MISSING ’KEEPER RETURNS Ken Robson, under-gamekeeper on Balmaghie estate, Galloway, who was reported missing on Monday night, returned to his home on Tuesday evening. Robson lived with his wife in a little cottage at Glenlochar, about a mile and half from the mansion-house at Balmaghie. He disappeared on Monday night after leaving his home to take rabbits and nothing was heard of him. Dundee Courier [NB The next summer the Estate was advertising for a Under Keeper and wife however no other reference to Ken Robson was found.] 28 EVENTS 31 January 1884 at BH residence of Graham Hutchison, storm damage – a chimney stalk fell with a crash through the conservatory. Ayrshire Advertiser Aug-Dec 1904 To let – house and shootings. House has every convenience; gas, water etc. Shootings 4800 acres of which 2000 are moor and 200 woods and coverts. Proprietor Graham Hutchison. Field Magazine 12 March and 21 May 1904 1 June 1912 Advert: KITCHENMAID (good single-handed) required; wages £18. Apply Housekeeper, Balmaghie House, Castle-Douglas. The Scotsman [NB only kitchen maid employed and wage below average] 15 May 1915 Advert: ODD-MAN wanted for Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire; wage, 20s. a week, with house and eight tons coal per annum; one whose wife could undertake laundry and management of two cows preferred, wage 12s. a week. Apply Hewat & Dunn, Solicitors, Castle-Douglas. The Scotsman 23 Dec 1896 FATAL ACCIDENT AT BALMAGHIE—On Saturday Mr William Walker, employed as a carter at Balmaghie House, and residing at North Lodge, met his death under very sad circumstances. He went out with a cart in the morning to fodder some cattle in a field near the mansion. He was not expected home at dinner time, as it was understood he was to take lunch to a shooting party at Dornel. About noon the cart was observed standing in the field, but that there had been an accident was never suspected. As Walker did not go to Dornal, an alarm was raised late in the afternoon. A search was began, and Mr John Russell, coachman, found Mr Walker lying dead at the place where he had been foddering the cattle. The horse and cart at this time were a good distance from the body, and the cart was upturned. It was presumed from the position of the body that the deceased had fallen from the cart while in the act of throwing out fodder. The pitchfork was lying close to the body. Dr Lorraine, Castle-Douglas, said death was caused by a broken neck, and the accident must have happened in the forenoon. Deceased was 63 years of age, and leaves a widow and grown-up family, for whom much sympathy is expressed. Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald [Early 1960s The house suffered a serious fire. I have not been able to find a date of the fire or photo of the damaged building. Canmore refers to a Civil Trust Award article in 1968 about the reconstruction.] REFERENCES https://pastmap.org.uk/map Nothing for the house. NB Pheasantry, North Lodge, Gardeners Cottage https://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/search/keyword/balmaghie Nothing found https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balmaghie Built 1874-80 by John Burnet and John James Burnet References for the Architect: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=john+James+Burnet http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=200088 https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/artists/435-sir-john-james-burnet-rsa/overview/ https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095536994;jsessionid=E006CEB 8E8DE68A6B4BF635C5EEF94D2 29 Hensol House, Balmaghie by Bianca Leder Easting/Northing: 267560, 569835 Parish: Balmaghie County: Kirkudbrightshire Council: Dumfries & Galloway Hensol House – A labour of love Built in 1822 by famous architect Edgar Ludgar and commissioned by John Cuninghame, previously of Lainshaw, Ayrshire. A famous family line as well as a famous owner and resident of Hensol House – John Cuninghame grew up in Lainshaw, his father William Lainshaw was the Laird over several lands in Scotland including the Duchrae estate, now Hensol. John Cuninghame was a keen hunter and became friends with fellow hunter Theodore Roosevelt, whom he once saved from being killed whilst hunting. Cunninghame's wife, Helen Ethel McDougal, came from a family of great gardeners who designed their own home, Logan, near Stranraer – now part of the Botanical Gardens. The house, gardens and whole estate are magnificent and are mostly still intact thanks to being grade A listed as well as being loved by its owners who in turn take great care in preserving it. Hensol houses a famous sundial which used to be at the Lainshaw estate but was moved to their garden at Hensol when the Lainshaw estate got sold. The house has seen many families from the Cuninghames, to Milne Home, Lord and Lady Aisla, Henderson, Bell and has recently been up for sale for a whopping £4.25 Million!! 30 Timeline Activities Around Former name of estate: 1600 DUCHRAE – Gaelic People who lived here Interesting Facts The Ken Valley by Jack Hunter, published in 2001 by Stenlake Publishing Hensol House, Dee and Glenkens, Dumfries and Galloway (britishlistedbuildings.co. uk) Hensol estate known as Duchrae before 19th century 1724 Scene of last episode of Levellers rising when their forces were scattered near the Duchrae wood by regular cavalry 1786 Duchrae estate was purchased Source Owner William Cuninghame 31 Rising was almost only instance in Scotland of dispossessed small tenant farmers taking direct action against agricultural changes that had cost them their farms and livelihoods The Ken Valley by Jack Hunter, published in 2001 by Stenlake Publishing He does not give the exact price at which he purchased the Duchrae estate (“by private bargain immediately after the roup”), but as the reduced upset price was £10,500, we may take it that Mr. Cuninghame’s bargain was something well on the underside of that sum Raiderland, All about Grey Galloway (electricscotland.com) William Cuninghame of Lainshaw - Wikipedia 1788 Photocopy of plan of estate of Duchrae belonging to William Cuninghame of Lainshaw; with table of contents NAS Catalogue catalogue record (nrscotland.gov.uk) Surveyor William Crawford 1822 Main house was built, 2 storey and attic house. Built for Architect Robert Lugar John Cuninghame, of Lainshaw, Ayr 32 JC commissioned Gothic revivalist architect Robert Lugar, renowned for designing dramatic country houses “This newly erected mansion stands on a bold rise of ground PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions Hensol House, Dee and Glenkens, Dumfries and in the midst of romantic scenery ... beyond which the mountain in the distance, melting with soft air shows a highly finished picture of the greatest character” RL Although born in Colchester, England, Lugar carried out much of his most important work in Scotland and Wales, where he was employed by several leading industrialists to design grand houses such as Balloch Castle (1808), Cyfarthfa Castle (1824). Galloway (britishlistedbuildings.co. uk) Robert Lugar - Wikipedia 33 Owner & Resident A big game hunter whose diaries recount him saving President Roosevelt’s life from wild elephants John Cuninghame (Richard John Cuninghame) Famous tobacco merchant owner's grandson PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions Magnificent secluded Scottish country estate with river views and a farm for sale (countryliving.com) The hunter who saved a president (telegraph.co.uk) PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions Richard John Cuninghame at the age of 19, in plain cloth kilt at Lainshaw 34 Richard John Cuninghame taken in Cairo, Egypt in 1882 35 Richard John Cuninghame taken in his hunting garb in East Africa c1908 36 American President Theodore Roosevelt taken on 17th December 1909 37 Wife Helen Ethel McDougall His wife came from a family of great gardeners who designed their home, Logan near Stranraer, now part of the Royal Botanic Garden. McDougall's influence is also clear in the grounds that surround the property. She came from a family of prominent gardeners who were 38 PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions Magnificent secluded Scottish country estate with river views and a farm for sale (countryliving.com) tasked with creating the beautiful gardens, including the walled garden. In fact, an exquisite 17th century sundial with another family engraving stands in the garden following McDougall's request to have it transferred from their other Scottish estate, Lansdale, once it was sold in the 1800s. 1824 Current house is of 19th century origin, The Ken Valley by Jack Hunter, published in 2001 by Stenlake Publishing Built in tudor style but of local granite The house is at the end of a mile long drive within a 632acre estate which meanders through tall trees, rhododendrons and azaleas with sweeping views of the River Dee. Magnificent secluded Scottish country estate with river views and a farm for sale (countryliving.com) 39 1825 Postal address Resident Scotland, Postal Directories, 1825-1910 Ancestry.co.uk John Cuninghame 1864 John Cuninghame died Inventory and Appraisment of NRAS Register catalogue record household furniture and other effects at Hensol and Lainshaw, (nrscotland.gov.uk) 1864 Lands of Lainshaw Wikipedia 1868 Resident Scotland, Postal Directories, 1825-1910 Ancestry.co.uk R. D. of Barré Duchrae Cuninghame 1875 Resident Scotland, Postal Directories, 1825-1910 Ancestry.co.uk R D of Barre Cuninghame 1916 03.01.1916 Resident and owner Richard Dunning Barre Cuninghame 40 Died at Hensol Will of estate Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories), 1876-1936 Ancestry.co.uk 1931-32 John Hepburn Milne Home B 1876 Before and House passed on by marriage to the Aisla family 1945 1960 The house survives largely intact - the only major external alteration is the removal of S front porch replaced circa 1960 by granite, timber and glass conservatory. Porch reerected to N front to form new main entrance into old service quarters. 1971 Inherited by God daughter Lord & Lady Aisla Includes letters of advice from 'Uncle Johnnie' [John Hepburn Milne Home, b 1876], Hensol, Mossdale, Kirkcudbrightshire and Irvine House, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire NAS Catalogue catalogue record (nrscotland.gov.uk) On ascending to their title, Lord PressReader.com & Lady Aisla chose to continue Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions life at Hensol rather than at Culzean Castle, which was instead gifted to the National Trust of Scotland in 1945 Hensol House, Dee and Glenkens, Dumfries and Galloway (britishlistedbuildings.co. uk) Lady Henderson Husband PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions Former chairman of the military committee of Nato Admiral Sir Nigel Henderson 1972 Category A Listed building Grade B Listed interesting places on the Hensol Estate: 04/11/1972 Description of building: Lainshaw sundial; -2-storey and attic house with principal rooms in square plan block to E with angle turrets. Much lower L-shaped 41 Hensol House, Dee and Glenkens, Dumfries and Galloway (britishlistedbuildings.co. uk) service wing to W. -Rock-faced granite with polished inner faces to window margins, hoodmoulds. Hensol lodge and bridge. MAIN BLOCK: square plan with 3-storey ogee roofed square turrets to angles. S ELEVATION: 3-bay with boldly advanced gabled centre bay. Modern projecting conservatory; granite base, timber and glass with slate roof. Above, canted corbelled oriel with gable over. Conservatory flanked by tripartites at ground, single light above. E ELEVATION: 2 asymmetrical gabled bays. That to left shallow advanced with tripartite to ground, single light above. To right, 2 single lights to ground, corbelled oriel above (Lugar's drawing shows ornamental parapet to oriel never executed). N ELEVATION: 3-bay with centre bay recessed, outer bays gabled, that to right with tripartite to ground, otherwise all single tight windows, those to right 1st with replaced 4-pane glazing. Angle turrets with lead ogee roofs, slit windows with diamond pane glazing. T-plan service wing lower 2-storey with pedimented dormers, W wing taller and gabled. To S 5-bay elevation with circa 1919 single-storey extension to inner 3 bays; bipartites flanking tripartite, deep plain parapet, flat roof. Variety of glazing patterns throughout house. Original design mullioned and transomed with 2, 4 or 6-pane glazing, some 12-pane or 4-pane sash and case. Servants wing with mullioned and transomed windows with diamond-pane glazing, some with lower portions of plate glass. Slate roofs, tall individual granite stacks often in groups of 3 or 4 give distinctive roofline. 42 INTERIOR: largely unaltered. Gothic hallway with 4-centre rib-vaulted ceiling. Doors, shutters, cornices etc mostly original to Lugar. Lainshaw Sundial A lectern style sundial was located at Lainshaw, similar to the lectern at Ladyland but with two steps and hemicylinders towards the South rather than one; it is now at Hensol House near Castle Douglas. The sundial plinth has the Cuninghame coat of arms and the initials SAC DMS, for Sir Alexander Cuninghame (d. 1685) and his wife, Dame Margaret Stewart (m. 1665) who lived at Corsehill Castle; the dial may have been taken to Lainshaw when the family moved in 1779. The date of construction may have been 1672, when Sir Alexander was created Baronet or in 1673, when he became a freemason.[22] Category A listed (23.04.1990) Later 17th century. Large and complex dial of lectern type, bearing the initials and shield of Sir Alexander Cunninghame of Lainshaw and Dame Margaret Stewart and probably dating from their marriage in 43 Lands of Lainshaw Wikipedia HENSOL HOUSE, THE LAINSHAW SUNDIAL (LB3416) (historicenvironment.sco t) https://cardhawkuk.com /product/frys-ancientsundials-1924-33lainshaw-ayrshirescotland 1673. Multi-face sandstone head with many dials, some hollowed, some heart-shaped; lead gnomons replaced in 1980's. The pedestal is much damaged, the dial having fallen into disrepair at Cunninghame's Lainshaw estate in Ayrshire, in the 19th century it was brought to Hensol and re-erected. The pedestal was a square plan baluster shape with bulbous fluted base and a now truncated obelisk-shaped shaft bearing the shields and initials. The plinth and foot of the pedestal are missing. When complete the pedestal must have closely resembled that at Ladyland House, Ayrshire, which has an almost identical sundial dated 1674. Statement of Special Interest This is a very fine and notable sundial of comparatively early date. Though no direct connection between it and the Ladylands dial has yet been established, the two are so similar and of such distinctive style, they are almost certainly the work of the same master mason. 44 A group with Hensol House. 45 2012 House/Estate was sold to the Bell family Maurice Bell Shirley Bell Farmers, originally from Cumbria. Son Andrew They were attracted by the land but fell in love with the house. & family PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions They used the house as a home. Shirley Bell made improvements by moving through it from room to room, redecorating and replacing curtains and furniture. It has a boat house, and they went kayaking with their grandson. They let 3 cottages long term and two for holidays. 2017 House is set in such a secluded spot it is quite possible to live in the area for years and never see it. Has its own wetland and nature PressReader.com reserve known as Ken Dee Digital Newspaper & Marches. Magazine Subscriptions There is a driven pheasant shoot, duck flighting, roe deer stalking and 2 miles river Dee frontage with trout fishing. Over 1000 acres of farmland, forestry and river/loch frontage. It has a telephone mast which generates a yearly income of £4,500 46 47 Today it consists of magnificent PressReader.com granite mansion house Digital Newspaper & overlooking river Dee with Magazine Subscriptions glorious gardens, 5 cottages, a farmhouse and home farm with commercial land High vaulted ceilings and large slit windows with diamondpane glazing add to the period grandeur, allowing plenty of natural light into the house. 48 Magnificent secluded Scottish country estate with river views and a farm for sale (countryliving.com) PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions The house has 10 bedrooms 49 PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions The house has 4 reception rooms and bathrooms, a wine cellar and billiard rooms PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions Magnificent secluded Scottish country estate with river views and a farm for sale (countryliving.com) The house is packed with period details, but highlights include a Cupola and a striking Jacobean wooden mantlepiece which incorporates a Cuninghame wedding stone. PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions The drawing room is of ballroom proportions. The drawing room is particularly special. There's a Jacobean carved wooden mantelpiece complete with a marble fireplace, incorporating the wedding stone of the original famous tobacco merchant owner's grandson, Richard John Cunninghame and his wife Helen Ethel McDougall, 50 Magnificent secluded Scottish country estate with river views and a farm for sale (countryliving.com) which forms a striking centrepiece. It is believed that some trees in the grounds of Hensol are gifted from the White House. The gardens have been recently restored. The house is still encircled by glorious gardens which include a distinctive 17th century sundial, a summer house and a tennis court. Gardens were looked after by Shirley Bell alone. 51 PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions A conservatory has been added 52 2017 Up for Sale Fixed price £ 4.25 Million 53 PressReader.com Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions Laurieston Hall, Balmaghie by Michelle MacIver Laurieston Hall, formerly known as Grenoch (see Figure 1) and Woodhall, is a Category B listed building (LB3418) which comprises a rambling country house that was built up between the 17th and 20th centuries. To the north lies a 5 storey square tower of early 17th century origin with a later baronial style roof that was added during construction work commissioned in 1893. Prior to the 1893 works, a mid-19th century gothic style single storey and attic wing was added to the southwest. Early 20 th century wings were then added to the south and east. A panel inscribed with “LMH” and “1906” was added for the owner Hutchison. The stables are also a category B listed building (LB3424) thought to have been built in the mid-18th century. The loss of the initial name of Grenoch is much lamented by Samuel Rutherford Crockett, the author of Raiderland, All about Grey Galloway (1904, Chapter 18) when he details the name change under the heading ‘Barbarisms’; It is vain, I fear, to call it Grenoch–as it should be called. A certain name-changing fiend brought into our Erse and Keltic Galloway a number of mongrel names, probably some Laird Laurie with a bad education and a plentiful lack of taste, who, among other iniquities, called the ancient Clachan-of-Pluck after himself–Laurieston. His mansion house he changed from the ancient and honourable "Grenoch," by which name it stands in Pont's map of (about) 1611 to the commonplace Woodhall. Later the loch had a like fortune. Loch Grenoch became Woodhall Loch (or in the folk speech of the parish, Wudha' Loch) The name change had occurred prior to 1752 as the estate was depicted as ‘Woodhall’ on Roy’s map of 175255 (Figure 2) and was still known as Woodhall in 1811. The owner at that time, William Kennedy Laurie, left a will, signed three days before he died in 1811, leaving the estates named Woodhall both in Scotland and in the West Indies (Smith, p85). The will included the ownership of slaves (UCL, Legacies of British Slavery). The author of the Old Statistical Account of Scotland for the parish of Balmaghie, where Laurieston Hall is situated, was published in 1794 and discusses a mineral spring located within the Woodhall estate. At the time of writing, the author advised that the estate was owned by Walter Sloan Laurie Esq. of Redcastle (Johnstone, Rev. OSA, 642). Walter Sloan Laurie owned three estates in Galloway but had principally resided at Woodhall. The Kennedy Lauries were related to the cinematic pioneer William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, a British inventor who invented an early version of a motion picture camera whilst employed by Thomas Edison. His mother was Elizabeth Kennedy Laurie, born 1821 (Smith, 2019). Within the New Statistical Account of Scotland, published in 1845, for the parish of Balmaghie, the estate is confirmed as in the possession of William Kennedy Laurie Esq. (Gibson, 179). Similarly, the roughly contemporary Ordnance Survey Name Book, compiled between 1848 and 1851 describes Woodhall as a ‘mansion house of modern construction. It is two stories high and is in complete and thorough repair. Attached are suitable offices also an ornamental garden. In front is a loch containing fish. It is the family seat and present residence of W.M.Lawrie Esq.’ 54 Figure 1: Extract from Joan Bleau’s 1654 depiction of Timothy Pont 1590s survey Figure 2: Roy's map 1752-55 (Lowlands) 55 Figure 3: Photo: Academy Architecture and Annual Architectural Review 1892-1894 edited by Alex. Koch, p71 - 1893 Architectural drawing Figure 4: From The Ken Valley by Jack Hunter, published in 2001 by Stenlake Publishing 56 At some point between 1852 and 1893, the estate was sold on from the Lawrie family. The alterations and additions to the buildings were erected during the 1893 construction works, which were commissioned by a J W Hutchison who instructed the architects Sydney Mitchell & Wilson (Arthur George Sydney Mitchell and George Wilson). Significant projects carried out by Sydney Mitchell include housing developments at Well Court and Ramsay Garden, both in Edinburgh. The firm was also appointed by the Board of Lunacy and commissioned for the Crichton Royal Institution in Dumfries as well as the Melrose Asylum and the Royal Victoria Hospital in Edinburgh (Wikiwand). The J.W. Hutchison who commissioned the 1893 works was John William Hutchison. The earliest evidence of the name Hutchison linked to Woodhall was in 1893, the year the works were commissioned. A newspaper article in the Dumfries and Galloway Herald and Courier in August 1893 lists Mr J.W. Hutchison of Woodhall, and his wife, as attendees to the Dumfries County Ball. The earliest evidence, within the newspaper archives, suggests the name was changed from Woodhall to Laurieston Hall by 1896. Mr Hutchison, Laurieston Hall is listed as the judge for the tug o’ war competition Dalbeattie Show (Dumfries and Galloway Herald and Courier, Wednesday 7 th October 1896). As an aside John William Hutchison’s daughter, Nina Annette Mary Crawfuird Hutchison married Richard Morden, the 10th Baron Suffield on 11th September 1913 (Crofts Peerage). In 1940 the house was turned into an infectious diseases hospital and the mansion was acquired and adapted by Health and Public Assistance Committee and the County Council. The adaptations were supervised by Mr Caldwell, County architect (Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 30th October 1940). Prior to 1948, the hospital was under the jurisdiction of the local authority and was used as an isolation hospital for infectious diseases. Post 1948, the hospital came under the control of the NHS and was used for geriatric patients from 1948 to 1956 and then for tuberculosis patients from 1957 to 1971. The building was sold in 1972 and was founded as a workers’ co-operative. In 1972, Laurieston Hall was given a new purpose as a workers’ co-operative. The ‘Intentional community’ website describes the Hall as ‘a huge Edwardian main house, with its walled garden, stables and cottages, surrounded by 200 acres of beautiful woods, pastures and marshland which stretch to a loch in the north.’ The community have worked in partnership with the Edward Carpenter community since 1985. Figure 5: Source unknown; Laurieston Hall 57 Figure 6: Source unknown; Laurieston Hall Figure 7: Source unknown; Laurieston Hall 58 References Listed building entry https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB3418 Crofts Peerage http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/suffield1786.htm Wikiwand https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Sydney_Mitchell Smith, A.R. (2019) http://alvyray.com/Dickson/WilliamKLDickson_v2.34.pdf National Archives https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=1153&page=20 Slavery legacy https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146653609 Edward Carpenter community https://www.edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk/community/articles/laurieston-hall Intentional community https://www.ic.org/directory/laurieston-hall/ Gibson, Rev A. (1845) Balmaghie, County of Kirkcudbright NSA Vol IV, pp178-189 Johnstone, Rev. J. (1794) Balmaghie, County of Kirkcudbright OSA, Vol XIII, pp640-652 Crockett, S.R (1902) Raiderland; All About Grey Galloway (London, Hodder and Stoughton) Ordnance Survey Name Book, Kirkcudbrightshire, Vol 106 59 Slogarie House, Balmaghie by Pamela Edwards and Samantha Oakley And similar, from a book called The Ken Valley by Jack Hunter, published in 2001 by Stenlake Publishing: Key Points ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● The original house seems to have been built by George Bruce and inherited by Thomas Rae Bruce (as Rae Mains): “well known South Scotland Scientist” (he does not seem to be that well known!) The house was remodelled (rebuilt?) around 1886 by Peddie and Kinnear for Harry Alexander Timms who lived there until around 1925. Mentioned as one of the estates of Balmaghie on Wikipedia William Archer Milner-Gibson (1879-1961) and Mary Ann Milner Gibson owned the house prewar and it was rumoured Edward VIII proposed to Wallis Simpson in the garden The house was used to house evacuated children from Glasgow during the war The house was remodelled after a fire in the 1960s by Antony Curtiss Wolffe Angela Boys (Angela Gore Ltd) ran a business there from the 1980s The house is now a luxury let (Slogarie Estate Cottages) Canmore and Scottish Architects website 60 Origins: George Bruce A copy of “History of the Lands and their owners in Galloway” (1877) has a history of the land at Slogarie, including info on Thomas Rae Bruce and his father. “In 1845 the farm of Slogary was purchased from David Clark by George Bruce. When he died we have not learned. He was succeeded by his son, Thomas Rae Bruce...the farm steading and cottages which the late Mr Rae built he called Raemains” = this suggests George Bruce was a builder of the original house but... The OS Namebook Kirkcudbrightshire 1848-1851 (OS1/20/83/8) has the following: “[Situation] 1/4 mile W. by S. [West by South] from Upper Crae A large Commodious Farm House with extensive Offices in good repair, attached is a Saw, Corn & Bone crushing Mill for the use of the farm. The farm was formerly called Slogarie but in passing into the hands of the present proprietor its name was changed to that it now bears. A stone in front of the Office bears the following inscription: '1844 Rae's Mains erected by George Bruce tenant of Greenknowe named in memory of his Grandfather'. It is the property of the above named George Bruce of Greenknowe Berwickshire”. 1870s: Thomas Rae Bruce (1837-1912) On the OS maps you can see that “Raes Mains” overlays Slogarie House (I used this site to compare) = Thomas Bruce is at “Slogarie” in the Census. 61 (1871) The county families of the United Kingdom; or, Royal manual of the titled and untitled aristocracy of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland has an entry for Thomas Rae Bruce of Auchengool and Slogarie, second son of the late George Bruce of Auchengool and Slogarie (d.1861) Slogarie: 1871 Census: Thomas Rae Bruce, age 34, born 1837, “Farmer of 3600 acres 600 arable employing 5 shepherds & 7 pl”, unmarried, living with his 2 sisters, at Slogarie, Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland (1879) Transactions and journal of the proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society mentions Thomas Rae Bruce is now at Dalshangan, Dalry but also says “late of Slogarie”. There is also mention of a “Miss Bruce” “formerly of Slogarie” who has some lovely pearls which were believed to be locally sourced. 1881 Census: Slogarie, Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Thomas K Bruce Head Unmarried Male Margaret Bruce Sister Isabella Bruce Sister Age Birth Occupation Birth place year 1837 Landed proprietor Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland Unmarried Female 46 1835 - Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland Unmarried Female 42 1839 - Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland 62 44 Margaret Clark Visitor Unmarried Female 32 1849 - Margaret Gordon Servant Unmarried Female 26 1855 Housemaid Parton, (domestic) Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland Mary Flint Unmarried Female 21 1860 Cook (domestic) Servant Kelton, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland Obituary: Hawick News and Border Chronicle - Friday 19 January 1912 “The death is reported at his residence. Old Garroch, Dalry, Galloway, of Mr Thomas Bruce, a well-known South Scotland scientist. Mr Bruce was proprietor of the estate of Slogarie, New Galloway, which was sold some time ago to Mr Timms. He was a well-known naturalist, and took great interest in meteorology, and was an astronomer of no mean attainments. He was also keen botanist, and had a considerable reputation as an antiquarian. Indeed, there were few sciences in which he was not well versed. He was one the pioneers of the Volunteer movement in Galloway in the early sixties, and was one of the best shots in the county. For over twenty years he was a regular attender at Wimbledon, and carried off a large number of trophies. Mr Bruce was a considerate landlord, and very popular with all classes. In his early days he travelled extensively, and made tour round the world. The remains are to be cremated in the Glasgow crematorium. ” The Bruce family have a memorial in Slogarie: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1965180. Sale - 1885 Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser - Friday 11 September 1885 TO BE SOLD 18th September 1885: “ESTATE FOR SALE. There will be exposed to Sale, by Public Roup, within the TOWN HALL, CASTLE-DOUGLAS, on TUESDAY, the 13th day of October, 1885, at Two o'clock Afternoon, THE desirable ESTATE of SLOGARY and TORMOLLAN, in the Parish of Balmaghie and Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, containing about 1800 Acres, of which about 300 Acres have been broken up and improved, about 40 Acres are under wood, and the remainder consists of moorland. There is a comfortable Dwellinghouse of Two Stories on the Property, affording suitable accommodation for a respectable family, and the Offices are suitable. The Property is pleasantly situated on the Banks of the River Dee, and commands extensive views of the surrounding picturesque country. It is about a Mile from the New Galloway Station of the Portpatrick Railway, and about 9 Miles by Train or Road from the Market Town of Castle-Douglas. The Property abounds with Game, consisting of grouse, black game, partridges, &c., and being surrounded by lands which are strictly preserved, good shooting is certain at all times. There is Angling on the River Dee, and a considerable part of Lochinbreck Loch, well stocked with trout, is within the Estate. The Public Burdens are very moderate, and the Titles are unexceptionable. For further particulars application may be made to Messrs LIDDERDALE and GILLESPIE, Writers, Castle- Douglas, who are in possession of the Title Deeds and Articles of Roup” 63 Harry Alexander Timms (1844-1935) The next owner of Slogarie: one assumes he bought the house in 1885 and commissioned the extensive work around 1886 (from the Scottish Architect’s site) and plans are on Canmore. Harry Timms - Historical records and family trees - MyHeritage https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Harry_Timms_%281%29 It says he was born in Geelong, Victoria, the son of Scottish parents. William Fowler Timms is cited as one of the “pioneering” men - he was in Australia by 1841 (as he was married there). Geelong only really became a town in 1838 and there is mention of his involvement in the wool trade which started about that time. Harry returned to the UK with his cousin, Henrietta, whom he married in March 1872 in Anderston, Lanarkshire. They seem to have been very wealthy. Cambridge alumni: “Cambridge Alumni: TIMMS, HARRY ALEXANDER. Adm. pens. at TRINITY, Oct. 1, 1866. [3rd] s. of William Fowler [deceased], of Drumquhassle, Stirlingshire (and Cecilia, dau. of Alexander Anderson, Esq., of Chapel, Fifeshire). B. [Oct. 29], 1845, at Geelong, Victoria Australia, Australia. School, Leicestershire (private). Matric. Michs. 1866; B.A. 1870; M.A. 1875. Came of one of the pioneering families of Australia. B.A., Melbourne Univ. Adm. at the Inner Temple, May 6, 1869. He and his 2nd brother played for Australia v. 1st All England XI. Member of the King's Bodyguard for Scotland. One of the best shots in the country, and a breeder of sporting-dogs. Of Slogarie, Kirkcudbrightshire. J.P. and D.L. Married Henrietta Anderson, only dau. of Philip Barton Black. Died May 1, 1935, at Netherwood Bank, Dumfries, where he had resided during his last year. Brother of John (1863), Charles A. (1873) and Robert O. (1868); father of Herbert P. and Ernest W. (above). (N. Timms; Inns of Court; The Times, May 3, 1935.).” The children born in Drymen were at Drumquhassle which was Harry’s family estate: https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/park-of-drumquhassle-glasgow.en-gb.html 1891 Census Harry A Timms, age 46, living on private means, born in Australia Henrietta A Timms, age 45, also born Australia Edith C Timms, age 15, daughter, born Drymen, Scotland Then there is a Governess (Agnes T Orr), a visitor (Catherine Gray) and 6 female servants 1901 Census Harry A Timms, age 56, living on own means, born Australia Henrietta A Timms, age 54, also born Australia Herbert P Timms, age 27, son, born Drymen, living on own means Edith CM Timms, age 25, living on own means And 6 female servants (all different to 1891) 1907 Slater's Royal National Commercial Directory of Scotland has Harry A. Timms at Slogarie House 1911-12 Harry Timms is still at Slogarie according to a Post Office Directory Wed 25 Aug 1915 Mrs Timms advertises in the paper for “Kitchen maid wanted (single handed)” at Slogarie 64 There is a memorial to Harry A Timms in Balmaghie churchyard: “In Memory of Harry Alexander TIMMS of Slogarie, born 29th October 1844, died 1st May 1935. Henrietta Anderson {ms BLACK} wife of Harry Alexander Timms of Slogarie, died 10th March 1920 {age 73}. Also their elder son Herbert Philip died at Granada, Spain, 31st August 1920 {born 1873}. Also their younger son Ernest William died at Etawah, India, 3rd June 1903 {born 1878}. Also Nelly Malcolm {ms RUSSELL} wife of Harry Alexander Timms died 17th March 1954 {age 81}. Their daughter Edith Cecilia Margaret died at Dumfries 12th Jany 1966 {age 90}.” Harry’s son, Herbert Philip Timms: 1891 The history of the 3rd batt. King's Own Scottish Borderers, 1798-1907 mentions: Philip Herbert Timms. 2nd Lieutenant, 1891. Retired 1898, and “Mr and Mrs Timms, Slogarie” are also mentioned. The 3rd battalion seems to have been for the Boer War: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Own_Scottish_Borderers Some family history information has a note that he was a composer and died (young) at Granada, Aug. 31, 1920 https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Herbert_Timms_%283%29 1920s: Sales Dundee Courier 19th May 1925 “residential and sporting estate of Slogarie, Kirkcudbrightshire, situated 2½ miles from New Galloway station and 10 miles from Castle Douglas, is for sale by John Henderson & Sons, solicitors, Dumfries. The mansion-house was built in 1887, and is beautifully situated. The shootings extend to 2000 acres, and consist chiefly of moorland. There are also good coverts. Fishing is available in loch and river. ” 1930s: William Archer Milner-Gibson (1879-1961) and Mary Ann Milner Gibson A much later newspaper story says that the Milner-Gibsons owned the property for about 25 years. William Archer Milner-Gibson was British (Ancestry) but Mary Ann was American. There is an extensive biography of William on this site which mentions Slogarie amidst their transatlantic gallivanting. 5th July 1933 “RESIDENTIAL AND SPORTING ESTATE FOR SALE. There will be EXPOSED TO SALE by Public Roup, within the Writing Chambers of JOHN HENDERSON & SONS, Solicitors, Dumfries, on WEDNESDAY, 2nd August 1933, at 2 o'clock Afternoon, SLOGARIE, in the Parish of Balmaghie and Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, extending to 1800 Acres or thereby, situated 2 miles from New Galloway Station and 10 miles from CastleDouglas. The Mansion-House, built in 1887, is beautifully situated, and contains Hall, 5 Public Rooms, 7 Bedrooms, 4 Dressingrooms, 5 Servants' Bedrooms, &c., &c. Central Heating. There are excellent Stables, Garage, Chauffeur's House. Three Cottages. Large Garden. The Farm of Slogarie Mains, let on Lease expiring in 1937, is included in the Sale. Good Mixed Shooting and Trout Fishing. Rental, £ 309. Public Burdens, £ 37, 11s. 2d. UPSET PRICE, £ 5250. Further particulars from E. Holmes & Co., Estate Office, Castle-Douglas; or JOHN HENDERSON & SONS, Solicitors, Dumfries” 11th August 1934 SOLD reported in the paper (The Scotsman) “The Estate of Slogarie, extending to 1800Acres or thereby and including Slogarie House and Slogarie Mains Farm” 1936 The story that Edward proposed to Mrs Simpson here? Wallis was friends with the owner Mary Ann Milner Gibson? 65 Wed 6th Jan 1937 - the Milner-Gibsons at St Moritz 1940s: Wartime The house may have been left empty but still owned by the Milner-Gibsons, who one assumes would be unable to flit about as they had before? A thesis mentions that the house was taken over in wartime: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/12293 It suggests the enterprise was not really a success. “The immediate success of Cally House encouraged Kirkcudbright to propose to the D.H.S., when evacuation was being re-planned in early 1940, to requisition empty houses for use as hostels. Six more houses were taken over, refurbished and made ready to receive evacuees after the Clydeside raids in 1941". Only Milton Park which housed a unit from Hutcheson's Girls' School in Glasgow, and, perhaps, Netherlaw, achieved a degree of success commensurate with that of Cally House. It would seem that in the remainder the necessary ingredients of homogeneity of population, the sense of identity and purpose, and continuity of staff were overlooked and the results were disappointing. At one stage, pupils at the Cargen and Slogarie hostels returned to the Glasgow area at a greater rate than those in private billets.” 1942, 7th Jan News Story Dumfries and Galloway Standard “MOSSDALE. The Christmas party of Mossdale W.R.I. was held last week. Mrs Simpson, who presided, welcomed a very large company, including the evacuated children from Slogarie House. Mr Davidson from Castle-Douglas delighted young and old alike with his conjuring feats. The children with much enthusiasm then entertained the company with games, singing and dancing, Mrs Simpson, Mr Reid and Mr Gilchrist providing music on piano and violin. Tea was served by the committee, and the children were given crackers and chocolate. The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing, and at intervals songs and recitations were rendered by Miss Barr, Mrs Trotter, Miss Cowan, and Messrs W. Thomson, J. Stewart, and D. Stewart.” 66 There is a memory of the evacuated children attending Mossdale School here: https://www.carsphairn.org/CarsphairnArchive/exhibits/show/glenkens-schools-over-the-cent/mossdaleschool-1872---1963 “We came to Aids of Kells in 1938 and I went to Mossdale School just before the war. There were about thirty children at the school then. At one time the numbers of children had been as high as seventy nine. Children came from the village, Hensol, Slogarie, Bennan, Ringour and from around Loch Skerrow. Most of them walked to school sometimes over the hill. Those from Slogaries walked over a swing bridge and those from Loch Skerrow came by train. So, evacuees who were living mostly at Slogarie came at the beginning of the war. They brought their own teacher with them, a Mrs Smith.” A nursing newsletter also has a mention of the house in an obituary: "Mary Agnes McArthur 10th December 1930 – 5th February 2012 Aged 80 Miss McArthur, known as Cissy by her family grew up in Oatlands, Glasgow. When the Second World War broke out, Mary and her sister Patricia were evacuated to Slogarie House in Dumfries where they stayed for 2 years. Mary had a happy time there, although she recalled that there was only one swing for 200 children, so she was always waiting in a queue. Mary completed her nursing and midwifery training in Stirling and after qualifying, moved to Toronto Canada where she spent 2 years delivering Inuit babies..." 4th June 1943 TO LET SLOGARIE HOUSE to let, furnished, with shooting over 2000 acres and trout fishing; IMMEDIATE ENTRY. Particulars from PATRICK GIFFORD & CO., Solicitors, Castle-Douglas. 1944 Dumfries & Galloway Standard runs an article on the school hostels for evacuated children, of which Slogarie was one. 1950s: Milner-Gibsons still the owners Information from 1991 Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser - Thursday 07 February 1991 suggests that the Milner-Gibsons still owned the house in 1950s: This is confirmed by a blog’s biography of William Milner Gibson: “William and his wife made their first post war visit to Slogarie shortly before March 1949 when they left it to return to the USA, and may have visited it as early as December 1948 after arriving at Southampton from New York. Thereafter the family spent at 67 least the summers of 1951, 1952, 1954, and 1955 at Slogarie, and this seems to have brought to an end the couple’s frequent visits to Wilkes-Barré. In October 1957 they moved permanently to Slogarie and remained there until William died at Barcaple House, a property about 10 miles from Slogarie on 13 May 1961. The first record of the family’s presence at Barcaple House is a telephone directory entry for Molly in 1960. The last record of the family’s presence at Slogarie is a telephone entry for the Milner-Gibson trustees in 1959.” “Mark” comments on the blog (from 2014) “My grandmother is now 94 and was a house maid at Slogarie in the 1930’s. Remembers the family well and Percy the butler. Small world….” 1960s Major B.N. Gibbs He was a London Stockbroker? The house was badly damaged by fire in June 1960 Was this Major Bryan Northam Gibbs? http://www.thepeerage.com/p20678.htm, if so he died in 1965. Gibbs is the name of the client for the work done in 1960 (https://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=214911) by Antony Curtis Wolffe, MBE: “During 65 years of practice, he was responsible for an immense body of work, most of it in Dumfries and Galloway. His particular interest and expertise in restoration and conservation was reflected in sensitive work on country houses, churches and farm and mill buildings throughout the region.” 1980s & 1990s: Angela Boys “THE GALLOWAY NEWS THURSDAY 4th February 1988 Clothing firm settles in at Slogarie A new industry is gearing up to full production in the rural hinterland of the Stewartry this month as the firm of Angela Gore Limited completes the transfer of their operation from Henbury Manor near Canterbury. Already 12 employees are working full time in the purpose-built workshop at the back of Slogarie, near Mossdale, and the owner, Miss Angela Boys, is at present looking for another 10 workers with a variety of skills. Miss Boys has been in the clothing manufacturing business for 30 years, and since 1975 has run a mail order operation, making a range of classic dresses, blouses, skirts and trousers. They have been in operation at Slogarie since Christmas and plan to complete the transfer by mid February. The garments are cut and prepared in the workroom and them [sic] made up by outworkers before being returned to the factory for finishing, packing and despatch. The firm is also looking for another 14 or 15 outworkers. Earnings for good outworkers could be between £80 to £90 a week said Miss Boys, but the firm did demand a high standard of workmanship. She was prepared to consider splitting the full time jobs for women who could only work part-time, because of home commitments, and was tentatively considering child minding facilities. Mrs Boys is a hard-headed businesswoman with definite ideas, but the move to Slogarie has been made so she can combine business with pleasure. She takes a keen interest in rare breeds and the 400 acres of ground that went with Slogarie...” 1988-9 Employment adverts 1989 Advert for a working housekeeper to help run with the existing housekeeper 1997, 18th Dec Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser: A front page news story about “Mossdale businesswoman Angela Boyes” “Ten years ago Miss Boys moved her mail order business, Angela Gore Limited, from London and Kent to settle in the Galloway countryside at Slogarie. There are seven properties on the estate where council tax is applicable – Slogarie House, Slogarie Workrooms, Myrtle Cottage, Rose Cottage, Keepers House – all taxed separately. But since she moved, Miss Boys claims, the council has been unable to rate her business or properties correctly or reconcile her payments. Telephone calls, letters and faxes sent to the Dumfries headquarters are ignored she claims. And after years of invalid invoices, writs scattered into derelict buildings and visits from Sheriff Officers, she is no further forward. She is now asking Donald Dewar, 68 Secretary of State for Scotland, to bring in an independent firm of accountants for a proper audit of the council’s finance department...” 2001 [See image at start] Still referenced at Slogarie Present Day: Sale and Luxury Lets https://www.slogarie-estate.co.uk/ 2019 For Sale, the whole estate, offers considered over £1.4m: “Slogarie is beautifully tucked away between the Galloway Forest Park and Laurieston Forest just a short distance from the small settlement of Mossdale. Slogarie House is a striking Victorian country house refitted in the 1970s, maintaining some original features throughout. Modern bespoke conservatory extension by Mozolowski & Murray* added in 2012. Providing nine bedrooms, nine bathrooms, five reception rooms including extensive games room. There is oil fired central heating with Aga in kitchen and four wood burning stoves in the principal reception rooms.” There is also the Daily Mail (gah) and Deadline news which mentions: “The stunning Scottish country house where Edward VIII reputedly proposed to Wallis Simpson is on sale for £1.4m. The King’s proposal to the American socialite sparked the abdication crisis of 1936 during which the elected government faced down the monarch. Slogarie House in Mossdale, Dumfries and Galloway, features a secret garden and it was here, during a party, Edward is said to have asked the divorcee to marry him. The King and Simpson are said to have travelled to Slogarie in early 1936 to attend a party thrown by the then owner Mary Ann Milner Gibson who was friends with Simpson. Guests would have been enchanted then, as now, by the setting of the house amid the Galloway Forest Park, Laurieston Forest and the rolling countryside. The house has no fewer than nine bedrooms, nine bathrooms and five reception rooms including an extensive games room. But it is said to be the “secret garden” – just part of 78 acres of land in the sale – where the abdication crisis was sparked.” Slogarie Estate now has a website and is on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/slogarieestate/ *https://www.mozmurray.co.uk/about-mozolowski-murray/ = a Scottish bespoke conservatory company founded by a Polish serviceman who settled in Scotland. 69 Borgue Old House, Borgue by Louise Turner 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 Senwick House, Borgue by Jennifer Roberts NGR: 264560, 546669 Canmore ID 105923 Senwick House is a B listed house in Borgue Parish. It is described on the listed buildings website as being built in the early 19th century. It has two stories, as well as a basement and an attic with later dormers. There are early 20th century additions to the west. (The house was enlarged in 1911 by the Hope-Dunbars.) The building has rendered walling, lined with ashlar, (see the grey edging, in the picture below), smooth rusticated quoins, windows with raised painted margins and bold voussoirs (a wedge-shaped or tapered stone used to construct an arch). The House has a three bay entrance elevation to the north with a central gabled porch, with deeply overhanging eaves which was built in 1879. The porch has a consoled corniced door-piece with a round-arched doorway and semi-circular fanlight. The original windows were sash and case with twelve panes. The rear elevation is similarly detailed. It has a centre mullion and a bipartite dormer to the centre. The slate roof has a tall pair of corniced axial stacks with octagonal cans. More recently the interior has had many alterations, with the subdivision of many rooms and the removal of some cornices when it was either converted into the hotel or the care-home. Senwick House as it is today. Note the modern extensions. 93 Canmore, Historic Scotland has several listings in the grounds of the house. The gate piers, more specifically the balls on top. The gate piers Canmore ID 63959 are dated as nineteenth century. The walled garden, Canmore ID 105925, has not existed as such for many years. One of the remaining walls can be seen, the other is behind the orchard. The Old Stable House, Canmore ID 105923, Enterkin Lodge or the Gate lodge Canmore ID 214208 and the cottage, Canmore ID 105924, are in private hands. Aerial View of Senwick House, gardens and associated buildings. The walled garden has two hedged sides. 94 The present owners believe Senwick House is preceded by a cottage cum farmhouse, the remains of which may still survive in the garden walls. The House is thought to have been built in 1760 by the Corries, although M’Kerlie in his book History of the lands and their owners in Galloway (1879) says that the Blairs of Senwick sold Senwick Estate to the Corries in 1779. At the same time the Corries also purchased Dunrod. William Corrie had made a large fortune as a ‘Scotch Trader’ and lace manufacturer in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. He had set up his two brothers in local farms, but when he died his fortune passed to his daughter Jane. When she died in 1828 with no direct heirs, Adam Corrie her cousin inherited everything, including Senwick House. A tenant of the House was Sir John Gordon of Earlston and Afton. John Gordon was born at Montego Bay, Jamaica in 1780 and later served in the First Regiment of Foot. He succeeded as the fifth baronet of Earlston and Afton in 1795 after the death of a distant cousin. Sir John married Juliana Gallimore on the 19th April 1811 at Trelawny, Cornwall, Jamaica. Juliana was the daughter of Colonel Jervis Gallimore of the Greenfield Estate and Sarah Virgo. Juliana was born at Greenfield in 1782. Her mother Sarah Virgo had died in 1809 and in her will had left Juliana “old Kitta, Madge, Johnny and Becky to hold the said slaves with their future offspring and increase.” Senwick House has another West Indian link. On December 19th 1819 Major-General Riail, Governor of Grenada (18161823) and a hero of the Canadian Wars, proposed to Eliza Scarlett of Paru (or Peru) in Jamaica whilst staying at Senwick House. Eliza was the eldest daughter of James Scarlett and Eliza Virgo Scarlett nee Gallimore. Eliza accepted and the couple went on to have two daughters. Eliza was later to receive compensation of £1074 in 1836 for the fifty-three enslaved people working on her Jamaican estate. Major-General Riail 1775-1850. The sampler sewn by Henrietta Blair which mentions Senwick. The sampler’s date is unclear but is probably 1790. The sampler is linen fabric with silk stitches. Photo Tanya Austin 95 Juliana Gallimore died at Senwick House on 13th February 1824 at the age of 42. Her memorial is in Senwick Church, although it is much worn and difficult to read. “She was blest with a benevolent heart and an honourable mind and was to her husband a sincere and affectionate wife, I left this life without a tear Save for the friends I held so dear To heal his sorrows Lord, descend, Into the afflicted prove a friend.” The text is difficult to read but translates as above. Like the Gallimores, Sir John Gordon also had estates in Jamaica and in 1836 received compensation of £3316.5s for the one hundred and sixty four enslaved persons on his Carlton Estate. In his will he stated that he had sold his Golden River coffee estate to his reputed natural sons Francis and John “having given liberal allowances to them for payment by instalments without interest within fourteen years, I consider them thereby and with their own industry sufficiently provided.” A story is related by John Henderson in his article on Senwick Churchyard that when Juliana died she was buried in the Blair portion of the churchyard and a tablet was erected. The Blairs however took exception to this and ordered its removal. There was even talk of exhumation and although this did not happen the memorial tablet was removed to its present place. On the 21st June 1825 in Edinburgh, just over a year after Juliana had died, Sir John Gordon re-married and with his new wife Mary Irving of Dumfries went to visit Senwick House. The London Star reported that the tenantry and “respectable” farmers prepared bonfires to honour the happy couple. On the couple reaching Senwick there was a discharge of cannon and musketry and cheering by the fires. Local gossip suggested Sir John left Senwick on Whit Sunday in 1828 and that no new tenant had been found for Senwick House. Sir John Gordon died at Earlston House on 8th January 1843 at the age of 62. Between 1848-51 the Kirkcudbrightshire Ordnance Survey Name Book described Senwick House as being ‘A small but neat Mansion (of the modern style of architecture) with outhouses all slate and in good repair, in front of the mansion is a pleasantly ornamental garden, surrounded by a small plantation consisting of mixed wood, there is also a farm of land. The property of John Currie Esq. of Dunrod.’ Another tenant of Senwick House was William Poole. He was appointed to the Borgue Academy as a school master on 23rd March 1803 where he remained until 1843. He had studied at Edinburgh University and had then gone on to Ruthwell before being appointed to Borgue Academy. In 1803 the school had one hundred and seventy-eight pupils. As a lucrative sideline William Poole kept boys as boarders. At some stage, possibly 1833 when the school was in poor repair William Poole spent £150 of his own money to repair the school house. After he retired from the Academy he rented Senwick House. He lived there with his daughter Jessie. Although he had been unwell for some years, he had carried on teaching with the help of an assistant. When Mr Poole retired he was granted an annual sum of £17 provided he did not set up another school in the district. Local belief was that he had been forced to resign “before he was pushed” as he favoured the Free Church, where he was a trustee and practising elder. Mr Poole must have been a landowner as there were 96 several adverts in The Carlisle Journal of January 1846 concerning a farm in Liddersdale which he was trying to rent out. In August 1855 the Dumfries and Galloway Standard reported that Miss Poole had been presented with a portrait of her father, the first rector of Borgue Academy. William and Jessie Poole lived in Senwick House until 1865 when William Poole died aged 85. John Corrie who had inherited Senwick House from his father Adam Corrie, died there in 1874 at the age of 80. According to the Census John Corrie seemed to have spent most of his time living in England. In 1851 he was living in New Windsor and in 1861 in Devon. His wife died in Milan in 1870 so it is possible he retired to Senwick House after her death. In 1879 a porch and attic dormers were added to the House by architects Kinnear and Peddie. The porch added in 1879. Senwick House appeared to have no tenant in the 1881 Census as it was occupied by Thomas and Mary Robinson. Thomas was a general labourer, Mary presumably acted as a caretaker. The Corries in that year were living at Southpark. In 1885 The Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser (GN&KA) reported that Mr and Mrs Corrie (i.e. Adam Corrie, John’s son) were residing at Senwick House. Francis Groome in his book Ordnance Gazetter of Scotland dated 1882-4 mentioned that Senwick House was the seat of Adam Corrie ‘who holds 1062 acres across the shire valued at £1165 per annum’. At the time of the 1891 Census Senwick House was again in the care of Thomas Robertson10 and his wife Mary. Thomas was 84 and had presumably retired from his previous work as a general labourer. In 1896 Senwick House was bought by Captain John Hope, a nephew of the Earl of Selkirk, and became part of the St. Mary’s Isle Estate. Presumably he did not live there very much as three years later he tried to let the house. Adverts appeared throughout April 1899 in the Scotsman. The advert said it had three public rooms, five bedrooms and a dressing room, as well as four servant’s rooms. Senwick House also had a tennis court. It was to be let partly furnished. Applicants had to contact Robt. Dodgeon at The Grange, Kirkcudbright for particulars. The difference in name between ‘Robinson’ in the 1881 Census and ‘Roberston’ on the 1891 Census is likely to be the result of an error either in the original recording or in the transcription – all other details confirm them to be the same people and, comparing with earlier and later census returns, it seems as if ‘Robertson’ is the correct surname. 10 97 In the 1901 census Jane Mitchell the wife of gamekeeper Robert Mitchell lived in Senwick House as a caretaker, or as the Census puts it ‘to take charge of it’, as had the Robertsons before them. Again in 1908 the House was advertised in the Scotsman, this time as a summer let. It is described as “a beautifully situated house overlooking the Solway … containing three public rooms, six bed-rooms, a servants hall and bedrooms, stabling for three pairs of horses, good garden: boating: excellent shooting over 800 acres if required.” Why was it so difficult to let Senwick House? The view over Brighouse. In 1911 Senwick House was occupied by retired Army Captain, Charles Hope-Dunbar, the son of Capt. John Hope. Charles Hope-Dunbar reactivated the baronetcy of Baldoon, Nova Scotia. The escutcheon of the Baronetcy of Baldoon, Nova Scotia. Established 1664 Sir Charles lived in Senwick House with his wife Edythe and son Basil. Mrs Hope-Dunbar appeared to have a problem with either attracting or keeping servants despite her willingness to let laundry maids keep their bicycle at the House. Three years later Mrs Hope-Dunbar was still advertising for a laundry maid. A perk of the job seemed to be that the laundry and wash house were situated inside the house. The governess also 98 wished to leave. In 1911 Mademoiselle Capel of Senwick House put a job wanted advert into The Scotsman. She wished for a situation to teach girls. (Maybe a six-year-old boy was too much for her!) Sir Charles Hope-Dunbar added the Edwardian extension to the house almost doubling the size. He probably also laid out the gardens. In its Edwardian hay-day the gardens had a tennis court, bowling green and greenhouses. Invoice for some of the 1911 improvements. Architects Plans for the 1911 improvements. By 1915 however a rather mysterious Lady K of Senwick House was advertising in The Scotsman ‘Country Quarters Wanted’ columns for a furnished country house, with sea views, in the vicinity of Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart. Why she wanted to rent a house, with a description very similar, if not the same as Senwick House and in the same area is somewhat baffling. Lady K also appears to have trouble attracting or keeping servants, especially laundry maids! Lady K must have found a new house to rent as by the following year a Mrs Wigan was advertising for servants. Lewis Davis Wigan was still the tenant of Senwick House at the time of the 1921 census. He lived there with his wife Kate and on the day of the Census, Percy Wigan a clerk in Holy orders and Lewis’ sister-in-law Catherine were staying with them. In 1928 the Morning Chronicle reported that Mrs Corrie of Senwick House and Dunrod had died, so maybe she was living there at that time, as by then Senwick house had been part of the St. Mary’s Isle Estate for many years. 99 In between 1931 and 1934 various adverts appeared in the provincial press advising that Senwick House was to let. It was described as a ‘charming small Country House, with or without 2,200 acres of good low ground shooting.’ Applicants were asked to apply to the factor of St Mary’s isle. In 1933 The Scotsman reported that Admiral Sir Alexander Ludovic Duff, KCVO, GBE, GCB of Capdock Lodge, formerly of Senwick House had died. The Admiral had commanded HMS Superb at the Battle of Jutland, was the director of the anti-submarine division 1916-17 and Commander in Chief of China Station. Admiral Sir Alexander Ludovic Duff Picture from National Portraits Gallery Sir Basil Hope-Dunbar who had been four in the 1911 census was living in Senwick House both before and after the Second World War. He appears to have been a dog breeder and won prizes at the Scottish Kennel Club championships and the Scottish Field Trials, for example in 1937 he had a prize-winning litter of Dalmatian pups for sale. In October 1938 he won a prize with his undergraduate11 deerhound and his bull terriers. Several years earlier he had been advertising the sale of Lakeland Terriers. There still seemed to be a problem keeping servants at Senwick House for in April and May 1939 Capt. HopeDunbar was advertising for a married Butler. He was offering a cottage to go with the job. During the war he saw service in India with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. During the Second World War the gardens at Senwick were altered by Prisoners of War who were called upon to create terraces overlooking Sir Basils changes. At the end of the war a plaque was placed in the garden commemorating the POW’s. The weathered plaque commemorating the German POW’s, placed in 1947. 11 An under graduate dog is one that has not won a Challenge Certificate or three or more First Prizes at Championship Shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for that breed. 100 Although the plaque is now so weathered as to be almost illegible it is still possible to work out the name German and Kurt. The nearest POW camp to Senwick was St Andrews Hall Camp 640. There were Italian prisoners of war staying in local houses and Nissen huts on St Mary’s Isle, Kirkcudbright, who were apparently allowed out to work on farms in the surrounding area, but there does not seem to be any evidence of Germans staying there. In 1947 Capt. Basil Hope-Dunbar advertised several working Labradors for sale, these included St. Mary’s Pilot a third season golden retriever with a soft mouth for sale at £55, Sunshine of Senwick a partly broken dog golden retriever for £20 and Susan of Senwick a black bitch also partly broken for £18. By September when Capt. Hope-Dunbar was still awaiting a buyer, he had reduced the price of his soft mouthed Labrador retriever to £35. In 1950 the Scottish Field Trials Association held its thirty-first Retriever trials at Senwick House. Senwick House is famous for its daffodil collection. These were planted by Capt. Hope-Dunbar who as well as buying bulbs from catalogues also used to visit the Netherlands to buy in new varieties. Whilst Capt. Hope-Dunbar was kept busy with his dogs and daffodils, Mrs Hope-Dunbar was advertising for a nursery governess to look after a small boy of six years, a year later she wanted a governess for two boys. (She called herself Mrs Hope-Dunbar in the adverts whilst Sir Basil called himself Capt. Hope-Dunbar) Capt. Hope-Dunbar died in 1961. Ireland at the 1962 Crystal Palace Trophy. Photo Motorsportmagazine.com Innes Ireland a local racing driver, bought Senwick House in 1972. Ireland had moved to Kirkcudbright as a toddler, when his father got a job as a vet. He is remembered locally for driving his car out onto the ice of Carlingwark Loch as a young man. After serving in the para’s and the Kings Own Scottish Borderers he took up motor racing in 1959 driving for Lotus. He was the first Scottish driver to win a Grand-Prix first place, winning at Watkins Glen in the United States whilst driving for Lotus. In 1962 he was voted one of the UK’s best dressed men and in the same year was elected president of the British Racing Drivers Club. He later worked as a journalist on a motoring magazine before returning to the Kirkcudbright area in the early seventies and buying Senwick house, he only lived there for a few years before putting the house up for sale in 1976. Whilst living at Senwick, Ireland operated a small fishing boat out of the harbour. Robert MacGregor Innes Ireland 1930-1993 Photo Rainer Schlegelmilch 101 Later that year Pius Adrain Baines bought Senwick House and converted it into an hotel. By 1981 Senwick House had become a family run “Country House Hotel set in twelve acres of woodlands overlooking the sea.” It was reported as having one of the finest shows of daffodils in South-West Scotland. It was AA listed and had been awarded an Egon Ronay Relais Routier. In 1986 on the SPC register it is described as having four reception rooms, eleven bedrooms of which five were en-suite, a basement flat, ten acres of gardens and sea views. Richard Baines the curator of Logan Botanic Gardens moved to Senwick House when he was 10. In a podcast for PlantNetwork he said that the grounds were beautifully laid out by German prisoners of war. “The garden had a collection of over 200 cultivars of daffodils. To this day, I still think Senwick House probably has one of the most spectacular displays of daffodils in the whole of the UK.” He recalled that as his father spent more time working on the hotel he took on more of the garden, and grew about an acre of vegetables. The garden also had a large orchard. Richard Baines said that he did lots of propagation of the shrubs in the garden, and he also grew plants to show. In May 1986 a notice appeared in the GN&KA advertising Senwick House for sale, a few months later an article appeared in the same paper reporting that Senwick House, set in eleven acres of land, was undergoing conversion work to meet the needs of elderly and frail people. It was being converted by Steve and Ed Tonks into a Care Home. Senwick House was to take on its current role as a Residential Home. The Tonk family were to own Senwick House for a couple of years before the present owners Geraldine and Tanya Austin took over. The author would like to thank Tanya and Geraldine Austin for their help in compiling this report, and Helen Bowick for recommending the PlantNetwork blog. References All on-line resources accessed between March and May 2023 History of Senwick, in Dumfries and Galloway and Kirkcudbrightshire | Map and description (visionofbritain.org.uk) Map | Canmore http://familytree.chasegray.co.uk/320.htm Juliana James Gordon (Gallimore) (1782 - 1824) - Genealogy (geni.com) acc 8/4/23 Summary of Individual | Legacies of British Slavery (ucl.ac.uk) Details of Claim | Legacies of British Slavery (ucl.ac.uk) List of colonial governors and administrators of Grenada - Wikipedia Senwick House, Borgue, Dumfries and Galloway (britishlistedbuildings.co.uk) Motor Racing: Innes Ireland, flamboyant driver, dies | The Independent | The Independent A very fine fellow...Innes Ireland December 1993 - Motor Sport Magazine Ireland Archives - Rainer W. Schlegelmilch Ireland Archives - Rainer W. Schlegelmilch OS1/20/157/25 | ScotlandsPlaces https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-namebooks/kirkcudbrightshire-os-name-books-1848-1851 OS1/20/158/4 | ScotlandsPlaces https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-namebooks/kirkcudbrightshire-os-name-books-1848-1851 Vision of Britain | Searching for senwick house 102 Person Page (thepeerage.com) Phineas Riall - Wikipedia Borgue (20m.com) John Corrie (1795-1874) - Find a Grave Memorial 1874 CORRIE, JOHN (Statutory registers Deaths 858/ 12) | ScotlandsPeople Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Building/Design Report (May 15, 2023, 5:32 pm) https://plantnetwork.org/news/podcast/richardbaines/ Every prisoner of war camp in the UK mapped and listed | News | theguardian.com PoW Camp 640 St Andrew’s Hall – Repatriated Landscape 640StAndrews.docx (live.com) Hope-Dunbar baronets - Wikipedia NPG x167281; Sir Alexander Ludovic Duff - Portrait - National Portrait Gallery The Creditors of Rusco v Blair of Senwick. | [1723] Mor 4117 | Scottish Court of Session | Judgment | Law | CaseMine Dog Show Central UK - Show Terminology Census 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 Borgue – The land and the people Adam Gray 2001 G.C. Publishers Ltd Wigtown ISBN 1 87250 33X History of Lands and their Owners in Galloway, Vol. 3, P. H. McKerlie 1879, Edinburgh: Paterson Sproat letters The Sproat Family Letters – Kirkcudbright History Society Transactions of DGNHAS Series 111 vol 18 pp406-410 Senwick Churchyard by John Henderson Dumfries and Galloway Life Issue 52, March 2012 Newspapers Baldwins London Weekly Journal: 25th December 1819 Caledonian Mercury: 19th February 1824 Carlisle Journal: Saturday 10th January, Saturday 31st January 1846 Dumfries and Galloway Standard: Friday 1st January 1997, 24th November 1917, 18th August 1855 Dundee Courier: Thursday 6th October 1938, Friday 20th October 1950 Galloway News: 18th July 1991 Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser: Thursday 25th September 1986, 3rd April 1986, 1st May 1986, 28th October 1993 Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News: Friday 20th November 1936, 30th November 1936 Morning Chronicle: 9th April 1828 Newcastle Evening Chronicle: Wednesday 28th January 1981 Sheffield Independent: Friday 8th April 1932 Star (London): 13th June 1825 The Scotsman: Thursday 14th August 1947, Thursday 15th April 1915, Wednesday 5th April 1899, Saturday 22nd April 1911, Wednesday 13th October 1937, Wednesday 16th October 1937, Friday 7th February 1947, Saturday 15th April 1939, Wednesday 3rd May 1939, Wednesday 22nd April 1914, Tuesday 23rd September 1947, Saturday 16th October 1937, Saturday 8th June 1912, 8th November 1911, 11th November 1911, Friday 5th March 1915, Friday 20th March 1915, Friday 1st February 1915, Friday 29th January 1915, Saturday 6th 103 May 1916, Wednesday 8th February 1911, Wednesday 29th April 1908, 27th December 1913, 24th September 1913, 29th November1948, Thursday 6th October 1938, Friday 2nd March 1934 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer: Saturday 3rd July 1931, Saturday 25th July 1931 104  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies – Volume 1 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_71 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Description An account of the resource Anwoth to Borgue GGLP heritage https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/10/530/GGLP-CYDI-BuildingBiographies_GuidanceNote.pdf b507a284d49a8229b58925c55e3577d6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies – Guidance Notes Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Description An account of the resource The Building Biographies project recruited volunteers to undertake research into some of the large country houses within Galloway, with the research taking place from February to June 2023. Each volunteer was given their own specific house to research, piecing together timelines from their initial construction through to how they stand today. The project included houses that were still in use, ruinous or even demolished, featuring a variety of functions dating back to the 19th century or earlier. As more volunteers signed up the study area expanded to include a mix of country houses from across Galloway, and even a few from Dumfriesshire. By the end of the project, 32 volunteers submitted their findings as summary reports, which covered 42 country houses across Galloway. The volunteers included people from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Glasgow and America. Their results revealed stories of the people who designed, lived and worked within these houses, stories which reflect both local history and connections to far-flung places during times of peace and war. The passion and commitment shown by the volunteers in uncovering the stories of these houses, both good and bad, has been inspiring, and they have created an impressive record which will be shared for many years to come. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document BUILDING B I O G R A P H I E S Researching the Country Houses of Galloway The completion of their build was only the beginning of their story Whether abandoned, recently renovated or long since demolished, those large country houses that have stood watch over our countryside each have their story to tell, and we want your help in hunting them out. Built as extravagant homes displaying the wealth of their owners, these buildings would soon reflect much larger changes in Scottish society. Originating in the heyday of the class system in Britain, their initial design represented ideas of segregation between family and servant. The onset of social change triggered by the First and Second World Wars transformed the political and economic climate and saw many country estates go into decline. Often their survival depended on their re-invention and, from schools to war hospitals, these symbols of status and exclusivity would soon become defined by a mix of local community and national need. For those that didn’t find a new purpose, many were to be abandoned and even deliberately de-roofed to avoid taxes. It was a rare country house that managed to survive these changes and still be used as a family home. In researching these country estates, this project hopes to reveal their origins, their varying uses over the years and how this was often embodied in the physical changes to the architecture of the houses themselves. Their stories will give insights into the individuals brought together under their roof, their evolving role in the minds of the local community and how larger changes in our society echoed in their halls. “These country houses employed a great number of servants for all the various detailed domestic functions. Additionally, if all the outside staff and their families were counted then the country house was a substantial community often reaching as many as one hundred people. Even country houses without a large working estate or agricultural WHY COUNTRY HOUSES? base, would have a significant level From doocots to factories, every building has something to tell us through its architecture and history, and all types of structures are studied within archaeology. We’ve chosen country houses as the subject in this instance, but we hope that that you can go on to make use of these resources to research any structures which take your interest. of servants (at least ten) to keep the As for country houses though, our interest stems from their longevity and assorted histories. Their status, and often sheer size, has led to many surviving property running smoothly. Though the worlds of master and servant were artificially apart in the name of privacy, the two classes were actually overlapping and almost totally inter-dependent on one another.” Country Houses of Scotland (1995) by JRA Connachan-Holmes through re-invention, serving as an adaptable resource over a century or more of significant change. Today, many are protected in recognition of their value, but throughout the 20th century a number of houses were lost through demolition, and those that survive vary in condition – while some have been given a new lease of life, others stand as roofless ruins. Recording and sharing the history of these buildings will preserve them before any further losses occur. HOW WILL IT WORK? We will assign you a house that will be yours exclusively to research. We will give you the house’s name, what parish it sits in and a grid reference for its location. This should allow you to find it on a map and start researching its history. We have lots of resources listed below for you to use in your search, and a checklist of the main ones to get you started. You’re then free to look through the resources at your own pace and see how much information you can gather. This will vary and you might find some resources more helpful than others, but every little piece will uncover one more piece of the puzzle, no matter how small. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW? Everything! Okay, that’s not quite true – we’ll sleep easy not knowing the intricate details of every nook, cranny, window frame and skew putt to have adorned your house through the decades. A basic description of the house and its estate, along with some photographs, would be great as a starting point but you don’t have to go into all the details. Hopefully, you’ll come across a description in one of the resources that you can use. If it’s listed, include what category it is and, if you can, what is it about the house that makes it significant – usually outlined in the listed building record. It would then be great to have a timeline for your house. • Start by telling us when the house was built, who the architect was and, if possible, who commissioned its construction. You could include additional details about the architect themselves, where they were based and their other projects. • You could investigate the client in more detail as well – what is their background and how did they fund the house’s build? • Maybe there’s some interesting facts about the architecture of the house “the First, and then the Second World Wars altered British society and social outlook entirely. The forces of social change gathered pace as War acted as a focusing catalyst.” Country Houses of Scotland (1995) by JRA Connachan-Holmes In the early 1700s, a number of country houses would have contained a state apartment in their design – “that suite of rooms (dining room, drawing room and bedchamber) supposedly for use only in the highly improbably event of a royal visit but considered necessary in any nobleman’s or laird’s house soon after the Restoration.” The Buildings of Scotland: Dumfries and Galloway (1996) by John Gifford ANY QUESTIONS? If you have any questions at all throughout the project (or even some tips that we could forward on) then just send us an email at contact@rathmell-arch.co.uk and pop ‘Building Biographies’ into the subject title. The first (and most important) piece of advice given when you start in archaeology is to ‘always ask’ – we’re here to help and if we don’t have the answer right away, then we will endeavour to hunt it out for you! We’re also more than happy if you’d rather have a chat over zoom – this can be good for screen sharing if you’d like a session on how to use any of the online resources. Just let us know in an email and we’ll set it up! itself – were they aiming for a specific style or décor, were there particular influences in its design or maybe there were some eccentricities in its layout? And include the surrounding grounds as well, did the house sit at the centre of a larger designed landscape and were there any ancillary buildings such as stables, gatehouses or even an ice house? • You could list some of the different people who resided in your house over the years – families, servants and lodgers – adding in any details about them that you find of interest. You can also include the dates for any major periods of repair or refurbishment to the house, or if it was ever badly damaged as the result of a fire or a bad storm? • We’re keen to know of any changes of use. Has your house always been a private residence, or has it seen other uses in its time? If so, when did this happen and why? Can you go into some more detail for its other uses and whether they required any modifications to the building itself? Did it have any effect on the surrounding grounds? • If your house was abandoned, de-roofed or demolished, when was this and can you find any information on why? Do any of the surrounding structures or gardens still survive? Do you know what happened to the people who lived and worked in the house and on the estate? • If the house is still standing (even as a ruin), then feel free to continue its timeline right up to how it’s still having an impact today. We’re interested in any tales relating to your house even from recent years (these are also part of its story). Is it still a private residence? Or maybe it’s been renovated or become a popular tourist spot? HOW DO I SUBMIT MY RESULTS? Once you’ve collected all the information that you can on the story of your house, then all you need to do is type up a summary and email it through TIP: As you go through, there will be areas which catch your interest and you will naturally go into more detail for these. Please feel free to follow the topics that you find interesting – it will make it a more rewarding project for yourself and will likely be of interest to others as well. Add in additional details relating to people associated with your house, any events which might have affected it or even the wider social, economic or political landscape that played a role in its fate. to contact@rathmell-arch. co.uk with ‘Building Biographies’ included in the subject title. You can type your summary directly into the email or attach it as a separate document written in Word, Google Docs, Libre Office or an equivalent. And if you finish your building early then just let us know if you’d like another one to research – there’s plenty to go round! Title your text with the house’s name and parish. You can make your summary as simple or as detailed as you like. You can write it up as paragraphs or as a list of bullet points, add images into the text or attach them separately, and, if you want, you can also attach any documents that you find – how you lay it out is up to yourself! We’re very keen to share any knowledge that we gather, so we’ll be sending the results through to local societies for their archives and to remain as a future resource. If there are any groups that you think would be interested, just let us know – the more the merrier. We’ll also add your findings to Can You Dig It’s online resources and share little snippets from your research on the Can You Dig It social media (@gglparchaeology on both Facebook and Twitter) throughout the year – let us know if you’d rather your name was left off of the final results. Feel free to submit your results at any point throughout the project, but we’d ask for all findings to be submitted by Wednesday 31st May at the latest. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH MY FINDINGS? WHERE DO I START? There are many resources available for researching the history of your building. The next few pages give a list of the main ones that we’ve come across – you can break your research up by trying a new one each time. We’ve included a checklist below to highlight the main ones to get you started. Feel free to share any tips or other resources that you come across and we’ll forward them on to your fellow researchers. TIP: It might be an idea to type up pieces of information as you uncover them – and the sources where you found them – this will hopefully stop you from having a major typing up exercise at the end! CHECKLIST: ● Have you checked Pastmap for a physical description of your building, either on Canmore or the Listed Building record? ● Does it appear in the Buildings at Risk Register? ● Does the Dictionary of Scottish Architects list who designed the house and where they were based? ● Is there an estate map available on the NLS website which covers your location? ● Is there is an historical description of your property on either Scotlands Places or in the Statistical Accounts of Scotland? ● Does your building appear in any articles or adverts within the British Newspaper Archive? ● Have you managed to find an old photograph of your house? And maybe a more recent one if it’s still standing? ฀● Can you find any of its inhabitants listed in the census returns? R E S O U RC E S PASTMAP Pastmap is a great first stop when researching the heritage sites of Scotland. Using an interactive map, you can zoom into a specific location and see sites from 10 different categories including Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments, as well as both the National (Canmore) and Local Historic Environment Records. This is a great place to start to see if they hold some basic information about your house. Type the NGR location that we’ve given you into the search box at the top left and it will take you right to where your house sits on modern mapping – this will let you see how it’s laid out today. The more you zoom in, the more detailed the mapping. You can then turn on layers on the left side bar to find out what the records hold. Feel free to turn on all of them and see what comes up but be sure to specifically look at both the Canmore (blue dot) and Listed Building (red dot) entries. Click on the dot over your house and then select the link which appears in the left side bar under ‘Details (opens a new window)’. The records will vary in how much detail they hold, but you might find the date it was built, any associated structures on its estate and architectural details on its form — take notes or simply copy and paste the relevant information into a separate document. The Canmore entry might also have some photographs so that you can see your house and download them as part of your findings. Check out Pastmap’s Introduction video if it’s your first time using it. BUILDINGS AT RISK REGISTER The Buildings at Risk Register is maintained by Historic Environment Scotland and gives information on properties of architectural or historic merit considered to be at risk. If your house is currently sitting vacant and is suffering from poor maintenance or structural problems, then you will likely find it in this list. Here you will be able to find updates on its condition from recent years, alongside photographs and sometimes information on its ownership. There is also a ‘Bibliography’ section which could point you to other potentially helpful sources of information. DICTIONARY OF SCOTTISH ARCHITECTS The Dictionary of Scottish Architects is a free online database containing biographical information and job lists for all architects who worked in the period 1660-1980. It is searchable by name or location of the architect, practice or building, as well as by client. Your best bet is probably to use the ‘Building Search’ tab along the top menu where you can search for your house under ‘What is the building’s name or type’. The results should hopefully give you dates for its construction and any later repairs, allowing you to start putting together a timeline for the physical changes that your house went through. It should also give the name of the architects involved in its design – you can then click on their name to see where they were based and what other building projects they were involved in. Be sure to also scan the ‘References’ section which might provide possible resources for further research. R E S O U RC E S NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND’S MAP IMAGES The National Library of Scotland has an amazing collection of historical mapping online that you can search for free. There are several ways to search through the available mapping and it’s worth exploring other options once you feel more comfortable. But a great place to start is the ‘Explore georeferenced maps’ option – here you can enter your house’s grid reference into the ‘Search by National Grid Reference’ box and it will take you straight to the location of your building. Under ‘1. Select a category’ – choose ‘Scotland’. Then work your way through the mapping and see how far back your building or its name appears. You can also note down any significant changes in its layout which could point at periods of modification or extension. It might be helpful to take screen shots and save them to your computer for future reference. As with elsewhere, remember to keep a note of any alternative spellings that you come across which could prove helpful in later research. Before leaving though, have a look at their estate maps section – see below for how best to do that. ESTATE MAPS The NLS website holds over 1,200 estate maps in their online collection. These maps were produced throughout the 1700s and early 1800s and, as the name suggests, were designed to illustrate all aspects of the commissioning estate’s lands to inform their management. For many rural areas, they are often the most detailed maps to have been created before the Ordnance Survey. The NLS has a massive collection of estate maps available online for Dumfries and Galloway thanks to the great work of DAMP (Dumfries Archival Mapping Group) but they might not all show up in the geo-referenced search option. Instead head to the specific ‘Estate Maps’ section and select ‘Browse Estate Maps of Scotland using a graphic index’ – you will then be able to enter your coordinates again and zoom into your location. In this instance the relevant estate maps will appear in a menu at the right-hand side, and you can click on them to view them in more detail. TIP: Keep a note of where your TIP: Consider getting in touch information comes from as you go as it will be helpful to mention your sources in your final summary – you can either include them in the text, as footnotes, or create a ‘References’ section at the end. with the current owners of your house as they might well hold a lot of information on its history and layout. You can then offer to share your findings with them in return. R E S O U RC E S SCOTLANDS PLACES ScotlandsPlaces is a free resource that lets you explore thousands of records simply by searching for a place name, clicking on a map or typing in your postcode. Search results bring together the collections of Historic Environment Scotland, the National Records of Scotland and the National Library of Scotland so that you can easily find maps, photographs and written records about your chosen site. The website gives you access to tax rolls and the Ordnance Survey Name Books, as well as photographs, archaeological records, drawings and publications. Just type your house’s name into the search bar and see what comes up! If it appears on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map in the mid-19th century then it should have a Name Book entry – be sure to check this out as it will give you a description of the property at that time and might also include some other details such as the owner’s name and alternate spellings for the property. You might also find valuation rolls and tax records which can give additional snippets of information – all sorts of items used to be taxed including servants, horses, dogs, carts and even watches! STATISTICAL ACCOUNTS OF SCOTLAND Aimed at collecting information about the economy, social activities and natural resources of Scotland, the Statistical Accounts of Scotland represent a collection of facts based on responses by ministers in each of the 938 parishes of Scotland. They were compiled on three different occasions, named the ‘Old’ in the 1790s, the ‘New’ in the 1830s and the ‘Third’ in the latter half of the 20th century. Both the Old and New Statistical Accounts are available to read online for free, and they can give some great overviews about each parish from these periods (alongside some insights into the personality of each author!). You might well find mention of some of the larger estates within these overviews so it’s worth a look. You can search either for the parish to read the full overview or specifically for your house’s name. Note that the Old and New accounts are shortened to OSA and NSA in the results list. TAKE CARE: If you decide to visit your house, please remember not to enter any derelict structures but to instead view them from a safe distance. Sections of loose masonry will fall eventually and you are unlikely to get much warning! It’s also important to remember that you are likely entering private land – note that the ‘Right to Roam’ doesn’t include houses and gardens. This might be a great opportunity to get in touch with the owners though and start sharing information. R E S O U RC E S TAKE CARE: Undertaking research can be a very rewarding task, but it can also become frustrating if your search is coming up empty. Don’t be disheartened – if you find yourself hitting a wall, then maybe it’s time to have a break or try a new resource from the list. You can also use us as a sounding board if you need to. Whatever information you manage to uncover, however scant, is still creating a record which will make sure your building is included in the results – anything you uncover will reveal an unknown fact about local history! BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE Old newspapers are a great resource, they can transport you back to the past in a way that few other archives can. Your building might appear in stories or adverts, and might mention the names of owners or specific events that occurred there. There are some newspapers available in the NLS online resources, including the Scotsman, but the best online resource for newspapers is the British Newspaper Archive (BNA). The BNA stems from a partnership between the British Library and Findmypast to digitise the Library’s vast newspaper archive dating back to the 17th century. You can search the BNA website for free and use the filters on the left to narrow your results by date and area. It’s also worth trying out different search terms or adding in extra words, such as wider terms or different spellings, to help. To be able to view the articles you will need to register for an account. Some of them might be ‘Free to View’ (also an option in the filters) but as part of this project we will gift you a one month subscription – this will let you view and download as many articles as you want within that month. The month will start from the date that you activate the gift code, so it might be worth holding off until you have some initial research to help with your search and also for a month when you know you will have more time to sit and look through it all. We’d just ask that you activate by 30th April at the latest to be sure you have enough time before the submission deadline. TIP: It’s always worth doing a general TIP: Be sure to download any images internet search for the house you are researching. There is a wealth of local online resources from community websites to personal blogs, or even recent news stories. If the house is still in use, then you might find that it even has its own website which could contain some facts about its history. of your house as you come across them and save them into a folder – they can be great for comparing with any changes visible on mapping but also for adding into your findings when it comes to finally submitting them. R E S O U RC E S NATIONAL RECORDS OF SCOTLAND The National Records of Scotland is a department of the Scottish Government which aims to “collect, preserve and produce information about Scotland’s people and history and make it available to inform current and future generations.” It contains a variety of records from the 12th through to the 21st century and these include listing any court cases which your house might have a mention in. Although seeing the records in full usually requires a trip to Edinburgh, you are able to search through their catalogue online and can often get snippets of information from their online descriptions. OLD PHOTOGRAPHS There are many sources online for finding old photographs and these can help you to understand the changes to your building over time. It is worth doing a general internet search for your building and clicking on the results in the ‘Images’ tab. As well as photographs, old postcards and even paintings are worth looking through for depictions of how your house once looked. There are some specific websites you can also have a look at for photographs though – have a look at the Dumfries & Galloway Heritage Service’s online photographic collection, SCRAN and the University of St Andrew’s online collections. LOCAL HERITAGE GROUPS Dumfries & Galloway has a wealth of local heritage societies who do a great job of collecting archival material and sharing it on their websites – these sources often hold special insights that only locals can give. There are way too many across the region to name them all here, but we’ll list the ones we know of in our area (and even if they don’t have what you’re looking for on their website, they are more than happy to offer advice if you send them an email): Balmaclellan Heritage Group, Carsphairn Archive, Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Kirkcudbright History Society and Local Initiatives of New Galloway. You might also want to get in touch with the Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust and the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland who have a group based in Dumfries & Galloway. Lastly, there is also the Galloway Glens Place-Names Database which includes over 2,500 names from across seven parishes. LOCAL LIBRARIES This project is primarily an online one but if you do have access to a local library and fancy a visit, then you might find that many of their local and historic resources contain information on your house or its estate. Dumfries and Galloway Council even has a specially dedicated Heritage Service based in the Ewart Library, Dumfries. They can help point you to what collections they hold and will also be able to offer advice and tips for your research. R E S O U RC E S CENSUS RETURNS The census began in 1801 and was repeated every tenth year (with the exception of 1941) collecting information on households across the country. This can include a person’s age, birthplace, occupation and marital status at the time the census was taken. Very little information about individuals survives for 1801 to 1831, but you will be able to find census information from 1841 to 1911 online – a 100-year secrecy rule is in place, with the 1921 census return only recently becoming available. The census returns might allow you to trace some of the people who lived at your house over the years. Thanks to the Friends of the Archives of Dumfries and Galloway and several volunteers, you can access the returns of the 1851 census for Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire for free on the Dumfries and Galloway Council website. You are also able to access some of the census returns for free through FreeCen and, if your main address is in Scotland, by registering online with the National Library of Scotland. The census records are also available through a subscription to Scotland’s People. INTERNET ARCHIVE There are many books out there that might contain some information on your house, and if you’re able, then it might be worth visiting your local library for a hunt. Or if there is a specific book you can’t access then let us know and we’ll see if we can find it for you. But one book that is worth checking is The Buildings of Scotland: Dumfries and Galloway by John Gifford, which you can access for free on the Internet Archive. This might give you some more information on the layout and architecture of your building. It might also be worth searching the rest of this website for other resources which could feature your house, and also do a quick search on Google Scholar – another free online resource for books.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Building Biographies – Guidance Notes Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_70 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2023 Description An account of the resource Researching the Country Houses of Galloway. The completion of their build was only the beginning of their story. GGLP heritage https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/11/529/GGLP-CYDI-AreWeThereYet_FinalResults.pdf 2f51a8458adfda88d701e85725527024 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? Final Results Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? The Great Gallovidian Milestone Hunt Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Are We There Yet? The Great Gallovidian Milestone Hunt Still standing 78 milestone locations surveyed No longer there 18 still standing Five of these are marked on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey maps meaning that they’ve been standing in those locations for at least 170 years! Are We There Yet? was delivered as part of Can You Dig It, the community archaeology project of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership MS12 Did you know? MS12 (NX 64209 77640) sits along the A713 giving a distance to Dalry of 3 miles and to Parton Station at 6 miles. Lesson learned at this one – worth double checking a location during the winter months. The vegetation along many road verges will be thickest during the summer so you might need the leaves to fall before spotting any milestones hiding in their midst. There is a Milestone Society. A charity dedicated to “identify, record, research, conserve and interpret for public benefit the milestones and other waymarkers of the British Isles”. It was set up in 2001 and since then its members have recorded over 31,000 milestones, other waymarkers and tollhouses. You can find out a lot of information about milestones on their website at www.milestonesociety.co.uk MS13 MS13 The chunky-looking MS14 (NX 65480 74863) also sits along the A713. It was found by David just to the south of the turn-off for the ‘Hidden Road’. The stone gives a distance of 5 miles to Dalry and 4 miles to Parton Station. MS13 (NX 64601 76181) sits along the A713 giving a distance to Dalry of 4 miles and to Parton Station at 5 miles. Discovered by Elliot who thought that they looked ‘similar to milestones guiding the way to Killywhan Station from New Abbey’ so perhaps commissioned by the railway company. MS14 MS18 You might well spot MS18 (NX 69145 70126) as you drive along the A713 through Parton – it sits along the tidy grass verge to your left as you come into the village from the north. A simple ‘7’ represents 7 miles to Castle Douglas. MS24 Another good spot by Elliot, MS24 (NX 75417 63517) sits along the A713 with the number ‘1’ – representing that it sits 1 mile to the north of Castle Douglas. Did you know? Before the days of trains and cars, the 400-mile journey between Edinburgh and London would have taken 16 days! MS25 Located on the pavement outside NFU Mutual Insurance Company in Castle Douglas, MS25 (NX 76709 62683) was recorded by both Claire and Elliot. ‘J. Affleck, Dumfries’ can be found at the bottom of the top plate. 348 miles to London would have been quite a journey back then. MS30 MS27 A slightly tricky one – MS27 (NX 55041 76117) sits along the A712 near Clatteringshaws. Mapping shows its location at a layby further down the road from this spot and a slab sitting flush to the ground there might represent its original site. Eagle-eyed Keith spotted this stone at the coach layby for the visitor centre though, which looks like it could be a good contender! Located in a slightly more rugged setting, David recorded MS30 (NX 59350 77430) along the A712 which leads to Clatteringshaws Loch – a position that it appears to have held for at least 170 years! It has a ‘27’ for 27 miles to Dumfries. Also in New Galloway, MS36 (NX 63406 77674) sits on the pavement just in front of The Smithy displaying ‘Dalry 3¾’ and ‘NG Stn 5’. Keith noted that: ‘NG Stn appears to have been New Galloway railway station, which was located to the south in the village of Mossdale! Much of the original station can still be seen, including the platform and original station building, now a private dwelling. The station and line were closed in 1965.’ MS33 Sitting at the top end of New Galloway, MS33 (NX 63431 77803) displays either a ‘24’ or ’29’. No name is shown but Keith observed that it’s likely to be Dumfries, so probably 24. MS36 MS37 MS39 Did you know? From 1706 to the 1840s, Turnpike Trusts were set up to raise money for building stretches of road. They introduced tolls for using the roads, something which had been free until this point, which led to anti-turnpike riots across Britain. In Wales, these became known as the ‘Rebecca Riots’ where male rioters would dress up as women and tear down the tollgates. MS38 MS37 (NX 63347 76090), MS38 (NX 64096 74691) and MS39 (NX 65042 73421) all sit along the A762 between New Galloway and Mossdale. They continue the run of milestones down to where the railway station was located at Mossdale. MS39 was a little hard to find at first but Peter was determined and finally spotted it as having been knocked over. As proof of how solid they are though, it’s still in good condition! Sent in by Jo, MS40 (NX 65437 71947) sits along the A762 and is the last in the run towards New Galloway Station that once sat 1 mile to the south. Jo spotted though that the milestone appears to have been moved to the opposite side of the road from where it was originally located, likely due to the construction of the cottages close to the roadside in the late 20th century. MS56 Marking the 2 miles to Castle Douglas, MS56 (NX 76663 65919) has moved a few metres back from the roadside to become a beautiful addition to the border of a raised flower bed! It’s been well taken care of though and you can still see it from the road. MS40 MS74 This was a good spot by Keith – MS74 (NX 69520 53647) is hidden in long grass behind metal railings, within the grounds of Tongland Power Station. He couldn’t make out an inscription but spotted what looks to be a benchmark on top. MS69 MS69 (NX 76886 58553) sits along the B727 at the southwest end of Gelston. It has the number ‘19’ – the distance to Dumfries. MS76 (NX 68282 51064) doesn’t actually appear on the older mapping so its existence was brought to our attention by our surveyors. Keith took these images – it sits just against the wall to the south of Greyfriars Church, right at the centre of Kirkcudbright. The ‘27’ seems to represent the distance to Dumfries. This must have been obvious enough not to label it at the time! MS76 We didn’t originally have MS77 (NX 76338 62218) on our map, but Claire spotted it set into the wall of the Douglas Arms Hotel in Castle Douglas. Cast iron, it has an inscription at the base – ‘J.Affleck Founder Dumfries 1827’, presumably the same J. Affleck who created the plates on MS25, also in Castle Douglas. MS77 So 1827 makes MS25 and MS77 nearly 200 years old – looking not bad for their age! Did you know? Many milestones were removed or defaced in World War II to baffle potential German invaders and it is thought that only 9,000 of them still survive today across the whole of Britain. THANK YOU to all the volunteer surveyors: David Bartholomew, Lyn Ferguson, David G, Jo Gallant, Keith Hamblin, Claire Martin, Elliot Matthew, Peter Sewell, Ian Steele and Sarah Steele  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? Final Results Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_69 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 Description An account of the resource Are We There Yet? was delivered as part of Can You Dig It, the community archaeology project of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. GGLP heritage https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/11/527/GGLP_CYDI-AWTY-Recording-form.pdf 5365a77ddbfa4b7b1e2090f19560b855 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? Recording Form Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? The Great Gallovidian Milestone Hunt Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Are We There Yet? Recording form Milestone No. Is it still there? Your initials & date: Is it where the map says it is? If not, where is it? GPS coordinates, a what3words location or a measurement i.e 5m to the north of the map location? Description: What is it made of? What shape is it? If there’s nothing there, is there anything to show that it once was? Feel free to draw a sketch with notes - use the back of the sheet for more space to create your artwork! Did you take any photographs? Dimensions: Just a simple width, height and depth will do Is there an inscription? If so, what does it say? What can you tell us about its condition? Has it been damaged or defaced in any way? Is it badly weathered or covered in vegetation?  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? Recording Form Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_67 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 Description An account of the resource Are We There Yet? was delivered as part of Can You Dig It, the community archaeology project of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. GGLP heritage https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/11/526/GGLP_CYDI-Are-WeThere-Yet-info.pdf 8c5e71ef959546392a50d3efb50c79ef Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? Information Sheet Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? The Great Gallovidian Milestone Hunt Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Yes we can! We want to challenge you to a bit of a treasure hunt…for milestones! Did you know that these stoic waymarkers can be hundreds of years old? Milestones have been around since Roman times, but their heyday really began in the 1700s. They were designed not only to inform travellers of directions and distances, but to help coaches keep to schedule. At the height of their era, there were 20,000 miles of roads with milestones across Britain. Check out The Milestone Society website (www.milestonesociety.co.uk) for more details on their history. A large number of these mileposts have been lost from road realignment, broadening and other improvements throughout the centuries, but many remain hidden in plain sight both along the side of country roads and also in our towns. Can you help us find out how many still stand within the Galloway Glens? We can create a map of where the milestones once sat, but we need your help to find out if they’re still there and what condition they’re in. Some photos would be great too! Up for the challenge? Why not make it the focus of some of your next walks or trips out, on your own or with family and friends? We can give you the map, assign each milestone with its own unique number and provide you with a simple recording form to help you take notes. Tips on photographing your milestone: 1. Feel free to take photographs from more than one direction to give views of the milestone from all angles. 2. Take some photographs that have the milestone filling the frame, but also include one or two that are taken from a few metres away – it’s great to have a view of the feature in its setting to show what it sits on, what it’s next to and its distance from the roadside. 3. Close ups of any interesting details are also helpful, particularly any inscriptions, decoration or even later graffiti or defacing – it’s all a part of its history! 4. Please avoid having people in your photographs – this would bring up concerns over consent and we’d like the images to be available as a public resource. 5. We’re not looking for professionallevel photography here, don’t worry. Whatever you can capture is great and if it’s just one shot taken with your phone then we’d still love to have it! Pro tip www.what3words.com have assigned each 3m square in the world a unique three-word address that will never change. You can download their free app and use it to record the unique threeword address for your milestone. What if I don’t have a camera? What if the milestone’s not there? If you don’t have access to a camera or camera phone, then no problem. You can still record the milestone’s location and give us a description. Then it’ll be on record for people to visit it later if they want to take a photograph. We want to know that too! Many milestones were removed or defaced in World War II to baffle potential German invaders – another interesting part of their history! Be sure to check a bit further around the area just in case its been moved or is hidden in vegetation. It’s also possible that the line of the road has changed and the milestone might now sit further back. Also check to see if there are any remaining traces, such as a base or even just a depression in the ground – take a quick snap if you do spot anything! What if I don’t have a printer? If you don’t have access to a printer then just download our recording form to a mobile device or take a note of the headings as a guide for what you need to write down. What if the milestone sits on private property? Please do not enter private property without the permission of the landowner. If a milestone sits in private land and you’re unable to get permission, then you can still record and photograph it from a public space. This might mean that it’ll be from a distance, but this will still have value and more importantly, will respect the privacy of any residents. What will happen with the information? We’ll use the information to create a database of the milestones within the Galloway Glens area. This and any photographs will then be forwarded to the Dumfries and Galloway Council Archaeology Service who will add each site as a record into the Historic Environmental Record. This will preserve the knowledge and make it publicly available, but it will also highlight the milestones as a consideration for any future developments proposed in their area. Any More Questions If you have any questions about this project, just email helen.keron@dumgal.gov.uk or get in touch with us through the ‘Can You Dig It’ Facebook or Twitter accounts (@GGLPArchaeology). You can also let us know how you get on – feel free to share with us through email or on social media what you’ve managed to find – we’re always interested, and love a good photograph! Simply tag us by including @GGLPArchaeology in your post or tweet. Checklist You will need to take with you: · A copy of the milestone map from us, and the location of your selected stones. · A copy of the recording form, or pen and paper with headings for notes. · A camera or phone with camera. · A tape measure or ruler for measuring dimensions. · Some way of logging its location – either a smart phone with What3Words downloaded, a GPS or a good old-fashioned map! · Clothes and shoes suitable for the task – see our safety tips below. Stay safe: Recording Forms: This project involves working near roadsides, and your safety is more important than anything else – these stones have been around a while and they’ll be around for a while yet! A few tips to consider: For each milestone you find, we’d like you to give us a short description. To make this easier, we’ve created a recording form as a guide on what to write. · Stick to daylight hours and avoid weather where visibility is poor, such as fog or mist. · Avoid bad weather such as snow or ice. Remember rain will also make a grass verge slippery. · Stay vigilant for passing vehicles and follow the highway code when walking along or crossing roads. · Don’t stand on the road while doing any recording – do all notes and photography at a safe distance from the roadside. If you can’t get close to the milestone safely, then record what you can from a distance and use the zoom function on your camera. · Be as visible as you can – wear bright clothes or reflective clothing if you have it. · Be careful of obstacles such as barriers, road signs and vegetation. Also watch out for sharp litter. · Watch your step – road verges can often be uneven, sometimes quite steep or with hidden hollows or ditches, so take your time. · Watch out for animals that might be lurking and be careful around hedgerows which could contain nesting birds. · Avoid bare ankles or legs in long grass – ticks are common, opportunistic and spread Lyme Disease. Tuck your trousers into your shoes! · Take a note of the unique number that we have assigned to your milestone – this will be labelled on our map. · Record its location. If it’s where the map shows it, then just confirm ‘Yes’. If not, then there are a number of ways you can record its location – either as GPS coordinates, a what3words reference (see our Pro Tip above) or simply note where it is in relation to its mapped position e.g. 5m to the north of the map location. · Record its dimensions. Just a measurement of how high, wide and deep it is. · Give a description. Milestones vary in how they were made; some were of stone, others of cast iron and some a mixture of the two. They also varied in shape. Add in any details that you find interesting or think are relevant. Archaeologists also love a good annotated sketch (don’t worry, ours are rarely that good!), so feel free to use the back of the recording form if you want more space. · Is there an inscription? If so, write what it says, or what you can make out. · What condition is the milestone in? Is it damaged or defaced in any way? Has it been badly weathered or is it covered in vegetation or moss? How to send us your images & information: Email your notes and/or images through to helen.keron@dumgal.gov.uk · If you have used the recording form, you can either scan or photograph it & attach it to the email along with any photographs. · If not, then just type up your notes directly into the email. Good luck!! @GGLPArchaeology  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Are We There Yet? Information Sheet Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_66 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2022 Description An account of the resource Are We There Yet? was delivered as part of Can You Dig It, the community archaeology project of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. GGLP heritage