1st MARQUIS OF MONTROSE SOCIETY October 2013 NEWSLETTER I ST M ARQUIS OF M ONTROSE S OCIETY Registered Charity no. SC 041559 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: AUTUMN TRIP—KILSYTH Autumn trip 1 + 2 A weekend of exceptionally fine Waugh to join the group and to guide Kilsyth Battlefield 2 us round the battlefield. Jim, now an weather blessed the society autumn experienced archaeologist, had based field trip this year, which commenced Bothwell Castle his University PhD on Kilsyth battlefield when members gathered at Stirling and he was now a recognised authority Castle on the afternoon of Friday 27th on the subject. During the period of September. Some 20 or so members Visit to Mugdock 3 Jim’s study he had walked literally from as far as Southampton, London every inch of the battlefield uncovering Country Park and and Bradford, as well as those of us Castle canon shot, musket balls and other from much nearer, enjoyed a guided buried artefacts as he went. The Venture Faire 4 tour of Stirling Castle before heading gathering of this vast array of evidence Entries— off to our base for the weekend, the allowed him to form his own views on Extraordinary Castlecary Hotel, near Kilsyth. the dispositions of the forces engaged General Meeting A pleasant social evening at the hotel in the battle and of the circumstances was followed with an early start the which unfolded. Much of the next morning as the group made its discussion took place at Auchinvalley Events way the few miles to Colzium House, farm and the current owner of the for the tour of Kilsyth battlefield. farm, who met us on our arrival, told a Chairman Malcolm McVittie had fascinated group of how the family who invited an ex-colleague of his, ex- occupied the farm at the time of the soldier now battlefield tour guide Jim battle were apparently murdered by the Dates Cont. Contacts Communication Some of the group at the main gate of Stirling Castle Ist Marquis of Montrose Society Page 2 M EMBERS OF THE SOCIETY BEING LED IN DISCUSSION BY BATTLEFIELD GUIDE J IM W AUGH ( CENTRE OF PICTURE , FACING GROUP ). C ONTINUED FROM PAGE 1. Royalists prior to the battle. Quite why this happened who can say, but this area was staunchly Covenanter and perhaps the farmer said something out of turn to the occupying highlanders. The discussion was lively and searching and it is fair to say that a few new ideas on the battle were aired. Following a buffet lunch back at the hotel the group then left on the second excursion of the day; to the mighty fortress of Bothwell Castle. Bothwell Castle lies close to the town of Hamilton. The castle is one of the outstanding monuments of medieval Scotland and it owes it’s origins to Walter of Moray, a northern aristocratic family who acquired Bothwell in 1242. He (or his son William, known as Rich) created the mighty castle in a spectacular display of feudal pride. Their dream was never created however, probably because of the outbreak of the Wars of Independence in 1296. Not surprisingly, the Morays’ great castle figured prominently in the Wars of Independence with England. Siege followed on siege. The most momentous was Edward I’s great siege of 1301. After the wars, Bothwell Castle passed to another powerful noble family, the Black Douglases. They rebuilt it in a form not envisaged by their predecessors. This too is impressive, with an array of fine-quality later- medieval secular architec- ture. After the Black Douglases were over- thrown in 1455, the castle reverted to the Crown, and its later history was relatively uneventful. The guide at Bothwell took time with our group to explain the castle’s colourful history and this was appreciated by all. Bothwell Castle Ist Marquis of Montrose Society Page 3 A UTUMN TRIP — THE FINAL DAY —M UGDOCK C ASTLE bought Buchanan Old House near Drymen, a dwelling An excellent Society Dinner at the Castlecary Hotel on more fitting the title of "Marquess", and the Dukes of the Saturday evening was enjoyed by all and the Graham then more closely associated themselves with following morning saw the group make its way to that seat. Mugdock Country Park, at Milngavie, where a special Colin took us on a tour of the grounds and outhouses viewing of Mugdock Castle had been arranged. which surround the castle before leading us towards When we arrived at the park we were met by volunteer the tower, which had been opened specially for us. guide Colin Castle who was to stay with us and guide The tower was ruinous until 1994 when, benefiting us through the park and round the castle. from a grant, it was re-roofed and re-floored. The tower The lands of Mugdock were a property of the Grahams consists of 5 storeys, the top parapet standing 59ft from the mid-13th century, when David de Graham of from the ground. Dundaff acquired them from the Earl of Lennox. It is The group was conveyed up through the tower and possible that his descendant, Sir David de Graham (d. finally onto the tower parapet, from where we enjoyed 1396) built the castle. It was certainly standing by magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. August 1372, when a contemporary document was Back at the visitor centre an excellent lunch was signed there. In 1458, the lands were erected into the enjoyed by all before the group divided, all to go their Barony of Mugdock. Later, in 1505, the Grahams were separate ways. created Earls of Montrose. The weekend had certainly been blessed with good The 1st Marquis of Montrose was closely associated weather, good company and a packed and interesting with Mugdock Castle, being one of the principal seats itinerary which took us to many new places not before of the Grahams, and he would no doubt have stayed visited on our previous society trips. Thanks go to here from time to time. Daphne Thurlow and Malcolm McVittie for organising When Montrose turned Royalist in 1644 Mugdock the weekend. suffered and it was attacked twice during that year. Our final excursion, to Mugdock Country Park and Following the defeat of Charles I, Montrose was Castle, made a lasting impression on us all and the executed in 1650, and the lands were forfeited to the kindness and professionalism of the staff was greatly Marquis of Argyll. In 1661 Argyll too was executed, and appreciated. Following our visit here the society has Mugdock was returned to the Grahams, who restored made a donation of £200 to the ‘Castle’ fund. A small the castle over a two-year period, building a mansion sum but never the less greatly appreciated by the within the old castle walls. In 1682 the Grahams Mugdock Park managers. G UIDE C OLIN C ASTLE MEETS THE GROUP AS WE ARRIVE AT M UGDOCK C ASTLE . Ist Marquis of Montrose Society Page 4 1st MARQUIS OF MONTROSE SOCIETY Entries required for Venture Faire Society Chairman: Entries are now sought for this winter’s issue of Venture Faire. Items Malcolm McVittie (preferably of a historical nature) should ideally be in electronic ‘Word’ format 16Society Market Chairman: Place Lauder Malcolm McVittie and consist of anything up to 4 or 5 pages of typed script, including 16TD2 Market 6SR Place photographs. Small interesting snippets, or poems etc., are also welcome. This Lauder Phone:TD2 6SR 01578 718776 is YOUR chance to contribute to YOUR magazine, so don’t miss it! Any entries Phone: 01578 718776 to the secretary please by 15 November latest. E-Mail: E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] E XTRAORDINARY G ENERAL M EETING Prior to the Society dinner on Saturday 28 September an Extraordinary general Meeting Society Secretary: was called to approve the Report of the Trustees and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2013. At that date the society fund stood in credit to the sum of Brian Robertson 14 Silverknowes Bank £5,670. The report was proposed by Tom Woolley and seconded by Fergus Wood. EDINBURGH Further business at the meeting approved a payment of £100 to Jim Waugh for his EH4 5PB services at Kilsyth Battlefield. A proposal to re-appoint Murray Taylor as auditors was proposed by James Hair and seconded by Sandy Macpherson. Phone: 0131 336 4039 E-Mail: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENTS UPDATE Following a report in the June newsletter that council was considering a proposal to make it mandatory to pay subscriptions by direct debit the treasurer has reported that this is not now likely to be imposed. The bank has advised that direct debit systems for Website: groups numbering less that 100 are not feasible and for this reason the proposal is www.montrose- likely to be dropped. society.org.uk Treasurer: Mrs Jo Woolley Mountboy By MONTROSE Angus DD10 9YR Phone: 01674 820234 E-Mail: [email protected] Membership Secretary: James Hair 23 Rose Street Thurso Caithness KW14 7HN Phone: 01847 802503 E-Mail: [email protected] Stunning views of the countryside from the top of the Mugdock Castle tower. .