Published in the Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser on 2nd May 1913, this article examines the people of these ancient parishes through it's monumental inscriptions.

The Churchyards of the Stewartry.

XXVII. Kirkcudbright – Dunrod. By "J. M."

The ancient Parish of Dunrod had its churchyard situated fully three miles  from Kirkcudbright, a little to the east of southward, the journey by road being about four miles. The church was dedicated to St. Mary and St. Bruoc, and before the reformation belonged to the Abbey of Holyrood. The parish was united to Kirkcudbright between 1612 and 1619.

Within the churchyard some low walls still remain, chiefly of very loose stone. One outline measures 31 feet from east to west, by 18 feet 6 inches within the walls. Close to this on the eastward, and in line with the north wall of the church, is a smaller enclosure 18 feet 6 inches by 14 feet 6 inches. No signs of a communicating doorway are visible, but what worked stone there may have been in the building has chiefly disappeared. A number of burials have taken place within the walls, the name of McMichan being frequent in the inscriptions. A few large thrughs exist, and some small upright stones, but no very remote date is so far observed.

Longevity.

Far a small churchyard the names of the very far advanced in years seem frequent.

The oldest noted died afar, however, but was doubtless once a parishioner. His name reads – under Samuel McNaught and Hyslop – “Also their son John, who died at Glen Morris, Canada West, 10th November 1868, aged 95 years.” Other records are :- John McCartney, Drummore, in 1865, aged 93; Samuel Thomson, Park-gate, in 1874, aged 92; whilst Jean Knox, in 1935, and Mary McTaggart, in 1832, are each recorded 90.

The site of a village is also marked on the ordnance map, but the houses have disappeared.

Patronymics

Among 100 different names McClune, with various spellings, stands first with eight instances. Hyslop and Carson come next with 5; and McCartney and McMichan have four each. A list follows :-

Kirkcudbright – Galtway.

The churchyard of Galtway is situated about two miles to the south-east of Kirkcudbright.

The church belonged to the Priory of St. Mary’s Isle; and the vanished village of Galtway must have been an early settlement of man, and a place of importance in remote ages., the numerous rock sculptures, termed cup and ring marks, being evidence of industrious human exertion, albeit their reason or meaning as yet be an unsolved mystery.

The churchyard is situated in fine sylvan surroundings, and to the living in search of a nook for retirement and contemplation is a perfect paradise.

Longevity.

The greatest age observed is as follows :- “The above Cunningham Rae, died at Crofthead, 29th December 1903, aged 98 years.” There is also a memorial of Alexander Roxburgh, who died January 1807, aged 92 years.

Quaint Memorials

Within the walled enclosure is a thrugh of grit 6 feet 2½ inches long by 2 feet 6 inches wide, at top of which is a shield bearing a chevron with a ribbon  and motto – FOR . . . SIGH . . S . AL – some letters being indistinct and perhaps wanting in part. The inscription which follows is in large capitals :-

HIC . LACET . TO
MAS . LIDDER
DAILE . SANCT
INSULA . MARIE
DOMINUS. QUI
OBIIT . DECIMO
ANNO . 1687
AETATUS . 57

This is followed by a son, David, of Forrest, who died 21st April 1732, aged 57.

Outside the enclosure is another thrugh, 5 feet 10 inches by 2 feet 8 inches, with a circular shield bearing what seem three boars heads, the whole surrounded by a crest and some carving, but what inscription may have followed is now illegible.

Another stone states :- “Heir lys John Cunningham, late in Gateway, who died the 19th Jany., 1710, and of his age the 66th year.”

A memorial of quite recent date may commemorate some of the oldest dead. It is a plain slab near the northern wall and its record is as follows :- “This stone covers the remains of several persons believed to be inhabitants of the Ancient Priory of St. Mary’s Isle. They were found while digging the foundations of the new house and removed to this spot 15th March 1894. R.I.P.”

Amongst the quaint things in this fine retreat is the following rhymed epitaph :-
“Fairwell vain world, I’ve had enough of thee,
And now I’m careless what though say’st to me.
Thy smiles I court not, nor thy frowns I fear,
My cares are past, my head lies hidden here.
What faults in me You’ve seen take care to shun,
Look thou at home, there’s something to be done.”

Eminent Parishioners.

The chief family in the parish has been that of the Earls of Selkirk, and it seems fitting to take note of the family under the present heading, inasmuch as their residence was St. Mary’s Isle.

Their place of Internment, however, does not seem to have always been Galtway, for the following appears on a large thrugh in Kirkcudbright churchyard :- “Shalto Basil, Lord Daer, Eldest son of Dunbar, Earl of Selkirk – Born 3rd September 1759. Died 5th June, 1760.”

Another brother, born after this child’s death, became the Lord Daer known to Burns, and to whom the poet inscribed a poetic address.

Lord Daer had radical views, and was a friend of Lavoisier, the great chemist, who fell by the guillotine. He also belonged to “The Friends of the People,” and was one of the early promoters of agriculture.

At his death in 1794 his brother became Lord Daer, and before the century closed became Earl of Selkirk on the death of his father. This was “The Great Earl,” whose portrait by Raeburn may be seen at St. Mary’s Isle.

Lord Selkirk published several works, such as “The State of the Highlands of Scotland with reference to Emigration,” National Defence,” etc., and some of his speeches in the House of Lords were printed and sold. The great schemes by which he obtained a world-wide celebrity and place in history as a benefactor of humanity were the settlement in Prince Edward’s Island and that of the Red River in 1812. This latter, and the many interests of a large district, are now incorporated in the state of Manitoba. The great Earl died in 1820 and was succeeded by his only son.

The series of graves on rising ground at one end of the churchyard is remarkable for its modest aray of small tombstones. Made of solid granite, neat in finish, and devoid of all elaboration, they seem enduring memorials of what ought to endure.

One may be quoted in full, without comment :- “Dunbar James, 6th Earl of Selkirk, born April 22, 1809, died April 11, 1885. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Titus II., 13.”

Patronymics

With only a small number of names no long run of any one name can be expected, but Douglas and McMinn seem most frequent. A list is here given :-

 Note:

• The book by the Earl of Selkirk entitled Observations on the present state of the Highlands of Scotland etc, menioned above has been digitised by Google and can be read by clicking here.