Old Photographs Gelston Scotland

Old photograph of cottages in Gelston village in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The town stands on the Ayrshire Road from New Cumnock to Glasgow by the Mearns Moor. John Goldie, miscellaneous writer, was born in the parish of Galston in 1717 ; he moved to Kilmarnock, where he carried on the business of cabinetmaker, subsequently of wine merchant. He is author of a volume entitled Essays on Various Subjects, humorously known as Goldie’s Bible, and is held in grateful memory as a friend of Robert Burns. He died in 1809. The 17th century Presbyterians were against burials taking place within churches. In 1609 John Schaw of Sornbeg decided to bury his recently-deceased wife within Galston Church. He entered the kirk with a party of armed men and proceeded to break up flagstones and dig a grave where he interred his wife's body. He was fined £20 for this action and promised never to attempt this act again. Handball was popular in these parts during the 19th century and Galston was the site of the most important competition, held on the Saturday of the Glasgow Fair. Cessnock castle by Galston, dates from around the 15th Century. The Duke of Portland had it restored by 1900 and is now a private house. After her defeat at the battle of Langside, Mary Queen of Scots is reputed to have taken refuge there. Other visitors of note include the reformist preacher John Knox and the poet Robert Burns. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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