Old Travel Blog Photograph Dunkitterick New Galloway Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of a ruined cottage at Dunkitterick in the Galloway Forest, close to the Queen's Way and overlooking the Palnure Burn, nine miles South West of New Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Alexander Murray was born on 22 October 1775, at Dunkitterick where his father, Robert Murray, was a shepherd and farm labourer. Up until 1792, he had had little more than a year at school, but was self-taught in languages, and had worked as a tutor as well as a shepherd. He translated Arnold Drackenburg's German lectures on Roman authors, and when he visited Dumfries with his version in 1794, after unsuccessfully offering it to two separate publishers, he met Robert Burns, who gave him advice. The father of Robert Heron lent Murray books, and James M'Harg, a literary pedlar from Edinburgh, proposed that Murray should visit the university authorities. His parish minister, J. G. Maitland of Minnigaff, gave him an introductory letter to Principal George Husband Baird, which led to an examination. Admitted to Edinburgh University as a deserving student, Murray won his way in class and by private teaching. Completing the course, he became a licentiate of the church of Scotland. In 1806, Murray was appointed assistant to James Muirhead, parish minister of Urr, Kirkcudbrightshire, whom he succeeded on his death in 1808. In July 1812, after a sharp contest involving some bitterness of feeling, Murray was appointed professor of oriental languages in Edinburgh University, with support from Salt and Constable. He received from the university on 17 July the degree of doctor of divinity. Murray entered on his work at the end of October 1812, publishing Outlines of Oriental Philology, for the use of his students. He lectured through the winter, against his strength, attracting both students and literary men to his room. His health completely gave way in the spring, and he died of consumption in Edinburgh, 15 April 1813.



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

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.