Tour Scotland 4K Spring travel video of a road trip drive, with Scottish bagpipes music, on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit to the historic cemetery by Loch Leven at Kirkgate by Kinross, Perthshire, Britain, United Kingdom. A small graveyard on a promontory which extends into Loch Leven a half mile East South East of the centre of Kinross. The Kirkgate Graveyard lies next to Kinross House. The builder of that property, King's Surveyor and Architect and Merchant, Sir William Bruce, born 1630, died 1710, lies here with his family in a small mausoleum. Sir William Bruce was born at Blairhall in West Fife. Bruce came to note when he acted as negotiator between General Monk, born 1608, died 1670, and the exiled King Charles II, born 1630, died 1685, to bring about the Restoration of the Stuart dynasty. This role endeared him to the King resulting in several appointments and sufficient wealth to enable him to purchase Balcaskie Estate in Fife in 1665. Bruce became King's Surveyor and Master of Works in 1671 and one of the richest men in the country. He was a pioneer of the Palladian style and rebuilt and extended the Palace of Holyroodhouse. He was commissioned by land owners to design and build some of Scotland's greatest country houses, including Hopetoun and Thirlestane. An ambitious man, wishing to better his social position, he sold Balcaskie in 1684 and bought the estate of Kinross from the Earl of Morton, including the ancient Loch Leven Castle with its associations with Mary, Queen of Scots, born 1542, died 1587. He built Kinross House as his new home with the old castle forming part of a designed landscape. He had hoped to rise to the peerage but instead, with the death of his King and patron in 1685, he lost favour and money. He tried in vain to ingratiate himself with King James VII, but worse, following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Bruce was seen as a supporter of the previous regime, arrested and brought to Edinburgh Castle. Although never convicted, he was a broken man and his project at Kinross House was never completed. He is buried in a small mausoleum in the adjacent kirkgate kirkyard. Kinross is located around 13 miles South of Perth and around 20 miles North West of Edinburgh. It is the traditional county town of the historic county of Kinross-shire. Andrew Barlass was born on September 30, 1822, in Kinross. He emigrated to the United States and settled in the town of Harmony, Rock County, Wisconsin. His post office address was the community of Emerald Grove. Barlass was a farmer and raised livestock. He served on the Harmony Town Board and was chairman of the town board. He also served on the school board and also served on the Rock County Board of Supervisors. Barlass also served as town assessor and justice of the peace. In 1874, 1875, and 1876, Barlass served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and was a Republican. Barlass was involved with the Free Soil Party before he joined the Republican Party. Barlass was involved with the Harmony town insurance company. Barlass died on July 26, 1895 of injuries after being kicked by a horse on his farm in the town of Harmony. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. When driving on Scottish roads in Scotland slow down and enjoy the trip
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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