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.



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Old Travel Blog Photograph Castle Varrich Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of Castle Varrich on a local high point of rock, overlooking both the Kyle of Tongue and the village of Tongue, Sutherland, Scotland. Castle Varrich was the ancient seat of the chief of the Clan Mackay. George Washington Campbell was born on February 9, 1769 in Tongue, was an American statesman who served as a U.S. Representative, Senator, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, U.S. Ambassador to Russia and the 5th United States Secretary of the Treasury from February to October 1814. He died in 1848 and is buried at Nashville City Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. Varrich Castle has views of mountains Ben Loyal and Ben Hope. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day.



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Old Travel Blog Photograph Lennoxlove House Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of Lennoxlove House set in woodlands half a mile south of Haddington in East Lothian, Scotland. The house comprises a 15th century tower, originally known as Lethington Castle, and has been extended several times, principally in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries. It is now the seat of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon. The lands of Lethington were acquired by Robert Maitland of Thirlestane in 1345. The Maitland family constructed the earliest part of the building, the L-plan tower house at the south west of the building. Mary of Guise stayed at Lethington in 1548 when she came to see Haddington with Piero Strozzi. The following year it was burned by the English troops who were then occupying Haddington. Prominent members of the Maitland family included the poet Richard Maitland, born 1496, died 1586, his son William Maitland of Lethington, born 1525, died 1573, Secretary of State to Mary, Queen of Scots, and his son James Maitland of Lethington. It was then acquired by his uncle, John Maitland, 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane, born 1537, died 1595. Lethington remained in the Maitland family until after the death of John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale in 1682.



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Old Travel Blog Photograph Mount Oliphant Farm Ayrshire Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of Mount Oliphant farm 4 miles South South East of Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland. William Burns, the poet's father, rented the farm of Mount Oliphant in 1766 and it w,,as here that Robert Burns and his brother, Gilbert, spent much of their childhood. His father, a poor farmer, invested in education for his sons by pooling his meagre finances with other neighbouring farmers and together they hired a schoolteacher for the children of the local farming community. Under this teacher, John Murdoch, Burns would be inspired to start writing poetry. It was the nature of the heavy physical work on the farm at Mount Oliphant however which created the conditions which led to Burns developing the rheumatic fever which would ultimately end his life at such an early age.



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Old Travel Blog Photograph School Children Laurencekirk Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of School Children in Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Thomas Ruddiman He was born in October 1674 at Raggal, three miles from Banff in Banffshire, where his father was a farmer, and educated at the University of Aberdeen. Initially from 1695 he was schoolmaster in Laurencekirk, then in 1700, through the influence of Dr Archibald Pitcairne, he became an assistant in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. He founded in 1715 a successful printing business, and in 1728 was appointed printer to the University of Edinburgh. He acquired the Caledonian Mercury in 1729, and in 1730 was appointed keeper of the Advocates' Library, resigning in 1752. He died on 19 January 1757 and is buried at Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh. The monument was erected in 1801 by his relative, Dr William Ruddiman. It stands in the north west section of the graveyard.



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