32 Transactions. 



in width, and if it formed a complete circle the space enclosed 

 would be about 20 yards in diameter. The only information I have 

 been able to g-ather as to its former use is given for what it may 

 be worth. This is " that it was used as a place of strength during 

 the invasions of the border thieves and robbers, which at one time 

 greatly infested this locality." In " Caledonia " Chalmers states 

 that at " Burren Hill," in Kirkbean Parish, there are the remains 

 of fortifications, and that the name "Eurrin" may be derived from 

 the British "Bur, signifying an enclosure or entrenchment or work 

 thrown up for defence." If Chalmers is correct it is probable 

 that M'Culloch's Castle may be of considerable antiquity. 



Of the ancient Cavers or Cavens Castle still fewer traces 

 remain, but a little more information regarding it has been gleaned. 

 At one time, like Wreaths Tower, it belonged to Eegent Morton, 

 and is said to have been occupied by him. While King James 

 was under the care of the Earl of Morton he spent his holidays at 

 Cavers Castle, and it was while here that the incident of the 

 flounders is said to have occurred. In the " History of Gallo- 

 way " it is thus related : " At that time the chief of the clan 

 Aitken held the Castle of Preston. This family were true Scots, 

 poor but proud. One day James visited at the castle, and they 

 were very scarce of provision. The only thing they had to pre- 

 sent was a dish of flounders, but they managed to produce two 

 courses by giving first the brown side and then the white side of 

 the flounders, upon which James remarked, ' Odds fish, man ! 

 They's fine fish, but I think the white anes are the best.' " In 

 passing, I may remark that I can find no mention of any Castle of 

 Preston unless in this anecdote and in M'Kerlie's work. It may 

 have been Wreaths, which is quite near Preston. Like Wreaths, 

 Cavers Castle passed to Lord Maxwell after the execution of 

 Eegent Morton ; and John Maxwell, who was Bishop of Ross at 

 the time of the coronation of King Charles, in 1633, was a son of 

 the laird of Cavens. There appears to be some doubt as to 

 whether the proper name of this castle should be Cavers or Cavens. 

 In the " History of Galloway " it appears as Cavers and Caveris, 

 and in the reference to the Bishop of Ross it is given as Cavens. 

 The present mansion-house of Cavens is about a mile and a half 

 from the site of the ancient castle, and very near the old house, 

 which was, I understand, comparatively small. In replying to an 

 inquiry for information regarding the old castle, Mr Oswald, the 



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