Transactionti' 35 



"Welsh Carlyle, belong to the more recent times of the family 

 history. 



A very considerable portion of the parish consisted originally 

 of church lands, possessed by the monastery of Sacrinemoris or 

 Holywood, and the monastery of Melrose, as represented by the 

 establishment at Friars' Carse. As far back as the year 1257 a 

 dispute arose between the rival Abbots concerning their 

 respective rights to the chui-ch of Dunscore. The controversy 

 was referred to the Bishop of Glasgow, who decided in favour of 

 Holywood, while the Abbots of Melrose were confirmed in the 

 right to the tithes of their own Monklands in Stranith, 



In those days the church of Dunscore was situated at the 

 eastern end of the parish, where the old churchyard is, and there 

 was a chapel in Glenessliu to meet the wants of the people of 

 the outlying hill country to the west. This arrangement seems 

 to have been continued after the Reformation — perhaps until 

 1649, when the newer church of Dunscore was built at the village 

 of Cottack, near the middle of the parish, now better known .as 

 Dunscore Village. No trace of the old church remains, and the 

 old manse, whose site was near the present gate-lodge of Isle, 

 has also entirely disappeared. 



The existing manse was erected in 1814. In its eastern gable 

 is preserved a stone from its predecessor on the same site, bearing 

 the inscription — " In usum Pastorum Dunscoriensium aidificari 

 Curavit Jo : Dickie Past : 1740." 



The church of 1649 was replaced in 1823 by the present more 

 commodious structure. The massive square tower is a con- 

 spicuous feature of the landscape, and may be seen from a great 

 distance, so that, like the Kirk of Shotts, it is often alluded to as 

 " the visible church." It attracted from afar the eye of Cai-lyle 

 on the memorable day of Emerson's visit, when the two 

 philosophers climbed together the heathery steeps of Craigen- 

 puttock Hill, talking of the immortality of the soul, and Carlyle 

 made the remark, " Christ died on the Tree : that built Dunscore 

 Kirk yonder : that brought you and me together. Time has 

 only a relative existence." The church itself looks down on two 

 picturesque valleys — Glenesslin due west, and Glencairn to the 

 north, the latter showing the circle of dark yews that mark the 

 site of Glenriddel Castle, and the lovely green braes of Maxwel- 

 ton, the home of Annie Laurie. Built into a corner of the 

 tower is a stone hollowed out to form a cup or bowl, which is 



