138 The Glenkens ix the Olden Times. 



wandering in disguise among- the hills of Kells and Miunigaff in 

 1306, waiting until his friends raised an army to free the country 

 from the troops of Edward I., he came one evening, wet and 

 weary, to the Mill of Polmaddy and asked hospitality for the night-, 

 which was readily granted. Next day English soldiers came search- 

 ing for Bruce. The miller's wife, who was a clever, capable 

 woman and a true patriot, at once suspecting that the stranger 

 would be Bruce, told the soldiers that no man of that name was 

 there, but that he (Bruce) would be gone on to Lochmaben. After 

 the soldiers left, the miller's wife asked the stranger if he was 

 Bruce. He said he was, but asked to be allowed to remain for a 

 few days longer until he got inteUigence of his brother. The 

 miller was 7iot told who the stranger was, but was instructed to 

 conceal him among the wheels of the mill if any more soldiers 

 came. After two days more soldiers came, when Bruce was hid 

 among the wheels, and again escaped. AVhen he was crowned 

 King of Scotland the miller's wife gathered together all her friends 

 and neighbours, and had a glorious pic-nic and holiday. They 

 ascended Castlemaddy hill, and on the top built a cairn to com- 

 memorate the success of King Robert. The cairn still stands, and 

 is named " The Carlin's Cairn." 



There is an excavation on the top of Altrye hill called " the 

 AVhig's hole." It is a large hole scooped out of the hill top, 

 capable of holding 100 men, and was much resorted to as a 

 hiding-place during the time of the persecution. The place was 

 so deep that anyone standing in it could not be seen from a dis- 

 tance, but yet had the advantage of seeing an enemy approaching 

 either by the old riding road from Sanquhar or from the valley of 

 the Ken on the other side. 



The very oldest public work in Galloway, and consequently 

 in the Glenkens, was the " Deil's Dyke " or " Pict's Wall," which 

 is described as a vast rampart running through Galloway and 

 Nithsdale. It is supposed to have been erected as the boundary 

 between two tribes. Probably it was built by the Scots after they 

 had gained possession of Galloway, to guard against the incursions 

 of the Picts, whom the Scots had driven to the northward. The 

 foundation of the wall was eight feet broad, and it Avas eight feet 

 high. It is now only seen at intervals among the hills where no 

 alterations have been made. Much of it has been carted away to 

 build dykes, and in several places where I have seen it there was 



