142 The Glenkens in the Olden Times. 



Forest of Buchan. Several farms in Kells, however, bear traces of 

 this forest. An extensive sheep farm still bears the name of Forest, 

 and another The Bush. The remains of old woods are still to be 

 seen at Forest, and on the level mossy pastures numerous trees 

 are found lying- about two feet below the surface, many of them 

 quite fresh. Polmaddy Mill, which adjoins these farms, was 

 erected to grind grain to feed the Royal hounds, and Castlemaddy 

 was the place where the hounds were kept. Pol-maddy signifies 

 the burn of the dogs, and Castlemaddy^ the strong place of the 

 dogs. This forest was preserved for the exclusive hunting of the 

 Kings of Scotland, and for many years the Earls of Cassilis Avere 

 rangers, and had charge of it ; but in 1628 the then Earl resigned 

 his charge in favour of Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar. Several 

 hunting lodges were kept up in the forest — Hunfc-ha', Garvary, 

 Dukieston, and Castlemaddy were favourite places. 



James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, Queen Mary's third hus- 

 band, sometimes hunted here. The Queen bestowed an estate on 

 him on the east side of the Ken opposite the forest, and there he 

 built the Castle of Earlston, so called because it was the residence 

 of the Earl. He built it for his hunting lodge, near to a ford 

 where he could cross the Ken. When Queen Mary was deposed 

 Bothwell fled to Orkney and Shetland, and his lands in Galloway 

 were forfeited. In 1-586 the estate of Earlston was granted to 

 his nephew, Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell. Upon his for- 

 feiture, in 1593, the estate was granted to Andrew, Lord Ochiltree. 

 The Gordons of Lochinvar acquired the estate of Earlston by 

 charter in 1620, and al)out 1G3U it was bestowed on the second 

 son of the then Viscount Kenmure, who was thus sole proprietor. 

 An addition of the east wing was made by William Gordon and 

 his wife, Maiy Hope, in 1655, and a stone built into the wall 

 shews the date and initials "W.G., M.H., 1655." The castle 

 itself is still pretty entire, but the offices round the courtyard are 

 in ruins. 



The site of the castle of Banck or Lagwine, mentioned in old 

 records, is about a quarter of a mile north of Carsphairn Village. 

 It is said to have been destroyed by fire. It was the i-esidence of 

 the family of M' Adams of AVaterhead. John Lowden Macadam, 

 the road improver, was of this family. 



The very scanty remains of the Castle of Kars or Dundeuch 

 are still to be seen on a level holm by the side of the river Deuch 



