Kenmure Castle. 177 



such a position by building several castles to guard the passes." 

 This castle not only guards the entrance to the Glenkens on both 

 sides of Loch Ken, but also commands a wide and picturesque 

 view of the surrounding country. Again, the site and walls are a 

 further proof of its Norman origin. It is situated on a mound, 

 partly natural, and partly artificial. It was at one time sur- 

 rounded by water, and had its moat and drawbridge. The foun- 

 dation walls show that they were not only thick and vaulted, but 

 of Norman construction. In the plate shown in Grose's "Anti- 

 quities," and the "Edinburgh Magazine" for 1792, a roofless 

 tower called "Baliol's," or sometimes "Queen Mary's" tower, 

 existed at that period. It was situated on the east, and a high 

 embattled wall, containing a Norman doorway, which was sur- 

 mounted by a coat of ai^ms and adorned with the antlers of a stag, 

 covered in the northern aspect of the building. These were all 

 removed about the beginning of the last century. From a care- 

 ful and intelligent study of history, there seems little doubt that 

 it passed from Roland to his son Alan, and from Alan to his 

 daughter Christian. From Christian it passed to Dervorguil, 

 liecause we learn that she inherited all Christian's lands, and 

 from Dervorguil it passed to John Baliol, because he inherited all 

 his mother's lands. It is proved that it belonged to John Baliol 

 in 1334, because, when he made the ignominious surrender, as 

 King of Scotland, of all the southern counties of Scotland, in- 

 cluding Galloway, he inadvertently signed away his own lands and 

 castles. When the mistake was discovered, the King, with the 

 assent of the Scottish Parliament, issued a declaration that the 

 lands of Botel, Kirk Andrewes, and Kenmure, were Baliol's 

 private property, and therefore not included in the resignation. 



The Gordons in Galloway. 



The principal question, however, with which we have to 

 deal is, when did the Gordons come into possession of their lands 

 in Galloway^ and where did they come from ? On this point I 

 differ materially from M'Kerlie, and other accepted autliorities. 

 During the course of my researches into Galloway history I have 

 often found myself at variance with M'Kerlie, but notwithstanding 

 those differences I have the most profound respect and admira- 

 tion for the great labour of love which he expended in trying to 

 unravel the personal history of Galloway in his " Lands and their 



