EXCURSION V. Ill 



1482, the forfeited lands of Regent Boyd and his son, the 

 Princess' first husband, were made over to her in liferent; 

 and in 1503, her son, now grown to man's estate, and having 

 already rendered important services to the Crown, received 

 (August 11) a charter *of the lands in Arran, and the title 

 of Earl of Arran; and by charter, dated the next day, a 

 gift " of all the castles and fortalices, mills and fishings, with 

 patronage of all churches, and a commission of justiciary."* 

 The honours and properties of the family steadily increased 

 from this time, fortune never for a long time forsaking 

 them. They never lost hold of Arran, the whole island 

 belonging to them, except the estate of the Fullarton family. 

 For about fifty years, Lord Rossinore held all the north-west 

 portion of the island, from lorsa water-foot to Loch Ranza, 

 except Whitefarland, part of the Fullarton property, having 

 received it, being unentailed, as a marriage dowry with 

 Anne Douglas, a daughter of Douglas, eighth duke. But 

 Lady Rossinore dying without issue, in 1844, the Hamilton 

 family soon after acquired the property. Anne, eldest 

 daughter of James, first duke, duchess in her own right 

 as heir of her uncle William, second duke, who fell at the 

 battle of Worcester, fighting on the royal side, did much 

 to improve Arran; and her benefactions are still remembered 

 by the islanders. She died in 1716, at the age of 80. 

 But perhaps no member of this family has done so much 

 towards the physical and moral improvement of the people 

 as the late duke, William Alexander Anthony Archibald. 

 He greatly improved the means of communication between 

 the different parts of the island, encouraged and aided 

 the farmers in draining not only the arable land, but also 

 the hill pastures ; built new hotels, built and endowed 

 schools, and endowed a new church. The improvement 

 of the castle and park are also due to his taste, and he 

 built the fine lodge on Dippen cliffs. His Grace's munifi- 



* Reid's History of the County of Bute, p. 176 et seq. 



