152 

 EXCURSION XI. 



TO WIXDMILL HILL AND PLOVERFIELD. 



71. The "Windmill Hill is conspicuous from all parts of 

 the Brodick coast, as the high narrow crest of a long ridge 

 which divides Glen Shirag from Glen Cloy. It may be 

 readily ascended from any side. If we pass along its north 

 front from the String road, we shall see the pits from which 

 shell limestone, like that at Brodick church, was formerly 

 quarried ; but the ascent along the south-eastern front will 

 best expose to our view the structure of the hill. "We pass 

 up the lovely banks of the Cloy burn, fragrant all the way 

 with blossoms of the choicest wild-flowers, till we reach the 

 bridge leading to the old mansion of Kilmichael. This is 

 the seat of the Fullarton family, proprietors of the estate of 

 Kilmichael, adjoining, and of that of Whitefarland, on the 

 north-west coast, the only portions of the island not pos- 

 sessed by the house of Hamilton. It is not exactly known 

 in what way the family first came to possess lands in Arrau ; 

 but there seems little doubt that they acted as stewards in 

 the island in the time of Bruce, and that the lands of Kil- 

 michael were granted them in his time; for, in the charter 

 granted by King Robert III., in 1391, and which is still 

 extant, bestowing the lands of Ergwhonnyne or Strath- 

 whillan, Fergus Fullarton is styled " of Kilmichael." The 

 property of Whitefarland was acquired by marriage. The 

 name appears to have been at one time MacLewis or Mac- 

 Lewy, now only preserved in the name of the glen in which 

 Kilmichael house is situated. The office of coroner of Arran 

 was hereditary in the family, which is one of the oldest in 

 the county, and seems to be of the same origin as the 

 Fullartons of that Ilk in Ayrshire.* 



* The history of the family, so far as known, is given by Mr. Reid in 

 bis History of Bute. 



