History, Mystery & Myths

Amongst the best scenery anywhere

Countless generations have lived and worked in these hills and glens. Prehistoric standing stones, Iron Age tribes and Roman invaders have all left evidence of their settlements scattered across the region. 

Castles, strongholds and Tower houses albeit many ruinous or just grass covered mounds, were erected to defend against invading armies and warring families. 

Welcome to an area steeped in mystery and with tangible links to its rich history.

The Covenanters

The Covenanters were people in Scotland who signed the National Covenant in 1638 to endorse their opposition to the meddling by the Stuart kings in the matters of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. It was a terrible time of persecution, suffering and imprisonment as well as executions. Scattered across Dumfries & Galloway as well as widely across Scotland are memorials to those who lost their lives for their cause.

Sadly, Auchengruith didn't escape Government soldiers searching for those with Covenanting sympathies. In his book, The History of Sanquhar (1891) by James Brown, an event is described which tells of the tragic story of case of mistaken identity which resulted in the death of a young man. To find out more visit Chapter VI of this book.

When you're out and about you'll find many memorials, grave markers and places linked to this period of history. A visit to Sanquhar Tollbooth Museum will offer plenty of information for you to find out more about this episode of Scottish history as well as fascinating displays on the lives of those that lived in this area.

 

 

 

Castle Gilmour

Site of an ancient Baronial strong-hold

Castle Gilmour once overlooked Mennock and was named from the clan Gilmour, it stood near Auchengruith Farm however nothing now remains at the site and the sheep now graze the lush grass and upland wild herbs that grow in abundance.

We do know that this site is supposed to have been at one time, a Stronghold of some little importance but there is virtually nothing known of its history either when or by whom it was built.

There is a slight artificial mound and in times past it was well known in the District. Sometime ago
there was a farm house on the same site subsequently replaced by the Victorian property you see now.

Be Never Toom.........

Auchengruith, near Sanquhar, is probably the 'Auchencreath' described by Robert Hartley Cromek  in 1810 as the scene of a 'fairy borrowing'. Cromek, (1770–1812) was an English engraver, editor, art dealer and entrepreneur who was most active in the early nineteenth century. He writes:

'A woman of Auchencreath, in Nithsdale, was one day sifting meal warm from the mill: a little, cleanly-arrayed, beautiful woman came to her, holding out a bason of some antique workmanship, requesting her courteously to fill it with her meal. She breathed over it, setting it down bason and all, sayng aloud, 'be never toom (empty).' The gude-wife lived to a goodly age, without ever seeing the bottom of her blessed bason.'

This is said to be the equivalent of the magic purse, never without money in it, in European folk tales. Cromek says that the Scottish peasantry thought it 'Unco sonsie' (uncommonly luck, propitious) to be on friendly terms with the fairies and 'uncanny' to refuse their requests.......as described in this wonderful book:

The Lore of Scotland: A guide to Scottish legends

By Sophia Kingshill, The Estate of Jennifer Westwood

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