Scotland 2022 – Day 1

Drumlanrig Castle
A very splendid building and stronghold for the descendants of three family names Scott Douglas and Montagu – thus establishing the current family’s family name as Montagu Douglas Scott. Our interest was with the Douglas family. We were hoping to find out about William Douglas, Baron of Drumlanrig (1378 – 1421), his son (also William) 2nd Baron of Drumlanrig and the latter’s daughter Margaretha Angelica Douglas – all my direct ancestors – 19th, 18th and 17th Great Grandparents respectively. Interesting tour of the house, but it turned out that the castle was built about 1680, at least 200 years later than these people lived.

Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire

However, we were told of a nearby ruin which turned out to be the castle where they lived. It was called Morton Castle and is very close to the small village of Durisdeer. We’ve visited this village before, as it the title of a Scottish song which my friend Mairi from my RNCM days used to sing.

Morton Castle

Buried in the graveyard there are Ludovic Kennedy (TV broadcaster) and his wife, the Ballerina, Moira Shearer (of the famous film ‘The Red shoes’)

Our first Scottish meal of the holidays. Haggis, neeps and tatties in a little restaurant we’re becoming very familiar with – ‘The Wee Puffin’ in Grantown.