Kenmure Castle (24) 16th century vaulting
The passing of the last Viscount Kenmure ended 550 years of Gordon occupation – a remarkable period of time for one family to remain in possession of a property. Mrs Bellamy-Gordon presumably had a life of her own and had no wish to take over the crumbling family pile, which was sold to the McEwan family, by the sound of it, with most of the contents.
A 19th century account describes the interior of the old house as “interesting, with its winding staircases, mysterious passages, and heirloom collection of Jacobite relics and portraits”. The portraits included “the sixth Viscount Kenmure (painted by Kneller), awaiting execution in the Tower of London, Queen Mary, James VI (by Zuccaro), 'Young Lochinvar' (by Lely), etc.”
While the house itself was to undergo one more restoration, the ancient contents of Kenmure Castle, presumably including these portraits, were sold on the American market, in 1900.
The Ewart Library in Katherine Street, Dumfries, holds some documents from the years 1507 to 1858, the only remaining local evidence, apart from these stones, of the vanished Gordon lairds of Lochinvar.
Kenmure Castle (24) 16th century vaulting
The passing of the last Viscount Kenmure ended 550 years of Gordon occupation – a remarkable period of time for one family to remain in possession of a property. Mrs Bellamy-Gordon presumably had a life of her own and had no wish to take over the crumbling family pile, which was sold to the McEwan family, by the sound of it, with most of the contents.
A 19th century account describes the interior of the old house as “interesting, with its winding staircases, mysterious passages, and heirloom collection of Jacobite relics and portraits”. The portraits included “the sixth Viscount Kenmure (painted by Kneller), awaiting execution in the Tower of London, Queen Mary, James VI (by Zuccaro), 'Young Lochinvar' (by Lely), etc.”
While the house itself was to undergo one more restoration, the ancient contents of Kenmure Castle, presumably including these portraits, were sold on the American market, in 1900.
The Ewart Library in Katherine Street, Dumfries, holds some documents from the years 1507 to 1858, the only remaining local evidence, apart from these stones, of the vanished Gordon lairds of Lochinvar.