OS1/20/151/45
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST MARY'S ISLE | St Mary's Isle St Mary's Isle St Mary's Isle St Mary's Isle . Saint Mary Isle |
Earl of Selkirk William Muir Esqr. Map of County Val. [Valuation] Roll (1819) Valuation Roll (Anct) [Ancient] |
050 | [Situation] between Kirkcudbt [Kirkcudbright] Bay & Manxman's Lakes about 1/2 Mile of the town of Kirkcudbright. A Peninsula 1 1/2 mile in length & about 3 furlongs in mean breadth formed by the main channel of the mouth of the "River Dee" on the West and a creek or small bay advancing inland from the broader part of the above Estuary on the East. The Sea in former times had made this place literally an island, & also covered at every tide at least one half of its present cultivated surface. Its West side is high ground, defended by a border of rocks and the East side is bounded by large Shell banks from end to end. The whole peninsula is ornamented with wood and very beautiful pleasure grounds of the Earl of Selkirk, and is presided over by his Lordships principle residence in its centre. The grounds are elegantly laid out in winding sylvan walks, and gardens & Lawns of uncommon elegance and forms a gorgeous environ at only 3/4 of a mile distant from the Burgh of Kirkcudbright. A priory founded in the reign of David I by Fergus Lord of Galloway, occupied the Isle till the reformation, and having been dedicated to the Virgin Mary (hence the name St Mary's Isle). The prior was a Lord of parliament. The priory was surrounded with high walls which inclosed an an extensive area. The outer gate was distant at least 1/2 a mile from the priory & stood at a place, called still the "Great Cross". The inner gate lead immediately to a group of cells, the habitations of the monks, and was called the Little Cross. All the buildings were swept away about 160 years ago to give full scope for beautifying the grounds as a Noble demesne. While the Earl of Selkirk was extending his garden at the close of the last century his workmen found 14 human SKeletons placed regularly alongside of each other with their feet to the East. The noted Paul Jones when infesting the Coast with his fleet in 1778. Continued--- |
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[Page] 45Parish of Kirkcudbright
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