Kenmure Castle: Witness to Galloway's History

Kenmure Castle in the 18th Century by Francis Grose (d. 1790)

Kenmure Castle, the most famous of the Glenkens castles, stands just south of New Galloway and has been touched by much of Scottish history.

It was a Balliol stronghold in the wars of independence and was a refuge for Mary Queen of Scots on her flight from Scotland and was sacked by her enemies. It was sacked again by Cromwell for supporting the Royal cause and after the Jacobite uprising the 6th Viscount Kenmure was beheaded in the Tower of London for backing the rebels. Robert Burns predictably was a guest on his way to Kirkcudbright.

On Sunday 26 February The Glenkens Story local history group will present an afternoon of talks at the CatStrand on the castle and the people in its history. Janet Brennan-Ingils, castle historian and author, restorer of Barholm Castle and former chair of the Scottish Castles Association, will speak on the history of Kenmure.

For much of its history the castle has been held by the Gordon family. Major General (retd) James Gordon, the present owner, will Kenmure Castle in the 18th century by give a personal Francis Grose, died 1790 account of the Gordon family's will discuss the origin of the name close links to the castle’s eventful history.

Completing the afternoon’s programme, local place names expert Michael Ansell will discuss the origin of the name ‘Kenmure’ which looks straightforward the muir of the Ken but all may not be as it seems.