OS1/3/37/15

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
THE DULE TREE The Dule Tree
The Dule Tree
The Dule Tree
Revd [Reverend] John McEwen
Mr John Brown
Mr William Hart
039 A Old and Majestic Plane tree, on the Branches of Which it is Said, Sir John Faa, Commonly Called Johnny Faa, and 15 Gipsies, Whose Story is So Well Known in Ayrshire, from its being the Subject of a Popular Ballad, Were hanged; the tree Stands in front of the Castle Gate, the Word "Dule" is a Scotticism, and means Sorrow, termination &c.

Tradition avers that Sir John Faa having formed an Acquaintance With a lady named Lady Jane Hamilton, a mutual Attachment sprung up between those two lovers, the lady's father coming to hear of the attachment, Shamefully Violated her Affections by Compelling her to Marry the Earl of Cassillis; in the Course of time, Sir John hearing that they did not live happily together took advantage of the Earls Absence from the Castle, hired a Gang of Gipsies, Came to the Castle in the disguise of Minstrels; Sir John playing some Well Known favourite Airs immediately attracted the Countess to the Window, and She at Once recognised her Old and youthful lover, they immediately arranged an Elopement, Crossed the River Doon alittle below the Castle, at a ford, now Called the "Gipsies Steps", and were threading their Way unseen through the Woods when unfortunately the Earl returned home unexpectedly, missed the Countess, made enquiry
[continued on page 16]

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 15
Sheet 39 Plan 14. -- Kirkmichael Parish

The period assigned, in the Statistical
Account, for the enactment of the tragical
occurrence, mentioned in connection with
this Dule (or dolor) tree, is about the middle
of the seventeenth century.

Transcriber's notes

Some of the entry has been crossed out but is transcribed nonetheless.

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

Alison James- Moderator, Nellie- Moderator

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