OS1/21/56/20

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 20

and was at that time the property of Andrew Stewart, grandson of Murdoch of Albany
In the reign of James 3rd it came into the hands of the Hamilton family in whose
possession it still remains. The last member of the Hamilton family who resided
in it was, Ann, Duchess of Hamilton, who died in 1716, since then it never received
any repairs. It was occupied by Graham of Claverhouse as a place of
strength in the time of the Covenanters. Several of the turrets were struck
by lightening in the year 1736 and a conciderable part of the roof was blown
down by a violent storm in Jan'y 1737, after this, such of the inhabitants
of the town as required stones for building were permitted to take them
from the castle. This accounts for the present appearance of it.