OS1/34/3/25

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 25

[Brief Account of Antiquities Continued]

monastic institutions. Abercorn Castle which stood
at a point northeast of the church in the most authic [authentic]
of these Abercorn edifices. It was the seat of the gallant
Sir John the Grahame the friend of Wallace who fell
at Falkirk July 22. 1298 fighting against Edward I
of England. The castle subsequently passed into the hands
of the Douglasses, the Mures, the Lindsays, the Setons and the
Hopes. It was under the Douglas family that Abercorn sustained
the memorable siege in which it was dismantled by the forces
of James II. April 1455 -- ibid [as above]

In Hopetoun Park is a remarkable large tree Known as
the Lyra Tree from its resemblances to a huge musical instrument
poised in air and responsive like the ancient stony Harp of
Memnon to the vibrations of the breeze --ibid. [as above]

The fragmentary ruin of the ancient castle of Staneyhill
Tower once the property of the Dalyell family on the
Summit ground of the park is an object of passing
interest. -- ibid [as above]

[Note] -- In the foregoing brief extracts I have endeavoured
to bring to your notice such objects of interest as you might
otherwise probably omit. You will also observe a difference
of opinion expressed as to the site of the Abbey of Abercorn
one opinion is that the Castle was built on the site of it, the
other opinion is that the church was built on the site of it.
This latter I am of opinion is the most feasible for many
reasons. You will also observe a difference of opinion as
to the termination of the Roman Wall or Wall of Antonine
one is of opinion that it extended as far as the "Windmill
Knowes" at or near the eastern entrance to Hopetoun demesne
the other opinion is and that to which I consider has the greate [greatest]
probability that it terminated at Blackness Point. But
it is very clear that other Roman works extended all