The audience at Kirkcudbright History Society’s latest talk heard about the results of research into two very different but interesting local properties.
The first featured a humble cottage at 45 Millburn Street, Kirkcudbright and the second the much grander Cumstoun House, Twynholm.
The first speaker, Nick Jackson, bought 45 Millburn Street in 2018 and was responsible for its complete renovation so was in a perfect position to examine the various stages of construction and modification over the years.
Millburn Street was one of the earliest roads in the town and Gillone’s map of 1776 showed the presence of buildings around the location of number 45. By examining the hand-made bricks, the type of limestone and the nature of the stonework, Nick surmised that this early date of construction may have been possible. However, there was no conclusive proof of the actual date. There was evidence to confirm it had been a single-story cottage which existed until 1954 when a major extension was carried out, including the addition of a first floor.
The first legal record relating to the property showed the transfer of ownership in 1889 by Mrs Annie Graham or Steel. Her father, William Graham, was shown in the valuation role as being the proprietor in 1855 until he died in 1889. This would coincide with the date when Annie sold the house. Nick talked about various owners one of whom, Daniel Kenny, was the greenkeeper and professional at Kirkcudbright Golf Course for a short time in 1905 before emigrating to America. He became the Canadian Open Champion in 1910 and returned to Kirkcudbright in 1928 where he died in 1969.
Nick’s painstaking research and talk on the house and occupants at 45 Millburn Street, now known as Rose Cottage, was much enjoyed by the audience.
The second speaker, Donald Tait, pointed out that, unlike most large properties in the area, Cumstoun House had been continually occupied by the Maitland family for over 200 years.
Using wonderful old black and white photographs Donald highlighted the architectural importance of the building with its impressive and productive walled garden. Even more interestingly, he brought to life the story of the Maitland family, their various adventures, and of the staff who were an integral part of the household. Photographs, visitors books and game records all provided rich sources of material with which to build up a picture of life over the decades.
Military life clearly paid a major part in the family story reflecting their sense of duty in the serving the country. For example, Stuart Cairns Maitland and his brother Claude Archibald Maitland both served in the Boer War. Sadly, Stuart was killed and his mother was reported as having died of grief at his loss.
A third brother Graham McDowell Maitland was killed at the beginning of the First World War near Ypres. He had been a fine sportsman, especially in rowing where he won prizes at the Henley Regatta and was a member of the Cambridge eight which lost to Oxford by less than a length in the 1901 Boat Race.
On the lighter side, Donald gave an insight into the family’s involvement with the local community with photographs of children’s activities, pageants, picnics, sales of work. Other images showed ladies, dressed in their long dresses, ready to set off on cycle rides.
On the female side of the family, Sara Maitland stood out, not only because she had been a bit of a rebel when young but because she went on to become a highly accomplished and prolific author and columnist, winning the prestigious Somerset Maughan Award for young writers. One striking image showed her dancing with ex-president of the USA, Bill Clinton, during his visit to Cumstoun House in 1973.
Linking back to his opening remarks about the continuity of occupation, Donald concluded by sharing a vision for the future as expressed by Thomas Maitland, the latest inheritor of the property. He was keen to ensure the house did not become just a museum reflecting past lives and events but rather be a place where the family and guests were creating new memories. Much care, time, and money would be required but he was determined to ensure others had the opportunity to enjoy the house and surrounds just as he had and so perpetuate its rich history for another 200 years.
The full talk can be seen on YouTube by following the link on the Society’s website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pFvaWZGV54
The next meeting of the Society will be held in the Kirkcudbright Parish Church Hall on December 11 at 7.30 pm featuring a talk by Graham Finch and Gerry Hassan on Malcolm Caldwell, a former Dux of Kirkcudbright Academy, and his mysterious death in Pol Pot’s Cambodia.