Dean Castle

Captain Francis Grose was one of the first systematic recorders of architectural and archaeological remains in Britain. His six volume Antiquities of England and Wales published between 1773 and 1787, was followed by Antiquities of Scotland in two volumes published in 1789 and 1791. Robert Burns met him while he was undertaking the latter, and became a friend – writing three pieces about him including On Captain Grose’s Peregrinations through Scotland. This is a plate from Antiquities of Scotland showing Dean Castle.   Grose writes: "This is one of the ancient seats of the Boyds, Earls of Kilmarnock, for some time the favourites of King James III.  It was forfeited in the year 1745, afterwards sold to the Earl of Glencairn, and in 1789, when this drawing was made, belonged to Miss Scott".   "In this castle, it is said, Lady Margaret (Princess Mary) sister to James III. was confined during the life of her husband, Thomas Boyd, Earl of Arran, from whom she was divorced, notwithstanding she had borne him two children.  The pretext for this divorce was some legal impediment at the time of marriage.  Some say it was a prior contract to the Lord Hamilton.  On her husband and the rest of his family falling under the king's displeasure, she went to Denmark, to acquaint him with it; who thereupon fled for refuge to the courts of France and Flanders.  In the mean time King James sent for her.  She hoping to make her husband's peace, obeyed the summons, when the divorce was procured.  After her husband's death, who died abroad, she was married, A.D.1471, to the Lord Hamilton, then created Earl of Arran."