Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

CCCXXXviii ANNANDALK MANSIONS.
nobleman, they were in the hands of Ludovic, second Duke of Lcnnos, and aftenviiids
of Walter Scott of Branxholm, knij;ht.i
But these charters may only have conveyed the superiority of the lands, or were
granted ou account of temporary orrangeuionts with the grantees, as the Kirhpatrieks,
who acipired them in 148-1, continued in possession of them until tlio year l(i05. A
charter which was granted by King James the Sixtli ou 10th March that year,
explains that the Kirkpatricks had alienated Raehills and other lands without the
king's consent as feudal superior. The alienations were made in favour of John
Johnstone, commendator of Saulseat, or Simon .Johnstone his brother, or others,
without licence of the king.- The king confirmed the alienation in favour of Mr.
Jolm Johnstone, advocate, and Eaehills again reverted to a branch of the Johnstone
family.
Seven years later, or on 25th December 1C12, Mr. Johnstone resigned the lands
of Eaehills and others in favour of Sir John C'harteris of Aiuisfiekl, knight, and Dame
Agnes JMaxwell, his spouse, iu conjunct fee and their heirs-male. In the charter following
upon the resignation, and dated 'JCth February, the lands are erected into tlie free
TEXANDKY of MOLLI^"GS.
The lands of Raehills passed out of the family of Charteris in tlie year 1C3G.
The new owner of Raehills was John, second Earl of Wigton, who was .succeeded in
them by his son, John, the third earl. Jlis lordship in IC-jf) disponed Raehills to
James, second Earl of ITartfell, afterwards first Earl of Aniiandale.^ The lands of
Raehills have continued iu the jiossession of the Johnstones to the present time.
Having the management of the Annr.ndale estates as tutor-at-law to his grand-
uncle, George, third Marquis of Aunandale, James, third Earl of Hopetoun, found it
necessary to erect another mansion in connection with the Annandale estates. After
much deliberation an elevated portion of the lands of Raehills was selected, on which
the new mansion-house should be erected. The earl and his eounte.-s, in the course of
theu- visits abroad, were so pleased with a mansion house v.-hich they found there, that they
formed the idea of erecting a similar mansion for themselves at Raehills. JIany plans
were made of the proposeil mansion, and much consideration wa.s bestowed on the
subject, between the yeais 1782 and 17SG, during which portions of the building
were proceeded with annually. At one time it was laoposed that the uev,- mansion
should be completed by a great dome like that of Her Majesty's General Itegister
House at the east end of Princes Street, Edinburgh, A\hieh had recently before been
' KegistLT of the Gre.it Sc.il, vi.l. v. Xo. ^ Instiunicnt of ?asim', TtU April, regis-
188S ; vol. vi. Xo. ICO. tered in tie Partiiular llegisttr of S.isines foi-
- IbiJ.vo]. vi. Xo. l.")S-. Dumfries, 22d April 1657.