The book Arran; - Cook Clan

110 THE BOOK OF ARRAN
stone.i The later village of Lamlash rose from its ruins. It is
still possible to trace the outline of the structure on the shore.
The Duchess sought to improve Lamlash, and she was the
first to begin the making of roads, such as they were. A
chapel at Loch Ranza is also attributed to her, but less need
be said of that : what had happened to the church lands and
revenues of old ? Two communion cups given in 1705 for
the use of the whole island were preserved at Kilmorie till
a burnt-down manse left only their relics : the present cups
are a replica, though bearing the original inscription with
the date 1711, the burning of the manse having taken place
in the previous year.
The natives ' have a great veneration for her Grace,'
is the testimony of a contemporary ; and, a quarter of a
century later, we have the statement that her ' amiable
disposition and humane attention to the welfare of Arran
render, at this distant time, her memory dear to every
inhabitant.' ^ Despite all that has been said above, this
writer refers to her century as 'the golden age of this
island.' ^
In the rest of the family history Arran, for the moment,
has no special interest. James, the next Earl and Duke,
held only the former title till 1689, when his mother surrendered
all her titles in his favour, and a fresh patent
brought all back to the male line ; three years later he was
created in addition Duke of Brandon in England. This is
the Duke of whom Thackeray gives a really unfair picture
1 ' In the bottom of the bay (Lamlash) was a fine circular bason or pier now in
ruins (1772); the work of the good Dutchess of Hamilton.'—Pennant's Tour in
Scotland, p. 188.
'This admirable quay was some thirty or forty years ago (about 1800) allowed to
be used as a quarry for erecting the village of Lamlash.' New Statistical Account,
vol. V. p. 33.
jMasons then paid 8d. a day ;
^ Headrick's View of Arran, p. 346.
labourers 4d.
—
Ibid.
' Martin's Description of the Western Isles (c. 1695) ; Pennant's Tour in Scotland
and Voyage to the Hebrides, p. 174.
—