[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...
[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...
[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...
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THE WARLOCK LAIRD OF FAIL.<br />
Abbot for the time being is<br />
correctly enough introduced as <strong>of</strong>ficiating<br />
at the baptism <strong>of</strong> " Sir Ewart's young heir." Dunure Castle is still<br />
a prominent feature in the scenery <strong>of</strong> Dunure. It occupies a rocky<br />
eminence which bounds the village on the west. It is now a total<br />
ruin—the north wall, towards the sea, being alone in some measure<br />
entire. It appears to have consisted originally <strong>of</strong> one irregular tower<br />
<strong>of</strong> four stories, besides the ground floor, or keep. <strong>The</strong> form <strong>of</strong> the<br />
building, which presents various angles, seems to have been dictated<br />
entirely by the shape <strong>of</strong> the rock—^the precipitousness <strong>of</strong> which, lashed<br />
by the sea, formed a complete barrier against any assault in that<br />
direction—while a deep moat <strong>and</strong> strong wall gave protection on the<br />
l<strong>and</strong> side. A range <strong>of</strong> buildings, running back towards the south, is<br />
apparently <strong>of</strong> later erection. <strong>The</strong> main entrance must have been by<br />
the eastern fi'ont, where the doorway, with openings into the vaulted<br />
apartments on the ground floor, as well as the stair leading to the<br />
upper rooms, are still traceable. <strong>The</strong> walls ai-e extremely thick—in<br />
some instances upwards <strong>of</strong> fifteen feet—<strong>and</strong> so firmly cemented that<br />
portions <strong>of</strong> them that have fallen down ai*e scarcely distinguishable<br />
from the masses <strong>of</strong> solid rock which, upheaved by some mighty convulsion<br />
<strong>of</strong> natui-e, lie scattered about like the guardian genii <strong>of</strong> the<br />
venerable stronghold. Of the erection <strong>of</strong> the Castle there is no record.<br />
<strong>The</strong> name is Celtic, Dunure, or Dunoure, signifying the hill,<br />
or fort <strong>of</strong> the yew tree. According to the author <strong>of</strong> the " Historie <strong>of</strong><br />
the Kennedyis," the fort was originally possessed by the Danes.<br />
'^fit aeSarlocfe Hairtr <strong>of</strong><br />
Jpai'I.<br />
As Craigie's Knight was a hunting one day,<br />
Along with the Laird <strong>of</strong> Fail,<br />
<strong>The</strong>y came to a house, where the gudewife she<br />
Was brewing the shearers' ale.<br />
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