Vol 5 - Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian ...

Field Meetings.59From the churchyard the party proceeded to Isle Tower, wherethey were cordially welcomed by Mr and Mrs Fergusson. Thistower IS similar in design and appearance to Rue Tower, and wasbuilt about the same time, for over the principal doorway is thedate lo87. Under Mr Fergusson's guidance the party enteredthe structure, which is still used as a dwelling-house, and minutelyexamined the various secret closets in the walls where valuablesmight be hidden in time of siege, the thickness of the walls, andthe oaken floors.The principal entrance is guarded by a strongiron gate constructed of heavy upright and cross-barsdovetailedinto each other. Inside of this was another wooden or comfortgate, generally found in buildings of this period.Before leavingthe tower, Mr Fergusson exhibited a number of interesting familydocuments One of these was the marriage contract drawn upon the 29th May, 1793, between Alexander Fergusson of lyl andAgnes Lowrie, daughter of Sir Robert Lowrie of Maxweltonand sister of the "Annie Laurie" immortalised by Burns Mi-Fergusson also exhibited a number of burgess tickets presentedto an Alexander Fergusson of later date, who had been elected amember of Pariiament for Dumfriesshire, and gained muchpopularity for the opposition he displayed towards the union ofthe English and Scotch Pariiaments. For this he was pubKclyflanked by the citizens of Dumfries, and made a burgess ofEdinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Tain, and Lochmaben. Some of theburgess tickets, and especially that ofGlasgow, were beautifullyJlummated by hand, and the latter bore the date 1770^umerous title-deeds bearing the seal of the Earl Mel ross werealso inspected.On leaving the tower the party adjourned to the dinin-roomwhere they were hospitably entertained by Mrs Fergusson'Here a short business meeting was held-Dr Grierson presiding-when Mr Fergusson of Isle and Mr Thomas M'Gowan, solicitorDumfries, were electedOrdinary Members; and, on the motion'of the President, the thanks of the Society were awarded toand Mrs Fergusson for granting them permission to see thisinte^stnig building, and for their corcUal and hospitableMrHa^-iiig taken leave of their host and hostess, the party walkedalong the Nith to Ellisland, where a short stay was niade linspect Burns- old farm-house. On one of the windows, writte^by the poet with his diamond, may still be seen his favourite