A Visitor from California

**cessna152towser** · 13th June 11, 03:09 PM

A visit to some Clan Cunningham sites with a friend who is an Attorney in San Francisco.

We visited Caprington Castle, which passed to the Cunningham family as a wedding dowry in 1425 and has been in the family ever since then.

Catherine was made very welcome by the lady of the house, Rose-Ann Cuninghame.

In the oldest part of the castle.

The Dining Room where we had lunch.

Turrets and Parapets

Grand Staircase and Hall
More to follow shortly

**cessna152towser** · 13th June 11, 03:16 PM

After lunch we visited Kerelaw Castle, a former Cunningham household which was attacked and burned by the Montgomeries in 1488, this view from the old footbridge on the approach to the castle.

Kerelaw Castle was rebuilt after 1488.

The Castle is fenced off for safety reasons but there is an interpretation panel which tells its history.

Kerelaw Castle was abandoned about 1787.

Blocked up entrance door

Cunninghams at Cunninghamhead

**cessna152towser** · 13th June 11, 03:25 PM

Glencairn Aisle at St. Maurs Parish Church, Kilmaurs, where the Earls of Glencairn were buried.

Glencairn Aisle

A windy day at Kilmaurs, note the wind on my kilt and Catherine's hair!

Lainshaw

Lainshaw House now comprises private apartments but in 1586 Hugh Montgomery, 4th the Earl of Eglinton was attacked near here by 30 or so members of the Cunninghame family and shot dead by John Cunninghame of Clonbeith. Hugh was on his way to attend the court of King James VI at Stirling when he decided to stop off at Lainshaw house to dine with his associates. The lady of the house Lady Montgomery - told several of her Cunninghame associates who lived in the area of the Earl's planned visit. As a response to the killing the Montgomery family declared they would kill every Cunninghame who had been at the river that day and a series of killings and burning of houses were carried out between the two families.

Lainshaw House

A ruined L-plan tower house stood near Stewarton until the stone was used in the 19th century for construction of the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Railway. The railway company retained the corner tower as a historic feature to be viewed from passing trains. This ruin is believed to have been Old Corsehill Castle, a one time Cunninghame house. No trace remains of the later New Corsehill Castle.

A panoramic view over Paisley and the Clyde Valley. The reservoir, centre, towards the top of the picture contains a partly submerged tower known as Stanely Castle in which Mary Queen of Scots is reputed to have been imprisoned.

Out to dinner at the Mirage Indian Restaurant in Paisley.

Concluding with a view of the 12th century Paisley Abbey where William Wallace received some of his education.

**KiltedDixon** · 13th June 11, 03:31 PM

I love the Pics of the castle ruins. The wind is at home there.

**Woot22** · 13th June 11, 03:35 PM

Great pics once again, thanks for sharing them.

**Riverkilt** · 13th June 11, 05:57 PM

Great pics...can only wonder now if all Cunningham women are beautiful, and attorneys, and live on the west coast of California....??

**Highlander31** · 13th June 11, 06:45 PM

Once again Alex, you have given us a great tour. I always enjoy your photos. Thanks for posting them.

**WillieMacG** · 13th June 11, 09:16 PM

Wonderful pics. Looks like y'all had a great time!

**Galician** · 14th June 11, 07:06 AM

Great shots, Alex. Thanks for sharing.

Any chance you'd have the answers to two questions I have from them?

1) Was St. Maur's Church ever connected to a monastery? I ask, because that is a very significant name in Benedictine history.
2) What would have caused Lady Montgomery to alert the Cunninghams?

**cessna152towser** · 15th June 11, 07:24 AM

Was St. Maur's Church ever connected to a monastery? I ask, because that is a very significant name in Benedictine history.

This from Wikipedia:-

The Parish church of Kilmaurs, Saint Maurs, now St Maurs-Glencairn, dates from 1170, and was dedicated either to the Virgin or to a Scottish saint of the 9th century called Maure. Saint Maura, was a Scottish saint who is said to have died in 899. She lived and worked on the isle of Little Cumbrae, and was thought to be the daughter of a Scottish Chieftain. The church was enlarged in 1403 and in great part rebuilt in 1888.

What would have caused Lady Montgomery to alert the Cunninghams?

Although the Cunninghams and Montgomeries feuded for generations there were also clandestine romances between the two families.