Leswalt is a veelage an ceevil pairish in the historical coonty o Wigtounshire in Dumfries an Gallowa, Scotland. It lies atween Portpaitrick and Stranrawer, in the Rhins o Gallowa. The pairish kivers aboot 8 square miles.

Leswalt
Leswalt is located in Dumfries and Galloway
Leswalt
Leswalt
Location within Dumfries an Gallowa
Cooncil area
Lieutenancy area
KintraScotland
Sovereign stateUnitit Kinrick
Post tounStranraer
Postcode destrictDG9
Diallin code01776-Unknown
PoliceScots
FireScots
AmbulanceScots
EU PairlamentScotland
UK Pairlament
Scots Pairlament
Leet o places
UK
Scotland
54°55′50″N 5°05′35″W / 54.93056°N 5.09306°W / 54.93056; -5.09306Coordinates: 54°55′50″N 5°05′35″W / 54.93056°N 5.09306°W / 54.93056; -5.09306
Leswalt Pairish Kirk

History eedit

'Leswalt' is a name o unkent oreegins. Possible derivations for its name include the Welsh llys gwellt, meanin "gress court" or mebbe Scots Gaelic lios uillt, meanin "fort o the glen", referin tae Lochnaw Castle.[1]

In the Middle Ages, the aurie wis likely dividen intae feudal baronys, ilk controlt bi a Baron o the Coort, unner the oweraw control o the Shirra o Wigtounshire. In auncient times it belangt tae the monks o Tongland Aibey.

In 1390, Archibald Douglas, 3rd Yerl o Douglas grantit launds at Leswalt tae his illegeetimate son or kin, William Douglas o Leswalt. William Douglas wis sel-styled "Laird o Leswalt", an Shirra o Wigton, bit wis dimitit bi Margaret, Duchess o Touraine, dochter o Keen Robert III o Scotland an guidwife o Archibald Douglas, 4t Yerl o Douglas, as a pairt o a pouer struggle in soothwast Scotland. Unner fear he transfert launds at Lochnaw til Andrew Agnew, constable o Lochnaw Castle, receivin Cruggleton Castle in exchange.

Andrew Agnew hid been made hereditary constable o Lochnaw Castle bi William Douglas o Leswalt in 1426.[2] He received several chairters fae King James I o Scotland, includin ane o 31 Januar 1431, confirmin tae him an his heirs the office o heritable constable o Lochnaw, an the hale launds and "Barony o Lochnaw". In 1451 Andrew Agnew wis confirmt as Hereditary Shirra o Wigtounshire. In 1458 he wis peyed as shirra.[3]

In 1463 whan George Douglas o Leswalt (son o William Douglas o Leswalt an Katherine Maxwell) dee'd, the launds o Leswalt and Cruggletoun revertit til the Croun, as a consequence o the forfietur o aw the houdins o William Douglas, 8t Yerl o Douglas in 1456. Thay wis appropriatit bi Mary o Guelders, the Queen Mither, weedae o King James II o Scotland, an wis subsequent claimt bi Gilbert Kennedy, 1st Laird Kennedy, a hauf-brither tae George Douglas, for his son, John Kennedy, 2t Laird Kennedy. Thir anes passt tae his son, David Kennedy, 1t Yerl o Cassilis.

Saut wis produce't at Salpans Bay in Leswalt fae 1637.

Places o interest eedit

Pairish kirk eedit

 
Leswalt Auld Kirk

The Auld Kirk o Leswalt, noo ruint, is o medieval oreegin, haein been gien tae the monks o Tongland Aibey in the 14t century. The neebourin Agnew Aisle dates fae the 17t century. In 1828 the praisent kirk wis built an the auld ane abandont.[4]

Lochnaw Castle eedit

Lochnaw Castle wis hame til the Agnew Faimily. The ruins o the Auld Castle staund on an island in Lochnaw Loch, and date til the 13t century.[5] The praisent castle incorporates a 16t century tour hoose, bit is maistly the upshot o remodelin in the 18t century.[6]

Historical sites eedit

Rev. George Wilson's Archaeological and Historical Collections Relating to Ayrshire and Galloway leets forts an Leswalt:

  • a) Lashindarroch on Knock-na-maize circular fort
  • b) Twa anes on Port Slogan
  • c) Larbrax fort wi twa traverses at the Kemp's Walk
  • d) Salpans Bay fort
  • e) Heich Auchneel, no on the OS map
  • f) Aldouran Glenheid fort, cried the Kemps' Graffs
  • g) Tor o Craigoch circular fort wi ootby defences.[7]

Ither sites eedit

  • Labrax fort is an Airn Age fort that stuid leukin ower Broadsea Bay (Labrax Strand) an Labrax Fort Cove.[7][8][9]
  • Kemp's Walk (likely Labrax Fort, Labrax Strand), Meikle Larbrax,[10] on a lairge promontory. Thare is an ingang (Larbrax Fort Cove) near the eastren side.
  • An auncient dun leukin ower Kllantringan Bay (Kilringan Bay on 1782 map).[11]
  • Killantringan Lichthoose wis built about 1889. The name Killantringan is derived fae "Ringan's (or Ninian's) cell).
  • An Airn-Age fort stuid leukin ower Salpans Bay.
  • Heich Auchneel.[12]
  • Sir Andrew Agnew's moniment sits an tap o the Tor o Craigoch, a prehistoric hill fort abuin Leswalt veelage provides a fine view.[13]
  • The island in Lochnaw (o Loch Naw), a loch that his been soukit an refillt in its lang lifespan, aince haudit an 11t century castle fort, taen an demolisht in 1390 bi Archibald Douglas, 3rd Yerl o Douglas (Airchibald the Grim)
  • A mote stuid by the side o Loch Naw. In 1791 Sir Stair Agnew uised its materials tae form a new approach.
  • Galdenoch Castle, dated 1547, wis the hame o Gilbert Agnew o Lochnaw until 1570.

Gailerie eedit

Leetit biggins in Leswalt eedit

  • Lochnaw Castle, With Terrace, Gatepiers, Courtyard Walls, Bell, Monument And Pavilion
  • Lochnaw, Garden House
  • Lochnaw, Kathleen Cottage And Gatepiers
  • Lochnaw, Kinsale Tower
  • Larbrax Schoolhouse And Hall (Former School)
  • Lochnaw, Noel Lodge
  • Lochnaw, Old Lochnaw Castle
  • House Of Knock
  • Meikle Galdenoch, Farmhouse, With Boundary Walls
  • Beach Lodge, With Boundary Walls
  • Craigencross, With Boundary Wall
  • Lochnaw, Boathouse
  • Agnew Monument
  • Galdenoch Castle
  • Lochnaw, Larbrax Lodge
  • Old Leswalt Church And Graveyard
  • Leswalt Parish Church, With Boundary Walls And Gatepiers
  • Lochnaw, Bridge Over Mill Isle Burn
  • Lochnaw, Walled Garden
  • Aldouran Lodge
  • Galdenoch Mill

References eedit

  1. [1]
  2. "Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum : The register of the Great seal of Scotland, A.D. 1306-1668". Edinburgh : General register house. 12 August 1882. Retrieved 12 August 2019 – via Internet Archive.
  3. "Rotuli scaccarii regum Scotorum = The Exchequer rolls of Scotland". Edinburgh : H.M. General Register House. 12 August 1878. Retrieved 12 August 2019 – via Internet Archive.
  4. "Leswalt Old Parish Church". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 6 September 2013.[deid airtin]
  5. "Old Lochnaw Castle". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 6 September 2013.[deid airtin]
  6. "Lochnaw Castle". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 6 September 2013.[deid airtin]
  7. a b "Archæological and historical collections relating to Ayrshire & Galloway". Edinburgh, Printed for the Ayrshire and Galloway archæological association. 12 August 1878. Retrieved 12 August 2019 – via Internet Archive.
  8. "Salt Pans Bay". Mapcarta. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  9. Description of Ancient Forts, etc. in Wigtownshire by Rev. George Wilson, in Archaeological and historical collections relating to Ayrshire and Galloway. p. 63.
  10. "'Kemp's Walk', Meikle Larbrax | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Archived frae the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived frae the original on 18 Mairch 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "High Auchneel | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Archived frae the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  13. Historic Environment Scotland. "AGNEW MONUMENT  (Category B) (LB10115)". Retrieved 20 December 2018.

External links eedit

  Media relatit tae Leswalt at Wikimedia Commons