BULLSEYE
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Drumlanrig Tower (Continued from page 1) In the 17th century, family life replaced feudalism and the Scots began to turn toward the English standards of comfort and elegance. The duchess Anne Scott returned to Scotland in 1701 and decided to convert the now dilapidated tower into a home fit for a “mighty princess.” Under Anne’s guidance, the tower underwent a thorough renovation. The building was enlarged by filling in the angle of the original L shape to add a room on each level. A new wing was constructed, extending the building further up the High Street. During the first Jacobite uprising in 1715, the tower again witnessed occupation and rebellions. After Anne’s death in 1732, her grandson, Francis, the second Duke of Buccleuch, inherited the estate. By this time, however, provincial townhouses had fallen out of fashion and Drumlanrig Tower sat virtually unused. The last great invasion of the tower was one of an enemy much more destructive than soldiers. The torrential rains of 1767 flooded the town of Hawick, and the river swept away 15 houses, the corn mill and part of the Auld Brig. Trees, packs of wool and household furniture were also carried over the tower wall. But even this final deadly attack was not enough to destroy the mighty tower. |
Since the Buccleachs no longer used the Tower of Drumlanrig as a home, in 1773, they decided to convert the tower into an inn. The Tower Inn was noted for its comfortable rooms, good dinner and privacy not usually awarded to guests at other inns. With its strategic location along the turnpike road between Carlisle and Edinburgh, the Tower Inn also served as a posting establishment. The inn soon became a popular gathering place for unofficial political meetings and even served as the hustings, or locale, for elections so that voters could obtain refreshments. Eventually, the Tower Inn was renamed the Tower Hotel and remained the hub of Hawick’s social life for nearly 200 years until it was closed in the 1980s. Still, the tower would accept neither defeat nor abandonment. It was refurbished once more and reopened in 1995 as Hawick’s visitor center. Today, the visitor’s center provides historical and cultural information about the region ranging from the Romans to the reivers to local history. You’ll even encounter the occasional art exhibit featuring local artists. And if you find a quiet place to sit with your ear against the wall, perhaps you’ll hear the rumblings of past conquests and sieges. For additional information see Early Settlers in the Borders and Warfare and Fortifications in the Borders by the Scottish Borders Council and the March/April 2005 issue of Highlander magazine. |
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August Crypto Puzzle Cryptograms are texts that have been coded by substituting each letter by a different letter. For example, if t=a, h=-b, and e=c, then the word “the” would appear as “abc” throughout the puzzle. A letter never equals itself. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ I g k n b u z g r w J c t p g r y ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___’ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Q u t r h m’ y Q c k y p c l Q r y j c g o Hint: In this issue G=R Answer in the September issue |
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Crypto Puzzle answers from the July issue “I saved the King” is something Turnbulls are often heard saying. Editor’s Reminder: Please remember to send us your information on any family events such as weddings, graduations, reunions, and birthday celebrations. We also welcome any stories “Turnbull” that you think would be of interest to fellow TCA members. You may email or send by postal mail. Any photos sent will be returned. 5216 Tahoe Dr. Durham, NC 27713 |
Happy Birthday
Adriane Black, Mary Katheryn Dollar, Melinda D. Turnbull, J. Robert Turnbull, Jr., John Turnbull, Eleanor Turnbull, Paula Turnbull, Louis Todd Marot, Jimmie Jean Bowman, Jan Swinton, William Ledgerwood, Janet C. Schwierking, Adriana Rosado Bonewitz, Peter William Rule, Mary Regina Turnbull, John Turnbull, III, Kathryn Maercker Hunt |
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