Book of Dumbartonshire > Illustrations

VII.^-JOHN WILLIAM BURNS, ESQ. OF KILMAHEW AND
CUMBERNAULD.
Son of the late James Burns, Esq. of Bloomhill, by Margaret,
daughter of William Shortridge, Esq., Glasgow, born 1837, edu-
cated at Trinity College, Cambridge, B.A. (i860), and called to the
Scottish bar 1863 ; married Helen, daughter of General Sir George
Moyle Sherer, K. C.S.I. , and has, with other issue, James, born in
1862. Contested the county of Dumbarton, in the liberal interest,
against Archibald Orr Ewing, Esq., at the general election of 1874,
when the numbers polled were— Orr Ewing, 995 ; J. W. Burns,
942. Succeeded to Kilmahew on the death of his father, September
1 87 1, added largely to the estate by incorporating lands which had
become detached from the ancient property of the Napiers in recent
years, and erected an imposing mansion on a commanding site near
the old castle of the early proprietors, from designs by Mr. Burnet,
Glasgow. (See account Kilmahew mansion.) Mr. Burns has also
greatly improved the estate by draining, fencing, road-making, and
building ; and along the shore part feuing has for some time been
going on to a considerable extent, the North British Railway, at this
point being of the greatest utility. In 1875 Mr Burns bought the
fine estate of Cumbernauld for .£160,000, and immediately com-
menced there also an extensive series of improvements, embracing
the entire circuit of the property so long associated with the historical
family of Fleming and Wigtoun. 1 Mr. Burns is a justice of peace
and deputy-lieutenant for the county.
1 For other particulars connected with the Dumbartonshire," vol. ii. pp. 3'°-'2 and
lands purchased by Mr. Burns, see " Book of 39°-