Bannatyne Club > Origines parochiales Scotiae > Volume 2, part 1

KILBRIDE.] PAROCHIALES. 251
were remitted to him yearly of the grassum barley of Cranseliant 2 bolls and 2 firlots, in 1448 of
tiie grassum of Knokenekelle 5 bolls, and in each of the years 1449 and 1450 of the grassum of
Crauschaunt and Knocankello 7 bolls. ^
Thei-e are villages at Lamlash and at Brodick on the bays of the same names, and a
yearly fair at each, namely, at Lamlash in the beginning of winter, and at Brodick in the
last week of June.^
Brodick (of old Brathwik) castle, a Iiuge irregular pile of building, apparently the work of
various periods, is described about the year 1306 as ' ane stith castell of stane.' ^ At that time it
was held by the English under Sir John the Hastingis.* Sir James of Douglas, having left King
Robert Bruce in the island of Raehrin, and having landed in Arran and placed liis men in ambush
near the castle, attacked a party who had just landed with a supply of provisions, and forced them
and others who had come from the castle to their relief to retreat to that stronghold, wliich it
appears he then made no attempt to take.' Soou afterwards King Robert arrived iu Arran, and
the castle is supposed to have been taken either before his arrival by his adherents, or after it by
himself.* It appears again in record, as we have seen, in the year 1391.^ About the year
1400 Fordun mentions Brethwik as one of two royal castles in the island of Arrane.^ From
1445 to 1450 Wilham Stewart was keeper of the castle of Brathwie, and as keeper lield certain
lands in Arran. ^ His yearly salary for the keeping of the castle, as stated in the chamberlain's
account for 1445 and 146G, was £20.*" About the year 1455 the castle was destroyed by the
islesmen under Donald Balloch of Isla.''- In 1488 King James IV. granted to Hugh Lord
Montgumry the lands of Arane with the keeping of the old place and castle of Bradewik in
Arane.'"- In 1526 George Tait was captain of Aren (apparently of Brodick castle).'' In 1528
Fergus M'Dowell of Frewche and others were obliged to find caution for appearing to
answer for the burning and destruction of the same castle and place.'* In 1544 during the
expedition of the Earl of Lennox the castle of Brodick was rased to the ground. '^ It appears
to be the same as Braizay mentioned by Archdeacon Monro in 1549 as belonging to the Earl
of Arran.'" About the year 1700 it is described as a building of four stories with a tower
of still greater height, surrounded by a wall two stories high, and defended on tlie south and
west by a moat, and on the other sides by the steepness of the ascent.'^ The tower, a higii
quadrangle of red sandstone, which appears to liave been built by Oliver Cromwell, has been
modernised, and is still inhabited.'^
' Compota Camerar., vol. iii. pp. 449, 4G9, 43!!, 502. '" Compota Camerar., vol. iii. pp. 419, 434.
- New Stat. Ace. An(lersou'.s Guide, p. 379- " Gregory's Highlands and Isles, p. 44. Pennant,
^ Drawings by James Skene, Esq. The Brus (Spald- vol. ii. p. 17'2. ■- Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xii. no. (JO.
ing Club), xxxi. 12. '^ Kilniichael Charters.
* The Brus, xxxii. ' The Brus, xxxi. xxxii. " Pitcaim's Crim. Trials, vol. i. p. 139.* It is said to
* The Brus, xxxili. Pennant, vol. ii. p. 171. Lord have been rebuilt by King Jam^sV., at what date does
of the Isles, canto v. Excursions to Arran, p. 100. not appear. Pennant, vol. ii. p. 172.
Barbour makes no mention of the capture of the castle. " Gregory's Highlands and Isles, p. 1C4.
" Kilmichael Charters. See above, p. 248. '^ Description of the Western Isles.
' Scotichronicon, lib. ii. c. 10. " Martin's Western Islands, pp. 222, 223.
' Compota Camerar., vol. iii. pp. 419-503. See above, '" Anderson's Guide, p. 377- Excursions to Arran,
p. 250. p. 342.