I74 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
surmounted by the initials R G.; the arrangement of the interior seemed to have
been designed with a view to its occasional subdivision for the separate lodgment of
illustrious occupants. A projecting turret, which appears in our engraving, enclosed
a spiral stone stair, each of the steps of which was curiously hollowed in front into the
segment of a, circle. This stair afforded access to a small room in the highest floor of
the house, which tradit.ion, as well as the appearance of the apartment, pointed out as
the place of durance of the various noble captives that found a prison within its old walls.
An adjoining closet was also shown, where the lockman waa said to have slept, while in
waiting to do his last office on such of them as spent there the closing hours of life.
Popular rumour even sought to add to the number of these associations, by assigning the
former apartment as that in which the Earl of Argyle spent the last night before his
execution ; where one of his unprincipled and lawless judges was struck with astonishment
and remorse on finding his victim in a sweet and tranquil slumber only a few hours
before passing to the scaffold.
At the period of Argyle’s execution, however, A.D. 1685, this private stronghold of
James VI. had passed out of the hands of subservient customars, into the possession of
the descendants of Sir Thomas Hope,-one of the most resolute opponents of the aggressions
of royalty,-who were little likely to suffer their dwelling to be converted into the
state prison of the bigoted James VII. ; while it is clearly stated by Wodrow, that the
unfortunate Argyle was brought directly from the Castle to the Laigh Council Room,
thence to be conducted to execution.
Very soon after the erection of Gourlay’s house, it became the residence of Sir William
Durie, governor of Berwick, and commander of the English auxiliaries, during the memorable
siege of the Castle in 1573; and thither,-on its surrender, after the courageous
defence, of which a brief account has already been given,‘-the gallant Sir William
Kirkaldy of Grange, and his brother, with the Lord Hume, Lethington, Pittadrow, the
Countess of Argyle, the Lady Lethington, and the Lady Grange, were conducted to await
the bloody revenge of the Regent Morton, and the heartlessness of Queen Elizabeth, that
consigned Sir William Kirkaldy and his brother to the ignominious death of felons.’
David Moyses, who himself held an office in the household of James VI., informs us
that on the 27th of. May 1581, the very year succeeding that of the royal mandates in
favour of Gourlay, the Earls of Arran and Montrose passed from Edinburgh with a body
of armed men, to bring the Earl of DIorton from Dumbarton Castle, where he was in ward,
to take his trial at Edinburgh ; and “ upon the 29th of May, the said Earl was transported
to Edinburgh, and lodged in Robert Gourlay’s house, and there keeped by the waged men.”’
The Earl was held there in strict durance, until the 1st of June, and denied all intercourse
with his friends. On that day the citizens of the capital were mustered in arms on the
l Ante, p. 84.
“ The noblemen past to the said lieutennentis lugeing, callit Goudayes lugeing, thair to remayne quhill farder
aduertisement come fra the Quene of Ingland.”-Diurnal of Occurrenta, p. 333. Calderwood, who furnishes the list of
noble captives, mentions the Laird of Grange as hrought with others from the Abbey to the Cross for execution. Sir
William Durie, we may presume, declined to be hia gaoler, after his death was determined on.-“ When he aaw the
scaffold prepared at the Croce, the day faire, and the aunne ahping cleere, his countenance waa changed,” &c. The
whole narrative is curious and minute, though too long for inserting here.-Calderwood, vol. iii. p. 284.
Hoyses’ Memoira, p. 63. .
