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A series of 10 books each including 10 documents that provide intriguing insights into the history of Dumfries & Galloway. The first volume will be published in December 2011.

This series is Print-On-Demand at £15.00 per book.

Further details to be provided soon.

James Maxwell of Kirkconnell with his servant William Carruthers joined Prince Charles Edward Stuart at Edinburgh in 1745. Maxwell served in the Prince's army as one of the captains in Lord Elcho's Troop of Lifeguards. This meant that he accompanied the Prince on his expedition into England, the retreat to Scotland, at the battle of Falkirk and finally on Culloden Moor. Carruthers returned to Kirkconnell instead of going to England but Maxwell had to escape from the vengeance of the Duke of Cumberland's troops. He went to France, where he wrote a Narrative of the Prince's Expedition.

Although there are innumerable accounts of the 'Forty-Five, the one written by James Maxwell stands out. Described as 'rather to appear the production of a practised litterateur than the work of a private gentleman, who merely aimed at giving memoranda of a series of remarkable events which he had chanced to witness', Maxwell's Narrative is based on his own experiences together with intimate details of the meetings of the Prince's Council of War. It is Maxwell's personal commentary on events which makes this story of so great interest, particularly as it reflects the views of a 'local man' from near New Abbey in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. Although the Narrative was not published until 1841 it had been quoted by Walter Scott in The Tales of a Grandfather and used in works of both fiction and fact before that date.

This book reproduces the Narrative in shortened form, without omitting any of James Maxwell's personal comments. It provides details of Maxwell's life in France and Holland, before his return to Kirkconnell in 1749. His ambitious building of a new section to the House, his marriage and final illness are also included.

2008
ISBN 978 1 897725 26 9
A5 144pp paperback
£10.00

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See also the Manx Series

See also Exhibitions 2008

Inspired by the Kirkcudbright Festival of Gardening and Country Life in July 2008, this booklet describes the plants grown in Kirkconnell garden between 1699 and 1900, which marked the death of John Harper, head gardener.

2008
ISBN 978 1 897725 29 0
A5 32pp paperback
£3.00

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See also Exhibitions 2008

On his deathbed the poet, Robert Burns gave his doctor, William Maxwell a pair of pistols. These pistols had been given to Burns by their mutual acquaintance the gunsmith, David Blair of Birmingham. Maxwell outlived Burns by nearly 40 years, dying in the arms of Bishop Gillis at his house in Edinburgh. In 1859, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Burns, the Bishop presented a pair of pistols to the Society of Antiquaries for Scotland, believing these to be the pair given to Maxwell by Burns. He was mistaken. Where are the Blair Pistols now?

2009
ISBN 978 1 897725 31 3
A5 32pp paperback
£3.00

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See also Exhibitions 2009