Cakemuir Castle

Situated in Midlothian, Cakemuir Castle is a 16th century four storey tower house. The projecting stair tower is round and capped with a square watch chamber. This feature is common to Tolquhon and Crossraguel and may symbolise Protestant sympathy.

The castle was built on the site of an earlier castle by Adam Wauchope, who defended the Earl of Bothwell against the charge of murdering Lord Darnley. It was at Cakemuir that Mary, Queen of Scots, met up with Bothwell after fleeing from Borthwick in June 1567 and sought escape to Dunbar.

It is reassuring to see a fine property like Cakemuir being both conserved and developed further with an impressive pond and a large Orangerie (correct us if it is not!).

The family connection is through the current owners, the Robert Douglas-Miller family. Robert is my 5th & 6th cousin through my maternal grandmothers line (Milroy).

Bavelaw Castle

   

At first sight Bavelaw Castle appears to be a typical 17th century Lairds House but a 16th century origin is attested by the thickness of its walls, its vaulted basement and an array of gun loops. Located two miles south of Balerno, it has links with Mary Queen of Scots and James VI.

The family connection is through Robert Alexander Gavin Douglas-Miller former managing director of Jenners department store.
Robert, the current owner is a 4th cousin once removed to me from my maternal grandmother's family (Milroy).

Burgie House

It is thought that circa 1800 the middle part of the current house was built as a “cubical block” using the

stone from the then ruined castle. In 1912 Alexander Thomson entirely recast the building, extending the wings and covering the whole structure with a new roof. The old porch was removed and re-erected near the castle where it still remains today as a folly. In 1934 the house was modernised and enlarged once more with its appearance remaining the same to this day.

Fontaine Francaise Castle

Fontaine-Française Castle in Côte-d'Or is an elegant 18th-century residence in the classical style. Built on

the site of an ancient medieval fortress, it features a grand double staircase at the front, between the terrace and the pond. The 7-hectare pond stretches out in front of the castle's façade and makes for a peaceful and charming setting.

The guided tour of the Louis XV-style main building will take you to the guard room, drawing rooms and ceremonial rooms, where you can admire magnificent antique tapestries and period furniture.

Searching for the Binney girls

Probably back in my early 20’s I recall asking my dad what he knew about our family history.

Unfortunately, he knew very little about the family prior to their arrival in Canada from England in 1912. He did know of a few family stories though. One such story was that we were related to a New York music publisher named Gray and that he had two daughters that were movie stars. My dad had gone down to New York in the 1950’s and was met by one of the family.

Milroy home Houston, Texas

The Milroy House is not only a fine example of late-Victorian frame architecture, but is also significant

historically as one of the earliest houses in the town of Houston Heights and as the home of one of the men most influential in the development of that area. Built in 1898, the house was home to John Milroy until his death in 1918. Descendants of the Milroy family resided in the house until 1979. It remains the most impressive nineteenth century house on the street, with its original carriage house.

Bayons Manor

Bayons Manor located at Tealby, Lincolnshire, England was built in 1836 by the uncle of Alfred Lord

Tennyson, the Poet Laureate. Named after the Bishop of Bayeaux (William I's brother who originally owned the estate). It incorporated the original 17th century house. Bayons Manor includes a moat, over 60 rooms and a reduced size replica of Westminster Hall. It was opened to the public in 1934 and slipped into decline after the second world war when it was sold in 1944 and eventually dynamited in 1964.