Arbigland

Arbigland Estate in the historical county of Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, lies on the coast of the Solway Firth, to the south-east of Kirkbean.[1] It is the birthplace of John Paul Jones, the founder of the US Navy. A birthplace museum is situated in the cottage where he was born, which was donated by the Blackett family to the John Paul Jones Museum Trust in 1997.

Classical mansion

The classical-styled 10,796 square feet (1,003.0 m2) Arbigland House was built in 1755 by the improving laird and gentleman architect William Craik (1703–98).[2] His daughter, the poet and novelist Helen Craik (1751–1825), lived there until 1792.[3] She was a friend and supporter of Robert Burns, who dined at the House.[4] William's illegitimate son, James Craik, was the first Physician General of the United States Army and personal physician of George Washington.[5] It is a Category A listed building.[6]

Gardens

The gardens have been included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.[7] They were laid out in the 19th and 20th century by the Blackett family who bought the estate from the Craiks in 1852. Arbigland House and Gardens were sold in 2000 but the rest of the estate is still owned by the Blackett family. The gardens are open Thursday - Sunday during the Spring and Summer

References
  1. "Arbigland: Overview". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  2. "Basic site details: Arbigland House". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  3. Adriana Craciun, "Craik, Helen (1751–1825)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford, UK: OUP, 2004) accessed 29 June 2015
  4. Burns: A Biography of Robert Burns by James Mackay published Alloway Publishing 1992, ISBN 0-907526-85-3
  5. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  6. Historic Environment Scotland. "ARBIGLAND HOUSE  (Category A Listed Building) (LB10398)". Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  7. {{Historic Environment Scotland |num=GDL00015 |desc=ARBIGLAND |access-date=28 February 2019


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