Park Village
Cample
Dalgarnoc
Other
The Templand Cross , Dalgarnoc is the one remaining standing stone of a great stone- circle. A small incised cross can be found on the stone, completing the transformation of a once pagan site to the emerging Christian faith. The stone-circle would have stood in a grove
Dalgarnoc may be [Gaelic] dail garn achadh 'place of the grove'
If Dalgarnoc has sanctity, this historic spot has
glamour all its own upon its purple heather. The last of the tenantry of the
united farms of Locherben or Laight, Mitchelslacks, and Kirkhop was Walter
Irvine Harkness, who died on 5th April 1906, leaving no family. He was interred
among his ancestors under a lofty monument in Dalgarnoc.
In order to commemorate publicly the valuable services, sacrifices, and heroism
of the Nithsdale Covenanters, a Conventicle was held in Dalgarnoc Churchyard on
Sabbath, 25th July, 1925, under the presidency of the parish minister of
Closeburn, Rev. Charles Rolland Ramsay, M.A., who was assisted by other local
clergy. The present writer gave an account of the Nithsdale Covenanters, and
appealed for funds to renovate their monuments, and commemorate the local
martyrs in an appropriate memorial. A hearty response was given, which resulted
in the cleaning up and restoration of all the ancient memorials of the departed
there.
A second Conventicle was held on 22nd July 1928, in Dalgarnoc, when an immense
assembly, from many quarters, gathered to witness the unveiling of a stately
Northumbrian Cross in honour of 57 Nithsdale Martyrs, whose names are inscribed
upon it. The religious service by the local clergy of all denominations,
assisted by a large united choir, accompanied by the Regimental Band of the
Seventh Battalion of the Cameroonian Territorial Regiment, under Lieut. Colonel
Vandaluer, and other officers, recalled the former glories of the ancient
sanctuary. The scene contrasted with that when Colonel John Graham of
Claverhouse convened the worshippers therein. Descendants of the martyrs,
Harknesses, and others were present. Mr. John Cunningham Montgomery of Dalmore
unveiled the monument.
Robert Burns wrote
"But a' the neist
week, as I petted wi' care,
I gaed to the tryst o' Dalgarnock,
And wha but my fine fickle lover was there?"