Gordie12 wrote: don't suppose you know why Loch Dungeon was so named?? Checked various websites but couldn't find anything.
No, I've never come across a reference to how or why that name came into use, not for Loch Dungeon or Dungeon Hill, nor the Long Loch or Round Loch of the Dungeon. The place names of Galloway are strange and ancient, unchanged from the Middle Ages or earlier.
Tinto63 wrote:I wonder if he (or anyone else) knows the origin's of the 'Nick of the Dead Man's Banes' between Craigwhinnie and Benmeal. NX563687 (right at the top of Landranger 83)? I found reference to this in Graham Robb's recent book of the Cols and Passes of the British Isles and other than being the site of human remains cannot find any other information.
Again, I have no notion of this place name; I had not heard of it before, despite spending some time close by years ago. Canmore gives no clue. Perhaps it was a battle site, or ancient burial ground. I'd love to know. It puts me in mind of half-forgotten legends and muttered traditions spoken of around bothy fires in hushed tones, and old ballads left over from the time of the Border Reivers...
As I was walking all alane
I heard twa corbies makin' mane;
And tane ontae the tither did say,
“Where shall we gang and dine the day
Where shall we gang and dine the day?”
“In behind yon aul fail dyke
I wot there lies a new slain knight;
And naebody kens that he lies there-o
But his hawk and his hound and his lady fair-o,
His hawk and his hound and his lady fair.”
His hawk is tae the hunting gane,
His hound to fetch the wildfowl hame;
His lady has ta'en anither mate-o
So we may make our dinner sweet-o,
We may make our dinner sweet”
“Ye'll sit on his white hause-bane
And I'll pike out his bonny blue een;
With many a lock of his golden hair-o
We'll theek our nest when it grows bare-o,
Theek our nest when it grows bare.”
“Many a one for him makes mane
But nane shall ken where he is gane;
O'er his white bones when they are bare-o
The wind shall blow for evermare-o,
The wind shall blow for evermare.”