Alexander Murray - Dunkitterick, Dumfries & Galloway - Childhood Homes on Waymarking.com

Alexander Murray's enthusiasm to read and educate himself was supported by his parents and relations who could not afford to educate him. At the age of six his 70 year old father taught him to read and write using burnt heather stalks on an old wool card. By 12 he was educating neighbouring farmer's children. Before moving on to educate a mill owner's children in Minnigaff.
Whilst there Alexander visited and met Robert Burns who suggested his enrolment at Edinburgh University. He chose divinity which led to being the minister for the Parish of Urr in 1806. A further suggestion and Alexander applied for a professor's role back at Edinburgh University, and was appointed in 1812.
He died of consumption and is buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh. (1813)

Ruins are listed on RCAHMS. (visit link)
Streetmap (visit link)

Name of Famous Person: Alexander Murray Physical Address: Dunkitterick Cottage, DG8 7BL What is this person famous for?: He was born here in 1775, and was Minister of the Parish of Urr. In 1812 he was appointed professor of Oriental Languages at Edinburgh University. He died in 1813 and was buried in Greyfriars churchyard. Remarkable also, with little education he acquired a knowledge of French, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German, and some Arabic and Ethiopic. Website verifying legitimacy of site: [Web Link] Additional Website verifying Site legitimacy: [Web Link] Personal Experience: Found by visiting GC at GZ and had seen this cottage marked on map and wondered why building is highlighted. Path littered with tree stumps at time of visit. Granite rocks. Other information about area: This is a wild uninhabited valley, with only a tarmac road running through. The Forestry Commission have built observation platforms and other tourist features. Pick up a guide locally. In 1877 an obelisk was erected nearby to honour Alexander Murray.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/05/2014 Alancache visited it