Bute, Rothesay Churchyard. 'James Duncan'. Dated 1874. Digital image of B 4070/18

Description Bute, Rothesay Churchyard. 'James Duncan'. Dated 1874. Digital image of B 4070/18

Date 1988

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 801731

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of B 4070/18

Scope and Content Tomb of James Duncan, St Mary's Church, Rothesay, Bute, Argyll & Bute This recumbent bronze effigy shows a bearded man resting on a draped bed wrapped in a long Highland cape and wearing a bonnet or 'balmoral' (a traditional Scottish cap). The polished pink and grey granite base and expensive bronze sculpture signify that the deceased was an important member of the community. James Duncan bequeathed £2,000 on his death to 'women of good character in the Burgh' with the interesting clause that once they were included on the list, they could not be removed for any reason. He also donated a similar amount to provide bursaries at Glasgow University. An old local legend told that he died at Valparaiso, Chile, and that his body was shipped home in a cask of rum, earning him the nickname of 'Valparaiso Duncan'. This is untrue, as he died in London, and was actually shipped home in gin! This monument commemorates James Duncan, who died in 1874. It is inscribed: 'JAMES DUNCAN/WAS BORN 26th JANUARY 1736/DIED 21st OCTOBER 1874'. A further inscription from Psalm 41: 1 reads: 'Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/801731

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap