Provost Shanks of Denny

[Bowhouse]

Hi

I am a relation of the Kirkwood side of the family and had no idea that someone married into the Shanks family.  My great grandfather was the poet James Kirkwood, commonly known as "auld Gairt". His son, James, was my grandfather who was a Chief Engineer on ships.  Catherine Kirkwood married her cousin James Gillespie and lived at Myothill Farm.  I have researched back to 1759 when Andrew Kirkwood was reported to have originated in Linlithgowshire but moved to Denny.   I have a lot of documents pertaining to the Kirkwood family, one goes back to the beginning of the 18th century.  I would be pleased to hear from anybody who has information about any aspects of the family.

[Bowhouse]

Hi Linda

My great grandfather was James Kirkwood who was a published poet in his day.  My grandfather, James Kirkwood, was a Chief Engineer on ships.  Old Gairt, as he was called. was well known.  I have never heard my father, or my uncle. talk about Provost Shanks being a relation.