Crossroads and Characters

8. A FEUDAL VILLAGE.

In 1897 this is how the village of Dunning looked from atop the Dun Knock, near to where the dragon once breathed fire down on the inhabitants. Or, if you prefer, the hill where an ancient Iron Age fort once existed (one meaning given for the name Dunning is 'hillfort'). The open space in the immediate foreground had been bought by the Church of Scotland and was in use as a public park. But the hilltop and most of the land in view belonged to the great Duncrub estate of the Rollo family. Even the land of the village was largely held in feu from Lord Rollo (it continues to be so today, and the Rollos have 21 days first refusal on much property offered for sale in Dunning). In the woods in the background is the gleaming roof of Duncrub House, the imposing mansion which was for eighty-five years the Rollo family seat.