Crossmichael was first recorded in 1164 when Galloway was an independent land. Townhead of Greenlaw is to its south. The site of Greenlaw, Crossmichael, National Grid Reference : NX 74800 64500, is said to be a Roman burial ground, and occupies rising ground. A Roman fort once existed to the south near Glenlochar barrage at Abbey Yard. Sixteen other forts, mottes, stone circles and cairns all lie within of Crossmichael.
Facilities
Crossmichael has a pub, shop, a marina, and a church with a distinctive steeple.
The village name comes from the Cross of St. Michael patron saint of the original church. The Parish of Crossmichael is recorded as far back as the 12th century. A building was believed to be present prior to AD1547 as the earliest tombstone in the churchyard bears that date. The present church building dates from 1751, but includes the distinctive round tower of earlier date. Some evidence suggests that the round tower was built around 1611 by Sir Robert Gordon of Greenlaw, Crossmichael Parish. The date on the bell in the round tower tends to confirm this. In 1852 the church was remodelled by the architect John Starforth. The church interior contains the Lairds' Lofts of the local families from Danevale Park, Culgruff and Mollance House. The Churchyard has Covenanters graves dating from the ‘ Killing Times ‘ of the 1680, a fine enriched Gordon monument, a table stone with an acrostic epitaph to Rev Andrew Dick, and three war graves.
Estates
Culgruff House, Baronial style mansion of 1889, designed by architect Charles William Stephens, later the architect of Harrods Department Store in London, built in red sandstone, 2 storeys with attics and tall square tower. Above entrance door the inscription "God'sProvidenceisMineInheritance" and date of 1889. Built by Robert Stewart of Southwick who married Georgina Eleanor Maxwell daughter of Sir William Maxwell 3rd baronet of Cardoness. From 1947 to 2015 in use as an hotel. Is listed as Category B.
Danevale Park Estate. Was a late Georgian country house of 1795, altered in 1883 by architect David Robertson. Demolished 1950s with new house on site.
Mollance House, mid to late 19th century large country house probably incorporating an earlier house of 1736. Destroyed by fire c.1928, parts of shell remain.
Greenlaw House, dating from 1740. Built by the Gordons of Kenmure Castle. Destroyed by fire in the 80s and rebuilt in the 2000s.
Hillowton, a small 19th-century country house.
Ernespie House, mid c18 with c19 additions, on site of an earlier house. Long in use as an hotel.
Notable people
Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar, 1st Baronet. On 12 July 1626 he was appointed a member of the Council of war for Scotland and a Commissioner for the Middle Shires, residing at Greenlaw, Crossmichael Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire in the grant of the barony of Galloway in Nova Scotia in 1621. On 1 July 1629, 70 Scots under the leadership of James Stewart, 4th Lord Ochiltree of Killeith, landed at Baleine, Cape Breton Island, probably encouraged by Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar.
William Neill, poet in both Gaelic and English. In 1969 he won the bardic crown at the National Mod at Aviemore.
Jim Greenwood, was a Scottish rugby union player and coach. He won twenty caps for Scotland and four for the British Lions as a number eight and flanker. He published three books – Improve Your Rugby, Total Rugby and Think Rugby. Total Rugby and Think Rugby are considered seminal books on rugby coaching, and have been updated and reprinted numerous times due to demand, as recently as 2015.
