---

Afghan Hound Times
(Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange)

---

"COVE"
Home of Bell Murray Afghan Hounds
(Page 1)
Author - Steve Tillotson, May 2011

Cove House 1931 and 2011

Click here for an additional article and a larger photo of Cove House

The above images show Cove House in 1931 and 2011. Cove House was built on the former site of Dunskellie Castle. Cove House was owned by Emerngarda Ogilvy Grenville Nugent who inherited the house from her father Augustus George Ogilvy, he was her grandfather who died 29th December 1869. Augustus George Ogilvy died 19th July 1871 passeing the house onto Ermingarda. The house then went into the creditors and was rented out to Major Bell Murray and then was bought by the current family who have owned the property since 1928. The original castle that was here was owned by the Irvings in the 12 century and then by Sir James Johnstone of Dunskellie. The property fell into dis-repair and the roof collapsed in the 1970's. The current owners rebuilt and restored Cove House


(Ed Note December 2011 - my thanks to Lindsey Mccourt for providing additional and correct information on the family history/ownership of Cove House)

Major Bell Murray letter re renting Cove House 1931


Above is a scan of a three page letter from the owner of Cove House in July 1931 to her cousin in which she discusses renting the property to Major Bell Murray. The current owner confirms that Major Bell Murray did indeed rent the property


Cove Afghan Hounds

Above is a (poor quality) photo of three Cove Afghan Hounds


Robert The Bruce's Cave at Cove


"King Robert The Bruce's Cave" is situated in the historic grounds of Cove Manor House (formerly Dunskellie Castle) which Major Bell Murray rented in 1931 upon his return to the UK from Afghanistan and where Ms Jean Manson established her "Cove" Afghan Hound Kennels.

Robert The Bruce , born at Lochmaben Castle in 1274, was Knight and Overlord of Annandale and was crowned King of Scotland in 1306..

In the winter of 1313 after suffering defeat, King Robert went into hiding in the cave. While evading capture by Edward Longshanks the first of England - he spent three months living a solitary existence at a time when The Wars of Independence were at their bleakest for the Scots. Robert the Bruces cave is accessible by a platform from the river path.

Whilst in the cave and at the depths of despair, King Robert happened to watch a spider attempting to build a web - the spider would spin then fall, get up and spin again and again relentlessly until it eventually made the web..

This gave Robert heart and is reputed to be the birth of the saying - "If at first you don't succeed try, try and try again ..

King Robert then went forth from the cave on Cove estate, raised an army and won the Historic Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 - even though he was outnumbered ten to one. He established his claim to the throne and thus the beginning of freedom for Scotland..

King Robert the Bruce's Cave and Cove House is situated in the Scottish village of Kirkpatrick Fleming - 14 miles north of Carlisle and 3 miles north of Gretna Green.

Go To Cove Afghans Page 2
12/15/11 Article "Mysterious Bell-Murray/Cove photo" Steve Tillotson December 2011
The Dog Of The Mystic East, by Jean Manson, 1929
"The Afghan Hound Is An Ancient Breed"
Author - Evelyn Denyer, Published in "The Dog Fancier" 1925
Go To Early Afghan Hounds Page
Go To Library Of Articles
GoTo Whats New page

afghan hound times
afghan hound times