The Family
In 1944 Margaret Findlay married James Douglas Murray youngest son of Thomas Murray, a former Provost of Ayr.
The Murray Family, in the person of Ex-Bailie Thomas Murray, moved to Ayr from Almond Bank, Perthshire in the 1870's where Thomas Murray founded the business of T Murray and Sons. Bailie Murray was a member of Ayr Town Council from 1910 to 1926. Later he was a Police Judge.
It was Bailie Murray's son who later became Provost of Ayr
Margaret was the daughter of David Findlay, a well known figure in the town of Ayr as he was the proprietor of P B Hill fishmongers.
PB Hills in Ayr
Wedding Photo
Provost Murray with Sir Winston Churchill
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Coat of Arms of David Findlay
Argent, on a chevron Azure between two roses Gules,barbed and seeded Vert in chief and a salmon naiant Proper in base, two swords points downwards co-joined at the pommels of the First, hilted and pommeled Or. Above the shiled is place an Helm befitting his degree, with Mantling Azure doubled Argent, and on a wreath of Liveries is set for Crest a sea horse naiant proper.
The Findlays who originally came from Aberdeenshire, settled in Ayrshire in the 1600's, purchasing Shawhill in the parish of Ricarton from Lady Margaret Campbell of Loudon
A notable Findlay was Captain James Findlay of Shaw who was officer in charge of the French prisoners of war in Dublin Castle.
He was a violinist of note and a writer of love letters at the time of Robert Burns
His son Lieutenant James Findlay, occasionally called the Master Gunner of Scotland, was the Officer in charge of the first firing of the One O’Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle
145 years after his death from consumption in 1862, a headstone marking his grave in St Cuthberts graveyard in Edinburgh was erected by the One O'Clock Gun Association.
Lieutenant James Findlay with Mons Meg