James Nasmyth: Engineer | Page 9

castles
to go to ruin; or, what was worse, they made use of the stone and other
materials of the old romantic buildings for the construction of their new
residences.
Michael Naesmyth acquired a high reputation for the substantiality of
his work. His masonry was excellent, as well as his woodwork. The
greater part of the latter was executed in his own workshops at the back
of his house in the Grassmarket. His large yard was situated between
the back of the house and the high wall that bounded the Greyfriars
Churchyard,to the east of the flight of steps which forms the main
approach to George Heriot's Hospital.
[Image] Michael Naesmyth's House, Grassmarket.The lower building
at the right hand corner of the engraving, with the three projecting
gable ends

The last work that Michael Naesmyth was engaged in cost him his life.
He had contracted with the Government to build a fort at Inversnaid, at
the northern end of Loch Lomond. It was intended to guard the
Lowlands, and keep Rob Roy and his caterans within the Highland
Border. A promise was given by the Government that during the
progress of the work a suitable force of soldiers should be quartered
close at hand to protect the builder and his workmen.
[Image] Inversnaid Fort. After a drawing by Alexander Nasmyth
Notwithstanding many whispered warnings as to the danger of
undertaking such a hazardous work, Michael Naesmyth and his men
encamped upon the spot, though without the protection of the
Government force. Having erected a temporary residence for their
accommodation, he proceeded with the building of the fort. The work
was well advanced by the end of 1703, although the Government had
treated all Naesmyth's appeals for protection with evasion or contempt.
Winter set in with its usual force in those northern regions. One dark
and snowy night, when Michael and his men had retired to rest, a loud
knocking was heard at the door. "Who's there?" asked Michael. A man
outside replied, "A benighted traveller overt aken by the storm" He
proceeded to implore help, and begged for God's sake that he might
have shelter for the night. Naesmyth, in the full belief that the
traveller's tale was true, unbolted and unbarred the door, when in
rushed Rob Roy and his desperate gang. The men, with the dirks of the
Macgregors at their throats, begged hard for their lives. This was
granted on condition that they should instantly depart, and take an oath
that they should never venture within the Highland border again.
Michael Naesmyth and his men had no alternative but to submit, and
they at once left the bothy with such scanty clothing as the Macgregors
would allow them to carry away. They were marched under an armed
escort through the snowstorm to the Highland border, and were there
left with the murderous threat that, if they ever returned to the fort, they
would meet with certain death.
Another attempt was made to build the fort at Inversnaid. But Rob Roy

again surprised the small party of soldiers who were in charge. They
were disarmed and sent about their business. Finally, the fort was
rebuilt, and placed under the command of Captain (afterwards General)
Wolfe. When peace fell upon the Highlands and Rob Roy's country
became the scene of picnics, the fort was abandoned and allowed to go
to ruin.
Poor Michael never recovered from the cold which he caught during his
forced retreat from Inversnaid. The effects of this, together with the
loss and distress of mind which he experienced from the Government's
refusal to pay for his work--notwithstanding their promise to protect
him and his workmen from the Highland freebooters--so preyed upon
his mind that he was never again able to devote himself to business.
One evening, whilst sitting at his fireside with his grandchild on his
knee, a death-like faintness came over him; he set the child down
carefully by the side of his chair, and then fell forward dead on his
hearthstone.
Thus ended the life of Michael Naesmyth in 1705, at the age of
fifty-three. He was buried by the side of his ancestors in the old family
tomb in the Greyfriars Churchyard.
[Image] The Naesmyth Tomb in Greyfriars Churchyard
This old tomb, dated 1614, though much defaced, is one of the most
remarkable of the many which surround the walls of that ancient and
memorable burying-place.
Greyfriars Churchyard is one of the most interesting places in
Edinburgh. The National Covenant was signed there by the Protestant
nobles and gentry of Scotland in 1638. The prisoners taken at the battle
of Bothwell Brig were shut up there in 1679, and, after enduring great
privations, a portion of the survivors were sent off to Barbadoes. When
I first saw the tombstone, an ash tree was growing