Creation Date

circa 1900

Accessory

Frame

Description

This oil painting was created by Margaret McKay Ferguson (Mrs. Archie), and was a wedding present to her niece, Isabel McKay and her husband Meril Vrieze. Margaret was the oldest daughter of Peter McKay and his wife, Margaret McNee. Margaret was born in Scotland in 1852. The family came to America in 1856 , settling in Fillmore County in 1860.

This scene most likely depicts the Rednock Castle which was located in Port of Menteith, Scotland, from where the family immigrated. While the castle was destroyed sometime between 1100 and 1200, it was famous for hiding the baby Queen Mary for a time. Family tradition tells that the McNee family farmed on the castle land.