[BITList] King of Scots

[HUGH]

John,

With a group, we had a most interesting visit the other day to Ardgowan 
House, a stunning mansion near Inverkip a few miles from here.  The laird 
himself, Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart, gave us a series of talks on the history 
of the place, the battles, and the descent of his family, from the very 
Stewarts in the biography.  And he conducted us round the place - or some of 
it - it's enormous.  We adjourned for tea and a lovely spread, including 
lemon drizzle cake made by the laird himself.  We were free to take photos 
and a great time was had by all.  I happened to mention to him that my wife 
and I have five separate Stewart lines in our family history, and we 
discussed a recent discovery that arose from DNA analyisis - one (two?) in 
every five Scottish men with Stewart ancestry are descended from the ancient 
Royal Stewarts.  I asked him what a DNA test costs now.  "Two hundred and 
fifty pounds, " he said. "Too dear for me."

Hugh.