The Girnin' Dug

A Lanark story of malice and long-standing revenge

Perched high on the gable end of 15 Castlegate is a statue of a black and white dog named Camp, also known as The Girnin’ Dug. The best view of this unique landmark is from the pavement across the street.

The statue’s origins trace back to the early 19th century when Lanark thrived as a textile town. Camp belonged to Deacon John MacDonald, a prosperous dyer who was constructing a new townhouse on Castlegate. However, his neighbour, Miss Mary Inglis of Vere House, opposed the building, though the council ultimately ruled in MacDonald’s favour. Throughout the construction, MacDonald was frequently seen with his beloved dog, and on one occasion, Camp's exuberance reportedly led to Miss Inglis being knocked over.

Not long after moving into his new home, MacDonald returned one day to discover Camp had been poisoned, with suspicion falling on Miss Inglis. Seeking retribution, he hired a local stonemason to craft a statue of his cherished pet and placed it on top of his house—facing directly towards Miss Inglis’s window as a perpetual reminder to her. She reportedly had the window bricked up to avoid the animal’s gaze.

Deacon MacDonald died in 1836 and Miss Inglis in 1847.

Alhough Vere House was demolished years ago, The Girnin’ Dug still stands, preserving a quirky piece of Lanark’s history.

To explore the story of The Girnin' Dug further, you can enjoy an entertaining fictional account of Camp's Story HERE and hear local storyteller Allison Galbraith's spoken version HERE.