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ROBERT DUNMORE
ROBERT DUNMORE of Kelvinside and Ballikinrain. - The Dunmores were esteemed the very chief of the old tobacco lords, Bailie Thomas Dunmore, Robert's father, being among the first in Glasgow who, after the Union, prosecuted the great Virginia trade. In 1749 Thomas bought Bankhead, then a portion of the Ruchill estate, upon which he built the picturesque mansion of Kelvinside, which he made over to his son, Robert, in 1776. Robert - having married the only daughter of his partner, John Napier of Ballikinrain - obtained possession of that estate on his father-in-law's death. When the cotton trade had obtained a footing in Scotland, Robert built a small mill at Balfron, on the Endrick, which was purchased by the Buchanans of Carston, and, under their fostering care and that of the Findlays, the little factory was enlarged and extended till it became the famous Ballindalloch works. (See sketch of the Buchanans of Carston.)
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