"John Halliday", according to the Rt. Hon. William Lidderdale, writing to his cousin General Halliday, "returned to Galloway in 1757 on his father's death, on a visit, and went over to Ireland to see his aunt Elizabeth, Mrs. Robert Lidderdale. He brought back with him to Kirkcudbright his cousin William Lidderdale, intending to take him to Antigua to join the business. Mrs. Halliday, widow of John Halliday, took a great liking to her nephew, William Lidderdale, and persuaded him to stay at Kirkcudbright, where he became at first tenant, afterwards carrying on business with Ireland. It was believed by our family, of my uncles' generation, that the inducement held out to my grandfather to remain in Scotland was that the Castle Maines or Dykes property would be left to him at his aunt's death. Her son, John Halliday, was already rich. This proceeding was most unlucky for the Lidderdales. As a young man, Martin, who went out in place of my grandfather, made a fortune whilst the latter never did much for himself at home."

William leased Castle Dykes until his death and the estate was eventually sold by the Halliday of that time to the Earl of Selkirk. He married Elizabeth Wright and it is possible, indeed probable, that this love match had as much to do with his not going to Antigua as his aunt Margaret's persuasions. Dr. Robert Lidderdale, one of Elizabeth Wright's grandsons, suggested that to her strong character was due any success of her sons and grandsons.

In Kirkcudbright Kirkyard a tombstone records the burial of William of Castlemains (or Dykes), Elizabeth Wright, his wife, and most of their family.

Source: Robert Halliday Lidderdale, An Account of the Lowland Scots Family of Lidderdale, 1950.