In 1773 James Boswell and Samuel Johnson visited Lady Susanna, now the Dowager Countess, at her home, Auchans.
She embraced Johnson upon his departure and commented that as she was old enough to be his mother, she would adopt him.
Auchans is now Old Auchans and stands as a substantial ruin in 2009.
Her son Alexander already knew Johnson and had passed on much information about him to his mother.

Johnson, in a letter to Mrs Thrale, described Susanna as a lady who for many years gave the laws of elegance to Scotland.
She is in full vigour of mind, and not much impaired in form.
She is only eighty-three.
She was remarking that her marriage was in the year eight; and I told her my birth was in the year nine. '
Then,' says she, 'I am just old enough to be your mother, and I will take you for my son.'
At last night came, and I was sorry to leave her.
In 1773 James Boswell and Samuel Johnson visited Lady Susanna, now the Dowager Countess, at her home, Auchans. She embraced Johnson upon his departure and commented that as she was old enough to be his mother, she would adopt him. Auchans is now Old Auchans and stands as a substantial ruin in 2009. Her son Alexander already knew Johnson and had passed on much information about him to his mother.
Johnson, in a letter to Mrs Thrale, described Susanna as a lady who for many years gave the laws of elegance to Scotland. She is in full vigour of mind, and not much impaired in form. She is only eighty-three. She was remarking that her marriage was in the year eight; and I told her my birth was in the year nine. 'Then,' says she, 'I am just old enough to be your mother, and I will take you for my son.' At last night came, and I was sorry to leave her.
Auchans Castle, Ayrshire