after it hath passed as it were in a straight Channel by Drumelzier Castle by Peebles a Burgh Royal which had for the Sheriff thereof Baron Yester now Earl of Tweddale Lord high Chancellor who sold his Estate in that Shire and the Sheriff-ship to the Duke of Queensberry of whom afterwards in East-Lothian In this Shire the Laird of Traquair as a Baron Commissioner to the Parliament 1621 was by King Ch. the first created Lord Stuart of Traquair and in anno 1633 was made Earl his Predecessor was a Lord of Session in the year 1560 he himself was first Thesaurer-deput and afterwards Lord high Thesaurer and high Commissioner for the King whose Grand-child is Charles Earl of Traquair In this Shire also Sir Patrick Murray of Elibank was designed in the rescinded Parliament 1644 Lord Elibank whose Father Sir Gideon Murray Thesaurer-deput was admitted a Lord of the Session anno 1613 the great Grand-child is Alexander Lord Elibank Likeas Selkirk a Burgh Royal hard by hath another Sheriff out of the Family of Murray of Falahill an ancient Family designed of Philiphaugh James Murray now of Philiphaugh is one of the Lords of Session and Sheriff This place is famous by the Defeat of the Army of the great Marquess of Montrose By King Charles the first anno 1646 Lord William Dowglas second Son to the Marquess of Dowglas was created Earl of Selkirk was married to Anna Dutchess and Heiress of Hamilton and by King Charles the second after the Restauration created Duke of Hamilton he was Commissioner to two Sessions of this current Parliament and enjoyed many great and honourable Offices who in his Lifetime did convey and establish the Title and Dignity of Earl of Selkirk on Charles his second Son now Earl of Selkirk his Lady Anna Dutchess of Hamilton and James Earl of Arran doth survive Tweed also receiveth Lawder a Riverat upon which is situat a Royal Burgh and seat of a Bailliary belonging to the Family of Lawderdale within the Sheriffdom of Berwick near to which stands Thirlestane Castle a very fair House of Sir John Maitlands sometime Chancellor of Scotland whom for his singular Wisdom King Ja. the sixth created Baron of Thirlstane Sir Richard Maitland of Lethingtoun was his father who is marked in the Book of Sederunt of the Lords of Session 1553 amongst the Lords being then an extraordinary Lord In the Sederunt 1561 he is admitted an ordinar Lord and his eldest Son William then Secretary is admitted Extraordinar and thereafter Ordinar in place of Sir Robert Carnagie deceased it being Customary at that time first to be entered Extraordinar and then Ordinar This Sir Richard was Privy Seal to Queen Mary and continued an Ordinar Lord till his old Age when he demitted the eleventh of July 1584 in favours of Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice-Clerk upon the Kings Letter bearing Lethingtoun to have served his Grand-sir Good-sir Good-dame his Mother and himself faithfully in many publick Offices and now greatly disabled by Age he had demitted in favours c. Reserving all Profits to himself during his Life which notwithstanding of his Dimission he enjoyed till his death anno 1586. The said Mr. John Maitland of Thirlstane his second Son was in April 1581 admitted Lord of the Session and about the year 1584 Secretary and in the 1586 Vice Chancellor and thereafter Chancellor and in the 1592 designed Lord Thirlstane Chancellor whose Son John was created Viscount of Lauderdale by King Ja. sixth and is so marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 and in June 1618 under the Designation of Viscount of Lauderdale he is admitted an ordinar Lord of Session and thereafter created Earl of Lauderdale by King Ja. thessixth about the year 1624 whose Son John Earl of Lauderdale was Secretary to King Ch. the second by him created Duke of Lauderdale in the year 1672 he was high Commissioner to the hail Sessions of the second Parliament King Ch. the second Convention of Estates 1678 and enjoyed many other honourable Offices and upon his decease without Heirs-male of his Body his brother Charles Maitland of Haltoun Thesaurer-deput and a Lord of the Session succeeded to him in his Dignity of Earl of Lauderdale the Title of Duke being extinct with himself whose Son is Richard Earl of Lauderdale Then Tweed beneath Roxburgh augmented with the River of Teviot resorting unto him watereth the Sheriffdom of Berwick throughout a great part whereof is possessed by the Humes wherein the chief man of that Family exerciseth the Jurisdiction of a Sheriff so passes under Berwick the strongest Town of Britain where he is exceeding full of Salmons and so falleth into the Sea CHAP. VI. MERCHIA MERCH or MERSâ— MERCH which is next and so named because it is a March Countrey lyeth wholly upon the German Sea In this first Hume Castle sheweth it self the ancient Possession of the Lords of Home or Hume who being descended from the family of the Earls of Merch are grown to be a noble and fair spred Family Out of which Alexander Hume who before was the first Baron of Scotland Sheriff of Berwicks was about the 1604 advanced by James the 6. the first King or Great Britain to the Title of Earl of Hume to whom Charles now Earl of Hume succeeds Sir James Dowglas Brother to the first Marquess of Douglas married the Heiress of Oliphant and in her Right had the Precedency of the Lords of Oliphant with the Dignity of Mordingtoun whose Grand-child is presently Lord Mordingtoun Near unto Hume Castle lyeth Kelso famous sometime for the Monastery which with thirteen others King David the first of that Name built out of the ground for the propagation of Gods glory but to the great empairing of the Crown-Land Then is to be seen Coldingham which Bede calleth the City Coldana and the City of Coludum haply Colania mentioned by Ptolomy a place consecrated many ages since unto professed Virgins or Nuns whose chastity is recorded in ancient Books For that they together with Ebba their Prioress cut off their own Noses and Lips choosing rather to preserve their Virginity from the Danes than their Beauty and Favour and yet for all that the Danes burnt their Monastry and them withal Hard by is Fast-Castle a Castle of the Lord Humes so called for the firmness and Strength thereof at the Promontory of the said Saint Ebbe who being the Daughter of Edilfrid King of Northumberland when her Father was taken prisoner got hold of a Boat in Humber and passing along the raging Ocean landed here in safety became renowned for her Sanctimony and left her Name unto the place But this Merch is mentioned in the Historiographers a great deal more for the Earls thereof than for any places therein who for Martial Prowesse were highly renowned and descended from Gospatrick Earl of Northumberland whom after he had fled from William Conquerer of England Malcom Canmor that is
Morton and by Musselburgh hard under which in the year of our Lord 1547 when Sir Edward Seymor Duke of Somerset with an Army Royal had entred Scotland to claim and challenge the keeping of a Covenant made concerning a Marriage between Mary Queen of Scotland and Edward the sixth King of England there hapned the heaviest Day that ever fell to the adventurous Youth of the most noble Families in all Scotland who there lost their lives at Pinky-Cleugh The Dignity of the Lord Borthwick is not now claimed by any Mark Commendator of Newbottle an extraordinar Lord of Session anno 1569 after his decease was succeeded by his Son Mark also Commendator of Newbottle in the same Office in the year 1584 at which time he was Master of Requests which he enjoyed long after and obtained of King James the sixth the Erection of that Abbacy in a temporal Lordship to him and his Heirs in October 1591 who was thereafter created Earl of Lothian by the same King anno 1606 whose Grandchild Anna Countess of Lothian was married to William Ker eldest Son of Ancrum of the Family of Ferneherst he was by King Charles the first created Earl of Lothian of which Marriage is descended Robert now Earl of Lothian Justice-general with the precedency of his great Grand-father and was Commissioner to the General Assembly he is Sheriff of the Shire of Edinburgh The Dignity of the Earl of Ancrum was conveyed to the younger Brother and the eldest Son of this Family is Lord Jedburhg a Peer as hath been said Near to this place was the Seat of Sir William Cranston of that Ilk who was created Lord Cranston by King James the sixth and is the last Lord marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1612 whose Descendants enjoyes that Title and Dignity and reside in Teviotdale As also the Residence of Sir James Mcgill of Cranston-riddel Baronet who being one of the Lords of Session was created Viscount of Oxenford by King Charles the second whose Son is Robert now Viscount of Oxenford his Grand-father was Mr. David Mcgill of Nisbet Advocat to King James the sixth and one of the Lords of Session his Grand Uncle Mr. James Mcgill was Clerk Register to Queen Mary and King James the sixth and one of the Lords of Session and his Uncle Mr. David Mcgill of Cranston-riddel also a Lord of Session Upon the Sea-side is the Town of Prestoun from which Sir Richard Graham had the Title of Viscount of Prestoun conferred on him by King Charles the second in the year 1681. In this Shire of Edinburgh is the Castle of Dalhousie which belongeth to the antient Family of the Ramsays who by King James the sixth was created Lord Ramsay and is marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 after the Lord Carnagy and by King Charles the first anno 1633 was made Earl of Dalhousie whose Granchilds Grandchild is William Earl of Dalhousie General Major George Ramsay is his Uncle Near to Edinburgh is the Castle of Marchistoun which belonged to the Napers Sir Archibald Naper of Marchistoun Baronet was Thesaurer-deput to K. Cha. the first and an ordinar Lord of Session who in the beginning of that Reign was created Lord Naper whose Grandchild Margaret Lady Naper doth succeed him and hath a Son to succeed her their Residence now is near to Dumblane Here is not to be passed over in silence this inscription which John Naper a learned Man Predecessor to the Lord Naper hath in his Commentaries upon the Apocalyps recorded to have been here digged up and which the right learned Knight Sir Peter Young Teacher and Trainer of King James the sixth in his youth in this wise more truly copied forth APOLLINI GRANNO Q. LUSIUS SABINIANUS PROC AUG V. S. S. LV. M. Who this Apollo Granus might be and whence he should have this Name not one to my knowledge of our grave Senate of Antiquaries hitherto could ever tell But if I might be allowed from out of the lowest bench to speak what I think I would say that Apollo Granus amongst the Romans was the same that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Apollo with long hair amongst the Greeks for Ifidor calleth the long hair of the Gothes Grannos Lower yet and near unto the Scotish Forth is seated Edinburgh which the Irish Scots call Dun Edin that is the Town Edin or Edin Hill and which no doubt is the very same that Ptolomy named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is The winged Castle for Adain in the British Tongue signifieth a Wing and Edinburgh a word compounded out of the British and Saxon Language is nothing else but The Burgh with Wings From Wings therefore we must fetch the reason of the Name and fetched it may be if you think good either from the Companies of Horsemen which are called Wings or else from those Wings in Architecture which the great Master builders term Petromata that is as Vetruvius sheweth two Walls so rising up in height as that they resemble a shew of Wings Which for that a certain City of Cyprus wanted it was called in old time as we read in the Geographers Aptera that is without Wings But if any Man believe that the Name was derived from Ebrauk a Britain or from Heth a Pict good leave have he for me I will not confront them with this my conjecture This City in regard of the high situation of the wholsome Air and plentiful Soil and many Noblemens towred Houses built round about it watered also with clear springing Fountains reaching from East to West a Mile out in length and carrying half as much in bredth is worthily counted the chief City of the whole Kingdom strongly walled adorned with Houses as well publick as privat well Peopled and frequented by reason of the opportunity from the Sea which the neighbour Haven at Leith affordeth And as it is the Seat of the Kings so is it the Oracle also or Closet of the Laws and the very Palace of Justice For the high Courts of Parliament are here for the most part holden for the enacting and repelling of Laws also the Session and the Court of the Kings Judicators and of the Commissariat whereof I have spoken already are here settled and kept On the East-side hard unto the Monastry of Saint Crosse or Holyruide is the Kings Pallace which King David the first built and was burnt by Oliver Cromwel King Charles the second after his Restauration did raise there a fair and stately Court and Pallace all of Hewen Stone In anno 1633 the City of Edinburgh did to their great Expense build a stately Hall for the Meetings of the Parliament with other Rooms adjoyning for the Session and above Stairs for the Privy Council and Exchequer with a large Closs or Yard to the South of St. Giles-Church surrounded from the Entry with that Church and other fair high Buildings all in Hewen Stone and in the middle is
small River coming out of Athol This Athol that I may digress a little out of my way is infamous for Witches and wicked Women the Countrey otherwise fertile enough hath Valleys bespread with Forrests namely where that Wood Caledonia dreadful to see for the sundry turnings and windings in and out therein for the hideous horrour of dark Shades for the Burrows and Dens of Wild Bulls with thick Manes whereof I made mention heretofore extended it self in old time far and wide every way in these parts As for the Places herein they are of no great account but the Earls thereof are very memorable Thomas a younger Son of Rolland of Galloway was in his Wives Right Earl of Athol whose Son Patrick was by the Bissets his Concurrents Murdered in Feud at Had dingtoun in his Bed-chamber and forthwith the whole House wherein he Lodged burnt that it might be supposed he perished by casualty of Fire To the Earldom there succeeded David Hastings who had Married the Aunt by the Mothers side of Patrick whose Son that David surnamed of Strathbogie may seem to be who a little after in the Reign of Henry the third King of England being Earl of Athol married one of the Daughters and Heirs of Richard base Son to John King of England and had with her a very goodly inheritance in England She bare unto him two Sons John Earl of Athol who being of a variable disposition and untrusty was hanged up aloft on a Gallows fifty Foot high and David Earl of Athol unto whom by Marriage with one of the Daughters and Heirs of John Cummin of Badzenoth by one of the Heirs of Aumer de Valence Earl of Pembroch there fell great Lands and Possessions His Son David who under King Edward the second was other whiles amongst English summoned to the Parliaments in England and under King Edward Baliol made Lord Lieutenant General of Scotland was vanquished by the valerous Prowess of Andrew de Murray and slain in Battel within the Forrest of Kelblen in the year of our Lord 1335 And his Son David left two young Daughters only Elisabeth Wedded unto Sir Thomas Piercy from whom the Barons of Burrough are descended and Philip Married to Sir Thomas Halsham an English Knight Then fell the Title of Athol unto that Walter Stuart Son to King Robert the second who cruelly Murdered James the first King of Scotland who for this execrable cruelty suffered most condign punishment accordingly in so much as Aeneas Sylvius Ambassadour at that time in Scotland from Pope Eugenius the fourth gave out this Speech That he could not tell whether he should give them greater commendations that revenged the Kings Death or brand them with sharper Censure of Condemnation that distained themselves with so hainous a Paricide After some few years passed between this honour was granted unto John Stuart of the Family of Lorn the Son of James surnamed The Black Knight by Joan the Widow of King James the first Daughter to John Earl of Somerset and Niece to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster whose posterity at this day enjoy the same The eldest son of Tullibardine being descended of the Stuarts of Athol whose successor is John Marquess of Athol as hath been said Lord Charles Murray second Son to the Marquess of Athol was by King James the seventh Created Earl of Dunmore and Sir Robert Nairn of Straâ—hurd one of the Lords of Session was by King Charles the second about the year 1681. Created Lord Nairn his only Daughter to be Married to a younger Son of the Marquess of Athols by vertue whereof William Lord Murray is now Lord Nairn The Marquess of Athol is Heretable Sheriff of Perth This River is increased by receiving the River of Braâ—n which having given name to a Strath through which it passeth loseth its name by augmenting of Tau at Dunkeld which was adorned by King David the first with an Episcopal See Sir James Galloway Master of Requests to King James the sixth and King Charles the first was by the latter Created Lord Dunkell about the year 1646. whose Grand Child is Forfeited for opposing their Majesties in the Highlands by force of Arms. In these bounds lyes Gillichrankie a place remarkâ—ble for the Defeat of the Kings Forces under the Command of General Major Mckay by the late Viscount of Dundee and his Associats but himself was killed in the Action which fell out the 27th of July 1689. Most Writers grounding upon the signification of that Word suppose Dunkeld to be a Town of the Caledonians and interpret it The Mount or Hill of Hazeles as who would have that name given unto it of the Hazel-trees in the Wood Caledonia from hence the Tau passeth forward to the old Castle of Kincleiven where it is much augmented by the River Ila a very pleasant and large River and thence goeth downward by the Carcass of Bertha a little desolat City remembring well enough what a great loss and calamity he brought upon it in times past when with an extraordinary swelling Floud he surrounded all the Fields laid the goodly standing Corn along on the Ground and carried headlong away with him this poor City with the Kings Child and Infant in his Cradle and the Inhabitants therein In steed whereof in a more commodious place King William builded Perth which straightways became so wealthy that Necham who lived in that age versified of it in this manner Transis ample Tai per rura per oppida per Perth Regnum sustentant istius urbis opes By Villages by Towns by Perth thou runn'st great Tay amain The Riches of this City Perth doth all the Realm sustain But the posterity ensuing call it of a Church founded in honour of Saint John Saint Johns Town and the English whiles the Wars were hot between the Bruces and the Balliols Fortified it with great Bulwarks which the Scots afterwards for the most part overthrew and disman led it themselves Howbeit it is a proper pretty City pleasantly seated between two Greens and for all that some of the Churches be destroyed yet a goodly shew it maketh ranged and set out in such an uniform manner that in every several Street almost there dwell several Artificers by themselves and the River Tau bringeth up with the Tide Sea Commodities by Lighters King James the sixth having erected it to the Title of an Earldom Created James Baron Drummond Earl of Perth of whom in Strathern Unto Perth these places are near Neighbours Methven near to which runneth the river of Almond which passing downward falleth in Tau near to the place where the antient Town of Bertha stood Margaret an English Lady Widow unto King James the fourth purchased Methven with ready Money for her third Husband Henry Stuart descended of the Royal Blood and for his Heirs and withal obtained of her Son King James the fifth for him the dignity of a Baron since extinct and was one of the
raised a stately Statue of King Charles the second on Horse-Back in Brass And to the South-west on a rising Ground is a curious and large Hospital built with the Money left by George Heriot Gold-smith which doth entertain above an hundred young Boys Children of decayed Burgesses This City is well watered with five large Fountains on the high and broad Street thereof In this City also by King James the sixth an University was founded over which within a large Park riseth an Hill with two Heads called of Arthur the Britaine Arthurs Chair On the West side a most steep Rock mounteth up aloft to a stately hight every way save only where it looketh toward the City On which is placed a Castle with many a Tower in it so strong that is counted impregnable which the Britains called Castle Myned Agned the Scots The Maidens Castle and the Virgins Castle of certain young Maidens of the Picts royal Blood who were kept there in old time and which may seem in truth to have been that Castrum Alatum or Castle with a Wing abovesaid John Bothwel Commendator of Holy-rud-house who being one of these Honourable persons who attended King James the sixth to England in the year 1603 was by him created a temporal Lord of Holy-rud-house in the year 1607 which Honour is now extinct he was a Lord of the Session as also was his father Adam Bishop of Orkney who excambed that Bishoprick with Robert Stuart for the Abbacie of Holy-rud-house and the Heir of the one became Earl of Orkney and the Heir of the other Lord Holy-rud-house In the Institution of the Colledge of Justice Mr. Richard and Francis Bothwels were nominated two of the Lords of Session Near to Edinburgh is Brughtoun which belonged to the Family of the Ballendens and Sir William Ballenden being Thesaurer Deput to King Charles the second was by him made Lord Ballenden of Brughtoun about the year 1661 whose Honour was conveyed to John Ker now Lord Ballenden Uncle to the present Earl of Roxburgh who carries the Name and Arms of Ballenden Of this Family were Sir John Ballenden of Auchinnoul Justice Clerk and one of the ordinar Lords of Session in the Reign of Queen Mary and King James the sixth and Sir Lewis Ballenden also of Auchinnoul Justice Clerk and an ordinar Lord of the Session in the Reign of King James the sixth by Cnarter under the Great Seal Sir John Ballenden foresaid had the Heretable Office of Usher to the Exchequer which is transmitted to the Lord Ballenden and is exerced by a Deput named by him Fairfax an English Gentlemen was created Lord Cameron who is in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 his Successor Thomas Lord Fairfax is a Member of the House of Commons for the County of York in this current Parliament Richardson an English Gentleman was created Lord Cramond About the same time Lord Forrester of Corstorphine was created by King Charles the first anno 1633. George Lord Forrester of Corstorphine is one of the Commissioners for the holding of the Parliament 1633 and yet in the Rolls of the same Parliament he is marked Sir George Forrester for the Shire of Edinburgh so that he hath been Nobilitat after he was chosen for the Shire and before the sitting of the Parliment his Grand-child is William Lord Forrester How Edinburgh in the alternative Fortune of Wars was subject one while to the Scots and another while to the English who inhabited this East part of Scotland until it became wholly under the Scots Dominion about the year of our Salvation 960 what time the English Empire sore shaken with the Danish Wars lay as it were gasping and dying How also as an old Book of the Division of Scotland in the Library of the right honourable Lord Burghly sometime high Thesaurer of England sheweth Whiles Indulph reigned the Town of Eden was voided and abandoned to the Scots unto this present day as what variable Changes of reciprocal Fortune it hath felt from time to time the Historiographers do relate and out of them ye are to be informed A Mile from hence lyeth Leith a most commodious Haven hard upon the River Leith which when Dessey the Frenchman for the security of Edinburgh had fortified by reason of many men repairing thither within a short time from a mean Village it grew to be a big Town Again when Francis the second King of France had taken to Wife Mary the Queen of Scots the Frenchmen who in Hope and Conceit had already devoured Scotland and began now to gape for England in the year 1560 sttengthned it with more Fortifications But Elizabeth Queen of England solicited by the Nobles of Scotland that embraced the reformed Religion to side with them by her Puissance and Wisdom effected that both they returned into France and these their Fortifications were laid level with the Ground and Scotland ever since hath been freed from the French As also near this place is New-Haven from which an English Gentleman of the Name of Cheney being by K. Charles the second anno 1681 created Viscount got the Designation of Viscount of New-Haven Where this Forth groweth more and more narrow it had in the midst of it the City Caer Guidi as Bede noteth which now may seem to be the Island named Inchkeith Whether this were that Victoria which Ptolomy mentioneth I will not stand to prove although a man may believe that the Romans turned this Guidh into Victoria as well as the Isle Guith or Wight into Victesies or Vecta truely seing both these Islands be dissevered from the shore the same Reason of the Name will hold in both Languages For Ninius hath taught us that Guith in the British Tongue betokeneth a separation In West-Lothian the first remarkable place in the same Forth is the Burgh of Queens-Ferry supposed to be called from Saint Margaret Queen to King Malcom Canmore as the shortest and easiest Passage over the River of Forth to Dumfermling where she did much reside and began to found that Monastry Upon the same Forth is situat Abercorn in Bedes time a famous Monastry which by the gracious favour of King James the sixth gave unto James Hamilton eldest Son to Claud Hamilton first Commendator and then Lord of Pasley youngest Son to the Duke of Chattelrault the Title of Lord of Pasley in Renfrew he is ranked after the Lord Torphichen â—nd before the Lord Newbottle James his said Son was created Lord Abercorn about the year 1603 and is ranked after the Lord Kinloss and before Balmerinoch and in the year 1606 was created Earl of Abercorn which Title is enjoyed by Hamilton Lord Straband an Irish Peer descended of the first Earls of Abercorn And fast beside it standeth Blackness Castle and beneath it Southward the anctient City Lindum whereof Ptolomy maketh mention which the better learned as yet call Linlithgow commonly Lithgow beautified and set out with a
Act of Parliament King James the First from general appearances in Parliament to which they were formerly lyable and allowed to send their Commissioners to represent them yet if this Act was ever observed it was long in desuetude till revived in the Parliament 1587 Since which time the Free-holders of the Shires under the Degrees of Peers have sent their Commissioners to represent themselves and their Vassals in Parliament To supply these Alterations it was necessar that more should be Created Lords of Parliament to come in proper Right and as representing these holding their Lands of them as the Bishops and Abbots did for themselves and their Vassals in right of their Baronies which they held immediatly of the Crown and Bishops being again supprest as well as Abbots and Priors whose Lands are possest by the Peers or Free-holders or their Vassals the great number of Peers is still more reasonable whereof the half do never appear in Parliament by reason of Minority or as being Females or being otherways Legally incapacitat or hindered to take place there and also the Addition of Twenty six Members by a late Act of Parliament to the representation of the Barons did make a just Ballance the Free-holders representing a great part of the Property of the Nation It is to be remembred that of those Dignities noted as Extinct some of them do stand in the Rolls of Parliament their Honours being lately enjoyed and the Rolls not altered but by special Warrand To the Treatise is subjoyned a List of the Nobility with their Sirnames and the Titles of such of their eldest Sons who are Lords and of the other Members of this Current Parliment Commissioners for Shires and Burghs Royal and a second Alphabetical Table of these whom the Publisher observed to have been created or to have used at anytime the Titles or Dignities of Lords Viscounts Earls Marquesses and Dukes and a Table of the Abbacies Priories especially these who were Conventual once a part constituent of our Parliament with a List of the Presbytries Synods and Commissariots not specified in the Treatise These are the few Things with which the Publisher thought fit to advertise the Reader Farewel A DESCRIPTION OF Scotland CHAP. I. The Division of SCOTLAND THe North part of the Island of Britain was of old time inhabited throughout by the Picts who were divided into two Nations the Dicalidonii and Vecturiones of whom the Author did speak out of Ammianus Marcellinus But when the Scots became Lords and Rulers over all this part it was shared into seven parts among seven Princes as we find in a little ancient Pamphlet touching the division of Scotland in these words and old Name The first part contained Enegus and Maern The second Atheodl and Goverin The third Stradeern and Meneted The fourth was Forthever The fifth Mar with Buchan The sixth Muref and Ros. The seventh Cathanes which Mound a Mountain in the midst divideth running on forward from the West Sea to the East Then afterwards the same Author reporteth according to the Relation of Andrew Bishop of Cathanes that the whole Kingdom was divided likewise into seven Territories The first from Erith in the British tongue called by the Romans Worid now Scotwade to the River Tae The second to Hilef according as the Sea fetcheth a compass to a Mountain in the Northeast part of Sirivelin named Athran The third from Hilef to Dee The fourth from Dee to the River Spe. The fifth from Spe to the Mountain Brunalban The sixth Mures and Ros. The seventh the Kingdom Argathel as it were the border and skirt of the Scots who were so called of Gathelgas their Captain Also according to the Habitation of the People Scotland is now divided into Highland-men and Lawland-men These being more civil use the English Language and Apparel the other which are rude and unruly speak Irish and go apparelled Irish-like Out of this division the Borderers are excluded because by reason of Peace shining now upon them on every side by a blessed and happy Union they are to be ranged reckoned in the very heart and midst of the British Empire as who begin to be weary of Wars and to acquaint themselves with the delightful benefits of Peace Moreover according to the Situation and Position of the places the whole Kingdom is divided into two parts the South on this side the River Tay and the North beyond Tay besides a number of Islands lying round about In the South part these Countries are more remarkable than the rest Tiviotdale Merch Lauden Liddesdale Eskedale Annandale Niddasdale Galloway Carrick Kyle Cunningham Arran Clidesdale Lennox Stirling Fife Strathern Menteith Argile Cantire Lorn In the North part are reckoned these Countries Loquabrea Braidalbin Perth Atbol Angus Merns Marr Buquhan Murray Rosse Sutherland Cathanes Strathnavern These are subdivided again according to theiâ— civil Government into Counties called Sheriffdoms Seneschalsies commonly Stewartries and Bailliwicks or Bailliaries whereof a List shall be subjoyned as they now are and in the Order they stand in the Rolls of Parliament As touching the Administration of the divine City and Common-wealth which we term the Church likeas the Bishops in all the world besides had no certain Dioeceses before that Dionysius Bishop of Rome about the year 268. did set out Dioeceses for Bishops so the Bishops of Scotland executed their Episcopal Functions in what place soever they came indifferently and without distinction untill the time of King Malcolm the third that is about the year of our Redemption 1070 at which time the Dioeceses were confined within their Bounds and Limits Afterwards in process of time this Hierarchie or Ecclesiestical government was established in Scotland Two Archbishops one of Saint Andrews the other of Glasgow whereof the former is counted Primat of all Scotland under whom there be eight Bishopricks Dunkeld Aberdene Murray Dunblan Brechin Rosse Cathanes Orkney Under the Archbishop of Glasgow there be only three Candida Casa or Galloway Lismore or Argile The Isles or Sodorensis Episc. Edinburgh was erected an Episcopal See 1633 by K. Ch. 1. Suffragan to the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and hath place of Dunkeld By the 3d. Act of the 1st Session of this current Parliament the Estate of Bishops being the third Estate of Parliament is abolished By the fifth Act of the second Session Presbyterian Church Government was settled and the Nobility which did consist of the great Barons or Lords or the lesser Barons or Free-holders is divided in two Estates so that by the third Act of the second Session of the same Parliament the three Estates are declared to be the Lords of Parliament designed the Nobility the Barons or Commissioners from Shires designed the Gentlemen and the Commissioners from Burghs designed the Burgesses CHAP. II. The States or Degrees of SCOTLAND THe Republick or Common-wealth of the Scots like as that of Englishmen consisteth of a King the Nobility or Gentry and Commons The King
to use the words of the Record is Directus totius Dominus that is The direct Lord of the whole Domain or Dominion and hath Royal Authority and Jurisdiction over all the States and Degrees as well Ecclesiastical as Lay or Temporal Next unto the King is his eldest Son who is called Prince of Scotland and by a peculiar Right Duke of Rothsay and Seneschal or Steward of Scotland But all the rest of the Kings Children are named simply Princes Among the Nobles the greatest and most honourable were in old time The Thanes that is those who were enobled only by the Office which they administred For the word in the ancient English Saxon Tongue signifieth The Kings Minister Of these they of the superior place were called Abthanes the inferior Vnder Thanes But these Names by little and little grew out of use ever since that King Malcolm the third conferred the Titles of Earls and Barons after the manner received from the English upon Noblemen of good good deâ—â—â—â—â— In process of time new Titles of Honours were much taken up and Scotland as well as England hath had Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons As for the Title of Duke the first that brought it into Scotland was King Robert the third about the year of Salvation 1400. Likeas the honourable Titles of Marquess and Viscount were first brought in by King JAMES the sixth These are counted Nobles of the higher degree and have both place and voice in the Parliament and by a special Name are called Lords likeas also the Bishops Among the Nobles of a lower degree in the first place are ranked Knights who verily are dubbed with greater solemnity than in any other place throughout all Europe by taking of an Oath and are proclaimed by the publick voice of an Herauld In the year 1621 was instituted the Hereditary Order of Knight Baronet for advancing the Plantation of Nova-Scotia in America with Precedency of all ordinary Knights Lesser Barons or Lairds Of which Order there is a great Number but the ancient Great Lairds Chiefs of Clans or Families have not generally yielded Precedency to them Of a second sort are they who are termed Lairds and Barons among whom none were reckoned in old time but such as held immediatly from the King Lands in Chief and had jus furcarum that is power to Hang c. In the third place are all such as being descended from worshipful Houses and not honoured with any special Dignity be termed Gentlemen All the rest as Citizens Merchants Artisans c. are reputed among the Commons CHAP. III. The Judicatories or Courts of Justice THe supreme Court as well for Dignity as Authority is accounted the Assembly of the States of the Kingdom which is called by the very same Name as it is in England A Parliament and hath the same very power as absolute It consisteth of three States of Lords Spiritual namely Bishops Abbots and Priors and of Lords Temporal to wit Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons and Commissioners for Cities and Burghs Unto whom were adjoyned not long since for every County or Shire also two Commissioners And by the 11th Act of the second Session of this current Parliament certain Shires and the Stewartrie of Kirkcudbright therein enumerat according to the largeness and extent of the Lands are allowed an additional Representation of Commissioners in Parliament whereby the greater Shires are allowed four some Shires three and in the Stewartrie of Kirkcudbright two Commissioners As will appear clearly by the List of Parliament subjoyned It is appointed and solemnly called by the King at his pleasure at a certain set time before it be holden When these States abovesaid are assembled and the causes of their assembly delivered by the King his Commissioner or Chancellor the Lords Spiritual chuse out apart by themselves eight of the Lords Temporal as also the Lords Temporal make choise of as many out of the Lords Spiritual then the same all joyntly together nominat eight of the Commissioners for the Counties and as many of the Commissioners for the free Burghs regal which make up in all the number of thirty two And then these Lords of the Articles so they are termed together with the Chancellor Treasurer Keeper of the Privy Seal Kings Secretary c. do admit or reject every Bill proposed unto the States after they have been first imparted unto the King or his Commissioner Being allowed by the whole Assembly of the States they are throughly weighed examined such of them as pass by the greater number of Voices are exhibited unto the King or his Commissioner who by touching them with the Scepter pronounceth that he either ratifieth approveth them or disableth and maketh the same void· But if any thing dislike the King it is razed out before This Method of the Lords of Articles is altered by the 3d. Act of the first Session of this current Parliament whereby the Committee of Parliament is abrogated and the Parliament to appoint Committees of what Number they please being alike of Noblemen Barons and Burgâ—sses to be chosen out of each Estate by it self for preparing all Motions and overtures first made in the House and that the Parliament may alter the said Committees at their pleasure or conclude upon matters proponed before them in plain Parliament without Committees and that in the Committes some of the Officers of State may be present by their Majesties or their Commissioners appointment who is freely to propose and debate allennerly but not to Vote By Act of Parliament 1617 the Officers of State are restricted to the number of Eight including the Master of Requests beside the Chancellor who by his Office is President of the Parliament Since the Restauration of King Ch. 2d there hath been no Master of Requests but frequently two Secretaries and there hath been also Debate amongst the lesser Officers of State and especially between the Thesaurer-Depute and the others concerning their Precedency but at present by Order the Thesaurer-Deput is ranked after the Advocat and before the Justice-Clerk The second Court or next unto the Parliament is the Colledge of Justice or Session which King James the fifth Parl. 5. Art 36. 40. and 41. anno 1532. instituted after the form of the parliament of Paris consisting of a President fourteen Senatours seven of the Clergy and as many of the Laitie unto whom is adjoyned the Lord Chancellor who being present is to have Vote and be Principal of the said Council And sickâ—ike other Lords as shall please the Kings Grace to injoyn to them of his great Council to have vote sicklike to the number of three or four By vertue whereof the King uses to adjoyn besides the Chancellor four of the Nobility or Lords of Parliament who are called Extraordinar Lords and are not counted of the Quorum of the Nine which must be of the Ordinar Lords The Distinction of half Spiritual half
of Strathern who was eldest Son of the second Marriage by the said Countess Eupham and who got from his Father the said Robert when he became King of Scotland the Earldom of Stathern it being then usual to renew the Investiture or Infeftment upon the change of the Superior as well as upon the change of the Vassal the Charter is dated at Edinburgh May 10. 1372. Coram his testibus nobilibus viris potentibus Domino Joanne Domini nostri c. Regis Scotiae primogenito Comite de Carrick Senescallo Scotiae Roberto Comite de Fyfe Monteith fratribus nostris charissimis King Robert confirmed the 25 of April the third year of his Reign the said Charter by his Son David Earl of Strathern whom he designed dilectus filius and amongst the Witnesses to the Charter is Joannes Comes de Carrick primogenitus Robertus Comes de Fyfe Monteith filius noster dilectus This is a clear acknowledgment both by the King the Father and by the Earl of Strathern himself the eldest Son of Eupham Ross that the Earls of Carrick and Monteith were his elder Brothers but of this Sir George Mackenzie hath already said very much and more Proofs do dayly occur to rectifie this universal mistake of our Historians which together with the Description of that ancient Family and the Family of Darnly and Lennox and other great Branches descended thereof deserve a particular Treatise I shall only repeat that Fordon in his Chronicle lib. 14 pag. 73 inserts a Charter of Confirmation of the Popes Bull granted by King David Bruce to the Bishops with the consent of Robert Earl of Strathern his Nephew giving power to Bishops to dispose in Testament upon their own Moveables in which Charter the Witnesses are Robertus Senescallus Comes de Strathern Nepos noster Ioannes Senescallus Comes de Carrict filius suus primogenitus haeres c. before all the other Earls which is an Attestation of the Grand-uncle King David owning the Earl of Carrick to be his Fathers eldest Son in this matter of Importance and there are two Declarations in Parliament concerning the Succession of the Crown whereof one of them is extant with the Seals of the Nobility by Robert Earl of Strathern after he was King the one the first and the other the third year of his Reign asserting the Earl of Carrick to be his eldest Son and to succeed him in the Kingdom for proving that this Robert Stuart the first King was Grandchild to James Stewart of Scotland there is a Charter recorded in the publick Register of Charters by the same King Robert the first year of his Reign to Sir Adam Fullertoun of the Lands of Fullertoun and others confirming the Charters granted by himself when Stewart of Scotland and by his Grand-father James Stuart of Scotland to Sir Adam Fullertoun this Sir Adam Fullertoun was Predecessor to William Fullertoun now of the Ilk in Kyle-stewart of these Lands CHAP. XVII LENNOX ALong the other Bank of Clyde above Glasgow runneth forth Leviana or Lennox northward among a number of Hills close couched one by another having that name of the River Levin which Ptolomy calleth Lelanonius and runneth into Clyde out of Loch-Lomund which spreadeth it self here under the Mountains twenty Miles long and eight Miles broad passing well stored with variety of Fish but most especially with a peculiar Fish that is to be found no where else they call it Pollac as also with Islands concerning which many Fables have been forged and those rife among the common people As touching an Island here that floateth and waveth too and fro I list not to make question thereof For what should let but that a lighter Body and spongeous withal in manner of a Pumice-stone may swime above the water And Pliny writeth how in the Lake Vadimon there be Islands full of Grass and covered over with Rushes and Reeds that float up and down But I leave it unto them that dwell nearer unto this place and better know the nature of this Lake whether this old Distichon of Necham be true or not Ditatur fluviis Albania saxea ligna Dat Lomund multa frigiditate potens With Rivers Scotland is enrich'd And Lomund there a Lake So cold of nature is that Sticks It quickly Stones doth make Round about the edge of this Lake there be Fishers Cottages but nothing else memorable unless it be Kilmaronock a proper fine house sometimes of the Earls of Glencairn which they had by the Marriage with the Heiress of Dennistoun the east side of it which hath a most pleasant Prospect into the said Lake But at the confluence where Levin emptieth it self out of the Lake into Clyde standeth the old City called Al-Cluyd Bede noteth that it signified in whose Language I know not as much as The Rock Clyde True it is that Ar-cluyd signifieth in the Brittish tongue upon Clyde or upon the Rock and Clyde in ancient English sounded the same that a Rock The succeeding Posterity called this place Dunbritton that is The Britans town and corruptly by a certain transposition of letters Dubarton because the Brittains held it longest against the Scots Picts and Saxons for it is the strongest of all the Castles in Scotland by natural situation towring up on a rough craggy and two-headed Rock at the very meeting of the Rivers in a green Plain In one of the Tops or Heads abovesaid there standeth up a lofty Watch-tower or Keep on the other which is the lower there are sundry strong Bulwarks between these two Tops on the north side it hath one only Ascent by which hardly one by one can pass up and that with a labour by Degrees or Steps cut out aslope traverse the Rock In stead of Ditches on the west side serveth the River Levin on the south Clyde and on the east a boggy Flat which at every Tide is wholly covered over with Waters and on the north side the very upright steepness of the place is a most sufficient defence Certain Remains of the Brittains presuming of the natural strength of this place and their own man-hood who as Gildas writeth gat themselves a place of Refuge in high Mountains and Hills steep and naturally fenced as it were with Rampires and Ditches in most thick Woods and Forrests in Rocks also of the Sea stood out and defended themselves here after the Romans departure for three hundred years in the midst of their Enemies For in Bedes time as himself writeth it was the best fortified City of the Brittains But in the year 756. Eadbert King of Northumberland and Oeng King of the Picts with their joint Forces enclosed it round about by Siege and brought it to such a desperate Extremity that it was rendred unto them by Composition Of this place the Territory round about it is called the Sheriffdom of Dunbarton and hath had the Earls of Lennox this long time for their Sheriffs by Birth-right
But Antoninus Pius who being adopted by Hadrian bare his name stiled thereupon Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius under the conduct of Lollius Vrbicus whom he had sent hither Lieutenant repelled the northern Enemies back again beyond Bodotria or Edinburgh Firth and that by raising another Wall of Turff namely besides that of Hadrianus as Capitolinus writeth which Wall that it was reared in this very place whereof I now speak and not by Severus as it is commonly thought I will produce no other Witnesses than two ancient Inscriptions digged up here of which the one fastned in the Wall of an house at Calder belonging to the Laird of Keir Chief of the sir-name of Stirling near to the place where the Wall was built sheweth how the second Legion Augusta set up the Wall for the space of three Miles and more the other now in the house of the Earl Marshal at Dunnotire which implyeth that a Band of the twentieth Legion Victrix raised the Wall three Miles long But see here the very Inscriptions themselves as Servatius Riheley a Gentleman of Silesia who curiously travailled these Countries copied them out for the Author Camden IMP. CAESARI T. AELIO HADRIANO ANTONINO AUG PIO P. P. VEXILLATIO LEG XX. VAL. VIC F. PER. MIL. P. III. IMP. CAES. TIT. IO AELIO HADRIANO ANTON AUG PIO P. P. LEG II. AUG PER. M. P. III. D. CIX VIS. At Calder where this latter Inscription is extant there is another Stone also erected by the second Legion Augusta wherein within a Lawrel Garland supported by two little Images resembling Victory are these Letters LEG II AVG. FEC And in a Village called Miniabruch out of a Ministers house there was removed this Inscription into a Gentlemans house which is there new built out of the Ground D. M. C. JULI MARCELLINI PRAEF COH I. HAMIOR But when the northern Nations in the Reign of Commodus having passed once over the Wall had made much waste and spoil in the Country the Emperor Severus repaired this Wall of Hadrian Howbeit afterwards the Romans brought oft-times the Country lying between under their subjection For Ninius hath recorded that Carausius under Dioclesian strengthened this Wall another time and fortified it with seven Castles Lastly the Romans fenced this place when Theodosius the younger was Emperor under the conduct of Gallio of Ravenna Now saith Bede they made a Turff Wall rearing it not so much with Stone as with Turfs as having no cunning Artificer for so great a piece of Work and the same to no use between two Firths or Arms of the Sea for many miles in length that where the fense of Water was wanting there by the help of a Wall they might defend there Borders from the Invasion of enemies of which work that is to say a very broad and high Wall a man may see to this day most certain and evident Remains This Wall began as is generally believed at the River Aven that goeth into Edinburgh Firth and having passed over the River of Carron reacheth unto Dunbarton but Bede affirmeth that it beginneth in a place called Pen-vael that is in the Picts Language as much as the head of the Wall in the Brittains tongue Pen-Gual in English Penwalton in Scottish Cevall all which names no doubt are derived from Vallum in Latine and he saith that place is almost two Miles from Abercurvig or Abercurving and it endeth as the common Sort think at Kirk-Patrick the native Soil as some write of Saint Patrick the Irish-mens Apostle near unto Clyde according to Bede at Al. cluid after Ninius at the City Pen Aloloyt which may seem all one Now this Wall is commonly called Grahams Dyke either of Graham a Warlike Scot whose Valour was especially seen when the breach was made through it or else of the Hill Grampie at the foot whereof it stood The Author of Rota Temporum calleth it the Wall of Aber. corneth that is of the mouth of the River Corneth where in Bedes time there was a famous Monasterie standing as he hath recorded upon English Ground but near unto that Firth or Arm of the Sea which in those days severed the Lands of the English and the Picts Hard by this Wall of Turff what way as the River Carron crosseth this Sheriffdom of Stirling toward the left hand are seen two Mounts cast up by mans hand which they call Duni-pacis that is Knolls of peace Near to this place is Kilsyth which belonged to an ancient Cadet of the Family of the Livingstons who in the year 1606 was a Lord of the Session and his Successor was by King Charles the Second in the year 1661 created Viscount of Kilsyth which Dignity his Son now enjoyeth here the Marquess of Montross obtained a signal Victory And almost two Miles lower there is an ancient round Building four and twenty Cubits high and thirteen broad open in the Top framed of rough Stone without Lime having the upper part of every Stone so tenanted into the nether as that the whole work still rising narrow by a mutual interlacing and clasping upholdeth it self Some call this the Temple of God Terminus others Arthurs-Oven who father every stately and sumptuous thing upon Arthur Others again Julius Hoff and suppose it to have been built by Julius Cesar. But I would think rather that Julius Agricola built it who fortified this frontier part were it not that Ninius hath already informed us that it was erected by Carausius for a triumphal Arch. For he as Ninius writeth built upon the Bank of Carron a round house of polished Stone erecting a triumphal Arch in memorial of a victory he re-edified also the Wall and strengthened it with seven Castles The mid space between Duni-pacis and this Building on the right hand Bank of Carron there is yet to be discerned a confused face of a little ancient City where the vulgar people believeth there was sometimes a Road for Ships who call it Camelot by a name that is rise in King Arthurs book and they contend but all in vain to have it that Camalodunum which Tacitus mentioneth But it would seem rather by the name of the River Carron running underneath to have been Corta Damniorum which Ptolomy mentioneth in this Tract And now take with you that which George Buchanan that excellent Poet wrot of the limit of the Roman Empire at Carron Roma securigeris praetendit maenia Scotis Hic spe progressus posita Carronis ad undam Terminus Ausonii signat divertia regni 'Gainst warlike Scots with Axes armed A mighty frontier Wall The Romans rais'd and limit there Which Terminus they call Near Carron Stream now past all hope More Brittish ground to gain Marks out the Roman Empires end Whence they to turn were fain In this Territory of Stirling on the East side there sheweth it self Castle Callender belonging to the Barons of Livingstoun which with the Lands of Almond were purchased by James second
yea and of Pit Coals the Sea besides other Fishes affordeth Oysters and and Shell-fish in great abundance and the Coasts are well bespread with pretty Townlets replenished with stout and lusty Mariners In the south side hereof by Forth first appeareth westward Culross which gave the Title of a Barony to Sir I. Colvil created Lord Colvil of Culross about the year 1604 and is the last in the Decreet of Ranking except the Lord Scoon his Father was a Lord of the Session and Commendator of Culross and King Charles the Second when in Scotland created Sir Robert Colvil of Cleish Lord Colvil his Successor is Robert Lord Colvil Near to Culross to the north-west is Kincardine whereof Edward Bruce of Carnock was created Earl by King Charles the First anno 1648 his Brother Alexander succeeded him in his Dignity who was one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury to King Charles the Second his Son is Alexander Earl of Kincardine Culross and these places adjacent albeit surrounded with Fife and Clackmannan yet make a part of the Shire of Perth Then standeth Dumfermling a famous Monastery in old time both the Building and Burial place of King Malcolm the Third which gave both name and honour of an Earl unto Sir Alexander Seton a most prudent Counsellor whom James King of Great-Brittain worthily raised from Baron of Fivie to be Earl of Dumfermling and Lord Chancellor of the Realm of Scotland of the Succession of this Earl mention is made in the Description of the Family of Seton in East Lothian Then Kinghorn standeth hard upon the Forth from which place Sir Patrick Lyon Baron Glames received at the bountiful Hand of K. James the 6th the Title and honour of an Earl anno 1606. After this there is upon the Shore Dysert situat on the rising of an Hill from whence there lyeth an open Heath of the same name where there is a good large place which they call the Cole-plot that hath great plenty of an earthy Bitumen and partly burneth to some damnage of the Inhabitants William Murray of the Bed-chamber of the Family of Tullibardine was by King Charles the First created Earl of Dysert whose Daughter and Heiress Elizabeth Countess of Dysert is Dutchess of Lawderdale by Marriage with John late D. of Lawderdale and by a former Marriage her Son Sir Leonald Talmash L. Huntingtour residing in England is to succeed her as Earl of Dysert Her second Son of that Marriage was Thomas Talmash who attended his Majesty in his Expedition to Brittain in the year 1688 who for his Valour in the Wars and Reduction of Ireland was advanced to be General Major and thereafter Lieutenant General which Office he did worthily discharge in Flanders and in the Summer 1694 being chief Commander in the Attempt upon Brest was unfortunatly wounded whereof he died after his landing in England Unto it adjoineth Ravens-Heugh as one would say the steep hill of Ravens the Habitation of the Barons Sinclar whose Successor is Henry Lord Sinclar Above it the River Levin hideth himself in the Forth which River running out of the Lake Levin wherein standeth the Castle of the Dowglasses which belonged to the Earls of Mortoun Sir Alexander Lesly General of the Scots Forces was by K. Charles the 1st created Earl of Levin anno 1641 whose Successor is David now Earl of Levin second Son to George Earl of Melvil begotten on Lady Katherine Leslie Grandchild and Heiress to the said Earl of Levin which River hath at the very mouth of it Weyms Castle the Seat of a noble Family bearing the same sirname The Laird of Weyms is in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 one of the Commissioners for the Shire of Fife he was thereafter made Lord Weyms and in the Parliament Rolls 1633 is ranked after the Lord Newburgh and before Ashtoun of Forfar and in the same year created Earl of Weyms whose Grandchild Margaret now Countess of Weyms was married to Sir James Weyms who by K. Charles the 2d was made Lord Burntisland from a Burgh Royal of the same Shire and hath a Son Lord Elcho to succeed her in that Dignity From hence the Shore draweth back with a crooked and wiuding Tract unto Fife-ness that is the Promontory or Nose of Fife Above it Saint Andrews an Archiepiscopal City hath a fair Prospect into the open main Sea the more ancient name of the place as old Memorials witness was Regimund that is Saint Regulus Mount in which we read thus Oeng or Vng King of the Picts granted unto God and Saint Andrew that it should be the chief and mother of all Churches in the Picts Kingdom Afterward there was placed here an Episcopal See the Bishops whereof like as all the rest within the Kingdom of Scotland were consecrated by the Arch-bishop of York as is asserted by the English Historians until at the Intercession of King Iames the Third by reason of so many Wars between the Scottish and English men Pope Sixtus the fourth ordained the Bishop of Saint Andrews to be Primat and Metropolitan of all Scotland and Pope Innocentius the eighth bound him and his Successors to the imitation and precedent of the Metropolitan of Canterbury in these words That in Matters concerning the Archiepiscopal state they should observe and firmly hold the Offices Droits and Rights of Primacy and such like Legacy and the free Exercise thereof the Honours Charges and Profits and that they should endeavour to perform inviolably the laudable Customes of the famous Metropolitan Church of Canterbury the Arch-bishop wherewhereof is Legatus natus of the Kingdom of England c. Howbeit before that Laurence Lundoris and Richard Corvel Doctors of the Civil Law publickly professed here good Literature laid the Foundation of an University which now for happy increase of Learned men for three Colledges and the Kings Professors in them is become highly renowned Hard by there loseth it self into the Sea Edan or Ethan a little River which springeth up near Falkland a place from which Carry an English man had the Designation of Viscount from King James the Sixth and is so marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 his Successor is Anthony Viscount of Falkland a Member of the House of Commons in the current English Parliament it belonged anciently to the Earls of Fife and was a retiring place of the Kings when residing in Scotland and is very well Seated for hunting Pleasures and Disports sometimes it was reckoned amongst the Burghs Royal and is the Seat of the Stewartry of Fife this River hath its Course under a continued Ridge of Hills which divide this Country in the midst by Struthers a place so called of a Reed plot a Castle of the Barons Lindsey of whom is descended Iohn Lord Lindsey created by King Charles the First anno 1633 Earl of Lindsey And in anno 1641 was Lord High Thesaurer and after the Forfaulture of
Charles the First and afterward Earl of Belcarras by King Charles the Second when in Scotland his Son is Colin Earl of Belcarras The Viscount Fentoun of whom before was created by King James the Sixth about the year 1617 Earl of Kelly and is in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 next after the Earl of Roxburgh and before Buckcleugh whose Successor is Alexander Earl of Kelly Sir John Living stoun of Kinnaird Baronet was by K. Charles the First made Lord Newburgh and Earl of Newburgh by King Charles the Second whose Male Successor is deceased lately in England without Issue Male. Sandilands Laird of St. Minnans was by King Charles the First advanced to the Title of L. Abercromby in the year 1648 whose Honour is not now claimed by any Lieutenant General David Lesly Son to the Lord Lindoris was created by King Charles the Second Lord New-warkî he had been Lieutenant General to the Scots Army and at Philiphaugh surprised and defeat the Marquess of Montross he was General of the Army at Dumbar and Worcester his Son being deceased without Heirs Male the Grand child is married to Mr. Alexander Anstruther a younger Son of Sir Philip Anstruther of that Ilk. Beside the Burghs Royal mentioned in this Shire there are also others viz. Innerkeithing Kirkaldy Anstruther Easter and Wester Pitttenweem Crail and Kilrenny all lying on Forth from the West to the East CHAP. XXI STRATHERN AS far as to the River Tau which Boundeth Fife on the North-side Julius Agricola the best Proprietar of Brittain under Domitian the worst Emperour marched with victorious Armies in the third year of his warlike Expeditions having wasted and spoiled the Nations hitherto Near the out-let of Tau the notable River Ern intermingleth his Waters with Tau which River beginning out of a Lake or Loch of the same name bestoweth his own name upon the Country through which he runneth for it is called Strathern which in the ancient Tongue of the Brittains signifieth the Vale along Ern. The Bank of this Ern is beautified with Drymein Castle belonging to the Family of the Barons of Drummond advanced to highest Honours ever since that King Robert Stewart the third took to him a Wife out of that Linage for the Women of this Race have for their singular Beauty and well favoured sweet Countenance won the prize from all others insomuch as they have been the Kings most amiable Paramours Baron Drummonds Successor was created by King James the Sixth Earl of Perth about the year 1605 and so designed from the head Burgh of the Shire of whom is descended James now Earl of Perth his great Grand-child who was an extraordinar Lord of the Session Justice General and Chancellor to K. Ch. the 2d K. Ja. the 7th James a Son of this Family was created by K. Ia. the 6th Lord Maderty and is in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 after the Lord Garlies and before the Lord Kintail whose Successors second Son L. General William Drummond was by King James the Seventh about the year 1686 created Viscount of Strathallan to whom his Son William now Viscount of Strathallan succeeded and also is Heir to his Uncle the Lord Maderty Upon the same Bank Tullibardine Castle sheweth it self aloft but with greater jollity since that by the propitious favour of King James the Sixth Sir John Murray created Baron of Tullibardine before the Lords Colvil and Scoon was raised to the Honour and Estate of Earl of Tullibardine anno 1606. By an unprinted Act anno 1612 there is a Ratification to the Master of Tullibardine of the Lands of the Earldom of Athol who was the Earl of Tullibardines eldest Son Earls eldest Sons at that time being designed Masters and not Lords this Master afterward William Earl of Tullibardine having married the Heiress of Stuart Earl of Athol his Son John succeeded to the Dignity of Earl of Athol and his Uncle Sir Patrick Murray by Resignation became Earl of Tullibardine whose Son James Earl of Tullibardine dying without Issue his Estate and Dignity fell to his Cousin Iohn Earl of Athol Son to the Earl of Athol before named who liveth and was to King Charles the Second Lord Justice General and thereafter Lord Privy Seal and extraordinar Lord of the Session and before the year 1677 created Marquess of Athol he retains the sirname of Murray and carries the Arms of Stuart Earl of Athol quartered Upon the other Bank more beneath Duplin Castle sometime the Habitation of the Barons Oliphant reporteth yet what an overthrow the like to which was never before the English men that came to aid King Edward Balliol gave there unto the Scots insomuch as the English Writers in that time do write that they won this Victory not by mans hand but by the power of God and the Scottish Writers relate how that out of the Family of the Lindseys there were slain in the Field fourscore persons and that the name of Hays had been quite extinguished but that the chief of that House left his Wife behind him great with Child The Precedency of Oliphant is transmitted to Dowglass Lord Mordingtoun as Heir of Line of whom before and Charles Lord Oliphant residing in the Shire of Bamff as Heir-male doth also claim the Precedency The Lands of Duplin were purchased by Sir George Hay of Kinfauns a Lord of the Session and Clerk of Register and thereafter in the year 1622 made Lord Chancellor September 25 1629 George Viscount Dupline is one of the Commissioners for holding of the Parliament in a Roll of the Nobility about that time he is ranked last Viscount after the Viscount of Drumlanrig and in anno 1632 created by King Charles the First Earl of Kinnoul to whom he continued Chancellor till his death and was succeeded by John Spotswood Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews the Earl of Kinnoul his Successor resides in England Not far from it standeth Innermeth well known by reason of the Lords thereof the Stuarts out of the Family of Lorn this Dignity at present is claimed by none Inch Chafra that is in the old Scottish tongue the Isle of Masses hereby may be remembered when as it was a most famous Abbey of the Order of Saint Augustine founded by Gilbert Earl of Strathern about the year 1200. When Ern hath joined this Water with Tau in one Stream so that Tau is now become more spacious he looketh up to Abernethy seated upon his Bank the Royal Seat in old time of the Picts and a well peopled City which as we read in an ancient Fragment Nectane King of the Picts gave unto God and St. Brigid until the day of Doom together with the bounds thereof which ly from a stone in Abertrent unto a stone near to Carfull that is Loghfoll and from thence as far as to Ethan But long after it became the possession of the Dowglasses Earls of Angus who are called Lords of Abernethy
very fair House of the Kings a goodly Church and a fishful Lake of which Lake it may seem to have assumed that Name For Lin in the British Tongue soundeth as much as a Lake A Sheriff it had in times past by inheritance out of the Family of the Hamiltons of Peyle and now in our days it hath for the first Earl Sir Alexander Livingston whom King James the sixth raised from the Dignity of a Baron wherein his Ancestors had flourished a long time to the Honour of an Earl In the same Shire is situat Livingstoun the Peyle of Livingstoun which was burnt by Oliver Cromwell and did antiently belong to the Family of Livingston who from the seat and sirname were first designed Lairds of Livingstoun And afterward Callender of that Ilk being Forfaulted for adhering to the Baliol. A Daughter of that Family was married to Livingstoun who by Right of Blood and Grant from King Robert the Bruce obtained the Lands and Barony of Callender whose Successor Sir Alexander Livingston of Callender was great Counsellor to King James the first and by him appointed Governour to King James the second himself or his Heir was created Lord Livingstoun Alexander Lord Livingstoun about the year 1603 was by King James the sixth created Earl of Linlithgow and was one of the Commissioners for the Union 1604. George Earl of Linlithgow great Grand child to the first Earl doth presently enjoy the Dignity and is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury Near to Livingstoun is the Castle of Calder which antiently belonged to the Family of Sandilands in the Reign of Queen Mary 1563 Sir James Sandilands being Preceptor of Torphichen and Lord of St. John was created Lord Torphichen whose Successor Walter Lord Torphichen doth enjoy the Title The Sheriffdom of Linlithgow being annexed to the Barony of Abercorn it doth belong to Charles Hope of Hoptoun who doth inherit the Barony and Sheriffship CHAP. VIII SELGOVAE BEneath the Gadeni toward the South and West where now are the small Territories of Liddesdale Eusdale Eskdale Annandale and Nidesdale so called of little Rivers running through them which all lose themselves in Solway Firth dwelt in antient times the Selgovae the Reliques of whose name seemed to the Author to remain in that name Solway In Lidesdale there riseth aloft Armitage so called because it was in times past dedicated to a solitary life of old a very strong Castle which belonged to the Hepburns who draw their Original from a certain Englishman a prisoner whom the Earl of Merch for delivering him out of a danger greatly enriched These were Earls of Bothwell in Clydsdale and a long time by the right of inheritance Admirals of Scotland But by a Sister of James Earl of Bothwell the last of the Hepburns married unto John Prior of Coldinghame base Son to King James the fifth who begat many Bastards the Title Inheritance both came unto his Son now extinct Hard by is Branksholm the Habitation of the warlike Family of Buckcleugh surnamed Scot of whom already in Teviotdale or the Shire of Roxburgh where Branksholm is situat beside many little Piles or Forts of military Men every where In Eusdale one would deem by the affinity of the Name that old Vzellum mentioned by Ptolomy stood by the River Euse. In Eskdale some are of Opinion that the Horesti dwelt into whose Borders Julius Agricola when he had subdued the Britains inhabiting this Tract brought the Roman Army especially if we read Horesci insteed of Horesti For Ar-Esc in the British Tongue betokeneth a Place by the River Eske The Author hath disjoyned this Chapter too far from the Description of Teviotdale but gives an Entry to treat of Annandale CHAP. IX ANNANDALE UNto this on the West side adjoyneth Annandale that is The Vale by the River Annan into which the Access by Land is very difficult The Places of greater note herein are these a Castle and Town by Lough-Maban three parts whereof are environed with Water and strongly walled and the Town Annan at the very mouth almost of the River Annan which lost all the Glory and Beauty it had by the English War in the Reign of Edward the sixth In this Territory the Johnstons are Men of greatest Name a Kindred even bred to War between whom and the Maxwels there hath been professed an open Enmity over long even to deadly Feud and Blood-shed which Maxwels by Right from their Ancestors had the Rule of this Seneschalsie or Stewartrie for so it is accounted This Vale Edgar King of Scots after he was restored to his Kingdom by auxiliary Forces out of England gave in Consideration and Reward of good Service unto Robert Bruse or Brus Lord of Cliveland in York-shire who with the good favour of the King bestowed it upon Robert his younger Son when himself would not serve the King of Scots in his Wars From him flowered the Bruses Lords of Annandale of whom Robert Brus married Isobel the Daughter of William King of Scots by the Daughter of Robert Avenal His Son likewise Robert the third of that Name wedded the Daughter of David Earl of Huntington and of Garioch whose Son Robert surnamed The Noble when the Issue of Alexander the third King of Scots failed challenged in his Mothers Right the Kingdom of Scotland before Edward the first King of England as the direct and superiour Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland so the English give it out or an honourable Arbitrator for so say the Scots as being nearer in proximity in Degree and Bloud to King Alexander the third and Margaret Daughter to the King of Norway although he was the Son by a second Sister who soon after resigning up his own Right granted and gave over to his Son Robert Brus Earl of Carrick to his Heirs the Author alledges this out of the very Original all the Right and Claim which he had or might have to the Kingdom of Scotland But the Action and Suit went with John Balliol who sued for his Right as descended of the eldest Sister although in a degree farther off and Sentence was given in these words For that the Person more remote in the second Degree descending in the first Line is to be preferred before a nearer in a second Line in the succession of an Inheritance that cannot be parted Howbeit the said Robert Son to the Earl of Carrick by his own vertue at length recovered the Kingdom unto himself and established it to his Posterity A Prince who as he flourished notably in regard of the glorious Ornaments of his Noble Acts so he triumphed as happily with invincible Fortitude Courage over Fortune that so often crossed him Sir Richard Murray of Cock-pool Baronet was first created Viscount of Annan is so designed in the year 1623 and thereafter in the 1624 was by King James the sixth created Earl of Annandale The Laird of Johnstoun was created Lord