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
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
and there some of them ly entered Malisse Earl of Strathern in the time of King Henry the Third of England married one of the Heirs of Robert Muschamp a potent Baron of England Long afterward Robert Stuart about the year 1360 was E. Then David a younger Son of K. Robert the 2d whose only Daughter given in Marriage to Patrick Graham bâ—gat Mailise or Melasse Graham from whom King James the First took away the Earldom as Escheated after that he understood out of the Records of the Kingdom that it was given unto his Mothers Grand-father and the Hirs Male of his Body This Territory the Barons Drummond Earls of Perth govern hereditarly by Seneschals Authority as their Stewartries as the Lords of Doun now Earls of Murray are hereditary Stewarts of the Jurisdiction of Monteith Monteith hath the name of Teith a River which also they call Taiâ—h and thereof this little Province they term in Latine Taichia upon the Bank of which lyeth the Bishoprick of Dumblain which King David the first of that Name erected Sir Thomas Osburn Thesaurer of England was by King Charles the Second before the year 1677 created Viscount of Dumblain who is now Duke of Leeds in England and President of the Council the Dignity was conveyed to Peregrine his 2d Son who now by the death of his elder Brother is Marquess of Carmarthan The Laird of Dincrub was by King Charles the Second when in Scotland created Lord Rollo from his sir-name whose Successor is Andrew Lord Rollo At Kilbride that is Saint Brigids Church the Earls of Monteith had their principal House or Honour This Monteith reacheth unto the Mountains that enclose the East-side of the Loch or Lake Lomund The ancient Earls of Monteith were of the Family of Cumming which in times past being the most spread and mightiest House of all Scotland was ruinated with the over-weight and sway thereof but the later Earls were of the Grahams Line ever since that Sir Mailise Graham attained to the Honour of an Earl The Author beginneth the Description of the Grahams of Monteith before the Grahams of Montross it seems in regard they did first attain to the Degree of Earls William Earl of Monteith descended of these Earls was by King Charles the First made President of his Council and being served Heir to David Earl of Strathern who was Son to King Robert the first of the Stuarts was by Patent from that King Ratified and Approven in his Title and Dignity of Earl of Strathern April 13. 1632 amongst the Commissioners for holding the Parliament is William Earl of Strathern President of the Council ranked before the L. Privy Seal it is reported that being vain of the Title of Strathern joyned with the general error of Historians of David Earl of Strathern's being a Son of the first Marriage of King Robert the Second a Decreet of Reduction and Improbation was obtained at the Instance of Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall Barroner Kings Advocat and that Earl and his Successors appointed to use in time coming the Title of Earl of Monteith or Airth His Grand-child William Earl of Monteith lately deceased did convey his Estate and Dignity to the Marquess of Montross descended of the same Stock of Grahams at Kincardine not far off who had many noble and valiant Progenitors and in late times Iohn Earl of Montross Chancellor to King James the Sixth was the first who as Great or High Commissioner did represent the Kings person in the Parliament 1604 as distinguished from several Noblemen and Gentlemen appointed Commissioners by the King under the quarter Seal to meet at the Dyet of Parliament and to continue the same to a furder time and to see the Solemnities constituting the Parliament performed the first day of its sitting which Form was constantly observed till the year 1640. This Earls Grand-child James was famous in the late Wars in Scotland and was created Marquess by King Charles the first George Wishart Dr. of Divinity and afterward Bishop of Edinburgh did write his Actions his Great Grand-child is James Marquess of Montross Near these places is the Abbacy of Cardross which by K. Ja. the 6th was erected in a temporal Lordship to Henry Erskin a Son of the E. of Mar he is ranked in the Rolls after the Lord Blantyre the Great Grand-child is David Lord Cardross Before I end the Description of this Country of Strathern which is so famous for the Roman Actions there and several noble and antient Families inhabiting it I return to the Cross of Macduff before mentioned placed in the Limits of Fife and Strathern of whose Inscription Sir John Skeen took notice that the Priviledges of Clan Macduff were expressed in barbarons Verses whereof he gives a short hint in his de verborum significatione of which Mr. James Cunninghame has given a more full Description in Print the Inscription as it is set down by him is thus Maldraradrum dragos Malairta largia largos Spalando spados sive nig fig knippite gnaros Lorca lauriscos lanringen louria luscos Et Coluburtâ—s sic fit tibi bursca burtus Exitus et blaradrum sive lim sive iam sive labrum Propter macgidrim et hoc oblaâ—um Accipe smeleridem super limpide lampida labrum But one Dowglass in New-burgh near to Cross Macduff had by him a Version which seems to be much more probable and agreeable to the Matter which reads thus Ara urget lex quos lare egentes atria lis quos Hoc qui laboras haec fit tibi pactio portus Mille reum Drachmas mulctam de largior agris Spes tantum pacis cum nex fit a nepote natis Propter Macgidrum hoc oblatum accipe semel Haeredum super lymphato lapide labem Here seems to be wanting a Line of the Inscription which is lost or could not be read by the Translater which probably related to Macduffs leading of the Van of the Kings Army which Inscription is thus paraphrased in English Rhime All such as are within the ninth Degree Of Kindred to that antient Thane Macduff And yet for Slaughter are compell'd to flie And leave their houses and their houshold Stuff Here they shall find for their refuge a place To save them from the cruel blood Avenger A priviledge peculiar to that Race Which never was allow'd to any Stranger But they must enter Heir on this condition Which they observe must with a faith unfeignzied To pay a thousand Groats for their Remission Or else their Lands and Goods shall be distrenzied For Saint Macgidders sake and this Oblation And by their only washing at this Stone Purg'd is the Blood shed by that Generation This priviledge pertains to them alone In this Country about mid-way betwixt Dumblain and the Castle of Drummond is the house of Ardoch belonging to Sir William Stirling Barronet where there is large Vestiges of a Roman Camp enclosed on some sides with
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 Titles of the late Dukes of Lennox More beneath is Ruthven a Castle of the Ruthvens whose name is of damned Memory considering that the three Estates of the Kingdom hath
further side of Crantzbain Mountain which as it were in a continued Range by Hills hanging one by another driveth out his Ridge with many a winding as far as to Murray Firth where now lyeth Murray in Latine Moravia celebrated for the Fertility pleasant Situation and commodity of fruitfull Trees By this Province Spey a famous River maketh his Issue into the Sea wherein he lodgeth when he hath watered Rothes Castle whence the Family of the Leslys took the Title of Earl ever since that King James the Second conferred the Honour of Earl of Rothes upon Sir George Lesly of whom in the Shire of Fife Concerning this Spey the Poet Necham hath thus written Spey loca mutantis praeceps agitator arenae Inconstans certas nescit habere vias Officium lintris corbis subit hunc regit audax Cursus labentis nauta fluenta sequens Spey raising heaps of sand amain That shift oft-times their place Inconstant he doth change eft-soons And keeps no certain race A Panier serves here for a Boat Some ventrous Swain it guides Who followeth still the Rivers course Whild down the Stream it glides The River Loxa mentioned by Ptolomy which now is called Losse hideth himself in the Sea hard by near unto which Elgin appeareth in which and in Forres adjoyning J. of Dumbar of Cumnock descended from the Stock of the Earls of March and Murray hath his Jurisdiction as Sheriff by Inheritance whose Descendent is Alexander Dumbar of West-field Sheriff of Murray his Predecessor Sir Alexander Dumbar of Westfield Sheriff of Murray was Son to the last Dumbar Earl of Murray whose Son James Dumbar married one of the Heiresses of Patrick Dumbar of Cumnock descended of the Earls of March by which Marriage their Successors had the Barony of Cumnock and were designed Lairds of Cumnock till they sold these Lands about the year 1600 which now belong to the Countess of Dumfreis and then they resumed their former designation of West-field and Sheriff of Murray But where Losse is now ready to enter into the Sea he findeth a more plain and soft Soil and spreadeth abroad into a Meer full of Swans wherein the Herb Olorina plentifully groweth he hath Spiny Castle standing upon it whereof the first Baron was Alexander of the Linage of the Lindseys now extinct Likas Kinloss also a neighbour by sometime a famous Monastery some call it Kill-flos of certain Flowers miraculously there springing up on a sudden when the Carcase of King Duff murdered and hidden in the same place was found had for the Lord thereof Edward Bruce a Lawyer and a Commissar of Edinburgh afterward a Lord of the Session and Commendator of Kinloss and Ambassador to Queen Elizaheth and afterwards Master of the Rolls in England and of the Kings Majesties Privy Council whom King James the Sixth created Baron Bruce of Kinloss about the year 1604 whose Son was created Earl of Elgin by K. Ch. the 1st anno 1633 and a Lord Baron in York Shire and his Son Rohert was by K. Ch. the 2d created Earl of Ailshury in England whose Son doth succeed him in both Dignities In this Shire also Sir Alexander Sutherland of Duffus an ancient Cadet of the Earls of Sutherland was created Lord Duffus in the beginning of the Reign of King Charles the Second about the year 1651 whose Son is Alexander now Lord Duffus Thus much for the shore More inward where now standeth Bean Castle thought to be Banatia that Ptolomy mentioneth there was found in the year 1460 a Vessel of Marble artificially engraven and full of Roman Coin Hard by is Nardin or Nairn an hereditable Sheriffdom of the Camphels of Lorn designed of Caddel Sir Hugh Camphel of Caddel is the present Sheriff and Alexander Campbel his eldest Son is one of the Commissioners for that Shire in this current Parliament where there stood within a Biland a Fortress of a mighty hight built with wonderful Bulwarks and in times past defended by the Danish Forces against the Scots A little off is Logh-ness a very great Lake as reaching out 23 miles in length the Water whereof is so warm that even in this cold and frozen Climat it never freezeth from which by a very small Isthim or partition of Hills the Logh Lutea or Louthea which by Aher letteth it self forth into the west Sea is divided Near unto these Loghs there stood in old time two notable Fortifications the one named Iuverness the other Innerlothea according to the names of the said Loghs Iuverness had for Sheriff thereof by right of Inheritance the Marquess of Huntly who is of great command hereabout now at the Kings disposal Lodovick Grant of Freuchie commonly designed Laird of Grant a Privy Counseller and one of the Commissioners for the Shire is Sheriff thereof Under the reign of Rohert Bruce Thomas Randolph his Sisters son who in his Countries behalf undertook exceeding great pains and most grievous Quarrels was highly renowned by the Title of Earl of Murray Under King Rohert the Second John of Dumhar took to Wise the Kings Daughter to make amends for her devirgination received this Earldom of Murray with her in Marriage Under King James the Second William Creighton Chancellor of the Realm and Archihald Dowglass were at great variance and eager contention about this Earldom when as against the Laws and ancient Customs Dowglass who had married the younger Daughter of James of Dumhar Earl of Murray was preferred to the Earldom before Creighton who had wedded the elder and that through the powerful Authority that William Earl Dowglass had with the King which was so great that he advanced not only him to the Earldom of Murray but also another Brother to the Earldom of Ormond and made two Cousins of his Earls the one of Angus and the other of Morton but this greatness of his not to be trusted upon because it was excessive turned soon after to his own confusion under King James the Fifth his own Brother whom he appointed his Vicegerent in the Government of the Kingdom enjoyed this honour and James the base Son of King James the Fifth received this honour of Queen Mary his Sister but he requited her ill when joyning with others of the Nobility and Nation she was deposed from her Royal Estate and Kingdom a President prejudicial to Kings and Princes which notwithstanding was revenged for shortly after he was shot through with a Bullet his only Daughter brought this Title unto her Husband Sir James Stuart of Down who was also of the Blood-Royal from the Dukes of Albany who being slain by his Concurrents left his Son James to succeed him in this honour Sir James Stuart of Down first created Lord Down by King James the Sixth about the year 1581 the Successor of the Lord Down and Earl of Murray is Alexander Earl of Murray who was Secretary to King Charles the Second and King James the Seventh and
Denmark and Norway than any other of the Scottish Isles In the year 1320 amongst the Barons of the Kingdom of Scotland who in the Reign of King Robert Bruce wrote to Pope John is Magnus Comes Cathaniae Orcadiae To these Earls succeeded the Sinclars Earls of Orknay the last of whom was William Sinclar Earl of Orknay and Chancellor to K. James the Second whom in the year 1456 resigned the Lordship of Nithsdale to the King and in place thereof got the Earldom of Caithness King James the 3d got a further Right to these Isles by his Marriage with the K. of Denmarks Daughter which Right was renewed and became compleat and absolute by K. James the Sixth his Marriage with the Princess of Denmark by which King Robert Stuart Earl of Coldinghame descended of a natural Son of King James the Fifth was created Earl of Orknay his Successor Patrick E. of Orknay anno 1614 was foresaulted These Countries were erected in a Stewardship and the Rents thereof managed by a Steward named by the King and payed in to the Exchequer to represent this Stewartry two Commissioners are sent to the Parliament and Kirkwal is the head Town thereof and Burgh Royal there was also here a Bishop last of the Province of St. Andrews and a Commissar or Official under him As concerning the Western Isles commonly called the AEbudae and the Hebrides they were the ancient possessions of the Scots in their first inhabiting from Ireland as doth appear from our Historians and particularly Chronicon de Melross that in the year 1098 Magnus the Son of Olavus King of Norway added the Isles Orcadae and Menaniae to his Kingdom which happened by the Wars and Divisions after the Death of Malcolm Canmore betwixt Donald Bain his Brother and Duncan his Bastard Son who usurped the Crown and were expelled and Edgar his eldest Son alive settled on the Throne since which time there were Feudatory Kings or Princes of the Isles generally depending on the Kings of Norway and sometimes upon the Kings of Scotland till the year 1263 or 1263. that the Danes in the Reign of Alexander the Third were defeat at the Battle of Largs in Cunninghame and driven out of the Isles as hath been said Donald Earl of Ross in the Reign of King James the Second with the Earls of Dowglass and Crawford joyned in Arms against the King and doing the like against King Iames the Third designing himself King of the Isles was in the year 1476 Forefaulted and the Earldom of Ross annexed to the Crown to be enjoyed by the second Sons of the Kings of Scotland leaving only to him the Title of L. of the Isles as hath been said before which is the only Dignity of L I have observed to have been taken from the Isles These Isles had also a Bishop who was called Sodorensis from his Seat and Church in the Isle of Man bnt since that Isle did belong to the English his Seat hath been at Icolmkill he was of the Province of Glasgow and had likewise an Official or Commissar under him I shall conclude this Treatise with a Note of the Charter by King Malcolm the Fourth anno 1159 at Rokesburg confirming a Charter granted by King David the First his Grand-Father of the Abbacy of Seleschirke which is narrated to have been Founded by him when he was Earl in the Life of his Brother King Alexander the First who died in the 1124 and that King David by the Advice of John Bishop of St. Andrews translated the Abbacy from this place to Kelcho which Robert the succeeding Bishop of St. Andrews in whose Bishoprick it was granted the Abbacy freedom from all Episcopal Service and that the Abbots might be ordained by any Bishops in Scotland or Cumberland The Witnesses to the Kings Charter are Herbert Bishop of Glasgow William Bishop of Murray Gregory Bishop of Dunkeld William and David the Kings Brothers Ada his Mother Jeffery Abbot of Dumfermling Osbert Abbot of Jedworth Amfrid Abbot of Newbottle Ailvred Abbot of Stirling Walter Cancellarius Robert Prior of St. Andrews Matthew Arch-Deacon of St. Andrews Thor. Archi-Diacon Laodoniae Herber Camerarius Nic Clericus Ric Cappellanus Walterus Clericus Cancellarii Joannes nepos Episc Roberti Godredus Rex Insularum Cospatricius Comes Ferteth Comes Dunc Comes Uthredê° filius Fergusii Gilbertê° de Vmfravil Will de Somervel Ric de Morevil Ranulphus de Soulis David Olyphard Ric Cumin Robertus Avenal Will de Morevil Will Finimund Walterus Corbet Asketi de Ridala Henricus de Perth Vlphus filius Maccê° This Charter is special both because of the Antiquity related to and the great number of famous and considerable Witnesses and especially of the King of the Isles whom I just now mentioned before four Earls and albeit the Earl of Angus be only designed by his Earldom yet the other three were certainly Cospatricius Earl of Dumbar or March Ferteth Earl of Strathern who was Father of Gilbert before mentioned and Duncan Earl of Fife and Vchtred was Lord of Galloway and Father of Rolland This Note I took from the Principal Charter which if I had at hand I would have inserted the Tenor and the Initial Letters as they are Gilded containing the Effigies and Regalia of the Kings David and Malcolm This Charter is again confirmed by King William formerly mentioned the Kings Brother to whose Charter the Witnesses are Joceline Bishop of Glasgow Earl David my Brother Archibald Abbot of Dumfermling Hugo Cancell Simon Archi-Diacon Glasc William Morevil Constab. meus Robert de Londonys Rolland filius Vthredi William de Linddeseys Malc filius Comitis Dunecani Phil. de Vallonys Allanê° filius Walteri Gervosius de Avenel Constab de Rockesburg Walter Corbet Ranulphus de Soules Herb. de Maxhwill Tho. de Colvil Rob. de Phil. de Setune Herb. Maresc Earl David was Earl of Huntingtoun in England and Garviath or Garrioth in Scotland of whom our Kings are Lineally descended as also Allan the Son of Walter of whom before concerning the Stuarts of Scotland Amongst these Witnesses are also the Predecessors of the Earls of Crawford Nithsdale and Winton And now having gone through the whole Countries of Scotland according to the Method of the Author I conclude FINIS Highlandmen Lawlandmen Bishopricks * Whiterne Thanes Knights Gentlemen Parliament * Domini pro articulis The Session Mckenzies Precedency page 37. Courts of Criminal Matters â— Royal. The Shire of Roxburgh Dowglas of Cavers Spotswood Hist. of the Church of Scotland lib 7. page 476. E. Roxburgh L. Jedburgh â— Ancrum E. Teviot L. Rutherfoord V. Teviot Mackenzies precedency pag. 48. D. Buckcleugh The Shire of Peebles E. Tweddale E. Traquair 1. Elibank The Shire of Selkirk Philiphaugh E. Selkirk E. Lawderdale E. Hume L. Mordingtoun E. Merch. L. Eymouth L. Polwarth Lothian * Florilegus The Shire or Constabulary of Haddingtoun B. Royal. E. Dunbar V. Dunbar E. Tweeddale E. Royal. 1548. V. Haddingtoun E. Haddingtoun Athelstanford
exigent by King Malcolm that he gave his Son Vcthred to the King for an Hostage and himself weary of this world took the Habit of a Chanon at Holy-rud-house in Edinburgh As for Vcthred Gilbert his younger Brother took him Prisoner in Battel and when he had cut out his Tongue and plucked his Eyes forth of his Head he cruelly bereaved him both of Life and Inheritance But within some few years when Gilbert was dead Vcthreds Son recovered his fathers Inheritance who of a Sister of William Morvill Constable of Scotland begat Allan Lord of Galloway and Constable of Scotland This Allan by Margaret the eldest Daughter of David Earl of Huntingtoun had Dervolgilda wife to John Balliol and the Mother of John Balliol King of Scotland who contended with Robert Brus for the Kingdom of Scotland and by a former Wife as it seemeth he had Helen married to Roger Quincy Earl of Winchester who thereby was Constable of Scotland like as William Ferrars of Groby the Nephew of the said Roger by a Daughter and one of the Heirs But these Englishmen soon lost their Inheritance in Scotland as also the Dignity of Constably which the Cummins Earls of Buchan descended likewise from a Daughter of Roger Quincy obtained until it was translated unto the Earls of Errol But the Title of the Lords of Galloway fell afterward to the Family of the Dowglasses And now the Title of Earl of Galloway belongeth to the Family of Stuarts of Garleis an antient Family of the name of Stuart which being first dignified by King James the Sixth about the year 1609 with the Title of Lord of Garleis is marked in the Rolls of Parliament after the Lord Haly-rood-house and before the Lords Cowper Maitherty Kintail and Cranstoun he was also created by the same King about the year 1622 Earl of Galloway and is ranked in the Rolls of Parliament next after the Earl of Haddingtoun and James now Earl of Galloway is the fifth Earl and Great Grand-child of the first CHAP. XII CARRICTA CARRICK NOw followeth Carrick upon Dumbritain Frith lying on the East-side of Loch-Rian opposite to the Corse-hill fair to be seen with fresh Pastures supplyed both by Land and Sea with Commodities abundantly In this Province Ptolomy placed Rerigonium a Creek and Rerigonium a Town For which Berigonium is read in a very antient Copy of Ptolomy printed at Rome in the year 1480 so that we cannot but verily think it was that which now is called Bargeny A Lord it hath out of the Family of the Kennedies which came forth of Ireland in the Reign of Robert Brus and is in this Tract of high Birth spread into many Branches and of great power The Chief of which Linage is the Earl of Cassils for this is the Name of a Castle wherein he dwelleth by the River Dun Upon the Bank whereof he hath also another Castle Named Dunnure his Predecessor was first designed of Dunnure and being married to Mary Stuart lawful daughter to King Robert the Third whose Successor was first created Lord Kennedy and thereafter Earl of Cassils and John now Earl of Cassils is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury An ancient Family of the Kennedies did possess the forementioned Lands of Bargeny which were purchased from them by Sir John Hamilton Son to John Marquess of Hamilton whose Son Sir John was created Lord Bargeny by King Charles the First Anno 1639 his Grand-child is William Lord Bargeny The Earl of Cassils is the hereditary Bailiff of this Countrey For this Carrick together with Kyle and Cunninghame are counted the three Bailleries of Scotland because they that govern these with an ordinary Power and Jurisdiction are called Bailliffs by a Term that came up in the middle times and among the Greeks Sicilians and French men signifieth a Conservator or Protector But in the Age aforegoing Carrick had Earls for to say nothing of Gilbert of Galloway's Son unto whom King of William gave all Carrict to be possessed for ever we read that Adam of Kilconcath was about the year 1270. Earl of Carrick and died serving in the Holy-land whose only Daughter Martha fell extremely in love with Robert Bruce a beautiful young Gentleman as she saw him hunting and thereupon made him her Husband advanced him with the Title of Earl and with Possessions unto whom she bare Robert Bruce that most renowned King of Scots from whom the royal Line of the Kings is descended But the Title of the Earl of Carrick being left for a time to the younger Sons of the Family of Bruce afterwards among other honours encreased the Stile of the Princes of Scotland The Title of the Lord Kincleven in Perth-Shire was conferred by King James the Sixth Anno 1607. and Earl of Carrick by King Charles the First upon John Stuart brother to Patrick Stuart last Earl of Orkney descended of King James the Fifth by a natural Son which is now Extinct CHAP. XIII KYLE MOre inward toward Clyds-forth followeth Kyle plentiful in all things and as well inhabited In Bedes Auctarium it is called Campus Cyel that is The Field Cyel and Coil where it is recorded That Eadbert King of Northumberland annexed this with other Territories unto his own Kingdom In Ptolomy's time there was known a place here named Vidogara happily Air which is a Sheriffdom hath a Town also of Merchandise and a well known Port by a River of the same name This Country lyeth between the River of Dune bordering Carrick and the River of Irwine northward bordering Cunninghame and is divided in Kings-Kyle under the Jurisdiction of the Sheriff which lyeth betwixt Dune on the South and West and the Rivers of Air and Lougar running into Air on the North and East including also the Paroch of Achinleck on the other side of Lougar and Kyle-stewart containing the rest of the Country northward to the River of Irwine which belonged anciently to the Stuarts of Scotland since to the Prince the Kings eldest Son The Wallaces Lairds of Craiggie were heretable Stuarts but now both Sheriffship and Stewartry being at the Kings disposal are granted to one person which Rivers hath many little Villages scattered along their Banks Upon Lougar standeth Vchiltrie sometime the Seat of the Stuarts of the Blood-Royal as who issued from the Dukes of Albanie and were created Lords of Vchiltrie which Title is now failed out of which House was that noble Robert Stuart who kept continually with the Prince of Condie as an inseparable Companion and was slain in Battle with him in France Near to this place to the westward on the River Air in Kings-kyle is situat Stair the Inheritance of Sir James Dalrymple Knight and Barronet who being learned in the Laws was admitted an ordinar Lord of Session in the first nomination and settlement of the Judicatory by King Charles the Second after his Restauration anno 1661 and President anno 1671. And
day Arran of a Castle bearing the same name Inwardly it mounteth up altogether with high rising hills at the bottom and foot whereof along the Shore it is well inhabited The first Earl hereof that I can read of was Thomas eldest Son to Robert Boyd whose Wife and Earldom together when Boyd was banished the Realm James Lord Hamilton as I said before obtained and his Posterity enjoyed the same Earldom saving that Sir James Stuart appointed Guardian to James Hamilton Earl of Arran when he was so defective in understanding that he could not manage his Estate took this Title in the right of being Guardian Near unto this standeth Bute so called of a little Religious Cell which Brendanus founded for so is a little religious Cell tearmed in the Scottish Tongue In this Island is Rothsay Town and Castle which giveth the Title of Dukedom unto the King of Scots eldest Son who is born Prince of Scotland Duke of Rothsay and Seneschal of Scotland since the time that King Robert the third invested Robert his eldest Son Duke of Rothsay the first in Scotland that ever was created Duke With which Title also Queen Mary honoured Henry Lord Darnly before she took him to be her Husband Then shew themselves Hellan sometimes called Hellan Leneow that is as Iohn Fordon interpreteth it The Saints Islands and Helen Tinoc that is The Swines Island with a great number of other Islands of less Note and Reckoning in the same Forth These Islands are erected in a Sheriffdom and Sir James Stuart of Bute descended of a Son of King Robert the second is Heretable Sheriff thereof CHAP. XVI DAMNII CLYDSDALE c. BEyond the Novantes more inward by the River Glotta or Clyd and farther still even to the very East-Sea dwelt in times past the Damnii in those Countries if I have any Judgment for in things so far remote from our Remembrance and in so thick a Mist of Obscurity who can speak of Certainty which are now called Clydsdale the Barony of Renfrew Lennox Stirlingshire Monteith and Fife Near unto the head of Clyde in Crawford Moor among the wild Wastes certain Husband men of the countrey after great store of violent Rain happened to find certain small Pieces like scrapings of Gold which gave great hope of much Riches since that Sir Beamis Bulmer undertook with great endeavour to find out here a Mine of gold near to which place are the Lead-mines belonging to the Laird of Hoptoun The Castle of Crawford together with the Title of the Earl of Crawford was by Robert the Second King of Scots given unto Sir James Lindsey who by a single Combate performed with Baron Welles an English man won high Commendation for his Valour These Lindseys have deserved passing well of their Country and are of ancient Nobility ever since that Sir William Lindsey married one of the Heirs of William of Lancaster Lord of Kandale in England whose Neice in the third Degree of lineal Descent was married unto the most honourable Family of Coucy in France The Dignity of the Earl of Crawford was conveyed to the Lord Lindsey of whom hereafter Clyde after he hath from his Spring-head with much strugling got out northward by Baron Somervels house called Carnwath which being purchased by the Family of Dalziel also residing in Clyds-dale was by King Charles the First created Lord Dalziel who is ranked the last Lord in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 and thereafter Earl of Carnwath whose Grand-child is John Earl of Carnwath No person at present claims the Dignity of Lord Somervel The last Lords marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 are Cranstoun Deskford Melvil Carnegy Ramsey Naper Cameron Newburgh Weyms Ashtoun of Forfar Rae Dalziel And thereafter out of the West falleth in the River Duglasse or Douglasse so called of a blackish or greenish water that it hath which River communicateth his name both to the Vale through which he runneth called Douglasdale and also to Douglasse Castle therein which name that Castle likewise hath imparted unto the Family of the Dowglasses which I assure you is very ancient but most famous ever since that Sir Iames Dowglas stuck very close at all times as a most fast friend unto King Robert Bruce and was ready always with singular Courage Resolution and Wisdom to assist him claiming the Kingdom in most troublesome and dangerous times and whom the said King Robert charged at his death to carry his Heart to Jerusalem that he might be discharged of his Vow made to go to the Holy-land in memorial whereof the Dowglasses have inserted in their Coat of Arms a mans Heart from which time this Family grew up to that power and greatness and namely after that King David the Second had created William Earl of Dowglass that they after a sort awed the Kings themselves For at one time well near there were six Earls of them namely of this Dowglass of Angus of Ormund of Wigton of Murray and of Morton among whom the Earl of Wigton through his martial Prowesse and desert obtained at the hands of Charles the Seventh King of France the Title of Duke of Tourain and left the same to six Earls of Dowglasse his Heirs after him The Earl of Dowglass being forefeited by King James the Second the Earl of Angus got the Castle and Countrey of Dowglasse whose Heir William Earl of Angus was created Marquess of Dowglasse by King Charles the First in the year 1633 whose Grand-child is James Marquess of Dowglass Concerning the Lives and Actions of this Family see the History written by Godscroft In this place of Clyds-dale is the Seat of the Lairds of Carmichael Sir James Carmichael Baronet was a Lord of the Session and Thesaurer Depute to King Charles the First and by King Charles the Second when in Scotland created Lord Carmichael whose Grand-child is John Lord Carmichael he hath been twice employed by Their Majesties as Commissioner to the General Assembly and is of the Privy Council Below the falling of Dowglasse into Clyde is the Town of Lanerk head Burgh of the Sheriffdom thereof whereof the Lords of Hamilton are heretable Sheriffs and eight Miles below that standeth the Town and Castle of Hamilton in a fruitful and pleasant Soil the Lords whereof derive there Original from England They have enjoyed great Lands in Scotland since the time of King Robert Bruce and their Estate was much augmented by the Bounty of King Iames the Third who bestowed upon the Lord Hamilton his Sister in marriage after the death of the Lord Boyd her first Husband as is asserted by Mr. John Ballenden Arch-Dean of Murray Translator in Scots of the Chronicle of Hector Boetius who lived in the Reign of King James the Fifth Book 12. Chap. 5. anent the Genealogy of the Stuarts in these words The first Douchter of James the Secound was marryit to the Lord Boyd of whom was gottin ane Son quhylk
course of that mistake to digress a little beyond my ordinary in privat Families to give a true and brief account of that ancient great and noble Family of the Stuarts from undoubted Records Charters and History Their Barony was the Shires of Renfrew and Bute and the Stewartry of Kyle The first of that Family I find mentioned in Charters and Records is Walter the Son of Allan Dapifer Regis Founder of the Monastry of Pasley who in the Register Book of Charters of the Abbacy of Pasley now in the custody of the Earl of Dundonald Proprietar of these Lands and where he hath his chief Residence is mentioned as the Founder and Son of Allan and particularly in a Discharge granted by himself to the Monks of two Chalders of Meal payable out of the Miln he is designed Walter the Son of Allan and in a Confirmation by Pope Alexander of the Abbacy of Pasley to Alexander Stuart of Scotland he is designed Heir by Progress to Walter the Founder There are also Charters extant granted by this Walter designing himself the Son of Allan and Dapifer Regis The Chronicles of Melross and Fordon do design him Walter the Son of Allan Dapifer Regis Scotiae qui fundavit Pasletum and that he died in the year 1177 by the former and 1178. by the latter which was in the 12th or 13th year of the Reign of King William And frequently in King William's Charters in the said Register of Pasley Allan Dapifer is mentioned and also in the foresaid Confirmation by the Pope he is designed Allan the Son of Walter the Founder he died in the year 1204. To him succeeded Walter his Son designed Senescallus Scotiae Fordon relates that King Alexander the 2d at the Feast on his Birth day in the year 1231 made Walter the Son of Allan Stewart of Scotland Justiciar of Scotland A Manuscript of Andreas Wintonius Prior of the Inch in Lochlevin who wrote in the time of the Government of Robert first Duke of Albany and Uncle to King James the First Dedicate to Sir John Weyms Predecessor to the Earl of Weyms agrees with Fordon that at St. Andrews King Alexander made Allan's Son Stewart of Scotland the Kings Justiciar The Manuscript contains many things useful to the History and is in the hands of the Reverend Mr. James Kirktoun one of the Ministers of Edinburgh a person well known in Scottish Antiquities This Walter is an ordinary witness in King Alexander the Second's Charters under the Designation of Senescallus Justitiarius Scotia And as the same Winton mentions Walter Stewart and Justiciar of Scotland was in the year 1238 sent over to France to bring Mary Daughter to Ingeram de Coucy to be Queen to King Alexander Anno 1241. Obiit Walterus filius Allani junioris To Walter succeeded his Son Alexander Stewart of Scotland frequently so designed in his own and other Charters Recorded in the Register of Pasley Fordon mentions him to be killed in the Battle of the Largis in Cunninghame which he places in the year 1263 Chron. de Melross 1262 where the Norwegians were defeated and ever since banished from any possession of the Isles he is designed Alexander Stuart of Dundonald great Grand-child to the first Walter Stuart and Grandfather of the noble Walter who married King Bruce's Daughter Beside the Records of Pasley many of his Charters are extant and I have seen one by this Alexander confirming the Donation which Walter the Father gave to the Church of St. Andrews of Bromholm of 20 shilling yearly to be taken out of the Burgh of Renfrew with the Seal entire himself on Horse-back on the one side and the Checker on the other for his Arms which the sirname of Stuart do still bear To him succeeded James Great Stewart of Scotland his Son who was one of the Wardens of Scotland after the death of Alexander the third and one of these who Treated with Edward the First of England in relation to the marriage betwixt the Maid of Norway and King Edward's Son and in the Competition concerning the Crown betwixt Bruce Baliol and others As also after Baliol was defeated resigned the Crown he is amongst these whom Prinns History bears to have given Allegiance to Edward Longshanks and designed James Seneschall de scoce saluz c. A little after 15 die Maij apud Rokesburgh venit Dominus Ioannes quondam Seneschallus praedicti Domini Jacobi ` Germanus miles And I have a Charter of James Stuart of Scotland designing himself Son to Alexander Stuart of Scotland and confirming the Charter formerly mentioned granted by Alexander Stuart of Scotland his Father and Walter his Grand-father his Seal appended is also entire he died in the year 1309. At the Battle of Falkirk 1298 Sir John Stuart designed of Bute who contended with John Cummine for leading the Van-guard of the Army was killed it seems he was the same person who in the 1296 in Prinns History is called frater Germanus domini Jacobi and in the absence or restraint of his elder Brother the Stewart of Scotland acted as Stewart for him this probably hath been the mistake why our Historians omitted Iames Stuart of Scotland Predecessor and God-father to all the King Iames's and insert John Stuart to be Father to Walter Stuart of Scotland who is well known to have been Husband to Marjory Bruce the Kings Daughter and by her Father to Robert Stuart who in the absence of King David Bruce his Uncle and in Defence of his Title against Edward Baliol did many brave Actions from the year 1335 to the year 1338 when he was chosen Governour of the Kingdom which he freed from the English and Baliol's claim and restored it to King David Bruce at his Return from France this King being afterward taken Prisoner at the Battle of Durham commonly placed in the year 1348 was again Governour till the King returned from England in the 1359 by the help of his two eldest Sons John then Lord Kyle designed Senescallus de Kyle afterward King and Robert designed Senescallus de Monteith afterward Duke of Albanie Maurice Murray Lord of Bothwel and Clydsdale and Earl of Strathern being killed in the Battle of Durham Robert Stuart of Scotland was created Earl of Strathern at the same Battle John Ranulph Earl of Murray being killed the Stewart of Scotland married his Relict Eupham Ross Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross as appears by a Charter granted by Robert Stewart of Scotland Earl of Strathern and Eupham his Spouse Countess of Murray to John Maxwel Predecessor to Sir John Maxwel of Netherpollock of certain Lands within the Earldom of Strathern which have of a long time belonged to the Lairds of Glenagies John Hadden now of Glenagies hath the Charter and Lands an ancient Baron nobly descended There is a Charter to the same person of the same Lands but then designed Sir John Maxwel by David Earl
and Inheritance As touching the Earls of Lennox themselves to omit those of more ancient and obscure times there was one Duncan Earl of Lennox in the Reign of Robert the Third who died and left none but Daughters behind him of whom one was married to Allan Stuart descended from Robert a younger Son of Walter the Second of that Name High Stewart of Scotland and Brother likewise to Alexander Stuart the Second from whom the noblest and Royal Race of Scotland hath been propagated This sirname Stuart was given unto that most noble Family in regard of the honourable Office of the Stewart-ship of the Kingdom as who had the Charge of the Kings Revenues The said Allan had Issue John Earl of Lennox and Robert Captain of that Company of Scottish men at Arms which Charles the Sixth King of France first instituted in lieu of some Recompence unto the Scottish Nation which by their Valour had deserved passing well of the Kingdom of France who also by the same Prince for his vertues sake was endowed with the Seigniory of Aubigny in Auvergne Iohn had a Son named Matthew Earl of Lennox who wedded the Daughter of James Hamilton by Marion Daughter to King James the Second on whom he begat John Earl of Lennox he taking Arms to deliver King James the Fifth out of the hands of the Dowglasses and the Hamiltons was slain by the Earl of Arran his Uncle on the Mothers side This John was Father to Matthew Earl of Lennox who having sustained sundry Troubles in France and Scotland found Fortune more friendly to him in England through the favour of King Henry the Eight considering that he bestowed upon him in marriage his Neice with fair Lands By the means of this happy Marriage were brought into the world Henry and Charles Henry by Mary Queen of Scots had Issue James the Sixth King of Brittain by the propitious Grace of the Eternal God born in a most auspicate and lucky Hour to knit and unite in one Body of an Empire the whole Island of Brittain divided as well in it self as it was heretofore from the rest of the World and to lay a most sure Foundation of an everlasting Security for our Heirs and the Posterity As for Charles he had Issue one only Daughter Arbella married to the Earl of Hertford in England who above her Sex so embraced the Studies of the best Literature that therein she profited and proceeded with singular Commendation and comparable with the excellent Ladies of old time When Charles was dead after that the Earldom of Lenox whereof he stood Enfeoffed was revoked by Parliamentary Authority in the year of our Lord 1579. and his Uncle by the Fathers side Robert Bishop of Caithness had some while enjoyed this Title in lieu whereof he received at the Kings hands the honour of the Earl of March. King James the Sixth conferred the honourable Title of Duke of Lennox upon Esme Stuart Son to Iohn Lord D' Aubigny younger Brother to Matthew aforesaid Earl of Lennox which Lodowick Esme his Son after him did enjoy For since the time of Charles the Sixth there were of this Line Lords of Aubigny in France the said Robert before named and Bernard or Eberdard under Charles the Eighth and Lewis the Twelfth who is commended with great praise unto Posterity by P. Jovius for his noble Acts most valourously exploited in the War of Naples a most firm and trusty Companion of King Henry the Seventh when he entered into England who used for his Emprese or Devise a Lyon between Buckles with this Motto Distantia Jungit for that by his Means the Kingdoms of France and of Scotland severed and dis-joined so far in distance were by a straighter League of friendship conjoyned likeas Robert Stuart Lord D' Aubigny of the same Race who was Marshal of France under King Lewis the Eleventh for the same cause used the royal Arms of France with Buckles Or in a border Gules which the Earls and Dukes of Lennox have ever since born quarterly with the Arms of Stuart The Dukes of Lennox were also heretably great Chamberlains of Scotland and High-Admirals and had several Regalities and the Baillerie of Glasgow The Race of the Earls and Dukes of Lennox aforesaid being extinct by the death of Charles Duke of Lennox and Richmond Ambassador for King Charles the Second in Denmark about the year 1672 his Estate in Scotland did fall to the King by Succession who bestowed it on his Son Charles by the Name of Charles Lennos Duke of Lennox about the year 1675 who enjoyeth that honour Lord George Dowglass one of the younger Sons of William Marquess of Dowglass Collonel of the Scottish Regiment and Mareschal of the Camp in France thereafter Lieuetenant General in Brittain was by King Charles the Second before the year 1677 created Earl of Dunbarton whose Son doth enjoy that Title CHAP. XVIII STIRLING UPon Lennox North-eastward bordereth the Territory of Stirling so named of the principle Town therein for fruitful Soll and numbers of Gentlemen in it second to no Province of Scotland Here is that narrow Land or Streight by which Dunbritton Firth and Edinburgh Firth piercing far into the Land out of the West and East Seas are divided asunder that they meet not one with the other Which thing Julius Agricola who marched hitherto and beyond first observed and fortified this Space between with Garisons so as all the part of Brittain on the east and south side was then in possession of the Romans and the Enemies removed and driven as it were into another Island in so much as Tacitus judged right truly There was no other bound or limit of Brittain to be sought for Neither verily in the time ensuing did either the Valour of Armies or the Glory of the Roman name which scarcely could be stayed set out the Marches of the Empire in this part of the World farther although with Inrodes they other whiles molested and endamnaged them But after this glorious Expedition of Agricola when himself was called back Brittain as saith Tacitus become for-let neither was the Possession kept still thus far for the Caledonian Brittains drave the Romans back as far as to the River Tine in so much as Hadrian who came into Brittain in person about the fortieth year after and reformed many things in it went no further forward but gave commandment that the God Terminus which was wont to give ground unto none should retire backward out of this place like as in the East on this side Euphrates Hence it is that S. Augustine wrot in this wise God Terminus who gave not place to Jupiter yielded unto the will of Hadrianus yielded to the rashness of Iulian yielded to the necessity of Jovian in so much as Hadrian had enough to do for to make a Wall of Turff between the Rivers Tine and Esk well near an hundred Miles southward on this side Edinburgh Firth
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
Lodowick Earl of Crawford and by vertue of a former Entail the Honour Dignity and Precedency of the Earl of Crawford was declared in Parliament to belong to him and his Successors and since ratified in Parliament anno 1661 he was by King Charles the Second restored to be Thesaurer from which Office he had been removed in the year 1649 his Son William now Earl of Crawford was President of the Parliament 1689 and 1690 and one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury the secondary Title belonging to his eldest Son is Lord Lindsey Eden also runneth by Cowper a notable Burgh where the Sheriff sitteth to minister Justice Now where the shore turneth inward a Front northward hard by the Salt water of Tau there flourished in old time two goodly Abbeys Balmerinoch built by Queen Ermengard Wife to King William Daughter of Viscount Beaumont in France King James of Great Brittain advanced Sir James Elphingston of Barntoun to the honour of Baron Balmerinoch about the year 1604 being mentioned in that Parliament one of the Commissioners for the Union with England he is placed in the Decreet of Ranking after the L. Abercorn and before the L. Tullibardine he was a Lord of the Session Secretary thereafter succeeded to the L. Fyvie to be President of the Session anno 1605 whose Grand-child is John L. Balmerinoch The other Abbey is that of Lindoris Founded among the Woods by David E. of Huntingtoun is the Barony of Sir Patrick Lesly created L. Lindoris about the year 1604 and placed in the Decreet of Ranking immediatly after the Lord Roxburgh and before the Lord Lowdoun his Successor is Iohn Lord Lindoris Between which standeth Banbrich the Habitation of the Earl of Rothes strongly built Castle-wise Near to these places on the Confines toward Perth-shire is Balvaird which belongs to the Murrays ancient Cadets of the Lairds of Tullihardine their Successor was created L. Balvaird by K. Charles the 1st after the year 1641 his Grand-child hath succeeded to the Dignity of Lord Scoon and Viscount Stormonth by entail Sir David Murray the first Lord and Viscount being a younger Brother of the Laird of Balvaird The Governour of this Province like as of all the rest in this Kingdom was in times past a Thane that is in the old English tongue The Kings Minister as it is also at this day in the Danish Language but Malcolm Canmore made Macduff who before was Thane of Fife the first hereditary Earl of Fife and in consideration of his good desert and singular service done unto him granted that his Posterity should have the Honour to place the King when he is to be Crowned in his Chair and to lead the Vant-guard in his Army and if any of them should happen by casualty to kill either Gentleman or Commoner to buy it out with a piece of Money Not far from Lindoris there is to be seen a Cross of Stone which standing for a limit between Fife and Strathern had an Inscription of barbarous Verses and a certain priviledge of Sanctuary that any Manslayer Allied to Macduff Earl of Fife within the ninth Degree if he came unto this Cross and gave nine Kine with an Heifer should be quit of Manslaughter When his Posterity lost this Title and Priviledge is uncertain but it appeareth that King David the Second gave unto William Ramsey this Earldom with all and every the Immunities and Law which is called Clan-Mac-Duff and received it is for certain that the Linage of the Weymesses and Dowglasses yea and that great Kindred Clan-Hatan the Chief whereof is Mac-Intoshech descended from them And the most learned Sir John Skeen of Currie-hill Clerk of Register in his Treatise de verborum significatione informs that by an Indenture at Perth the penult day of March 1371 betwixt Robert Stuart Earl of Monteith and Dame Isabel Countess of Fife Daughter and Heir to Duncan Earl of Fife The Countess is obliged to resign her Earldom in the Kings hands in favours of the said Earl for new heretable Infestment thereof to be given to him which Earl being afterwards designed of Fife and Monteith was thereafter Duke of Albany and affecting the Kingdom with cruel Ambition caused David the Kings eldest Son to be most pitifully famished to death which is the highest extremity of all misery But his Son Murdac suffered due punishment for the Wickedness both of his Father and his own Sons being put to death by King James the First for their violent Oppressions and a Decree passed that the Earldom of Fife should be united unto the Crown for ever But the Authority of the Sheriff of Fife belongeth in right of Inheritance to the Earl of Rothes the Heir of which Family was Iohn Earl of Rothes who after he was High Commissioner for King Charles the Second to the Parliament and Conventions of Estates and enjoyed several other honourable and profitable Employments was made Chancellor anno 1668 in which Office he continued till his death in anno 1681 and was shortly before created Duke of Rothes which Dignity is extinct by default of Heirs male of his Body but his eldest Daughter Margaret Countess of Rothes being married to Charles Earl of Haddingtoun hath Iohn Lord Leslie who is to succeed in the Dignity of the Earl of Rothes and Thomas who hath succeeded his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Hadingtoun Since Printing of the former Edition several Lords were created in this Shire some whereof have already been mentioned and also others to be mentioned viz. Sir Michael Balfour of Balgarvie by K. James the 6th created L. Burghlie July 16 1607 whose Successor is John Lord Burghlie And by the same King Sir Robert Melvil first of Murdocairny and thereafter of Burntisland who had been Thesaurer Deput and Thesaurer before the year 1592 and an extraordinar Lord of Session anno 1594 was created Lord Melvil about the year 1617 to whom succeeded Robert his Son he is ranked in the Parliament 1633 after the Lord Deskford and before Carnegie and is amongst the Commissioners for holding that Parliament who had been admitted an extraordinar Lord of Session upon the dimission of his Father and then by entail the honour fell to the Laird of Raith descended of the eldest Brother and the only Male representative of the ancient Family of the Melvils George Lord Melvil his Son is the 4th Lord who was sole Secretar of State to and created by Their Majesties Earl of Melvil Lord High Commissioner to the second and third Sessions of this current Parliament 1690 and now Lord Privy Seal his Son Alexander Lord Raith was constitute Thesaurer Deput anno 1689. Mr. John Lindsey of Belcarras was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians of the Thesaury Secretary before K. Ja. his Succession to the Crown of England his Grand-child Alexander about the year 1633 was created Lord Belcarras by King
treeple Trenches wherein at several times Roman Medals have been found and from that there is a great Mercat-Road leadeth towards St. Iohnstoun or Perth Calseyed in many places and thence through Strathmore toward Angus This incampment is believed to have been made by Iulius Agricola being near to the Grampian Hills where he defate the Scots and Picts Within this Camp there was found a squair Stone which is yet kept at the Castle of Drummond and may be seen there whereon is engraven the Inscription following DIS MANIBUS ANTONIUS DAIMONIUS COHORTIS I. LEGIONIS XVII HISPANORUM HEREDES F. C. Mr. Adair in his Map of Strathern hath printed this Inscription with some small difference whee rhe hath also a draught of the Roman Camp before mentioned CHAP. XXII ARGATHELIA OR ARGILE BEyond the Lake Lomund and the west part of Lennox there spreadeth it self near unto Dumbarton Firth the large Country called Argathelia and Ar. Gwithil that is Near unto the Irish or as old Writings have it the edge or Border of Ireland for it lyeth toward Ireland the Inhabitants whereof the Brittains term Gwithil and Gaothel The Country runneth out in length and breadth all mangled with fishful Pools and in some places with rising Mountains very commodious for feeding of Cattel in which also there range up and down wild Kine and red Deer but along the Shore it is more unpleasant in sight what with Rocks and what with blackish barren Mountains In this part as Bede writeth Brittain received after the Brittains and Picts a third nation of Scots in that Countrey where the Picts inhabited who coming out of Ireland under the leading of Reuda either through friendship or by dint of Sword planted their seat amongst them which they still hold Of whom their Leader they are to this very day called Dalreudini for in their language Dal signifieth a part And a little after Ireland saith he is the proper Country of the Scots for being departed out of it they added unto the Brittains and Picts a third Nation in Brittain And there is a very great Bay or Arm of the Sea that in old time severed the Nation of the Brittains from the Picts which from the West breaketh a great way into the Land where standeth the strongest City of all the Brittains even unto this day called Alchith In the north part of which Bay the Scots aforesaid when they came got themselves a place to inhabite Of that name Dalreudin no Remains at all are now extant neither find we any thing thereof in Writers unless it be that same Dalrieta For in an old Pamphlet touching the division of Albany we read of one Kinnady who for certain was a King of Scots and denyed the Picts these very words Kinnady two years before he came into Pictavia for so it calleth the Country of the Picts entred upon the Kingdom of Dalrieta Also in an History of latter time there is mention made of Dalrea in some place of this Tract where King Robert Bruce fought a field unfortunatly That Justice should be ministred unto this Province by Justices itinerant at Perth whensoever it pleased the King King Iames the Fourth by Authority of the States of the Kingdom enacted a Law But the Earls themselves have in some cases their Royalties as being men of very great Command and Authority followed with a mighty Train of Retainers and Dependants who derive their Race from the ancient Princes and Potentates of Argile by an infinite descent of Ancestours and from their Castle Campbel took their sirname but the Honour and Title of Earl was given unto them by King James the Second who as it is recorded invested Colin Lord Campbel Earl of Argile in regard of his own vertue and the worth of his Family whose Heirs and Successors standing in the gracious favour of the Kings have been Lords of Lorn and a good while General Justices of the Kingdom of Scotland or Justices ordained in General and Great Masters of the Kings Royal Houshold Archibald Earl of Argile by King Charles the First created Marquess of Argile was forefaulted by King Charles the Second and his Son Archbald Lord Lorn restored to the Dignity and Precedency of the Earl of Argile who thereafter in that same Kings Reign upon very nice slender Grounds was also forefaulted which Forefaulture was particularly taxed as a Reproach to the Nation in the Claim of Right or Instrument of Government anno 1689 and by a special printed Act of Parliament 1690 his Son Archbald Lord Lorn now Earl of Argile restored Since the printing of the first Sheets of this Book he hath presented a Letter from the King to the Lords nominating him an Extraordinar Lord of the Session in place of the Duke of Hamilton deceased and is accordingly admitted From Melfort in this Country did John Drummond of Lundie first married to the Heiress of that Family and Brother to James Earl of Perth by grant from King James the Seventh take first the Title of Viscount and thereafter of Earl and was Thesaurer Depute to King Charles the Second and Secretary to him and King James the Seventh The head Burgh of this Shire is Inerara a Burgh Royal. CHAP. XXIII CANTIRE LOgh Fin a Lake breeding such store of Herrings at a certain due season as it is wonderful severeth Argile from a Promontory which for thirty Miles together growing still toward a sharp Point thrusteth it self forth with so great a desire toward Ireland betwixt which and it there is a narrow Sea scarce thirteen Miles over as if it would conjoyn it self Ptolomy termeth this the Promontory Epidiorum between which name and the Islands Aebudae lying over-against it there is in my conceit some affinity At this day it is called in the Irish Tongue which they speak in all this Tract Can-tyre that is The Lands Head inhabited by the Mac-conells a Family that here swayeth much howbeit at the pleasure and dispose of the Earl of Argile yea and other times they make out their light Pinnaces and Gallies for Ireland to raise Booties and Pillage who also hold in Possession those little Provinces of Ireland which they call Glines and Rowts This Promontory lyeth annexed to Knapdale by so thin a Neck as being scarce a Mile broad and the same all Sandy that the Mariners find it the nearer way to convey their small Vessels over it by Land Which I hope a man may sooner believe than that the Argonauts laid their great Ship Argos upon their Shoulders and so carried it along with them five hundred Miles from Aemonia unto the Shores of Thessalia This place gave first the Title of Lord to a Brother of the Earl of Argiles as hath been said and thereafter when Argile became Marquess he was designed Earl of Kintyre CHAP. XXIV LORN SOmewhat higher toward the North lyeth Lorn bearing the best kind of Barley in great plenty and divided with Leave a vast and huge
ordained that whosoever were of that name should forego the same and take unto them a new after that the Ruthvens Brethren in a most cursed and horrible Conspiracy had complotted to murder their Soveraign King James the Sixth who had created William their Father Earl of Gowrie and afterward beheaded him being lawfully convicted when he would insolently prescribe Laws to his Soveraign But of men condemned to perpetual Oblivion I may seem to have said overmuch although it concerneth Posterity also for a Caveat that wicked Generations be notified as well as noisom Weeds and venemous Plants Sir Thomas Ruthven of Freeland descended of this Family was created by King Charâ—â—s the second while in Scotland Lord Ruthven whose Son is David Lord Ruthven and in anno 1689 was appointed by their Majesties one of their Privy Council and one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury As for the Country Gowrie aforesaid famous for the Corn-fields and singular fertility of the Soil it lyeth more plain and flat along the other Bank of Tay. In this Tract over against Perth on the farther side of Tay standeth Scoon a renowned Monastery in old time and of reverend respect for the Coronation therein of the Kings of Scotland since that time King Kenneth having hard by put the Picts for the most part to the sword placed a stone here enclosed within a Chair of Wood for Inaugaration of the Kings of Scotland that had been transported out of Ireland into Argile which Stone Edward the First King of England caused to be conveyed unto Westminster touching which I have put down this Prophesie so rise in every mans mouth since it hath now proven true and taken effect as very few of that sort do nI faLLat fatuM sCotI qVoCVnque LoCatVM InVenIent LapIDeM regnare tenentVr IbIDeM Except old Sawes be vain And Wits of Wizards blind The Scots in place must reign Where they this Stone shall find Scoon gave the Title of Baron to Sir David Murray Comptroller whom King James for his good service advanced to that honour and is the last in the Decreet of Ranking after the Lords Torphichen Pasley Newbottle Thirlestane Spenzie Roxburgh Lindores Lowdoun Dirleton Kinlos Abercorn Balâ—â—crinoch Murray of Tullibairn Colviâ—â— of â—uâ—ross he was afterward created by that same King Viscount of Stormonth which is the upper part of the Country of Gowry and is in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 before the Viscount Air who being descended of the Lairds of Balvaird the Dignity of V. Stormonth did fall to their Successors of whom is descended David now Viscount Stormonth as hath been said Where Tay now grown bigger enlargeth himself there appeareth over it Arrol which was the Habitation of the noble Earls of Arrol who ever since the Bruces days have been by Inheritance the Constables of Scotland and verily they deduce an ancient Pedegree from one Hay a man of exceeding strength and excellent courage who together with his Sons in a dangerous Battle of Scots against the Danes at Longcartie caught up an Ox Yoke and so valiantly and fortunatly withall what with fighting and what with exhorting re-enforced the Scots at the point to shrinke and recule that they had the day of the Danes and the King with the States of the Kingdom ascribed the Victory and their own Safety unto his Valour and Prowess whereupon in this place the most battle and fruitfull Grounds were assigned to him and his Heirs who in testimony hereof have set over their Coat a Yoke for their Crest over their Arms Three Escutcheons Gules in Argent Of this Family is descended John now Earl of Arrol Near to which lived Sir George Kinnaird of Rossie Privy Counseller to King Charles the Second created Lord Kinnaird about the year 1683 Patrick Lord Kinnaird in his Son Touching Huntley Castle that joyneth unto it I have nothing to write but that it hath given Title to a very Potent Great and honourable Family whereof I am to speak hereafter But I think rather the Title of Earl of Huntly was taken from a place in the Merse called by that name which is a part of the Barony of Gordon the ancient Inheritance of this Family Huntly Castle is one of the Dwelling Houses of the Earl of Strathmore and now passeth under the Name of Castle-Lyon well planted and pleasantly situat in the Carse of Gowry In the Description of this Kingdom the following Method had been more agreeable to the Situation of the Country and there had been less disjunction of the Countries described to have begun with the Country of the Merse and then East Mid and West Lothian and to have subjoyned the Shires of Peebles Selkirk and Roxburgh and in the end of Roxburgh to have added the Selgovae viz. Liddesdale Eusdale Eskdale Annandale and Nithisdale and to have gone to Galloway Carrick Kyle Cunninghame Isle of Arran Cliddesdale the Shire of Stirling Lennox Argyle Kintyre and Lorn these three in one Shire to have begun the description of Caledonia with that part of Perth Shire called Brade-Albion which joineth Lorn and then to have added Athol and Perthia and in the third place Strathern which compleats the Shire of Perth and Fife Kinross and Clackmannan bordering with Strathern and then to proceed to the Country of Angus or Shire of Forfar which is divided from Fife by the River Tay the ordinar division of Scotland in publick Acts and Letters being by south and be north Tay. CHAP. XXVII ANGUSIA or ANGVS BY the out-let or mouth of Tay and more within beside the River North-Esk Anguis called by the natural and true Scots Aeneia lyeth extended with goodly fields bearing Wheat and Corn of all kinds plentifully with large Hills also and Pools Forrests Pastures and Meadows and also garnished with many Forts and Castles In the very first entry into it from Gowry standeth Glamis a Castle and the Barony of a Family sirnamed Lyon which arose to honour and reputation ever since that Sir J. Lyon standing in the high favour of King Robert the Second received this and the Dignity of a Baron with the Kings Daughter for her marriage Portion and therewith as I find written the sirname of Lyon with a Lyon in his Arms within a Treassure Floury as the Kings themselves do bear but in different colours Likeas Sir Patrick Lyon Lord Glamis was advanced by King James the Sixth of that name to the honour of the Earl of Kinghorn This Title was changed by Patrick the present Earl from Kinghorn to Strathmore as being the largest Strath in Scotland running through Perth Shire and Angus where the said Earls Estate for the greatest partlyes Not far hence standeth Forfar where for the administration of Justice the Barons Grays are hereditary
Sheriffs who being descended from the Grays of Chillingham in the Country of Northumberland came into Scotland with King James the First at his return out of England of whom is descended Patrick now Lord Gray upon the first of whom named Andrew the King of his bounteous liberality bestowed the Segniory of Foulis together with Helen Mortimer in Marriage for his Advancement Ashtoun an English Gentleman was created Lord Forfar about the year 1633 by King Charles the First and Archibald second Son to the Earl of Angus and Brother to James Marquess of Dowglass was by King Charles the Second created Earl of Forfar about the year 1651. Hard by the mouth of Tay is situat Dundee sometimes called Alectum others term it in Latine Taodunum a Town verily of great resort and Trade and the Constable whereof by a special priviledge was Standard bearer to the King of Scots Hector Boetius who was here born expounded this name Dundee by way of allusion to Donum Dei that is Gods gift This Hector in the reflourishing time of Learning wrote the Scottish History elegantly and that out of such hidden and far fetched Monuments of Antiquity that Paulus Jovius wondered in his Writings there should be Records extant for above a thousand years of these remote parts of the World Scotland the Hebrids and the Orcads considering that Italy the Nurse of fine Wits for so many Ages after the Goths were cast out was defective of Writers and Records The ancient Family of the Scrymsours of Dudup Constables of Dundee was first created by King Charles the first Viscount of Dudup and by King Charles the Second Earl of Dundee and by gift of last Heir and Recognition being carried to Charles Maitland of Haltoun came afterwards to be at the Kings disposal who gifted the same to Collonel John Graham of Claverhouse who by King James the Seventh was created Viscount of Dundee and opposing their Majesties in Arms was killed at Gillichrankie in Athol in July 1689 and both he and his Brother David also present at that Action were forefaulted in Parliament 1690. From hence standeth within sight Brochty-Craig which being a good Fortress was with the English Garison Souldiers manfully defended made good for many Months together what time as in their affectionat love to a perpetual peace they desired and wished for a Marriage between Mary Heir apparent of Scotland and Edw. the 6th K. of England and upon promise thereof demanded it by force of Arms and in the end of their own accord abandoned the said place Then there lyeth full against the open Ocean Aberbroth short Arbroth a place endowed with ample Revenues and by King William dedicated in old time to Religion in honour of Thomas of Canterbury beside which the Red-head shooteth into the deep Sea and is to be seen a far of Hard by Southesk voideth it self into the Ocean which River flowing amain out of a Lake passeth by Finnevin Castle well known by reason of the Lindseys Earls of Crawford keeping Residence there of whom is already written And downward on the same River standeth Kinnaird the Inheritance of the Carnagies who amongst other Families by being Members of the Colledge of Justice have raised their Fortunes and advanced into great Honours Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird in the year 1553 is marked in the Sederunt of the Lords of Session And about the year 1561 under the designation of Sir Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird admitted Ordinary Lord of Session Mr. David Carnagy of Coluthy I suppose his second Son was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians he dyed in the year 1598 his Son Sir David Carnagy of Kinnaird succeeded of whom frequent mention is made in the Acts of Parliament of King James the Sixth he was by that King created Lord Carnagy after the Lord Binnie and is so ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1617. In the Books of Sederunt July 5th 1616 David Lord Carnagy is admitted an Ordinary Lord of Session in the year 1633 by King Charles the First he was created Earl of Southesk his great Grand-child is Charles Earl of Southesk Sir John Carnegie of Ethie younger Son to the before named Mr. David Carnagie of Colluthy and Brother to David Earl of Southesk was by King Charles the First created Lord Lour and thereafter by that same King Earl of Ethie his eldest Son David exchanged the said Titles with these of Earl of Northesk and Lord Rosehill as being more agreeable to the Title of Earl of Southesk the Chief of the Family David Earl of Northesk is great Grand-child to the first Earl Then upon the said River standeth Brechin which King David the First adorned with a Bishops See Patrick Maul of Panmure of the Bed-chamber of an ancient Family was created by King Charles the First about the year 1646 Earl of Panmure Lord Maul and Brechin immediatly before the Earls of Selkirk Tweeddale and Northesk whose Grand-child is James Earl of Panmure And at the very mouth thereof standeth Montross as one would say the Mount of Roses a Town in times past called Celurca risen by the fall of another Town bearing the same name which is seated between the two Esks and imparteth the Title of Marquess to the Family of the Grahams Not far from hence is Boschain belonging to the Barons of Ogilvy of very antient Nobility lineally descended from Alexander Sheriff of Angus who was slain in the Bloody Battle at Harlaw against the Mac-Donald of the out Isles In this Shire is also Airlie which was the first Designation of the Lord Ogilvie of Airlie Andrew Lord Ogilvie was created by King Charles the first anno 1633 Earl of Airlie whose Son is James Earl of Airlie As touching the Earls of Angus Gilchrist of Angus renowned for his brave exploits under King Malcolm the fourth was the first Earl of Angus that we read of About the year 1241 John Cummin was Earl of Angus who died in France and his Widow haply inheritrix to the Earldom was married to Sir Gilbert Vmfranvill an Englishman For both he and his Heirs successively after him were summoned to the Parliament in England until the third year of King Richard the second by the Title of Earls of Angus Howbeit the Lawyers of England refused in their Brieves and Instruments to acknowledge him Earl for that Angus was not within the Kingdom of England until he had brought forth openly in the face of the Court the Kings Writ and Warrant wherein he was summoned to the Parliament by the name of Earl of Angus In the reign of David Bruce Thomas Stuart was Earl of Angus who by a sudden surprise won Berwick and straightways lost it yea and within a while after died miserably in Prison at Dunbritton But the Douglasses Men of invincible Hearts from the time of King Robert the second when VVilliam first E. of Douglas married
Stuart Heiress and Countess of Angus of which marriage was George Douglas Earl of Angus who married King Robert the Thirds Daughter have been Earls of Angus and reputed the chief and principal Earls of Scotland and to whom this Office belongeth to carry the Regal Crown before the Kings at the solemn Assembly of the Kingdom The sixth Earl of Angus out of this stock was Archibald who espoused Margaret Daughter to Henry the seventh King of England and Mother to James the fifth King of Scots by whom he had Issue Margaret Wife to Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox who after her Brothers decease that died Childless willingly resigned up her Right and Interest in this Earldom unto Sir David Douglass of Pittindreich her Uncles Son by the Fathers side and that with consent of her Husband and Sons to the end that she might bind the surer unto her self by the link also of a beneficial demerit that Family which otherwise in Blood was most near what time Henry her Son went about to Wed Mary the Queen by which Marriage King James the sixth the mighty Monarch of Great-Britain was happily born to the good of all Britain and from these Earls of Angus Douglass the Marquess of Douglass is lineally descended From an Abbacy in this Shire James Elphingstoun second Son to Secretary Elphingstoun Lord Balmerinoch was created by King James the sixth Lord Couper but dying without Issue the Title and Dignity is confounded in the person of the now Lord Balmerinoch The Sheriffship of this Shire being at the Kings disposal Patrick Earl of Strathmore is Sheriff CHAP. XXVIII MERNIS OR Shire of KINCARDIN THese Regions were in Ptolomy's time inhabited by the Vernicones the same perhaps that the Vecturiones mentioned by Marcellinus But this their name is now quite gone unless we would imagine some little piece thereof to remain in Mernis For many times in common speech of the British Tongue V. turneth into M. This small Province Mernis lying on the North-side of the North-Water of Esk abutting upon the German Ocean and of a Rich and fertile Soil lieth very well as a plain and level Champion But the most memorable place therein is Dunnotyr a Castle advanced upon an high and unaccessible Rock whence it looketh down to the underflowing Sea well fensed with strong Walls and Turrets which hath been a long time the habitation of the Keiths of an antient and very noble Stock who by the guidance of their Vertue became Hereditary Earls Mareschals of the Kingdom of Scotland in the Reign of King Robert Bruce and Sheriffs of this Province of whom is descended William now Earl Mareschal In a Porch or Gallery here is to be seen that antient Inscription formerly mentioned of a Company belonging to the twentieth Legion the Letters whereof the right Noble and Honourable Earl George Commissioner to the Parliament 1609 a great lover of Antiquity caused to be Guilded Somewhat further from the Sea standeth Fordon graced in some sort and commendable in regard of John de Fordon who being born here diligently and with great pains Compiled Scoti Chronicon that is The Scottish Chronicle unto whose laborious studies the Scottish Historiographers are very much indebted but more glorious and renowned in old time for the Reliques of St. Palladius bestowed and shrined sometime as is verily thought in this place who in the year 431 was by Pope Coelestinas appointed the Apostle of the Scottish Nation In this Shire the Laird of Arbuthnet of that lik of an antient Family was created Viscount Arbuthnet by King Charles the first about the year 1641 whose Great Grand-Child is Robert Viscount of Arbuthnet As also Sir Alexander Falconer one of the Lords of Session was by King Charles the first anno 1648 Created Lord Halcartoun whose Grand-Child is now Lord Halcartoun Also Lieutenant-General Middletoun of an antient Family designed by that Surname was by K. Charles the second appointed Commissioner for holding the Parliament 1661 and Created at that time Earl of Middletoun his Son is Charles Earl of Middletoun who was first Secretary of Scotland and then of England to King Charles the second and King James the seventh In this Shire is Inverbervie a Burgh-Royal In the antient times the Countrey Horestia did comprehend both Angus and Mernis in this matter I must be allowed to differ from the Learned Author who places the Horesti in the Countrey of Eskdale a small and inconsiderable Countrey surrounded with others and not bordering on the Sea whereas Tacitus in the Life of Agricola Describing his War in our part of Britain saith The third year of the War Agricola discovered new Nations which he conquered even to the River Tau And after this he adds Agricola having beat Galgacus near to the Grampian Hills brought back the Roman Army to the boders of the Horesti and having received Hostages from them he ordered the Commanders of the Roman Fleet to sail about the Isle The chief part of this quotation is on the Margin in the words of the Author which is only applicable to the Mouth and Firth of Tay and the Countrey of Angus and Mernis situat thereupon where the Roman Navy hath Landed their Men and in the which station remained to receive them at the end of the expedition and from this Port to the Grampian Hills through the large Countrey of Strathmore they have marched their Army and Carriages and by the same Way returned them to their Ships of which great ways there are certain Vestiges remaining but there is no direct continued way betwixt the Grampian Hills and Eskdale nor could any army with such great Carriages march betwixt these places nor thereafter be Embarked at Eskdale See more of this in Sir George Mckenzies Answer to St. Asaph CHAP. XXIX MARRIA OR MAR. FRom the Sea in the Mediterranean or In-landparts above Mernis Mar enlargeth it self and runneth forward threescore Miles or thereabout where it lieth broadest VVest-wards it swelleth up with Mountains unless it be where the Rivers Dee which Ptolomy calleth Diva and Don make way for themselves and infertile the Fields Upon the Bank of Don Kildrummy standeth as a fair Ornament to the Countrey being the antient Seat of the Earls of Mar and not far distant from it the Habitation of the Barons Forbois who being issued from a Noble and Antient Stock assumed this Surname whereas before time they were called Bois after that the Heir of that Family had manfully killed a Savage and Cruel Bare of whom is Descended William now Lord Forbes But at the very Mouth of this River there be two Towns that give greater Ornament which of the said Mouth that in the British Tongue they call Aber borrowing one Name are divided asunder by one little Field lying between the hithermost of them which standeth nearer to Dee Mouth is much ennobled by an Episcopal Dignity which King David
the first Translated hitherto from Murthlake a little Village by fair Houses of the Canons an Hospital for poor people and a free Grammer School which William Elphingstoun Bishop of the place in the year 1480. consecrated to the Training up of Youth and is called New Aherdene The other beyond it named Old Aherdene is most famous for the taking of Salmons It is almost incredible what abundance of Salmons as well these Rivers as others also in Scotland on both sides of the Realm do breed this Fish was altogether unknown unto Pliny unless it were that Esox of the Rhine but in this north part of Europe passing well known shining and glittering as he saith with his red bowels in Autumn they engender within little Rivers and in shallow places for the most part what time they cast their Spawn and cover it over with Sand and then are they so poor and lean that they seem to have nothing else in a manner but their small Bones Of that Spawn in the Spring next following there comes a Fry of tender little Fishes which making toward the Sea in a small time grow to their full bigness and in returning back again to seek for the Rivers wherein they were bred they strive and struggle against the Stream and look whatsoever lyeth in their way to hinder their passage with a jerk of their Tail and a certain leap whence happily they had their name Salmons to the wonder of the Beholders they nimbly whip over and keep themselves within these Rivers of theirs until they breed during which time it is enacted by Law they should not be caught namely from the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady to the Feast of Saint Andrew in Winter and it should seem they were reputed among the greatest Commodities of Scotland when likewise it was ordained that they should not be sold unto Englishmen but for English Gold and no other contentation But these Matters is left for others To come now unto the Earls of Marr. In the Reign of Alexander the Third William Earl of Marr is named among those that were sore offended and displeased with the King Whiles David Bruce reigned Donald Earl of Marr Protector of the Kingdom was before the Battle at Dyplin murdered in his Bed by Edward Balliol and the Englishmen that came to aid him whose Sister Isobel King Robert Bruce took to be his first Wife on whom he begat Marjory Mother to Robert Stuart King of Scots Under the same David there is mention also made of Thomas Earl of Marr who was banished in the year 1361. Likewise in the Reign of Robert the 3d Alexander Stuart is named Earl of Marr who in the Battle at Harlaw against the Islanders lost his life in the year 1411. In the days of King James the First we read in Scoto Chronicon thus Alexander Earl of Marr died in the year 1435 the base Son of Alexander Stuart Earl of Buchan Son to Robert the Second King of Scots after whom as being a Bastard the King succeeded in the Inheritance John the second Son of King James the Second afterwards bare this Title who being convict for attempting by Art Magick to take away the King his Brothers life was let blood to death and after him Robert Cochran was promoted from a Mason to this Dignity by King James the Third and soon after hanged by the Nobility since which time this honourable Title was discontinued until that Queen Mary adorned therewith James her Bastard Brother and not long after when it was found that by ancient Right the Title of Earl of Marr appertained to John Lord Ereskin in lieu of Marr she conferred upon him the Honour of Earl of Murray and created John Lord Ereskin a man of ancient and noble Birth Earl of Mar afterward Regent to King James the Sixth of whom is descended John now Earl of Marr. Forbes Lord Pitsligo was by King Charles the First created Lord Pitsligo anno 1633 whose descendant doth still enjoy the Title And Fraser of Stony-wood or Muchill was at the same time created by King Charles the First Lord Fraser whose Successor is Lord Fraser Sir John Keith of Keith-hall Knight Mareschal and Son to the Earl Mareschal was by King Charles the Second about the year 1677 created Earl of Kintore from a Burgh Royal and was Thesaurer Deput to K. Char. the 2d and K. Ja. the 7th his eldest Son is designed Lord Inverurie from another Burgh Royal both lying in this Shire Sir George Gordon of Haddo Baronet a Lord of the Session was admited President anno 1681 and constitute Chancellor the year following and created Earl of Aberdeen shortly thereafter James L. Gordon second Son to the Marquess of Huntly was created by K. Char. the 1st V. of Aboyn thereafter Charles his fourth Son was created Earl of Aboyn by King Charles the Second anno 1661 his Son is Charles Earl of Aboyn Creighton Laird of Frendraught descended of the L. Creighton Chancellor to King James the Second was by King Charles the First created Viscount of Frendraught about the year 1641 whose Successor is Lewis Viscount of Frendraught In this Shire is the River Ythan from which King Charles the First after the year 1641 gave the Title of Lord Ythan to Lieutenant General King of whom none is descended claiming the Title John Earl of Arrol is by the Kings Nomination Sheriff of this Shire CHAP. XXX BUCHANIA OR BVQVHAN THe Taizali mentioned by Ptolomy in ancient times inhabited which is now Buquhan in Latine Boghania and Buchania above the River Don beareth forth toward the German Sea Some derive this latter name à Bobus that is from Oxen and Kine whereas notwithstanding the Ground serveth better to feed Sheep whose Wool is highly commended Albeit the Rivers in this Coast every where breed great store of Salmons yet do they never enter into the River Ratra as Buchannan hath Recorded Neither let it be offensive if his Testimony be cited although his Books by Authority of Parliament in the year 1584 were forbidden because many things in them contained are to be dashed out Who also hath written That on the Bank of Ratra there is a Cave near unto Stangs Castle the nature whereof seemeth not to be passed over The water distilling by drops out of a natural Vault presently turneth into Pyramidal stones and were not the said Cave or Hole otherwhiles rid and cleansed by mans labour the whole space as far as up to the Vault would in short time be filled therewith Now the stone thus engendered is of a middle nature between Yce and hard Stone for it is brittle and easy to crumble neither groweth it ever to the solidity and hardness of Marble Concerning those Claik-geese which some with much admiration have believed to grow out of Trees both upon this Shore and elsewhere and when they be ripe to fall down
by the latter was sent Commissioner to the Parliament 1686. CHAP. XXXII LOQHUABRE WHatsoever beyond the Nesse bendeth to the west Coast and adjoineth to the Lake Aber is thereupon called Loqhuabre that is in the ancient tongue of the Britains the mouth of the Lakes as what lyeth toward the North is commonly called Ross. Loqhuabre is full of fresh Pastures and Woods neither is without Iron Mines but not so free in yielding of Corn but for most fishful Pools and Rivers searce inferior to any Country thereabout At Logh-Lothy Innerlothy senced with a Fort and well frequented with Merchants was of great name and importance in times past but being razed by the Piracies and Wars of Danes and Norwegians it hath lien for these many Ages so deserted that there remained scarce any shew of it Loquhabre hath had no Earls but about the year of our Salvation 1050 there was a Thane over it of great fame and much spoken of named Banquho whom Macbeth the Tyrant when with Murder and Bloodshed he had usurped the Crown being fearful and suspicious caused to be made away for that he had learned by a Prophesy of certain Wise-Women that his Posterity when the Line of Macbeth was expired and extinct should one day obtain the Kingdom and by a long successive Descent reign in Scotland which verily hath fallen out accordingly for Fleanch the Son of Banquho who unknown in the Dark escaped the Trains laid for him fled into Wales where for a time he kept himself close and having taken to Wife Nesta the Daughter of Griffith ap Lewellin Prince of North-Wales begat Walter who returning into Scotland with so great Fame of his Fortitude repressed the Rebellion of the Islanders and with as great Wisdom managed the Kings Revenues in this Tract that the King made him Seneschal whom they commonly call Stewart of the whole Kingdom of Scotland whereupon this name of Office imposed the sirname of Stuart unto his Posterity who spreading throughout all parts of Scotland into a number of noble Branches after many honours heaped upon them have flourished a long time and from out of them three hundred and twenty four years ago Robert Stuart by Marjory his Mother Daughter to King Robert Bruce obtained the Kingdom of Scotland and James Stuart of that name the sixth King of Scots by Margaret his great Grand-Mother Daughter to King Henry the Seventh the Divine power of that most High and Almighty Ruler of the World so disposing ascended with the general Applause of all Nations to the hight of Monarchial Majesty over all Britain and the Isles adjacent In the Shire of Inverness Aeneas Macdonald Laird of Glengarie was by King Charles the Second created Lord Macdonald about the year 1661 the Patent being granted to Heirs-male of his Body doth not descend upon his Successor the Laird of Glengarie CHAP. XXXIII ROSSIA THe Province Ross so called by an old Scottish word which some interpret to be a Promontory others a Biland was inhabited by the people named Cantae which term in effect implieth as much in the time of Ptolomy This extendeth it self so wide and large that it reacheth from the one Sea to the other what way it beareth upon the Vergivian or western Ocean by reason of huge swelling Mountains advancing their heads aloft and many Woods among them it is full of Stags Roe-Bucks Fallow-Deer and wild Fowl but where it butteth upon the German Sea it is more lovely bedeck'd with Corn-fields ane Pastures and withall much more civil in the very first entrance into it Ardmanoch no small Territory whereof the second Sons of the Kings of Scotland bear the Title riseth up with high Mountains that are most trusty preservers of Snow as touching their hight some have reported strange Wonders and yet the ancient Geometers have written that neither the depth of Sea nor hight of Hills exceed by the Plumb-Line ten Sâ—adia that is one Mile and a quarter which notwithstanding they that have beheld Tenariff amongst the Canary Islands which is fifteen Leagues high and sailed withal the Ocean near unto them will in no ways admit for truth In this part standeth Lovat Castle and the Barony of the worthy Family of the Frasers whom for their singular good service for the Scottish Kingdom King James the 2d accepted into the Rank of Barons whose Descendant at present is Hugh Lord Lovat and whom the Clan-Ranalds a most bloody Generation in a Quarrel and Brawl between them had wholly destroyed every Mothers Son but that by the Providence of God fourscore of the principal persons of this Family left their Wives at home all great with Child who being delivered of so many Sons renewed the house and multiplied the name again But at Nesse-mouth there flourished sometimes Chanonrie otherwise called Fortrose a Burgh-Royal so called of a rich Colledge of Chanons whiles the Ecclesiastical State stood in Prosperity in which there is erected a See for the Bishop of Ross. In this Country resided the Laird of Kintail or Mckenzie in an unprinted Act of Parliament 1593 Colin Mckenzie of Kintail is mentioned and in the Convention of Estates 1598 the Laird of Mckenzie is a Member amongst the Commissioners under the Great Seal for holding the Parliament 1607 Kenneth Mckenzie of Kintail is mentioned and also amongst the Commissioners for holding the Parliament 1609 Colin Mckenzie of Kintail is named and also in a Sederunt of the same Parliament the Laird of Mckenzie is ranked inter Barones and Commissioners of Shires It seems shortly after thaâ— time and before the year 1612 the foresaid Colin was created Lord Kintail for in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 Kintail is ranked after Garleis and Madertie and before the Lord Cranstoun and Carnagie and the Lord Cranstoun is the last Lord in the Rolls of Parliament 1612 in like manner in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 Kintail is after Garleis and Cowper and before Cranstoun and Carnagie Colin Lord Kintail December 3. 1623 by K. James the Sixth was created Earl of Seaforth his Grand-nephew is Kenneth Earl of Seaforth Hard by is placed Cromarty where Vrquhart a Gentleman of noble Birth by hereditary Right from his Ancestors ministred Justice as Sheriff to this Sheriffdom and this is so commodious and safe an Harbour for any Fleet be it never so great that both Sailers and Geographers name it Portus salutis that is the Haven of Safety Sir Roderick Mâ—kenzie a Son of the Laird of Kintail was married to the Heiress of Mcleod of the Lews of which Marriage was Sir John Mackenzie Baronet who married Dame Margaret Ereskin one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Sir George Ereskin of Innerteil one of the Lords of Session and Grand-child to the Lord Ereskin Sir George Mckenzie of Tarbat Baronet their Son was a Lord of the Session by the first nomination and settlement of the Judicature by King Charles the Second after his Restauration in
with the Front of the Shore looketh full against the North Point and hath the midst of the greater Bears Tail which as Cardan was of Opinion causeth Translations of Empires just over head was inhabited as we may see in Ptolomy by the Carnabii among whom he placeth the River Nabeus which names are of so near Affinity that the Nation may seem to have drawn there Denomination from the River that they dwelt by neither doth the modern name Strath-Navern which signifieth the Valley by Navern jar altogether in sound from them The Earl of Sutherland is Superior of this Country and his eldest Son is designed from it Lord Strathnaver The chief Inhabitants here are the Mackeys who were designed from their Lands of Fare but about the year 1625 Sir Donald Mackey was designed of Strathnaver and made a Baronet in the year 1631 was created Lord Rae from a place belonging to him in the Country of Caithness holding of the King he was imployed by Gustavus K. of Sweden in his Wars George Lord Rae is his great Grand-child of whose Grand-uncle by the Mothers side Lieutenant General Hugh Mackey descended of the same Stock and Linage it is reasonable to make mention he was one of the Captains of Dowglass Regiment who for his Service to the Venetians did from them receive a Medal of considerable value he continued in that Regiment and the French Service till they had made their Conquests of some of the united Provinces in the year 1672 and then being imployed by the States he was at the Siege of Grave made Lieutenant Collonel and thereafter Collonel in the year 1685 his Regiment others were called over to England by K. Ja. the 7th to oppose the D. of Monmouth when he was made General Major in the year 1688 he did attend and assist his Majesty in his Expedition to Britain and in anno 1689 was sent to command the Forces in Scotland where albeit he had not good Success at Gillicharnkie yet by his great Fidelity and Diligence he settled Garisons at Inverlochy and other places of the High-lands which laid the Foundation of the settlement of these Countries and then was appointed to Command in Ireland where with great Courage amongst the first to encourage the Souldiers under him he Waded through the River whereby they gained the Town of Athlone did signalize his Courage and Conduct at the Battle of Aghrim and in the other parts of that War till the Reduction of the whole Kingdom which by the acknowledgement of his Fellow Great Captains and Commanders was in a great measure due to him for which Service he was made Lieutenant General and with the Duke of Wirtemberg having Commanded at Steenkirk was near the beginning of that Action unfortunatly slain with James Lord Angus and Sir Robert Dowglass of Glenbervie both Collonels and Heirs of these two noble Families of the Dowglasses and representing the Valour of their many Predecessors the Dowglasses the last of whom slain in Flanders was L. Ja. Dowglass Mareschal of the Camp Grand-Uncle to the Lord Angus of the first Marriage immediat elder Brother to the last Duke Hamilton in which Action also were many other brave Scottish Officers concerned and of them a great part killed or wounded and amongst the rest Lieutenant Collonel Aeneas Mackey Uncle to the Lord Rae was wounded who succeeded as Collonel to the Lieutenant General his Uncle to whom both he and Collonel Robert the younger Brother were Disciples in the War and in recompense of the Dangers undertaken and Wounds they received are advanced to the Commands they now worthily Exerce The Country it self is for the Soil nothing fertile and by reason of the sharp and cold Air less inhabited and thereupon sore haunted and annoyed with most cruel Wolves which in such violent rage not only set upon Cattel to the exceeding great damnage of the Inhabitants but also assail men with great danger and not in this Tract only but in many other parts likewise of Scotland in so much as by vertue of an Act of Parliament the Sheriffs and Inhabitants in every Country are commanded to go forth thrice a year a Hunting for to destroy the Wolves and their Whelps But if in this so northerly a Country this be any comfort to speak of it hath of all Britain again the shortest night and the longest day for by reason of the position of Heaven here distant from the Aequinoctial Line 59. Degrees and forty Minuts the longest day containeth 18 hours and 25 Scruples and the shortest night not above five hours and 45 Scruples so that the Panegyrist is not true in this who made report in times past That the Sun in manner setteth not at all but passeth by and lightly glanceth upon the Horizon happily relying upon this Authority of Tacitus for that the extream Points and plain Levels of the Earth with their shade so low raised up no darkness at all But more truly Pliny according to true reason where he treateth of the longest days according to the inclination of the Suns Circle in the Horizon The longest days saith he in Italy are 15 hours in Britain 17 where the light nights do prove that undoubtedly by experience which reason forceth credibly that in Mid-summer days when the Sun approacheth near to the Pole of the World the places of the earth under the Pole have day 6 Months though the Light having but a narrow compass the night contrarywise when he is far remote in middle Winter In this utmost Tract which Ptolomy extendeth out far East whereas indeed it beareth full North for which Roger Bacon in his Geography taxed him long since where Tacitus said That an huge and enorm space of Ground running still forward to the farthest Point groweth narrow like a Wedge There run out three Promontories mentioned by the old Writers namely Berubium now called Vrdehead near to Bernswal a Village Virvedrum now Dunsby otherways named Duncansbay which is thought to be the most remote Promontory of Britain Orcas now named Howburn which Ptolomy setteth over against the Islands Orcades as the utmost of them all this also in Ptolomy is called Tarvedrum and Tarvisium and so named as is conjectured because it is the farthest end of Britain for Tarvus in the British tongue hath a certain signification of ending CHAP. XXXVII The Stewartry of ORKNAY and the other Northern and Western Isles I Do not design to treat particularly concerning the Isles of Scotland where I can find little to my purpose of Jurisdiction Nobility or Burghs Royal and as to these I leave the Reader to Straloch and Scots-Tarbat who made very particular Descriptions of them published in Latine at Amsterdam in the year 1654 and to Mr. Adairs Geography not yet fully ended which is expected will be exact in relation to them only something I would add first concerning the Northern Isles called the Orcads and Shotland who have been longer in the possession of the Kings of