being removed from that Office in the year 1681 was by Their Majesties restored to be President of the Session in the year 1689. And in anno 1690 was created Viscount of Stair whose eldest Son John Master of Stair also an eminent Lawyer after he had been honoured with several publick Employments was constitute one of the principal Secretaries of State anno 1691. In this Country are the Crawfords and Campbels of Cessnock and others of these Sirnames all Families of good Note The chief Messuage of the Stewartry of Kyle was Dundonald purchased by Sir William Cochran of Cowdoun who was by King Charles the First created Lord Cochran in the year 1648. And by King Charles the Second appointed one of the Commissioners to the Thesaury and by him created Earl of Dundonald about the year 1669. His great Grand-child is William Earl of Dundonald The Government of this Jurisdiction belonged anciently to the Lairds of Lowdoun as hereditary Sheriffs who had many Lands in Kyle albeit their chief Residence was on the other side of the River of Irwine at Lowdoun in Cunninghame from which they wer designed CHAP. XIV CUNNINGHAME CVnninghame adjoyning to Kyle on the east-side and on the north butteth upon the same Firth so close that it restraineth the breadth thereof which hitherto lay out and spread at large The Name if one interpret it is as much as the Kings Habitation by which a man may guess how commodious and pleasant it is This Territory is watered with Irwine that divideth it from Kyle at the Spring-head well near whereof standeth Lowdoun the ancient dwelling place of the Crawfords which by the Marriage of Sir Duncan Campbel of the Family of Lochaw in Argyle Shire with the Heiress the Campbels did enjoy that Estate with the Sheriff-ship of Air or Kings Kyle annexed to it as said is Sir Hugh Campbel of Lowdoun Sheriff of Air was by King James the Sixth about the year 1604 created Lord Lowdoun whose Grand-child Lady Margaret Campbel being married to Sir John Campbel of Lawers had the Title of Earl of Lowdoun from King Charles the First anno 1633. and was made Lord Chancellor anno 1641 in which Office he continued until the year 1651 Earl James his Son died in Holland and the Grand-child is Hugh now Earl of Lowdoun King Charles the First did redeem the Sheriff-ship from John Earl of Lowdoun which together with the Stuartry is conferred by Their Majesties on Sir George Campbel of Cessnock The Earls of Lowdoun carries the Arms of the Crawfords quartered with their own Below Lawdoun on the River Irwine lyeth Kilmarnock the Habitation of the Lord Boyds of whom in the Reign of K. James 3d Robert by a prosperous gale of Court-favour was advanced to the Authority of Regent or Vice-roy Thomas his Son to the Dignity of Earl of Arran and marriage with the Kings Sister But soon after when the said gale came about and blew contrary they were judged Enemies to the State Thomas also had his Wife taken from him and given unto James Lord Hamilton their Goods were confiscate Fortune made a game of them and when they had lost all they died in Exile This is the received History but the Family of Hamilton doth contravert many of the Circumstances thereof Howbeit the Posterity of the Lord Boyd recovered the ancient honour of Barons and honourably enjoy it at this day This Family was dignified with the Title of Earl of Kilmarnock by King Charles the Second about the year 1661 and William now Earl of Kilmarnock is the third Earl At the mouth of this River standeth Irwine with an Haven so barred up with Shelves of Sand and so shallow withall that it can bear none other Vessels but small Barks and Boats James Brother to the Earl of Argyle was created Lord Kintyre and then Earl of Irwine by King Charles the First The former Dignity being extinct Arthur Ingram an English man was created Viscount of Irwine by King Charles the Second about the year 1661. Ardrossan also a Pile belonging to the Montgomeries more above standeth higher over the Creek this is a very ancient and famous family as any other who have to shew for witness of their warlike prowesse Ioununy a Fort built with the ransome money of Sir Henry Percie sirnamed Hot-spur whom J. Montgomerie with his own hand took prisoner in the Battle at Otterburn and led away captive Not far from Ardrossan is Largis embrued with the Blood of the Norwegians by King Alexander the Third From whence as you follow the shore bending and giving in you meet with Eglington a fair Castle which was the Possession of certain Gentlemen highly descended of the same sirname from whom it came by Marriage unto the Montgomeries who thereby received the Title of Earls of Eglington Of this ancient Family of the Montgomeries is descended Alexander now Earl Eglington heretable Baillie of Cuninghame and Lord of the Regality of Kilwinning formerly an Abbacie But whence the said sirname should come a man can hardly tell this I know that out of Normandy it came into England and that divers Families there were of the same name but that in Essex from which Sir Thomas Montgomerie Knight of the Order of the Garter descended in the Reign of Edward the Fourth gave Arms a little different from these This noble Linage is fair and far spread and out of those of Gevan was that Gabriel de Lorges called Earl of Montgomerie Captain of the Guard of Scots which Charles the Fifth King of France instituted for defence of his own person and his Successors in testimony of their fidelity and his love toward them who in running at Tilt slew Henry the Second King of France by occasion that a broken splint of his Spear where the Helmet chanced to be open entred at his Eye and pierced into his Brain and afterwards in that Civil War wherein all France was in a broil whiles he took part with the Protestants he was apprehended and beheaded But the Cunninghames in this Tract were counted to be the greater and more numerous Family the Chief whereof enjoying the honour of Earl of Glencairn in Dumfreis-Shire Dwelt at Kilmaurs in Cunninghame and fetcheth his Descent out of England and from an English Gentleman who together with others killed Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury the chief of which Family was first created Lord Kilmaurs and afterward Earl of Glencairn John Son to William Earl of Glencairn late Chancellor of Scotland is now Earl How true this Descent is I know not but they ground it happily upon a probable Conjecture taken from an Arch-bishops Pall which the Cuninghames give in their Coat of Arms. CHAP. XV. ISLE GLOTTA OR ARRAN WIthin the sight of Cunninghame among sundry other Islands Glotta the Isle mentioned by Antonine the Emperour beareth up his head in the very Forth and Salt-water of the River Glotin or Cluyd called at this
was slain be the Lord of Mongumry and ane Douchter Gregane quhylk was maryit efter on the Erl of Casselis and efter the deith of the Lord Boyd this Douchter of James the Secound was maryit on the Lord Hammylton and be that way the House of Hammylton is decorit in the Kyngs Blude And thereafter in Parliament 1542 James Earl of Arran the Grand-child of this marriage was declared Governour of the Kingdom during the Nonage of Queen Mary And in the year 1548 was by Henry the Second King of France created Duke of Castle-herald in France and thereafter his Son Iohn was by King James the Sixth created Marquess of Hamilton anno 1599 and was the first that enjoyed that Dignity in Scotland his Son James Marquess of Hamilton was Commissioner for the King to the Parliament 1621 whose eldest Son James Marquess of Hamilton was created thereafter Duke of Hamilton his second Son Lord William Hamilton was Secretary to King Charles the first and created Earl of Lanerk in the year 1640 from the Head-Burgh of the Shire who after the death of his Brother Duke James was also Duke of Hamilton the Lives and Actions of James and William Dukes of Hamilton and Castle-Herald are set forth in the Memoirs written by Dr. Gilbert Burnet now Bishop of Salisburry William Duke of Hamilton as well as James Duke of Hamilton having deceased without Heirs-Male of their own Body the Dignity of Hamilton and Castle-Herald did descend upon Dutchess Anna eldest Daughter to Duke James who married that Noble and Stately Person William Earl of Selkirk thereafter Duke of Hamilton formerly mentioned who have that advantage above others of many excellent Children who already have appeared much in the World viz. Their eldest Son James Earl of Arran who after he had finished his Travells Abroad Resided at the Court of England and from King Charles the second and King James the seventh enjoyed many Honourable Employments The second Lord William of great Hopes dyed in France Upon his third Son Lord Charles descended his Dignity of Earl of Selkirk as is said who is one of the Gentlemen of Their Majesties Bed-Chamber The fourth Son Lord John is General of Their Majesties Mint and married to Lady Anna Kennedy Daughter to John Earl of Cassils by his most excellent and vertuous Lady Susanna second Daughter to James Duke of Hamilton Their fifth Son Lord George Collonel of that Valiant and Renowned Regiment ordinarly Commanded by one of the Family of Dowglass of which this Lord is a Grand-child The sixth Son Lord Basile married to Mrs. Mary Dumbar Heiress to Sir David Dumbar of Baldone Baronet in the Shire of Wigtoun her Grand-father by his Son of the same Name married o Lady Helen Montgomery Daughter to Hugh Earl of Eglington The seventh Lord Archibald is Commander of the Woolage one of Their Majesties Ships of War Their eldest Daughter Lady Katharine is married to John Lord Murray eldest Son to the Marquess of Atholl The second is Susanna Countess Dowager and Mother of William Earl of Dundonald and Lady Margaret is married to James Earl of Panmure The River Glotta or Clyde runneth from Hamiltoun by Bothwel which glorieth in the Earls thereof namely John Ramsey whose greatness with King James the Third was excessive but pernicious both to himself and the King and the Hepburns of whom already Near to this place is Blantyre from which Walter Prior of Blantyre Lord Privy-Seal and afterward Thesaurer and one of the Octavians to King James the Sixth and an extraordinar Lord of Session was created Lord Blantyre July 10. 1606 his Descendant is Alexander Lord Blantyre This River runneth straight forward with a ready stream through Glasgow in ancient times past a Bishops Seat but discontinued a great while until that King William restored it up again but now it is an Arch-bishops See and an University which Bishop Turnbul after he had in a pious and religious intent built a Colledge in the year 1454 first founded This Glasgow is the most famous Town of Merchandise in this Tract for pleasant Situation Apple-trees and other like Fruit-trees much commended having also a very fair Bridge supported with eight Arches Near to it is Rutherglen a Burgh Royal and head Burgh of the nether-ward of Clydsdale as Lanerk is of the whole Shire and specially of the upper-ward Lower on the Bank of Clyde lyeth the Barony of Renfrew anciently in the Shire of Lanerk but by King Robert the 3d. erected in a Shire so called of the principle Town which may seem to be Randvara in Ptolomy upon the River Cart which had the Baron of Cathcart dwelling upon it carrying the same sirname of ancient Nobility The present Lord Cathcart is called Allan his Residence is now at Sundrom in Kings-kyle on the River of Kylne near where it falls into the River Air. Near unto Cathcart for this little Province can shew a goodly Breed of Nobility there Bordereth Cruikston the Seat in times past of the Lords of Darnley from whom by right of marriage it came to the Earls of Lennox whence Henry the Father of King James the Sixth was called Lord Darnley Halkead the Habitation of the Barons of Ross descended orginally from English Blood as who fetch their Pedegree from that Robert Ross of Wark who long since left England and came under the Alledgeance of the King of Scots of whom is descended William Lord Ross. Pasley sometimes a famous Monastery founded by Alexander the Second of that name High-steward of Scotland which for a gorgeous Church and rich Furniture was inferior to few but by the beneficial Favour of King James the Sixth it yielded both Dwelling-place and Title of Baron to Lord Claud Hamilton a younger Son of the Duke of Chasteu Herald the eldest Son of the Earl of Abercorn is designed Lord Pasley of whom already And Semple the Lord whereof Baron Semple by ancient Right was Sheriff of this Barony The Lady Heiress of Semple being married to Francis Abercrombie of Fiternier he was by King Charles the 2d created Lord Glasford and is Father to the present Lord Semple In this Country of Renfrew is Areskine the Seat of the ancient Lords of Areskine now Earls of Marr. But the Title of Baron of Renfrew by a peculiar priviledge since the Reign of King Robert the 3d. doth appertain unto the Prince of Scotland The heretable Sheriffs of this Shire are the Earls of Eglington The Author Camden is not to be blamed for asserting that Alexander the Second Great Stewart of Scotland Founded the Monastry of Pasley since it was generally related by the Scottish Historians but because the Errors in this Matter are so many and gross to the disadvantage of the Great Stewarts of Scotland Progenitors to our Kings and that a wrong Genealogy of them is printed with our Acts of Parliament I must be allowed to prevent the further
after it hath passed as it were in a straight Channel by Drumelzier Castle by Peebles a Burgh Royal which had for the Sheriff thereof Baron Yester now Earl of Tweddale Lord high Chancellor who sold his Estate in that Shire and the Sheriff-ship to the Duke of Queensberry of whom afterwards in East-Lothian In this Shire the Laird of Traquair as a Baron Commissioner to the Parliament 1621 was by King Ch. the first created Lord Stuart of Traquair and in anno 1633 was made Earl his Predecessor was a Lord of Session in the year 1560 he himself was first Thesaurer-deput and afterwards Lord high Thesaurer and high Commissioner for the King whose Grand-child is Charles Earl of Traquair In this Shire also Sir Patrick Murray of Elibank was designed in the rescinded Parliament 1644 Lord Elibank whose Father Sir Gideon Murray Thesaurer-deput was admitted a Lord of the Session anno 1613 the great Grand-child is Alexander Lord Elibank Likeas Selkirk a Burgh Royal hard by hath another Sheriff out of the Family of Murray of Falahill an ancient Family designed of Philiphaugh James Murray now of Philiphaugh is one of the Lords of Session and Sheriff This place is famous by the Defeat of the Army of the great Marquess of Montrose By King Charles the first anno 1646 Lord William Dowglas second Son to the Marquess of Dowglas was created Earl of Selkirk was married to Anna Dutchess and Heiress of Hamilton and by King Charles the second after the Restauration created Duke of Hamilton he was Commissioner to two Sessions of this current Parliament and enjoyed many great and honourable Offices who in his Lifetime did convey and establish the Title and Dignity of Earl of Selkirk on Charles his second Son now Earl of Selkirk his Lady Anna Dutchess of Hamilton and James Earl of Arran doth survive Tweed also receiveth Lawder a Riverat upon which is situat a Royal Burgh and seat of a Bailliary belonging to the Family of Lawderdale within the Sheriffdom of Berwick near to which stands Thirlestane Castle a very fair House of Sir John Maitlands sometime Chancellor of Scotland whom for his singular Wisdom King Ja. the sixth created Baron of Thirlstane Sir Richard Maitland of Lethingtoun was his father who is marked in the Book of Sederunt of the Lords of Session 1553 amongst the Lords being then an extraordinary Lord In the Sederunt 1561 he is admitted an ordinar Lord and his eldest Son William then Secretary is admitted Extraordinar and thereafter Ordinar in place of Sir Robert Carnagie deceased it being Customary at that time first to be entered Extraordinar and then Ordinar This Sir Richard was Privy Seal to Queen Mary and continued an Ordinar Lord till his old Age when he demitted the eleventh of July 1584 in favours of Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice-Clerk upon the Kings Letter bearing Lethingtoun to have served his Grand-sir Good-sir Good-dame his Mother and himself faithfully in many publick Offices and now greatly disabled by Age he had demitted in favours c. Reserving all Profits to himself during his Life which notwithstanding of his Dimission he enjoyed till his death anno 1586. The said Mr. John Maitland of Thirlstane his second Son was in April 1581 admitted Lord of the Session and about the year 1584 Secretary and in the 1586 Vice Chancellor and thereafter Chancellor and in the 1592 designed Lord Thirlstane Chancellor whose Son John was created Viscount of Lauderdale by King Ja. sixth and is so marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 and in June 1618 under the Designation of Viscount of Lauderdale he is admitted an ordinar Lord of Session and thereafter created Earl of Lauderdale by King Ja. thessixth about the year 1624 whose Son John Earl of Lauderdale was Secretary to King Ch. the second by him created Duke of Lauderdale in the year 1672 he was high Commissioner to the hail Sessions of the second Parliament King Ch. the second Convention of Estates 1678 and enjoyed many other honourable Offices and upon his decease without Heirs-male of his Body his brother Charles Maitland of Haltoun Thesaurer-deput and a Lord of the Session succeeded to him in his Dignity of Earl of Lauderdale the Title of Duke being extinct with himself whose Son is Richard Earl of Lauderdale Then Tweed beneath Roxburgh augmented with the River of Teviot resorting unto him watereth the Sheriffdom of Berwick throughout a great part whereof is possessed by the Humes wherein the chief man of that Family exerciseth the Jurisdiction of a Sheriff so passes under Berwick the strongest Town of Britain where he is exceeding full of Salmons and so falleth into the Sea CHAP. VI. MERCHIA MERCH or MERSâ— MERCH which is next and so named because it is a March Countrey lyeth wholly upon the German Sea In this first Hume Castle sheweth it self the ancient Possession of the Lords of Home or Hume who being descended from the family of the Earls of Merch are grown to be a noble and fair spred Family Out of which Alexander Hume who before was the first Baron of Scotland Sheriff of Berwicks was about the 1604 advanced by James the 6. the first King or Great Britain to the Title of Earl of Hume to whom Charles now Earl of Hume succeeds Sir James Dowglas Brother to the first Marquess of Douglas married the Heiress of Oliphant and in her Right had the Precedency of the Lords of Oliphant with the Dignity of Mordingtoun whose Grand-child is presently Lord Mordingtoun Near unto Hume Castle lyeth Kelso famous sometime for the Monastery which with thirteen others King David the first of that Name built out of the ground for the propagation of Gods glory but to the great empairing of the Crown-Land Then is to be seen Coldingham which Bede calleth the City Coldana and the City of Coludum haply Colania mentioned by Ptolomy a place consecrated many ages since unto professed Virgins or Nuns whose chastity is recorded in ancient Books For that they together with Ebba their Prioress cut off their own Noses and Lips choosing rather to preserve their Virginity from the Danes than their Beauty and Favour and yet for all that the Danes burnt their Monastry and them withal Hard by is Fast-Castle a Castle of the Lord Humes so called for the firmness and Strength thereof at the Promontory of the said Saint Ebbe who being the Daughter of Edilfrid King of Northumberland when her Father was taken prisoner got hold of a Boat in Humber and passing along the raging Ocean landed here in safety became renowned for her Sanctimony and left her Name unto the place But this Merch is mentioned in the Historiographers a great deal more for the Earls thereof than for any places therein who for Martial Prowesse were highly renowned and descended from Gospatrick Earl of Northumberland whom after he had fled from William Conquerer of England Malcom Canmor that is
Morton and by Musselburgh hard under which in the year of our Lord 1547 when Sir Edward Seymor Duke of Somerset with an Army Royal had entred Scotland to claim and challenge the keeping of a Covenant made concerning a Marriage between Mary Queen of Scotland and Edward the sixth King of England there hapned the heaviest Day that ever fell to the adventurous Youth of the most noble Families in all Scotland who there lost their lives at Pinky-Cleugh The Dignity of the Lord Borthwick is not now claimed by any Mark Commendator of Newbottle an extraordinar Lord of Session anno 1569 after his decease was succeeded by his Son Mark also Commendator of Newbottle in the same Office in the year 1584 at which time he was Master of Requests which he enjoyed long after and obtained of King James the sixth the Erection of that Abbacy in a temporal Lordship to him and his Heirs in October 1591 who was thereafter created Earl of Lothian by the same King anno 1606 whose Grandchild Anna Countess of Lothian was married to William Ker eldest Son of Ancrum of the Family of Ferneherst he was by King Charles the first created Earl of Lothian of which Marriage is descended Robert now Earl of Lothian Justice-general with the precedency of his great Grand-father and was Commissioner to the General Assembly he is Sheriff of the Shire of Edinburgh The Dignity of the Earl of Ancrum was conveyed to the younger Brother and the eldest Son of this Family is Lord Jedburhg a Peer as hath been said Near to this place was the Seat of Sir William Cranston of that Ilk who was created Lord Cranston by King James the sixth and is the last Lord marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1612 whose Descendants enjoyes that Title and Dignity and reside in Teviotdale As also the Residence of Sir James Mcgill of Cranston-riddel Baronet who being one of the Lords of Session was created Viscount of Oxenford by King Charles the second whose Son is Robert now Viscount of Oxenford his Grand-father was Mr. David Mcgill of Nisbet Advocat to King James the sixth and one of the Lords of Session his Grand Uncle Mr. James Mcgill was Clerk Register to Queen Mary and King James the sixth and one of the Lords of Session and his Uncle Mr. David Mcgill of Cranston-riddel also a Lord of Session Upon the Sea-side is the Town of Prestoun from which Sir Richard Graham had the Title of Viscount of Prestoun conferred on him by King Charles the second in the year 1681. In this Shire of Edinburgh is the Castle of Dalhousie which belongeth to the antient Family of the Ramsays who by King James the sixth was created Lord Ramsay and is marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 after the Lord Carnagy and by King Charles the first anno 1633 was made Earl of Dalhousie whose Granchilds Grandchild is William Earl of Dalhousie General Major George Ramsay is his Uncle Near to Edinburgh is the Castle of Marchistoun which belonged to the Napers Sir Archibald Naper of Marchistoun Baronet was Thesaurer-deput to K. Cha. the first and an ordinar Lord of Session who in the beginning of that Reign was created Lord Naper whose Grandchild Margaret Lady Naper doth succeed him and hath a Son to succeed her their Residence now is near to Dumblane Here is not to be passed over in silence this inscription which John Naper a learned Man Predecessor to the Lord Naper hath in his Commentaries upon the Apocalyps recorded to have been here digged up and which the right learned Knight Sir Peter Young Teacher and Trainer of King James the sixth in his youth in this wise more truly copied forth APOLLINI GRANNO Q. LUSIUS SABINIANUS PROC AUG V. S. S. LV. M. Who this Apollo Granus might be and whence he should have this Name not one to my knowledge of our grave Senate of Antiquaries hitherto could ever tell But if I might be allowed from out of the lowest bench to speak what I think I would say that Apollo Granus amongst the Romans was the same that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Apollo with long hair amongst the Greeks for Ifidor calleth the long hair of the Gothes Grannos Lower yet and near unto the Scotish Forth is seated Edinburgh which the Irish Scots call Dun Edin that is the Town Edin or Edin Hill and which no doubt is the very same that Ptolomy named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is The winged Castle for Adain in the British Tongue signifieth a Wing and Edinburgh a word compounded out of the British and Saxon Language is nothing else but The Burgh with Wings From Wings therefore we must fetch the reason of the Name and fetched it may be if you think good either from the Companies of Horsemen which are called Wings or else from those Wings in Architecture which the great Master builders term Petromata that is as Vetruvius sheweth two Walls so rising up in height as that they resemble a shew of Wings Which for that a certain City of Cyprus wanted it was called in old time as we read in the Geographers Aptera that is without Wings But if any Man believe that the Name was derived from Ebrauk a Britain or from Heth a Pict good leave have he for me I will not confront them with this my conjecture This City in regard of the high situation of the wholsome Air and plentiful Soil and many Noblemens towred Houses built round about it watered also with clear springing Fountains reaching from East to West a Mile out in length and carrying half as much in bredth is worthily counted the chief City of the whole Kingdom strongly walled adorned with Houses as well publick as privat well Peopled and frequented by reason of the opportunity from the Sea which the neighbour Haven at Leith affordeth And as it is the Seat of the Kings so is it the Oracle also or Closet of the Laws and the very Palace of Justice For the high Courts of Parliament are here for the most part holden for the enacting and repelling of Laws also the Session and the Court of the Kings Judicators and of the Commissariat whereof I have spoken already are here settled and kept On the East-side hard unto the Monastry of Saint Crosse or Holyruide is the Kings Pallace which King David the first built and was burnt by Oliver Cromwel King Charles the second after his Restauration did raise there a fair and stately Court and Pallace all of Hewen Stone In anno 1633 the City of Edinburgh did to their great Expense build a stately Hall for the Meetings of the Parliament with other Rooms adjoyning for the Session and above Stairs for the Privy Council and Exchequer with a large Closs or Yard to the South of St. Giles-Church surrounded from the Entry with that Church and other fair high Buildings all in Hewen Stone and in the middle is
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
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
yea and of Pit Coals the Sea besides other Fishes affordeth Oysters and and Shell-fish in great abundance and the Coasts are well bespread with pretty Townlets replenished with stout and lusty Mariners In the south side hereof by Forth first appeareth westward Culross which gave the Title of a Barony to Sir I. Colvil created Lord Colvil of Culross about the year 1604 and is the last in the Decreet of Ranking except the Lord Scoon his Father was a Lord of the Session and Commendator of Culross and King Charles the Second when in Scotland created Sir Robert Colvil of Cleish Lord Colvil his Successor is Robert Lord Colvil Near to Culross to the north-west is Kincardine whereof Edward Bruce of Carnock was created Earl by King Charles the First anno 1648 his Brother Alexander succeeded him in his Dignity who was one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury to King Charles the Second his Son is Alexander Earl of Kincardine Culross and these places adjacent albeit surrounded with Fife and Clackmannan yet make a part of the Shire of Perth Then standeth Dumfermling a famous Monastery in old time both the Building and Burial place of King Malcolm the Third which gave both name and honour of an Earl unto Sir Alexander Seton a most prudent Counsellor whom James King of Great-Brittain worthily raised from Baron of Fivie to be Earl of Dumfermling and Lord Chancellor of the Realm of Scotland of the Succession of this Earl mention is made in the Description of the Family of Seton in East Lothian Then Kinghorn standeth hard upon the Forth from which place Sir Patrick Lyon Baron Glames received at the bountiful Hand of K. James the 6th the Title and honour of an Earl anno 1606. After this there is upon the Shore Dysert situat on the rising of an Hill from whence there lyeth an open Heath of the same name where there is a good large place which they call the Cole-plot that hath great plenty of an earthy Bitumen and partly burneth to some damnage of the Inhabitants William Murray of the Bed-chamber of the Family of Tullibardine was by King Charles the First created Earl of Dysert whose Daughter and Heiress Elizabeth Countess of Dysert is Dutchess of Lawderdale by Marriage with John late D. of Lawderdale and by a former Marriage her Son Sir Leonald Talmash L. Huntingtour residing in England is to succeed her as Earl of Dysert Her second Son of that Marriage was Thomas Talmash who attended his Majesty in his Expedition to Brittain in the year 1688 who for his Valour in the Wars and Reduction of Ireland was advanced to be General Major and thereafter Lieutenant General which Office he did worthily discharge in Flanders and in the Summer 1694 being chief Commander in the Attempt upon Brest was unfortunatly wounded whereof he died after his landing in England Unto it adjoineth Ravens-Heugh as one would say the steep hill of Ravens the Habitation of the Barons Sinclar whose Successor is Henry Lord Sinclar Above it the River Levin hideth himself in the Forth which River running out of the Lake Levin wherein standeth the Castle of the Dowglasses which belonged to the Earls of Mortoun Sir Alexander Lesly General of the Scots Forces was by K. Charles the 1st created Earl of Levin anno 1641 whose Successor is David now Earl of Levin second Son to George Earl of Melvil begotten on Lady Katherine Leslie Grandchild and Heiress to the said Earl of Levin which River hath at the very mouth of it Weyms Castle the Seat of a noble Family bearing the same sirname The Laird of Weyms is in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 one of the Commissioners for the Shire of Fife he was thereafter made Lord Weyms and in the Parliament Rolls 1633 is ranked after the Lord Newburgh and before Ashtoun of Forfar and in the same year created Earl of Weyms whose Grandchild Margaret now Countess of Weyms was married to Sir James Weyms who by K. Charles the 2d was made Lord Burntisland from a Burgh Royal of the same Shire and hath a Son Lord Elcho to succeed her in that Dignity From hence the Shore draweth back with a crooked and wiuding Tract unto Fife-ness that is the Promontory or Nose of Fife Above it Saint Andrews an Archiepiscopal City hath a fair Prospect into the open main Sea the more ancient name of the place as old Memorials witness was Regimund that is Saint Regulus Mount in which we read thus Oeng or Vng King of the Picts granted unto God and Saint Andrew that it should be the chief and mother of all Churches in the Picts Kingdom Afterward there was placed here an Episcopal See the Bishops whereof like as all the rest within the Kingdom of Scotland were consecrated by the Arch-bishop of York as is asserted by the English Historians until at the Intercession of King Iames the Third by reason of so many Wars between the Scottish and English men Pope Sixtus the fourth ordained the Bishop of Saint Andrews to be Primat and Metropolitan of all Scotland and Pope Innocentius the eighth bound him and his Successors to the imitation and precedent of the Metropolitan of Canterbury in these words That in Matters concerning the Archiepiscopal state they should observe and firmly hold the Offices Droits and Rights of Primacy and such like Legacy and the free Exercise thereof the Honours Charges and Profits and that they should endeavour to perform inviolably the laudable Customes of the famous Metropolitan Church of Canterbury the Arch-bishop wherewhereof is Legatus natus of the Kingdom of England c. Howbeit before that Laurence Lundoris and Richard Corvel Doctors of the Civil Law publickly professed here good Literature laid the Foundation of an University which now for happy increase of Learned men for three Colledges and the Kings Professors in them is become highly renowned Hard by there loseth it self into the Sea Edan or Ethan a little River which springeth up near Falkland a place from which Carry an English man had the Designation of Viscount from King James the Sixth and is so marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 his Successor is Anthony Viscount of Falkland a Member of the House of Commons in the current English Parliament it belonged anciently to the Earls of Fife and was a retiring place of the Kings when residing in Scotland and is very well Seated for hunting Pleasures and Disports sometimes it was reckoned amongst the Burghs Royal and is the Seat of the Stewartry of Fife this River hath its Course under a continued Ridge of Hills which divide this Country in the midst by Struthers a place so called of a Reed plot a Castle of the Barons Lindsey of whom is descended Iohn Lord Lindsey created by King Charles the First anno 1633 Earl of Lindsey And in anno 1641 was Lord High Thesaurer and after the Forfaulture of
Charles the First and afterward Earl of Belcarras by King Charles the Second when in Scotland his Son is Colin Earl of Belcarras The Viscount Fentoun of whom before was created by King James the Sixth about the year 1617 Earl of Kelly and is in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 next after the Earl of Roxburgh and before Buckcleugh whose Successor is Alexander Earl of Kelly Sir John Living stoun of Kinnaird Baronet was by K. Charles the First made Lord Newburgh and Earl of Newburgh by King Charles the Second whose Male Successor is deceased lately in England without Issue Male. Sandilands Laird of St. Minnans was by King Charles the First advanced to the Title of L. Abercromby in the year 1648 whose Honour is not now claimed by any Lieutenant General David Lesly Son to the Lord Lindoris was created by King Charles the Second Lord New-warkî he had been Lieutenant General to the Scots Army and at Philiphaugh surprised and defeat the Marquess of Montross he was General of the Army at Dumbar and Worcester his Son being deceased without Heirs Male the Grand child is married to Mr. Alexander Anstruther a younger Son of Sir Philip Anstruther of that Ilk. Beside the Burghs Royal mentioned in this Shire there are also others viz. Innerkeithing Kirkaldy Anstruther Easter and Wester Pitttenweem Crail and Kilrenny all lying on Forth from the West to the East CHAP. XXI STRATHERN AS far as to the River Tau which Boundeth Fife on the North-side Julius Agricola the best Proprietar of Brittain under Domitian the worst Emperour marched with victorious Armies in the third year of his warlike Expeditions having wasted and spoiled the Nations hitherto Near the out-let of Tau the notable River Ern intermingleth his Waters with Tau which River beginning out of a Lake or Loch of the same name bestoweth his own name upon the Country through which he runneth for it is called Strathern which in the ancient Tongue of the Brittains signifieth the Vale along Ern. The Bank of this Ern is beautified with Drymein Castle belonging to the Family of the Barons of Drummond advanced to highest Honours ever since that King Robert Stewart the third took to him a Wife out of that Linage for the Women of this Race have for their singular Beauty and well favoured sweet Countenance won the prize from all others insomuch as they have been the Kings most amiable Paramours Baron Drummonds Successor was created by King James the Sixth Earl of Perth about the year 1605 and so designed from the head Burgh of the Shire of whom is descended James now Earl of Perth his great Grand-child who was an extraordinar Lord of the Session Justice General and Chancellor to K. Ch. the 2d K. Ja. the 7th James a Son of this Family was created by K. Ia. the 6th Lord Maderty and is in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 after the Lord Garlies and before the Lord Kintail whose Successors second Son L. General William Drummond was by King James the Seventh about the year 1686 created Viscount of Strathallan to whom his Son William now Viscount of Strathallan succeeded and also is Heir to his Uncle the Lord Maderty Upon the same Bank Tullibardine Castle sheweth it self aloft but with greater jollity since that by the propitious favour of King James the Sixth Sir John Murray created Baron of Tullibardine before the Lords Colvil and Scoon was raised to the Honour and Estate of Earl of Tullibardine anno 1606. By an unprinted Act anno 1612 there is a Ratification to the Master of Tullibardine of the Lands of the Earldom of Athol who was the Earl of Tullibardines eldest Son Earls eldest Sons at that time being designed Masters and not Lords this Master afterward William Earl of Tullibardine having married the Heiress of Stuart Earl of Athol his Son John succeeded to the Dignity of Earl of Athol and his Uncle Sir Patrick Murray by Resignation became Earl of Tullibardine whose Son James Earl of Tullibardine dying without Issue his Estate and Dignity fell to his Cousin Iohn Earl of Athol Son to the Earl of Athol before named who liveth and was to King Charles the Second Lord Justice General and thereafter Lord Privy Seal and extraordinar Lord of the Session and before the year 1677 created Marquess of Athol he retains the sirname of Murray and carries the Arms of Stuart Earl of Athol quartered Upon the other Bank more beneath Duplin Castle sometime the Habitation of the Barons Oliphant reporteth yet what an overthrow the like to which was never before the English men that came to aid King Edward Balliol gave there unto the Scots insomuch as the English Writers in that time do write that they won this Victory not by mans hand but by the power of God and the Scottish Writers relate how that out of the Family of the Lindseys there were slain in the Field fourscore persons and that the name of Hays had been quite extinguished but that the chief of that House left his Wife behind him great with Child The Precedency of Oliphant is transmitted to Dowglass Lord Mordingtoun as Heir of Line of whom before and Charles Lord Oliphant residing in the Shire of Bamff as Heir-male doth also claim the Precedency The Lands of Duplin were purchased by Sir George Hay of Kinfauns a Lord of the Session and Clerk of Register and thereafter in the year 1622 made Lord Chancellor September 25 1629 George Viscount Dupline is one of the Commissioners for holding of the Parliament in a Roll of the Nobility about that time he is ranked last Viscount after the Viscount of Drumlanrig and in anno 1632 created by King Charles the First Earl of Kinnoul to whom he continued Chancellor till his death and was succeeded by John Spotswood Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews the Earl of Kinnoul his Successor resides in England Not far from it standeth Innermeth well known by reason of the Lords thereof the Stuarts out of the Family of Lorn this Dignity at present is claimed by none Inch Chafra that is in the old Scottish tongue the Isle of Masses hereby may be remembered when as it was a most famous Abbey of the Order of Saint Augustine founded by Gilbert Earl of Strathern about the year 1200. When Ern hath joined this Water with Tau in one Stream so that Tau is now become more spacious he looketh up to Abernethy seated upon his Bank the Royal Seat in old time of the Picts and a well peopled City which as we read in an ancient Fragment Nectane King of the Picts gave unto God and St. Brigid until the day of Doom together with the bounds thereof which ly from a stone in Abertrent unto a stone near to Carfull that is Loghfoll and from thence as far as to Ethan But long after it became the possession of the Dowglasses Earls of Angus who are called Lords of Abernethy
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
Temporal is laid aside and the Lords are all of the Temporality and three principal Scribes or Clerks But by the 38 Act. 1st Sess Parl. K. Ja. 7. there is allowed two persons to be conjoyned in each of the three Offices of ordinary Clerks of Session and so now six Clerks and as many Advocats as the Senators shall think good These sit and minister Justice not according to the rigour of Law but with Reason and Equity every day save only on the Lords day and Monday from the first of November to the fifteenth of March and from Trinity Sunday unto the Calends of August But by Law and Custome the Session fitteth from the First of November to the last of February and from the First of June to the last of July inclusive In regard the Office of the Lords of Session are for Lifetime they are set down as follows JAMES Viscount of STAIR Lord President of the Session Sir John Baird of Newbyth Mr. Alexander Swinton of Mersingtoun Sir Colin Camphel of Aberuchil James Murray of Philiphaugh Robert Dundass of Arnistoun Mr. John Hamilton of Haleraig Mr. David Hume of Crossrig Sir John Lawder of Haltoun Sir John Lawder of Fountainhal William Enstruther of that llk Mr. Archibald Hope of Rankeilor Mr. James Falconer of Phesdo Robert Hamilton of Presmenuan Sir William Hamilton of Whitelaw Extraordinary LORDS William Duke of Queensberry William Earl of Annandale Patrick Lord Polwarth The fourth is vacant by the Death of William Duke of Hamilton The President of the Session by an Act of Parliament 1661. is declared to have Precedency of the Lord Register and Advocat and they to have Precedency of the Lord Thesaurer-Deput * Sir George Mckenzie in his Precedency doth relate That there was an Ordinance upon the 20. Feb. 1623 amongst his Majesties Officers and Counsellors where the lesser Officers of State are ranked and after them the Lords of Session according to their Admission and before Privy Counsellors being Barons Gentlemen Suitable to this precedency the Lords of Session have since their Institution enjoyed the Title of Lord both in Designation and Compellation albeit the Designation be proper to the Lords of Parliament The Lords of Session in the beginning being composed of Bishops and Abbots and dignified beneficed Persons Chief Barons and eminent Lawers This Designation is frequently given to them in the Acts of Parliament and particularly to President Provan in an unprinted Act anno 1581. intituled Act in favours of Mr. William Baillie Lord Provan frequently thereafter All the space between Sessions being the times of Sowing and Harvest is Vacation and Intermission of all Suites and Law matters They give Judgment according to the Parliament Statutes and Municipal Laws and where they are defective they have recourse to the Imperial Civil Law There are besides in every County or Shire in ferior civil Judicatories or Courts kept wherein the Sheriff of the Shire or his Depute decideth the Controversies of the Inhabitants about violent Ejections Instrusions Damages Debts c. From which Courts or Judges in regard of hard and unequal dealing or else of Alliance and Partiality they appeal sometime to the Session These Sheriffs are all for the most part Hereditary for the Kings of Scotland like as these of England also to oblige more surely unto them the better sort of Gentlemen by their Benefits and Favours made in old time these Sheriffs hereditary and and perpetual But the English Kings soon perceiving the inconveniencies thereby ensuing of purpose changed this Order appointed them from year to year There be Civil Courts also in every Regalitie holden by their Baillies to whom the Kings have graciously granted Royalities as also in Free-Burghs by the Magistrates thereof There are likewise Judicatories which they call Commissariats the highest whereof is kâ—pt at Edinburgh In which before four Judges or Commissars Actions are pleaded concerning Wills Testaments the Right of Ecclesiastical Benefices Tithes Divorces and such other Ecclesiastical Causes In every other several part almost throughout the Kingdom there sitteth but one Judge alone in a place about these matters In criminal Causes the Kings Chief Justice holdeth his Court for the most part at Edinburgh which Office the Earls of Argile executed for some time and he doth deput two or three Lawers who have the hearing and deciding of Capital Actions concerning Life and Death or of such as infer loss of Limbs or of all Goods And by the 16 Act 3d. Sess 2d Parl. K. Cha. 2d concerning the Justice Court it doth now consist of the Lord Justice-General the Lord Justice-Clerk who are both at the Kings Nomination and to them are added five of the Lords of Session who are supplied from time to time by the King and are called Lords of the Justiciary In this Court the Defendant is permitted yea in case of High-Treason to entertain a Counsellor or Advocat to plead his Cause Moreover in Criminal Matters there are sometimes by vertue of the Kings Commission and Authority Justices appointed for the deciding of this or that particular Cause Also the Sheriffs in their Territories and Magistrats in some Burghs may sit in Judgement of Man-slaughter in case the Man-slayer be taken within 24 hours after the Deed committed and being found guilty by a Jurie put him to death But if that time be once over-past the Cause is referred and put over to the Kings Justice or his Deputs The same priviledge also some of the Nobility and Gentry enjoy against Theives taken within their own Jurisdictions There be likewise that have such Royalities as that in Criminal Causes they may exercise a Jurisdiction within their own Limits and in some Cases recal those that dwell within their own Limits and Liberties from the Kings Justice howbeit with a Caution and Proviso interposed That they judge according to Law Thus much briefly the Author hath put down as one that had but slightly looked into these matters yet by the information of the judicious Knight Sir Alexander Hay Secretary to K. Ja. 6. for Scotland who had given the Author good light He being one of the three principal Clerks of Session was in the year 1608 appointed Secretary in place of the Lord Balmerinoch removed and admtted a Lord of Session the 3d of Feb. 1610. But as touching SCOTLAND what a Noble Countrey it is and what Men it breedeth as sometimes the Geographer wrote of Britain there will within a while more certain and more evident matter be delivered since that most high and mighty Prince K. Ja. 6. did set it open for us which had so long time been shut from us Mean time before we proceed to the Description of particular Places according to the Authors project we must give some short Account of the Privy Council Thesaury and Exchequer being Soveraign Courts and omitted by the Author The Privy Council is constitute by the King's Commission to decide in matters that concerns the Government and publick
Peace of the Nation wherein the Chancellor by his Office doth preside and after him the President of the Council who hath the same precedency as in England The Persons are chiefly named out of the Nobility with the addition of some Barons In the Thesaury and Exchequer the Lord high Thesaurer doth preceed but this Office is frequently in Commission as it is at present and then the Lord Chancellor is and uses to be one and Chief of the Commission as also the Lord Thesaurer Deput and they together with the Lords of Exchequer nominat by Their Majesties do Order Determine and dispose of the Kings Rents Revenues Gifts and Casualities I have omitted particular Lists of them in regard the Commissions to the Council Thesaury and Exchequer are some times changed as the King doth think fit and that the persons employed in them are eminent of whom occasion will be to make mention in some part of this Treatise either as Noblemen Sheriffs of or Commissioners from Shires or otherwise CHAP. IV. GADENI or LADENI UPon the Ottadini or Northumberland bordered as next Neighbours the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is GADENI who also by the inversion or turning of one Letter upside down are called in some Copies of Ptolomy LADENI seated in that Countrey which lieth between the mouth of the River Tweed and Edinburgh Forth And is at this day divided into many petty Countries The chief whereof are Teviotdale Tweddale Merss and Lothian in Latine Lodenium under which one general Name alone the Writers of the middle time comprised all the rest CHAP. V. TEVIOTDALE TEviotdale that is to say the Vale by the River Tiviot or Teveat lying next unto England among the edges of high craigie Hills is inhabited by a war-like Nation which by reason of so many Encounters in foregoing Ages between Scots and English are always most ready for Service and sudden Invasions The first place among these that we meet with is Jedburgh a Burgh well inhabited and frequented standing near unto the confluence of Teviot and Jed whereof it took the Name Also Melros a very ancient Monastry wherein at the beginning of our Church were cloistered Monks of that ancient Order and Institution that gave themselves to Prayer and with their Hand-labour earning their Living which holy King David restored and replenished with Cistertian Monks And more Eastward where Tweed and Teviot joyn in one Stream Rosburgh sheweth it self called also Roxburgh and in old time MARCHIDUN because it was a Town in the Marches where stands a Castle that for natural Situation and towred Fortificatons was in time past exceeding strong Which being surprised and held by the English whiles James the second King of Scots encircled it with a Siege he was by a piece of a great Ordnance that broke slain untimely in the flower of his youth A Prince much missed and lamented of his Subjects As for the Castle it was yielded and being then for the most part of it lay'd even with the ground is now in a manner quite vanished and not to be seen The Territory adjoyning called of it the Sheriffdom of Roxburgh hath one hereditary Sheriff out of the Family of the Dowglas who is usually called the Sheriff of Teviotdale The Heir of this Family is Sir William Dowglas of Cavers who is present Sheriff and one of the Commissioners of the Shire to this present Parliament And now hath Roxburgh also a Baron Roxbert Ker through the favour of King James the sixth out of the Family of Kers a famous House and spred into a number of Branches as any one in that Tract Out of which the Fernhersts and others inured in martial Feats have been of great Name Sir Robert Ker of Cessfuird was amongst other great Men chosen by K. James the sixth to attend him in his Journey to England in the year 1603. to take possession of that Crown at which time he was created Lord Roxburgh and is mentioned amongst the Commissioners for the Union Parl. 1604. first of all the Lords created about that time and in like manner in the Decreet of Ranking and the several Rolls of Parliament he is placed before Loudown Lindores c. till the year 1617 when he is designed by the Rolls of that Parliament Earl of Roxburgh he was Lord Privy Seal to King Ch. the first whose Grand-childs Grandchild is Robert Earl of Roxburgh The Laird of Berneherst the other principal Family of that Name was by King James the sixth created Lord Jedburgh which Peerage doth belong to the Lord Newbottle eldest Son to the Earl of Lothian and in the Quality of Lord Jedburgh William Lord Newbottle is a Member of this present Parliament which is special to the Earl of Lothians Family that both the Father and the Son are Peers Sir Robert Ker the youngest Brother of the first Lord Jedburgh a great Favorite of King Ja. the sixth was by him made Thesaurer of Scotland and Earl of Somerset in England Also of the Family of Ferneherst Sir Robert Ker of Ancrum was created Earl of Ancrum by King Cho. he first in the year 1633 of whom is descended Robert Earl of Lothian by his Father William Earl of Lothian who married the Heiress and the younger Brother succeeded to his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Ancrum residing in England who sat in the Parliament 1681. Collonel Rutherfoord of the Family of Hunthill was created Earl of Teviot by King Cha. the second who left his Fortune and the Dignity of Lord Rutherfoord to the family of Hunthill which hath been possessed by three Brothers the youngest is Robert Lord Rutherfoord The Dignity of Viscount Teviot was conferred by King Ia. the seventh anno 1686 on the Lord Spencer eldest Son to the Earl of Sunderland in England In the same Shire lived Sir Walter Scot of Branâ—holme who by King Ja. the sixth 17 May 1606 was created Lord Scot of Buckcleugh he was the next after the Lord Scoon and these mentioned in the Decreet of Ranking and was immediatly created before the Lord Blantyre his Son Walter was created Earl by the same King in the year 1619 in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 is ranked after the Earls of Roxburgh and Kellie and before the Earl of Melrosâ— his Son Earl Francis was Father to Countess Margaret married to Walter Scot of Heychester who shortly deceased her Husband was by King Cha. the second created Earl of Tarras during life by whose decease the Dignity is extinct the younger Daughter Countess Anna was married to James Scot Duke of Monmouth Son to K. Ch. the second and was by him created Dutchess of Buckcleugh about the year 1661. who liveth and her Son is James Earl of Dalkeitb Tweed aforesaid runneth through the midst of a Dale taking Name of it replenished with Sheep that bear Wool of great request A very goodly River this is which springing more inwardly Eastward
With the great head King of Scotland entertained enriched him with the Castle of Dunbar and honoured with the Earldom of Merch Whose Posterity besides other goodly and fair Lands in Scotland held as appeareth plainly in an old Inquisition the Barony of Bengelly in Northumberland that they should be Inborow and Utborow between England and Scotland What the meaning should be of these Terms let others guess In the Reign of King James the first George de Dunbar Earl of Merch by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Rebellion lost the Property and Possession of the Earldom of Merch and the Seignorie of Dunbar And when as he proved by good Evidences and Writings brought forth that his Father had been pardoned for that Fault by the Regents of the Kingdom he was answered again that it was not in the Regents power to pardon on Offence against the State and that it was expresly provided by the Laws that Children should undergo Punishment for their fathers Transgressions to the end that being thus Heirs to their fathers Rashness as they are to their Goods and Lands they should not at any time in the haughty Pride of their own Power plot any Treason against Prince or Countrey This Title of Earl of Merch among other honourable Titles was given afterward to Alexander Duke of Albany and by him forfeited And this Title of Honour was revived again in Robert the third Brother of Matthew Earl of Lennox who being of a Bishop of Cathanes made Earl of Lennox resigned up that Title soon after unto his Nephew then created Duke of Lennox and he himself in lieu thereof received of the King the Name and Stile of the Earl of Merch Which Title was also brooked by Charles Uncle to King James and younger Brother to Henry Lord Darnley afterward King Collonel John Churchhil was created by King Charles the second Lord Churchhil of Eymouth near Berwick who is now Earl of Marleburrow in England And Sir Patrick Hume of Polwarth Baronet was by Their Majesties created Lord Polwarth in the year 1691. CHAP. VII LAUDEN or LOTHIEN LOTHIEN which is also called Lauden named in times past of the Picts Pictland shooteth out along from Merch unto the Scottish Sea or the Forth having many Hills in it and little Wood but for fruitful Corn-fields for Courtesie also and Civility of Manners commended above all other Countries of Scotland which is divided in three Shires Haddingtoun called East Lothian Edinburgh called Mid-Lothian and Linlithgow called West-Lothian About the year of our Salvation 873 Edgar King of England between whom and Keneth the third King of Scotland there was a great Knot of Alliance against the Danes common Enemies to them both resigned up his Right unto him in this Lothian as Matthew the Flour-gatherer witnesseth And to win his Heart the more unto him He gave unto him many Mansions in the way wherein both he and his Successors in their coming unto the Kings of England and in return homeward might be lodged Which unto the time of King Henry the second continued in the hands of the Kings of Scotland In this Lothian the first place that offereth it self to the view to these coming from the Mers is Dunbar a passing strong Castle in old time and the Seat of the Earls of Merch aforesaid who thereupon were called Earls of Dunbar A Piece many a time won by the English and as often recovered by the Scots But in the year 1567 by Authority of the States in Parliament it was demolished because it should not be a Hold and place of Refuge for Rebels But James King of Great-Britain conferred the Title and Honour of Earl of Dunbar upon Sir George Hume Thesaurer who is marked last Earl and after Dumfermling in the Decreet of Ranking March 5. 1606 for his approved Fidelity whom he had created before Baron Hume of Berwick to him his Heirs and Assigneys Afterward the same King did confer the Dignity of Viscount of Dunbar upon an English Gentleman of the Name of Constable whose Heirs in England doth presently enjoy that Dignity this Viscount is marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621. Hard by Tine a little River after it hath run a short Course falleth into the Sea near unto the Spring-head whereof standeth Yester which hath his Baron out of the Family of the Hays Earls of Erroll John Lord Yester was by King Charles the first created Earl of Tweddale about the year 1646 John now Earl of Tweddale his Son after he had enjoyed several honourable publick Employments was by Their Majesties constitute Lord High Chancellor of Scotland The Lord Hay of Yester is descended of the antient Family of the Hays of Locherward near Borthwick which raise to greatness by the Marriage of three Heiresses viz. of Frazer of Oliver-Castle in Tweddale and the Heiress of Gifford of Yester the Heiress of Cunninghame of Belton both in East Lothian his chief Residence is Yester which he hath extraordinarly improven beautifyed by Planting Inclosing By the same Riveret some few miles higher is seated Hadingtoun or Hadina in a wide and broad Plain which Town the English fortifyed with a deep and large Ditch with a Mure or Rampire also without four-square and with four Bullworks at the Corners and with as many other at the Inner-wall and Sir James Wilford an Englishman valiantly defended it against Dessie the Frenchman who with Ten thousand French and Dutch together fiercely assaulted it until that by reason of the Plague which grew hot among the Garrison Soldiers Henry Earl of Rutland coming with a royal Army raised the Siege removed the French having laid the Munitions level conducted the English home And King James the sixth about the year 1606 ranged Sir John Ramsey among the Nobles of Scotland with Title and Honour of Viscount Haddingtoun for his faithful Valour as whose Right hand was the Defender of Prince and Countrey in that most wicked Conspiracy of the Gowries against the Kings Person I shall choise this place to speak of Sir Thomas Hamilton whose last Designation was Earl of Haddingtoun and the more particularly in respect he did pass through very many Degrees in the Session and enjoyed many publick Offices and attained to great Honour and Riches the first of November 1587 in the Books of Sederunt of the Lords of Session Mr. Thomas Hamilton appear and Heir of Priestfield was admitted an ordinar Advocat he was Son to Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield afterward a Lord of the Session descended of the Hamiltons of Inner weick one of the most antient and great Cadets of the Family of Hamilton he was admitted Lord of the Session 1592 under the Designation of Lord Drumcairn he is appointed one of the Commissioners for the Thesaurey and Exchequer commonly called Octavians in the year 1595 and is admitted in February thereafter Kings Advocat the fifteen of May 1612 under the Designation
of Sir Thomas Hamilton of Byers is made Clerk Register In the Parliament 23 of October the same year he is designed Secretary in place of Sir Alexander Hay formerly mentioned who became in his place Lord Register The fourteen of June 1616 upon the death of President Preston he under the Designation of Lord Binny was admitted President of the Session In the Rolls of Parliament 1617 he is designed Lord Binny and before the Lord Carnagie In the Rolls of Parliament 1621 he is designed Earl of Melross which Title he thereafter exchanged for Earl of Haddingtoun he continued Secretary and President till the year 1626 then was constitute Lord Privy Seal and he his Successors in that Office have had the same Precedency as the Lord Privy Seal in England which he enjoyed several years his Grand-childs Grand-child is Thomas Earl of Haddingtoun Within a little of Haddingtoun standeth Athelstanford so called of Athelstane a chief Leader of the English slain there with his men about the year 815. But that he should be that warlike Athelstane which was King of the West-Saxons both the Account of the Times and his own Death do manifestly controll it The Sheriff ship of this Shire being at the Kings disposal is given to Sir Robert Sinclar of Stevinson Baronet and one of Their Majesties Privy Council and a Member of this present Parliament for the Shire Above the mouth of this Tine in the very bending of the Shore standeth Tantallon Castle from whence Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus wrought James the fifth King of Scots much Teene and Trouble Here by retiring back off the Shores on both sides is room made for a most noble Arm of the Sea and the same well furnished with Islands which by reason of many Rivers encountring it by the way and the Tides of the surging Sea together spreadeth exceeding broad Ptolomy calleth it Boderia Tacitus Bodotria of the depth as is thought the Scots the Forth and Firth we Edinburgh Firth others the Fresian Sea and the Scotish Sea and the Eulogium Morwiridh Patrick Ruthven General to King Charles the first his Forces was created by him in the year 1639 first Lord Estrick from the Name of a Rivolet and in the year 1641 Earl of Forth in Scotland and Earl of Branford in England there is none descended of him that claims the Title Upon this River after you be past Tantallon are seated first North-Berwick a famous place sometime for an House there of religious Virgins And then Dirltoun which belonged in times past to the notable Family of the Halyburtons and by them to the Ruthvens and by their Forfeiture to Sir Thomas Erskin Captain of the English Guard whom James King of Great-Britain for his happy Valour in preserving him against the traiterous Attempts of Gowrie first created Baron of Dirlton about the 1603 being the next after the Lord Loudoun and before Kinloss Abercorn and Balmerinoch And afterward advanced him to the honourable Title of Viscount Fenton in the year 1606 making him the first Viscount that ever was in Scotland James Maxwel of the Bed-Chamber was created by King Charles the first Earl of Dirlton who left no lawful Issue Male but two Daughters the one married to William Earl of Lanerk afterwards Duke of Hamilton and at present his Dignity is not claimed by any A Gentleman of the Name of Douglas was first created Viscount of Belhaven a place near to Dunbar which Honour being extinct Sir James Hamilton was created Lord Belhaven by King Charles the first about the year 1648 to whom succeeds John now Lord Belhaven Against these places there lyeth in the Sea not far from the Shore the Island Bass which riseth up as it were all one craigy Rock and the same upright and steep on every side yet hath it a Block-house belonging to it a Fountain also and Pastures but it is so hollowed with the Waves working upon it that it is almost pierced through What a multitude of Sea-fowles and especially of those Geese which they call Scouts and Soland-Geese flock hither at their times for by report their Number is such that in a clear day they take away the Suns Light what a sort of Fishes they bring for as the Speech goeth a hundred Garrison Soldiers that here lay for defence of the place fed upon no other Meat but the fresh Fish that they brought in what a Quantity of Sticks and little Twigs they get together for the building of their Nests so that by their means the Inhabitants are abundantly provided of Feuel for their fire what a mighty gain groweth by their Feathen and Oyl the report thereof is so incredible that no man scartcely would believe it but he that had seen it The Garrison of the Bass having stood long out against Their Majesties before they surrendered about the beginning of May 1694. The Fortifications were ordered to be slighted Then as the shore draweth back Seton sheweth it self which seemeth to have taken that Name of the Situation by the Sea-side and to have imparted the same unto a right Noble House of the Setons branched out of an English Family and from the Daughter of King Robert Bruce Out of which the Marquess of Huntly Robert Earl of Wintoun Alexander Earl of Dumfermling advanced to Honours by King James the sixth are propagated George now Earl of Winton is great Grand child to the first Earl whose Brother was Alexander Seton of Vrquhart an extraordinar Lord of Session and by the same Designation admitted ordinary Lord in February 1587-8 in August 1591 created Lord Vrquhart and in May 1593 on the death of President Provan admitted President of the Session and in the year 1595 one of the Octavians in the year 1604 he was a Commissioner for the Union by the Designation of the Lord Fyvie and in that Parliament the Earl of Montrose Chancellor being Commissioner he did preside in March 1605 in the Books of Sederunt Alexander Earl of Dumfermling is made Chancellor and was afterward Commissioner to the Parliament his Designation was from a Royal Burgh in Fife formerly a famous Abby his Son was Charles Earl of Dumfermling Lord Privy Seal to King Charles the second and his Grand-child James Earl of Dumfermling is now forefault also Alexander Seton Uncle to George now Earl of Wintoun was by King Charles the first created Viscount of Kingston whose Son is now Viscount After this the River Eske in Mid-Lothian which dischargeth it self into this Firth when it hath run by Borthwick which hath Barons surnamed according to that name and those deriving their Pedegree out of Hungary by Newbottle that is The new building sometimes a fair Monastrey now the Barony of Sir Mark Ker by Dalkeith now belonging to the Dutchess of Buckcleugh and from whence her eldest Son is designed Earl a very pleasant Habitation of the late Earls of
raised a stately Statue of King Charles the second on Horse-Back in Brass And to the South-west on a rising Ground is a curious and large Hospital built with the Money left by George Heriot Gold-smith which doth entertain above an hundred young Boys Children of decayed Burgesses This City is well watered with five large Fountains on the high and broad Street thereof In this City also by King James the sixth an University was founded over which within a large Park riseth an Hill with two Heads called of Arthur the Britaine Arthurs Chair On the West side a most steep Rock mounteth up aloft to a stately hight every way save only where it looketh toward the City On which is placed a Castle with many a Tower in it so strong that is counted impregnable which the Britains called Castle Myned Agned the Scots The Maidens Castle and the Virgins Castle of certain young Maidens of the Picts royal Blood who were kept there in old time and which may seem in truth to have been that Castrum Alatum or Castle with a Wing abovesaid John Bothwel Commendator of Holy-rud-house who being one of these Honourable persons who attended King James the sixth to England in the year 1603 was by him created a temporal Lord of Holy-rud-house in the year 1607 which Honour is now extinct he was a Lord of the Session as also was his father Adam Bishop of Orkney who excambed that Bishoprick with Robert Stuart for the Abbacie of Holy-rud-house and the Heir of the one became Earl of Orkney and the Heir of the other Lord Holy-rud-house In the Institution of the Colledge of Justice Mr. Richard and Francis Bothwels were nominated two of the Lords of Session Near to Edinburgh is Brughtoun which belonged to the Family of the Ballendens and Sir William Ballenden being Thesaurer Deput to King Charles the second was by him made Lord Ballenden of Brughtoun about the year 1661 whose Honour was conveyed to John Ker now Lord Ballenden Uncle to the present Earl of Roxburgh who carries the Name and Arms of Ballenden Of this Family were Sir John Ballenden of Auchinnoul Justice Clerk and one of the ordinar Lords of Session in the Reign of Queen Mary and King James the sixth and Sir Lewis Ballenden also of Auchinnoul Justice Clerk and an ordinar Lord of the Session in the Reign of King James the sixth by Cnarter under the Great Seal Sir John Ballenden foresaid had the Heretable Office of Usher to the Exchequer which is transmitted to the Lord Ballenden and is exerced by a Deput named by him Fairfax an English Gentlemen was created Lord Cameron who is in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 his Successor Thomas Lord Fairfax is a Member of the House of Commons for the County of York in this current Parliament Richardson an English Gentleman was created Lord Cramond About the same time Lord Forrester of Corstorphine was created by King Charles the first anno 1633. George Lord Forrester of Corstorphine is one of the Commissioners for the holding of the Parliament 1633 and yet in the Rolls of the same Parliament he is marked Sir George Forrester for the Shire of Edinburgh so that he hath been Nobilitat after he was chosen for the Shire and before the sitting of the Parliment his Grand-child is William Lord Forrester How Edinburgh in the alternative Fortune of Wars was subject one while to the Scots and another while to the English who inhabited this East part of Scotland until it became wholly under the Scots Dominion about the year of our Salvation 960 what time the English Empire sore shaken with the Danish Wars lay as it were gasping and dying How also as an old Book of the Division of Scotland in the Library of the right honourable Lord Burghly sometime high Thesaurer of England sheweth Whiles Indulph reigned the Town of Eden was voided and abandoned to the Scots unto this present day as what variable Changes of reciprocal Fortune it hath felt from time to time the Historiographers do relate and out of them ye are to be informed A Mile from hence lyeth Leith a most commodious Haven hard upon the River Leith which when Dessey the Frenchman for the security of Edinburgh had fortified by reason of many men repairing thither within a short time from a mean Village it grew to be a big Town Again when Francis the second King of France had taken to Wife Mary the Queen of Scots the Frenchmen who in Hope and Conceit had already devoured Scotland and began now to gape for England in the year 1560 sttengthned it with more Fortifications But Elizabeth Queen of England solicited by the Nobles of Scotland that embraced the reformed Religion to side with them by her Puissance and Wisdom effected that both they returned into France and these their Fortifications were laid level with the Ground and Scotland ever since hath been freed from the French As also near this place is New-Haven from which an English Gentleman of the Name of Cheney being by K. Charles the second anno 1681 created Viscount got the Designation of Viscount of New-Haven Where this Forth groweth more and more narrow it had in the midst of it the City Caer Guidi as Bede noteth which now may seem to be the Island named Inchkeith Whether this were that Victoria which Ptolomy mentioneth I will not stand to prove although a man may believe that the Romans turned this Guidh into Victoria as well as the Isle Guith or Wight into Victesies or Vecta truely seing both these Islands be dissevered from the shore the same Reason of the Name will hold in both Languages For Ninius hath taught us that Guith in the British Tongue betokeneth a separation In West-Lothian the first remarkable place in the same Forth is the Burgh of Queens-Ferry supposed to be called from Saint Margaret Queen to King Malcom Canmore as the shortest and easiest Passage over the River of Forth to Dumfermling where she did much reside and began to found that Monastry Upon the same Forth is situat Abercorn in Bedes time a famous Monastry which by the gracious favour of King James the sixth gave unto James Hamilton eldest Son to Claud Hamilton first Commendator and then Lord of Pasley youngest Son to the Duke of Chattelrault the Title of Lord of Pasley in Renfrew he is ranked after the Lord Torphichen â—nd before the Lord Newbottle James his said Son was created Lord Abercorn about the year 1603 and is ranked after the Lord Kinloss and before Balmerinoch and in the year 1606 was created Earl of Abercorn which Title is enjoyed by Hamilton Lord Straband an Irish Peer descended of the first Earls of Abercorn And fast beside it standeth Blackness Castle and beneath it Southward the anctient City Lindum whereof Ptolomy maketh mention which the better learned as yet call Linlithgow commonly Lithgow beautified and set out with a
Johnstoun by King Charles the first anno 1633 and by the same King made Earl of Hartfield and so designed in the rescinded Parliament 1644 and by King Charles the second after the Restauration the Title of Earl of Hartfield was changed into that of the Earl of Annandale the Dignity of Annandale Murray being extinct and William the present Earl is a Privy Counsellor and extraordinar Lord of Session and now Hereditary Stewart of Annandale CHAP. X. NIDISDALE CLose unto Annandale on the West-side lyeth Nidisdale sufficiently furnished with Corn-fields and Pastures so named of the River Nid which in Ptolomy is wrongly written Nobius for Nodius or Nidius of which Name there be other Rivers in Britain full of shallow Foords and muddy Shelves like as this Nid is also It springeth out of the Lake Logh-Cure by which flowrished Corda a Town of the Selgovae He taketh his course first by Sanquher a Town and Castle of the Creightons who a long time kept a great Port as enjoying the Dignity of the Barons of Sanquher and the Authority besides of Hereditary Sheriffs of Nidisdale Afterwards by King james the sixth anno 1622 was created William Viscount of Air and by K. Cbarles the first anno 1633 Earl of Dumfreis whose great Grand-child is Penelope Countess of Dumfreis then by Morton which gave Title of Earl to some of the Family of Dowglas out of which others of that Sirname have their Mansion and Abiding at Drumlanrig The Laird of Drumlanrig was one of the Commissioners to the Parliament 1617 for the Shire of Dumfreis and being a Baron of a great Estate was at his first Promotion created Viscount of Drumlanrig after the Viscount of Air and is so Ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 and in the same year was created Earl of Queensberry whose Grandchild William Earl of Queensberry was first created Marquess thereafter Duke of Queensberry by King Charles the second and was Lord high Thesaurer of Scotland and Commissioner to the Parliament anno 1685 and did enjoy other great Offices and Honours The Lordship of Sanquhar and Sheriff-ship of Dumfreis was purchased by the Earl of Queensberry from the Earl of Dumfreis whose Residence since hath been at Leifnoris near Cumnock a Regality belonging to them in Kingskyle in the Shire of Air The Duke of Queensberries eldest Son is James Earl of Drumlanrig who besides other Offices enjoyed by him is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury and by a special Commission did represent the Lord High Thesaurer in the last Session of this current parliament I cannot pass over in silence his Uncle James Dowglas of Scraling second Son to James the second Earl of Queensberry who being an expert Captain and Lieutenant General was joyned with the Duke of Schomberg in the first Expedition into Ireland 1689 where he continued that year and the next until he went with the Army into Flanders in the year 1691 where he died leaving Children by his Wife Anna Hamilton Daughter to the Laird of Red-house of the Family of Haddingtoun Also a Natural Son of the Regent Mortons was created by King James the sixth Lord Tothorwald it seems betwixt the year 1585 at which time the natural Children of the said Earl were restored and the year 1592 Tothorwald being ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1612 before the Lord Thirlestane albeit omitted out of the Decreet of Ranking 1606 his Honours are now extinct but many considerable Persons are descended of him his Lands being purchased by the Family of Queensberry is one of the Titles of the present Duke By the same River near unto the Mouth whereof standeth Dumfreis between two Hills the most flourishing Town of this Tract which hath to shew also an old Castle in it famous for making of Woollen Clothes and remarkable for the Murder of John Commin the mightiest man for Manred and Retinew in all Scotland whom Robert Brus for fear he should fore-close his way to the Kingdom ran quite through with his Sword in the Church soon obtained his Pardon from the Pope for committing that Murder in a Sacred place Near unto the Mouth is Solway a little Village which retaineth still somewhat of the old Name of Selgovae Upon the very mouth is situat Caer-Laverock which Ptolomy I suppose called Carbantorigum accounted an impregnable Fort when King Edward the first accompanied with the floure of English Nobility besieged and hardly won it but now it is a weak Dwelling-house of the Barons of Maxwel who being men of an ancient and noble Linage were a long time Wardens of these West Marches and of late advanced by Marriage with the Daughter of one of the Heirs of the Earl of Morton whereby John Lord Maxwel was declared Earl of Morton upon the Forfaulture of the Regent Morton and is designed John Earl of Morton in the Parliament 1581 and the Dowglasses being restored to the Dignity of Earl of Morton in the Parliament 1585 the E. of Angus Nephew to the Regent was first vested with that Earldom Thereafter it came to the Laird of Loch-Leven of which Family was William E. of Morton Thesaurer to K. Ch. the first and James now Earl of Morton is his Grandchild The Lord Maxwel was created by King James the sixth Earl of Nithsdale with the same precedency he would have had when created E. of Morton which Dignity his Successor William now E. of Nithsdale doth enjoy As also by the Daughter and Heir of Lord Hereis of Taregles whom J. a younger Son of the Family of Maxwel took to Wise and obtained by her the Title of Baron Hereis The Heirs of the eldest Son of the Earl of Nithsdale failing in the Reign of King Charles the second the Lord Hereis succeeded to be Earl of Nithsdale and so the lesser Dignity of Hereis is swallowed up in the greater of the Earl Nithsdale and is now in the person of the present Earl Moreover in this Vale by the Lake side lyeth Glencairn whence the Cunninghams of whom I am to write more in place convenient bare a long time the Title of Earl This Nithsdale together with Annandale nourisheth a War-like kind of Men who have been infamous for Robberies and Depredations for they dwell upon Solway Frith a foordable Arm of the Sea at Low-waters through which they made many times Out-rodes into England for to fetch in Booties and in which the Inhabitants thereabout on both sides with pleasant Pastime and delightful Sight on Horse-back with Spears hunt Salmons whereof there is abundance What manner of Cattel-stealers these be that inhabite these Vales in the Marches of both Kingdoms John Lesly Bishop of Ross will tell you in these Words They go forth in the Night by Troops out of their own Borders through desart by-ways and many winding Crankies All the day time they refresh their Horses and recreat their own Strength in lurking places appointed before
hand until they be come thither at length in the dark Night where they would be When they have laid hold of a Bootie back again they return home likewise by Night through blind ways only and fetching many a compasse about The more skillful any Leader or Guide is to pass through those wild Desarts crooked turnings and steep Down-falls in the thickest Mists and deepest Darkness he is held in greater Reputation as one of an excellent Wit And so Crafty and Wily these are that seldom or never they forgo their Booty and suffer it to be taken out of their hands unless it happen otherwhiles that they be caught by their Adversaries following continually after and tracting them directly by their footing according as quick-senting Slugh-hounds do lead them But say they be taken so fair spoken they are and eloquent so many sugared words they have at will sweetly to plead for them that they are able to move the Judges and Adversaries both be they never so Austere and Severe if not to Mercy yet to Admiration and some Commiseration withal CHAP. XI NOVANTES GALLOWAY FRom Nithsdale as you go on west-ward the Novantes inhabited in the Vales all that Tract which runneth out far and wide toward the West between the Sea and Dunbritain Frith or Clyd-forth yet so indented and hollowed with Nooks and Creeks that here and there it is drawn into a narrow Room and then again in the very utmost Skirt it openeth and spreadeth it self abroad at more Liberty whereupon some have called it the Chersonesus that is The Biland of the Novantes But at this day their Countrey containeth Galloway Carrick Kyle and Cunninghame Galloway in the Latine Writers of the middle time Gaelwallia and Galovidia so called of the Irish who in times past dwelt there and term themselves short in their own Language Gael is a Countrey rising up every where with Hills that are better for feeding of Cattel than bearing of Corn the Inhabitants practise Fishing as well within the Sea lying round about them as in little Rivers and the Loches or Myres in every place standing full of Water at the foot of the Hills out of which in September they take in Weels and Weer-nets an incredible Number of most sweet and savourie Eels whereby they make no less gain than others do by their little Naggs which for being well Limmed fast knit and strongly made to endure Travail are most in request and bought from hence Among these the first place that offereth it self by the River Dea mentioned in Ptolomy which keeping the Name still full and whole they call d ee is Kirkcudbright the most commodious Port of this Coast and the second Stwartrie of Scotland which belongs Heretably to the Earls of Nithsdale The Family of Mcclellan of Bomby was dignifyed by King Charles the first about the year 1633 with the Title of Lord Kirkcudbright but at present no person claims that Dignity Then Cardines a Fort set upon a craggie and high Rock by the River Fleet and fenced with strong Walls Near unto it the River Ken corruptly read in Ptolomy Jena runneth into the Sea On this River standeth Kenmore from which Alexander Gordon now Viscount of Kenmore is designed whose Predecessor was dignified with that Title by King Charles the first before the year 1633 descended from an antient Family of the Gordons of Stitchel near Kelso and Lochinvar in this Stewartrie near to Kenmore is New-Galloway a Burgh Royal. After it is Wigton an Haven Town with a narrow Entrance unto it between the two Rivers Bluidnoo and Crea which also is counted a Sheriffdom over which Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochna◠Baronet is Heretable Sheriff and a Member for that Shire to this current Parliament In times past it had for Lord Archibald Douglas renowned in the French War and by the Favour of King James the Sixth John Lord Fleming of Cummernald who deriveth his Pedegree from the antient Earls of Wigton was created Earl of Wigton whose Posterity doth still enjoy that Honour Near unto this Ptolomy placed the City Leucopibia which I know not to say truth where to seek Yet that place requireth that it should be that Episcopal Seat of Ninian which Bede calleth Candida Casa and the English and Scots in the very same sense Whithern What say you then if Ptolomy after his manner translated that Name in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is White-houses in stead whereof the Transcribers have thrust upon us Leucopibia which the Brittains termed Candida Casa In this place Ninia or Ninian the Brittain an holy Man the first that instructed the South-Picts in Christian Faith in the Reign of the Emperor Theodosius the younger had his Seat and built a Church consecrated to the Memory of Saint Martin after a manner unusual among the Brittains as Bede saith who wrote that the English in his time held this Countrey and when the Number of the faithful Christians multiplied an Episcopal See was erected at this Candida Casa A little higher there is a Bi-land having the Sea insinuating it self on both sides with two Bayes The Loch of Lucé on the South toward Whit-hern and Loch-rian to the North designed Abravanus which being set a little out of his own place is so called of Ptolomy for Aber-Ruanus that is The mouth of Ruan For at this day that River is named Rian and the Lake out of which it floweth Loch-Rian exceeding full of Herrings Stone-fishes On this Lake standeth Stranrawer a Burgh-Royal the Promontory or point by which it entereth into the sea is called the point of Corsehill stretching to Cantyre and on the other side is Port-Patrick a known Sea-port opposite to Donaghadee in Ireland from thence running southward to the point of the Mule The land betwixt the two points of Corsehill and the Mule is called the Rinnes of Galloway perhaps because the points run out narrow a great length into the sea and are twenty four Miles distant And to the south of Lochrian is another Bay called the Loch or Bay of Luce running betwixt the points of the Mule and Whitehern opposite to the Isle of Man the neck of land interjected betwixt the Lakes joining the Rinnes to the Main-land is six mile broad and near to the midst whereof in a little rising ground standeth the Castle of the Inch among the Lakes on this Bay is the Vale or Glen of Luce where there was an Abbey founded by Rolland Lord of Galloway father to Allan confirmed by the King with a Regality whereof the Viscount of Stair is hereditary Baillie This Galloway had in times past Princes and Lords over it of whom the first recorded in Chronicles was Fergus in the Reign of Henry the first King of England who gave for his Arms A Lyon rampant Arg Crowned Or in a Shield Azur who after many troubles that he had stirred was driven to this
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
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
Son to Alexander the first Earl of Linlithgow who by King Charles the First was created Lord Almond and then Earl of Callender in the year 1641 he was Lieutenant General to the Parliaments Army his Successor by entail is James Brother Son to George now Earl of Linlithgow mention hath been made of the Earl of Linlithgow in Lithgow Shire The Family of the Barons Fâ—â—â—ing dwelling hard by at Cumbernald which they received at the hands of King Robert Bruce for their Service valiantly and faithfully performed in defence of their Country whereby also they attained unto the hereditary Honour to be Chamberlanes of Scotland and the favour of King James the Sixth honoured this House with the Title of Earl of Wigtoun About the year 1606 his Predecessor had that Title with the Lordship of Galloway in the Reign of King David Bruce which they resigned to the Earl of Dowglass who and his Successors amongst other Titles were designed Earls of Wigtoun till the Forefaulture in the Reign of King James the Second and the Dignity was vacant till conferred by King James the Sixth as said is the Heir of this Family is Iohn Earl of Wigtoun In a place near adjoyning standeth Elphingstoun which likewise hath his Barons advanced to that Dignity by King James the 4th of whom is descended Iohn now Lord Elphingstoun And where Forth full of his windings crooked Cranks runneth down with a rolling pace and hath a Bridge over him standeth Stirling commonly called Striviling and Stirling Burgh where on the very brow of a steep Rock there is mounted on high a passing strong Castle of the Kings which King James the Sixth beautified with new Buildings and where of a long time the Lords of Areskine Earls of Marr have been Captains unto whom the Charge and Tuition of the Princes of Scotland during their Minority have been at other times committed Whereas some there be that would have the good and lawful money of England which is called Sterling money to take the name from hence they are much deceived for that Denomination came from the Germans of their easterly Dwelling termed by English men Easterlings whom King John of England first sent for to reduce the silver to the due fineness and purity and such Monies in ancient writing are ever more found by the name of Easterling About two Miles hence the Banock-burn runneth between exceeding high Banks on both sides and with a very swift Stream in Winter toward the Forth a Burn most famous for as glorious a Victory as ever the Scots had what time as Edward the Second King of England was put to flight who was fain to make hard shift and in great haste and fear to take a Boat and save his life yea and the most puissant Army which England had before sent out was discomfited through the valiant prowess of King Robert Bruce insomuch as for two years after the English came not into the Field against the Scots About Stirling Ptolomy seemeth to place Alauna which is either near the little River Alon that here entreth into the Forth or else by Alloway an house and ordinar Residence of the Areskins who by Inheritance are the Sheriffs of all this Territory without the Burgh but have been of a long time Earls of Marr from a country in Aberdeen Shire to be described after The Sheriffship of this Shire belongs to the Earls of Callender Sir William Alexander was the Kings Lieutenant in Nova Scotia and had Precedency of all those Baronets he succeeded Sir Archibald Aitchison as Secretary of State to King Charles the First and is so designed in the Kings Letter anent the Baronets November 17. 1629. Amongst the Commissioners for continuing the Parliament August 4. 1631 is William Viscount of Stirling principal Secretary he was created Earl of Stirling anno 1633 his Heir doth reside in England To conclude this Chapter take here a Description of the principal Seal of the Burgh of Stirling which carries on the one side a Bridge of seven Arches with a Cross mounted on the the middle and armed men on each side of the Cross with this Inscription Hic armis Bruti Scoti stant hic Cruce tuti And on the other side a large strong Castle in a Wood with this Motto Continet hoc in se Nemus Castrum Strivlingnense Which two Inscriptions they give us in English thus The Brittains stand by force of Arms The Scots are by this Cross preserv'd from Harms The Castle and the Wood of Stirling town Are in the compass of this Seal set down Which agreeth well with what Buchanan said that the River Carron was the Boundary of the Roman Conquests and Stirling the Limits of the Brittains and Scots However it be the Seal and Inscription must be very old when special notice is taken of a Wood at Stirling whereof there is but small Remains and at this place doth the River Forth admit of a Bridge which is the secure Passage betwixt the South and North of Scotland CHAP. XIX CALEDONIA WHatsoever part of Brittain lyeth northward beyond Grahams Dyke or the Wall of Antoninus Pius before named and beareth out on both Seas is called by Tacitus Caledonia likeas the people thereof Brittains inhabiting Caledonia Ptolemy divideth them into many Nations as Caledonii Epidii Vacomagi c. who were all of them afterward for continuing their ancient manner and custom of painting their Bodies named by the Romans and provincial people Picts divided by Ammianus Marcellinus into two Nations the Dicalidones and Vecturiones howbeit in the approved and best Writers they go all under the name of Caledonians whom I would think to have been so called of Kaled a Brittish word that signifieth Hard and in the plural Number maketh Kaledion whence the word Caledonii may be derived that is to say hard rough uncivil and a wilder kind of people such as the northern Nations for the most part are who by reason of the rigorous cold of the Air are more rough and fierce and for their abundance of Blood more bold and adventurous Moreover beside the position of the Climat this is furthered by the nature and condition of the Soil which riseth up all throughout with rough and rugged Mountains and Mountainers verily all men know and confess to be hardy stout and strong But whereas Varro alledgeth out of Pacuvius that Caledonia breedeth and nourisheth men of exceeding big Bodies I would understand the place rather of Caledonia the Region of Epirus than this of our although ours may also justly challenge unto it self this commendation Among this was the Wood Caledonia termed by Lucius Florus Saltus Caledonius that is the Forrest of Caledonia spreading out a mighty way and impassible by reason of tall Trees standing so thick divided also by Gramp Hill now called Granizbain that is the crooked bending Mountain That Vlysses arrived in Caledonia saith Solinus appeareth plainly by a votive Altar with
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
Lake by which standeth Berogomum a Castle in which sometime was kept the Court of Justice or Session and not far from it Dunstaffage that is Stephens Mount the Kings House in times past above which Logh Aher a Lake insinuating it self from out of the Western Sea windeth it self so far within Land that it had conflowed together with Ness another Lake running into the East Sea but that certain Mountains between kept them with a very little Partition asunder The chiefest Place of Name in this Tract is Tarbar in Loch Kinkeran where King James the fourth ordained a Justice and Sheriff to administer Justice unto the Inhabitants of the out Islands but now the Shires of Argile and Tarbat are joyned in one These Countries and those beyond them in the year of our Lords Incarnation 655. the Picts held whom Beda calleth the Northern Picts where he reporteth that in the said year Columbane a Priest and Abbot famous for his Monkish profession and life came out of Ireland into Brittain to instruct these in Christian Religion that by means of the high rough Ridges of the Mountains were sequestred from the Southern Countries of the Picts and that they in lieu of a Reward allowed unto him the Island Hii over against them now called I-Comb-Kill a famous Monastry and Nursery of the Christian Religion over Britain The Lord of Lorna in the age aforegoing were the Stuarts but now by reason of a Female their Heir the Earls of Argile use this Title in their Honourable Designation CHAP. XXV BRAID ALBIN OR ALBANY MOre inwardly where the uninhabitable lofty and rugged Ridges of the Mountain Grampius begin a little to slope and settle downward is seated Braid-Albin that is The highest part of Scotland for they that are the true and right Scots indeed call Scotland in their Mother Tongue Albin like as that part where it mounteth up highest Drum Albin that is the Ridge of Scotland But in an old Book it is read Brun Albin where we find this Written Fergus filius Eric c. That is Fergus the Son of Eric was the first of the Seed or line of Chonare that entred upon the Kingdom of Albanie from Brun-Albain unto the Irish Sea and Inch-Gall And after him the Kings descended from the Seed or Race of Fergus Reigned in Brun-Albain or Brunhere unto Alpin the Son of Eochall But this Albanie is better known for the Dukes thereof than for any good Gifts that the Soil yieldeth The first Duke of Albanie was Robert Earl of Fife whom his Brother King Robert the third of that Name advanced to that honour yet he ungrateful person that he was pricked on with the spirit of ambition famished to Death his Son David that was Heir to the Crown But the punishment due for this wicked Fact which himself by the long sufferance of God self not his Son Mordac the second Duke of Albanie first designed in his Fathers time Sir Murdac Stuart of Kinclevin suffered most grievously being condemned for Treason and beheaded when he had seen his two Sons the day before executed in the same manner The third Duke of Albanie was Alexander second Son to King James the second who was also designed Earl of March Marr and Garioth Lord of Annandale and of Man was by his own Brother King James the third outlawed and after he had been turmoiled with many Troubles in the end as he stood by to behold at Justs and Tourneament in Paris chanced to be wounded with a piece of shattered Launce so died His Son John the fourth Duke of Albanie was called home made Regent and Tutor to King James the fifth taking contentment in the pleasant Delights of the French Court after he had Wedded there the Daughter and one of the Heirs of John Earl of Anverne and Lauragveze died there without Issue Whom in respective reverence to the Blood Royal of the Scots Francis the first King of France gave thus much honour unto as that he allowed him place between the Archbishop of Langres and the Duke of Alenson Peers of France After his death there was no Duke of Albanie until that Queen Mary conferred this Title upon Henry Lord Darnly whom within some few days after she made her Husband likeas King James the sixth granted the same unto his own second son Charles being an Infant during the lifetime of Prince Henry his elder Brother to whom he succeeded as Prince and Steward of Scotland and to his Father as King of Great-Britain and first of the Name of Charles King James the seventh did enjoy the Title of Duke of Albany during the lifetime of his elder Brother There inhabit these Regions a kind of People rude warlike ready to fight quarrellous and mischievous they be commonly termed Highlandmen who being indeed the right Progeny of the antient Scots speak Irish and call themselves Albinich their bodies be firmly made and well compact able withal and strong nimble of Foot high minded inbread and nuzzeled in warlike exercises or Robberies rather and upon a deadly feud and hatred most forward and desperat to take revenge They go attired Irish-like in stript or streaked Mantles of divers colours wearing thick and long Glibes of Hair living by hunting fishing fowling and stealing In the War their Armour is an Head-piece or Morion of Iron and an Habergeon or Coat of Mail their Weapons be Bows barbed or hooked Arrows and broad Back Swords and being divided by certain Families or Kindreds which they term Clans they commit such cruel Outrages what with Robbing Spoilling and Killing that their Savage Cruelty hath forced a Law to be enacted whereby it is lawful That if any person out of any one Clan or Kindred of theirs hath trespassed ought and done harm whosoever of that Clan or Linage chance to be taken he shall either make amends for the harms or else suffer Death for it when as the whole Clan commonly beareth Feud for any hurt received by any one Member thereof by execution of Laws order of Justice or otherwise Sir John Camphel of Glenurchie Baronet an antient and powerful Cadet of Argile descended of one of the Heiresses of Stuart Lord Lorn of whose Lands he enjoyes a part and their Arms quartered and of other great Families and from whom many Noblemen and Barons derive their Pedegree was by King Charles the second about the year 1677. Created Earl of Brade Albine and is one of the present Commissioners of their Majesties Thesaury he is Hereditary Baillie of Broad Albine CHAP. XXVI PERTHIA OR PERTH Sheriffdom OUt of the very bosome of the Mountains of Albany Tau the greatest River of all Scotland issueth and first runreth amain through the Fields until that spreading broad into a Lake full of Islands he restraineth and keepeth in his course Then gathering himself narrow within his Banks into a Channel and Watering Perth a large plentiful and rich Countrey he taketh in unto him Amond a
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 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
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
into the Sea it is scarce with the labour to mention them That there be little Birds engendred of old and rotten Keels of Ships they can bear Witness who saw that Ship wherein Francis Drake sailed about the World standing in a Dock near the Thames to the outside of the Keel whereof a number of such little Birds without Life and Feathers stuck closs Yet it would be thought that the Generation of these Birds was not out of the Logges of Wood but from the very Ocean which the Poets termed the Father of all things A mighty Mass likewise of Amber as big as the body of an Horse was not many years since cast upon this shoar The learned call it Succinum Glessum and Chryso Electrum and Sotacus supposed that it was a certain juice or liquor which distilleth out of Trees in Britain and runneth down into the Sea and is therein hardened Tacitus also was of the same Opinion when he wrote thus I can verily believe that likeas there be Trees in the secret and inward parts of the East which sweat out Frankincense and Balm so in the Islands and other Countries in the West there be Woods and Groves of a more fatty and firm Substance which melting by the hot Beams of the Sun approaching so near runneth into the Sea hard by and by force of Tempest floateth up to the hoars against it But Serapio and the Philosophers of later times write that it ariseth out of a certain clammy and bituminous Earth under the Sea and by the Sea-side and that the Billows and Tempests cast up part thereof a land and a Fishes devour the rest In the Reign of King Alexander the Second Alexander Cummin rose up to the honour of Earl of Buquhan who married the Daughter and one of the Heirs of Roger de Quincy Earl of Winchester in England and his Niece by a Son brought the same Title unto Henry de Beaumont her Husband for he in King Edward the Third his days had his place in the Parliament of England by the name of Earl of Buquhan Afterwards Alexander Stuart Son to King Robert the Second was Earl of this place unto whom succeeded John a younger Son of Robert Duke of Albany who arriving in France with seven thousand Scottish men to aid Charles the Seventh King of France bare himself valiantly and performed singular good Service against the Englishmen and that with so great Commendation as having victoriously slain Thomas Duke of Clarence Brother to Henry the Fifth King of England at Baugie and discomfited the English he was made Constable of France But in the third year following when the fortune of War turned he with other most valiant Knights to wit Archibald Dowglass Earl of Wigton and Duke of Tourain c. was vanquished at Vernoil by the English and there slain Whom notwithstanding as that Poet said aeternum memorabit Gallia cives Grata suos titulos quae dedit tumulos France thankfully will ay recount As Citizens of her own On whom both Titles glorious And Tombs she hath bestown And whereas under the Kings K. Charles the Sixth and Seventh France was preserved and Aquitain recovered by thrusting out the English the Frenchmen cannot chuse but acknowledge themselves much beholden to the fidelity and fortitude of the Scots But afterwards King James the First gave the Earldom of Buquhan unto George of Dumbar moved thereto upon pity and commiseration because he had deprived him before of the Earldom of March by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Crime and not long after James the Son of James Stuart of Lorn sirnamed the Black-Knight whom he had by Queen Joan Sister to the Duke of Somerset and Widow to King James the 1st obtained this Honour and left it to his Posterity but for default of Heirs-male it came by a Daughter marryed to Robert Dowglass a younger Brother of Dowglass of Lochlevin to the Family of the Dowglasses and so to James Ereskin eldest Son of the Earl of Marr Thesaurer by his second Wife Daughter to Esme Duke of Lennox of whom is descended the present Earl From Buquhan as the Shore bendeth backward and turneth full into the North lyeth Boena and Bamff a small Sheriffdom also Ajuza a little Territory of no especial account and Rothamay Castle the dwelling place of the Barons of Salton sirnamed Abernethy Beneath these lyeth Sirathbolgy that is the Vale by Bolgy the Habitation in times past of the Earls of Athol who of it assumed their sirname but now the principle Seat of Marquess of Huntly For this Title King James the Sixth conferred upon George Gordon Earl of Huntly Lord Gordon and Badzenoth a man of great Honour and Reputation for his ancient nobleness of Birth and the multitude of his Dependants and Followers whose Ancestors descended from the Setons by Parliamentary Authority took the Name of Gordon when as Sir Alexander Seton had taken to Wife the Daughter of Sir John Gordon Knight by whom he had a large and rich Inheritance and received the Honour of the Earl of Huntly at the hands of King James the Second in the year 1445 his Successor George Marquess of Huntly was by King Charles the Second about the year 1683 created Duke of Gordon In this Shire also did reside the Ogilvies of Findlater of whom Walter Ogilvie was by King James the Sixth created Lord Deskford and in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 he is Ranked immediatly after the Lord Cranstoun and before the Lords Melvil Carnegy and Ramsey his Son James was created Earl of Findlater by King Charles the First anno 1633 who marryed his Daughter and Heiress to Ogilvie of Inch-martine in Perth Shire an ancient Family of that sirname the Son of the Marriage is James now Earl of Findlater who doth compet with the Earl of Airly both for the Antiquity of his Family and Precedency as an Earl his second Son Sir James Ogilvie is designed of Ogilvie from a Barony which belonged to their Family purchased by him he is his Majesties Sollicitor and a Member of this present Parliament for the Royal Burgh of Cullen In this Shire Ogilvie of Dunlaguse afterward designed Sir George Ogilvie of Bamff Baronet descended of the Ogilvies of Boyn also in this Shire who are Cadets of Findlater was by King Charles the First anno 1639 created Lord Bamff whose Successor is George Lord Bamff Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth in Right of his Mother Abernethy Daughter to the Lord Saltoun was by Grant of King Charles the Second declared Lord Saltoun and approven in Parliament 1670 upon the death of Alexander Abernethy last Lord Saltoun of that sirname whose Grand-child is William Fraser now Lord Saltoun he carries the Arms of Abernethy quartered with the Arms of Fraser His Majesty hath nominat the forementioned Sir James Ogilvie Sheriff of Bamff CHAP. XXXI MORAVIA Or MVRRAY THe Vacomagi remembred by Ptolomy anciently inhabited on the
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
Bodotria E. Forth Tantallon * B. Royal. V. Fenton E. Dirltoun V. Belhaven L. Belhaven Soland Geese which seem to be Plinies Picarniae E. Winton E. Dumfermling V. Kingstoun The Shire of Edinburgh L. Borthwick E. Lothian L. Cronstoun V. Oxenford V. Prestoun L. Dalhousie L. Naper * Procurator * Votum susceptum solvit lubens merito Apollo Granus Edinburgh the Metrapolitan City L. Holy-rud-house L. Ballenden L. Cameron L. Cramond L. Forrester Oppidum Eden Leith V. New-Haven The Shire of Linlithgow * B. Royal. E. Abercorn Blackness B. Royal. E. Linlithgow L. Torphichen Hoptoun Liddesdale L. Bothwel This Stewarttry lyes in Dumfreis Shire B. Royal. B Royal L. Annandale E. Carrick V. Annan E. Annandale Murray E. Hartfield E. Annandale Johnstoun The Shire of Dumfreis B. Royal. E. Dumfreis D. Queensberry L. Tothorwald B. Royal. E. Morton E. Nithsdale L. Hereis Glencairn The behaviour of Scotish Borderers Galloway The Stewartrie of Kirkcudbright B. Royal. L. Kirkcudbright V. Kenmore B. Royal. The Shire of Wigton B. Royal. E. Wigtoun Leucopibia B. Royal. * O 〈…〉 piers Hern a House or Habitation B. Royal. Lords of Galloway Constable of Scotland E. Galloway The Shire of Air. Baillairy of Carrick Berigonium Bargeny E. Cassils L. Bargenie Earls of Carrick Book of Melrosse Stuart E. Carrick The Shire of Air Kings-kyle and Kyle-stewart B. Royal. L. Uchiltrie V. Stair E. Dundonald The Shire of Air. Baillarie of Cunninghame E. Lowdoun E. Kilmarnock B. Royal. E. Irwine V. Irwine E. Eglington E. Glencairn Rothsay Castle B. Royal. Sheriff of Bute E Crawford L. Somervel E. Carnwath Douglasse E. Dowglasse M. Dowglass L. Carmichael B. Royal. Ballendens Translation of Boetius Hist. Book 12. Chap. 5. D. Hamilton E. Bothwel L. Blantyre B. Royal. B. Royal. Shire of Renfrew B. Royal. L. Cathcart L. Darnley L. Ross. L. Pasley L. Semple L. Glasford L. Areskine Walter the Son of Allan Dapifer Regis Founder of the Abbacy of Pasley Allan Dapifer Chronica de Melross Fordon Walter Stewart and Justiciar of Scotland Chron. de Melross Alexander Stewart of Scotland James Stewart of Scotland Prinns Hist. page 649. anno 24. Ed. 1. Sir John Stuart of Bute Walter Stuart of Scotland Robert Stuart of Scotland E. of Strathern K. R. 2. The Shire of Dunbarton Al-Cluyd B. Royal. R. Hoveden Earls of Lennox A Troop of Scots in France D. Lennox Lords of Aubigny Paradine E. Dunbarton The Shire of Stirling God Terminus God Terminus Aug. de Civ Dei l. 4. c. 29. The Wall of Antoninus Pius * Cohors prima Hamiorum Ninius Abereorn Grahams dyke Duni-Pacis V. Kilsyth Arthurs Oven Corta Damniorum Buchananus Scotus E. Callender E. Wigtoun L. Elphingstoun B. Royal. Battle of Banock-burn Alauna E. Stirling Caledon Forrest Ulysses his Altar Caledonian Bears Caledonian Bulls Galgacus the Brittain * Triadum Argetocoxus The Shires of Clackmannan and Kinross Shire of Fife B. Royal. L. Colvil E. Kincardine B. Royal. E. Dumferming B. Royal. E. Kinghorn B. Royal. E. Dysert L. Sinclar E. Levin E. Weyms L. Burntisland B. Royal B. Royal V. Falkland B. Royal. L. Balmerinoch L. Lindoris L. Balvaird E. Fife * Colpindach◠E. Rothes D. Rothes L. Burghly E. Melvil E. Belcarrras E. Kelly E. Newburgh L. Abercromby L. New-wark Burghs Royal In Perth-shire E. Perth L. Maderty V. Strathallan M. Athol L. Oliphant E. Kinnoul L. Innermeth Stuart Earl of Strathern L. Doun V. Dumblain L. Rollo Earls of Monteith Graham E. of Monteith Graham E. of Strathern E. Monteith or Airth M. Montross L. Cardross Inscription of Macduffs Cross. The Shire of Argile E. Argile E. Melfort B. Royal. In the Shire of Argile L. Kintyre In the Shire of Argyle Lochaber Lib 3 cap 4 Bed Hist Ecclesiast S. G Mackenzie against St Asaph and Dr Stillingfleet In Perth Shire D of Albanie Earl of Braid-albine The Shire of Perth Earl Athol Marquess Athol Earl Dunmore Lord Nairn Burgh-Royal Lord Dunkell Gillichrankie Burgh-Royal L. Methven E. Gowry L. Ruthven V. Stormonth E. Arrol L. Kinnaird The Shire of Forfar E. Kinghorn E. Strathmore B. Royal. L. Gray L. Forfar E. Forfar B. Royal. Hector Boetius E. Dundee V. Dundee B. Royal. * Red-head a Promontory E Southesk E Ethie E Northesk B Royal. E Panmure B Royal. M Montross E Airlie E Angus Douglass E Angus L Couper The Shire of Kincardin Dunnotyr Castle E Mareschal John de Fordon St Palladius V Arbuthnet L Halcartoun E Middletoun B Royal See Chap 8 pag 49 * Tacitus vit Agric c 22 Tertius expeditionis annus novas gentes aperuit vastatis usque ad Taum aestuarii nomen est nationibus Agricola in fines Horestorum exercitum deducit ibi acceptis obsidibus praefecto circumvehi Britanniam praecepit c. Sir George Mckenzies Answer to the B of St Asaph pag 77. 78 79 In the Shire of Aherdene E Mar L Forbois * B Royal * Bede and our Writers called them in Latin Isicii Earls of Marr. L Pitsligo L Fraser E Kintore B Royal. B. Royal. B Royal. E Aberdeen V Aboyn E Aboyn V Frendraught L Ythan In the Shire of Aberdeen Cummin E. of Buchan Stuart E. of Buchan Ereskin E. of Buchan In the Shire of Bamff * B Royal. L. Abernethy of Salton D Gordon E Findlater B Royal. L Bamff L Saltoun Fraser The Shire of Elgin E Rothes B Royal. B Royal. Dumbar of Westfield Sheriff of Murray L Spenzie E Elgin L Duffus B Royal and Shire of Nairn B Royal. The Shire of Iuverness E Murray Dumbar E. of Murray Stuart Earl of Murray In the Shire of Inverness Banquho Thane of Loquhabre L Macdonald The Shire of Ross. L Ardmannoch L Lovat B Royal. E Seaforth The Shire of Cromarty V Tarbat Earls of Ross. B Royal. L Dingwal B Royal. The Shire of Sutherland Earls of Sutherland B Royal. The Shire of Caithness B. Royal. E. Caithness E. Caithness In the Shire of Sutherland L. Rae The Stewartry of Orknay E. Orknay B. Royal. The Western Isles * Selkirk * Kelso
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