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
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
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
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
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
anno 1661 in the year 1678 he was by the same King appointed Justice General and thereafter in the year 1681 constitute Lord Register and continued in that Office during the Reign of King Charles the Second and King James the Seventh and in the year 1685 was created Viscount of Tarbat Lord Mcleod and Castle-haven and is present Lord Register to his Majesty King William and he having purchased the Lands of Cromartie and Sheriffship thereof procured the enlargement of this Shire by Act of Parliament as did Sir William Bruce the Shire of Kinross Above it is Littus Altum whereof Ptolomy maketh mention called now as it seemeth Tarharth for there indeed the Shore riseth to a great hight enclosed on the one side with Cromer a most secure and safe Haven and on the other with Colnius now Killian the River and thus much of the places toward the East Ocean Into the West Sea the River Longus mentioned in Ptolomy at this day named Lough Longus runneth then the Cerones anciently dwelt where now is Assinshire a Country much mangled with many In-lets and Arms of the Sea inbosoming it self with manifold Commodities As for the Earls of Ross it is full of difficulty to set them down in order successively out of Writers In the Reign of King Alexander the Second we read that Ferquhard flourished and enjoyed this Title but for default of issue Male it came by a Daughter to Walter Lesly who for his noble feats of Arms courageously atchieved under Lewis the Emperour was worthily named the Nohle Knight he begat Alexander Earl of Ross and a Daughter married unto Donald Lord of the Islands Hebrides This Alexander had issue one only Daughter who made over by her Deed all her own Title and Right unto Robert Duke of Albany whereat the said Donald of the Islands being highly incensed and repining Stiled himself in the Reign of James the Third King of the Islands and Earl of Ross having with Fire and Sword laid waste his native Country far and near At length the said King James the 3d by Authority of Parliament in the year 1476 annexed the Earldom of Ross to the Crown leaving only to him the Title of Lord of the Isles so as it might not be lawful for his Successors to alienat by any means from the Crown either the Earldom it self or any parcel thereof or by any device to grant the same unto any person save only to the Kings second Sons lawfully born and so Charles afterward King during the Life-time of his elder Brother Prince Henry enjoyed the Title of Earl of Ross. This Country hath lately been erected in a Sheriffdom the Sheriffship whereof is at the Kings disposal and David Ross of Balnagoun is present Sheriff lineally descended of Hugh Ross of Rarichies lawful Son to Hugh Earl of Ross and Brother to Earl William the last of that sirname and to Eupham Queen of Scotland Dingwal was the Seat of the Earls of Ross and is now a Burgh Royal. Andrew Keith one of the Commissioners sent anno 1589 to treat a Marriage betwixt King James the Sixth and Anna then Princess of Denmark afterwards Queen was created Lord Dingwal In the Rolls of Parliament 1621 the Lord Dingwal is Ranked after the Lord Holy-rud-house and before the Lord Garleis who behoved to be of a latter Creation I suppose of the sirname of Preston of the Family of Craigmiller of whom perhaps the Duke of Ormond is descended In this Shire is also Tayn a Burgh Royal. CHAP XXXIV SUTHERLAND BEyond Ross Sutherland looketh toward the East Ocean a Land more meet to breed Cattel than to bear Corn wherein there be Hills of white Marble a wonderful thing in this so cold a Climat but of no use almost considering excess in Building and that vain ostentation of Riches is not yet reached to these remote Regions Here is Dunrobin a Castle of very great Name the principal Seat of the ancient Earls of Sutherland descended of the Family of Murray among whom one William under King Robert Bruce is most famous who married the Sister of the whole Blood to King David and had by her a Son whom the said David declared Heir Apparent of the Crown and compelled his Nobles to swear unto him Alledgeance but he within a little after departed without Issue and the Earldom in the end came by a Daughter and Heir hereditarily unto Adam Gordon one of the Line of the Earls of Huntly of whom is descended George present E. of Sutherland this Dignity by the Decreet of Ranking anno 1606 being placed after the Earls of Argile Crawford Errol and Marshal the Earls of Sutherland have quarrelled that Ranking and claimed Precedency of these other Earls by Citations in Processes Protestations in Parliament in the last Session of Parl. 1693 the said E. did by Petition apply to the Parliament to have his Precedency declared which was remitted to be judged by the Lords of Session before whom the Process at his Instance against these Earls is depending This Country was in the year 1633 Erected in a Sheriff-ship to belong heretably to the Earls of Sutherland who also have there the Jurisdiction of Justiciar and Admiral and because there are but few of the Heretors who hold of the King and not of the Earl by particular Priviledge they are allowed to Choise their Commissioners to represent them in Parliament such as are not free Tennents holding of the King but only Vassals holding of the Earl Dornock is now become a Burgh Royal and Seat of the Sheriff CHAP. XXXV CATHANES HIgher lyeth Cathanes butting full upon the said East Sea bending inward with a number of Creiks and Compasses which the Waves as it were indent in which dwelt in Ptolomy's time the Catini but written falsly in some Copies Carini among whom the self fame Ptolomy placeth the River Ila which may seem to be the Wifle at this day The Inhabitants of this Province raised their greatest Gain and Revenues by Grazing and raising of Cattel and by Fishing the chief Castle therein is called Girnego in which the Earls of Caithness for the most part make there abode the Bishops See is in Dornock a little mean Town otherwise where also King James the Fourth appointed the Sheriff of Caithness to reside or else at Wike as Occasions shall require for the Administration of Justice The Earls of Caithness in antient times were also Earls of the Orcades but at last they became distinct and by the eldest Daughter of one Malise given in Marriage to William Sinclar the Kings Pantler his Heirs successively came to be Earls of Caithness and do still enjoy the same Honour of whom is descended George now Earl of Caithness The Earl of Braid-Albion having purchased the greatest part of the Estate of Caithness is Sheriff of this Shire CHAP. XXXVI STRATH-NANERN THe utmost and farthest Coast of all Britain which
Act of Parliament King James the First from general appearances in Parliament to which they were formerly lyable and allowed to send their Commissioners to represent them yet if this Act was ever observed it was long in desuetude till revived in the Parliament 1587 Since which time the Free-holders of the Shires under the Degrees of Peers have sent their Commissioners to represent themselves and their Vassals in Parliament To supply these Alterations it was necessar that more should be Created Lords of Parliament to come in proper Right and as representing these holding their Lands of them as the Bishops and Abbots did for themselves and their Vassals in right of their Baronies which they held immediatly of the Crown and Bishops being again supprest as well as Abbots and Priors whose Lands are possest by the Peers or Free-holders or their Vassals the great number of Peers is still more reasonable whereof the half do never appear in Parliament by reason of Minority or as being Females or being otherways Legally incapacitat or hindered to take place there and also the Addition of Twenty six Members by a late Act of Parliament to the representation of the Barons did make a just Ballance the Free-holders representing a great part of the Property of the Nation It is to be remembred that of those Dignities noted as Extinct some of them do stand in the Rolls of Parliament their Honours being lately enjoyed and the Rolls not altered but by special Warrand To the Treatise is subjoyned a List of the Nobility with their Sirnames and the Titles of such of their eldest Sons who are Lords and of the other Members of this Current Parliment Commissioners for Shires and Burghs Royal and a second Alphabetical Table of these whom the Publisher observed to have been created or to have used at anytime the Titles or Dignities of Lords Viscounts Earls Marquesses and Dukes and a Table of the Abbacies Priories especially these who were Conventual once a part constituent of our Parliament with a List of the Presbytries Synods and Commissariots not specified in the Treatise These are the few Things with which the Publisher thought fit to advertise the Reader Farewel A DESCRIPTION OF Scotland CHAP. I. The Division of SCOTLAND THe North part of the Island of Britain was of old time inhabited throughout by the Picts who were divided into two Nations the Dicalidonii and Vecturiones of whom the Author did speak out of Ammianus Marcellinus But when the Scots became Lords and Rulers over all this part it was shared into seven parts among seven Princes as we find in a little ancient Pamphlet touching the division of Scotland in these words and old Name The first part contained Enegus and Maern The second Atheodl and Goverin The third Stradeern and Meneted The fourth was Forthever The fifth Mar with Buchan The sixth Muref and Ros. The seventh Cathanes which Mound a Mountain in the midst divideth running on forward from the West Sea to the East Then afterwards the same Author reporteth according to the Relation of Andrew Bishop of Cathanes that the whole Kingdom was divided likewise into seven Territories The first from Erith in the British tongue called by the Romans Worid now Scotwade to the River Tae The second to Hilef according as the Sea fetcheth a compass to a Mountain in the Northeast part of Sirivelin named Athran The third from Hilef to Dee The fourth from Dee to the River Spe. The fifth from Spe to the Mountain Brunalban The sixth Mures and Ros. The seventh the Kingdom Argathel as it were the border and skirt of the Scots who were so called of Gathelgas their Captain Also according to the Habitation of the People Scotland is now divided into Highland-men and Lawland-men These being more civil use the English Language and Apparel the other which are rude and unruly speak Irish and go apparelled Irish-like Out of this division the Borderers are excluded because by reason of Peace shining now upon them on every side by a blessed and happy Union they are to be ranged reckoned in the very heart and midst of the British Empire as who begin to be weary of Wars and to acquaint themselves with the delightful benefits of Peace Moreover according to the Situation and Position of the places the whole Kingdom is divided into two parts the South on this side the River Tay and the North beyond Tay besides a number of Islands lying round about In the South part these Countries are more remarkable than the rest Tiviotdale Merch Lauden Liddesdale Eskedale Annandale Niddasdale Galloway Carrick Kyle Cunningham Arran Clidesdale Lennox Stirling Fife Strathern Menteith Argile Cantire Lorn In the North part are reckoned these Countries Loquabrea Braidalbin Perth Atbol Angus Merns Marr Buquhan Murray Rosse Sutherland Cathanes Strathnavern These are subdivided again according to theiâ— civil Government into Counties called Sheriffdoms Seneschalsies commonly Stewartries and Bailliwicks or Bailliaries whereof a List shall be subjoyned as they now are and in the Order they stand in the Rolls of Parliament As touching the Administration of the divine City and Common-wealth which we term the Church likeas the Bishops in all the world besides had no certain Dioeceses before that Dionysius Bishop of Rome about the year 268. did set out Dioeceses for Bishops so the Bishops of Scotland executed their Episcopal Functions in what place soever they came indifferently and without distinction untill the time of King Malcolm the third that is about the year of our Redemption 1070 at which time the Dioeceses were confined within their Bounds and Limits Afterwards in process of time this Hierarchie or Ecclesiestical government was established in Scotland Two Archbishops one of Saint Andrews the other of Glasgow whereof the former is counted Primat of all Scotland under whom there be eight Bishopricks Dunkeld Aberdene Murray Dunblan Brechin Rosse Cathanes Orkney Under the Archbishop of Glasgow there be only three Candida Casa or Galloway Lismore or Argile The Isles or Sodorensis Episc. Edinburgh was erected an Episcopal See 1633 by K. Ch. 1. Suffragan to the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and hath place of Dunkeld By the 3d. Act of the 1st Session of this current Parliament the Estate of Bishops being the third Estate of Parliament is abolished By the fifth Act of the second Session Presbyterian Church Government was settled and the Nobility which did consist of the great Barons or Lords or the lesser Barons or Free-holders is divided in two Estates so that by the third Act of the second Session of the same Parliament the three Estates are declared to be the Lords of Parliament designed the Nobility the Barons or Commissioners from Shires designed the Gentlemen and the Commissioners from Burghs designed the Burgesses CHAP. II. The States or Degrees of SCOTLAND THe Republick or Common-wealth of the Scots like as that of Englishmen consisteth of a King the Nobility or Gentry and Commons The King
to use the words of the Record is Directus totius Dominus that is The direct Lord of the whole Domain or Dominion and hath Royal Authority and Jurisdiction over all the States and Degrees as well Ecclesiastical as Lay or Temporal Next unto the King is his eldest Son who is called Prince of Scotland and by a peculiar Right Duke of Rothsay and Seneschal or Steward of Scotland But all the rest of the Kings Children are named simply Princes Among the Nobles the greatest and most honourable were in old time The Thanes that is those who were enobled only by the Office which they administred For the word in the ancient English Saxon Tongue signifieth The Kings Minister Of these they of the superior place were called Abthanes the inferior Vnder Thanes But these Names by little and little grew out of use ever since that King Malcolm the third conferred the Titles of Earls and Barons after the manner received from the English upon Noblemen of good good deâ—â—â—â—â— In process of time new Titles of Honours were much taken up and Scotland as well as England hath had Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons As for the Title of Duke the first that brought it into Scotland was King Robert the third about the year of Salvation 1400. Likeas the honourable Titles of Marquess and Viscount were first brought in by King JAMES the sixth These are counted Nobles of the higher degree and have both place and voice in the Parliament and by a special Name are called Lords likeas also the Bishops Among the Nobles of a lower degree in the first place are ranked Knights who verily are dubbed with greater solemnity than in any other place throughout all Europe by taking of an Oath and are proclaimed by the publick voice of an Herauld In the year 1621 was instituted the Hereditary Order of Knight Baronet for advancing the Plantation of Nova-Scotia in America with Precedency of all ordinary Knights Lesser Barons or Lairds Of which Order there is a great Number but the ancient Great Lairds Chiefs of Clans or Families have not generally yielded Precedency to them Of a second sort are they who are termed Lairds and Barons among whom none were reckoned in old time but such as held immediatly from the King Lands in Chief and had jus furcarum that is power to Hang c. In the third place are all such as being descended from worshipful Houses and not honoured with any special Dignity be termed Gentlemen All the rest as Citizens Merchants Artisans c. are reputed among the Commons CHAP. III. The Judicatories or Courts of Justice THe supreme Court as well for Dignity as Authority is accounted the Assembly of the States of the Kingdom which is called by the very same Name as it is in England A Parliament and hath the same very power as absolute It consisteth of three States of Lords Spiritual namely Bishops Abbots and Priors and of Lords Temporal to wit Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons and Commissioners for Cities and Burghs Unto whom were adjoyned not long since for every County or Shire also two Commissioners And by the 11th Act of the second Session of this current Parliament certain Shires and the Stewartrie of Kirkcudbright therein enumerat according to the largeness and extent of the Lands are allowed an additional Representation of Commissioners in Parliament whereby the greater Shires are allowed four some Shires three and in the Stewartrie of Kirkcudbright two Commissioners As will appear clearly by the List of Parliament subjoyned It is appointed and solemnly called by the King at his pleasure at a certain set time before it be holden When these States abovesaid are assembled and the causes of their assembly delivered by the King his Commissioner or Chancellor the Lords Spiritual chuse out apart by themselves eight of the Lords Temporal as also the Lords Temporal make choise of as many out of the Lords Spiritual then the same all joyntly together nominat eight of the Commissioners for the Counties and as many of the Commissioners for the free Burghs regal which make up in all the number of thirty two And then these Lords of the Articles so they are termed together with the Chancellor Treasurer Keeper of the Privy Seal Kings Secretary c. do admit or reject every Bill proposed unto the States after they have been first imparted unto the King or his Commissioner Being allowed by the whole Assembly of the States they are throughly weighed examined such of them as pass by the greater number of Voices are exhibited unto the King or his Commissioner who by touching them with the Scepter pronounceth that he either ratifieth approveth them or disableth and maketh the same void· But if any thing dislike the King it is razed out before This Method of the Lords of Articles is altered by the 3d. Act of the first Session of this current Parliament whereby the Committee of Parliament is abrogated and the Parliament to appoint Committees of what Number they please being alike of Noblemen Barons and Burgâ—sses to be chosen out of each Estate by it self for preparing all Motions and overtures first made in the House and that the Parliament may alter the said Committees at their pleasure or conclude upon matters proponed before them in plain Parliament without Committees and that in the Committes some of the Officers of State may be present by their Majesties or their Commissioners appointment who is freely to propose and debate allennerly but not to Vote By Act of Parliament 1617 the Officers of State are restricted to the number of Eight including the Master of Requests beside the Chancellor who by his Office is President of the Parliament Since the Restauration of King Ch. 2d there hath been no Master of Requests but frequently two Secretaries and there hath been also Debate amongst the lesser Officers of State and especially between the Thesaurer-Depute and the others concerning their Precedency but at present by Order the Thesaurer-Deput is ranked after the Advocat and before the Justice-Clerk The second Court or next unto the Parliament is the Colledge of Justice or Session which King James the fifth Parl. 5. Art 36. 40. and 41. anno 1532. instituted after the form of the parliament of Paris consisting of a President fourteen Senatours seven of the Clergy and as many of the Laitie unto whom is adjoyned the Lord Chancellor who being present is to have Vote and be Principal of the said Council And sickâ—ike other Lords as shall please the Kings Grace to injoyn to them of his great Council to have vote sicklike to the number of three or four By vertue whereof the King uses to adjoyn besides the Chancellor four of the Nobility or Lords of Parliament who are called Extraordinar Lords and are not counted of the Quorum of the Nine which must be of the Ordinar Lords The Distinction of half Spiritual half
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
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
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
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
But Antoninus Pius who being adopted by Hadrian bare his name stiled thereupon Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius under the conduct of Lollius Vrbicus whom he had sent hither Lieutenant repelled the northern Enemies back again beyond Bodotria or Edinburgh Firth and that by raising another Wall of Turff namely besides that of Hadrianus as Capitolinus writeth which Wall that it was reared in this very place whereof I now speak and not by Severus as it is commonly thought I will produce no other Witnesses than two ancient Inscriptions digged up here of which the one fastned in the Wall of an house at Calder belonging to the Laird of Keir Chief of the sir-name of Stirling near to the place where the Wall was built sheweth how the second Legion Augusta set up the Wall for the space of three Miles and more the other now in the house of the Earl Marshal at Dunnotire which implyeth that a Band of the twentieth Legion Victrix raised the Wall three Miles long But see here the very Inscriptions themselves as Servatius Riheley a Gentleman of Silesia who curiously travailled these Countries copied them out for the Author Camden IMP. CAESARI T. AELIO HADRIANO ANTONINO AUG PIO P. P. VEXILLATIO LEG XX. VAL. VIC F. PER. MIL. P. III. IMP. CAES. TIT. IO AELIO HADRIANO ANTON AUG PIO P. P. LEG II. AUG PER. M. P. III. D. CIX VIS. At Calder where this latter Inscription is extant there is another Stone also erected by the second Legion Augusta wherein within a Lawrel Garland supported by two little Images resembling Victory are these Letters LEG II AVG. FEC And in a Village called Miniabruch out of a Ministers house there was removed this Inscription into a Gentlemans house which is there new built out of the Ground D. M. C. JULI MARCELLINI PRAEF COH I. HAMIOR But when the northern Nations in the Reign of Commodus having passed once over the Wall had made much waste and spoil in the Country the Emperor Severus repaired this Wall of Hadrian Howbeit afterwards the Romans brought oft-times the Country lying between under their subjection For Ninius hath recorded that Carausius under Dioclesian strengthened this Wall another time and fortified it with seven Castles Lastly the Romans fenced this place when Theodosius the younger was Emperor under the conduct of Gallio of Ravenna Now saith Bede they made a Turff Wall rearing it not so much with Stone as with Turfs as having no cunning Artificer for so great a piece of Work and the same to no use between two Firths or Arms of the Sea for many miles in length that where the fense of Water was wanting there by the help of a Wall they might defend there Borders from the Invasion of enemies of which work that is to say a very broad and high Wall a man may see to this day most certain and evident Remains This Wall began as is generally believed at the River Aven that goeth into Edinburgh Firth and having passed over the River of Carron reacheth unto Dunbarton but Bede affirmeth that it beginneth in a place called Pen-vael that is in the Picts Language as much as the head of the Wall in the Brittains tongue Pen-Gual in English Penwalton in Scottish Cevall all which names no doubt are derived from Vallum in Latine and he saith that place is almost two Miles from Abercurvig or Abercurving and it endeth as the common Sort think at Kirk-Patrick the native Soil as some write of Saint Patrick the Irish-mens Apostle near unto Clyde according to Bede at Al. cluid after Ninius at the City Pen Aloloyt which may seem all one Now this Wall is commonly called Grahams Dyke either of Graham a Warlike Scot whose Valour was especially seen when the breach was made through it or else of the Hill Grampie at the foot whereof it stood The Author of Rota Temporum calleth it the Wall of Aber. corneth that is of the mouth of the River Corneth where in Bedes time there was a famous Monasterie standing as he hath recorded upon English Ground but near unto that Firth or Arm of the Sea which in those days severed the Lands of the English and the Picts Hard by this Wall of Turff what way as the River Carron crosseth this Sheriffdom of Stirling toward the left hand are seen two Mounts cast up by mans hand which they call Duni-pacis that is Knolls of peace Near to this place is Kilsyth which belonged to an ancient Cadet of the Family of the Livingstons who in the year 1606 was a Lord of the Session and his Successor was by King Charles the Second in the year 1661 created Viscount of Kilsyth which Dignity his Son now enjoyeth here the Marquess of Montross obtained a signal Victory And almost two Miles lower there is an ancient round Building four and twenty Cubits high and thirteen broad open in the Top framed of rough Stone without Lime having the upper part of every Stone so tenanted into the nether as that the whole work still rising narrow by a mutual interlacing and clasping upholdeth it self Some call this the Temple of God Terminus others Arthurs-Oven who father every stately and sumptuous thing upon Arthur Others again Julius Hoff and suppose it to have been built by Julius Cesar. But I would think rather that Julius Agricola built it who fortified this frontier part were it not that Ninius hath already informed us that it was erected by Carausius for a triumphal Arch. For he as Ninius writeth built upon the Bank of Carron a round house of polished Stone erecting a triumphal Arch in memorial of a victory he re-edified also the Wall and strengthened it with seven Castles The mid space between Duni-pacis and this Building on the right hand Bank of Carron there is yet to be discerned a confused face of a little ancient City where the vulgar people believeth there was sometimes a Road for Ships who call it Camelot by a name that is rise in King Arthurs book and they contend but all in vain to have it that Camalodunum which Tacitus mentioneth But it would seem rather by the name of the River Carron running underneath to have been Corta Damniorum which Ptolomy mentioneth in this Tract And now take with you that which George Buchanan that excellent Poet wrot of the limit of the Roman Empire at Carron Roma securigeris praetendit maenia Scotis Hic spe progressus posita Carronis ad undam Terminus Ausonii signat divertia regni 'Gainst warlike Scots with Axes armed A mighty frontier Wall The Romans rais'd and limit there Which Terminus they call Near Carron Stream now past all hope More Brittish ground to gain Marks out the Roman Empires end Whence they to turn were fain In this Territory of Stirling on the East side there sheweth it self Castle Callender belonging to the Barons of Livingstoun which with the Lands of Almond were purchased by James second
small River coming out of Athol This Athol that I may digress a little out of my way is infamous for Witches and wicked Women the Countrey otherwise fertile enough hath Valleys bespread with Forrests namely where that Wood Caledonia dreadful to see for the sundry turnings and windings in and out therein for the hideous horrour of dark Shades for the Burrows and Dens of Wild Bulls with thick Manes whereof I made mention heretofore extended it self in old time far and wide every way in these parts As for the Places herein they are of no great account but the Earls thereof are very memorable Thomas a younger Son of Rolland of Galloway was in his Wives Right Earl of Athol whose Son Patrick was by the Bissets his Concurrents Murdered in Feud at Had dingtoun in his Bed-chamber and forthwith the whole House wherein he Lodged burnt that it might be supposed he perished by casualty of Fire To the Earldom there succeeded David Hastings who had Married the Aunt by the Mothers side of Patrick whose Son that David surnamed of Strathbogie may seem to be who a little after in the Reign of Henry the third King of England being Earl of Athol married one of the Daughters and Heirs of Richard base Son to John King of England and had with her a very goodly inheritance in England She bare unto him two Sons John Earl of Athol who being of a variable disposition and untrusty was hanged up aloft on a Gallows fifty Foot high and David Earl of Athol unto whom by Marriage with one of the Daughters and Heirs of John Cummin of Badzenoth by one of the Heirs of Aumer de Valence Earl of Pembroch there fell great Lands and Possessions His Son David who under King Edward the second was other whiles amongst English summoned to the Parliaments in England and under King Edward Baliol made Lord Lieutenant General of Scotland was vanquished by the valerous Prowess of Andrew de Murray and slain in Battel within the Forrest of Kelblen in the year of our Lord 1335 And his Son David left two young Daughters only Elisabeth Wedded unto Sir Thomas Piercy from whom the Barons of Burrough are descended and Philip Married to Sir Thomas Halsham an English Knight Then fell the Title of Athol unto that Walter Stuart Son to King Robert the second who cruelly Murdered James the first King of Scotland who for this execrable cruelty suffered most condign punishment accordingly in so much as Aeneas Sylvius Ambassadour at that time in Scotland from Pope Eugenius the fourth gave out this Speech That he could not tell whether he should give them greater commendations that revenged the Kings Death or brand them with sharper Censure of Condemnation that distained themselves with so hainous a Paricide After some few years passed between this honour was granted unto John Stuart of the Family of Lorn the Son of James surnamed The Black Knight by Joan the Widow of King James the first Daughter to John Earl of Somerset and Niece to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster whose posterity at this day enjoy the same The eldest son of Tullibardine being descended of the Stuarts of Athol whose successor is John Marquess of Athol as hath been said Lord Charles Murray second Son to the Marquess of Athol was by King James the seventh Created Earl of Dunmore and Sir Robert Nairn of Straâ—hurd one of the Lords of Session was by King Charles the second about the year 1681. Created Lord Nairn his only Daughter to be Married to a younger Son of the Marquess of Athols by vertue whereof William Lord Murray is now Lord Nairn The Marquess of Athol is Heretable Sheriff of Perth This River is increased by receiving the River of Braâ—n which having given name to a Strath through which it passeth loseth its name by augmenting of Tau at Dunkeld which was adorned by King David the first with an Episcopal See Sir James Galloway Master of Requests to King James the sixth and King Charles the first was by the latter Created Lord Dunkell about the year 1646. whose Grand Child is Forfeited for opposing their Majesties in the Highlands by force of Arms. In these bounds lyes Gillichrankie a place remarkâ—ble for the Defeat of the Kings Forces under the Command of General Major Mckay by the late Viscount of Dundee and his Associats but himself was killed in the Action which fell out the 27th of July 1689. Most Writers grounding upon the signification of that Word suppose Dunkeld to be a Town of the Caledonians and interpret it The Mount or Hill of Hazeles as who would have that name given unto it of the Hazel-trees in the Wood Caledonia from hence the Tau passeth forward to the old Castle of Kincleiven where it is much augmented by the River Ila a very pleasant and large River and thence goeth downward by the Carcass of Bertha a little desolat City remembring well enough what a great loss and calamity he brought upon it in times past when with an extraordinary swelling Floud he surrounded all the Fields laid the goodly standing Corn along on the Ground and carried headlong away with him this poor City with the Kings Child and Infant in his Cradle and the Inhabitants therein In steed whereof in a more commodious place King William builded Perth which straightways became so wealthy that Necham who lived in that age versified of it in this manner Transis ample Tai per rura per oppida per Perth Regnum sustentant istius urbis opes By Villages by Towns by Perth thou runn'st great Tay amain The Riches of this City Perth doth all the Realm sustain But the posterity ensuing call it of a Church founded in honour of Saint John Saint Johns Town and the English whiles the Wars were hot between the Bruces and the Balliols Fortified it with great Bulwarks which the Scots afterwards for the most part overthrew and disman led it themselves Howbeit it is a proper pretty City pleasantly seated between two Greens and for all that some of the Churches be destroyed yet a goodly shew it maketh ranged and set out in such an uniform manner that in every several Street almost there dwell several Artificers by themselves and the River Tau bringeth up with the Tide Sea Commodities by Lighters King James the sixth having erected it to the Title of an Earldom Created James Baron Drummond Earl of Perth of whom in Strathern Unto Perth these places are near Neighbours Methven near to which runneth the river of Almond which passing downward falleth in Tau near to the place where the antient Town of Bertha stood Margaret an English Lady Widow unto King James the fourth purchased Methven with ready Money for her third Husband Henry Stuart descended of the Royal Blood and for his Heirs and withal obtained of her Son King James the fifth for him the dignity of a Baron since extinct and was one of the
Titles of the late Dukes of Lennox More beneath is Ruthven a Castle of the Ruthvens whose name is of damned Memory considering that the three Estates of the Kingdom hath 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