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
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
With the great head King of Scotland entertained enriched him with the Castle of Dunbar and honoured with the Earldom of Merch Whose Posterity besides other goodly and fair Lands in Scotland held as appeareth plainly in an old Inquisition the Barony of Bengelly in Northumberland that they should be Inborow and Utborow between England and Scotland What the meaning should be of these Terms let others guess In the Reign of King James the first George de Dunbar Earl of Merch by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Rebellion lost the Property and Possession of the Earldom of Merch and the Seignorie of Dunbar And when as he proved by good Evidences and Writings brought forth that his Father had been pardoned for that Fault by the Regents of the Kingdom he was answered again that it was not in the Regents power to pardon on Offence against the State and that it was expresly provided by the Laws that Children should undergo Punishment for their fathers Transgressions to the end that being thus Heirs to their fathers Rashness as they are to their Goods and Lands they should not at any time in the haughty Pride of their own Power plot any Treason against Prince or Countrey This Title of Earl of Merch among other honourable Titles was given afterward to Alexander Duke of Albany and by him forfeited And this Title of Honour was revived again in Robert the third Brother of Matthew Earl of Lennox who being of a Bishop of Cathanes made Earl of Lennox resigned up that Title soon after unto his Nephew then created Duke of Lennox and he himself in lieu thereof received of the King the Name and Stile of the Earl of Merch Which Title was also brooked by Charles Uncle to King James and younger Brother to Henry Lord Darnley afterward King Collonel John Churchhil was created by King Charles the second Lord Churchhil of Eymouth near Berwick who is now Earl of Marleburrow in England And Sir Patrick Hume of Polwarth Baronet was by Their Majesties created Lord Polwarth in the year 1691. CHAP. VII LAUDEN or LOTHIEN LOTHIEN which is also called Lauden named in times past of the Picts Pictland shooteth out along from Merch unto the Scottish Sea or the Forth having many Hills in it and little Wood but for fruitful Corn-fields for Courtesie also and Civility of Manners commended above all other Countries of Scotland which is divided in three Shires Haddingtoun called East Lothian Edinburgh called Mid-Lothian and Linlithgow called West-Lothian About the year of our Salvation 873 Edgar King of England between whom and Keneth the third King of Scotland there was a great Knot of Alliance against the Danes common Enemies to them both resigned up his Right unto him in this Lothian as Matthew the Flour-gatherer witnesseth And to win his Heart the more unto him He gave unto him many Mansions in the way wherein both he and his Successors in their coming unto the Kings of England and in return homeward might be lodged Which unto the time of King Henry the second continued in the hands of the Kings of Scotland In this Lothian the first place that offereth it self to the view to these coming from the Mers is Dunbar a passing strong Castle in old time and the Seat of the Earls of Merch aforesaid who thereupon were called Earls of Dunbar A Piece many a time won by the English and as often recovered by the Scots But in the year 1567 by Authority of the States in Parliament it was demolished because it should not be a Hold and place of Refuge for Rebels But James King of Great-Britain conferred the Title and Honour of Earl of Dunbar upon Sir George Hume Thesaurer who is marked last Earl and after Dumfermling in the Decreet of Ranking March 5. 1606 for his approved Fidelity whom he had created before Baron Hume of Berwick to him his Heirs and Assigneys Afterward the same King did confer the Dignity of Viscount of Dunbar upon an English Gentleman of the Name of Constable whose Heirs in England doth presently enjoy that Dignity this Viscount is marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621. Hard by Tine a little River after it hath run a short Course falleth into the Sea near unto the Spring-head whereof standeth Yester which hath his Baron out of the Family of the Hays Earls of Erroll John Lord Yester was by King Charles the first created Earl of Tweddale about the year 1646 John now Earl of Tweddale his Son after he had enjoyed several honourable publick Employments was by Their Majesties constitute Lord High Chancellor of Scotland The Lord Hay of Yester is descended of the antient Family of the Hays of Locherward near Borthwick which raise to greatness by the Marriage of three Heiresses viz. of Frazer of Oliver-Castle in Tweddale and the Heiress of Gifford of Yester the Heiress of Cunninghame of Belton both in East Lothian his chief Residence is Yester which he hath extraordinarly improven beautifyed by Planting Inclosing By the same Riveret some few miles higher is seated Hadingtoun or Hadina in a wide and broad Plain which Town the English fortifyed with a deep and large Ditch with a Mure or Rampire also without four-square and with four Bullworks at the Corners and with as many other at the Inner-wall and Sir James Wilford an Englishman valiantly defended it against Dessie the Frenchman who with Ten thousand French and Dutch together fiercely assaulted it until that by reason of the Plague which grew hot among the Garrison Soldiers Henry Earl of Rutland coming with a royal Army raised the Siege removed the French having laid the Munitions level conducted the English home And King James the sixth about the year 1606 ranged Sir John Ramsey among the Nobles of Scotland with Title and Honour of Viscount Haddingtoun for his faithful Valour as whose Right hand was the Defender of Prince and Countrey in that most wicked Conspiracy of the Gowries against the Kings Person I shall choise this place to speak of Sir Thomas Hamilton whose last Designation was Earl of Haddingtoun and the more particularly in respect he did pass through very many Degrees in the Session and enjoyed many publick Offices and attained to great Honour and Riches the first of November 1587 in the Books of Sederunt of the Lords of Session Mr. Thomas Hamilton appear and Heir of Priestfield was admitted an ordinar Advocat he was Son to Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield afterward a Lord of the Session descended of the Hamiltons of Inner weick one of the most antient and great Cadets of the Family of Hamilton he was admitted Lord of the Session 1592 under the Designation of Lord Drumcairn he is appointed one of the Commissioners for the Thesaurey and Exchequer commonly called Octavians in the year 1595 and is admitted in February thereafter Kings Advocat the fifteen of May 1612 under the Designation
was slain be the Lord of Mongumry and ane Douchter Gregane quhylk was maryit efter on the Erl of Casselis and efter the deith of the Lord Boyd this Douchter of James the Secound was maryit on the Lord Hammylton and be that way the House of Hammylton is decorit in the Kyngs Blude And thereafter in Parliament 1542 James Earl of Arran the Grand-child of this marriage was declared Governour of the Kingdom during the Nonage of Queen Mary And in the year 1548 was by Henry the Second King of France created Duke of Castle-herald in France and thereafter his Son Iohn was by King James the Sixth created Marquess of Hamilton anno 1599 and was the first that enjoyed that Dignity in Scotland his Son James Marquess of Hamilton was Commissioner for the King to the Parliament 1621 whose eldest Son James Marquess of Hamilton was created thereafter Duke of Hamilton his second Son Lord William Hamilton was Secretary to King Charles the first and created Earl of Lanerk in the year 1640 from the Head-Burgh of the Shire who after the death of his Brother Duke James was also Duke of Hamilton the Lives and Actions of James and William Dukes of Hamilton and Castle-Herald are set forth in the Memoirs written by Dr. Gilbert Burnet now Bishop of Salisburry William Duke of Hamilton as well as James Duke of Hamilton having deceased without Heirs-Male of their own Body the Dignity of Hamilton and Castle-Herald did descend upon Dutchess Anna eldest Daughter to Duke James who married that Noble and Stately Person William Earl of Selkirk thereafter Duke of Hamilton formerly mentioned who have that advantage above others of many excellent Children who already have appeared much in the World viz. Their eldest Son James Earl of Arran who after he had finished his Travells Abroad Resided at the Court of England and from King Charles the second and King James the seventh enjoyed many Honourable Employments The second Lord William of great Hopes dyed in France Upon his third Son Lord Charles descended his Dignity of Earl of Selkirk as is said who is one of the Gentlemen of Their Majesties Bed-Chamber The fourth Son Lord John is General of Their Majesties Mint and married to Lady Anna Kennedy Daughter to John Earl of Cassils by his most excellent and vertuous Lady Susanna second Daughter to James Duke of Hamilton Their fifth Son Lord George Collonel of that Valiant and Renowned Regiment ordinarly Commanded by one of the Family of Dowglass of which this Lord is a Grand-child The sixth Son Lord Basile married to Mrs. Mary Dumbar Heiress to Sir David Dumbar of Baldone Baronet in the Shire of Wigtoun her Grand-father by his Son of the same Name married o Lady Helen Montgomery Daughter to Hugh Earl of Eglington The seventh Lord Archibald is Commander of the Woolage one of Their Majesties Ships of War Their eldest Daughter Lady Katharine is married to John Lord Murray eldest Son to the Marquess of Atholl The second is Susanna Countess Dowager and Mother of William Earl of Dundonald and Lady Margaret is married to James Earl of Panmure The River Glotta or Clyde runneth from Hamiltoun by Bothwel which glorieth in the Earls thereof namely John Ramsey whose greatness with King James the Third was excessive but pernicious both to himself and the King and the Hepburns of whom already Near to this place is Blantyre from which Walter Prior of Blantyre Lord Privy-Seal and afterward Thesaurer and one of the Octavians to King James the Sixth and an extraordinar Lord of Session was created Lord Blantyre July 10. 1606 his Descendant is Alexander Lord Blantyre This River runneth straight forward with a ready stream through Glasgow in ancient times past a Bishops Seat but discontinued a great while until that King William restored it up again but now it is an Arch-bishops See and an University which Bishop Turnbul after he had in a pious and religious intent built a Colledge in the year 1454 first founded This Glasgow is the most famous Town of Merchandise in this Tract for pleasant Situation Apple-trees and other like Fruit-trees much commended having also a very fair Bridge supported with eight Arches Near to it is Rutherglen a Burgh Royal and head Burgh of the nether-ward of Clydsdale as Lanerk is of the whole Shire and specially of the upper-ward Lower on the Bank of Clyde lyeth the Barony of Renfrew anciently in the Shire of Lanerk but by King Robert the 3d. erected in a Shire so called of the principle Town which may seem to be Randvara in Ptolomy upon the River Cart which had the Baron of Cathcart dwelling upon it carrying the same sirname of ancient Nobility The present Lord Cathcart is called Allan his Residence is now at Sundrom in Kings-kyle on the River of Kylne near where it falls into the River Air. Near unto Cathcart for this little Province can shew a goodly Breed of Nobility there Bordereth Cruikston the Seat in times past of the Lords of Darnley from whom by right of marriage it came to the Earls of Lennox whence Henry the Father of King James the Sixth was called Lord Darnley Halkead the Habitation of the Barons of Ross descended orginally from English Blood as who fetch their Pedegree from that Robert Ross of Wark who long since left England and came under the Alledgeance of the King of Scots of whom is descended William Lord Ross. Pasley sometimes a famous Monastery founded by Alexander the Second of that name High-steward of Scotland which for a gorgeous Church and rich Furniture was inferior to few but by the beneficial Favour of King James the Sixth it yielded both Dwelling-place and Title of Baron to Lord Claud Hamilton a younger Son of the Duke of Chasteu Herald the eldest Son of the Earl of Abercorn is designed Lord Pasley of whom already And Semple the Lord whereof Baron Semple by ancient Right was Sheriff of this Barony The Lady Heiress of Semple being married to Francis Abercrombie of Fiternier he was by King Charles the 2d created Lord Glasford and is Father to the present Lord Semple In this Country of Renfrew is Areskine the Seat of the ancient Lords of Areskine now Earls of Marr. But the Title of Baron of Renfrew by a peculiar priviledge since the Reign of King Robert the 3d. doth appertain unto the Prince of Scotland The heretable Sheriffs of this Shire are the Earls of Eglington The Author Camden is not to be blamed for asserting that Alexander the Second Great Stewart of Scotland Founded the Monastry of Pasley since it was generally related by the Scottish Historians but because the Errors in this Matter are so many and gross to the disadvantage of the Great Stewarts of Scotland Progenitors to our Kings and that a wrong Genealogy of them is printed with our Acts of Parliament I must be allowed to prevent the further
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
yea and of Pit Coals the Sea besides other Fishes affordeth Oysters and and Shell-fish in great abundance and the Coasts are well bespread with pretty Townlets replenished with stout and lusty Mariners In the south side hereof by Forth first appeareth westward Culross which gave the Title of a Barony to Sir I. Colvil created Lord Colvil of Culross about the year 1604 and is the last in the Decreet of Ranking except the Lord Scoon his Father was a Lord of the Session and Commendator of Culross and King Charles the Second when in Scotland created Sir Robert Colvil of Cleish Lord Colvil his Successor is Robert Lord Colvil Near to Culross to the north-west is Kincardine whereof Edward Bruce of Carnock was created Earl by King Charles the First anno 1648 his Brother Alexander succeeded him in his Dignity who was one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury to King Charles the Second his Son is Alexander Earl of Kincardine Culross and these places adjacent albeit surrounded with Fife and Clackmannan yet make a part of the Shire of Perth Then standeth Dumfermling a famous Monastery in old time both the Building and Burial place of King Malcolm the Third which gave both name and honour of an Earl unto Sir Alexander Seton a most prudent Counsellor whom James King of Great-Brittain worthily raised from Baron of Fivie to be Earl of Dumfermling and Lord Chancellor of the Realm of Scotland of the Succession of this Earl mention is made in the Description of the Family of Seton in East Lothian Then Kinghorn standeth hard upon the Forth from which place Sir Patrick Lyon Baron Glames received at the bountiful Hand of K. James the 6th the Title and honour of an Earl anno 1606. After this there is upon the Shore Dysert situat on the rising of an Hill from whence there lyeth an open Heath of the same name where there is a good large place which they call the Cole-plot that hath great plenty of an earthy Bitumen and partly burneth to some damnage of the Inhabitants William Murray of the Bed-chamber of the Family of Tullibardine was by King Charles the First created Earl of Dysert whose Daughter and Heiress Elizabeth Countess of Dysert is Dutchess of Lawderdale by Marriage with John late D. of Lawderdale and by a former Marriage her Son Sir Leonald Talmash L. Huntingtour residing in England is to succeed her as Earl of Dysert Her second Son of that Marriage was Thomas Talmash who attended his Majesty in his Expedition to Brittain in the year 1688 who for his Valour in the Wars and Reduction of Ireland was advanced to be General Major and thereafter Lieutenant General which Office he did worthily discharge in Flanders and in the Summer 1694 being chief Commander in the Attempt upon Brest was unfortunatly wounded whereof he died after his landing in England Unto it adjoineth Ravens-Heugh as one would say the steep hill of Ravens the Habitation of the Barons Sinclar whose Successor is Henry Lord Sinclar Above it the River Levin hideth himself in the Forth which River running out of the Lake Levin wherein standeth the Castle of the Dowglasses which belonged to the Earls of Mortoun Sir Alexander Lesly General of the Scots Forces was by K. Charles the 1st created Earl of Levin anno 1641 whose Successor is David now Earl of Levin second Son to George Earl of Melvil begotten on Lady Katherine Leslie Grandchild and Heiress to the said Earl of Levin which River hath at the very mouth of it Weyms Castle the Seat of a noble Family bearing the same sirname The Laird of Weyms is in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 one of the Commissioners for the Shire of Fife he was thereafter made Lord Weyms and in the Parliament Rolls 1633 is ranked after the Lord Newburgh and before Ashtoun of Forfar and in the same year created Earl of Weyms whose Grandchild Margaret now Countess of Weyms was married to Sir James Weyms who by K. Charles the 2d was made Lord Burntisland from a Burgh Royal of the same Shire and hath a Son Lord Elcho to succeed her in that Dignity From hence the Shore draweth back with a crooked and wiuding Tract unto Fife-ness that is the Promontory or Nose of Fife Above it Saint Andrews an Archiepiscopal City hath a fair Prospect into the open main Sea the more ancient name of the place as old Memorials witness was Regimund that is Saint Regulus Mount in which we read thus Oeng or Vng King of the Picts granted unto God and Saint Andrew that it should be the chief and mother of all Churches in the Picts Kingdom Afterward there was placed here an Episcopal See the Bishops whereof like as all the rest within the Kingdom of Scotland were consecrated by the Arch-bishop of York as is asserted by the English Historians until at the Intercession of King Iames the Third by reason of so many Wars between the Scottish and English men Pope Sixtus the fourth ordained the Bishop of Saint Andrews to be Primat and Metropolitan of all Scotland and Pope Innocentius the eighth bound him and his Successors to the imitation and precedent of the Metropolitan of Canterbury in these words That in Matters concerning the Archiepiscopal state they should observe and firmly hold the Offices Droits and Rights of Primacy and such like Legacy and the free Exercise thereof the Honours Charges and Profits and that they should endeavour to perform inviolably the laudable Customes of the famous Metropolitan Church of Canterbury the Arch-bishop wherewhereof is Legatus natus of the Kingdom of England c. Howbeit before that Laurence Lundoris and Richard Corvel Doctors of the Civil Law publickly professed here good Literature laid the Foundation of an University which now for happy increase of Learned men for three Colledges and the Kings Professors in them is become highly renowned Hard by there loseth it self into the Sea Edan or Ethan a little River which springeth up near Falkland a place from which Carry an English man had the Designation of Viscount from King James the Sixth and is so marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 his Successor is Anthony Viscount of Falkland a Member of the House of Commons in the current English Parliament it belonged anciently to the Earls of Fife and was a retiring place of the Kings when residing in Scotland and is very well Seated for hunting Pleasures and Disports sometimes it was reckoned amongst the Burghs Royal and is the Seat of the Stewartry of Fife this River hath its Course under a continued Ridge of Hills which divide this Country in the midst by Struthers a place so called of a Reed plot a Castle of the Barons Lindsey of whom is descended Iohn Lord Lindsey created by King Charles the First anno 1633 Earl of Lindsey And in anno 1641 was Lord High Thesaurer and after the Forfaulture of
Lake by which standeth Berogomum a Castle in which sometime was kept the Court of Justice or Session and not far from it Dunstaffage that is Stephens Mount the Kings House in times past above which Logh Aher a Lake insinuating it self from out of the Western Sea windeth it self so far within Land that it had conflowed together with Ness another Lake running into the East Sea but that certain Mountains between kept them with a very little Partition asunder The chiefest Place of Name in this Tract is Tarbar in Loch Kinkeran where King James the fourth ordained a Justice and Sheriff to administer Justice unto the Inhabitants of the out Islands but now the Shires of Argile and Tarbat are joyned in one These Countries and those beyond them in the year of our Lords Incarnation 655. the Picts held whom Beda calleth the Northern Picts where he reporteth that in the said year Columbane a Priest and Abbot famous for his Monkish profession and life came out of Ireland into Brittain to instruct these in Christian Religion that by means of the high rough Ridges of the Mountains were sequestred from the Southern Countries of the Picts and that they in lieu of a Reward allowed unto him the Island Hii over against them now called I-Comb-Kill a famous Monastry and Nursery of the Christian Religion over Britain The Lord of Lorna in the age aforegoing were the Stuarts but now by reason of a Female their Heir the Earls of Argile use this Title in their Honourable Designation CHAP. XXV BRAID ALBIN OR ALBANY MOre inwardly where the uninhabitable lofty and rugged Ridges of the Mountain Grampius begin a little to slope and settle downward is seated Braid-Albin that is The highest part of Scotland for they that are the true and right Scots indeed call Scotland in their Mother Tongue Albin like as that part where it mounteth up highest Drum Albin that is the Ridge of Scotland But in an old Book it is read Brun Albin where we find this Written Fergus filius Eric c. That is Fergus the Son of Eric was the first of the Seed or line of Chonare that entred upon the Kingdom of Albanie from Brun-Albain unto the Irish Sea and Inch-Gall And after him the Kings descended from the Seed or Race of Fergus Reigned in Brun-Albain or Brunhere unto Alpin the Son of Eochall But this Albanie is better known for the Dukes thereof than for any good Gifts that the Soil yieldeth The first Duke of Albanie was Robert Earl of Fife whom his Brother King Robert the third of that Name advanced to that honour yet he ungrateful person that he was pricked on with the spirit of ambition famished to Death his Son David that was Heir to the Crown But the punishment due for this wicked Fact which himself by the long sufferance of God self not his Son Mordac the second Duke of Albanie first designed in his Fathers time Sir Murdac Stuart of Kinclevin suffered most grievously being condemned for Treason and beheaded when he had seen his two Sons the day before executed in the same manner The third Duke of Albanie was Alexander second Son to King James the second who was also designed Earl of March Marr and Garioth Lord of Annandale and of Man was by his own Brother King James the third outlawed and after he had been turmoiled with many Troubles in the end as he stood by to behold at Justs and Tourneament in Paris chanced to be wounded with a piece of shattered Launce so died His Son John the fourth Duke of Albanie was called home made Regent and Tutor to King James the fifth taking contentment in the pleasant Delights of the French Court after he had Wedded there the Daughter and one of the Heirs of John Earl of Anverne and Lauragveze died there without Issue Whom in respective reverence to the Blood Royal of the Scots Francis the first King of France gave thus much honour unto as that he allowed him place between the Archbishop of Langres and the Duke of Alenson Peers of France After his death there was no Duke of Albanie until that Queen Mary conferred this Title upon Henry Lord Darnly whom within some few days after she made her Husband likeas King James the sixth granted the same unto his own second son Charles being an Infant during the lifetime of Prince Henry his elder Brother to whom he succeeded as Prince and Steward of Scotland and to his Father as King of Great-Britain and first of the Name of Charles King James the seventh did enjoy the Title of Duke of Albany during the lifetime of his elder Brother There inhabit these Regions a kind of People rude warlike ready to fight quarrellous and mischievous they be commonly termed Highlandmen who being indeed the right Progeny of the antient Scots speak Irish and call themselves Albinich their bodies be firmly made and well compact able withal and strong nimble of Foot high minded inbread and nuzzeled in warlike exercises or Robberies rather and upon a deadly feud and hatred most forward and desperat to take revenge They go attired Irish-like in stript or streaked Mantles of divers colours wearing thick and long Glibes of Hair living by hunting fishing fowling and stealing In the War their Armour is an Head-piece or Morion of Iron and an Habergeon or Coat of Mail their Weapons be Bows barbed or hooked Arrows and broad Back Swords and being divided by certain Families or Kindreds which they term Clans they commit such cruel Outrages what with Robbing Spoilling and Killing that their Savage Cruelty hath forced a Law to be enacted whereby it is lawful That if any person out of any one Clan or Kindred of theirs hath trespassed ought and done harm whosoever of that Clan or Linage chance to be taken he shall either make amends for the harms or else suffer Death for it when as the whole Clan commonly beareth Feud for any hurt received by any one Member thereof by execution of Laws order of Justice or otherwise Sir John Camphel of Glenurchie Baronet an antient and powerful Cadet of Argile descended of one of the Heiresses of Stuart Lord Lorn of whose Lands he enjoyes a part and their Arms quartered and of other great Families and from whom many Noblemen and Barons derive their Pedegree was by King Charles the second about the year 1677. Created Earl of Brade Albine and is one of the present Commissioners of their Majesties Thesaury he is Hereditary Baillie of Broad Albine CHAP. XXVI PERTHIA OR PERTH Sheriffdom OUt of the very bosome of the Mountains of Albany Tau the greatest River of all Scotland issueth and first runreth amain through the Fields until that spreading broad into a Lake full of Islands he restraineth and keepeth in his course Then gathering himself narrow within his Banks into a Channel and Watering Perth a large plentiful and rich Countrey he taketh in unto him Amond a
Sheriffs who being descended from the Grays of Chillingham in the Country of Northumberland came into Scotland with King James the First at his return out of England of whom is descended Patrick now Lord Gray upon the first of whom named Andrew the King of his bounteous liberality bestowed the Segniory of Foulis together with Helen Mortimer in Marriage for his Advancement Ashtoun an English Gentleman was created Lord Forfar about the year 1633 by King Charles the First and Archibald second Son to the Earl of Angus and Brother to James Marquess of Dowglass was by King Charles the Second created Earl of Forfar about the year 1651. Hard by the mouth of Tay is situat Dundee sometimes called Alectum others term it in Latine Taodunum a Town verily of great resort and Trade and the Constable whereof by a special priviledge was Standard bearer to the King of Scots Hector Boetius who was here born expounded this name Dundee by way of allusion to Donum Dei that is Gods gift This Hector in the reflourishing time of Learning wrote the Scottish History elegantly and that out of such hidden and far fetched Monuments of Antiquity that Paulus Jovius wondered in his Writings there should be Records extant for above a thousand years of these remote parts of the World Scotland the Hebrids and the Orcads considering that Italy the Nurse of fine Wits for so many Ages after the Goths were cast out was defective of Writers and Records The ancient Family of the Scrymsours of Dudup Constables of Dundee was first created by King Charles the first Viscount of Dudup and by King Charles the Second Earl of Dundee and by gift of last Heir and Recognition being carried to Charles Maitland of Haltoun came afterwards to be at the Kings disposal who gifted the same to Collonel John Graham of Claverhouse who by King James the Seventh was created Viscount of Dundee and opposing their Majesties in Arms was killed at Gillichrankie in Athol in July 1689 and both he and his Brother David also present at that Action were forefaulted in Parliament 1690. From hence standeth within sight Brochty-Craig which being a good Fortress was with the English Garison Souldiers manfully defended made good for many Months together what time as in their affectionat love to a perpetual peace they desired and wished for a Marriage between Mary Heir apparent of Scotland and Edw. the 6th K. of England and upon promise thereof demanded it by force of Arms and in the end of their own accord abandoned the said place Then there lyeth full against the open Ocean Aberbroth short Arbroth a place endowed with ample Revenues and by King William dedicated in old time to Religion in honour of Thomas of Canterbury beside which the Red-head shooteth into the deep Sea and is to be seen a far of Hard by Southesk voideth it self into the Ocean which River flowing amain out of a Lake passeth by Finnevin Castle well known by reason of the Lindseys Earls of Crawford keeping Residence there of whom is already written And downward on the same River standeth Kinnaird the Inheritance of the Carnagies who amongst other Families by being Members of the Colledge of Justice have raised their Fortunes and advanced into great Honours Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird in the year 1553 is marked in the Sederunt of the Lords of Session And about the year 1561 under the designation of Sir Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird admitted Ordinary Lord of Session Mr. David Carnagy of Coluthy I suppose his second Son was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians he dyed in the year 1598 his Son Sir David Carnagy of Kinnaird succeeded of whom frequent mention is made in the Acts of Parliament of King James the Sixth he was by that King created Lord Carnagy after the Lord Binnie and is so ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1617. In the Books of Sederunt July 5th 1616 David Lord Carnagy is admitted an Ordinary Lord of Session in the year 1633 by King Charles the First he was created Earl of Southesk his great Grand-child is Charles Earl of Southesk Sir John Carnegie of Ethie younger Son to the before named Mr. David Carnagie of Colluthy and Brother to David Earl of Southesk was by King Charles the First created Lord Lour and thereafter by that same King Earl of Ethie his eldest Son David exchanged the said Titles with these of Earl of Northesk and Lord Rosehill as being more agreeable to the Title of Earl of Southesk the Chief of the Family David Earl of Northesk is great Grand-child to the first Earl Then upon the said River standeth Brechin which King David the First adorned with a Bishops See Patrick Maul of Panmure of the Bed-chamber of an ancient Family was created by King Charles the First about the year 1646 Earl of Panmure Lord Maul and Brechin immediatly before the Earls of Selkirk Tweeddale and Northesk whose Grand-child is James Earl of Panmure And at the very mouth thereof standeth Montross as one would say the Mount of Roses a Town in times past called Celurca risen by the fall of another Town bearing the same name which is seated between the two Esks and imparteth the Title of Marquess to the Family of the Grahams Not far from hence is Boschain belonging to the Barons of Ogilvy of very antient Nobility lineally descended from Alexander Sheriff of Angus who was slain in the Bloody Battle at Harlaw against the Mac-Donald of the out Isles In this Shire is also Airlie which was the first Designation of the Lord Ogilvie of Airlie Andrew Lord Ogilvie was created by King Charles the first anno 1633 Earl of Airlie whose Son is James Earl of Airlie As touching the Earls of Angus Gilchrist of Angus renowned for his brave exploits under King Malcolm the fourth was the first Earl of Angus that we read of About the year 1241 John Cummin was Earl of Angus who died in France and his Widow haply inheritrix to the Earldom was married to Sir Gilbert Vmfranvill an Englishman For both he and his Heirs successively after him were summoned to the Parliament in England until the third year of King Richard the second by the Title of Earls of Angus Howbeit the Lawyers of England refused in their Brieves and Instruments to acknowledge him Earl for that Angus was not within the Kingdom of England until he had brought forth openly in the face of the Court the Kings Writ and Warrant wherein he was summoned to the Parliament by the name of Earl of Angus In the reign of David Bruce Thomas Stuart was Earl of Angus who by a sudden surprise won Berwick and straightways lost it yea and within a while after died miserably in Prison at Dunbritton But the Douglasses Men of invincible Hearts from the time of King Robert the second when VVilliam first E. of Douglas married
into the Sea it is scarce with the labour to mention them That there be little Birds engendred of old and rotten Keels of Ships they can bear Witness who saw that Ship wherein Francis Drake sailed about the World standing in a Dock near the Thames to the outside of the Keel whereof a number of such little Birds without Life and Feathers stuck closs Yet it would be thought that the Generation of these Birds was not out of the Logges of Wood but from the very Ocean which the Poets termed the Father of all things A mighty Mass likewise of Amber as big as the body of an Horse was not many years since cast upon this shoar The learned call it Succinum Glessum and Chryso Electrum and Sotacus supposed that it was a certain juice or liquor which distilleth out of Trees in Britain and runneth down into the Sea and is therein hardened Tacitus also was of the same Opinion when he wrote thus I can verily believe that likeas there be Trees in the secret and inward parts of the East which sweat out Frankincense and Balm so in the Islands and other Countries in the West there be Woods and Groves of a more fatty and firm Substance which melting by the hot Beams of the Sun approaching so near runneth into the Sea hard by and by force of Tempest floateth up to the hoars against it But Serapio and the Philosophers of later times write that it ariseth out of a certain clammy and bituminous Earth under the Sea and by the Sea-side and that the Billows and Tempests cast up part thereof a land and a Fishes devour the rest In the Reign of King Alexander the Second Alexander Cummin rose up to the honour of Earl of Buquhan who married the Daughter and one of the Heirs of Roger de Quincy Earl of Winchester in England and his Niece by a Son brought the same Title unto Henry de Beaumont her Husband for he in King Edward the Third his days had his place in the Parliament of England by the name of Earl of Buquhan Afterwards Alexander Stuart Son to King Robert the Second was Earl of this place unto whom succeeded John a younger Son of Robert Duke of Albany who arriving in France with seven thousand Scottish men to aid Charles the Seventh King of France bare himself valiantly and performed singular good Service against the Englishmen and that with so great Commendation as having victoriously slain Thomas Duke of Clarence Brother to Henry the Fifth King of England at Baugie and discomfited the English he was made Constable of France But in the third year following when the fortune of War turned he with other most valiant Knights to wit Archibald Dowglass Earl of Wigton and Duke of Tourain c. was vanquished at Vernoil by the English and there slain Whom notwithstanding as that Poet said aeternum memorabit Gallia cives Grata suos titulos quae dedit tumulos France thankfully will ay recount As Citizens of her own On whom both Titles glorious And Tombs she hath bestown And whereas under the Kings K. Charles the Sixth and Seventh France was preserved and Aquitain recovered by thrusting out the English the Frenchmen cannot chuse but acknowledge themselves much beholden to the fidelity and fortitude of the Scots But afterwards King James the First gave the Earldom of Buquhan unto George of Dumbar moved thereto upon pity and commiseration because he had deprived him before of the Earldom of March by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Crime and not long after James the Son of James Stuart of Lorn sirnamed the Black-Knight whom he had by Queen Joan Sister to the Duke of Somerset and Widow to King James the 1st obtained this Honour and left it to his Posterity but for default of Heirs-male it came by a Daughter marryed to Robert Dowglass a younger Brother of Dowglass of Lochlevin to the Family of the Dowglasses and so to James Ereskin eldest Son of the Earl of Marr Thesaurer by his second Wife Daughter to Esme Duke of Lennox of whom is descended the present Earl From Buquhan as the Shore bendeth backward and turneth full into the North lyeth Boena and Bamff a small Sheriffdom also Ajuza a little Territory of no especial account and Rothamay Castle the dwelling place of the Barons of Salton sirnamed Abernethy Beneath these lyeth Sirathbolgy that is the Vale by Bolgy the Habitation in times past of the Earls of Athol who of it assumed their sirname but now the principle Seat of Marquess of Huntly For this Title King James the Sixth conferred upon George Gordon Earl of Huntly Lord Gordon and Badzenoth a man of great Honour and Reputation for his ancient nobleness of Birth and the multitude of his Dependants and Followers whose Ancestors descended from the Setons by Parliamentary Authority took the Name of Gordon when as Sir Alexander Seton had taken to Wife the Daughter of Sir John Gordon Knight by whom he had a large and rich Inheritance and received the Honour of the Earl of Huntly at the hands of King James the Second in the year 1445 his Successor George Marquess of Huntly was by King Charles the Second about the year 1683 created Duke of Gordon In this Shire also did reside the Ogilvies of Findlater of whom Walter Ogilvie was by King James the Sixth created Lord Deskford and in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 he is Ranked immediatly after the Lord Cranstoun and before the Lords Melvil Carnegy and Ramsey his Son James was created Earl of Findlater by King Charles the First anno 1633 who marryed his Daughter and Heiress to Ogilvie of Inch-martine in Perth Shire an ancient Family of that sirname the Son of the Marriage is James now Earl of Findlater who doth compet with the Earl of Airly both for the Antiquity of his Family and Precedency as an Earl his second Son Sir James Ogilvie is designed of Ogilvie from a Barony which belonged to their Family purchased by him he is his Majesties Sollicitor and a Member of this present Parliament for the Royal Burgh of Cullen In this Shire Ogilvie of Dunlaguse afterward designed Sir George Ogilvie of Bamff Baronet descended of the Ogilvies of Boyn also in this Shire who are Cadets of Findlater was by King Charles the First anno 1639 created Lord Bamff whose Successor is George Lord Bamff Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth in Right of his Mother Abernethy Daughter to the Lord Saltoun was by Grant of King Charles the Second declared Lord Saltoun and approven in Parliament 1670 upon the death of Alexander Abernethy last Lord Saltoun of that sirname whose Grand-child is William Fraser now Lord Saltoun he carries the Arms of Abernethy quartered with the Arms of Fraser His Majesty hath nominat the forementioned Sir James Ogilvie Sheriff of Bamff CHAP. XXXI MORAVIA Or MVRRAY THe Vacomagi remembred by Ptolomy anciently inhabited on the