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
day Arran of a Castle bearing the same name Inwardly it mounteth up altogether with high rising hills at the bottom and foot whereof along the Shore it is well inhabited The first Earl hereof that I can read of was Thomas eldest Son to Robert Boyd whose Wife and Earldom together when Boyd was banished the Realm James Lord Hamilton as I said before obtained and his Posterity enjoyed the same Earldom saving that Sir James Stuart appointed Guardian to James Hamilton Earl of Arran when he was so defective in understanding that he could not manage his Estate took this Title in the right of being Guardian Near unto this standeth Bute so called of a little Religious Cell which Brendanus founded for so is a little religious Cell tearmed in the Scottish Tongue In this Island is Rothsay Town and Castle which giveth the Title of Dukedom unto the King of Scots eldest Son who is born Prince of Scotland Duke of Rothsay and Seneschal of Scotland since the time that King Robert the third invested Robert his eldest Son Duke of Rothsay the first in Scotland that ever was created Duke With which Title also Queen Mary honoured Henry Lord Darnly before she took him to be her Husband Then shew themselves Hellan sometimes called Hellan Leneow that is as Iohn Fordon interpreteth it The Saints Islands and Helen Tinoc that is The Swines Island with a great number of other Islands of less Note and Reckoning in the same Forth These Islands are erected in a Sheriffdom and Sir James Stuart of Bute descended of a Son of King Robert the second is Heretable Sheriff thereof CHAP. XVI DAMNII CLYDSDALE c. BEyond the Novantes more inward by the River Glotta or Clyd and farther still even to the very East-Sea dwelt in times past the Damnii in those Countries if I have any Judgment for in things so far remote from our Remembrance and in so thick a Mist of Obscurity who can speak of Certainty which are now called Clydsdale the Barony of Renfrew Lennox Stirlingshire Monteith and Fife Near unto the head of Clyde in Crawford Moor among the wild Wastes certain Husband men of the countrey after great store of violent Rain happened to find certain small Pieces like scrapings of Gold which gave great hope of much Riches since that Sir Beamis Bulmer undertook with great endeavour to find out here a Mine of gold near to which place are the Lead-mines belonging to the Laird of Hoptoun The Castle of Crawford together with the Title of the Earl of Crawford was by Robert the Second King of Scots given unto Sir James Lindsey who by a single Combate performed with Baron Welles an English man won high Commendation for his Valour These Lindseys have deserved passing well of their Country and are of ancient Nobility ever since that Sir William Lindsey married one of the Heirs of William of Lancaster Lord of Kandale in England whose Neice in the third Degree of lineal Descent was married unto the most honourable Family of Coucy in France The Dignity of the Earl of Crawford was conveyed to the Lord Lindsey of whom hereafter Clyde after he hath from his Spring-head with much strugling got out northward by Baron Somervels house called Carnwath which being purchased by the Family of Dalziel also residing in Clyds-dale was by King Charles the First created Lord Dalziel who is ranked the last Lord in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 and thereafter Earl of Carnwath whose Grand-child is John Earl of Carnwath No person at present claims the Dignity of Lord Somervel The last Lords marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 are Cranstoun Deskford Melvil Carnegy Ramsey Naper Cameron Newburgh Weyms Ashtoun of Forfar Rae Dalziel And thereafter out of the West falleth in the River Duglasse or Douglasse so called of a blackish or greenish water that it hath which River communicateth his name both to the Vale through which he runneth called Douglasdale and also to Douglasse Castle therein which name that Castle likewise hath imparted unto the Family of the Dowglasses which I assure you is very ancient but most famous ever since that Sir Iames Dowglas stuck very close at all times as a most fast friend unto King Robert Bruce and was ready always with singular Courage Resolution and Wisdom to assist him claiming the Kingdom in most troublesome and dangerous times and whom the said King Robert charged at his death to carry his Heart to Jerusalem that he might be discharged of his Vow made to go to the Holy-land in memorial whereof the Dowglasses have inserted in their Coat of Arms a mans Heart from which time this Family grew up to that power and greatness and namely after that King David the Second had created William Earl of Dowglass that they after a sort awed the Kings themselves For at one time well near there were six Earls of them namely of this Dowglass of Angus of Ormund of Wigton of Murray and of Morton among whom the Earl of Wigton through his martial Prowesse and desert obtained at the hands of Charles the Seventh King of France the Title of Duke of Tourain and left the same to six Earls of Dowglasse his Heirs after him The Earl of Dowglass being forefeited by King James the Second the Earl of Angus got the Castle and Countrey of Dowglasse whose Heir William Earl of Angus was created Marquess of Dowglasse by King Charles the First in the year 1633 whose Grand-child is James Marquess of Dowglass Concerning the Lives and Actions of this Family see the History written by Godscroft In this place of Clyds-dale is the Seat of the Lairds of Carmichael Sir James Carmichael Baronet was a Lord of the Session and Thesaurer Depute to King Charles the First and by King Charles the Second when in Scotland created Lord Carmichael whose Grand-child is John Lord Carmichael he hath been twice employed by Their Majesties as Commissioner to the General Assembly and is of the Privy Council Below the falling of Dowglasse into Clyde is the Town of Lanerk head Burgh of the Sheriffdom thereof whereof the Lords of Hamilton are heretable Sheriffs and eight Miles below that standeth the Town and Castle of Hamilton in a fruitful and pleasant Soil the Lords whereof derive there Original from England They have enjoyed great Lands in Scotland since the time of King Robert Bruce and their Estate was much augmented by the Bounty of King Iames the Third who bestowed upon the Lord Hamilton his Sister in marriage after the death of the Lord Boyd her first Husband as is asserted by Mr. John Ballenden Arch-Dean of Murray Translator in Scots of the Chronicle of Hector Boetius who lived in the Reign of King James the Fifth Book 12. Chap. 5. anent the Genealogy of the Stuarts in these words The first Douchter of James the Secound was marryit to the Lord Boyd of whom was gottin ane Son quhylk
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
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
Denmark and Norway than any other of the Scottish Isles In the year 1320 amongst the Barons of the Kingdom of Scotland who in the Reign of King Robert Bruce wrote to Pope John is Magnus Comes Cathaniae Orcadiae To these Earls succeeded the Sinclars Earls of Orknay the last of whom was William Sinclar Earl of Orknay and Chancellor to K. James the Second whom in the year 1456 resigned the Lordship of Nithsdale to the King and in place thereof got the Earldom of Caithness King James the 3d got a further Right to these Isles by his Marriage with the K. of Denmarks Daughter which Right was renewed and became compleat and absolute by K. James the Sixth his Marriage with the Princess of Denmark by which King Robert Stuart Earl of Coldinghame descended of a natural Son of King James the Fifth was created Earl of Orknay his Successor Patrick E. of Orknay anno 1614 was foresaulted These Countries were erected in a Stewardship and the Rents thereof managed by a Steward named by the King and payed in to the Exchequer to represent this Stewartry two Commissioners are sent to the Parliament and Kirkwal is the head Town thereof and Burgh Royal there was also here a Bishop last of the Province of St. Andrews and a Commissar or Official under him As concerning the Western Isles commonly called the AEbudae and the Hebrides they were the ancient possessions of the Scots in their first inhabiting from Ireland as doth appear from our Historians and particularly Chronicon de Melross that in the year 1098 Magnus the Son of Olavus King of Norway added the Isles Orcadae and Menaniae to his Kingdom which happened by the Wars and Divisions after the Death of Malcolm Canmore betwixt Donald Bain his Brother and Duncan his Bastard Son who usurped the Crown and were expelled and Edgar his eldest Son alive settled on the Throne since which time there were Feudatory Kings or Princes of the Isles generally depending on the Kings of Norway and sometimes upon the Kings of Scotland till the year 1263 or 1263. that the Danes in the Reign of Alexander the Third were defeat at the Battle of Largs in Cunninghame and driven out of the Isles as hath been said Donald Earl of Ross in the Reign of King James the Second with the Earls of Dowglass and Crawford joyned in Arms against the King and doing the like against King Iames the Third designing himself King of the Isles was in the year 1476 Forefaulted and the Earldom of Ross annexed to the Crown to be enjoyed by the second Sons of the Kings of Scotland leaving only to him the Title of L. of the Isles as hath been said before which is the only Dignity of L I have observed to have been taken from the Isles These Isles had also a Bishop who was called Sodorensis from his Seat and Church in the Isle of Man bnt since that Isle did belong to the English his Seat hath been at Icolmkill he was of the Province of Glasgow and had likewise an Official or Commissar under him I shall conclude this Treatise with a Note of the Charter by King Malcolm the Fourth anno 1159 at Rokesburg confirming a Charter granted by King David the First his Grand-Father of the Abbacy of Seleschirke which is narrated to have been Founded by him when he was Earl in the Life of his Brother King Alexander the First who died in the 1124 and that King David by the Advice of John Bishop of St. Andrews translated the Abbacy from this place to Kelcho which Robert the succeeding Bishop of St. Andrews in whose Bishoprick it was granted the Abbacy freedom from all Episcopal Service and that the Abbots might be ordained by any Bishops in Scotland or Cumberland The Witnesses to the Kings Charter are Herbert Bishop of Glasgow William Bishop of Murray Gregory Bishop of Dunkeld William and David the Kings Brothers Ada his Mother Jeffery Abbot of Dumfermling Osbert Abbot of Jedworth Amfrid Abbot of Newbottle Ailvred Abbot of Stirling Walter Cancellarius Robert Prior of St. Andrews Matthew Arch-Deacon of St. Andrews Thor. Archi-Diacon Laodoniae Herber Camerarius Nic Clericus Ric Cappellanus Walterus Clericus Cancellarii Joannes nepos Episc Roberti Godredus Rex Insularum Cospatricius Comes Ferteth Comes Dunc Comes Uthredê° filius Fergusii Gilbertê° de Vmfravil Will de Somervel Ric de Morevil Ranulphus de Soulis David Olyphard Ric Cumin Robertus Avenal Will de Morevil Will Finimund Walterus Corbet Asketi de Ridala Henricus de Perth Vlphus filius Maccê° This Charter is special both because of the Antiquity related to and the great number of famous and considerable Witnesses and especially of the King of the Isles whom I just now mentioned before four Earls and albeit the Earl of Angus be only designed by his Earldom yet the other three were certainly Cospatricius Earl of Dumbar or March Ferteth Earl of Strathern who was Father of Gilbert before mentioned and Duncan Earl of Fife and Vchtred was Lord of Galloway and Father of Rolland This Note I took from the Principal Charter which if I had at hand I would have inserted the Tenor and the Initial Letters as they are Gilded containing the Effigies and Regalia of the Kings David and Malcolm This Charter is again confirmed by King William formerly mentioned the Kings Brother to whose Charter the Witnesses are Joceline Bishop of Glasgow Earl David my Brother Archibald Abbot of Dumfermling Hugo Cancell Simon Archi-Diacon Glasc William Morevil Constab. meus Robert de Londonys Rolland filius Vthredi William de Linddeseys Malc filius Comitis Dunecani Phil. de Vallonys Allanê° filius Walteri Gervosius de Avenel Constab de Rockesburg Walter Corbet Ranulphus de Soules Herb. de Maxhwill Tho. de Colvil Rob. de Phil. de Setune Herb. Maresc Earl David was Earl of Huntingtoun in England and Garviath or Garrioth in Scotland of whom our Kings are Lineally descended as also Allan the Son of Walter of whom before concerning the Stuarts of Scotland Amongst these Witnesses are also the Predecessors of the Earls of Crawford Nithsdale and Winton And now having gone through the whole Countries of Scotland according to the Method of the Author I conclude FINIS Highlandmen Lawlandmen Bishopricks * Whiterne Thanes Knights Gentlemen Parliament * Domini pro articulis The Session Mckenzies Precedency page 37. Courts of Criminal Matters â— Royal. The Shire of Roxburgh Dowglas of Cavers Spotswood Hist. of the Church of Scotland lib 7. page 476. E. Roxburgh L. Jedburgh â— Ancrum E. Teviot L. Rutherfoord V. Teviot Mackenzies precedency pag. 48. D. Buckcleugh The Shire of Peebles E. Tweddale E. Traquair 1. Elibank The Shire of Selkirk Philiphaugh E. Selkirk E. Lawderdale E. Hume L. Mordingtoun E. Merch. L. Eymouth L. Polwarth Lothian * Florilegus The Shire or Constabulary of Haddingtoun B. Royal. E. Dunbar V. Dunbar E. Tweeddale E. Royal. 1548. V. Haddingtoun E. Haddingtoun Athelstanford
by the latter was sent Commissioner to the Parliament 1686. CHAP. XXXII LOQHUABRE WHatsoever beyond the Nesse bendeth to the west Coast and adjoineth to the Lake Aber is thereupon called Loqhuabre that is in the ancient tongue of the Britains the mouth of the Lakes as what lyeth toward the North is commonly called Ross. Loqhuabre is full of fresh Pastures and Woods neither is without Iron Mines but not so free in yielding of Corn but for most fishful Pools and Rivers searce inferior to any Country thereabout At Logh-Lothy Innerlothy senced with a Fort and well frequented with Merchants was of great name and importance in times past but being razed by the Piracies and Wars of Danes and Norwegians it hath lien for these many Ages so deserted that there remained scarce any shew of it Loquhabre hath had no Earls but about the year of our Salvation 1050 there was a Thane over it of great fame and much spoken of named Banquho whom Macbeth the Tyrant when with Murder and Bloodshed he had usurped the Crown being fearful and suspicious caused to be made away for that he had learned by a Prophesy of certain Wise-Women that his Posterity when the Line of Macbeth was expired and extinct should one day obtain the Kingdom and by a long successive Descent reign in Scotland which verily hath fallen out accordingly for Fleanch the Son of Banquho who unknown in the Dark escaped the Trains laid for him fled into Wales where for a time he kept himself close and having taken to Wife Nesta the Daughter of Griffith ap Lewellin Prince of north-North-Wales begat Walter who returning into Scotland with so great Fame of his Fortitude repressed the Rebellion of the Islanders and with as great Wisdom managed the Kings Revenues in this Tract that the King made him Seneschal whom they commonly call Stewart of the whole Kingdom of Scotland whereupon this name of Office imposed the sirname of Stuart unto his Posterity who spreading throughout all parts of Scotland into a number of noble Branches after many honours heaped upon them have flourished a long time and from out of them three hundred and twenty four years ago Robert Stuart by Marjory his Mother Daughter to King Robert Bruce obtained the Kingdom of Scotland and James Stuart of that name the sixth King of Scots by Margaret his great Grand-Mother Daughter to King Henry the Seventh the Divine power of that most High and Almighty Ruler of the World so disposing ascended with the general Applause of all Nations to the hight of Monarchial Majesty over all Britain and the Isles adjacent In the Shire of Inverness Aeneas Macdonald Laird of Glengarie was by King Charles the Second created Lord Macdonald about the year 1661 the Patent being granted to Heirs-male of his Body doth not descend upon his Successor the Laird of Glengarie CHAP. XXXIII ROSSIA THe Province Ross so called by an old Scottish word which some interpret to be a Promontory others a Biland was inhabited by the people named Cantae which term in effect implieth as much in the time of Ptolomy This extendeth it self so wide and large that it reacheth from the one Sea to the other what way it beareth upon the Vergivian or western Ocean by reason of huge swelling Mountains advancing their heads aloft and many Woods among them it is full of Stags Roe-Bucks Fallow-Deer and wild Fowl but where it butteth upon the German Sea it is more lovely bedeck'd with Corn-fields ane Pastures and withall much more civil in the very first entrance into it Ardmanoch no small Territory whereof the second Sons of the Kings of Scotland bear the Title riseth up with high Mountains that are most trusty preservers of Snow as touching their hight some have reported strange Wonders and yet the ancient Geometers have written that neither the depth of Sea nor hight of Hills exceed by the Plumb-Line ten Sâ—adia that is one Mile and a quarter which notwithstanding they that have beheld Tenariff amongst the Canary Islands which is fifteen Leagues high and sailed withal the Ocean near unto them will in no ways admit for truth In this part standeth Lovat Castle and the Barony of the worthy Family of the Frasers whom for their singular good service for the Scottish Kingdom King James the 2d accepted into the Rank of Barons whose Descendant at present is Hugh Lord Lovat and whom the Clan-Ranalds a most bloody Generation in a Quarrel and Brawl between them had wholly destroyed every Mothers Son but that by the Providence of God fourscore of the principal persons of this Family left their Wives at home all great with Child who being delivered of so many Sons renewed the house and multiplied the name again But at Nesse-mouth there flourished sometimes Chanonrie otherwise called Fortrose a Burgh-Royal so called of a rich Colledge of Chanons whiles the Ecclesiastical State stood in Prosperity in which there is erected a See for the Bishop of Ross. In this Country resided the Laird of Kintail or Mckenzie in an unprinted Act of Parliament 1593 Colin Mckenzie of Kintail is mentioned and in the Convention of Estates 1598 the Laird of Mckenzie is a Member amongst the Commissioners under the Great Seal for holding the Parliament 1607 Kenneth Mckenzie of Kintail is mentioned and also amongst the Commissioners for holding the Parliament 1609 Colin Mckenzie of Kintail is named and also in a Sederunt of the same Parliament the Laird of Mckenzie is ranked inter Barones and Commissioners of Shires It seems shortly after thaâ— time and before the year 1612 the foresaid Colin was created Lord Kintail for in the Rolls of Parliament 1617 Kintail is ranked after Garleis and Madertie and before the Lord Cranstoun and Carnagie and the Lord Cranstoun is the last Lord in the Rolls of Parliament 1612 in like manner in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 Kintail is after Garleis and Cowper and before Cranstoun and Carnagie Colin Lord Kintail December 3. 1623 by K. James the Sixth was created Earl of Seaforth his Grand-nephew is Kenneth Earl of Seaforth Hard by is placed Cromarty where Vrquhart a Gentleman of noble Birth by hereditary Right from his Ancestors ministred Justice as Sheriff to this Sheriffdom and this is so commodious and safe an Harbour for any Fleet be it never so great that both Sailers and Geographers name it Portus salutis that is the Haven of Safety Sir Roderick Mâ—kenzie a Son of the Laird of Kintail was married to the Heiress of Mcleod of the Lews of which Marriage was Sir John Mackenzie Baronet who married Dame Margaret Ereskin one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Sir George Ereskin of Innerteil one of the Lords of Session and Grand-child to the Lord Ereskin Sir George Mckenzie of Tarbat Baronet their Son was a Lord of the Session by the first nomination and settlement of the Judicature by King Charles the Second after his Restauration in