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
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
Peace of the Nation wherein the Chancellor by his Office doth preside and after him the President of the Council who hath the same precedency as in England The Persons are chiefly named out of the Nobility with the addition of some Barons In the Thesaury and Exchequer the Lord high Thesaurer doth preceed but this Office is frequently in Commission as it is at present and then the Lord Chancellor is and uses to be one and Chief of the Commission as also the Lord Thesaurer Deput and they together with the Lords of Exchequer nominat by Their Majesties do Order Determine and dispose of the Kings Rents Revenues Gifts and Casualities I have omitted particular Lists of them in regard the Commissions to the Council Thesaury and Exchequer are some times changed as the King doth think fit and that the persons employed in them are eminent of whom occasion will be to make mention in some part of this Treatise either as Noblemen Sheriffs of or Commissioners from Shires or otherwise CHAP. IV. GADENI or LADENI UPon the Ottadini or Northumberland bordered as next Neighbours the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is GADENI who also by the inversion or turning of one Letter upside down are called in some Copies of Ptolomy LADENI seated in that Countrey which lieth between the mouth of the River Tweed and Edinburgh Forth And is at this day divided into many petty Countries The chief whereof are Teviotdale Tweddale Merss and Lothian in Latine Lodenium under which one general Name alone the Writers of the middle time comprised all the rest CHAP. V. TEVIOTDALE TEviotdale that is to say the Vale by the River Tiviot or Teveat lying next unto England among the edges of high craigie Hills is inhabited by a war-like Nation which by reason of so many Encounters in foregoing Ages between Scots and English are always most ready for Service and sudden Invasions The first place among these that we meet with is Jedburgh a Burgh well inhabited and frequented standing near unto the confluence of Teviot and Jed whereof it took the Name Also Melros a very ancient Monastry wherein at the beginning of our Church were cloistered Monks of that ancient Order and Institution that gave themselves to Prayer and with their Hand-labour earning their Living which holy King David restored and replenished with Cistertian Monks And more Eastward where Tweed and Teviot joyn in one Stream Rosburgh sheweth it self called also Roxburgh and in old time MARCHIDUN because it was a Town in the Marches where stands a Castle that for natural Situation and towred Fortificatons was in time past exceeding strong Which being surprised and held by the English whiles James the second King of Scots encircled it with a Siege he was by a piece of a great Ordnance that broke slain untimely in the flower of his youth A Prince much missed and lamented of his Subjects As for the Castle it was yielded and being then for the most part of it lay'd even with the ground is now in a manner quite vanished and not to be seen The Territory adjoyning called of it the Sheriffdom of Roxburgh hath one hereditary Sheriff out of the Family of the Dowglas who is usually called the Sheriff of Teviotdale The Heir of this Family is Sir William Dowglas of Cavers who is present Sheriff and one of the Commissioners of the Shire to this present Parliament And now hath Roxburgh also a Baron Roxbert Ker through the favour of King James the sixth out of the Family of Kers a famous House and spred into a number of Branches as any one in that Tract Out of which the Fernhersts and others inured in martial Feats have been of great Name Sir Robert Ker of Cessfuird was amongst other great Men chosen by K. James the sixth to attend him in his Journey to England in the year 1603. to take possession of that Crown at which time he was created Lord Roxburgh and is mentioned amongst the Commissioners for the Union Parl. 1604. first of all the Lords created about that time and in like manner in the Decreet of Ranking and the several Rolls of Parliament he is placed before Loudown Lindores c. till the year 1617 when he is designed by the Rolls of that Parliament Earl of Roxburgh he was Lord Privy Seal to King Ch. the first whose Grand-childs Grandchild is Robert Earl of Roxburgh The Laird of Berneherst the other principal Family of that Name was by King James the sixth created Lord Jedburgh which Peerage doth belong to the Lord Newbottle eldest Son to the Earl of Lothian and in the Quality of Lord Jedburgh William Lord Newbottle is a Member of this present Parliament which is special to the Earl of Lothians Family that both the Father and the Son are Peers Sir Robert Ker the youngest Brother of the first Lord Jedburgh a great Favorite of King Ja. the sixth was by him made Thesaurer of Scotland and Earl of Somerset in England Also of the Family of Ferneherst Sir Robert Ker of Ancrum was created Earl of Ancrum by King Cho. he first in the year 1633 of whom is descended Robert Earl of Lothian by his Father William Earl of Lothian who married the Heiress and the younger Brother succeeded to his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Ancrum residing in England who sat in the Parliament 1681. Collonel Rutherfoord of the Family of Hunthill was created Earl of Teviot by King Cha. the second who left his Fortune and the Dignity of Lord Rutherfoord to the family of Hunthill which hath been possessed by three Brothers the youngest is Robert Lord Rutherfoord The Dignity of Viscount Teviot was conferred by King Ia. the seventh anno 1686 on the Lord Spencer eldest Son to the Earl of Sunderland in England In the same Shire lived Sir Walter Scot of Branâ—holme who by King Ja. the sixth 17 May 1606 was created Lord Scot of Buckcleugh he was the next after the Lord Scoon and these mentioned in the Decreet of Ranking and was immediatly created before the Lord Blantyre his Son Walter was created Earl by the same King in the year 1619 in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 is ranked after the Earls of Roxburgh and Kellie and before the Earl of Melrosâ— his Son Earl Francis was Father to Countess Margaret married to Walter Scot of Heychester who shortly deceased her Husband was by King Cha. the second created Earl of Tarras during life by whose decease the Dignity is extinct the younger Daughter Countess Anna was married to James Scot Duke of Monmouth Son to K. Ch. the second and was by him created Dutchess of Buckcleugh about the year 1661. who liveth and her Son is James Earl of Dalkeitb Tweed aforesaid runneth through the midst of a Dale taking Name of it replenished with Sheep that bear Wool of great request A very goodly River this is which springing more inwardly Eastward
hand until they be come thither at length in the dark Night where they would be When they have laid hold of a Bootie back again they return home likewise by Night through blind ways only and fetching many a compasse about The more skillful any Leader or Guide is to pass through those wild Desarts crooked turnings and steep Down-falls in the thickest Mists and deepest Darkness he is held in greater Reputation as one of an excellent Wit And so Crafty and Wily these are that seldom or never they forgo their Booty and suffer it to be taken out of their hands unless it happen otherwhiles that they be caught by their Adversaries following continually after and tracting them directly by their footing according as quick-senting Slugh-hounds do lead them But say they be taken so fair spoken they are and eloquent so many sugared words they have at will sweetly to plead for them that they are able to move the Judges and Adversaries both be they never so Austere and Severe if not to Mercy yet to Admiration and some Commiseration withal CHAP. XI NOVANTES GALLOWAY FRom Nithsdale as you go on west-ward the Novantes inhabited in the Vales all that Tract which runneth out far and wide toward the West between the Sea and Dunbritain Frith or Clyd-forth yet so indented and hollowed with Nooks and Creeks that here and there it is drawn into a narrow Room and then again in the very utmost Skirt it openeth and spreadeth it self abroad at more Liberty whereupon some have called it the Chersonesus that is The Biland of the Novantes But at this day their Countrey containeth Galloway Carrick Kyle and Cunninghame Galloway in the Latine Writers of the middle time Gaelwallia and Galovidia so called of the Irish who in times past dwelt there and term themselves short in their own Language Gael is a Countrey rising up every where with Hills that are better for feeding of Cattel than bearing of Corn the Inhabitants practise Fishing as well within the Sea lying round about them as in little Rivers and the Loches or Myres in every place standing full of Water at the foot of the Hills out of which in September they take in Weels and Weer-nets an incredible Number of most sweet and savourie Eels whereby they make no less gain than others do by their little Naggs which for being well Limmed fast knit and strongly made to endure Travail are most in request and bought from hence Among these the first place that offereth it self by the River Dea mentioned in Ptolomy which keeping the Name still full and whole they call d ee is Kirkcudbright the most commodious Port of this Coast and the second Stwartrie of Scotland which belongs Heretably to the Earls of Nithsdale The Family of Mcclellan of Bomby was dignifyed by King Charles the first about the year 1633 with the Title of Lord Kirkcudbright but at present no person claims that Dignity Then Cardines a Fort set upon a craggie and high Rock by the River Fleet and fenced with strong Walls Near unto it the River Ken corruptly read in Ptolomy Jena runneth into the Sea On this River standeth Kenmore from which Alexander Gordon now Viscount of Kenmore is designed whose Predecessor was dignified with that Title by King Charles the first before the year 1633 descended from an antient Family of the Gordons of Stitchel near Kelso and Lochinvar in this Stewartrie near to Kenmore is New-Galloway a Burgh Royal. After it is Wigton an Haven Town with a narrow Entrance unto it between the two Rivers Bluidnoo and Crea which also is counted a Sheriffdom over which Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochna◠Baronet is Heretable Sheriff and a Member for that Shire to this current Parliament In times past it had for Lord Archibald Douglas renowned in the French War and by the Favour of King James the Sixth John Lord Fleming of Cummernald who deriveth his Pedegree from the antient Earls of Wigton was created Earl of Wigton whose Posterity doth still enjoy that Honour Near unto this Ptolomy placed the City Leucopibia which I know not to say truth where to seek Yet that place requireth that it should be that Episcopal Seat of Ninian which Bede calleth Candida Casa and the English and Scots in the very same sense Whithern What say you then if Ptolomy after his manner translated that Name in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is White-houses in stead whereof the Transcribers have thrust upon us Leucopibia which the Brittains termed Candida Casa In this place Ninia or Ninian the Brittain an holy Man the first that instructed the South-Picts in Christian Faith in the Reign of the Emperor Theodosius the younger had his Seat and built a Church consecrated to the Memory of Saint Martin after a manner unusual among the Brittains as Bede saith who wrote that the English in his time held this Countrey and when the Number of the faithful Christians multiplied an Episcopal See was erected at this Candida Casa A little higher there is a Bi-land having the Sea insinuating it self on both sides with two Bayes The Loch of Lucé on the South toward Whit-hern and Loch-rian to the North designed Abravanus which being set a little out of his own place is so called of Ptolomy for Aber-Ruanus that is The mouth of Ruan For at this day that River is named Rian and the Lake out of which it floweth Loch-Rian exceeding full of Herrings Stone-fishes On this Lake standeth Stranrawer a Burgh-Royal the Promontory or point by which it entereth into the sea is called the point of Corsehill stretching to Cantyre and on the other side is Port-Patrick a known Sea-port opposite to Donaghadee in Ireland from thence running southward to the point of the Mule The land betwixt the two points of Corsehill and the Mule is called the Rinnes of Galloway perhaps because the points run out narrow a great length into the sea and are twenty four Miles distant And to the south of Lochrian is another Bay called the Loch or Bay of Luce running betwixt the points of the Mule and Whitehern opposite to the Isle of Man the neck of land interjected betwixt the Lakes joining the Rinnes to the Main-land is six mile broad and near to the midst whereof in a little rising ground standeth the Castle of the Inch among the Lakes on this Bay is the Vale or Glen of Luce where there was an Abbey founded by Rolland Lord of Galloway father to Allan confirmed by the King with a Regality whereof the Viscount of Stair is hereditary Baillie This Galloway had in times past Princes and Lords over it of whom the first recorded in Chronicles was Fergus in the Reign of Henry the first King of England who gave for his Arms A Lyon rampant Arg Crowned Or in a Shield Azur who after many troubles that he had stirred was driven to this
exigent by King Malcolm that he gave his Son Vcthred to the King for an Hostage and himself weary of this world took the Habit of a Chanon at Holy-rud-house in Edinburgh As for Vcthred Gilbert his younger Brother took him Prisoner in Battel and when he had cut out his Tongue and plucked his Eyes forth of his Head he cruelly bereaved him both of Life and Inheritance But within some few years when Gilbert was dead Vcthreds Son recovered his fathers Inheritance who of a Sister of William Morvill Constable of Scotland begat Allan Lord of Galloway and Constable of Scotland This Allan by Margaret the eldest Daughter of David Earl of Huntingtoun had Dervolgilda wife to John Balliol and the Mother of John Balliol King of Scotland who contended with Robert Brus for the Kingdom of Scotland and by a former Wife as it seemeth he had Helen married to Roger Quincy Earl of Winchester who thereby was Constable of Scotland like as William Ferrars of Groby the Nephew of the said Roger by a Daughter and one of the Heirs But these Englishmen soon lost their Inheritance in Scotland as also the Dignity of Constably which the Cummins Earls of Buchan descended likewise from a Daughter of Roger Quincy obtained until it was translated unto the Earls of Errol But the Title of the Lords of Galloway fell afterward to the Family of the Dowglasses And now the Title of Earl of Galloway belongeth to the Family of Stuarts of Garleis an antient Family of the name of Stuart which being first dignified by King James the Sixth about the year 1609 with the Title of Lord of Garleis is marked in the Rolls of Parliament after the Lord Haly-rood-house and before the Lords Cowper Maitherty Kintail and Cranstoun he was also created by the same King about the year 1622 Earl of Galloway and is ranked in the Rolls of Parliament next after the Earl of Haddingtoun and James now Earl of Galloway is the fifth Earl and Great Grand-child of the first CHAP. XII CARRICTA CARRICK NOw followeth Carrick upon Dumbritain Frith lying on the East-side of Loch-Rian opposite to the Corse-hill fair to be seen with fresh Pastures supplyed both by Land and Sea with Commodities abundantly In this Province Ptolomy placed Rerigonium a Creek and Rerigonium a Town For which Berigonium is read in a very antient Copy of Ptolomy printed at Rome in the year 1480 so that we cannot but verily think it was that which now is called Bargeny A Lord it hath out of the Family of the Kennedies which came forth of Ireland in the Reign of Robert Brus and is in this Tract of high Birth spread into many Branches and of great power The Chief of which Linage is the Earl of Cassils for this is the Name of a Castle wherein he dwelleth by the River Dun Upon the Bank whereof he hath also another Castle Named Dunnure his Predecessor was first designed of Dunnure and being married to Mary Stuart lawful daughter to King Robert the Third whose Successor was first created Lord Kennedy and thereafter Earl of Cassils and John now Earl of Cassils is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury An ancient Family of the Kennedies did possess the forementioned Lands of Bargeny which were purchased from them by Sir John Hamilton Son to John Marquess of Hamilton whose Son Sir John was created Lord Bargeny by King Charles the First Anno 1639 his Grand-child is William Lord Bargeny The Earl of Cassils is the hereditary Bailiff of this Countrey For this Carrick together with Kyle and Cunninghame are counted the three Bailleries of Scotland because they that govern these with an ordinary Power and Jurisdiction are called Bailliffs by a Term that came up in the middle times and among the Greeks Sicilians and French men signifieth a Conservator or Protector But in the Age aforegoing Carrick had Earls for to say nothing of Gilbert of Galloway's Son unto whom King of William gave all Carrict to be possessed for ever we read that Adam of Kilconcath was about the year 1270. Earl of Carrick and died serving in the Holy-land whose only Daughter Martha fell extremely in love with Robert Bruce a beautiful young Gentleman as she saw him hunting and thereupon made him her Husband advanced him with the Title of Earl and with Possessions unto whom she bare Robert Bruce that most renowned King of Scots from whom the royal Line of the Kings is descended But the Title of the Earl of Carrick being left for a time to the younger Sons of the Family of Bruce afterwards among other honours encreased the Stile of the Princes of Scotland The Title of the Lord Kincleven in Perth-Shire was conferred by King James the Sixth Anno 1607. and Earl of Carrick by King Charles the First upon John Stuart brother to Patrick Stuart last Earl of Orkney descended of King James the Fifth by a natural Son which is now Extinct CHAP. XIII KYLE MOre inward toward Clyds-forth followeth Kyle plentiful in all things and as well inhabited In Bedes Auctarium it is called Campus Cyel that is The Field Cyel and Coil where it is recorded That Eadbert King of Northumberland annexed this with other Territories unto his own Kingdom In Ptolomy's time there was known a place here named Vidogara happily Air which is a Sheriffdom hath a Town also of Merchandise and a well known Port by a River of the same name This Country lyeth between the River of Dune bordering Carrick and the River of Irwine northward bordering Cunninghame and is divided in Kings-Kyle under the Jurisdiction of the Sheriff which lyeth betwixt Dune on the South and West and the Rivers of Air and Lougar running into Air on the North and East including also the Paroch of Achinleck on the other side of Lougar and Kyle-stewart containing the rest of the Country northward to the River of Irwine which belonged anciently to the Stuarts of Scotland since to the Prince the Kings eldest Son The Wallaces Lairds of Craiggie were heretable Stuarts but now both Sheriffship and Stewartry being at the Kings disposal are granted to one person which Rivers hath many little Villages scattered along their Banks Upon Lougar standeth Vchiltrie sometime the Seat of the Stuarts of the Blood-Royal as who issued from the Dukes of Albanie and were created Lords of Vchiltrie which Title is now failed out of which House was that noble Robert Stuart who kept continually with the Prince of Condie as an inseparable Companion and was slain in Battle with him in France Near to this place to the westward on the River Air in Kings-kyle is situat Stair the Inheritance of Sir James Dalrymple Knight and Barronet who being learned in the Laws was admitted an ordinar Lord of Session in the first nomination and settlement of the Judicatory by King Charles the Second after his Restauration anno 1661 and President anno 1671. And
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
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
and Inheritance As touching the Earls of Lennox themselves to omit those of more ancient and obscure times there was one Duncan Earl of Lennox in the Reign of Robert the Third who died and left none but Daughters behind him of whom one was married to Allan Stuart descended from Robert a younger Son of Walter the Second of that Name High Stewart of Scotland and Brother likewise to Alexander Stuart the Second from whom the noblest and Royal Race of Scotland hath been propagated This sirname Stuart was given unto that most noble Family in regard of the honourable Office of the Stewart-ship of the Kingdom as who had the Charge of the Kings Revenues The said Allan had Issue John Earl of Lennox and Robert Captain of that Company of Scottish men at Arms which Charles the Sixth King of France first instituted in lieu of some Recompence unto the Scottish Nation which by their Valour had deserved passing well of the Kingdom of France who also by the same Prince for his vertues sake was endowed with the Seigniory of Aubigny in Auvergne Iohn had a Son named Matthew Earl of Lennox who wedded the Daughter of James Hamilton by Marion Daughter to King James the Second on whom he begat John Earl of Lennox he taking Arms to deliver King James the Fifth out of the hands of the Dowglasses and the Hamiltons was slain by the Earl of Arran his Uncle on the Mothers side This John was Father to Matthew Earl of Lennox who having sustained sundry Troubles in France and Scotland found Fortune more friendly to him in England through the favour of King Henry the Eight considering that he bestowed upon him in marriage his Neice with fair Lands By the means of this happy Marriage were brought into the world Henry and Charles Henry by Mary Queen of Scots had Issue James the Sixth King of Brittain by the propitious Grace of the Eternal God born in a most auspicate and lucky Hour to knit and unite in one Body of an Empire the whole Island of Brittain divided as well in it self as it was heretofore from the rest of the World and to lay a most sure Foundation of an everlasting Security for our Heirs and the Posterity As for Charles he had Issue one only Daughter Arbella married to the Earl of Hertford in England who above her Sex so embraced the Studies of the best Literature that therein she profited and proceeded with singular Commendation and comparable with the excellent Ladies of old time When Charles was dead after that the Earldom of Lenox whereof he stood Enfeoffed was revoked by Parliamentary Authority in the year of our Lord 1579. and his Uncle by the Fathers side Robert Bishop of Caithness had some while enjoyed this Title in lieu whereof he received at the Kings hands the honour of the Earl of March. King James the Sixth conferred the honourable Title of Duke of Lennox upon Esme Stuart Son to Iohn Lord D' Aubigny younger Brother to Matthew aforesaid Earl of Lennox which Lodowick Esme his Son after him did enjoy For since the time of Charles the Sixth there were of this Line Lords of Aubigny in France the said Robert before named and Bernard or Eberdard under Charles the Eighth and Lewis the Twelfth who is commended with great praise unto Posterity by P. Jovius for his noble Acts most valourously exploited in the War of Naples a most firm and trusty Companion of King Henry the Seventh when he entered into England who used for his Emprese or Devise a Lyon between Buckles with this Motto Distantia Jungit for that by his Means the Kingdoms of France and of Scotland severed and dis-joined so far in distance were by a straighter League of friendship conjoyned likeas Robert Stuart Lord D' Aubigny of the same Race who was Marshal of France under King Lewis the Eleventh for the same cause used the royal Arms of France with Buckles Or in a border Gules which the Earls and Dukes of Lennox have ever since born quarterly with the Arms of Stuart The Dukes of Lennox were also heretably great Chamberlains of Scotland and High-Admirals and had several Regalities and the Baillerie of Glasgow The Race of the Earls and Dukes of Lennox aforesaid being extinct by the death of Charles Duke of Lennox and Richmond Ambassador for King Charles the Second in Denmark about the year 1672 his Estate in Scotland did fall to the King by Succession who bestowed it on his Son Charles by the Name of Charles Lennos Duke of Lennox about the year 1675 who enjoyeth that honour Lord George Dowglass one of the younger Sons of William Marquess of Dowglass Collonel of the Scottish Regiment and Mareschal of the Camp in France thereafter Lieuetenant General in Brittain was by King Charles the Second before the year 1677 created Earl of Dunbarton whose Son doth enjoy that Title CHAP. XVIII STIRLING UPon Lennox North-eastward bordereth the Territory of Stirling so named of the principle Town therein for fruitful Soll and numbers of Gentlemen in it second to no Province of Scotland Here is that narrow Land or Streight by which Dunbritton Firth and Edinburgh Firth piercing far into the Land out of the West and East Seas are divided asunder that they meet not one with the other Which thing Julius Agricola who marched hitherto and beyond first observed and fortified this Space between with Garisons so as all the part of Brittain on the east and south side was then in possession of the Romans and the Enemies removed and driven as it were into another Island in so much as Tacitus judged right truly There was no other bound or limit of Brittain to be sought for Neither verily in the time ensuing did either the Valour of Armies or the Glory of the Roman name which scarcely could be stayed set out the Marches of the Empire in this part of the World farther although with Inrodes they other whiles molested and endamnaged them But after this glorious Expedition of Agricola when himself was called back Brittain as saith Tacitus become for-let neither was the Possession kept still thus far for the Caledonian Brittains drave the Romans back as far as to the River Tine in so much as Hadrian who came into Brittain in person about the fortieth year after and reformed many things in it went no further forward but gave commandment that the God Terminus which was wont to give ground unto none should retire backward out of this place like as in the East on this side Euphrates Hence it is that S. Augustine wrot in this wise God Terminus who gave not place to Jupiter yielded unto the will of Hadrianus yielded to the rashness of Iulian yielded to the necessity of Jovian in so much as Hadrian had enough to do for to make a Wall of Turff between the Rivers Tine and Esk well near an hundred Miles southward on this side Edinburgh Firth
Son to Alexander the first Earl of Linlithgow who by King Charles the First was created Lord Almond and then Earl of Callender in the year 1641 he was Lieutenant General to the Parliaments Army his Successor by entail is James Brother Son to George now Earl of Linlithgow mention hath been made of the Earl of Linlithgow in Lithgow Shire The Family of the Barons Fâ—â—â—ing dwelling hard by at Cumbernald which they received at the hands of King Robert Bruce for their Service valiantly and faithfully performed in defence of their Country whereby also they attained unto the hereditary Honour to be Chamberlanes of Scotland and the favour of King James the Sixth honoured this House with the Title of Earl of Wigtoun About the year 1606 his Predecessor had that Title with the Lordship of Galloway in the Reign of King David Bruce which they resigned to the Earl of Dowglass who and his Successors amongst other Titles were designed Earls of Wigtoun till the Forefaulture in the Reign of King James the Second and the Dignity was vacant till conferred by King James the Sixth as said is the Heir of this Family is Iohn Earl of Wigtoun In a place near adjoyning standeth Elphingstoun which likewise hath his Barons advanced to that Dignity by King James the 4th of whom is descended Iohn now Lord Elphingstoun And where Forth full of his windings crooked Cranks runneth down with a rolling pace and hath a Bridge over him standeth Stirling commonly called Striviling and Stirling Burgh where on the very brow of a steep Rock there is mounted on high a passing strong Castle of the Kings which King James the Sixth beautified with new Buildings and where of a long time the Lords of Areskine Earls of Marr have been Captains unto whom the Charge and Tuition of the Princes of Scotland during their Minority have been at other times committed Whereas some there be that would have the good and lawful money of England which is called Sterling money to take the name from hence they are much deceived for that Denomination came from the Germans of their easterly Dwelling termed by English men Easterlings whom King John of England first sent for to reduce the silver to the due fineness and purity and such Monies in ancient writing are ever more found by the name of Easterling About two Miles hence the Banock-burn runneth between exceeding high Banks on both sides and with a very swift Stream in Winter toward the Forth a Burn most famous for as glorious a Victory as ever the Scots had what time as Edward the Second King of England was put to flight who was fain to make hard shift and in great haste and fear to take a Boat and save his life yea and the most puissant Army which England had before sent out was discomfited through the valiant prowess of King Robert Bruce insomuch as for two years after the English came not into the Field against the Scots About Stirling Ptolomy seemeth to place Alauna which is either near the little River Alon that here entreth into the Forth or else by Alloway an house and ordinar Residence of the Areskins who by Inheritance are the Sheriffs of all this Territory without the Burgh but have been of a long time Earls of Marr from a country in Aberdeen Shire to be described after The Sheriffship of this Shire belongs to the Earls of Callender Sir William Alexander was the Kings Lieutenant in Nova Scotia and had Precedency of all those Baronets he succeeded Sir Archibald Aitchison as Secretary of State to King Charles the First and is so designed in the Kings Letter anent the Baronets November 17. 1629. Amongst the Commissioners for continuing the Parliament August 4. 1631 is William Viscount of Stirling principal Secretary he was created Earl of Stirling anno 1633 his Heir doth reside in England To conclude this Chapter take here a Description of the principal Seal of the Burgh of Stirling which carries on the one side a Bridge of seven Arches with a Cross mounted on the the middle and armed men on each side of the Cross with this Inscription Hic armis Bruti Scoti stant hic Cruce tuti And on the other side a large strong Castle in a Wood with this Motto Continet hoc in se Nemus Castrum Strivlingnense Which two Inscriptions they give us in English thus The Brittains stand by force of Arms The Scots are by this Cross preserv'd from Harms The Castle and the Wood of Stirling town Are in the compass of this Seal set down Which agreeth well with what Buchanan said that the River Carron was the Boundary of the Roman Conquests and Stirling the Limits of the Brittains and Scots However it be the Seal and Inscription must be very old when special notice is taken of a Wood at Stirling whereof there is but small Remains and at this place doth the River Forth admit of a Bridge which is the secure Passage betwixt the South and North of Scotland CHAP. XIX CALEDONIA WHatsoever part of Brittain lyeth northward beyond Grahams Dyke or the Wall of Antoninus Pius before named and beareth out on both Seas is called by Tacitus Caledonia likeas the people thereof Brittains inhabiting Caledonia Ptolemy divideth them into many Nations as Caledonii Epidii Vacomagi c. who were all of them afterward for continuing their ancient manner and custom of painting their Bodies named by the Romans and provincial people Picts divided by Ammianus Marcellinus into two Nations the Dicalidones and Vecturiones howbeit in the approved and best Writers they go all under the name of Caledonians whom I would think to have been so called of Kaled a Brittish word that signifieth Hard and in the plural Number maketh Kaledion whence the word Caledonii may be derived that is to say hard rough uncivil and a wilder kind of people such as the northern Nations for the most part are who by reason of the rigorous cold of the Air are more rough and fierce and for their abundance of Blood more bold and adventurous Moreover beside the position of the Climat this is furthered by the nature and condition of the Soil which riseth up all throughout with rough and rugged Mountains and Mountainers verily all men know and confess to be hardy stout and strong But whereas Varro alledgeth out of Pacuvius that Caledonia breedeth and nourisheth men of exceeding big Bodies I would understand the place rather of Caledonia the Region of Epirus than this of our although ours may also justly challenge unto it self this commendation Among this was the Wood Caledonia termed by Lucius Florus Saltus Caledonius that is the Forrest of Caledonia spreading out a mighty way and impassible by reason of tall Trees standing so thick divided also by Gramp Hill now called Granizbain that is the crooked bending Mountain That Vlysses arrived in Caledonia saith Solinus appeareth plainly by a votive Altar with
treeple Trenches wherein at several times Roman Medals have been found and from that there is a great Mercat-Road leadeth towards St. Iohnstoun or Perth Calseyed in many places and thence through Strathmore toward Angus This incampment is believed to have been made by Iulius Agricola being near to the Grampian Hills where he defate the Scots and Picts Within this Camp there was found a squair Stone which is yet kept at the Castle of Drummond and may be seen there whereon is engraven the Inscription following DIS MANIBUS ANTONIUS DAIMONIUS COHORTIS I. LEGIONIS XVII HISPANORUM HEREDES F. C. Mr. Adair in his Map of Strathern hath printed this Inscription with some small difference whee rhe hath also a draught of the Roman Camp before mentioned CHAP. XXII ARGATHELIA OR ARGILE BEyond the Lake Lomund and the west part of Lennox there spreadeth it self near unto Dumbarton Firth the large Country called Argathelia and Ar. Gwithil that is Near unto the Irish or as old Writings have it the edge or Border of Ireland for it lyeth toward Ireland the Inhabitants whereof the Brittains term Gwithil and Gaothel The Country runneth out in length and breadth all mangled with fishful Pools and in some places with rising Mountains very commodious for feeding of Cattel in which also there range up and down wild Kine and red Deer but along the Shore it is more unpleasant in sight what with Rocks and what with blackish barren Mountains In this part as Bede writeth Brittain received after the Brittains and Picts a third nation of Scots in that Countrey where the Picts inhabited who coming out of Ireland under the leading of Reuda either through friendship or by dint of Sword planted their seat amongst them which they still hold Of whom their Leader they are to this very day called Dalreudini for in their language Dal signifieth a part And a little after Ireland saith he is the proper Country of the Scots for being departed out of it they added unto the Brittains and Picts a third Nation in Brittain And there is a very great Bay or Arm of the Sea that in old time severed the Nation of the Brittains from the Picts which from the West breaketh a great way into the Land where standeth the strongest City of all the Brittains even unto this day called Alchith In the north part of which Bay the Scots aforesaid when they came got themselves a place to inhabite Of that name Dalreudin no Remains at all are now extant neither find we any thing thereof in Writers unless it be that same Dalrieta For in an old Pamphlet touching the division of Albany we read of one Kinnady who for certain was a King of Scots and denyed the Picts these very words Kinnady two years before he came into Pictavia for so it calleth the Country of the Picts entred upon the Kingdom of Dalrieta Also in an History of latter time there is mention made of Dalrea in some place of this Tract where King Robert Bruce fought a field unfortunatly That Justice should be ministred unto this Province by Justices itinerant at Perth whensoever it pleased the King King Iames the Fourth by Authority of the States of the Kingdom enacted a Law But the Earls themselves have in some cases their Royalties as being men of very great Command and Authority followed with a mighty Train of Retainers and Dependants who derive their Race from the ancient Princes and Potentates of Argile by an infinite descent of Ancestours and from their Castle Campbel took their sirname but the Honour and Title of Earl was given unto them by King James the Second who as it is recorded invested Colin Lord Campbel Earl of Argile in regard of his own vertue and the worth of his Family whose Heirs and Successors standing in the gracious favour of the Kings have been Lords of Lorn and a good while General Justices of the Kingdom of Scotland or Justices ordained in General and Great Masters of the Kings Royal Houshold Archibald Earl of Argile by King Charles the First created Marquess of Argile was forefaulted by King Charles the Second and his Son Archbald Lord Lorn restored to the Dignity and Precedency of the Earl of Argile who thereafter in that same Kings Reign upon very nice slender Grounds was also forefaulted which Forefaulture was particularly taxed as a Reproach to the Nation in the Claim of Right or Instrument of Government anno 1689 and by a special printed Act of Parliament 1690 his Son Archbald Lord Lorn now Earl of Argile restored Since the printing of the first Sheets of this Book he hath presented a Letter from the King to the Lords nominating him an Extraordinar Lord of the Session in place of the Duke of Hamilton deceased and is accordingly admitted From Melfort in this Country did John Drummond of Lundie first married to the Heiress of that Family and Brother to James Earl of Perth by grant from King James the Seventh take first the Title of Viscount and thereafter of Earl and was Thesaurer Depute to King Charles the Second and Secretary to him and King James the Seventh The head Burgh of this Shire is Inerara a Burgh Royal. CHAP. XXIII CANTIRE LOgh Fin a Lake breeding such store of Herrings at a certain due season as it is wonderful severeth Argile from a Promontory which for thirty Miles together growing still toward a sharp Point thrusteth it self forth with so great a desire toward Ireland betwixt which and it there is a narrow Sea scarce thirteen Miles over as if it would conjoyn it self Ptolomy termeth this the Promontory Epidiorum between which name and the Islands Aebudae lying over-against it there is in my conceit some affinity At this day it is called in the Irish Tongue which they speak in all this Tract Can-tyre that is The Lands Head inhabited by the Mac-conells a Family that here swayeth much howbeit at the pleasure and dispose of the Earl of Argile yea and other times they make out their light Pinnaces and Gallies for Ireland to raise Booties and Pillage who also hold in Possession those little Provinces of Ireland which they call Glines and Rowts This Promontory lyeth annexed to Knapdale by so thin a Neck as being scarce a Mile broad and the same all Sandy that the Mariners find it the nearer way to convey their small Vessels over it by Land Which I hope a man may sooner believe than that the Argonauts laid their great Ship Argos upon their Shoulders and so carried it along with them five hundred Miles from Aemonia unto the Shores of Thessalia This place gave first the Title of Lord to a Brother of the Earl of Argiles as hath been said and thereafter when Argile became Marquess he was designed Earl of Kintyre CHAP. XXIV LORN SOmewhat higher toward the North lyeth Lorn bearing the best kind of Barley in great plenty and divided with Leave a vast and huge
Lake by which standeth Berogomum a Castle in which sometime was kept the Court of Justice or Session and not far from it Dunstaffage that is Stephens Mount the Kings House in times past above which Logh Aher a Lake insinuating it self from out of the Western Sea windeth it self so far within Land that it had conflowed together with Ness another Lake running into the East Sea but that certain Mountains between kept them with a very little Partition asunder The chiefest Place of Name in this Tract is Tarbar in Loch Kinkeran where King James the fourth ordained a Justice and Sheriff to administer Justice unto the Inhabitants of the out Islands but now the Shires of Argile and Tarbat are joyned in one These Countries and those beyond them in the year of our Lords Incarnation 655. the Picts held whom Beda calleth the Northern Picts where he reporteth that in the said year Columbane a Priest and Abbot famous for his Monkish profession and life came out of Ireland into Brittain to instruct these in Christian Religion that by means of the high rough Ridges of the Mountains were sequestred from the Southern Countries of the Picts and that they in lieu of a Reward allowed unto him the Island Hii over against them now called I-Comb-Kill a famous Monastry and Nursery of the Christian Religion over Britain The Lord of Lorna in the age aforegoing were the Stuarts but now by reason of a Female their Heir the Earls of Argile use this Title in their Honourable Designation CHAP. XXV BRAID ALBIN OR ALBANY MOre inwardly where the uninhabitable lofty and rugged Ridges of the Mountain Grampius begin a little to slope and settle downward is seated Braid-Albin that is The highest part of Scotland for they that are the true and right Scots indeed call Scotland in their Mother Tongue Albin like as that part where it mounteth up highest Drum Albin that is the Ridge of Scotland But in an old Book it is read Brun Albin where we find this Written Fergus filius Eric c. That is Fergus the Son of Eric was the first of the Seed or line of Chonare that entred upon the Kingdom of Albanie from Brun-Albain unto the Irish Sea and Inch-Gall And after him the Kings descended from the Seed or Race of Fergus Reigned in Brun-Albain or Brunhere unto Alpin the Son of Eochall But this Albanie is better known for the Dukes thereof than for any good Gifts that the Soil yieldeth The first Duke of Albanie was Robert Earl of Fife whom his Brother King Robert the third of that Name advanced to that honour yet he ungrateful person that he was pricked on with the spirit of ambition famished to Death his Son David that was Heir to the Crown But the punishment due for this wicked Fact which himself by the long sufferance of God self not his Son Mordac the second Duke of Albanie first designed in his Fathers time Sir Murdac Stuart of Kinclevin suffered most grievously being condemned for Treason and beheaded when he had seen his two Sons the day before executed in the same manner The third Duke of Albanie was Alexander second Son to King James the second who was also designed Earl of March Marr and Garioth Lord of Annandale and of Man was by his own Brother King James the third outlawed and after he had been turmoiled with many Troubles in the end as he stood by to behold at Justs and Tourneament in Paris chanced to be wounded with a piece of shattered Launce so died His Son John the fourth Duke of Albanie was called home made Regent and Tutor to King James the fifth taking contentment in the pleasant Delights of the French Court after he had Wedded there the Daughter and one of the Heirs of John Earl of Anverne and Lauragveze died there without Issue Whom in respective reverence to the Blood Royal of the Scots Francis the first King of France gave thus much honour unto as that he allowed him place between the Archbishop of Langres and the Duke of Alenson Peers of France After his death there was no Duke of Albanie until that Queen Mary conferred this Title upon Henry Lord Darnly whom within some few days after she made her Husband likeas King James the sixth granted the same unto his own second son Charles being an Infant during the lifetime of Prince Henry his elder Brother to whom he succeeded as Prince and Steward of Scotland and to his Father as King of Great-Britain and first of the Name of Charles King James the seventh did enjoy the Title of Duke of Albany during the lifetime of his elder Brother There inhabit these Regions a kind of People rude warlike ready to fight quarrellous and mischievous they be commonly termed Highlandmen who being indeed the right Progeny of the antient Scots speak Irish and call themselves Albinich their bodies be firmly made and well compact able withal and strong nimble of Foot high minded inbread and nuzzeled in warlike exercises or Robberies rather and upon a deadly feud and hatred most forward and desperat to take revenge They go attired Irish-like in stript or streaked Mantles of divers colours wearing thick and long Glibes of Hair living by hunting fishing fowling and stealing In the War their Armour is an Head-piece or Morion of Iron and an Habergeon or Coat of Mail their Weapons be Bows barbed or hooked Arrows and broad Back Swords and being divided by certain Families or Kindreds which they term Clans they commit such cruel Outrages what with Robbing Spoilling and Killing that their Savage Cruelty hath forced a Law to be enacted whereby it is lawful That if any person out of any one Clan or Kindred of theirs hath trespassed ought and done harm whosoever of that Clan or Linage chance to be taken he shall either make amends for the harms or else suffer Death for it when as the whole Clan commonly beareth Feud for any hurt received by any one Member thereof by execution of Laws order of Justice or otherwise Sir John Camphel of Glenurchie Baronet an antient and powerful Cadet of Argile descended of one of the Heiresses of Stuart Lord Lorn of whose Lands he enjoyes a part and their Arms quartered and of other great Families and from whom many Noblemen and Barons derive their Pedegree was by King Charles the second about the year 1677. Created Earl of Brade Albine and is one of the present Commissioners of their Majesties Thesaury he is Hereditary Baillie of Broad Albine CHAP. XXVI PERTHIA OR PERTH Sheriffdom OUt of the very bosome of the Mountains of Albany Tau the greatest River of all Scotland issueth and first runreth amain through the Fields until that spreading broad into a Lake full of Islands he restraineth and keepeth in his course Then gathering himself narrow within his Banks into a Channel and Watering Perth a large plentiful and rich Countrey he taketh in unto him Amond a
further side of Crantzbain Mountain which as it were in a continued Range by Hills hanging one by another driveth out his Ridge with many a winding as far as to Murray Firth where now lyeth Murray in Latine Moravia celebrated for the Fertility pleasant Situation and commodity of fruitfull Trees By this Province Spey a famous River maketh his Issue into the Sea wherein he lodgeth when he hath watered Rothes Castle whence the Family of the Leslys took the Title of Earl ever since that King James the Second conferred the Honour of Earl of Rothes upon Sir George Lesly of whom in the Shire of Fife Concerning this Spey the Poet Necham hath thus written Spey loca mutantis praeceps agitator arenae Inconstans certas nescit habere vias Officium lintris corbis subit hunc regit audax Cursus labentis nauta fluenta sequens Spey raising heaps of sand amain That shift oft-times their place Inconstant he doth change eft-soons And keeps no certain race A Panier serves here for a Boat Some ventrous Swain it guides Who followeth still the Rivers course Whild down the Stream it glides The River Loxa mentioned by Ptolomy which now is called Losse hideth himself in the Sea hard by near unto which Elgin appeareth in which and in Forres adjoyning J. of Dumbar of Cumnock descended from the Stock of the Earls of March and Murray hath his Jurisdiction as Sheriff by Inheritance whose Descendent is Alexander Dumbar of West-field Sheriff of Murray his Predecessor Sir Alexander Dumbar of Westfield Sheriff of Murray was Son to the last Dumbar Earl of Murray whose Son James Dumbar married one of the Heiresses of Patrick Dumbar of Cumnock descended of the Earls of March by which Marriage their Successors had the Barony of Cumnock and were designed Lairds of Cumnock till they sold these Lands about the year 1600 which now belong to the Countess of Dumfreis and then they resumed their former designation of West-field and Sheriff of Murray But where Losse is now ready to enter into the Sea he findeth a more plain and soft Soil and spreadeth abroad into a Meer full of Swans wherein the Herb Olorina plentifully groweth he hath Spiny Castle standing upon it whereof the first Baron was Alexander of the Linage of the Lindseys now extinct Likas Kinloss also a neighbour by sometime a famous Monastery some call it Kill-flos of certain Flowers miraculously there springing up on a sudden when the Carcase of King Duff murdered and hidden in the same place was found had for the Lord thereof Edward Bruce a Lawyer and a Commissar of Edinburgh afterward a Lord of the Session and Commendator of Kinloss and Ambassador to Queen Elizaheth and afterwards Master of the Rolls in England and of the Kings Majesties Privy Council whom King James the Sixth created Baron Bruce of Kinloss about the year 1604 whose Son was created Earl of Elgin by K. Ch. the 1st anno 1633 and a Lord Baron in York Shire and his Son Rohert was by K. Ch. the 2d created Earl of Ailshury in England whose Son doth succeed him in both Dignities In this Shire also Sir Alexander Sutherland of Duffus an ancient Cadet of the Earls of Sutherland was created Lord Duffus in the beginning of the Reign of King Charles the Second about the year 1651 whose Son is Alexander now Lord Duffus Thus much for the shore More inward where now standeth Bean Castle thought to be Banatia that Ptolomy mentioneth there was found in the year 1460 a Vessel of Marble artificially engraven and full of Roman Coin Hard by is Nardin or Nairn an hereditable Sheriffdom of the Camphels of Lorn designed of Caddel Sir Hugh Camphel of Caddel is the present Sheriff and Alexander Campbel his eldest Son is one of the Commissioners for that Shire in this current Parliament where there stood within a Biland a Fortress of a mighty hight built with wonderful Bulwarks and in times past defended by the Danish Forces against the Scots A little off is Logh-ness a very great Lake as reaching out 23 miles in length the Water whereof is so warm that even in this cold and frozen Climat it never freezeth from which by a very small Isthim or partition of Hills the Logh Lutea or Louthea which by Aher letteth it self forth into the west Sea is divided Near unto these Loghs there stood in old time two notable Fortifications the one named Iuverness the other Innerlothea according to the names of the said Loghs Iuverness had for Sheriff thereof by right of Inheritance the Marquess of Huntly who is of great command hereabout now at the Kings disposal Lodovick Grant of Freuchie commonly designed Laird of Grant a Privy Counseller and one of the Commissioners for the Shire is Sheriff thereof Under the reign of Rohert Bruce Thomas Randolph his Sisters son who in his Countries behalf undertook exceeding great pains and most grievous Quarrels was highly renowned by the Title of Earl of Murray Under King Rohert the Second John of Dumhar took to Wise the Kings Daughter to make amends for her devirgination received this Earldom of Murray with her in Marriage Under King James the Second William Creighton Chancellor of the Realm and Archihald Dowglass were at great variance and eager contention about this Earldom when as against the Laws and ancient Customs Dowglass who had married the younger Daughter of James of Dumhar Earl of Murray was preferred to the Earldom before Creighton who had wedded the elder and that through the powerful Authority that William Earl Dowglass had with the King which was so great that he advanced not only him to the Earldom of Murray but also another Brother to the Earldom of Ormond and made two Cousins of his Earls the one of Angus and the other of Morton but this greatness of his not to be trusted upon because it was excessive turned soon after to his own confusion under King James the Fifth his own Brother whom he appointed his Vicegerent in the Government of the Kingdom enjoyed this honour and James the base Son of King James the Fifth received this honour of Queen Mary his Sister but he requited her ill when joyning with others of the Nobility and Nation she was deposed from her Royal Estate and Kingdom a President prejudicial to Kings and Princes which notwithstanding was revenged for shortly after he was shot through with a Bullet his only Daughter brought this Title unto her Husband Sir James Stuart of Down who was also of the Blood-Royal from the Dukes of Albany who being slain by his Concurrents left his Son James to succeed him in this honour Sir James Stuart of Down first created Lord Down by King James the Sixth about the year 1581 the Successor of the Lord Down and Earl of Murray is Alexander Earl of Murray who was Secretary to King Charles the Second and King James the Seventh and
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
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