"The Chiefs of Grant" (1883) by Sir William Fraser
Volume I, Chapter 8

JOHN GRANT, SECOND OF FREUCHIE; MARGARET OGILVIE (OF DESKFORD), HIS WIFE: 1485-1528.

[71] This second Laird of Freuchie held his inherited estates for the long period of forty-three years. As during that time he acquired the lands of Tullochgorm, Mulben, Urquhart, Glencarnie, Ballindalloch, and others, and also took an active part in public affairs, many notices of him are found in documents both of a public and private nature. These illustrate both the personal history of this Laird and the history of the time in which he lived.

Sir Duncan Grant, the first of Freuchie, died, as has been shown, in 1485, and was succeeded by his grandson, the subject of the present memoir. This Laird of Freuchie was on intimate terms with George, second Earl of Huntly, as his father had also been, and received from him, on 16th September 1483, the lands or davochs of Kinrara, Rait, and others in the lordship of Badenoch, to be held for manrent service during his life, as his father had held them {Vol. iii of this work, p. 35.}

A year later the Laird was at the "Bog of Geith," thethen recently erected residence of the Earl of Huntly, and now known as Gordon Castle. While there, the Laird entered into a matrimonial contract, which bears date 15th September 1484, with Sir James Ogilvie of Deskford. The contract provided that John Grant should marry Margaret Ogilvie, daughter of Sir James, and should be ready to complete the marriage, whenever required to do so, on eight days' warning. The lady's dower was fixed at 300 merks Scots payable by instalments of £40 at the next term of Whitsunday, and £20 at each half-yearly term thereafter, till the whole sum was discharged. John Grant was to infeft his wife in 20 merks worth of land, with provision for the children of the marriage, while he and his father-in-law bound themselves to each other to "stand anefaki, leyl, and kind" in all matters, [72] and to "manteine, keip, and diffejid ilkain uthiris rowmis, takis, and bailzeoriis fra sorning, thigging, oppressiolie, and stouth, truly at thair gudly powaris, and speciale sal rewell thair kine, freindis, and servandis fra all sic injuris." To this agreement, which was executed in duplicate, Sir James Ogilvie affixed his seal, while John Grant procured the seal of "his singular lord," George, Earl of Huntly, to be affixed on his behalf, and thus completed the first of the alliances between the Chiefs of Grant and the Ogilvies - alliances which were renewed by more than one generation, and ultimately led to the inheritance by the Laird of Grant of the Ogilvie titles and estates.

Although this Laird succeeded to his grandfather, Sir Duncan, in 1485, his feudal title to Freuchie was not completed till 1489. This delay probably arose out of the troubled state of the kingdom immediately following the death of King James the Third. But on 31st March 1489 a precept was issued for infefting John Grant as heir to his grandfather in the half of Freuchie, the two Culfoichs, the two Congashes, and Glenlochy, all in the shire of Inverness Vol. iii of this work, p. 37. The infeftment in favour of the Laird was expede on 17th June 1489, at the foresaid lands of Freuchie and Congashes, which are on opposite sides of the Spey, upon the soil and messuages of the same. Messuages imply that there were mansions or principal residences on these lands, although no mention has been found of a castle of Freuchie until some years later.

Following out the friendship between the Earl of Huntly and the Laird of Freuchie, the Earl in 1491 exchanged with him the lands of Corroo (Curr), Tullochgorm, Ibid., p. 39, and Clurie, Original Charter, dated 4th February 1491, at Castle Grant, for the lands of Fodderletter, Innerloquhies, and the two Innerrowries in Strathavon. The lands given by the Earl formed parts of the ancient lordship of Badenoch, and lay to the south of Freuchie, between that barony and the lordship of Glencarnie. These acquisitions tended to consolidate the Laird of Freuchie's lands in these districts, while the lands in Strathavon formed a convenient adjunct to the estates of Huntly.

But even before he made this consolidation of his estates, John [73] Grant, of Freuchie is found taking a prominent part in public affairs with his neighbours, and in the civil history of his district. The state of the highlands was at all times a matter of anxiety to the Government of that period, and more especially under the circumstances of the change of government caused by the death of King James the Third. The north of Scotland was therefore a favourite resort for refugees from the south, or others who had been in arms against the Prince of Scotland, now King James the Fourth. One of these refugees seems to have fallen into the hands of John Grant of Freuchie, and by him been delivered up, as, in the accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, there is an entry in the year 1488, "Item, The xx ti day of Nouember, till ane man to pas to the Lard of Frauche for a traytoure he tuke, xs." Treasurer's Accounts, vol. i. p. 98.

Other matters of the same kind, but nearer home, also engaged the Laird's attention. Mackintosh and Rose of Kilravock had entered, as narrated in a previous memoir, into a friendly agreement in the year 1479. This contract bound the chiefs of the Clan Chattan not to molest the Baron of Kilravock in his possessions, but their friendly feeling was not shared by others of the Clan. On 15th May 1482, a contract was concluded at Inverness between Lachlan Mackintosh of Gellovie, and Donald, Angus M'Yntossich sone, which need not be rehearsed here, but in terms of which Donald Angusson attacked and despoiled the Castle of Kilravock. Rose of Kilravock, pp. 52, 146.A royal summons was obtained by Rose of Kilravock against Donald Angusson and his accomplices in 1498, but before that date a new alliance was made with the chief of the Clan Chattan, who, however, may not have been a consenting party to the raid on the castle.

The old mode of healing family feuds by matrimony was resorted to. Duncan Mackintosh, captain of the Clan Chattan, and Ferquhard, his son and apparent heir, entered into a bond of mutual alliance and defence with Hugh Rose, Baron of Kilravock, and Hugh Rose, his son and apparent heir, in which, inter alia, it was agreed that Hugh Rose the younger should espouse a daughter of Ferquhard Mackintosh. The marriage was to be made and arranged by the advice of certain friends, of whom John Grant of Freuchie was one, the others being Sir James Ogilvie of [74] Deskford, Walter Ogilvie of Achlevyn, his brother-german, Lachlan Mackintosh of Gellovie, Alexander Mackintosh of Rothiemurchus, and Alexander Rose, brother to the Baron of Kilravock Rose of Kilravock, pp. 151-153. Contract dated 17th September 1490.

The Laird of Freuchie, owing, it may be, to his kinship with the Mackintoshes, but perhaps also from his recognised prudence and force of character, is again found acting as an arbiter in another important contract in which the chiefs of Clan Chattan were interested. This was a contract of friendship drawn up at Darnaway, 18th September 1492, betwixt Alexander Dunbar of Westfield, knight, with James Dunbar of Cumnock, knight, on one side, and Ferquhard Mackintosh, son and apparent heir of Duncan Mackintosh, captain of the Clan Chattan, having authority from his father, who promises to affix his seal to the bond, on the other part. This agreement is evidently one of those by which it was sought to secure the friend ship of the Clan Chattan, and thus save the property of landowners in the lowlands of Moray. It was agreed that Sir Alexander Dunbar and Duncan Mackintosh "sail obserf and keip kyndness and brethirheid to utheris as carnale brethire suld do, for all the dayis of thair lyffis." Ferquhard Mackintosh is to become "son and man" to Sir Alexander Dunbar for his lifetime, and "bruther" to Sir James, with other conditions, matrimonial and other Collectanea de Rebus Albanicis, Iona Club, 1847, pp. 83-86.To adjust the questions regarding the proposed union between a son of Sir James Dunbar and a daughter of Ferquhard Mackintosh, four arbiters were appointed - Mr. Gavin Dunbar, Dean of Moray, and Mr. Alexander Sutherland, vicar of Inverness, on behalf of Sir James Dunbar; and Alexander Isles of Lochalsh and John Grant of Freuchie, on behalf of Ferquhard Mackintosh. These four persons were to sit at Forres, within a year from the date, to deliberate and give their opinion in the matter, the Bishop of Moray to act as oversman in case of a difference of opinion.

From a clause in this contract it would appear that both parties were bound by a separate agreement to live peaceably with John Grant of Freuchie himself, while Sir James Dunbar and Alexander Innes of that Ilk were also sworn to each other, the whole thus forming a confederation for mutual defence and assistance. Further, the Laird of Freuchie was [75] conjoined with Alexander of Lochalsh, Sir James Ogilvie of Deskford, and others, including William, Lord Crichton, as a judge in any controversy or breach of obligation by any of the above contracting parties, which shows very conclusively the esteem in which this Laird was held Collectanea de Rebus Albanicis, lona Club, p. 85. The contract was renewed between Sir James Dunbar and Ferquhard Mackintosh on 20th June 1499, and John Grant of Freuchie was again named among the arbiters; Invernessiana, by Mr. Fraser Mackintosh, p. 19, but it does not appear that its conditions were ever implemented.

Farther transactions between the Huntly family and the Laird of Freuchie about landed estates led to a misunderstanding as to their mutual rights. In the end of 1492 the Laird of Freuchie and Alexander, Lord Gordon, eldest son of the Earl of Huntly, disputed about the rents of Urquhart and Glenmoriston, which were four years in arrear. These lands, as narrated in the memoir of Sir Duncan Grant, were, in 1481, the subject a compromise between the Mackintoshes and the Baron of Kilravock. A year later, on 24th June 1482, the Earl of Huntly appointed Hugh Rose of Kilravock governor of the Redcastle, and also discharged him of all rents of the lands of Urquhart and Glenmoriston, together with the lease of the same lands Rose of Kilravock, p. 150. Whether Hugh Rose, in 1482, yielded up all possession of these lands does not appear. But as early as 1488, the Laird of Freuchie appears to have acquired right to Urquhart and Glenmoriston, apparently under a lease by the Earl of Huntly, the dispute with whose son almost assumed the proportions of litigation. On 28th January 1492-3, in presence of the Lords of Council, Alexander, Lord Gordon, and John Grant of Freuchie, through Alexander Farquharson, chaplain, his procurator, bound themselves to submit to the deliverance and ordinance of George, Earl of Huntly, and his Council, in regard to the sum of 270 merks, being four years' rental of the lands of Urquhart and Glenmoriston Acta Dominorum Concilii, p. 267. No record remains of the sequel of this matter, nor of what compromise was made. The incident, however, furnishes proof that the Laird of Freuchie was beginning to hold his own even with his powerful neighbour, tile Earl of Huntly, and, also, that he was gradually [76] but surely extending his influence, and acquiring those lands which, if then only temporarily held, were at a later period firmly secured to his family.

Another dispute between the Laird of Freuchie and Alexander, Lord Gordon, had reference to the lands of Inverury and Inverlochy, within the sheriffdom of Banff, and the lands of Fodderletter, within the sheriffdom of Inverness, which had been ceded to Huntly by the Laird in 1491, in return for Tullochgorm and other lands. The nature and origin of the difference does not appear, but these lands were the subject of a decree of the Lords of Council on 22d October 1495. The Laird of Freuchie, it would appear, had become bound to infeft Lord Gordon in these lands before Martinmas 1494, and had not only failed to do so, but had refused to pay the 600 merks of penalty attached to non-performance. Lord Gordon therefore brought an action to recover this sum, because the defender had failed to infeft him in the lands, to hold them as freely as John, the Name had held them. The Laird of Freuchie failed to appear, and the Lords of Council decerned that, within forty days after being charged to do so, he should infeft the pursuer, as desired, in the lands in question, and in default of obedience, that his goods should be distrained for the 600 merks Acta Dominorum Concilii, p. 398.

In the end of the year 1493 John Grant was in Edinburgh, apparently in attendance at Court. Ever since his accession King James the Fourth had made the condition of the Highlands a matter of attention. His principal policy, besides overawing the chiefs in the Highlands and Islands who affected independence, and striving to introduce a regular and rapid, if severe, administration of justice, was to attach to his interest the chiefs of clans and prominent men in the Highlands. This was done by keeping up constant communication with them, See Treasurer's Accounts, vol. i pp. 120, 121, 128, 176, for correspondence with the Earl of Huntly, Mackintosh, and other northern chiefs, bestowing grants of land and securing their services against those of their fellows who were rebellious, as in a commission which will be afterwards noted, where Mackintosh and Grant were conjoined against the Mackenzies.

John Grant of Freuchie was doubtless not unwilling to press any claims he might have upon the government for loyalty in that or similar matters, and he took advantage of his attendance in Edinburgh to consolidate [77] his scattered property by a Royal charter erecting all his lands into one barony. Accordingly, on the 4th of January 1493-4, in the royal chamber at the monastery of Holyrood, he formally resigned all his possessions into the king's hands, who regranted them to him and his heirs, uniting them all into one barony, to be called the BARONY OF FREUCHIE Original Instrument of Resignation at Castle Grant. The lands thus resigned, which are also enumerated in the Royal charter, were the lands of Freuchie and the mill of the same, the two Culfoichs, Dalfour, Auchnagall, the two Congashes, the mill of the same, and Glenlochy, with the pertinents, lying within the sheriffdorn of Inverness; also a fifth part of the lands of Lincauwode (Linkwood), and a fifth part of the mill of the same, a fifth part of the lands of Birmukty (Barmuckity), a fifth part of the lands of Garboty; a half of the lands of Inchebary, a half of the lands of Ordyquish, a half of the lands of Mulben, and 6s. 8d. worth of the lands of Suraston (Sheriffston), with pertinents, lying in the sheriffdom of Elgin. The lands thus erected into the new and enlarged barony of Freuchie, were to be held by the ancient feudal forms of ward and relief. The barony of Freuchie, which was thus erected in 1493, continued till the year 1694, when with other baronies it was absorbed into the regality of Grant. No records of the court of the barony of Freuchie are known to exist; but the records of the courts of the barony and regality of Grant are preserved in five volumes, embracing the period from 1690 to 1729.

Towards the end of the fifteenth century certain freebooters infested Braemar. In 1498 John Grant of Freuchie rendered signal service to the Crown by seizing and bringing to justice Alan Mor McKewin, with his accomplices, and Finlay Gibbonson. For this service Freuchie received a remission of the sums of money in which he had been fined for non-appear ance at the justiciary courts held at Inverness, Elgin, and Forres Vol iii of this work, p. 43. From memoranda on the back of the charge to the Sheriffs to desist from levying the fines, it would appear that pledges to the amount of £333, 6s. 8d. Scots had been given on behalf of John Grant to the Sheriff of Inverness, and £300 to the Sheriff of Banff, Walter Ogilvie and Alexander, Lord Gordon, being cautioners in the latter case. From the burden of these [78] sums, and from all distraint of his goods, the Laird of Freuchie was to be freed by a present payment of £100; but more substantial rewards were also made to Freuchie for his important services to King James the Fourth.

Reference has already been made to the legends connecting the Grants with Glencarnie through the supposed heiress of the Comyns. It has been shown that the Comyns had no connection with the territory of Glencarnie, that the heiress who took -her name from that district was not a Comyn, nor did she bring her ancestral inheritance into the family of Grant. On the other hand, it was stated in the memoir of Sir Duncan Grant that there was evidence of an earlier holding of Glencarnie by the Grants than was instructed by the charters. That holding, whatever form it took, as a Cr own lease or otherwise, was now converted into a heritable right by a charter from King James the Fourth. On 4th February 1498, by which time the Earl of Huntly had been made High Chancellor of Scot- land, the king, for the good and faithful service done by John Grant of Freucliie, bestowed upon 1dm the lands of Glencarnie and Ballindalloch, with the mills of the same, within the shire of Elgin and Forres. rjj lands were to be held of the king in fee and heritage for an annual pay ment of £71 Scots, with a proviso that if one term's rent was unpaid ere the expiry of a second term or half-year, the infeftment should be null and void.

It is to be noted that no special boundaries are assigned to the lands, as if these were well known both to John Grant of Freuchie and the officers of the Crown. The latter had collected the rents of the earldom of Moray after it was forfeited in the person of Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray, in 1155. John Grant of Freuchie was infeft in Glencarnie on 8th April 1499, in terms of a precept of the same date as the charter, which assigned Mullochard as the principal messuage of the lands of Glencarnie Original Instrument of Sasine at Castle Grant.

In the charter the lands of Ballindalloch were conjoined with those of Glencarnie, and, like the latter, only at this time became the property of the Grants. Sasine of the lands was given at the place of Ballindalloch as the principal messuage Original Instrument of Sasine, dated 4th April 1499, ibid. A story is related in the old MS. History of [79] the Grants how John Grant of Ballachastell, when a minor, and fatherless, was under the tutory of his uncle, Patrick Grant of Ballindalloch, and educated by his grandfather, the Laird of Mackintosh. Ballindalloch being factor, and "having his encouragers," went and resided in Ballachastell, and was unwilling to be disturbed. But after the young Laird had reached his majority, he and his grandfather were, on a hunting day, invited by the factor to Ballachastell, and when there, was hailed as the righteous heir. The factor was thereupon first civilly desired to remove, but objecting, was removed by force and discharged from ever after entering therein.

An embellished version of the story is told by a recent writer, apparently on the authority of a MS. History of the Mackintoshes, but the statement may be merely traditional. This latest version is that William, then tutor, afterwards thirteenth Laird of Mackintosh, who "seems to have been a special foe to oppression and injustice," employed his authority on two occasions to secure the estates of neighbouring chiefs from the intromission of traitors. The first occasion was to send two hundred men to the aid of "the young Grant, his foster son, and grandson of Duncan Grant of Freuchie and Muriel, daughter of Malcolm Beg Mackintosh. Grant's uncle of Ballindalloch, having possession of his estate, asserted a right to it and his intention of retaining it." But by the vigorous inter position of the tutor of Mackintosh he was forced to give up his claims. The Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan, by A. M. Shaw, p. 177.

Whatever foundation there may be for this story, it will be seen that it cannot refer to the period to which it is assigned. The use of the word Ballachastell, as applied to Castle Grant, suggests a comparatively modern date for the authorship of the tradition; but the facts narrated in this memoir, which show that John Grant, the second of Freuchie, grandson of Sir Duncan Grant, was in peaceable possession of Freuchie many years before he acquired Ballindalloch, throw discredit on the whole story.

Shortly after his acquisition of Glencarnie and Ballindalloch, John Grant of Freuchie was appointed one of the king's Sheriffs, specially deputed to see that the king's writ ran against certain refractory High land subjects. The royal letters are dated at Inverness, 26th October [80] 1499, Rose of Kilravock, pp. 168-170, but the events alluded to occurred some years before, and the whole proceedings give a vivid picture of the state of the Highlands at that period. The king's writ is directed against William Forbes of Strathglass, Welland Chisholm of Comar, and a number of others with Celtic names, for having taken certain goods from Hugh Rose of Kilravock out of the lands of Ardmanoch and the Redcastle while he was captain thereof. A document preserved in the Kilravock charter chest shows that Hugh Rose was relieved from his office of captain of Redcastle by Alexander, Lord Gordon, in the year 1492, ibid. p. 158, and the spoliation in question must therefore have occurred before that date.

A full investigation of the events in order of date, compared with original documents, proves that the royal letters now issued in 1499, refer back to a period so early as 1491, when the Islesmen made a great raid across the north of Scotland in a vain attempt to recover for their chief the ancient earldom of Ross. What part, if any, the Laird of Freuchie played at that time cannot clearly be ascertained, but as certain kinsmen and allies of his were deeply concerned, and as he himself was one of those commissioned at a later date to punish offenders, a detailed narrative in order of dates may here be given.

It has already been stated that the Laird of Freuchie, on 17th September 1490, was chosen one of the advisers in a contract betwixt his own kinsmen, the chiefs of Clan Chattan and the Baron of Kilravock and his son, Hugh Rose, the latter of whom at that date held Redcastle amid Ardmanoch for the Earl of Huntly. Ferquhard Mackintosh, the younger Laird of Mackintosh, and Hugh Rose the younger, seem to have been kindred spirits, and of a stirring temperament, which only lacked opportunity to be troublesome to their neighbours.

That opportunity came in the year following this contract. In 1476, John, the last Earl of Ross, the friend and adherent of the rebellious Douglases, after being pardoned and restored to his forfeited estates, made a formal resignation of the earldom of Ross, his lands and castles. Upon this the earldom of Ross was annexed to the Crown, and the Earl was created a Peer of Parliament, with the title of Lord of the Isles. This [81] resignation was very unpopular, and led in many ways, specially through the turbulent character of the late Earl's sons, to much disturbance and bloodshed. Some time before 1490, the now aged Lord of the Isles had resumed possession of his estates, from which he had been excluded by the violence of his eldest son Angus, now deceased. His nearest heir in the lordship of the Isles was Alexander of Lochalsh, his nephew, a son of his brother Celestine of the Isles. Alexander of Lochalsh inherited from his father the districts of Lochalsh, Lochcarron, and Lochbroom, all lying in the earldom of Ross, and as his influence there was considerable, he resolved to recover, if possible, the ancient earldom. In 1491 he placed himself at the head of his uncle's vassals, and with a large following advanced from Lochaber into Badenoch Gregory's Highlands and Isles of Scotland, pp. 50.56.

In the latter district the invader was joined by a portion of the Clan Mackintosh, under Ferquhard Mackintosh, much against the will of his father, Duncan Mackintosh, who was a prudent chief. The confederates then marched to Inverness, where Ferquhard Mackintosh stormed the castle, by the aid, it is said, of an "engine called a sow." The young baron of Kilravock also joined the insurgents, probably while they were at Inverness, and was the only Crown vassal in the earldom of Ross who took part with them. From Inverness Alexander of Lochalsh and his followers passed to the Black Isle of Ross, where they ravaged and earned off much booty from that fertile territory, for which at a later (late the Baron of Kilravock had to refund heavily. The invaders then proceeded towards Strathconan with the purpose of ravaging the lands of the Mackenzies, between whom and the Macdonalds of the Isles there had been a feud. It has been suggested that ere reaching Strathconan, Lochalsh divided his force into two parts, sending one portion home with the booty, while he advanced with the other against the Mackenzies. Whether this were so or not, the latter clan, under their chief Kenneth, met the confederate forces at a place called Park, near the river Conan, and gained a complete victory Ibid. pp. 56, 57.

According to a MS. History of the Mackenzies, Alexander of Lochalsh himself was taken prisoner, but was liberated at the end of six months. He [82] certainly was a party to the agreement between the Dunbars and Mackintoshes on 18th September 1492, already narrated in this memoir. The Mackenzies, however, were not satisfied with having quelled the rebellion, but proceeded to measures of retaliation. They ravaged the lands of Ardmanoch, and those of William Munro of Foulis, the former especially, because the young Baron of Kilravock, who held the Redcastle with the lands of Ardmanoch, had joined the invading party. In consequence of this and other excesses, the Earl of Huntly, as lieutenant of the north, was compelled to issue a commission against the Mackenzies, to punish their "herships, slaughters, and spulzies."

In this Commission the Laird of Freuchie was specially named, though there is some doubt as to the exact date at which it was issued. A recent writer places the date of the battle between the Mackenzies and the Islesmen before the year 1488, History of the Clan Mackenzie, 1870, 74, but this seems inconsistent with other facts. The statement is founded on the history of the first Earl of Cromartie, who was an accurate writer on the events of his own time, but may possibly be mistaken as to a few years when relating affairs which happened two centuries before his day. Another recent writer on the history of the Mackintoshes fixes the date of the commission against the Mackenzies in 1492 The Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan, p. 160. Of this precise date there is no clear evidence, as the document which supplies the chief information is only dated in 1499, but the commission was probably issued at an early date after the spoliation of Ardmanoch. The Earl of Huntly, who granted the commis sion, wrote a "testemonyal" on the subject, which is worth quoting, though, unhappily, he gives no precise clue to the date of issue. He writes, "Sene it is meide and meritabil to beir leill and suthfast witnessing in the things that ar trew, that may kep innysentis fra skath, I, George Eril off Huntly, luftanand tyll our souerane lord the kyng, quhome God assowlie, and sherra of Endernes for the tyme, scliargit and gerit pas be the commande of our souerane lordis lettres, 1)uncan Makynthois, captane of the Clynyatane, Jhone the Grant of Fruchy, Huchowne the Ros of Kylrawok. Alexander Crome of Tnyeretlinac, Alexander Keir of Ratamorkos, Lachlan Makintows of Galawe, with thair complisis, men, and freindis, to the [83] nowmer of thre thosand apone Canoth Makcanche and his kyne and freindis duell and in Ros for thai war the kingis rabellis at his home in that tyme, and put to his horne be Sir Alexander Dunbar, our sherra deput for the tyme of Endernes, for the sclachter of Harrald of Schescheine, duelland in Straglas, and for diuerse otheris hershippis, sclacteris, and spowileis maide be the forsaid Kaiioth Makkanchy and his kyne and complissis of the (Jlankanye, apone the kyngis pur legis and tenandis in the lordschip of the Ardmanoch: for the quhilkis we causit thir forsaid personis tyll birne, harry, and sla, for thair demerittis; declarand quhat skat that was done at that tyme to the saidis Clyn-Kane and thair complissis was be the kyngis commande, and ouris as luftanande, and eftir the forme off oure s iierane lordis lettres derikit tyll ws and our deputis proportis at mair lyntlit," etc. Rose of Kilravock, p. 170.

This document is dated at Newark-on-Spey, 15th December 1499, and seems to have been intended as an exoneration for those who executed the Sheriff's letters against the Clan Mackenzie, who, especially the Mac kintoshes and the Baron of Kilravock, are said to have exceeded their commission, and ravaged the lands of Urquhart, Sheriff of Cromartie, which had already been harried by the Macdonalds The Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan, p. 160. For this offence decree was given by the Lords of Council on 5th February 1492-3; Acta Dominorum Concilii, p. 273. but as the spoliation is said to have been committed by Hugh Rose the younger, it is probable that this first decree really refers to the ravages committed by the Islesmen, and that the whole burden of restitution fell upon the Roses simply because they were more easily reached by the King's writ than their Highland neighbours. In 1497 it would appear that a fine of 800 merks was exacted from the Baron of Kilravock, at time instance of the Sheriff of Cromartie, which may have arisen from the excess of zeal above referred to. In passing, however, it may be noted that the debt was finally arranged, and a matrimonial alliance concluded between the Urquharts and the Roses, to which, in 1510, John Grant of Freuchie was made a party as arbiter Rose of Kilravock, p. 163.

It is not clearly known what was the real result of the commission [84] against the Clan Mackenzie. John Grant and his comrades would no doubt do their best to "birne, harry, and sla," as they were empowered to do, but with what success does not appear. The chief of the Mackenzies who defeated the Islesmen at Park was named Kenneth, and he died and was buried in Beauly Priory in February 149 1-2 History of Beauly Priory, p. 105. As the Earl of Huntly's commission mentions this chief by name, the writ may have been issued before his death. He left a son, also named Kenneth, but he was a minor, and his uncle, known as Hector Roy Mackenzie, was appointed his tutor, and led the clan. It has been said thai Hector Roy and his followers met the three thousand thus sent against them, and "gave a good account of them, and soon defeated and dispersed them." History of the Clan Mackenzie, 1879, p. 90.

This statement, however, which is otherwise unsupported by evidence, is made on the ground that the commission was issued so late as 1499, whereas the probability is that it was dated much earlier, as the document of 1499 is retrospective.

Ome explanation of the lack of evidence on the subject is found in the king's writ of 26th October 1499, already referred to. The writ is addressed to Alexander, Lord Gordon, Thomas Fraser, Master of Lovat, and John the Grant of Freuchie, with a number of others, as sheriffs in that part. It would appear that the king's letters had been twice directed to David Ross of Balnagown, as Sheriff of Ross. On the first occasion he was charged to distrain Donald Corbett, Hugh Munro, and others, "to the a vale of certane ky, oxin, hors, schepe, gayt, and vtheris gudis," named in a decree of the Lords of Council, at the instance of certain parties for whom Hugh Rose of Kilravock was procurator. This apparently refers to some private foray, but the second occasion is more important. The Sheriff was charged to distrain William Forbes in Strathglass, Welland Chishoim of Comar, and others, "to the avale of certane oxin, ky, hors, schepe, gait, caponis, hennis, geis, vittale, swine, sovmez of money, and vtheris gudis takin be thaim fra (Hucheon Rose) out of the landis of Ardmanach and the Redecastell, the tyme that he wes capitane therof." These royal letters were, however, utterly disregarded by the Sheriff, and notwithstanding other letters directed by the Council "in the first, secund, and thrid [85] formez," remained wholly unexecuted by him. For due execution therefore the king's writ was issued to John Grant of Freuchie arid others, as narrated. It is not improbable, judging from the fate of the former letters, that no great results followed from the later commission.

For some years after this the Laird of Freuchie seems to have remained quietly at home, engaged in gradually adding to his estate, and disposing of his children in marriage. He purchased the lands of Nether Auchroisk in 1505 from John Nairn, the Baron of Cromdale, Original Charter at Castle Grant, and by his infeftment therein Vol. iii of this work, p. 44, obtained a footing in the barony of Cromdale, which at a later period became entirely the property of the family. He was employed also in 1507 by George, Earl of Rothes, as his assignee and agent, to pay to Alexander Gordon of Brekowcht, at the "chymmyce" or manor-house of Muldares, or failing that, at the parish church of Rothes, on any Sunday or "othir solempnyt day," in time of high mass, the sum of £106, 13s. 4d. Scots, for redemption of the lands of Muldares, which had been under mortgage Ibid. p. 46.

On 10th May 1508 the Laird of Freuchie entered into a contract with John Cumming of Ernside, providing for the marriage of Thomas Cumming, his son and heir-apparent, or failing him, his brother Alexander, to Margaret Grant, the Laird's daughter, or failing her, the elder of his other daughters, Original Instrument at Castle Grant. Another contract was entered into six months later, on 8th November 1508, at Altyre, in which the final arrangements were made as to payment of certain sums of money and settlement of lands, Vol. iii of this work, p. 47. Some delay, however, seems to have taken place in implementing the contract, as on 8th May 1509 John Grant, within the Cathedral Church of Moray, made protest against John Cumming of Ernside, requiring the latter to fulfil his engagements, Original Instrument at Castle Grant. Shortly after this date, on 29th June 1509, the half lands of Mulben and others in the sheriffdom of Elgin were conveyed by John Cumming, in terms of the contract, to John Grant, who was duly infeft, and his title completed by a confirmation from the Crown, dated 31st July 1509 Vol. iii. of this work, pp. 49-51.

[86] While the Laird of Freuchie was thus peacefully engaged, the High lands were in a greatly disturbed condition. The relations between King James the Fourth and his subjects of the Isles had ended in 1499 in an open rupture. The lands belonging to the Lords of the Isles were distributed between the powerful families of Argyll and Huntly, with acknowledgments to others of services done to the king. The rebellion which these and other measures caused was sternly suppressed, though not until, in 1503, the district of Badenoch had been wasted with fire and sword by the Islesmen. Two years were required to put down this insurrection, and to establish more thoroughly the new arrangements for jurisdiction in the Highlands and Isles. In all the measures used to that end the Earl of Huntly was one of the most active of the Royal agents Gregory's Highlands and Isles, pp. 94.104. John Grant of Freuchie and the Mackintoshes were bound to him in manrent service. That the latter clan aided the Earl in carrying out the king's plans may be under stood from the fact that the first fierce assault of the Islesmen was directed against them and their country of Badenoch; but what part the Laird of Freuchie took, or whether he was actively engaged at all, does not appear.

It may be, however, that the steadiness with which the Laird devoted himself to his own affairs commended him to King James the Fourth as a law-abiding subject, and one to whom a position of influence could be safely intrusted. It was the king's policy to place those well affected to good government in posts where their influence could Lest co-operate with his own efforts to secure peace in the disturbed districts. This, indeed, is the reason assigned by the king himself for granting at this time the barony of Urquhart in favour of the Laird of Freuchie.
It has already been noticed that the lands of Urquhart and Glen inoriston were in the hands of John Grant so early as 1488. At that time he held them iq lease from the Earl of Huntly, to whom he paid a yearly rent for the possession, although the Earl himself had only a temporary right to the lands, as Lieutenant of the Crown in the North, the baron of Urquhart being one of those inalienably annexed to the royal patrimony by Act of Parliament on 4th August 1455 Acts of Parliament, vol. ii. p. 42. It has been asserted that the Grant family prior to 1509 obtained possession of [87] most of the lands round Urquhart, constituting the domains of the castle, as the king's chamberlains, Statistical Account of Inverness, p. 45. There is no clear proof that the Grants acted as chamberlains, but it may have been so, and it may also have been the good influence they exercised in that capacity which induced the king in 1509 to grant the lands of Urquhart, Corriemony, and Glenmoriston to John Grant of Freuchie, his second son John, and his natural son John, called More, Vol. iii of this work, pp. 51-54; Registrum Magni Sigilli, voL ii. Nos. 3390.2.

In the charter of the barony of Urquhart given to the Laird of Freuchie on 8th December 1509, King James the Fourth declares the purpose of the grant to be, inter alia, to secure government and stability (policia et edificatione) and good rule, in the lands granted, among the inhabitants of the same, and for making those obedient to the laws who in times past had been refractory and disobedient. The same reasons and conditions accompanied the grant of the lands of Corriemony, which were bestowed upon John Grant's second lawful son, John, and the lands of Glenmoriston, which were assigned to John More Grant, a natural son of the Laird. The provisions of these feu-charters, which have been already noticed in the Introduction to this work, are very minute and remarkable as showing the king's anxious desire for the welfare of his Highland subjects, which he trusted to his vassals to carry out.

The last provision in the charters of Urquhart and Corriemony is to the effect that if the vassals or their heirs-male be convicted of treason, murder or common theft, they shall in that case lose the feu-farm of the lands, a clause, however, providing that they might compound for their lives. And thereafter, it is added, their heirs-male shall not enter to the lands without the consent and goodwill of the king or his successors. But this provision does not seem to pave acted as a special deterrent, for in July 1510, John Grant of Freuchie, John Grant More, his natural son, and a number of indwellers in Urquhart, Moray, Knockando, Inverlochy, and others, made a composition with the Government for the crime of intercommuning with, and giving supply and assistance to rebels Vol. iii of this work, pp. 56, 57.

[88] From the time of John Grant's formal infeftment in the barony of Urquhart, which took place within the castle or fortalice there, on 24th January 1510, Original Instrument of Sasine at Castle Grant, to the date of the battle of Flodden, the state of the Highlands was comparatively peaceful. Indeed, so impressed were the chiefs of the Highlands and Isles by the firm rule of King James the Fourth, that when he mustered his army before Flodden, they gathered to his standard in great force Gregory's Highlands and Isles, p. 113. But the king's death and the loss of so many Scottish nobles, who might have held the northern chiefs in check, threw the whole of Scotland, but especially the Highlands, into confusion and anarchy.

This was soon visible, and John Grant of Freuchie was one of the earliest sufferers. There is no evidence to show whether he or his son James, who had now come to man's estate, were present with the king at Flodden. But whether they were so or not, the tide of rebellion which broke out in the Highlands soon reached them in their own neighbourhood. Immediately after the return of the northern chiefs from the south, a new insurrection was raised for proclaiming a Lord of the Isles, in the person of' Sir Donald Macdonald of Lochalsh, Gregory's Highlands and Isles, p. 114, the eldest son of Sir Alexander Macdonald of Lochalsh, who had formerly claimed that title. Sir Donald himself, with a large force of Highlanders, among whom were William Chisholm of Coiner, Alexander Macranald or "Alexander John McAlister sone" in Glengarry, and others, invaded the territory of Urquhart. There they seized the castle, expelled the garrison, and plundered the neighbourhood, carrying off a somewhat miscellaneous booty, as described in the decree of the Lords of Council obtained at the instance of the aggrieved Laird of Freuchie in 1518 Vol. iii of this work, p. 62 The raid itself took place on All Saints' Day in the year 1513. Pots, pans, kettles, flops (napery?), beds, sheets, blankets, coverings, pillows, fish, flesh, bread, ale, cheese, butter, and other household stuff valued at upwards of £100, were among the spoil. Large quantities of grain also were carried off, the proportions of which attest the values of the lands ravaged. From the town and grange of Kil St. Ninian were taken 300 boils of bear, 200 boIls of oats; [89] from Corriemony, 100 boils of bear, 200 of oats; from Achmony, 60 bolls of bear, 120 bolls of oats; from Petcarilmore and Delshangie, 100 bolls of bear, 200 of oats; from Mekely, 120 bolls of oats, and 60 bolls of bear; from Carrogar, 120 bolls of oats, 60 of bear; from Tulaichla, 120 bolls of oats and 60 bolls of bear, the boll of oats being valued at 4s. and the boll of hear at 8s. Scots. Three hundred cows, valued at 26s. 8d. each, 1000 sheep, ewes, and wedders, valued on an average at 4s. each, fell a prey to the invaders. Moreover, the latter were not content with the one foray, but seized upon and occupied the lands, to the injury of the proprietor, for nearly three years. The profits, after deducting working expenses, were estimated at 300 bolls of bear and 200 bolls of oats yearly, valued at the above price per boll. To this was added the grass and pasture of 600 cows and oxen, 1000 sheep and goats, 200 horses and mares, 200 swine, each "soum" of grass being valued at 1 8d. The "maillis, cariage seruice, proffettis, and dewiteis" of the remainder of the lands and lordship of Urquhard, yearly, were estimated for the three years, at 120 merks of money, with " 14 score bollis victuale, beir, and meill; price of the boll, viij s" i."

The extent and value of the damage done was referred to the oath of the Laird of Freuchie, who appeared personally before the Lords of Council, and he estimated the amount at £2000 of Scots money, which sum was accordingly decerned for against the defenders It may well be doubted if it was ever paid, at the date of the decree, 26th February 15l7-18, Donald of the Isles was an outlaw, and though the Earls of Huntly and Argyll were directed to proceed against him as a rebel, little was done, and his death in the end of the year 1519 brought the rebellion of which he had been the head to a sudden close. Acts of the Lords of Council, quoted in Gregory's Highlands and Isles, pp. 125, 126. The sum decerned for was certainly still due on 6th May 1549, as at that date letters were issued under the signet of Queen Mary, at the instance of James Grant of Freuchie, son, heir, and executor of the deceased John Grant, for distraining the goods of "Margaret Ilis, ane of the tua sisteris and airis of the said vmquhill Donald Ilis (of Lochalsh), Thomas Din well of Kildune, sone and air of vmquhill Jonet Ills, the vther sister, and airis of the said vmquhill Donald, and successure to him," and of others named, in payment of the sum of £2000, for which decree was given in 1517. (Letters at Castle Grant.)

While the Islesmen thus held rude possession of the Laird of [90] Freuchie's lately acquired territory, from 1513 to 1516, he himself steadily turned his attention to matters of more peaceful interest. During the early half of 1514, James the Grant, son and apparent heir to John the Grant of Freuchie, entered into a bond of manrent service to his uncle, Alexander Ogilvie of Deskford; Vol. iii of this work, p. 59, and later in the same year his father entered into a contract with the Earl of Huntly. The latter agreement referred to the non-entries of the lands of "Auchynnisse," in the sheriffdom of Banff, which Alexander, Earl of Huntly, made over to the Laird of Freuchie in liquidation of a loan of 200 merks, and it was stipulated that if the latter desired to have these non-entries he was to pay an additional sum of 100 merks. On the 16th October following, the transaction was completed by the Laird's acceptance and payment of the 100 merks, on which the non-entries in question were made over to him Ibid. pp. 59, 60.

In the year 1512, Anne Grant, second daughter of John Grant of Freuchie, married Hugh Fraser, Master of Lovat, son of Thomas, Lord Fraser of Lovat Vol. iii of this work, p. 58. The name of this daughter is not discoverable from the Grant Muniments, but it is said to have been Anne, and in 1520, the Laird entered into a contract for the marriage of Agnes Grant, his third daughter, to the young chief of the Clan Cameron. The contract, which was made at Urquhart, bore special reference to the possibility of future irruptions into that territory and the territory of Lochaber possessed by the Camerons, which was also exposed to the attacks of the Islesmen. The Laird of Freuchie, James Grant, his son and apparent heir, on one side, and Ewen Allanson, captain of Clan Cameron, with Donald, his son and apparent heir, on the other side, bound themselves and their heirs "to stand til vder in leil, trew, anefald kyndes, manteinans and defendoris of vderis for all the dais of thair lieffis, . . . and in speciall to defend vderis lik Johne the Grant in Vrquhart and Glenmorestone, and his ayris, and John the Grant to defend the said Ewin Allanson and his ayris in Lochabbir, agane all thame at levis or dee ma," etc. A former bond betwixt Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh and Ewin Allanson, who were brothers-in-law, was to remain unbroken without prejudice to the present agreement. To cement their goodwill and mutual alliance, [91] Donald Cameron was to marry, "in faice of haly kyrk," Agnes Grant, daughter to t he Laird of Freuchie, and that as soon as possible after the procuring of a papal dispensation between the date of the contract and fifteen days after Martinmas next. But should the dispensation not come within the time specified, "the said Johne the Grant is bundin and oblist to caus thame be handfast and put togiddir, his said dochtir Agnes and the said Donald, for mariage to be completit in the defalt of the dispensacion." Vol. iii of this work, p. 64. Thomas, Lord Fraser of the Lovat, Alexander Cumming. son and apparent heir to Alexander Cumming of Altyre, and Patrick Grant in Ballindalloch, were sureties that the marriage should be duly completed on the arrival of the dispensation, under the penalty of 1000 merks.

Another curious contract of this date is preserved in the Grant charter chest, and may be noted here, although the Laird of Freuchie was not a party to it. It is an agreement betwixt Donald Ewin Allansone, or Cameron of Lochiel, on one side, and Alexander John Alexanderson, or Macranald of Glengarry, on the other. They bind themselves to each other in mutual friendship, and to an amicable arrangement as to the fourteen merk lands of Invergarry, should either of them acquire these lands. If Donald Cameron was the first to obtain possession, he agreed to lease to Macranald so much, namely, the Lagane, a quarter land extending yearly to three merks of penny mail, Maldelle, one merk land, Dellecharne and Badintawag, one merk land. On the other hand, should Macranald become the first possessor, he agreed to lease to Cameron, Invergarry, a three merk land, and Killeane, extending to five merks yearly. 22 Ibid. p. 66.

The Laird of Freuchie and his clan appear to have been summoned to muster under the Duke of Albany, as regent, on 20th October 1523, to march against England. But owing, no doubt, to advanced age, and probably also to the example of the Earl of Huntly, neither the Laird of Freuchie, nor any of his name, responded to the summons, as appears from a remission under the Great Seal, dated 13th February 1527-8. Ibid. p. 72.

The Laird of Freuchie's last public act, as ascertained from the family munirnents, was to take part in a curious tribal agreement, denominated a "Letter of Slains," in which the Clan Grant and the inhabitants of [92] Strathdee, or the Farquharsons, bewailed their mutual raids on each other's property, and resolved henceforth to live and die in concord. This contract is drawn up in solemn form by a notary, and is so remarkable as to be worthy of translation in full, omitting the formal portions.

On the 8th of October 1527, in presence of the subscribing notary and other witnesses, appeared the honourable and worthy men and good women, John Grant of Freuchie, James Grant, his son and apparent heir, Robert Grant, John Grant More, and Patrick Grant in Ballindalloch, in their Own name, and that of the whole community, and "lye Clan de Grantis," their kinsmen, friends, and adherents, on one part, and Finlay Farquharson and others, Then follows a long array of names, male and female more or less Celtic, for which reference may be made to the document itself, vol. iii of this work, p. 68, tenants of the lands of our sovereign lord the king, of Strathdee, within the diocese of Aberdeen, for themselves, their children, orphans, kinsmen, friends, adherents, and others whom it concerns or may concern in future, on the other part; wholly deploring and taking ill the cutting off (trancacionem) and plundering of the men of Strathdee, and the carrying off of their cattle, grain, and other goods by the said Grants, their kinsmen, friends, and adherents: and on the other hand the cutting off and plundering of the men of Strathspey and Strathdon, their cattle, grain, and goods by Finlay Farquharson, his confederates and accomplices, their kinsmen, friends, and adherents; and desiring, so far as human weakness can, to redeem, satisfy, and amend these most disgraceful crimes towards God in the highest, the Three and One, our sovereign lord the king, and the injured party, and for the rest to live and end their days in concord and friend ship, quietly and peacefully among themselves : for these reasons the said parties for themselves, and in name as above, induced neither by force nor fear, uncompelled and unconstrained, but of their own mere and free wills, having regard to their utility and quiet. and after much long and matured consideration, have asserted, by their great oath separately sworn before me, the notary-public underwritten, the holy gospels of God being touched, and have affirmed that they have mutually laid aside towards each other all rancour and displeasure of mind for the said men killed, slain, maimed, and mutilated, and with the most impartial and cordial minds, proclaim and [93] acquit them quiet and peaceable in judgment and without, for all time to come, and that for themselves and any others whomsoever in their name, a fit satisfaction being first considered, and on each side actually completed:

Also they have to each other mutually made real, actual, and full contentment, recompence, and compensation of animals, grain, and whatever other things, losses, expenses, and injuries and interest taken away on either side, carried off and destroyed, a diligent inquiry being first made as to the number and value of the same; concerning which matters in all and sundry they have in more ample form exonerated and acquitted themselves for ever, promising that no further agreement shall be sought by them or others in their name. The parties are also willing that the premises in all their clauses be extended in more ample form, and that this present instrument, iii absence of their seals, shall be accepted in lieu of a final exoneration and remission, or letters "lye slaynys," of wives, children, kinsmen, and adherents slain, according to the custom of the country, as if it were confirmed by the seals of parties or by any other security: And the said parties have on both sides bound and obliged themselves to me, the notary-public underwritten, in the stead and name of all and sundry whom it now concerns, has concerned, or may in any way concern in future, to observe the premises unbroken, their great oath intervening, and under pain of perjury, inability, and infamy. Upon which things the parties required instruments, etc. Vol. iii of this work, pp. 68, 69.

This instrument was drawn up at "Dilmorar, within the parish of Straithawin," and was succeeded a few months later by one of precisely similar tenor between the Grants and the tenants of the Earl of Huntlv and others in Strathdee. It is not clear whether John Grant of Freuchie took part in the latter agreement: probably not, as it was made on 4th January 1527-8, while he died in the following May, and he is not mentioned in the notary's instrument of a year later Ibid. p. 70.

The agreements just narrated do not seem to have been immediately acted upon. The first one, that of October 1527, apparently followed on a raid by the Farquharsons, which affected the king's property as well as that of the Grants. The latter invoked the aid of the law in the affair, and in 1532, four years after John Grant's decease, a summons was issued [94] against the Farquharsons by King James the Fifth. This document, which is unhappily somewhat mutilated, narrates that in the year 1527, The precise date cannot be ascertained, owing to the injured condition of the original paper, the Farquharsons took from the lands of the Brae of Mar eighty-six cows, valued at 50s. each, sent by the deceased John Grant "with his servandis to have bene broucht to ws (the king) for payment of oure malls and dewiteis of oure landis of Urquhard and Glenfarmych (Glencarnie) liand within our sheriffdomes of Inuernes and Elgin, in the yeir of God jmvcxxvij zeris." It will thus be seen that the Farquharsons were impartial in exacting toll from his Majesty as well as from his subjects. This incident also shows that the Laird of Freuchie paid at least part of his Crown rents or feu-farm duties in kind.

In somewhat amusing contrast to the levy upon the king's rental, the summons refers to another foray of the Farquharsons, this time against a son of the church, one of their own name, who appears in various Grant documents as a notary attendant on the Laird. In December 1527, just two months after the first agreement narrated above, the Farquharsons seized from the lands of "Vry, beside Cowe in Mvrenes," in the sheriffdom of Kincardine, goods belonging to Sir Alexander Farquharson, chaplain, servant to the deceased Laird, the inventory of which is curious as affording a glimpse of certain clerical properties. The spoil consisted of one black and one brown horse, valued at about £10 each; a doublet of double worset, price 48s.; three sarkis," price 6s. each; tua suerdis," price 58s. each; "tua paris of hois of blak and quhit claitht," at 14s. the pair; one pound of pepper, value lOs.; four ounces of "cannell" (cinnamon), valued at 1 6s.; half a pound of ginger, price 4s.; two ounces of saffron, valued at 1 2s. Original Summons at Castle Grant. For the cows and the spices, of which they had thus taken forcible possession, the Farquharsons were, in the justice ayre of Aberdeen, adjudged to pay value, which, although the Earl of Huntly and James Crichton of Frendraught were cautioners, they delayed to do, and therefore the summons was raised by John Grant's executor.

Although the second Laird of Freuchie got his lands erected into a barony, there is no evidence, until a later period, of the existence of a castle [95] of Freuchie. In the High Treasurer's acknowledgment of the Laird's composition in 1510 for intercommuning with rebels, he is described as dwelling within the sheriffdom of Elgin. Freuchie was situated in the shire of Inverness.

After a long and laborious life, spent in the service of three sovereigns, in the preservation of tranquillity in the Highlands, acquiring new estates a 11(1 consolidating them with the old, John Grant, second Laird of Freuchie, quietly departed this life in May 1528.

As already shown, he married, in 1484, Margaret Ogilvie, daughter of Sir James Ogilvie of Deskford. He is also said to have married Elizabeth Forbes, daughter of John, Lord Forbes, but this is evidently a mistake, as she was the wife of his son James. John Grant of Freuchie had two sons:
1. James, who succeeded him; and
2. John, who received, on 8th December 1 509, a charter from King James the Fourth of the lands and barony of Corriemony. In that charter he is designed younger son of John Grant of Freuchie.
From him the Grants of Sheuglie are descended, of which family Charles Grant, Lord Glenelg, was a cadet.
He had also, so far as can be ascertained, five daughters:
1. Margaret, who married, about 1508, Thomas Cumming, son and apparent heir of John Cumming of Ernside.
2. Anne, who married, about 1512 2, Hugh Fraser, Master of Lovat, and was the mother of Hugh, Master of Lovat, killed with his father, in a fight with the Clan Ranald, in 1544.
3. Agnes, married, in 1520, Donald Cameron, the younger chief of Clan Cameron.
4. Elizabeth, said to have married John Mackenzie of Kintail. They had a charter from the Crown in 1543 History the Mackenzies, p. 116.
5. Christina, mentioned as a creditor of her brother James in the testament of the latter, dated 1st June 1553.
John Grant, second of Freuchie, had also a natural son, John Grant, surnamed More, who was the ancestor of the Grants of Glenmoriston, of whom a pedigree is given in this work.

Volume 1 Chapter 8