"Glenmoriston of the Past"

The years 1685-7 after the death of Charles II, the absent monarch, were known as the killing time in Scotland. Sir Walter Scott's "Old Morality" gives a graphic though somewhat romantic account of what went on in the Lowlands during this period. James VII who succeeded to the throne was of course an ardent Roman Catholic and as a result of his barbarous attempts to enforce his religious beliefs on his people was eventually driven into exile. Clan and family disputes continued in the Highlands with raids and reprisals but it seems that the fighting was on a smaller scale than in previous times.

When James VII came to the throne on the death of his brother Charles, his anti-Catholic enemies soon took action, the Duke of Monmouth landing in England with an army and the Earl. Of Argyle, who returned from exile, hoping to raise a force of his clansmen and Covenanters in the West. Both ventures failed and the two of them were captured and executed but in order to confront these rebels Lord Strathnaver, in command of the royal troops in the North, had, in 1635 issued mobilization orders to a number of Highland clans including the men of Urquhart and Glenmoriston with the intention of invading Argyleshire.

For reasons just explained, their services were not required but it seems rather significant that the Laird of Grant was apparently not approached for his support of the Royal cause. However in 1688 William of Orange who had married King James's daughter, came to England from Holland, with an army that was welcomed and re-inforced by his numerous anti-Catholic supporters. James II of England fled to France leaving Scotland in a state of chaos, his troops having been marched south only after the crowning of William as King of Scotland. John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, known to the Covenanters and the "Bloody Claverse" raised a Highland army in revolt. To them he was known Iain Dubh nan Cath – Black John of the Battles, a fighting man after their own hearts. The Macdonalds and Camerons soon joined him but the split in Clan Grant soon became apparent. Sir Ludovick Grant of Strathspey and, nominally, Urquhart supported General Hugh Mackay, a veteran of wars on the Continent who was in command of the Government forces opposing Dundee. On the other hand young Glenmoriston, later known as Iain a' Chragrain together with the Grant of Shewglie with his Macdonald and Macmillan tenants joined the rebel force.

In civil war, intimidation is a powerful influence and it may well have been that Glenmoriston would have been devastated by its neighbours further west if their comparatively small force had not joined up with Dundee. In this connection, it is significant that when Dundee's force had to be put on 'short Rations' while waiting in Lochaber, a party of his Camerons, without his consent, undertook a cattle-lifting raid in Glen Urquhart. Apart from replenishing provisions they were out for revenge upon the Laird who had hanged some of their kin. One Macdonald in Glen Urquhart who, though of Macgregor origin, claimed Glengarry connections attempted to restrain the raiders not only in his own interest but in defence of his neighbours. This brave man was killed together with some other locals in the skirmish that followed and although Dundee was very pleased to see the Camerons return with welcome supplies of meat 'on the hoof', Glengarry went into a rage with Lochiel when he learnt of the death of his ex-Glengarry man. Dundee maintained that the deceased was in fact a traitor for not having joined his army and so the split in his ranks was averted. Some said that Glengarry had only been blustering when he threatened Lochiel with awful vengeance as the latter's force was almost double his own.

In due course General Mackay marching north was confronted by Dundee with his Highland force in the Pass of Killiecrankie on the 27th of July 1689. The story goes that Lochiel, who was credited with the power of divination had predicted that the side that first spilt blood would win the impending battle. Iain a' Chragain passed this on to his Glenmoriston men, one of whom immediately took a long shot at one of Mackay's officers, mounted on a white horse, with deadly effect. The Urquhart and Glenmoriston men under the immediate command of Glengarry, carrying the royal standard, charged down with the Highland host, closing with the enemy after discharging their firelocks. One historian asserts that most of Mackay's force, which were routed, had no previous war experience and were ill trained in the use of the bayonet, a recent innovation. On the other hand Burt, the Government agent, in his letters from the North written shortly after the battle, states that Mackay's small contingent of "Regulars" stood their ground and retreated from the battle field in good order.

If Burt was correct this should have serve as a warning to the Highland command for future encounters. Dundee had died of shot wounds early in the battle, his place being taken by General Cannon who was a man of quite different calibre, knowing little of the Highlander's outlook. As might be expected, he soon caused offence and when his forces, superior in number, laid siege to Dunkeld, occupied by twelve hundred Covenanters commanded by a very brave young Lieutenant Cleland he met more than his match. This Covenanting force, strangely enough known as the Cameronians having been recruited from the followers of one Richard Cameron, occupied the Cathedral and nearby mansion house, from which the Highlanders, inexperienced in street warfare, were unable to dislodge them.

Cleland was killed but not in vain as the Highlanders dispersed and did not rise again in King William's reign. Glenmoriston and his followers were soon to suffer for their part in the rebellion. At Inverness, Sir Thomas Livingston with a detachment of Scots Dragoons dispensed military law on behalf of King William. He also had at his disposal the regiment of the Laird of Grant, Sir James Leslie and Lord Strathnaver who had changed sides. A force of 500 foot and three troops of Dragoons under Strathnaver 's command were dispatched to Glenmoriston where with some difficulty "not having a petard" they forced open the iron gate of Invermoriston House, after which they devastated the Glen driving away any livestock that came their way. There is no record of any bloodshed on this occasion and some fifteen hundred people from the two glens afterwards took the oath to King William and Queen Mary. However the young Iain a' Chragain remained loyal to the Stuarts, constructing what has been described as a rude fort on the hillock near Bhlairaid.

From the remains of this habitation, which can still be seen on the Chragain Darroch – the Oak Rock – it would seem to have been more of a hide-out than a stronghold, but from there he continued to harass the Government forces. Urquhart Castle was at that time garrisoned by the Laird of Grant and Strathnaver's militia under the command of Captain Grant, presumably from Strathspey. It seems that these men were very poorly armed "having neither swords nor bayonets and only a few carbines sent them by the Duke of Hamilton". Possibly the two chiefs saw certain risks in supplying abundance of weapons to this outlying stronghold but it seems more likely that they were reluctant to pay for such equipment on behalf of King William out of their own pockets. A force of rebels with the usual contingent from Lochaber area and including Glenmoriston men laid siege to the Castle but fortunately artillery was still in its infancy, at least so far as the Highlands were concerned, and the besiegers could make no impression on the massive stone walls. They naturally resorted to starvation tactics but the said Captain Grant managed to replenish the garrison by boat.

Nevertheless it looked for a time as if the rebel cause might be revived. General Buchan who had superceded Cannon went through Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey on a recruiting Campaign, he and his followers including Iain a' Chragain were given very little encouragement. Sir Thomas Livingstone with his dragoons along with a force of Reay and Grant Highlanders surprised and dispersed this small rebel force on the Haughs of Cromdale. Glengarry, Glenmoriston and a few others still withheld their allegiance from the Hanoverians but after Cromwell all organised resistance ceased in Scotland.

In the year 1692 Sir Thomas Livingston, already mentioned, was ordered by King William to take action against 'Highland Rebels' who refused to take the oath of allegiance. These included the old Laird of Glenmoriston and his son Iain a' Chragain. Livingstone was required 'by fire and sword and all manner of hostility, to burn their houses, seize and destroy their goods and cattle, plenishing or cloathes and to cut off the men'. On the other side of the picture the Laird of Grant's lands both in Strathspey and Urquhart were devastated by the adherents of the Stuarts who, despite all their setbacks, still seem to have had a considerable following. The Laird of Grant presented a petition to the Scottish Parliament praying that a commission should be set up to enquire into the extent of his losses in these lands. Hugh Fraser of Belladrum and James Fraser of Reelick were in consequence instructed to take sworn evidence regarding their losses from the inhabitants of Glen Urquhart. In due course the Laird of Grant put in his claim, including loss of rents etc., for compensation amounting to £ 150,486. The committee for private affairs found that the losses were correctly stated and due payment was recommended by Parliament but neither King William nor his successors could be prevailed upon to pay one penny compensation to the Chief for his losses incurred through his loyalty to the Hanoverians.

The reader’s sympathy may well be towards the humble folk rattler than those at the top but it appears that the period around the end of the seventeenth century was a free for all. Glenmoriston tenants were among the culprits, one of the Duldreggan Grants having carried away much spoil from the property of Dunbar, a baillie of Inverness, at Dalcross. The same man along with his brother also stole cattle from the Chisholm lands in Glen Cannich. Viscount Tarbet amongst others complained to the Governor at Fort William concerning raids by Glenmoriston men for which of course their Laird was held responsible. At the same time these men were being plundered by their neighbours further west,             Patrick Grant of Craskie had an unwelcome visit from Macmillans of Loch Arkiagside whom he pursued and overtook at Corri-nam-Bronag between Glen Loyne and Tomdoun.

The raiders refused to give up their spoil and there were casualties on both sides. Twelve cairns marking the Macmillan graves can still be seen in the Corrie, the Glenmoriston dead having been brought home and buried with their kindred in Clachan Mlercheard. In the year 1692, James Grant of Shewglie fell. Sir Hugh Campbell of Cawdor appealed to the Lords of Council to provide e small garrisons to cope with this lawlessness. He pointed out that these forces could easily be withdrawn in the event of a major uprising, no doubt he was aware of the uneasy state of affairs when he put forward his proposals in the year 1691.

Iain Donn, Fifth Laird of Glenmoriston died in the year 1703, having held his title for 60 years. His warrior son lain a' Chragain then became the Laird.

Chapter 6