Urquhart and Glenmoriston
Olden Times in a Highland Parish

[501]

APPENDIX J

EXTRACTS FROM BISHOP FORBES’ “LYON IN MOURNING.” [MS. in Advocates’ Library.]

“Six or seven weeks after the battle of Culloden the party commanded by Major Lockhart in Glenmoriston shot two old and one young man, a son of one of the former, names of the men are given elsewhere in the Lyon. See p.295 supra.when they were harrowing, and expecting no harm. Grant of Daldrigan, who took no concern with the Highland army, was ordered by Lockhart (his house being surrounded by soldiers) to gather his own and all the cattle in one part of the country, while Lockhart was harrowing [harrying] and burning the other part; which being impossible for him to do against the time that Lockhart came back, he ordered him to be bound in hand and foot, erecting a gallows, stripped him naked, and carried him to the foot of the gallows, with the three corpses of the men they had killed the day before, like sacks, [502] across on three horses, and hung the three bodies by the feet on the gallows; and they, at the same time, would have killed Daldrigan, had not Captain Grant, in Loudon’s regiment, prevented it. They would hardly allow his wife time to take the rings oft her fingers; but were going to cut off her fingers, having stripped her of her clothes, her house and effects being burned. And in the braes of Glenmoriston, a party there ravished a gentlewoman big with child, and tenants’ wives, and left them on the ground after they were ravished by all the party; and Lockhart, in his way to Strathglass, shot a man, The man’s name is given elsewhere in the Lyon. See p. 296 supra.wading a water, with the Whig teacher’s protection in his hand to shew him, without speaking one word: and the whole party ravished there a woman big with child, and left her on the ground almost dead. All these are certain facts, which may be depended on, being known by a person of good credit.” [Narrative by Rev. James Hay, Inverness].

“True, said Patrick Grant, that said Isabel Macdonald [wife of Alexander Macdonald] was ravished . . . in the Brae of Coiraghoth [Corri-Dho] about two miles from the Cave, and about six weeks before Lammas; and that one Flora Macdonald, wife to John Macdonald, was ravished by the same party, at the same time, and at the same place, the parties that thus came a ravaging to the Braes of Glenmoriston after the Battle of Culloden, stript the women and children of all the cloaths that could be useful to them (the sogers), and left them only the rags.”

APPENDIX K

THE SEVEN MEN OF GLENMORISTON.

THE following notices of the Seven Men may be of interest:— In 1751, Patrick Grant informed Bishop Forbes that ALEXANDER MACDONALD was then dead. (Lyon in Mourning). Some time after Culloden, a son was born to him, whom he named Charles after the Prince. Charles was the grandfather of the late Duncan Macdonald of Torgoil (from whom the Author took down interest ing traditions, and many lines of unpublished Ossianic poetry), of the late Bailie Duncan Macdonald, Inverness, and of Charles Macdonald, now tenant of Knocknagael, near Inverness, and of Balnacarn, in Glenmoriston.

[503] ALEXANDER CHISHOLM, according to Grant, was also dead in 1751. He had a son John, whose son William emigrated to America, and lived in Glenmore, Glengarry, Canada, in 1832.

DONALD CHISH0LM lived at Blairie till 1769, when he emigrated to Canada, where he died. In 1832, several of his children were living in Canada, one of them being Lewis Chisholm, captain 1st Regiment of Glengarry Militia, who resided on the Black River, Glengarry.

HUGH CHISHOLM spent many years in Edinburgh, where he was known to Home, the historian of the Rebellion, and to Sir Walter Scott, “who subscribed, with others, to a small annuity, which was sufficient to render him comfortable.” (Tales of a Grandfather). In his old age he returned to Glenmoriston, where he was remembered by persons who communicated what they knew of him to the Author (see foot-note, p. 317, supra). In his latter days he lived in Balnabruich, Strathglass, where he died. He had a son Alexander, who had a son Donald, who emigrated from Achlain, Glenmoriston, to Canada, about 1820. Donald and his family lived in 1832 at Lochiel, Glengarry, Canada. Hugh had another son Charles (named after the Prince), who lived at Druinach, Strathglass, till his death about 1820. Charles’ descendants arc still in the district. Hugh’s sword was taken to America, where it came into the possession of Dr Stewart Chisholm, Royal Artillery. It is now in the hands of Dr Chisholm’s son, Captain Chisholm of Glassburn, Strathglass.      

GRIGOR MACGREGOR was alive in 1751, and, according to Patrick Grant, “as ready for a good ploy as ever.” He was taken prisoner some time after the Prince left, in connection with an attack on soldiers, and seizure of cattle; but he made his escape, and returned to Glenmoriston.

JOHN MACDONALD or CAMPBELL was also implicated in the attack on the soldiers, and was for a long time kept in prison in Inverness. There was no sufficient evidence against him, and he was in the end liberated. He was known as “Os Ean,” from the Prince’s mistake in thinking that was his name. The explanation given by Grant of the error is that John’s companions were in the habit of addressing him “Aos Ean,” or, more correctly, “Eisd, Iain!“— “Harken, John!“ John is stated by Sir Walter Scott and other historians to have been hanged for stealing a cow—he who scorned the £30,000 bribe The statement is incorrect. It appears from the Scots Magazine for 1754, that in May of that year, “John Mao Ewan Vic William, alias Macdonell, some time residenter in Ballado, in Glenmoriston,” was hanged at Inverlochy for theft. This man, on being apprehended, gave out that he was one of the Seven Men. The result was that efforts were made to save his [504] life, but unsuccessfully. In 1756, Patrick Grant explained the true circumstances to Bishop Forbes. His old companion, John Macdonald, whose real name was Campbell, was alive then, and for many years thereafter. He was supported by Glenaladale until the latter’s death. In 1762, Macnab of Innishewen collected money for him. He was then about sixty years of age, and had a sickly wife and young family. He lived in Glenmoriston, but wandered about a good deal. In 1770, he walked to Ballachulish to meet Bishop Forbes. “When making ready to go to the foresaid store house for worship,” records the Bishop in his Journal, under date “July 8th, 4th Sunday after Trinity,” “I spied an old, venerable, gray-headed man, looking wistfully at me, and solicitous to carry books, or any other thing. In setting out for the boat, Stewart of Invernahyle met us, and, after common compliments, told me that this was John Os Ean Mack Donell, the principal of the eight noted Glenmoriston men in 1746, who had come thirty-six long miles to see me. Upon this, making up to him to take him by the hand, he fell flat upon his face to the ground, in the Eastern manner, from which I soon raised him up, the Tear starting in my eye as well as in his, and asked by an Interpretor, as he could speak nothing but Gaelic, how he had found me out. He answered that hearing I was in the Country, he well knew that Ballachelish would be my Head-Quarters, and therefore he had come hither. Old Ballachelish, turning about just as we were ready to go on Board the Boat, and pointing to the Valuable Hero, said, There is the man that did more for HIM, Sir, than us all / I gave him some small thing to bear his Charges in footing the Journey, but not so much as I inclined, not having it to spare, from the unexpected Jaunt to Argileshire. . . . The Reason why John had taken such a Journey to see me is that for some years past I had been as lucky as to make up a small Pension of five £ a-year for him, which pays his Farm. This makes poor John very easy in his circumstances, and I transmit it to him thro’ the Hands of Ballar’helish, Junior, who told me that Mr Seton of Touch, happening to be in the country, after purchasing the Estate of Appin, where John chanced to come for his Pension, gave him three guineas. Less prosperous times fell on John, and on 8th June 1775, the Bishop writes: "Poor Os Ean, upon failing of his usual moiety joined the emigrants in August last, to seek a grave in a forest land [Canada], where his merit is not known, and would be little regarded.”

PATRICK GRANT appears never to have got over the loss of his cattle and destruction of his property in 1746. In 1751 he arrived in Edinburgh in a state of poverty, on his way to the Continent to visit the Prince. As Gaelic was his only [505]  language, he was persuaded not to proceed further lie had interviews with Bishop Forbes (then the Rev. Robert Forbes of Leith) who took down from him long accounts of events after Culloden, which are recorded in the Lyon in Mourning. “I gave Patrick Grant a certificate,” writes Mr Forbes, “desiring him to try if he could make any Thing for himself among Friends in and about Edr., to whom Donald Macdonald (his Interpreter) would direct him, and even attend him.” The certificate ran as follows:

“Leith, Octr. 18, 1751.

“That the Bearer hereof, PATRICK GRANT, is one of the GLENMORISTON MEN so noted for the amazing Preservation of ONE in the greatest Extremity of Danger and Distress, at the manifest Hazard of Life and all, THE IMMENSE SUM notwithstanding, is attested by

                        (Signed) “ROBERT FORBES, Clergyman. “N.B.—The Bearer can speak Erse only.”

Forbes also had Patrick’s portrait painted, from which probably the miniature now in Glenmoriston’s possession was taken (see p. 314, 8upra). In 1759 Patrick was pressed into the army, and he served for some years in North America. In 1763 he returned to Glenmoriston, in the enjoyment of a Chelsea pension, and he there passed the remaining years of his life.

Bards have sung, in Gaelic and English, of the Seven Men of Glenmoriston; and the Prince and themselves in the Cave have been made the subject of many a painting. Is it not time, how ever, that painters should cease to call their pictures “Prince Charles in the Robbers’ Cave?”

APPENDIX L

NOTICES OF THE PRINCIPAL FAMILIES OF THE PARISH.

It is not intended to give full accounts in these Notices of the families to which they refer. The Author regrets that the space at his disposal does not admit of any attempt to give detailed genealogies.

I. CONACHAR MAC AOIDH, AND HIS DESCENDANTS.

The story of Conachar, son of Aodh or Aed, is given on pages 11 to 14 supra. He flourished about 1160, and is the first person on record said to have been proprietor of Urquhart. From him are descended the Mackays (descendants of Aodh or Aed); the [506] Forbeses, who took their name from Forbois in Aberdeenshire, where they settled; and the Urquharts, who took their name from Conachar’s Glen (Urquhart). Conachar’s son, Alexander, settled in Caithness and Sutherland, and became the first Chief of the Clan Aoidh, or Mackays. That clan, however, continued to be known in Glen-Urquhart. The Rev. James Fraser, minister of Kirkhill in the seventeenth century, records that there were Mackays in the Glen in the the thirteenth century; and in the sixteenth we find members of the clan large holders of land in the Glen. See under Mackays of Achmonie.

II. THE DURWARDS.

THOMAS DURWARD, son of Malcolm of Lundin, became pro prietor of IJrquhart early in the thirteenth century. The history of his family’s connection with the Parish is given on pages 15 to 17 supra. “The Durwards, or Ostiarii Regis,” says Mr Cosmo Innes (Thanes of Cawdor p. 1), “though hardly mentioned in our books of pedigree, were a family of great power and possessions. The first of them, who took his name from his office, styles him self ‘Thomas filius Malcolmi de Lundin hostiarius domini Regis’ (cir. 1220). He inherited through his mother, who must have been a daughter of an Earl of Mar, large estates in the lower division of that great Earidom. His munificent donations to the Church show him as proprietor of lands in the parishes of Skene, Echt, Kinerny, Banchory, Midmar, Kincardine Oneil (where he built a bridge over the Dee), Lunifanan, Alforci, Coull, and Leochel. He had property in Moray also, and was Sheriff of Inverness in 1226. Gilbert . . . had some right to the lands of Boleskine, and the family were also proprietors of lands at Urquhart. Thomas’s son and heir, Alan Durward, was a person of great consequence in Scotland, holding the office of Great Justiciary from 1223 to 1251, and again in 1255. Besides their Northern possessions, the Durwards had lands in Angus—Lin trathen and others, and it was at the Abbey of Cupar in Angus that Alan chose his place of burial. But it is only in the fast nesses of Mar, and round their old Castle of Coull, that the memory of those great lords has lingered in popular tradition. The Cromar peasant still believes that the Kirk-bell of Coull rings of its own accord when a Durward dies. It is not known whether Gilbert was a son of Thomas Durward, nor can we do more than conjecture into what families the three co-heiresses of Alan, the Great Justiciary, carried his immense possessions.”

[507]   III. THE CUMMINGS.

After the death of Alan Durward the Cummings appear to have got possession of Urquhart Castle and its domain, and to have retained them till the time of the War of Independence, although, probably, they had no right of property in them. Sir Alexander Cumming held the Castle for a time for Edward I. See Chapter II See under Cummings of Dulshangie.

IV. THE PRINCIPAL FAMILIES CONNECTED WITH THE PARISH DURING THE 14TH AND 15TH CENTURIES.

These were the FORBESES, RANDOLPHS, LAUDERS, CHISHOLMS, the WOLF of BADENOCH, and his son the EARL of MAR, the LORDS of the ISLES, and the MACLEANS. Their connection with the Parish is narrated in Chapters II, III, and IV. The heads of the family of Macleans became proprietors of Dochgarroch, but some of the name are still tenants in Glen-Urquhart. Mr Allan Maclean of Aberystwyth is the present head of the family.

V. THE LAIRDS OF GRANT.

The “Chiefs of Grant” contains a very complete history and genealogy of the family of Grant of Grant, and the history of their connection with Urquhart is fully given in the foregoing pages. No more than a list of them is, therefore, required here.

JOHN THE BARD (1st), who acquired the Barony of Urquhart in 1509, and held it till his death in 1528, was descended from John le Grant, proprietor of Inverallan in 1316, and probably son of Sir Laurence le Grant, Sheriff of Inverness in 1263. See Chiefs of Grant I, pp. 8-15 and 499. The Bard married Margaret Ogilvy. The following are his successors, proprietors of Urquhart: — (2nd) JAMES GRANT (m. 1st Elizabeth Forbes, and 2nd Christian Barclay), son of the Bard, proprietor from 1528 to 1553; (3rd) JOHN (m. 1st Lady Margaret Stewart., and 2nd Lady Janet Leslie), son of James, 1553 to 1585; (4th) JOHN (m. Lady Lilias Murray), son of Duncan, son of John (3rd), 1585 to 1622; (5th) Sir JOHN (m. Mary Ogilvy), son of John, 1622 to 1637; (6th) JAMES (m. Lady Mary Stewart), son of Sir John, 1637 to 1663; (7th) Ludovick (m. 1st Janet Brodie, and 2nd Jean Houston), son of James, 1663 to 1699, when (although he lived till 1716) he resigned Urquhart to his son, Brigadier Alexander Grant; (8th) Brigadier ALEXANDER GRANT (m. 1st Elizabeth Stewart, and 2nd Anne Smith), son of Ludovick, 1699 to 1717; (9th) Sir JAMES Es (m. Anne Colquhoun), brother of the Brigadier, 1719 to 1747; (10th) Sir LUDOVICK (m. 1st Marion [508]   Dalrymple, and 2nd Lady Margaret Ogilvie), son of Sir James, 1747 to 1773; (11th) Sir JAMES (m. Jane Duff), son of Sir Ludovick, 1773 to 1811; (12th) Sir LEWIS ALEXANDER (who succeeded to the title and estates of Seafield), son of Sir James, 1811 to 1840; (13th) FRANCIS WILLIAM, Earl of Seafield (m. 1st Mary Anne Dunn, and 2nd Louisa Emma Maunsell), brother of Lewis Alexander, 1840 to 1853; (14th) JOHN OHARLES, Earl of Seafield (m. the Hon. Caroline Stuart), son of Francis William, 1853 to 1881; (15th) IAN CHARLES, Earl of Seafield, son of John Charles, from 1881 to 1884, when he died unmarried, leaving his estates to his mother, CAROLINE, Countess of Seafield, the present Proprietrix. He was succeeded in the titles by his uncle, the Honourable JAMES GRANT, who, on his death in June, 1888, was succeeded by his son FRANCIS WILLIAM. The latter died in December, 1888, and was succeeded by his young son JAMES, the present Earl.

VI. GRANTS OF CORRIMONY.

The pedigree of this family is given in “The Chiefs of Grant,” Vol. I., p. 515—the issue of James Grant, 7th of Corrimony, by his first wife, being, however, omitted. The first Grant of Corrimony was (1st) JOHN (son of John the Bard, Laird of Grant), to whom the estate was granted in 1509. His wife is said to have been a daughter of Strachan of Culloden. He died in 1533. The following are his successors :_(2nd) JOHN, his son (married Marjory Grant), died about 1593; (3rd) JOHN, son of the latter (m. Christian Rose), died before 1663; [WILLIAM, son of John (3rd), who pre deceased his father]; (4th) JOHN, son of William (m. Katherine Macdonald), died before 1724; (bth) JOHN, son of John (4th) (m. Mary Keith), died 1726; (6th) ALEXANDER, son of John (5th) (m. 1st Jane Ogilvie, 2nd Catherine Fraser, 3rd Alicia Macdonald), died 1797; (7th) JAMES, advocate and author, born 1743, died 1835 (see p. 405). In 1825, James sold that portion of his estate of old called Meiklies and Craskaig, thereafter Lakefield, and now Kilmartin, to Patrick Grant of Lochletter and Redcastle; The following have been the proprietors of Lakefield, now Kilmartin, since its sale by James Grant: — Patrick Grant, 1825 to 1836; Miss Hannah Fraser, Bruiach, from 1836 to 1838; Thomas Ogilvy of Corrimony, 1838 to 1852; Archibald Henry Foley Cameron, 1852 to 1884, when the estate was purchased by the present proprietor, Alasdair Campbell of Kilmartin and Blackhall;and in 1833 Corrimony proper was sold to Thomas Ogilvy. The following have been the proprietors of Corrimony since its purchase by Mr Ogilvy: — Thomas Ogilvy, 1833 to 1874, when he conveyed it to his son, John Francis Ogilvy (Mr Thomas Ogilvy died in 1877); John Francis Ogilvy, 1874 to 1887; David P. SeIlar, from 1887 to 1888, when the estate was purchased by Lachian Andrew Macpherson, the present proprietor.

[509]   James Grant (7th) was twice married. By his first wife, Elizabeth Robertson, he had several children. His successors in the representation of the family are, his son, Captain JOHN GRANT, born 1790, died 1861; JAMES GRANT, the novelist, son of Captain John Grant, born 1822, died 1887; and RODERICK GRANT, son of the novelist, born 1860, now a Roman Catholic priest in London.

The second wife of James Grant (7th) was Katherine Baillie Mackay. They had eight sons and two daughters. The representative of this marriage is Sir JAMES ALEXANDER GRANT, M.D., M.P. for Ottawa, son of James Grant, M.D., son of James Grant (7th).

VII. GRANTS OF SHEWGLIE. The pedigree of this family is given in “The Chiefs of Grant.”

ALEXANDER GRANT, 1st of Shewglie (married Lilias Grant), was a son of John Grant, 2nd of Corrimony. According to a family tradition, he was his father’s eldest son and heir, but was in some manner over-reached by his brother John, who consequently became proprietor of Corrimony. Certain transactions between Alexander and the Laird of Grant, in course of which Alexander was served heir-in-general to his father, would seem to show that the story is not without foundation. Alexander died about 1630. His successors have been his son (2nd) ROBERT (married Margaret Fraser), died about 1650; (3rd) Robert’s son, JAMES, who fought at Killicrankie, and was killed at Corribuy in 1691 or 1692 (see p. 222 supra), (m. 1st Janet Maclean, and 2nd Hannah Fraser); (4th) ALEXANDER, son of James (m. 1st Margaret, daughter of The Chisholm, and 2nd Isabel, daughter of Glenmoriston), died in London in 1746 (see p. 288 supra; (5th) JAMES, son of Alexander (m. Marjory, daughter of Fraser of Dunballoch), died in 1791; (6th) JAMES of Shewglie and Redcastle, son of James, appointed Resident at Hyderabad by Warren Hastings, died in 1808, unmarried, succeeded by his cousin (7th) Colonel ALEXANDER GRANT (m. Jane Hannay), son of Patrick Grant of Lochietter (m. Katherine Baillie), son of Alexander Grant, 4th of Shewglie. Colonel Grant died in 1816, and was succeeded by his son (8th) PATRICK of Redcastle (m. Catherine Sophia, daughter of Charles Grant, the E. I. Coy. Director). Patrick died in 1855, and was succeeded by his son (9th) the Rev. ALEXANDER RONALD GRANT, Canon of Ely, and Rector of Hitcham, Suffolk, the present representative of the family (m. Jane Sophia Dundas, daughter of his uncle, William Grant of Hazel Brae).

Colonel Grant of Redcastle’s sons, WILLIAM, HUGH, GREGOR, ALEXANDER JAMES and CHARLES (late of Hazel Bras) were all well known, and are still well remembered, in the Parish.

[510] James Grant (3rd of Shewglie) had a son PATRICK (married a daughter of Hugh Fraser of Erchit), who was alive in 1683. Patrick’s SOR, ROBERT (m. — Chishoim) had a son, ALEXANDER (m. Margaret, daughter of Donald Macbean, tenant of Aldourie), who was “out” in the Forty-Five, and was known as the Swords man. See Chapter XV. Alexander’s son, CHARLES (m. Jane Fraser) became Director and Chairman of the East India Com pany. Charles’ elder son, CHARLES, became the well-known LORD GLENELG (died unmarried), while his second son was the almost equally noted Sir ROBERT GRANT (m. Margaret, daughter of Sir David Davidson of Cantray). Sir Robert’s son, Sir CHARLES GRANT, now represents his branch of the Shewglie family. (See pp. 406-7 supra).

Of the Shewglie family is also descended Miss C. J. Chambers and Miss A. C. Chambers, Polmaily (see footnote p. 413), who are daughters of the late Lady Chambers, daughter of Mrs Wilson, Polmaily, daughter of the said Patrick Grant of Lochletter.

VIII. GRANTS OF GLENMORISTON.

The pedigree of the Glenmoriston Family is fully given in “The Chiefs of Grant.” The first of the family was the famous IAIN Mor, natural son of John the Bard. His story is told in chapters V. and VI. Hs married 1st Elizabeth or Isabella Innes, and 2nd Agnes Fraser. On his death in 1548 he was succeeded by his son (2nd) PATRICK (m. Beatrice Campbell of Cawdor), from 1548 to 1581; (3rd) JOHN (m. Elizabeth Grant), son of Patrick, 1581 to 1637); (4th) PATRICK (m. Margaret Fraser), son of John, 1637 to about 1643; (5th) JOHN (m. —- Fraser), son of Patrick, from about 1643 to 1703; (6th) JOHN (m. 1st — Baillie, and 2nd Janet Cameron), son of John (5th), from 1703 to 1736 ; (7th) PATRICK (m. — Grant), second son of John (6th), from 1737 to 1786 ; (8th) PATRICK (m. Henrietta Grant of Rothiemurchus), son of Patrick, 1786 to 1793; (9th) Lieut.-Colonel JOHN GRANT (m~ Elizabeth Townsend Grant), son of Patrick, 1793 to 1801; (10th) PATRICK, son of John, 1801 to 1808; (11th) JAMES MURRAY GRANT (m. Henrietta Cameron), brother of Patrick, 1808 to 1868; [Captain John Grant, son of James Murray Grant, m. 1st Emily Morrison, and 2nd Anne Chadwick, predeceased his father in 1867]; (12th) IAIN ROBERT JAMES MURRAY GRANT (the present Laird, m. Ethel Davidson), son of Captain John Grant, succeeded his grandfather in 1868.

From the Grants of Glenmoriston were descended the Grants of Craskie and Duldreggan — a family of great influence in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Alexander Grant, last of [511]   Duldreggan, had three sons, who all settled in British Guiana, and died unmarried, and four daughters, two of whom, Marjorie and Mary Ann, still survive. His daughter, Agnes Shaw, became the wife of Peter Anderson, solicitor, Inverness, author, along with his brother, of Anderson’s “Guide to the Highlands.” Her son, Mr P. J. Anderson, Secretary of the New Spalding Club, is a distinguished antiquary; and her daughter, Miss Isabel H. Anderson, is the author of “Inverness before Railways.”

IX. MACKAYS OF ACHMONIE.

The tradition of the Parish regarding the origin of the Mackays is embodied in the bard’s lines:

Conachar and his descendants have already been referred to. (See p. 505 supra). The first of the family of Achmonie whose name has come down to us is (let) GILLIES MACKAY, who flourished in the end of the 15th century and beginning of the 16th, and from whom the family took the patronymic of Mac Gillies. He was succeeded by his son (2nd) JOHN MAC GILLIES MACKAY, whom we first meet in 1539, when he witnessed the sasine of John Chisholm of Chisholm, in the barony of Comarmore, Strathglass. (Sasine at Erchless Castle). In 1554 he and his wife, Katherine, daughter of Euen Canycht (Ewen the Merchant), obtained from the Bishop of Moray a nineteen years’ lease of Achrnonie (Appendix C). Ewen Canycht was one of the tenants of Balmacaan at the time of the Great Raid of 1545. John, in that year, possessed Acbmonie, and was also principal tacksman of Dulshangie. His son, Donald, had a share of Balniacaan; his brother, Bean Mae Gullies, was the principal tenant of Cartaly; and his nephew, John Mac Donald Mac Gillies, had a share of Inchbrine. In 1557, the Bishop granted a perpetual charter (Appendix D) to John and his wife, and their son (3rd) DUNCAN. Duncan married Margaret, daughter of the said John Chisholm, and, on 13th May, 1592, “for the singular favour and love which I have and bear towards Margaret Chesholme, my dearest spouse, and for other reasonable causes moving my mind thereto,” granted to her the liferent [512] of the estate in the event of her surviving him. The Disposition (Latin) in Margaret’s favour is now in the possession of the Author, to whom it was presented by the late James Sutherland Chisholm of Chisholm. Few families can boast of so illustrious a pedigree as the small lairds of Achmonie had through Margaret Chisholm. It perhaps deserves a corner as a more than usually good specimen of the proverbially long “Highland pedigree.” The following were her Chisholm ancestors, the figures indicating the periods at which they lived: — Her father was John Chisholm (1542), son of Wiland (1513), son of Wiland (1460), son of Thomas (1398), son of Alexander (1368), son of Sir Robert Chisholm, Governor of Urquhart Castle (see p. 40 supra). Through Sir Robert, Margaret was descended from the lords of Roxburgh and Berwick, and from Sir Robert Lauder, Governor of Urquhart Castle, and the Lauders of the Bass. Through the said Thomas Chisholm’s wife (Margaret, daughter of Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh by his wife Agnes, daughter of Hugh Fraser of Lovat) the Achmonie family were descended from the families of Lovat and Mackintosh. Through the same Thomas, another line of ancestry can be traced to the ancient Earls of Stratherne, and Angus, and Atholl, as well as to the powerful Earls of Orkney and Caithness, and their remote ancestors in Norway. Thomas’ mother, Margaret of the Aird, was a daughter of Wiland of the Aird, by his wife Matilda, daughter of Malise, Earl of Stratherne (1334), son of Maria, daughter of Magnus, Earl of Orkney and Caithness (1320), son of Earl John (1300), son of Earl Magnus (1260), son of Earl Gilbride (1250), son of Earl Gilbride (1240), son of Gilbride, Earl of Angus, and his wife, a sister or daughter of John, the last Norse Earl of Orkney, who died in 1231 without male issue, and who was son of Harold Maddadson, Earl of Orkney (1139 to 1206); who was son of Maddad, Earl of Atholl, and his wife Margaret, daughter of Hakon, Earl of Orkney (1100), son of Paul, Earl of Orkney (1090), son of the famous Earl Thorfinn (see p 9, supra), son of Sigurd the Stout (slain at Clontarf, 1014), son of Hlodver, Earl of Orkney (970), son of Thorfinn Hausakliuf, Earl of Orkney (950), son of Torf Einar, Earl of Orkney (910), son of Rognvald, Earl of Mceri in Norway (died 890), son of Eystein Glumra, son of Ivar Upplendingajarl. A brother of the said Torf Einar was the conqueror of Normandy, and ancestor of William the Conqueror. (See Anderson’s “Orkneyinga Saga,” cxxxii., et seq.; and Skene’s “Notes on the Earldom of Caithness,” Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Vol. XII. p. 571).He was alive in 1597. He was succeeded by his son (4th) JOHN MAC GILLIES, who was alive in 1645. John was succeeded by his son (5th) GILLIES, who was served heir in 1656. It was Gillies who killed the factor, and who was consequently deprived of the estate. (See pp. 191-193 supra). His eldest son (6th) JOHN, as well as another son Donald, were solicitors in Inverness. John was solicitor for Brigadier Grant of Grant, and got re-possession of Achmonie on the death of William Grant of Achmonie, about the end of the seventeenth century, although be did not get a written title till 1721 (See p. 193). He married, when a comparatively old man, Elizabeth Grant, daughter of James Grant of Shewglie, who was killed at the fight of Corribuy. (See p. 222). He died in 1726, leaving a considerable fortune in bonds by neighbouring proprietors, and a settlement, by which he nominated Alexander Grant of Shewglie and James Fraser of Belladrum, [513]   tutors to his young children. These were (7th) ALEXANDER, James, Patrick, John, Janet, and Anne, and a son, Donald, who was born after his death. Before 1731 his widow married Alexander Grant, brother of John Grant of Glenmoriston (Iain a’ Chragain).

After Alexander Mackay (7th) attained majority, he raised an action of count and reckoning against Shewglie and Belladrum, and a long litigation and arbitration followed. He actively interested himself in The Forty-Five on the side of the Prince. (See Chapter XIV.). He sold the estate to Sir James Grant in December, 1779, and settled in Nairn — in a house which he called, and is still known as, “Achmonie Place” — where he died in 1789 without male issue. By his first wife, Mary Grant, he left twin daughters, Jane and Elspet or Isabella (born 1st January, 1753). He had no family by his second wife, Angus, daughter of Colonel Angus Macdonell of Glengarry, who commanded the Glengarry men in The Forty Five, and was killed at Falkirk. (See pp. 252, 269 supra.) His brothers James, Patrick, Patrick, who was for a time in the army, was tenant of Polmaily. He went to Pictou with a number of Urquhart people, but after some years returned to Scotland. (born 4th June, 1805), daughter of Charles Fraser, tacksman of Ruiskich. He died at Blairbeg, on 28th May, 1887, and she there on 15th October, same year — having thus lived together for the long period of sixty-two years. Their eldest son DUNCAN, who settled many years ago in the Argentine Republic, now represents the family of Achinonie.and John all predeceased him without male issue, and he was succeeded as representative of the family by his youngest brother DONALD, who was transported to Barbadoes for the part he took in The Forty-Five, and, escaping, assumed the name Macdonald. (See pp. 273 and 289 supra). Donald, who died in 1791, left the following children by his wife, Mary Macfie — JOHN MACKAY MACDONALD, who succeeded him; Duncan; Mary; and William, who died in Demerara, unmarried.

John Mackay Macdonald was a planter in Jamaica and Berbice, and for some years resided at Lakefield. He afterwards settled in Cork, where he died. By his first wife (an Irish lady, Catherine Maria, who died at sea), he had four sons, William, John, James, and Peter, and a daughter Jane. By his second wife, also an Irish lady, he left a daughter, who married Robert O’Callaghan of Blackrock, near Cork, and left issue. John’s male line became extinct on the death of his grandson, DONALD MACKAY MAC DONALD, who died at Cork about thirty years ago. Donald was succeeded as representative of the family by WILLJAM MACLAY, Blairbeg (see footnote p. 289), only son of DUNCAN, second son of the first mentioned Donald Mackay Macdonald and Mary Macfie. Duncan, who was born at Kerrowgair (now called Drumbuie) on 18th June 1773, and married Mary Gibson, died at Lewistown in 1849, leaving a son (the said William) and a daughter, Mary. William (born at Cork 30th October, 1803), married on 7th June, 1825, Christian Fraser.

[514]

X. CUMMINGS OF DULSHANGIE
Xl. GRANTS OF DULSHANGIE.

Charles Maclean is said to have married a daughter of Cumming of Dulshangie in the end of the 14th century or beginning of the 15th (see p. 49 supra), but no person of the name appears as occupier of Dulshangie or any other lands in the Parish at the time of the Great Raid. (See Appendix B). The Cummings of Dulshangie were, however, an old family, and of great influence, notwithstanding that they never owned lands in the Parish — holding only on lease or wadset. In addition to Dulshangie, they also for some time possessed Inchbrine, and Meikle Pitkerrald or Allanmore. Between 1600 and 1634 James Cumming of Dul shangie appears. He was dead before 1653. He was succeeded by his son Donald, who is described in 1634 as “apperand of Dulshangie.” He took a lease of Meikle Pitkerrald in 1660 (Appendix C), and was alive in 1665. He was dead in 1677, when his brothers, William Cumming, Sheriff-Clerk of Inverness-shire, and George Cumming, merchant in Inverness, had a dispute with Corrimony, who had erected a “dask” over a gravestone belonging to them in Kilmore Church. Donald was succeeded by his son James, who was dead in 1691, when his son Alexander was in possession. Alexander was succeeded by his son James, who was in possession in 1710, and as late as 1721. The date of his death is not known, but he was probably the last Cumming who help Dulshangie, for in 1744 James Grant appears as tenant of the farm. James was of the Ballindoune family in Strathspey, and long occupied Dulshangie. By his wife, Lilias Grant, he had several children. He was succeeded in the farm by his son Duncan, who was for many years factor of Urquhart, and who died in 1803. (See p. 379 supra). Notwithstanding the trouble into which Duncan got in connection with the meetings and removal of Duncan of Buntait, and the untoward circumstances that in the eyes of the superstitious accompanied his death, his letters show that he was a man of a very kindly disposition. He was an enthusiastic officer of the Urquhart Volunteers, and a hearty supporter of Sir James Grant in his exertions to improve agriculture and the condition of the [515] people. After his death the farm continued to be occupied by his widow and children, until 1883, when his daughter, Miss Agnes Shaw Grant, died. His youngest daughter — Mrs Corstorphan, now in her 90th year — still survives.

APPENDIX M

LETTERS or COLLATION BY THE BISHOP OF MORAY IN FAVOUR or SIR JOHN DONALDSON TO THE CHAPLAINRY OF ST NINIANS.1556. [Translated from the Latin in “Chiefs of Grant”

III, 122. See “Chiefs” III, 121, for Presentation by Mary Queen of Scots in favour of Sir John Donaldson,
dated 26th August, 1556.]

PATRICK, by the Divine mercy bishop of Moray, and perpetual cominendator of the Monastery of Scone, to a discreet man, Sir James Duff, rector of Bolleskyne, and our commissary within the deanery of Inverness, or to any other chaplain, curate, and noncurate, celebrating divine service within our diocese of Moray, and upon the execution of these presents, duly required, greeting, with divine benediction. Whereas the chaplainry of Saint Ninian being for a long time past vacant, with 40s of the lands called Pitkarell, and one croft belonging to the said ehaplainry, together with another croft, and relict of the crucifix of Saint Drostan, within the parish of the parochial church of Urquhart, and our diocese of Moray, being in the hands of our most serene Lady, Mary, by the grace of God, Queen of Scots, by the decease of umquhile Sir Duncan Makolrik, sometime chaplain and possessor of the same, belonging and falling by full right to the presentation of the said most serene Mary our Queen, and to our admission and ordinary confirmation — there compeared before us a discreet man, Sir John Donaldson, presbyter of our diocese of Moray, and exhibited and presented to us to be read a certain presentation of our said most serene lady, Queen of Scots, granted thereupon by her dearest mother Mary, dowager of the kingdom of Scotland and Regent thereof to the said Sir John himself, with all and sundry houses, rights, fruits, lands, crofts, relics, rents, teinds, oblations, emoluments, and profits, which having been seen, considered, and perused, we have been asked and required, with due instance, not only by our aforesaid most serene Lady the Queen, in her right of patronage of the said chaplainry, but also by the same Sir John [516] Donaldson, the presentee, that forthwith we should be pleased to receive and admit the said Sir John, so, as is premised, nominated, elected, and presented, in and to the said chaplainry, with crofts, lands, oblations, and relics of Saint Drostan, belonging to the aforesaid chaplainry, and to confer upon him, Sir John, our ordinary admission, and other provisions necessary, according to the force, form, content, and effect, of the said presentation, to us thereupon directed and presented, of the date, at Elgin, the 26th day of the month of August in the year of the Lord 1556, and of the reign of the said most serene Lady the Queen, the 14th year: and we, forsooth, regarding these requisitions and askings to be just and consonant to reason, and willing to fulfil, as we are bound, the mandate of our said Lady the Queen, contained in her letters of presentation, do, on account of his merits and fitness, admit the said Sir John, so, as is premised, by our oftsaid most serene Lady the Queen, elected, nominated, and presented, as chaplain of the said chaplainry of Saint Ninian, with 40s of the lands called Petkarrell, with croft belonging to the said chaplainry, together with another croft, and relics of the crucifix of Saint Drostan, within the said parish of Urquhart — and the said presentation, in so far as it is lawfully made, we deem to be approved and con firmed, as by the tenor of these presents, and by our authority ordinary, we do approve and confirm; committing by these presents the cure and administration of the said chaplainry, in the chapel thereof, to the said Sir John, provided that by Sir John himself personally, or by another capable presbyter, it shall be duly exercised therein, lest the souls of the founders thereof should be defrauded of their prayers due and wont: you therefore, and each of you, in virtue of holy obedience, and under pain of suspension from divine things, which we, by these presents, do threaten on you and everyone of you if ye delay what we command, straitly charging that forthwith ye give and deliver, induct, and institute, the said Sir John Donaldson or his lawful pro curator in his name, in real, actual, and corporal possession of the aforesaid chaplainry, with all and sundry its rights, crofts, oblations, annual rents, and relics of the crucifix of St Drostan, and other pertinents whatsoever, used and wont to be paid, by whatever name called, belonging or that may in any way justly belong to the oftsaid chaplainry of Saint Ninian, called Petkarall, by delivery of chalice and mass book, and the ornaments of the altar thereof; and that ye cause to be answered to him and his factors, and to none other, of all and sundry fruits, rents, crofts, oblations, lands, relics of Saint Drostan, and other commodities of the same; straitly inhibiting therefrom gainsayers and rebels, if any there be, by our authority ordinary: In witness whereof, we [517] have ordered and caused these presents to be corroborated by the appending of our round seal, together with the subscription manual of the notary public underwritten, notary in the premises; upon which all and sundry the premises, the said Sir John Donald son admitted, craved from me, notary public underwritten, one or more public instruments to be made to him: These things were done in the garden of the said reverend father, situated at the palace of Spynie, about the fourth hour after noon of the second day of the month of September in the year of the Lord 1556, the fourteenth indiction, and second year of the pontificate of the most holy father in Christ, and our lord, Paul IV. by the divine providence, Pope: there being present, Mr David Trumpbill, chaplain of the said reverend father, and William Wallace his servant, witnesses called and required to the premises.

And I, William Douglas, presbyter of the diocese of St Andrews, notary public; whereas at the production of the fore going presentation, and admission thereupon granted, etc.

And I, truly, Sir John Paulson, junior, vicar of Kilmaly, presbyter of the diocese of Lesmore, and notary public, executor of the before written letters of collation, together with the afore written Sir John Donaldson, principal, went personally to the chapel of Saint Ninian and parochial church of Urquhart, of the diocese of Moray, and there inducted, instituted, and invested, as the manner is, the same Sir John to the chaplainry and service of Saint Ninian, Drostan, and Adampnan, with the 40s of lands called Petkerral, with the croft of Saint Adampnan, relics of the crucifix, and croft belonging to the said chaplainry, together with the croft and relics of Saint Drostan, situated and founded within the parish of Urquhart, as is before written, by delivery of the horns of the high altar, and ornaments of the same, keys of the doors, and ropes of the bells of the aforesaid churches, and the said Sir John Donaldson himself in and to the actual, real, and corporal possession of the rights and pertinents of the afore written chaplainries, according to the terms of the aforewritten collation: And the said Sir John Donaldson, inducted, instituted, and invested in the same chaplainries, with the fruits thereof, I have dismissed in peace, nobody gainsaying: In witness of the which thing, this present institution, written with my own hand, and subscribed, and with sign, surname, and subscription, on the 11th June, 1559, 17th indiction, and second year of the pontificate of the most holy father and lord in Christ, our lord Paul fourth, by divine providence Pope: There is an error in these dates. If the year 1559 is correct, it should be the 2nd indiction and fourth year of the pontificate of Paul IV;there being present [518] John Dow McGorwin, Donill McInnes, parish clerk, John McKandoch, John McEvyn McVilliam, and me, notary under written, with divers others.

So it is, Sir John Paulson, vicar of Kilmaly, of the diocese of Lesmore, and notary public, and executor of the aforewritten collation, and giver of institution, in faith and testimony of the premises, all and sundry — witness my hand.

APPENDIX N

STIPEND OF THE PARISH MINISTER AT VARIOUS PERIODS.

In 1572 there was no minister, but Mr James Farquharson, the old parish Priest, was exhorter, at a salary of £40 per annum. (Register of Ministers and their Stipends — MS. in Advocates’ Library).

In 1574 the following entry appears in the Register of Assignations for the Ministers’ Stipends (MS. Advocates’ Library):

“. . . . Reidare at Urquhart, his stipend xx markis, wt the Kirklands, to be payit out of the chancellarye of Murray be the takkismen or parochinaris of Urquhart [or] be the chancellare, as the Redare sail choose.

“. . . . Reidar at Glenmoreistown, his stipend xx m’ks, wt the Kirklands, to be payit out of the chancellarie of Murray be the takkismen or parochineris of Glenmoreistown, or be the ohancellare, as the reidare sail choose.”

In this Register there is a blank space for the Minister of the Parish and his stipend. In the Rev. John Grant’s time (1740 to 1792) the stipend was 800 merks, with 50 merks for communion elements, the Minister being also entitled to 600 loads of peats, or 3d for each load not delivered (Presbytery Records). In 1796 it was raised to the value of £100, and £5 for communion elements (Old Statistical Account). In 1821 it was fixed at 16 chalders of victual, “half meal half barley,” with £8 6s 8d for communion elements, a chalder being equal to 16 boils. In 1860 the number of chalders was increased to 18, and in 1883 to 21, the allowance for communion elements remaining at £8 6s 8d (Teind Records).

Appendix J-N