was slain be the Lord of Mongumry and ane Douchter Gregane quhylk was maryit efter on the Erl of Casselis and efter the deith of the Lord Boyd this Douchter of James the Secound was maryit on the Lord Hammylton and be that way the House of Hammylton is decorit in the Kyngs Blude And thereafter in Parliament 1542 James Earl of Arran the Grand-child of this marriage was declared Governour of the Kingdom during the Nonage of Queen Mary And in the year 1548 was by Henry the Second King of France created Duke of Castle-herald in France and thereafter his Son Iohn was by King James the Sixth created Marquess of Hamilton anno 1599 and was the first that enjoyed that Dignity in Scotland his Son James Marquess of Hamilton was Commissioner for the King to the Parliament 1621 whose eldest Son James Marquess of Hamilton was created thereafter Duke of Hamilton his second Son Lord William Hamilton was Secretary to King Charles the first and created Earl of Lanerk in the year 1640 from the Head-Burgh of the Shire who after the death of his Brother Duke James was also Duke of Hamilton the Lives and Actions of James and William Dukes of Hamilton and Castle-Herald are set forth in the Memoirs written by Dr. Gilbert Burnet now Bishop of Salisburry William Duke of Hamilton as well as James Duke of Hamilton having deceased without Heirs-Male of their own Body the Dignity of Hamilton and Castle-Herald did descend upon Dutchess Anna eldest Daughter to Duke James who married that Noble and Stately Person William Earl of Selkirk thereafter Duke of Hamilton formerly mentioned who have that advantage above others of many excellent Children who already have appeared much in the World viz. Their eldest Son James Earl of Arran who after he had finished his Travells Abroad Resided at the Court of England and from King Charles the second and King James the seventh enjoyed many Honourable Employments The second Lord William of great Hopes dyed in France Upon his third Son Lord Charles descended his Dignity of Earl of Selkirk as is said who is one of the Gentlemen of Their Majesties Bed-Chamber The fourth Son Lord John is General of Their Majesties Mint and married to Lady Anna Kennedy Daughter to John Earl of Cassils by his most excellent and vertuous Lady Susanna second Daughter to James Duke of Hamilton Their fifth Son Lord George Collonel of that Valiant and Renowned Regiment ordinarly Commanded by one of the Family of Dowglass of which this Lord is a Grand-child The sixth Son Lord Basile married to Mrs. Mary Dumbar Heiress to Sir David Dumbar of Baldone Baronet in the Shire of Wigtoun her Grand-father by his Son of the same Name married o Lady Helen Montgomery Daughter to Hugh Earl of Eglington The seventh Lord Archibald is Commander of the Woolage one of Their Majesties Ships of War Their eldest Daughter Lady Katharine is married to John Lord Murray eldest Son to the Marquess of Atholl The second is Susanna Countess Dowager and Mother of William Earl of Dundonald and Lady Margaret is married to James Earl of Panmure The River Glotta or Clyde runneth from Hamiltoun by Bothwel which glorieth in the Earls thereof namely John Ramsey whose greatness with King James the Third was excessive but pernicious both to himself and the King and the Hepburns of whom already Near to this place is Blantyre from which Walter Prior of Blantyre Lord Privy-Seal and afterward Thesaurer and one of the Octavians to King James the Sixth and an extraordinar Lord of Session was created Lord Blantyre July 10. 1606 his Descendant is Alexander Lord Blantyre This River runneth straight forward with a ready stream through Glasgow in ancient times past a Bishops Seat but discontinued a great while until that King William restored it up again but now it is an Arch-bishops See and an University which Bishop Turnbul after he had in a pious and religious intent built a Colledge in the year 1454 first founded This Glasgow is the most famous Town of Merchandise in this Tract for pleasant Situation Apple-trees and other like Fruit-trees much commended having also a very fair Bridge supported with eight Arches Near to it is Rutherglen a Burgh Royal and head Burgh of the nether-ward of Clydsdale as Lanerk is of the whole Shire and specially of the upper-ward Lower on the Bank of Clyde lyeth the Barony of Renfrew anciently in the Shire of Lanerk but by King Robert the 3d. erected in a Shire so called of the principle Town which may seem to be Randvara in Ptolomy upon the River Cart which had the Baron of Cathcart dwelling upon it carrying the same sirname of ancient Nobility The present Lord Cathcart is called Allan his Residence is now at Sundrom in Kings-kyle on the River of Kylne near where it falls into the River Air. Near unto Cathcart for this little Province can shew a goodly Breed of Nobility there Bordereth Cruikston the Seat in times past of the Lords of Darnley from whom by right of marriage it came to the Earls of Lennox whence Henry the Father of King James the Sixth was called Lord Darnley Halkead the Habitation of the Barons of Ross descended orginally from English Blood as who fetch their Pedegree from that Robert Ross of Wark who long since left England and came under the Alledgeance of the King of Scots of whom is descended William Lord Ross. Pasley sometimes a famous Monastery founded by Alexander the Second of that name High-steward of Scotland which for a gorgeous Church and rich Furniture was inferior to few but by the beneficial Favour of King James the Sixth it yielded both Dwelling-place and Title of Baron to Lord Claud Hamilton a younger Son of the Duke of Chasteu Herald the eldest Son of the Earl of Abercorn is designed Lord Pasley of whom already And Semple the Lord whereof Baron Semple by ancient Right was Sheriff of this Barony The Lady Heiress of Semple being married to Francis Abercrombie of Fiternier he was by King Charles the 2d created Lord Glasford and is Father to the present Lord Semple In this Country of Renfrew is Areskine the Seat of the ancient Lords of Areskine now Earls of Marr. But the Title of Baron of Renfrew by a peculiar priviledge since the Reign of King Robert the 3d. doth appertain unto the Prince of Scotland The heretable Sheriffs of this Shire are the Earls of Eglington The Author Camden is not to be blamed for asserting that Alexander the Second Great Stewart of Scotland Founded the Monastry of Pasley since it was generally related by the Scottish Historians but because the Errors in this Matter are so many and gross to the disadvantage of the Great Stewarts of Scotland Progenitors to our Kings and that a wrong Genealogy of them is printed with our Acts of Parliament I must be allowed to prevent the further
of Sir Thomas Hamilton of Byers is made Clerk Register In the Parliament 23 of October the same year he is designed Secretary in place of Sir Alexander Hay formerly mentioned who became in his place Lord Register The fourteen of June 1616 upon the death of President Preston he under the Designation of Lord Binny was admitted President of the Session In the Rolls of Parliament 1617 he is designed Lord Binny and before the Lord Carnagie In the Rolls of Parliament 1621 he is designed Earl of Melross which Title he thereafter exchanged for Earl of Haddingtoun he continued Secretary and President till the year 1626 then was constitute Lord Privy Seal and he his Successors in that Office have had the same Precedency as the Lord Privy Seal in England which he enjoyed several years his Grand-childs Grand-child is Thomas Earl of Haddingtoun Within a little of Haddingtoun standeth Athelstanford so called of Athelstane a chief Leader of the English slain there with his men about the year 815. But that he should be that warlike Athelstane which was King of the West-Saxons both the Account of the Times and his own Death do manifestly controll it The Sheriff ship of this Shire being at the Kings disposal is given to Sir Robert Sinclar of Stevinson Baronet and one of Their Majesties Privy Council and a Member of this present Parliament for the Shire Above the mouth of this Tine in the very bending of the Shore standeth Tantallon Castle from whence Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus wrought James the fifth King of Scots much Teene and Trouble Here by retiring back off the Shores on both sides is room made for a most noble Arm of the Sea and the same well furnished with Islands which by reason of many Rivers encountring it by the way and the Tides of the surging Sea together spreadeth exceeding broad Ptolomy calleth it Boderia Tacitus Bodotria of the depth as is thought the Scots the Forth and Firth we Edinburgh Firth others the Fresian Sea and the Scotish Sea and the Eulogium Morwiridh Patrick Ruthven General to King Charles the first his Forces was created by him in the year 1639 first Lord Estrick from the Name of a Rivolet and in the year 1641 Earl of Forth in Scotland and Earl of Branford in England there is none descended of him that claims the Title Upon this River after you be past Tantallon are seated first North-Berwick a famous place sometime for an House there of religious Virgins And then Dirltoun which belonged in times past to the notable Family of the Halyburtons and by them to the Ruthvens and by their Forfeiture to Sir Thomas Erskin Captain of the English Guard whom James King of Great-Britain for his happy Valour in preserving him against the traiterous Attempts of Gowrie first created Baron of Dirlton about the 1603 being the next after the Lord Loudoun and before Kinloss Abercorn and Balmerinoch And afterward advanced him to the honourable Title of Viscount Fenton in the year 1606 making him the first Viscount that ever was in Scotland James Maxwel of the Bed-Chamber was created by King Charles the first Earl of Dirlton who left no lawful Issue Male but two Daughters the one married to William Earl of Lanerk afterwards Duke of Hamilton and at present his Dignity is not claimed by any A Gentleman of the Name of Douglas was first created Viscount of Belhaven a place near to Dunbar which Honour being extinct Sir James Hamilton was created Lord Belhaven by King Charles the first about the year 1648 to whom succeeds John now Lord Belhaven Against these places there lyeth in the Sea not far from the Shore the Island Bass which riseth up as it were all one craigy Rock and the same upright and steep on every side yet hath it a Block-house belonging to it a Fountain also and Pastures but it is so hollowed with the Waves working upon it that it is almost pierced through What a multitude of Sea-fowles and especially of those Geese which they call Scouts and Soland-Geese flock hither at their times for by report their Number is such that in a clear day they take away the Suns Light what a sort of Fishes they bring for as the Speech goeth a hundred Garrison Soldiers that here lay for defence of the place fed upon no other Meat but the fresh Fish that they brought in what a Quantity of Sticks and little Twigs they get together for the building of their Nests so that by their means the Inhabitants are abundantly provided of Feuel for their fire what a mighty gain groweth by their Feathen and Oyl the report thereof is so incredible that no man scartcely would believe it but he that had seen it The Garrison of the Bass having stood long out against Their Majesties before they surrendered about the beginning of May 1694. The Fortifications were ordered to be slighted Then as the shore draweth back Seton sheweth it self which seemeth to have taken that Name of the Situation by the Sea-side and to have imparted the same unto a right Noble House of the Setons branched out of an English Family and from the Daughter of King Robert Bruce Out of which the Marquess of Huntly Robert Earl of Wintoun Alexander Earl of Dumfermling advanced to Honours by King James the sixth are propagated George now Earl of Winton is great Grand child to the first Earl whose Brother was Alexander Seton of Vrquhart an extraordinar Lord of Session and by the same Designation admitted ordinary Lord in February 1587-8 in August 1591 created Lord Vrquhart and in May 1593 on the death of President Provan admitted President of the Session and in the year 1595 one of the Octavians in the year 1604 he was a Commissioner for the Union by the Designation of the Lord Fyvie and in that Parliament the Earl of Montrose Chancellor being Commissioner he did preside in March 1605 in the Books of Sederunt Alexander Earl of Dumfermling is made Chancellor and was afterward Commissioner to the Parliament his Designation was from a Royal Burgh in Fife formerly a famous Abby his Son was Charles Earl of Dumfermling Lord Privy Seal to King Charles the second and his Grand-child James Earl of Dumfermling is now forefault also Alexander Seton Uncle to George now Earl of Wintoun was by King Charles the first created Viscount of Kingston whose Son is now Viscount After this the River Eske in Mid-Lothian which dischargeth it self into this Firth when it hath run by Borthwick which hath Barons surnamed according to that name and those deriving their Pedegree out of Hungary by Newbottle that is The new building sometimes a fair Monastrey now the Barony of Sir Mark Ker by Dalkeith now belonging to the Dutchess of Buckcleugh and from whence her eldest Son is designed Earl a very pleasant Habitation of the late Earls of
exigent by King Malcolm that he gave his Son Vcthred to the King for an Hostage and himself weary of this world took the Habit of a Chanon at Holy-rud-house in Edinburgh As for Vcthred Gilbert his younger Brother took him Prisoner in Battel and when he had cut out his Tongue and plucked his Eyes forth of his Head he cruelly bereaved him both of Life and Inheritance But within some few years when Gilbert was dead Vcthreds Son recovered his fathers Inheritance who of a Sister of William Morvill Constable of Scotland begat Allan Lord of Galloway and Constable of Scotland This Allan by Margaret the eldest Daughter of David Earl of Huntingtoun had Dervolgilda wife to John Balliol and the Mother of John Balliol King of Scotland who contended with Robert Brus for the Kingdom of Scotland and by a former Wife as it seemeth he had Helen married to Roger Quincy Earl of Winchester who thereby was Constable of Scotland like as William Ferrars of Groby the Nephew of the said Roger by a Daughter and one of the Heirs But these Englishmen soon lost their Inheritance in Scotland as also the Dignity of Constably which the Cummins Earls of Buchan descended likewise from a Daughter of Roger Quincy obtained until it was translated unto the Earls of Errol But the Title of the Lords of Galloway fell afterward to the Family of the Dowglasses And now the Title of Earl of Galloway belongeth to the Family of Stuarts of Garleis an antient Family of the name of Stuart which being first dignified by King James the Sixth about the year 1609 with the Title of Lord of Garleis is marked in the Rolls of Parliament after the Lord Haly-rood-house and before the Lords Cowper Maitherty Kintail and Cranstoun he was also created by the same King about the year 1622 Earl of Galloway and is ranked in the Rolls of Parliament next after the Earl of Haddingtoun and James now Earl of Galloway is the fifth Earl and Great Grand-child of the first CHAP. XII CARRICTA CARRICK NOw followeth Carrick upon Dumbritain Frith lying on the East-side of Loch-Rian opposite to the Corse-hill fair to be seen with fresh Pastures supplyed both by Land and Sea with Commodities abundantly In this Province Ptolomy placed Rerigonium a Creek and Rerigonium a Town For which Berigonium is read in a very antient Copy of Ptolomy printed at Rome in the year 1480 so that we cannot but verily think it was that which now is called Bargeny A Lord it hath out of the Family of the Kennedies which came forth of Ireland in the Reign of Robert Brus and is in this Tract of high Birth spread into many Branches and of great power The Chief of which Linage is the Earl of Cassils for this is the Name of a Castle wherein he dwelleth by the River Dun Upon the Bank whereof he hath also another Castle Named Dunnure his Predecessor was first designed of Dunnure and being married to Mary Stuart lawful daughter to King Robert the Third whose Successor was first created Lord Kennedy and thereafter Earl of Cassils and John now Earl of Cassils is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury An ancient Family of the Kennedies did possess the forementioned Lands of Bargeny which were purchased from them by Sir John Hamilton Son to John Marquess of Hamilton whose Son Sir John was created Lord Bargeny by King Charles the First Anno 1639 his Grand-child is William Lord Bargeny The Earl of Cassils is the hereditary Bailiff of this Countrey For this Carrick together with Kyle and Cunninghame are counted the three Bailleries of Scotland because they that govern these with an ordinary Power and Jurisdiction are called Bailliffs by a Term that came up in the middle times and among the Greeks Sicilians and French men signifieth a Conservator or Protector But in the Age aforegoing Carrick had Earls for to say nothing of Gilbert of Galloway's Son unto whom King of William gave all Carrict to be possessed for ever we read that Adam of Kilconcath was about the year 1270. Earl of Carrick and died serving in the Holy-land whose only Daughter Martha fell extremely in love with Robert Bruce a beautiful young Gentleman as she saw him hunting and thereupon made him her Husband advanced him with the Title of Earl and with Possessions unto whom she bare Robert Bruce that most renowned King of Scots from whom the royal Line of the Kings is descended But the Title of the Earl of Carrick being left for a time to the younger Sons of the Family of Bruce afterwards among other honours encreased the Stile of the Princes of Scotland The Title of the Lord Kincleven in Perth-Shire was conferred by King James the Sixth Anno 1607. and Earl of Carrick by King Charles the First upon John Stuart brother to Patrick Stuart last Earl of Orkney descended of King James the Fifth by a natural Son which is now Extinct CHAP. XIII KYLE MOre inward toward Clyds-forth followeth Kyle plentiful in all things and as well inhabited In Bedes Auctarium it is called Campus Cyel that is The Field Cyel and Coil where it is recorded That Eadbert King of Northumberland annexed this with other Territories unto his own Kingdom In Ptolomy's time there was known a place here named Vidogara happily Air which is a Sheriffdom hath a Town also of Merchandise and a well known Port by a River of the same name This Country lyeth between the River of Dune bordering Carrick and the River of Irwine northward bordering Cunninghame and is divided in Kings-Kyle under the Jurisdiction of the Sheriff which lyeth betwixt Dune on the South and West and the Rivers of Air and Lougar running into Air on the North and East including also the Paroch of Achinleck on the other side of Lougar and Kyle-stewart containing the rest of the Country northward to the River of Irwine which belonged anciently to the Stuarts of Scotland since to the Prince the Kings eldest Son The Wallaces Lairds of Craiggie were heretable Stuarts but now both Sheriffship and Stewartry being at the Kings disposal are granted to one person which Rivers hath many little Villages scattered along their Banks Upon Lougar standeth Vchiltrie sometime the Seat of the Stuarts of the Blood-Royal as who issued from the Dukes of Albanie and were created Lords of Vchiltrie which Title is now failed out of which House was that noble Robert Stuart who kept continually with the Prince of Condie as an inseparable Companion and was slain in Battle with him in France Near to this place to the westward on the River Air in Kings-kyle is situat Stair the Inheritance of Sir James Dalrymple Knight and Barronet who being learned in the Laws was admitted an ordinar Lord of Session in the first nomination and settlement of the Judicatory by King Charles the Second after his Restauration anno 1661 and President anno 1671. And
and Inheritance As touching the Earls of Lennox themselves to omit those of more ancient and obscure times there was one Duncan Earl of Lennox in the Reign of Robert the Third who died and left none but Daughters behind him of whom one was married to Allan Stuart descended from Robert a younger Son of Walter the Second of that Name High Stewart of Scotland and Brother likewise to Alexander Stuart the Second from whom the noblest and Royal Race of Scotland hath been propagated This sirname Stuart was given unto that most noble Family in regard of the honourable Office of the Stewart-ship of the Kingdom as who had the Charge of the Kings Revenues The said Allan had Issue John Earl of Lennox and Robert Captain of that Company of Scottish men at Arms which Charles the Sixth King of France first instituted in lieu of some Recompence unto the Scottish Nation which by their Valour had deserved passing well of the Kingdom of France who also by the same Prince for his vertues sake was endowed with the Seigniory of Aubigny in Auvergne Iohn had a Son named Matthew Earl of Lennox who wedded the Daughter of James Hamilton by Marion Daughter to King James the Second on whom he begat John Earl of Lennox he taking Arms to deliver King James the Fifth out of the hands of the Dowglasses and the Hamiltons was slain by the Earl of Arran his Uncle on the Mothers side This John was Father to Matthew Earl of Lennox who having sustained sundry Troubles in France and Scotland found Fortune more friendly to him in England through the favour of King Henry the Eight considering that he bestowed upon him in marriage his Neice with fair Lands By the means of this happy Marriage were brought into the world Henry and Charles Henry by Mary Queen of Scots had Issue James the Sixth King of Brittain by the propitious Grace of the Eternal God born in a most auspicate and lucky Hour to knit and unite in one Body of an Empire the whole Island of Brittain divided as well in it self as it was heretofore from the rest of the World and to lay a most sure Foundation of an everlasting Security for our Heirs and the Posterity As for Charles he had Issue one only Daughter Arbella married to the Earl of Hertford in England who above her Sex so embraced the Studies of the best Literature that therein she profited and proceeded with singular Commendation and comparable with the excellent Ladies of old time When Charles was dead after that the Earldom of Lenox whereof he stood Enfeoffed was revoked by Parliamentary Authority in the year of our Lord 1579. and his Uncle by the Fathers side Robert Bishop of Caithness had some while enjoyed this Title in lieu whereof he received at the Kings hands the honour of the Earl of March. King James the Sixth conferred the honourable Title of Duke of Lennox upon Esme Stuart Son to Iohn Lord D' Aubigny younger Brother to Matthew aforesaid Earl of Lennox which Lodowick Esme his Son after him did enjoy For since the time of Charles the Sixth there were of this Line Lords of Aubigny in France the said Robert before named and Bernard or Eberdard under Charles the Eighth and Lewis the Twelfth who is commended with great praise unto Posterity by P. Jovius for his noble Acts most valourously exploited in the War of Naples a most firm and trusty Companion of King Henry the Seventh when he entered into England who used for his Emprese or Devise a Lyon between Buckles with this Motto Distantia Jungit for that by his Means the Kingdoms of France and of Scotland severed and dis-joined so far in distance were by a straighter League of friendship conjoyned likeas Robert Stuart Lord D' Aubigny of the same Race who was Marshal of France under King Lewis the Eleventh for the same cause used the royal Arms of France with Buckles Or in a border Gules which the Earls and Dukes of Lennox have ever since born quarterly with the Arms of Stuart The Dukes of Lennox were also heretably great Chamberlains of Scotland and High-Admirals and had several Regalities and the Baillerie of Glasgow The Race of the Earls and Dukes of Lennox aforesaid being extinct by the death of Charles Duke of Lennox and Richmond Ambassador for King Charles the Second in Denmark about the year 1672 his Estate in Scotland did fall to the King by Succession who bestowed it on his Son Charles by the Name of Charles Lennos Duke of Lennox about the year 1675 who enjoyeth that honour Lord George Dowglass one of the younger Sons of William Marquess of Dowglass Collonel of the Scottish Regiment and Mareschal of the Camp in France thereafter Lieuetenant General in Brittain was by King Charles the Second before the year 1677 created Earl of Dunbarton whose Son doth enjoy that Title CHAP. XVIII STIRLING UPon Lennox North-eastward bordereth the Territory of Stirling so named of the principle Town therein for fruitful Soll and numbers of Gentlemen in it second to no Province of Scotland Here is that narrow Land or Streight by which Dunbritton Firth and Edinburgh Firth piercing far into the Land out of the West and East Seas are divided asunder that they meet not one with the other Which thing Julius Agricola who marched hitherto and beyond first observed and fortified this Space between with Garisons so as all the part of Brittain on the east and south side was then in possession of the Romans and the Enemies removed and driven as it were into another Island in so much as Tacitus judged right truly There was no other bound or limit of Brittain to be sought for Neither verily in the time ensuing did either the Valour of Armies or the Glory of the Roman name which scarcely could be stayed set out the Marches of the Empire in this part of the World farther although with Inrodes they other whiles molested and endamnaged them But after this glorious Expedition of Agricola when himself was called back Brittain as saith Tacitus become for-let neither was the Possession kept still thus far for the Caledonian Brittains drave the Romans back as far as to the River Tine in so much as Hadrian who came into Brittain in person about the fortieth year after and reformed many things in it went no further forward but gave commandment that the God Terminus which was wont to give ground unto none should retire backward out of this place like as in the East on this side Euphrates Hence it is that S. Augustine wrot in this wise God Terminus who gave not place to Jupiter yielded unto the will of Hadrianus yielded to the rashness of Iulian yielded to the necessity of Jovian in so much as Hadrian had enough to do for to make a Wall of Turff between the Rivers Tine and Esk well near an hundred Miles southward on this side Edinburgh Firth
Lodowick Earl of Crawford and by vertue of a former Entail the Honour Dignity and Precedency of the Earl of Crawford was declared in Parliament to belong to him and his Successors and since ratified in Parliament anno 1661 he was by King Charles the Second restored to be Thesaurer from which Office he had been removed in the year 1649 his Son William now Earl of Crawford was President of the Parliament 1689 and 1690 and one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury the secondary Title belonging to his eldest Son is Lord Lindsey Eden also runneth by Cowper a notable Burgh where the Sheriff sitteth to minister Justice Now where the shore turneth inward a Front northward hard by the Salt water of Tau there flourished in old time two goodly Abbeys Balmerinoch built by Queen Ermengard Wife to King William Daughter of Viscount Beaumont in France King James of Great Brittain advanced Sir James Elphingston of Barntoun to the honour of Baron Balmerinoch about the year 1604 being mentioned in that Parliament one of the Commissioners for the Union with England he is placed in the Decreet of Ranking after the L. Abercorn and before the L. Tullibardine he was a Lord of the Session Secretary thereafter succeeded to the L. Fyvie to be President of the Session anno 1605 whose Grand-child is John L. Balmerinoch The other Abbey is that of Lindoris Founded among the Woods by David E. of Huntingtoun is the Barony of Sir Patrick Lesly created L. Lindoris about the year 1604 and placed in the Decreet of Ranking immediatly after the Lord Roxburgh and before the Lord Lowdoun his Successor is Iohn Lord Lindoris Between which standeth Banbrich the Habitation of the Earl of Rothes strongly built Castle-wise Near to these places on the Confines toward Perth-shire is Balvaird which belongs to the Murrays ancient Cadets of the Lairds of Tullihardine their Successor was created L. Balvaird by K. Charles the 1st after the year 1641 his Grand-child hath succeeded to the Dignity of Lord Scoon and Viscount Stormonth by entail Sir David Murray the first Lord and Viscount being a younger Brother of the Laird of Balvaird The Governour of this Province like as of all the rest in this Kingdom was in times past a Thane that is in the old English tongue The Kings Minister as it is also at this day in the Danish Language but Malcolm Canmore made Macduff who before was Thane of Fife the first hereditary Earl of Fife and in consideration of his good desert and singular service done unto him granted that his Posterity should have the Honour to place the King when he is to be Crowned in his Chair and to lead the Vant-guard in his Army and if any of them should happen by casualty to kill either Gentleman or Commoner to buy it out with a piece of Money Not far from Lindoris there is to be seen a Cross of Stone which standing for a limit between Fife and Strathern had an Inscription of barbarous Verses and a certain priviledge of Sanctuary that any Manslayer Allied to Macduff Earl of Fife within the ninth Degree if he came unto this Cross and gave nine Kine with an Heifer should be quit of Manslaughter When his Posterity lost this Title and Priviledge is uncertain but it appeareth that King David the Second gave unto William Ramsey this Earldom with all and every the Immunities and Law which is called Clan-Mac-Duff and received it is for certain that the Linage of the Weymesses and Dowglasses yea and that great Kindred Clan-Hatan the Chief whereof is Mac-Intoshech descended from them And the most learned Sir John Skeen of Currie-hill Clerk of Register in his Treatise de verborum significatione informs that by an Indenture at Perth the penult day of March 1371 betwixt Robert Stuart Earl of Monteith and Dame Isabel Countess of Fife Daughter and Heir to Duncan Earl of Fife The Countess is obliged to resign her Earldom in the Kings hands in favours of the said Earl for new heretable Infestment thereof to be given to him which Earl being afterwards designed of Fife and Monteith was thereafter Duke of Albany and affecting the Kingdom with cruel Ambition caused David the Kings eldest Son to be most pitifully famished to death which is the highest extremity of all misery But his Son Murdac suffered due punishment for the Wickedness both of his Father and his own Sons being put to death by King James the First for their violent Oppressions and a Decree passed that the Earldom of Fife should be united unto the Crown for ever But the Authority of the Sheriff of Fife belongeth in right of Inheritance to the Earl of Rothes the Heir of which Family was Iohn Earl of Rothes who after he was High Commissioner for King Charles the Second to the Parliament and Conventions of Estates and enjoyed several other honourable and profitable Employments was made Chancellor anno 1668 in which Office he continued till his death in anno 1681 and was shortly before created Duke of Rothes which Dignity is extinct by default of Heirs male of his Body but his eldest Daughter Margaret Countess of Rothes being married to Charles Earl of Haddingtoun hath Iohn Lord Leslie who is to succeed in the Dignity of the Earl of Rothes and Thomas who hath succeeded his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Hadingtoun Since Printing of the former Edition several Lords were created in this Shire some whereof have already been mentioned and also others to be mentioned viz. Sir Michael Balfour of Balgarvie by K. James the 6th created L. Burghlie July 16 1607 whose Successor is John Lord Burghlie And by the same King Sir Robert Melvil first of Murdocairny and thereafter of Burntisland who had been Thesaurer Deput and Thesaurer before the year 1592 and an extraordinar Lord of Session anno 1594 was created Lord Melvil about the year 1617 to whom succeeded Robert his Son he is ranked in the Parliament 1633 after the Lord Deskford and before Carnegie and is amongst the Commissioners for holding that Parliament who had been admitted an extraordinar Lord of Session upon the dimission of his Father and then by entail the honour fell to the Laird of Raith descended of the eldest Brother and the only Male representative of the ancient Family of the Melvils George Lord Melvil his Son is the 4th Lord who was sole Secretar of State to and created by Their Majesties Earl of Melvil Lord High Commissioner to the second and third Sessions of this current Parliament 1690 and now Lord Privy Seal his Son Alexander Lord Raith was constitute Thesaurer Deput anno 1689. Mr. John Lindsey of Belcarras was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians of the Thesaury Secretary before K. Ja. his Succession to the Crown of England his Grand-child Alexander about the year 1633 was created Lord Belcarras by King
small River coming out of Athol This Athol that I may digress a little out of my way is infamous for Witches and wicked Women the Countrey otherwise fertile enough hath Valleys bespread with Forrests namely where that Wood Caledonia dreadful to see for the sundry turnings and windings in and out therein for the hideous horrour of dark Shades for the Burrows and Dens of Wild Bulls with thick Manes whereof I made mention heretofore extended it self in old time far and wide every way in these parts As for the Places herein they are of no great account but the Earls thereof are very memorable Thomas a younger Son of Rolland of Galloway was in his Wives Right Earl of Athol whose Son Patrick was by the Bissets his Concurrents Murdered in Feud at Had dingtoun in his Bed-chamber and forthwith the whole House wherein he Lodged burnt that it might be supposed he perished by casualty of Fire To the Earldom there succeeded David Hastings who had Married the Aunt by the Mothers side of Patrick whose Son that David surnamed of Strathbogie may seem to be who a little after in the Reign of Henry the third King of England being Earl of Athol married one of the Daughters and Heirs of Richard base Son to John King of England and had with her a very goodly inheritance in England She bare unto him two Sons John Earl of Athol who being of a variable disposition and untrusty was hanged up aloft on a Gallows fifty Foot high and David Earl of Athol unto whom by Marriage with one of the Daughters and Heirs of John Cummin of Badzenoth by one of the Heirs of Aumer de Valence Earl of Pembroch there fell great Lands and Possessions His Son David who under King Edward the second was other whiles amongst English summoned to the Parliaments in England and under King Edward Baliol made Lord Lieutenant General of Scotland was vanquished by the valerous Prowess of Andrew de Murray and slain in Battel within the Forrest of Kelblen in the year of our Lord 1335 And his Son David left two young Daughters only Elisabeth Wedded unto Sir Thomas Piercy from whom the Barons of Burrough are descended and Philip Married to Sir Thomas Halsham an English Knight Then fell the Title of Athol unto that Walter Stuart Son to King Robert the second who cruelly Murdered James the first King of Scotland who for this execrable cruelty suffered most condign punishment accordingly in so much as Aeneas Sylvius Ambassadour at that time in Scotland from Pope Eugenius the fourth gave out this Speech That he could not tell whether he should give them greater commendations that revenged the Kings Death or brand them with sharper Censure of Condemnation that distained themselves with so hainous a Paricide After some few years passed between this honour was granted unto John Stuart of the Family of Lorn the Son of James surnamed The Black Knight by Joan the Widow of King James the first Daughter to John Earl of Somerset and Niece to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster whose posterity at this day enjoy the same The eldest son of Tullibardine being descended of the Stuarts of Athol whose successor is John Marquess of Athol as hath been said Lord Charles Murray second Son to the Marquess of Athol was by King James the seventh Created Earl of Dunmore and Sir Robert Nairn of Straâ—hurd one of the Lords of Session was by King Charles the second about the year 1681. Created Lord Nairn his only Daughter to be Married to a younger Son of the Marquess of Athols by vertue whereof William Lord Murray is now Lord Nairn The Marquess of Athol is Heretable Sheriff of Perth This River is increased by receiving the River of Braâ—n which having given name to a Strath through which it passeth loseth its name by augmenting of Tau at Dunkeld which was adorned by King David the first with an Episcopal See Sir James Galloway Master of Requests to King James the sixth and King Charles the first was by the latter Created Lord Dunkell about the year 1646. whose Grand Child is Forfeited for opposing their Majesties in the Highlands by force of Arms. In these bounds lyes Gillichrankie a place remarkâ—ble for the Defeat of the Kings Forces under the Command of General Major Mckay by the late Viscount of Dundee and his Associats but himself was killed in the Action which fell out the 27th of July 1689. Most Writers grounding upon the signification of that Word suppose Dunkeld to be a Town of the Caledonians and interpret it The Mount or Hill of Hazeles as who would have that name given unto it of the Hazel-trees in the Wood Caledonia from hence the Tau passeth forward to the old Castle of Kincleiven where it is much augmented by the River Ila a very pleasant and large River and thence goeth downward by the Carcass of Bertha a little desolat City remembring well enough what a great loss and calamity he brought upon it in times past when with an extraordinary swelling Floud he surrounded all the Fields laid the goodly standing Corn along on the Ground and carried headlong away with him this poor City with the Kings Child and Infant in his Cradle and the Inhabitants therein In steed whereof in a more commodious place King William builded Perth which straightways became so wealthy that Necham who lived in that age versified of it in this manner Transis ample Tai per rura per oppida per Perth Regnum sustentant istius urbis opes By Villages by Towns by Perth thou runn'st great Tay amain The Riches of this City Perth doth all the Realm sustain But the posterity ensuing call it of a Church founded in honour of Saint John Saint Johns Town and the English whiles the Wars were hot between the Bruces and the Balliols Fortified it with great Bulwarks which the Scots afterwards for the most part overthrew and disman led it themselves Howbeit it is a proper pretty City pleasantly seated between two Greens and for all that some of the Churches be destroyed yet a goodly shew it maketh ranged and set out in such an uniform manner that in every several Street almost there dwell several Artificers by themselves and the River Tau bringeth up with the Tide Sea Commodities by Lighters King James the sixth having erected it to the Title of an Earldom Created James Baron Drummond Earl of Perth of whom in Strathern Unto Perth these places are near Neighbours Methven near to which runneth the river of Almond which passing downward falleth in Tau near to the place where the antient Town of Bertha stood Margaret an English Lady Widow unto King James the fourth purchased Methven with ready Money for her third Husband Henry Stuart descended of the Royal Blood and for his Heirs and withal obtained of her Son King James the fifth for him the dignity of a Baron since extinct and was one of the
anno 1661 in the year 1678 he was by the same King appointed Justice General and thereafter in the year 1681 constitute Lord Register and continued in that Office during the Reign of King Charles the Second and King James the Seventh and in the year 1685 was created Viscount of Tarbat Lord Mcleod and Castle-haven and is present Lord Register to his Majesty King William and he having purchased the Lands of Cromartie and Sheriffship thereof procured the enlargement of this Shire by Act of Parliament as did Sir William Bruce the Shire of Kinross Above it is Littus Altum whereof Ptolomy maketh mention called now as it seemeth Tarharth for there indeed the Shore riseth to a great hight enclosed on the one side with Cromer a most secure and safe Haven and on the other with Colnius now Killian the River and thus much of the places toward the East Ocean Into the West Sea the River Longus mentioned in Ptolomy at this day named Lough Longus runneth then the Cerones anciently dwelt where now is Assinshire a Country much mangled with many In-lets and Arms of the Sea inbosoming it self with manifold Commodities As for the Earls of Ross it is full of difficulty to set them down in order successively out of Writers In the Reign of King Alexander the Second we read that Ferquhard flourished and enjoyed this Title but for default of issue Male it came by a Daughter to Walter Lesly who for his noble feats of Arms courageously atchieved under Lewis the Emperour was worthily named the Nohle Knight he begat Alexander Earl of Ross and a Daughter married unto Donald Lord of the Islands Hebrides This Alexander had issue one only Daughter who made over by her Deed all her own Title and Right unto Robert Duke of Albany whereat the said Donald of the Islands being highly incensed and repining Stiled himself in the Reign of James the Third King of the Islands and Earl of Ross having with Fire and Sword laid waste his native Country far and near At length the said King James the 3d by Authority of Parliament in the year 1476 annexed the Earldom of Ross to the Crown leaving only to him the Title of Lord of the Isles so as it might not be lawful for his Successors to alienat by any means from the Crown either the Earldom it self or any parcel thereof or by any device to grant the same unto any person save only to the Kings second Sons lawfully born and so Charles afterward King during the Life-time of his elder Brother Prince Henry enjoyed the Title of Earl of Ross. This Country hath lately been erected in a Sheriffdom the Sheriffship whereof is at the Kings disposal and David Ross of Balnagoun is present Sheriff lineally descended of Hugh Ross of Rarichies lawful Son to Hugh Earl of Ross and Brother to Earl William the last of that sirname and to Eupham Queen of Scotland Dingwal was the Seat of the Earls of Ross and is now a Burgh Royal. Andrew Keith one of the Commissioners sent anno 1589 to treat a Marriage betwixt King James the Sixth and Anna then Princess of Denmark afterwards Queen was created Lord Dingwal In the Rolls of Parliament 1621 the Lord Dingwal is Ranked after the Lord Holy-rud-house and before the Lord Garleis who behoved to be of a latter Creation I suppose of the sirname of Preston of the Family of Craigmiller of whom perhaps the Duke of Ormond is descended In this Shire is also Tayn a Burgh Royal. CHAP XXXIV SUTHERLAND BEyond Ross Sutherland looketh toward the East Ocean a Land more meet to breed Cattel than to bear Corn wherein there be Hills of white Marble a wonderful thing in this so cold a Climat but of no use almost considering excess in Building and that vain ostentation of Riches is not yet reached to these remote Regions Here is Dunrobin a Castle of very great Name the principal Seat of the ancient Earls of Sutherland descended of the Family of Murray among whom one William under King Robert Bruce is most famous who married the Sister of the whole Blood to King David and had by her a Son whom the said David declared Heir Apparent of the Crown and compelled his Nobles to swear unto him Alledgeance but he within a little after departed without Issue and the Earldom in the end came by a Daughter and Heir hereditarily unto Adam Gordon one of the Line of the Earls of Huntly of whom is descended George present E. of Sutherland this Dignity by the Decreet of Ranking anno 1606 being placed after the Earls of Argile Crawford Errol and Marshal the Earls of Sutherland have quarrelled that Ranking and claimed Precedency of these other Earls by Citations in Processes Protestations in Parliament in the last Session of Parl. 1693 the said E. did by Petition apply to the Parliament to have his Precedency declared which was remitted to be judged by the Lords of Session before whom the Process at his Instance against these Earls is depending This Country was in the year 1633 Erected in a Sheriff-ship to belong heretably to the Earls of Sutherland who also have there the Jurisdiction of Justiciar and Admiral and because there are but few of the Heretors who hold of the King and not of the Earl by particular Priviledge they are allowed to Choise their Commissioners to represent them in Parliament such as are not free Tennents holding of the King but only Vassals holding of the Earl Dornock is now become a Burgh Royal and Seat of the Sheriff CHAP. XXXV CATHANES HIgher lyeth Cathanes butting full upon the said East Sea bending inward with a number of Creiks and Compasses which the Waves as it were indent in which dwelt in Ptolomy's time the Catini but written falsly in some Copies Carini among whom the self fame Ptolomy placeth the River Ila which may seem to be the Wifle at this day The Inhabitants of this Province raised their greatest Gain and Revenues by Grazing and raising of Cattel and by Fishing the chief Castle therein is called Girnego in which the Earls of Caithness for the most part make there abode the Bishops See is in Dornock a little mean Town otherwise where also King James the Fourth appointed the Sheriff of Caithness to reside or else at Wike as Occasions shall require for the Administration of Justice The Earls of Caithness in antient times were also Earls of the Orcades but at last they became distinct and by the eldest Daughter of one Malise given in Marriage to William Sinclar the Kings Pantler his Heirs successively came to be Earls of Caithness and do still enjoy the same Honour of whom is descended George now Earl of Caithness The Earl of Braid-Albion having purchased the greatest part of the Estate of Caithness is Sheriff of this Shire CHAP. XXXVI STRATH-NANERN THe utmost and farthest Coast of all Britain which
Peace of the Nation wherein the Chancellor by his Office doth preside and after him the President of the Council who hath the same precedency as in England The Persons are chiefly named out of the Nobility with the addition of some Barons In the Thesaury and Exchequer the Lord high Thesaurer doth preceed but this Office is frequently in Commission as it is at present and then the Lord Chancellor is and uses to be one and Chief of the Commission as also the Lord Thesaurer Deput and they together with the Lords of Exchequer nominat by Their Majesties do Order Determine and dispose of the Kings Rents Revenues Gifts and Casualities I have omitted particular Lists of them in regard the Commissions to the Council Thesaury and Exchequer are some times changed as the King doth think fit and that the persons employed in them are eminent of whom occasion will be to make mention in some part of this Treatise either as Noblemen Sheriffs of or Commissioners from Shires or otherwise CHAP. IV. GADENI or LADENI UPon the Ottadini or Northumberland bordered as next Neighbours the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is GADENI who also by the inversion or turning of one Letter upside down are called in some Copies of Ptolomy LADENI seated in that Countrey which lieth between the mouth of the River Tweed and Edinburgh Forth And is at this day divided into many petty Countries The chief whereof are Teviotdale Tweddale Merss and Lothian in Latine Lodenium under which one general Name alone the Writers of the middle time comprised all the rest CHAP. V. TEVIOTDALE TEviotdale that is to say the Vale by the River Tiviot or Teveat lying next unto England among the edges of high craigie Hills is inhabited by a war-like Nation which by reason of so many Encounters in foregoing Ages between Scots and English are always most ready for Service and sudden Invasions The first place among these that we meet with is Jedburgh a Burgh well inhabited and frequented standing near unto the confluence of Teviot and Jed whereof it took the Name Also Melros a very ancient Monastry wherein at the beginning of our Church were cloistered Monks of that ancient Order and Institution that gave themselves to Prayer and with their Hand-labour earning their Living which holy King David restored and replenished with Cistertian Monks And more Eastward where Tweed and Teviot joyn in one Stream Rosburgh sheweth it self called also Roxburgh and in old time MARCHIDUN because it was a Town in the Marches where stands a Castle that for natural Situation and towred Fortificatons was in time past exceeding strong Which being surprised and held by the English whiles James the second King of Scots encircled it with a Siege he was by a piece of a great Ordnance that broke slain untimely in the flower of his youth A Prince much missed and lamented of his Subjects As for the Castle it was yielded and being then for the most part of it lay'd even with the ground is now in a manner quite vanished and not to be seen The Territory adjoyning called of it the Sheriffdom of Roxburgh hath one hereditary Sheriff out of the Family of the Dowglas who is usually called the Sheriff of Teviotdale The Heir of this Family is Sir William Dowglas of Cavers who is present Sheriff and one of the Commissioners of the Shire to this present Parliament And now hath Roxburgh also a Baron Roxbert Ker through the favour of King James the sixth out of the Family of Kers a famous House and spred into a number of Branches as any one in that Tract Out of which the Fernhersts and others inured in martial Feats have been of great Name Sir Robert Ker of Cessfuird was amongst other great Men chosen by K. James the sixth to attend him in his Journey to England in the year 1603. to take possession of that Crown at which time he was created Lord Roxburgh and is mentioned amongst the Commissioners for the Union Parl. 1604. first of all the Lords created about that time and in like manner in the Decreet of Ranking and the several Rolls of Parliament he is placed before Loudown Lindores c. till the year 1617 when he is designed by the Rolls of that Parliament Earl of Roxburgh he was Lord Privy Seal to King Ch. the first whose Grand-childs Grandchild is Robert Earl of Roxburgh The Laird of Berneherst the other principal Family of that Name was by King James the sixth created Lord Jedburgh which Peerage doth belong to the Lord Newbottle eldest Son to the Earl of Lothian and in the Quality of Lord Jedburgh William Lord Newbottle is a Member of this present Parliament which is special to the Earl of Lothians Family that both the Father and the Son are Peers Sir Robert Ker the youngest Brother of the first Lord Jedburgh a great Favorite of King Ja. the sixth was by him made Thesaurer of Scotland and Earl of Somerset in England Also of the Family of Ferneherst Sir Robert Ker of Ancrum was created Earl of Ancrum by King Cho. he first in the year 1633 of whom is descended Robert Earl of Lothian by his Father William Earl of Lothian who married the Heiress and the younger Brother succeeded to his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Ancrum residing in England who sat in the Parliament 1681. Collonel Rutherfoord of the Family of Hunthill was created Earl of Teviot by King Cha. the second who left his Fortune and the Dignity of Lord Rutherfoord to the family of Hunthill which hath been possessed by three Brothers the youngest is Robert Lord Rutherfoord The Dignity of Viscount Teviot was conferred by King Ia. the seventh anno 1686 on the Lord Spencer eldest Son to the Earl of Sunderland in England In the same Shire lived Sir Walter Scot of Branâ—holme who by King Ja. the sixth 17 May 1606 was created Lord Scot of Buckcleugh he was the next after the Lord Scoon and these mentioned in the Decreet of Ranking and was immediatly created before the Lord Blantyre his Son Walter was created Earl by the same King in the year 1619 in the Rolls of Parliament 1621 is ranked after the Earls of Roxburgh and Kellie and before the Earl of Melrosâ— his Son Earl Francis was Father to Countess Margaret married to Walter Scot of Heychester who shortly deceased her Husband was by King Cha. the second created Earl of Tarras during life by whose decease the Dignity is extinct the younger Daughter Countess Anna was married to James Scot Duke of Monmouth Son to K. Ch. the second and was by him created Dutchess of Buckcleugh about the year 1661. who liveth and her Son is James Earl of Dalkeitb Tweed aforesaid runneth through the midst of a Dale taking Name of it replenished with Sheep that bear Wool of great request A very goodly River this is which springing more inwardly Eastward
very fair House of the Kings a goodly Church and a fishful Lake of which Lake it may seem to have assumed that Name For Lin in the British Tongue soundeth as much as a Lake A Sheriff it had in times past by inheritance out of the Family of the Hamiltons of Peyle and now in our days it hath for the first Earl Sir Alexander Livingston whom King James the sixth raised from the Dignity of a Baron wherein his Ancestors had flourished a long time to the Honour of an Earl In the same Shire is situat Livingstoun the Peyle of Livingstoun which was burnt by Oliver Cromwell and did antiently belong to the Family of Livingston who from the seat and sirname were first designed Lairds of Livingstoun And afterward Callender of that Ilk being Forfaulted for adhering to the Baliol. A Daughter of that Family was married to Livingstoun who by Right of Blood and Grant from King Robert the Bruce obtained the Lands and Barony of Callender whose Successor Sir Alexander Livingston of Callender was great Counsellor to King James the first and by him appointed Governour to King James the second himself or his Heir was created Lord Livingstoun Alexander Lord Livingstoun about the year 1603 was by King James the sixth created Earl of Linlithgow and was one of the Commissioners for the Union 1604. George Earl of Linlithgow great Grand child to the first Earl doth presently enjoy the Dignity and is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury Near to Livingstoun is the Castle of Calder which antiently belonged to the Family of Sandilands in the Reign of Queen Mary 1563 Sir James Sandilands being Preceptor of Torphichen and Lord of St. John was created Lord Torphichen whose Successor Walter Lord Torphichen doth enjoy the Title The Sheriffdom of Linlithgow being annexed to the Barony of Abercorn it doth belong to Charles Hope of Hoptoun who doth inherit the Barony and Sheriffship CHAP. VIII SELGOVAE BEneath the Gadeni toward the South and West where now are the small Territories of Liddesdale Eusdale Eskdale Annandale and Nidesdale so called of little Rivers running through them which all lose themselves in Solway Firth dwelt in antient times the Selgovae the Reliques of whose name seemed to the Author to remain in that name Solway In Lidesdale there riseth aloft Armitage so called because it was in times past dedicated to a solitary life of old a very strong Castle which belonged to the Hepburns who draw their Original from a certain Englishman a prisoner whom the Earl of Merch for delivering him out of a danger greatly enriched These were Earls of Bothwell in Clydsdale and a long time by the right of inheritance Admirals of Scotland But by a Sister of James Earl of Bothwell the last of the Hepburns married unto John Prior of Coldinghame base Son to King James the fifth who begat many Bastards the Title Inheritance both came unto his Son now extinct Hard by is Branksholm the Habitation of the warlike Family of Buckcleugh surnamed Scot of whom already in Teviotdale or the Shire of Roxburgh where Branksholm is situat beside many little Piles or Forts of military Men every where In Eusdale one would deem by the affinity of the Name that old Vzellum mentioned by Ptolomy stood by the River Euse. In Eskdale some are of Opinion that the Horesti dwelt into whose Borders Julius Agricola when he had subdued the Britains inhabiting this Tract brought the Roman Army especially if we read Horesci insteed of Horesti For Ar-Esc in the British Tongue betokeneth a Place by the River Eske The Author hath disjoyned this Chapter too far from the Description of Teviotdale but gives an Entry to treat of Annandale CHAP. IX ANNANDALE UNto this on the West side adjoyneth Annandale that is The Vale by the River Annan into which the Access by Land is very difficult The Places of greater note herein are these a Castle and Town by Lough-Maban three parts whereof are environed with Water and strongly walled and the Town Annan at the very mouth almost of the River Annan which lost all the Glory and Beauty it had by the English War in the Reign of Edward the sixth In this Territory the Johnstons are Men of greatest Name a Kindred even bred to War between whom and the Maxwels there hath been professed an open Enmity over long even to deadly Feud and Blood-shed which Maxwels by Right from their Ancestors had the Rule of this Seneschalsie or Stewartrie for so it is accounted This Vale Edgar King of Scots after he was restored to his Kingdom by auxiliary Forces out of England gave in Consideration and Reward of good Service unto Robert Bruse or Brus Lord of Cliveland in York-shire who with the good favour of the King bestowed it upon Robert his younger Son when himself would not serve the King of Scots in his Wars From him flowered the Bruses Lords of Annandale of whom Robert Brus married Isobel the Daughter of William King of Scots by the Daughter of Robert Avenal His Son likewise Robert the third of that Name wedded the Daughter of David Earl of Huntington and of Garioch whose Son Robert surnamed The Noble when the Issue of Alexander the third King of Scots failed challenged in his Mothers Right the Kingdom of Scotland before Edward the first King of England as the direct and superiour Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland so the English give it out or an honourable Arbitrator for so say the Scots as being nearer in proximity in Degree and Bloud to King Alexander the third and Margaret Daughter to the King of Norway although he was the Son by a second Sister who soon after resigning up his own Right granted and gave over to his Son Robert Brus Earl of Carrick to his Heirs the Author alledges this out of the very Original all the Right and Claim which he had or might have to the Kingdom of Scotland But the Action and Suit went with John Balliol who sued for his Right as descended of the eldest Sister although in a degree farther off and Sentence was given in these words For that the Person more remote in the second Degree descending in the first Line is to be preferred before a nearer in a second Line in the succession of an Inheritance that cannot be parted Howbeit the said Robert Son to the Earl of Carrick by his own vertue at length recovered the Kingdom unto himself and established it to his Posterity A Prince who as he flourished notably in regard of the glorious Ornaments of his Noble Acts so he triumphed as happily with invincible Fortitude Courage over Fortune that so often crossed him Sir Richard Murray of Cock-pool Baronet was first created Viscount of Annan is so designed in the year 1623 and thereafter in the 1624 was by King James the sixth created Earl of Annandale The Laird of Johnstoun was created Lord
Johnstoun by King Charles the first anno 1633 and by the same King made Earl of Hartfield and so designed in the rescinded Parliament 1644 and by King Charles the second after the Restauration the Title of Earl of Hartfield was changed into that of the Earl of Annandale the Dignity of Annandale Murray being extinct and William the present Earl is a Privy Counsellor and extraordinar Lord of Session and now Hereditary Stewart of Annandale CHAP. X. NIDISDALE CLose unto Annandale on the West-side lyeth Nidisdale sufficiently furnished with Corn-fields and Pastures so named of the River Nid which in Ptolomy is wrongly written Nobius for Nodius or Nidius of which Name there be other Rivers in Britain full of shallow Foords and muddy Shelves like as this Nid is also It springeth out of the Lake Logh-Cure by which flowrished Corda a Town of the Selgovae He taketh his course first by Sanquher a Town and Castle of the Creightons who a long time kept a great Port as enjoying the Dignity of the Barons of Sanquher and the Authority besides of Hereditary Sheriffs of Nidisdale Afterwards by King james the sixth anno 1622 was created William Viscount of Air and by K. Cbarles the first anno 1633 Earl of Dumfreis whose great Grand-child is Penelope Countess of Dumfreis then by Morton which gave Title of Earl to some of the Family of Dowglas out of which others of that Sirname have their Mansion and Abiding at Drumlanrig The Laird of Drumlanrig was one of the Commissioners to the Parliament 1617 for the Shire of Dumfreis and being a Baron of a great Estate was at his first Promotion created Viscount of Drumlanrig after the Viscount of Air and is so Ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 and in the same year was created Earl of Queensberry whose Grandchild William Earl of Queensberry was first created Marquess thereafter Duke of Queensberry by King Charles the second and was Lord high Thesaurer of Scotland and Commissioner to the Parliament anno 1685 and did enjoy other great Offices and Honours The Lordship of Sanquhar and Sheriff-ship of Dumfreis was purchased by the Earl of Queensberry from the Earl of Dumfreis whose Residence since hath been at Leifnoris near Cumnock a Regality belonging to them in Kingskyle in the Shire of Air The Duke of Queensberries eldest Son is James Earl of Drumlanrig who besides other Offices enjoyed by him is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury and by a special Commission did represent the Lord High Thesaurer in the last Session of this current parliament I cannot pass over in silence his Uncle James Dowglas of Scraling second Son to James the second Earl of Queensberry who being an expert Captain and Lieutenant General was joyned with the Duke of Schomberg in the first Expedition into Ireland 1689 where he continued that year and the next until he went with the Army into Flanders in the year 1691 where he died leaving Children by his Wife Anna Hamilton Daughter to the Laird of Red-house of the Family of Haddingtoun Also a Natural Son of the Regent Mortons was created by King James the sixth Lord Tothorwald it seems betwixt the year 1585 at which time the natural Children of the said Earl were restored and the year 1592 Tothorwald being ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1612 before the Lord Thirlestane albeit omitted out of the Decreet of Ranking 1606 his Honours are now extinct but many considerable Persons are descended of him his Lands being purchased by the Family of Queensberry is one of the Titles of the present Duke By the same River near unto the Mouth whereof standeth Dumfreis between two Hills the most flourishing Town of this Tract which hath to shew also an old Castle in it famous for making of Woollen Clothes and remarkable for the Murder of John Commin the mightiest man for Manred and Retinew in all Scotland whom Robert Brus for fear he should fore-close his way to the Kingdom ran quite through with his Sword in the Church soon obtained his Pardon from the Pope for committing that Murder in a Sacred place Near unto the Mouth is Solway a little Village which retaineth still somewhat of the old Name of Selgovae Upon the very mouth is situat Caer-Laverock which Ptolomy I suppose called Carbantorigum accounted an impregnable Fort when King Edward the first accompanied with the floure of English Nobility besieged and hardly won it but now it is a weak Dwelling-house of the Barons of Maxwel who being men of an ancient and noble Linage were a long time Wardens of these West Marches and of late advanced by Marriage with the Daughter of one of the Heirs of the Earl of Morton whereby John Lord Maxwel was declared Earl of Morton upon the Forfaulture of the Regent Morton and is designed John Earl of Morton in the Parliament 1581 and the Dowglasses being restored to the Dignity of Earl of Morton in the Parliament 1585 the E. of Angus Nephew to the Regent was first vested with that Earldom Thereafter it came to the Laird of Loch-Leven of which Family was William E. of Morton Thesaurer to K. Ch. the first and James now Earl of Morton is his Grandchild The Lord Maxwel was created by King James the sixth Earl of Nithsdale with the same precedency he would have had when created E. of Morton which Dignity his Successor William now E. of Nithsdale doth enjoy As also by the Daughter and Heir of Lord Hereis of Taregles whom J. a younger Son of the Family of Maxwel took to Wise and obtained by her the Title of Baron Hereis The Heirs of the eldest Son of the Earl of Nithsdale failing in the Reign of King Charles the second the Lord Hereis succeeded to be Earl of Nithsdale and so the lesser Dignity of Hereis is swallowed up in the greater of the Earl Nithsdale and is now in the person of the present Earl Moreover in this Vale by the Lake side lyeth Glencairn whence the Cunninghams of whom I am to write more in place convenient bare a long time the Title of Earl This Nithsdale together with Annandale nourisheth a War-like kind of Men who have been infamous for Robberies and Depredations for they dwell upon Solway Frith a foordable Arm of the Sea at Low-waters through which they made many times Out-rodes into England for to fetch in Booties and in which the Inhabitants thereabout on both sides with pleasant Pastime and delightful Sight on Horse-back with Spears hunt Salmons whereof there is abundance What manner of Cattel-stealers these be that inhabite these Vales in the Marches of both Kingdoms John Lesly Bishop of Ross will tell you in these Words They go forth in the Night by Troops out of their own Borders through desart by-ways and many winding Crankies All the day time they refresh their Horses and recreat their own Strength in lurking places appointed before
Lake by which standeth Berogomum a Castle in which sometime was kept the Court of Justice or Session and not far from it Dunstaffage that is Stephens Mount the Kings House in times past above which Logh Aher a Lake insinuating it self from out of the Western Sea windeth it self so far within Land that it had conflowed together with Ness another Lake running into the East Sea but that certain Mountains between kept them with a very little Partition asunder The chiefest Place of Name in this Tract is Tarbar in Loch Kinkeran where King James the fourth ordained a Justice and Sheriff to administer Justice unto the Inhabitants of the out Islands but now the Shires of Argile and Tarbat are joyned in one These Countries and those beyond them in the year of our Lords Incarnation 655. the Picts held whom Beda calleth the Northern Picts where he reporteth that in the said year Columbane a Priest and Abbot famous for his Monkish profession and life came out of Ireland into Brittain to instruct these in Christian Religion that by means of the high rough Ridges of the Mountains were sequestred from the Southern Countries of the Picts and that they in lieu of a Reward allowed unto him the Island Hii over against them now called I-Comb-Kill a famous Monastry and Nursery of the Christian Religion over Britain The Lord of Lorna in the age aforegoing were the Stuarts but now by reason of a Female their Heir the Earls of Argile use this Title in their Honourable Designation CHAP. XXV BRAID ALBIN OR ALBANY MOre inwardly where the uninhabitable lofty and rugged Ridges of the Mountain Grampius begin a little to slope and settle downward is seated Braid-Albin that is The highest part of Scotland for they that are the true and right Scots indeed call Scotland in their Mother Tongue Albin like as that part where it mounteth up highest Drum Albin that is the Ridge of Scotland But in an old Book it is read Brun Albin where we find this Written Fergus filius Eric c. That is Fergus the Son of Eric was the first of the Seed or line of Chonare that entred upon the Kingdom of Albanie from Brun-Albain unto the Irish Sea and Inch-Gall And after him the Kings descended from the Seed or Race of Fergus Reigned in Brun-Albain or Brunhere unto Alpin the Son of Eochall But this Albanie is better known for the Dukes thereof than for any good Gifts that the Soil yieldeth The first Duke of Albanie was Robert Earl of Fife whom his Brother King Robert the third of that Name advanced to that honour yet he ungrateful person that he was pricked on with the spirit of ambition famished to Death his Son David that was Heir to the Crown But the punishment due for this wicked Fact which himself by the long sufferance of God self not his Son Mordac the second Duke of Albanie first designed in his Fathers time Sir Murdac Stuart of Kinclevin suffered most grievously being condemned for Treason and beheaded when he had seen his two Sons the day before executed in the same manner The third Duke of Albanie was Alexander second Son to King James the second who was also designed Earl of March Marr and Garioth Lord of Annandale and of Man was by his own Brother King James the third outlawed and after he had been turmoiled with many Troubles in the end as he stood by to behold at Justs and Tourneament in Paris chanced to be wounded with a piece of shattered Launce so died His Son John the fourth Duke of Albanie was called home made Regent and Tutor to King James the fifth taking contentment in the pleasant Delights of the French Court after he had Wedded there the Daughter and one of the Heirs of John Earl of Anverne and Lauragveze died there without Issue Whom in respective reverence to the Blood Royal of the Scots Francis the first King of France gave thus much honour unto as that he allowed him place between the Archbishop of Langres and the Duke of Alenson Peers of France After his death there was no Duke of Albanie until that Queen Mary conferred this Title upon Henry Lord Darnly whom within some few days after she made her Husband likeas King James the sixth granted the same unto his own second son Charles being an Infant during the lifetime of Prince Henry his elder Brother to whom he succeeded as Prince and Steward of Scotland and to his Father as King of Great-Britain and first of the Name of Charles King James the seventh did enjoy the Title of Duke of Albany during the lifetime of his elder Brother There inhabit these Regions a kind of People rude warlike ready to fight quarrellous and mischievous they be commonly termed Highlandmen who being indeed the right Progeny of the antient Scots speak Irish and call themselves Albinich their bodies be firmly made and well compact able withal and strong nimble of Foot high minded inbread and nuzzeled in warlike exercises or Robberies rather and upon a deadly feud and hatred most forward and desperat to take revenge They go attired Irish-like in stript or streaked Mantles of divers colours wearing thick and long Glibes of Hair living by hunting fishing fowling and stealing In the War their Armour is an Head-piece or Morion of Iron and an Habergeon or Coat of Mail their Weapons be Bows barbed or hooked Arrows and broad Back Swords and being divided by certain Families or Kindreds which they term Clans they commit such cruel Outrages what with Robbing Spoilling and Killing that their Savage Cruelty hath forced a Law to be enacted whereby it is lawful That if any person out of any one Clan or Kindred of theirs hath trespassed ought and done harm whosoever of that Clan or Linage chance to be taken he shall either make amends for the harms or else suffer Death for it when as the whole Clan commonly beareth Feud for any hurt received by any one Member thereof by execution of Laws order of Justice or otherwise Sir John Camphel of Glenurchie Baronet an antient and powerful Cadet of Argile descended of one of the Heiresses of Stuart Lord Lorn of whose Lands he enjoyes a part and their Arms quartered and of other great Families and from whom many Noblemen and Barons derive their Pedegree was by King Charles the second about the year 1677. Created Earl of Brade Albine and is one of the present Commissioners of their Majesties Thesaury he is Hereditary Baillie of Broad Albine CHAP. XXVI PERTHIA OR PERTH Sheriffdom OUt of the very bosome of the Mountains of Albany Tau the greatest River of all Scotland issueth and first runreth amain through the Fields until that spreading broad into a Lake full of Islands he restraineth and keepeth in his course Then gathering himself narrow within his Banks into a Channel and Watering Perth a large plentiful and rich Countrey he taketh in unto him Amond a
into the Sea it is scarce with the labour to mention them That there be little Birds engendred of old and rotten Keels of Ships they can bear Witness who saw that Ship wherein Francis Drake sailed about the World standing in a Dock near the Thames to the outside of the Keel whereof a number of such little Birds without Life and Feathers stuck closs Yet it would be thought that the Generation of these Birds was not out of the Logges of Wood but from the very Ocean which the Poets termed the Father of all things A mighty Mass likewise of Amber as big as the body of an Horse was not many years since cast upon this shoar The learned call it Succinum Glessum and Chryso Electrum and Sotacus supposed that it was a certain juice or liquor which distilleth out of Trees in Britain and runneth down into the Sea and is therein hardened Tacitus also was of the same Opinion when he wrote thus I can verily believe that likeas there be Trees in the secret and inward parts of the East which sweat out Frankincense and Balm so in the Islands and other Countries in the West there be Woods and Groves of a more fatty and firm Substance which melting by the hot Beams of the Sun approaching so near runneth into the Sea hard by and by force of Tempest floateth up to the hoars against it But Serapio and the Philosophers of later times write that it ariseth out of a certain clammy and bituminous Earth under the Sea and by the Sea-side and that the Billows and Tempests cast up part thereof a land and a Fishes devour the rest In the Reign of King Alexander the Second Alexander Cummin rose up to the honour of Earl of Buquhan who married the Daughter and one of the Heirs of Roger de Quincy Earl of Winchester in England and his Niece by a Son brought the same Title unto Henry de Beaumont her Husband for he in King Edward the Third his days had his place in the Parliament of England by the name of Earl of Buquhan Afterwards Alexander Stuart Son to King Robert the Second was Earl of this place unto whom succeeded John a younger Son of Robert Duke of Albany who arriving in France with seven thousand Scottish men to aid Charles the Seventh King of France bare himself valiantly and performed singular good Service against the Englishmen and that with so great Commendation as having victoriously slain Thomas Duke of Clarence Brother to Henry the Fifth King of England at Baugie and discomfited the English he was made Constable of France But in the third year following when the fortune of War turned he with other most valiant Knights to wit Archibald Dowglass Earl of Wigton and Duke of Tourain c. was vanquished at Vernoil by the English and there slain Whom notwithstanding as that Poet said aeternum memorabit Gallia cives Grata suos titulos quae dedit tumulos France thankfully will ay recount As Citizens of her own On whom both Titles glorious And Tombs she hath bestown And whereas under the Kings K. Charles the Sixth and Seventh France was preserved and Aquitain recovered by thrusting out the English the Frenchmen cannot chuse but acknowledge themselves much beholden to the fidelity and fortitude of the Scots But afterwards King James the First gave the Earldom of Buquhan unto George of Dumbar moved thereto upon pity and commiseration because he had deprived him before of the Earldom of March by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Crime and not long after James the Son of James Stuart of Lorn sirnamed the Black-Knight whom he had by Queen Joan Sister to the Duke of Somerset and Widow to King James the 1st obtained this Honour and left it to his Posterity but for default of Heirs-male it came by a Daughter marryed to Robert Dowglass a younger Brother of Dowglass of Lochlevin to the Family of the Dowglasses and so to James Ereskin eldest Son of the Earl of Marr Thesaurer by his second Wife Daughter to Esme Duke of Lennox of whom is descended the present Earl From Buquhan as the Shore bendeth backward and turneth full into the North lyeth Boena and Bamff a small Sheriffdom also Ajuza a little Territory of no especial account and Rothamay Castle the dwelling place of the Barons of Salton sirnamed Abernethy Beneath these lyeth Sirathbolgy that is the Vale by Bolgy the Habitation in times past of the Earls of Athol who of it assumed their sirname but now the principle Seat of Marquess of Huntly For this Title King James the Sixth conferred upon George Gordon Earl of Huntly Lord Gordon and Badzenoth a man of great Honour and Reputation for his ancient nobleness of Birth and the multitude of his Dependants and Followers whose Ancestors descended from the Setons by Parliamentary Authority took the Name of Gordon when as Sir Alexander Seton had taken to Wife the Daughter of Sir John Gordon Knight by whom he had a large and rich Inheritance and received the Honour of the Earl of Huntly at the hands of King James the Second in the year 1445 his Successor George Marquess of Huntly was by King Charles the Second about the year 1683 created Duke of Gordon In this Shire also did reside the Ogilvies of Findlater of whom Walter Ogilvie was by King James the Sixth created Lord Deskford and in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 he is Ranked immediatly after the Lord Cranstoun and before the Lords Melvil Carnegy and Ramsey his Son James was created Earl of Findlater by King Charles the First anno 1633 who marryed his Daughter and Heiress to Ogilvie of Inch-martine in Perth Shire an ancient Family of that sirname the Son of the Marriage is James now Earl of Findlater who doth compet with the Earl of Airly both for the Antiquity of his Family and Precedency as an Earl his second Son Sir James Ogilvie is designed of Ogilvie from a Barony which belonged to their Family purchased by him he is his Majesties Sollicitor and a Member of this present Parliament for the Royal Burgh of Cullen In this Shire Ogilvie of Dunlaguse afterward designed Sir George Ogilvie of Bamff Baronet descended of the Ogilvies of Boyn also in this Shire who are Cadets of Findlater was by King Charles the First anno 1639 created Lord Bamff whose Successor is George Lord Bamff Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth in Right of his Mother Abernethy Daughter to the Lord Saltoun was by Grant of King Charles the Second declared Lord Saltoun and approven in Parliament 1670 upon the death of Alexander Abernethy last Lord Saltoun of that sirname whose Grand-child is William Fraser now Lord Saltoun he carries the Arms of Abernethy quartered with the Arms of Fraser His Majesty hath nominat the forementioned Sir James Ogilvie Sheriff of Bamff CHAP. XXXI MORAVIA Or MVRRAY THe Vacomagi remembred by Ptolomy anciently inhabited on the
further side of Crantzbain Mountain which as it were in a continued Range by Hills hanging one by another driveth out his Ridge with many a winding as far as to Murray Firth where now lyeth Murray in Latine Moravia celebrated for the Fertility pleasant Situation and commodity of fruitfull Trees By this Province Spey a famous River maketh his Issue into the Sea wherein he lodgeth when he hath watered Rothes Castle whence the Family of the Leslys took the Title of Earl ever since that King James the Second conferred the Honour of Earl of Rothes upon Sir George Lesly of whom in the Shire of Fife Concerning this Spey the Poet Necham hath thus written Spey loca mutantis praeceps agitator arenae Inconstans certas nescit habere vias Officium lintris corbis subit hunc regit audax Cursus labentis nauta fluenta sequens Spey raising heaps of sand amain That shift oft-times their place Inconstant he doth change eft-soons And keeps no certain race A Panier serves here for a Boat Some ventrous Swain it guides Who followeth still the Rivers course Whild down the Stream it glides The River Loxa mentioned by Ptolomy which now is called Losse hideth himself in the Sea hard by near unto which Elgin appeareth in which and in Forres adjoyning J. of Dumbar of Cumnock descended from the Stock of the Earls of March and Murray hath his Jurisdiction as Sheriff by Inheritance whose Descendent is Alexander Dumbar of West-field Sheriff of Murray his Predecessor Sir Alexander Dumbar of Westfield Sheriff of Murray was Son to the last Dumbar Earl of Murray whose Son James Dumbar married one of the Heiresses of Patrick Dumbar of Cumnock descended of the Earls of March by which Marriage their Successors had the Barony of Cumnock and were designed Lairds of Cumnock till they sold these Lands about the year 1600 which now belong to the Countess of Dumfreis and then they resumed their former designation of West-field and Sheriff of Murray But where Losse is now ready to enter into the Sea he findeth a more plain and soft Soil and spreadeth abroad into a Meer full of Swans wherein the Herb Olorina plentifully groweth he hath Spiny Castle standing upon it whereof the first Baron was Alexander of the Linage of the Lindseys now extinct Likas Kinloss also a neighbour by sometime a famous Monastery some call it Kill-flos of certain Flowers miraculously there springing up on a sudden when the Carcase of King Duff murdered and hidden in the same place was found had for the Lord thereof Edward Bruce a Lawyer and a Commissar of Edinburgh afterward a Lord of the Session and Commendator of Kinloss and Ambassador to Queen Elizaheth and afterwards Master of the Rolls in England and of the Kings Majesties Privy Council whom King James the Sixth created Baron Bruce of Kinloss about the year 1604 whose Son was created Earl of Elgin by K. Ch. the 1st anno 1633 and a Lord Baron in York Shire and his Son Rohert was by K. Ch. the 2d created Earl of Ailshury in England whose Son doth succeed him in both Dignities In this Shire also Sir Alexander Sutherland of Duffus an ancient Cadet of the Earls of Sutherland was created Lord Duffus in the beginning of the Reign of King Charles the Second about the year 1651 whose Son is Alexander now Lord Duffus Thus much for the shore More inward where now standeth Bean Castle thought to be Banatia that Ptolomy mentioneth there was found in the year 1460 a Vessel of Marble artificially engraven and full of Roman Coin Hard by is Nardin or Nairn an hereditable Sheriffdom of the Camphels of Lorn designed of Caddel Sir Hugh Camphel of Caddel is the present Sheriff and Alexander Campbel his eldest Son is one of the Commissioners for that Shire in this current Parliament where there stood within a Biland a Fortress of a mighty hight built with wonderful Bulwarks and in times past defended by the Danish Forces against the Scots A little off is Logh-ness a very great Lake as reaching out 23 miles in length the Water whereof is so warm that even in this cold and frozen Climat it never freezeth from which by a very small Isthim or partition of Hills the Logh Lutea or Louthea which by Aher letteth it self forth into the west Sea is divided Near unto these Loghs there stood in old time two notable Fortifications the one named Iuverness the other Innerlothea according to the names of the said Loghs Iuverness had for Sheriff thereof by right of Inheritance the Marquess of Huntly who is of great command hereabout now at the Kings disposal Lodovick Grant of Freuchie commonly designed Laird of Grant a Privy Counseller and one of the Commissioners for the Shire is Sheriff thereof Under the reign of Rohert Bruce Thomas Randolph his Sisters son who in his Countries behalf undertook exceeding great pains and most grievous Quarrels was highly renowned by the Title of Earl of Murray Under King Rohert the Second John of Dumhar took to Wise the Kings Daughter to make amends for her devirgination received this Earldom of Murray with her in Marriage Under King James the Second William Creighton Chancellor of the Realm and Archihald Dowglass were at great variance and eager contention about this Earldom when as against the Laws and ancient Customs Dowglass who had married the younger Daughter of James of Dumhar Earl of Murray was preferred to the Earldom before Creighton who had wedded the elder and that through the powerful Authority that William Earl Dowglass had with the King which was so great that he advanced not only him to the Earldom of Murray but also another Brother to the Earldom of Ormond and made two Cousins of his Earls the one of Angus and the other of Morton but this greatness of his not to be trusted upon because it was excessive turned soon after to his own confusion under King James the Fifth his own Brother whom he appointed his Vicegerent in the Government of the Kingdom enjoyed this honour and James the base Son of King James the Fifth received this honour of Queen Mary his Sister but he requited her ill when joyning with others of the Nobility and Nation she was deposed from her Royal Estate and Kingdom a President prejudicial to Kings and Princes which notwithstanding was revenged for shortly after he was shot through with a Bullet his only Daughter brought this Title unto her Husband Sir James Stuart of Down who was also of the Blood-Royal from the Dukes of Albany who being slain by his Concurrents left his Son James to succeed him in this honour Sir James Stuart of Down first created Lord Down by King James the Sixth about the year 1581 the Successor of the Lord Down and Earl of Murray is Alexander Earl of Murray who was Secretary to King Charles the Second and King James the Seventh and
Sheriffs who being descended from the Grays of Chillingham in the Country of Northumberland came into Scotland with King James the First at his return out of England of whom is descended Patrick now Lord Gray upon the first of whom named Andrew the King of his bounteous liberality bestowed the Segniory of Foulis together with Helen Mortimer in Marriage for his Advancement Ashtoun an English Gentleman was created Lord Forfar about the year 1633 by King Charles the First and Archibald second Son to the Earl of Angus and Brother to James Marquess of Dowglass was by King Charles the Second created Earl of Forfar about the year 1651. Hard by the mouth of Tay is situat Dundee sometimes called Alectum others term it in Latine Taodunum a Town verily of great resort and Trade and the Constable whereof by a special priviledge was Standard bearer to the King of Scots Hector Boetius who was here born expounded this name Dundee by way of allusion to Donum Dei that is Gods gift This Hector in the reflourishing time of Learning wrote the Scottish History elegantly and that out of such hidden and far fetched Monuments of Antiquity that Paulus Jovius wondered in his Writings there should be Records extant for above a thousand years of these remote parts of the World Scotland the Hebrids and the Orcads considering that Italy the Nurse of fine Wits for so many Ages after the Goths were cast out was defective of Writers and Records The ancient Family of the Scrymsours of Dudup Constables of Dundee was first created by King Charles the first Viscount of Dudup and by King Charles the Second Earl of Dundee and by gift of last Heir and Recognition being carried to Charles Maitland of Haltoun came afterwards to be at the Kings disposal who gifted the same to Collonel John Graham of Claverhouse who by King James the Seventh was created Viscount of Dundee and opposing their Majesties in Arms was killed at Gillichrankie in Athol in July 1689 and both he and his Brother David also present at that Action were forefaulted in Parliament 1690. From hence standeth within sight Brochty-Craig which being a good Fortress was with the English Garison Souldiers manfully defended made good for many Months together what time as in their affectionat love to a perpetual peace they desired and wished for a Marriage between Mary Heir apparent of Scotland and Edw. the 6th K. of England and upon promise thereof demanded it by force of Arms and in the end of their own accord abandoned the said place Then there lyeth full against the open Ocean Aberbroth short Arbroth a place endowed with ample Revenues and by King William dedicated in old time to Religion in honour of Thomas of Canterbury beside which the Red-head shooteth into the deep Sea and is to be seen a far of Hard by Southesk voideth it self into the Ocean which River flowing amain out of a Lake passeth by Finnevin Castle well known by reason of the Lindseys Earls of Crawford keeping Residence there of whom is already written And downward on the same River standeth Kinnaird the Inheritance of the Carnagies who amongst other Families by being Members of the Colledge of Justice have raised their Fortunes and advanced into great Honours Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird in the year 1553 is marked in the Sederunt of the Lords of Session And about the year 1561 under the designation of Sir Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird admitted Ordinary Lord of Session Mr. David Carnagy of Coluthy I suppose his second Son was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians he dyed in the year 1598 his Son Sir David Carnagy of Kinnaird succeeded of whom frequent mention is made in the Acts of Parliament of King James the Sixth he was by that King created Lord Carnagy after the Lord Binnie and is so ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1617. In the Books of Sederunt July 5th 1616 David Lord Carnagy is admitted an Ordinary Lord of Session in the year 1633 by King Charles the First he was created Earl of Southesk his great Grand-child is Charles Earl of Southesk Sir John Carnegie of Ethie younger Son to the before named Mr. David Carnagie of Colluthy and Brother to David Earl of Southesk was by King Charles the First created Lord Lour and thereafter by that same King Earl of Ethie his eldest Son David exchanged the said Titles with these of Earl of Northesk and Lord Rosehill as being more agreeable to the Title of Earl of Southesk the Chief of the Family David Earl of Northesk is great Grand-child to the first Earl Then upon the said River standeth Brechin which King David the First adorned with a Bishops See Patrick Maul of Panmure of the Bed-chamber of an ancient Family was created by King Charles the First about the year 1646 Earl of Panmure Lord Maul and Brechin immediatly before the Earls of Selkirk Tweeddale and Northesk whose Grand-child is James Earl of Panmure And at the very mouth thereof standeth Montross as one would say the Mount of Roses a Town in times past called Celurca risen by the fall of another Town bearing the same name which is seated between the two Esks and imparteth the Title of Marquess to the Family of the Grahams Not far from hence is Boschain belonging to the Barons of Ogilvy of very antient Nobility lineally descended from Alexander Sheriff of Angus who was slain in the Bloody Battle at Harlaw against the Mac-Donald of the out Isles In this Shire is also Airlie which was the first Designation of the Lord Ogilvie of Airlie Andrew Lord Ogilvie was created by King Charles the first anno 1633 Earl of Airlie whose Son is James Earl of Airlie As touching the Earls of Angus Gilchrist of Angus renowned for his brave exploits under King Malcolm the fourth was the first Earl of Angus that we read of About the year 1241 John Cummin was Earl of Angus who died in France and his Widow haply inheritrix to the Earldom was married to Sir Gilbert Vmfranvill an Englishman For both he and his Heirs successively after him were summoned to the Parliament in England until the third year of King Richard the second by the Title of Earls of Angus Howbeit the Lawyers of England refused in their Brieves and Instruments to acknowledge him Earl for that Angus was not within the Kingdom of England until he had brought forth openly in the face of the Court the Kings Writ and Warrant wherein he was summoned to the Parliament by the name of Earl of Angus In the reign of David Bruce Thomas Stuart was Earl of Angus who by a sudden surprise won Berwick and straightways lost it yea and within a while after died miserably in Prison at Dunbritton But the Douglasses Men of invincible Hearts from the time of King Robert the second when VVilliam first E. of Douglas married
Stuart Heiress and Countess of Angus of which marriage was George Douglas Earl of Angus who married King Robert the Thirds Daughter have been Earls of Angus and reputed the chief and principal Earls of Scotland and to whom this Office belongeth to carry the Regal Crown before the Kings at the solemn Assembly of the Kingdom The sixth Earl of Angus out of this stock was Archibald who espoused Margaret Daughter to Henry the seventh King of England and Mother to James the fifth King of Scots by whom he had Issue Margaret Wife to Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox who after her Brothers decease that died Childless willingly resigned up her Right and Interest in this Earldom unto Sir David Douglass of Pittindreich her Uncles Son by the Fathers side and that with consent of her Husband and Sons to the end that she might bind the surer unto her self by the link also of a beneficial demerit that Family which otherwise in Blood was most near what time Henry her Son went about to Wed Mary the Queen by which Marriage King James the sixth the mighty Monarch of Great-Britain was happily born to the good of all Britain and from these Earls of Angus Douglass the Marquess of Douglass is lineally descended From an Abbacy in this Shire James Elphingstoun second Son to Secretary Elphingstoun Lord Balmerinoch was created by King James the sixth Lord Couper but dying without Issue the Title and Dignity is confounded in the person of the now Lord Balmerinoch The Sheriffship of this Shire being at the Kings disposal Patrick Earl of Strathmore is Sheriff CHAP. XXVIII MERNIS OR Shire of KINCARDIN THese Regions were in Ptolomy's time inhabited by the Vernicones the same perhaps that the Vecturiones mentioned by Marcellinus But this their name is now quite gone unless we would imagine some little piece thereof to remain in Mernis For many times in common speech of the British Tongue V. turneth into M. This small Province Mernis lying on the North-side of the North-Water of Esk abutting upon the German Ocean and of a Rich and fertile Soil lieth very well as a plain and level Champion But the most memorable place therein is Dunnotyr a Castle advanced upon an high and unaccessible Rock whence it looketh down to the underflowing Sea well fensed with strong Walls and Turrets which hath been a long time the habitation of the Keiths of an antient and very noble Stock who by the guidance of their Vertue became Hereditary Earls Mareschals of the Kingdom of Scotland in the Reign of King Robert Bruce and Sheriffs of this Province of whom is descended William now Earl Mareschal In a Porch or Gallery here is to be seen that antient Inscription formerly mentioned of a Company belonging to the twentieth Legion the Letters whereof the right Noble and Honourable Earl George Commissioner to the Parliament 1609 a great lover of Antiquity caused to be Guilded Somewhat further from the Sea standeth Fordon graced in some sort and commendable in regard of John de Fordon who being born here diligently and with great pains Compiled Scoti Chronicon that is The Scottish Chronicle unto whose laborious studies the Scottish Historiographers are very much indebted but more glorious and renowned in old time for the Reliques of St. Palladius bestowed and shrined sometime as is verily thought in this place who in the year 431 was by Pope Coelestinas appointed the Apostle of the Scottish Nation In this Shire the Laird of Arbuthnet of that lik of an antient Family was created Viscount Arbuthnet by King Charles the first about the year 1641 whose Great Grand-Child is Robert Viscount of Arbuthnet As also Sir Alexander Falconer one of the Lords of Session was by King Charles the first anno 1648 Created Lord Halcartoun whose Grand-Child is now Lord Halcartoun Also Lieutenant-General Middletoun of an antient Family designed by that Surname was by K. Charles the second appointed Commissioner for holding the Parliament 1661 and Created at that time Earl of Middletoun his Son is Charles Earl of Middletoun who was first Secretary of Scotland and then of England to King Charles the second and King James the seventh In this Shire is Inverbervie a Burgh-Royal In the antient times the Countrey Horestia did comprehend both Angus and Mernis in this matter I must be allowed to differ from the Learned Author who places the Horesti in the Countrey of Eskdale a small and inconsiderable Countrey surrounded with others and not bordering on the Sea whereas Tacitus in the Life of Agricola Describing his War in our part of Britain saith The third year of the War Agricola discovered new Nations which he conquered even to the River Tau And after this he adds Agricola having beat Galgacus near to the Grampian Hills brought back the Roman Army to the boders of the Horesti and having received Hostages from them he ordered the Commanders of the Roman Fleet to sail about the Isle The chief part of this quotation is on the Margin in the words of the Author which is only applicable to the Mouth and Firth of Tay and the Countrey of Angus and Mernis situat thereupon where the Roman Navy hath Landed their Men and in the which station remained to receive them at the end of the expedition and from this Port to the Grampian Hills through the large Countrey of Strathmore they have marched their Army and Carriages and by the same Way returned them to their Ships of which great ways there are certain Vestiges remaining but there is no direct continued way betwixt the Grampian Hills and Eskdale nor could any army with such great Carriages march betwixt these places nor thereafter be Embarked at Eskdale See more of this in Sir George Mckenzies Answer to St. Asaph CHAP. XXIX MARRIA OR MAR. FRom the Sea in the Mediterranean or In-landparts above Mernis Mar enlargeth it self and runneth forward threescore Miles or thereabout where it lieth broadest VVest-wards it swelleth up with Mountains unless it be where the Rivers Dee which Ptolomy calleth Diva and Don make way for themselves and infertile the Fields Upon the Bank of Don Kildrummy standeth as a fair Ornament to the Countrey being the antient Seat of the Earls of Mar and not far distant from it the Habitation of the Barons Forbois who being issued from a Noble and Antient Stock assumed this Surname whereas before time they were called Bois after that the Heir of that Family had manfully killed a Savage and Cruel Bare of whom is Descended William now Lord Forbes But at the very Mouth of this River there be two Towns that give greater Ornament which of the said Mouth that in the British Tongue they call Aber borrowing one Name are divided asunder by one little Field lying between the hithermost of them which standeth nearer to Dee Mouth is much ennobled by an Episcopal Dignity which King David