Historical and Traditional Sketches of Highland Families and of the Highlands

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HISTORICAL AND TRADITIONAL

SKETCHES

ENEAS MACKAY, STIRLING,

Begs to announce having purchased th
Publications, &c., belonging to the Lat

JOHN NOBLE, INVERNESS.

NE W EDI T ION,

With Addenda — INVERNESS IN THE OLDEN TIME,

AND NOTES.

INVERNISSS :
JOHN NOBLE, CASTLE STREET.

1895-

HISTORICAL AND TRADITIONAL

SKETCHES

OF

HIGHLAND FAMILIES AND
OF THE HIGHLANDS.

BY

JOHN MACLEAN.

THE ** INVERNESS CENTENARIAN.*"

*' Siomadh rad a chi am fear a bhios fada beo."

NE W EDI T ION,

With Addenda — INVERNESS IN THE OLDEN TIME,

AND NOTES.

INVERNESS :
JOHN NOBLE, CASTLE STREET.

1895.

PRINTED BT JOHN NOBLE, CASTLE STREET, INVERNESS.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

?HE first edition of Maclean's Historical and Traditional
Sketches appeared at Dingwall in 1848. The book
has long been out of print, and copies appearing
for sale have usually brought double the price at which the
work was originally published, and a constant demand
for copies has induced the present publisher to issue a
second edition. While giving the original text verbatim^
the editor has endeavoured by notes to correct statements
as to families and individuals and to give additional infor-
mation from reliable sources, and documents in his pos •
session.

The writer of these Sketches was Finlay Maclean, a son
of the ** Inverness Centenarian," and he undoubtedly ob-
tained most of his stories from the rich source of the reten-
tive memory of his father; but he was in the habit of
adding from other channels matters that the Centenarian
had not repeated, or had not the knowledge of. For many
years he did penny- alining for several northern newspapers,
and the present work shows in some cases his stories ** long
drawn out," with the puflf direct to then living individuals.

To the present edition have been added several articles
contributed by the same writer to the columns of the
defunct *• Inverness Advertiser." They are interesting to
Invernessjans as pictures of byegone manners and customs,
and as forty years have elapsed since their first appear-
ance in that print, they will be quite new to readers of
the present generation.

In itfSi Finlay Maclean proposed publishixv^^ ^xA "^^^

Preface to the Second Edition,

vertised, a volume entitled " Memoirs and Incidents of
Biography of celebrated Northern Divines of the seventeenth
and eighteenth centuries " — these from his fj^ther's recollec-
tions — but the book, was never issued. Twb of the articles
in the Addenda to the present volume — those on the Rev.
Murdo Mackenzie and the Rev. John Porteous — were
written for the intended work.

It was the privilege of the editor of this edition to have
seen and conversed with the Centenarian. In the autumn
of 1 85 1 I was employed as the deputy of a benetolent
Inverness lady to convey a sum of money to the old man,
who then resided with his daughter as housekeeper in a
clay ** biggin " in Maclean's Close, Muirtown Street. The
old man expressed his thanks for the gift in Gaelic — the
language, I think, he best understood — and the rest of the
•conversation was carried on in the same tongue. At this
time, according to Finlay Maclean's statements, his father
was in his ic4th year. His shrivelled-up face, with deep
lines, bleared eyes and decrepit form, presented all the ap-
pearance of the age claimed for him. He was among the
last I saw dressed in a costume that must have been
prevalent at one time in Inverness: a blue cuartear coat
and knee-breeches — both decorated with bright brass
buttons— the continuations being deep-ribbed stockings,
evidently of home manufacture. On his head he wore one
of the long Kilmarnock cowls or nightcaps. A crayon
portrait of the Centenarian was taken in this year by a Mr
Macarter, drawing master in Dr Bell's Institution. It was a
striking likeness of the old man. John Maclean died on
the 7th January 1852. The following obituary notice ap.
peared in one our local prints : —

**The oldest inhabitant of Inverness died on Wednesday. He
had reached the seldom-equalled age of one hundred and five years.
Oi the many local changes that have occurred in that time he was a

Preface to the Second Edition.

living chronicle. A vigilant observer iu his youth, and preserving
a retentive memory, which the frailties of oid age but slightiy im-
paired, he was able to recount many out-of-the-way anecdotes
gathered both from tradition and personal remembrance. He re-
collected, it is said, the introduction here of most of what are now
indispensable requisites in every town. In his youth there was
only a weekly post from the south, by means of foot-runners, over
the hills ; and when the weather happened to be '* coarse " or the
runner took ^* a glass too much," the letters were often several days
behind. Afterwards the post wa« brought thrice a- week by way of
Aberdeen. He remembered when the hrst post-chaise was brought
here, which continued for a long time to be the only four-wheeled
carriage in the district ; and about ten years afterwards (1770) the
first cargo of coals was brought to the town, one cargo in the year
being sufficient for many years. The people were at first much
surprised to find the *' black stones" to burn better than the good
country peats. At that time there was no bank in the town ; the
houses were mostly thatched : there was plenty of fish and game,
and no lack of smuggled tea and brandy and wine, so that the
** merchants and writers" were well off, and their apprentices
found them out at night wherever they were, and saw them safe
home, though there were no lamps in the streets. Thd King's
Birthday was kept with great splendour ; the '• town's carpet " was
carried out to the Cross, and there the Provost and bailies assembled
and drank the claret wine, while the bonfire blazed. He used to speak
with great gusto also of the doings when the Judges came round ;
how a cart-load of peats was burned in the tolbooth to put away
the •* bad scent," and then after the criminals were tried and con-
demned — which was nearly synonymous iu those days — the Judges,
magistrates, and gentry walked up the riverside to the islands in the
Ness, crossed in the boat, took salmon out of the cruives, boiled and
ate them on the green, with everything else in the style of a grand
dinner, and with punch made in a hogshead — nothing less than a
hogshead ! The Provost in those days was Mr Hossack. He was
called ** the kicked Provost," because he was kicked down a stair
by General Hawley and his officers, after the battle of Culloden, iu
consequence of his remonstrating with them on their cruelties to
the poor Highlanders. Latterly it afforded him his chief delight to
open out on these reminiscences. His declining years were cheered
by the charitable assistance of many families in the neighbourhood.
His situation and history having been brought under the uoliice of
her Majesty, when a visitor at Ardverikie in 1847, a donation of
ten pounds was immediately forwarded to him, enclosed in a letter,
which the late Mr Anson, keeper of the Privy Purse, addressed to
John Maclean, Ksq. It found its appropriate destination, however,
and the old man was full proud of the royal courtesy. His remains
were interred on Saturday, and a great number ot our most influ-
ential citizens accompanied them to their last resting-place."

J.N.
Invebness, iVov. 1894.

\

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

" h'^HE Historical and Traditional Sketches " which will
|| be lound in the following pages, portions of which
had occasionally appeared in the local papers and
have been copied into other papers in various parts of
Scotland, England, Ireland, India, Australia, and America,
are now presented to the public in a more collected
and extended form. This is complying with the desires
which have been repeatedly expressed by many of the sons
of the Gael at home and abroad.

These Sketches have no pretension to literary excellence,
nor are they put forward as a full chronological or consecu-
tive history of the families and events to which they refer.
Their interest is purely local ; and their merit, if they pos-
sess any, is, that they contain historical facts, traits of
character, and traditional tales of stirring times and of im-
portant personages which have not been presented by any
other author.

Of the author, or perhaps I should more properly say, the
reciter of these tales, it would not become me, his son, to
speak in terms of praise. I may, however, say, without
exposing myself to censure, that from his infancy he gave
a greedy ear to the recital of old stories ; and when, as
at wai, and still is, the custom of the country, the fathers,
grandfathers, and patriarchs of the town assembled together
in the winter evenings and told ** the tales ot other times,"
he would sit in the ** chimney nook" in wrapt attention
listening to their conversation. This predilection of his
youth " grew with his growth, and strengthened with his
years."

Preface to the First Edition,

An all-merciful and bountiful Creator has been pleased
to gift him with good health and a retentive memory. In
the course of a life of upwards of a century, he has suflfered
little bodily illness or mental distress ; and, except so far as
his powers are impaired by the natural debility which
necessarily attends old age, he still retains the enjoyment of
his mental faculties. It may not be out of place to say
that one of our Scottish newspapers has lately said of him,
" Although the Maitland and Spalding Clubs, and many
" antiquarian individuals, have rescued the records of the
** country from oblivion, yet John Maclean, the Inverness
** historian, by dint of powerful recollection in his own
*• person, may be said to have eclipsed them.'' And one
of our ablest and most patriotic Chiefs writes — " It is an
*' unusual blessing conferred on frail and feeble humanity,
** that the mind should exercise its unimpaired functions,
" and the memory retain its perfect power, when so many
*' years have worn the fleshly machine in which these work.**

In placing these Sketches before the public, I avail my-
self of the opportunity to express for my father and myself
our respectful thanks to the editors of the various news-
papers and publications in the old and new worlds who
have brought his case before the public, as well as our un-
feigned gratitude to the numerous sons of the Gael, " noble,
gentle, and simple,*' at home and abroad, whose benevo-
lence has cast a parting gleam of sunshine on the shortening
days of Centenarian.

To his exalted and illustrious Sovereign, who has graci-
ously extended to him her Royal bounty, it would be
presumptuous in him to attempt to express his sense of the
horour and the benefit she has conferred upon him ; and
while his lamp of life shall last, he will offer up his heartfelt
supplications for her long, prosperous, and happy reign.

F. M*L.

CONTENTS.

THE MACKINTOSHES OF BORLUM, ETC. .

SIMON LORD LOVAT ....

LORD PRESIDENT FORBES

SIR GEORGE MACRENZIE OF ROSBHAUGH

THE FAMILY OF CHISHOLM, ETC. .

THE MACKENZIES OF REDCABTLE .

THE BLACK WATCH, OR 42ND ROYAL HIGHLANDERS

DONALD GRUIMACH, THE BLACK ISLE CATfLE- LIFTER

HIGHLAND BOBBERS AND CATTLE-LIFTERS

1

54
75
103
109
119
138
146
153

ADDENDA.
INVKRNKSS IN THE OLDBN TIMK.

MUNICIPAL APFAIRS

FRACAS AT CNOCAN-NA-GOUR

PROVOST MACLEAN IN A FIGHT

THE BLOODY MARYMAS CHEKSE MARKET

SMUGGLING .

SHERIFFS CAMPBELL AND ERASER OF INVERNESS-SHIRl

A HIGHLAND DESPERADO

THE BLACKSMITH AND THE LAIRD OF GLENGARRY

THE REV. MURDO MACKENZIE

THE REV. JOHN PORTEOUS

161

164

167

169

171

174

177
181
182
184

SKETCHES OF
HIGHLAND FAMILIES

*— ^a/tTi^srV^*'"^

THE MACKINTOSHES OF BORLUM, ETC.

fHE Mackintoshes of Borlum were a sept or
branch of the Clan Chattan, who had,
many centuries ago, as the members of the
olan increased, and their power and territory
extended, become settled at some distance be-
yond the immediate neighbourhood of the
family possessions of the chief and the country
, (properly so-called), of the Clan Mackintosh.
Like most of the junior branches of the families
ot Highland chiefs, they had little to depend
upon except what might be acquired by craft
in council or success in arms ; and the Borlum
estate became the property of the Mackintoshes
without the intervention of a loquacious auc-
tioneer or the officious pedantry of a formal

2 Historical and Traditiofial Sketches

lawyer/"' Acting on what was the universal
maxim of the age, that " might made right," the
Mackintoshes effected the sale by the claymore,
took infeftment and sasine of the lands and
tenement by the same instrument, without the
aid of a notary public, and held possession by
wielding, as frequently as occasion required,
and with as much power as they could muster,
the weapon by the use of which they came into
possession.

Situated, as they were, at some distance from
the main body of the clan, they formed a sort
of picquet or outpost, whose duty it was to
watch the movements of the neighbouring clans
in the districts of Stratherrick, Urquhart, the
Aird, and Ross-shire, and to give intimation to
the general body of any intended or attempted
encroachment or invasion. It followed from
their outward and insulated position, with re-

♦ The statement that being a junior branch of the Clan
Mackintosh, they had little to depend upon except what
might be acquired by their craft or success in arms is cer-
tainly not borne out by the true state of the case. William
Mackintosh, y?/j/ of Borlum, was the second son of Lachlan
Mor Mackintosh, i6th chief; and upon his marriage, 5 th July
1595, with Elizabeth Innes of Innermarkie, had the davoch
of Clune in Badenoch assigned to him in wadset. When a
bachelor Essich was his portion, and prior to his father's
death in 1606, he had the davoch of Benchar in Badenoch
feued to him by his father, which property remained in the
family until 1788. He was thus well provided for.

In addition to Benchar, as above stated, William, in
16 10, acquired the estate of Borlum from Campbell of
Calder, by purchase, as mentioned in note on page 3.

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 3

ference to the main body of the clan, that they
had to sustain the first shock of any hostile
movement directed against the clan from the
west and north, and had to discharge the last
or parting blow on the retreat of the enemy ;
and thus, as with the Borderers in the south,
but within a narrower sphere of operation, they
were almost unceasingly engaged, either in pre-
datory excursions, or in more regular and for-
midable attacks. The consequence of occupying
so precarious a position, and of the frequent and
dangerous conflicts to which it continually ex-
posed them, was, that the Mackintoshes of
Borlum became formidable and ferocious, the
scourge of the district, — a terror to their foes,
and dangerous even to their friends, — a neces-
sary and useful adjunct of the clan, and yet
wholly or almost independent of it^certainly
beyond the immediate sphere of its control.

The precise period at which the Mack-
intoshes became possessed of Borlum, is, like
most events of the period, involved in consider-
able uncertainty; but they certainly became
proprietors of the estate upwards of four cen-
turies ago, and continued in possession of it be-
yond the middle of the last century.* From
circumstances hereafter detailed, their power,

* Highland tradition is vague and very unsatisfactory to
the exact student in history, both as to dates and facts —
the latter most frequently exaggerated. In the present case
the true date at which the Mackintoshes became possessed
of the property of Borlum was 16 10, and th^^ ^Ss^o^^^^^

Historical and Traditional Sketches

however, declined, becoming " small by degrees
and beautifully less," until at last it altogether
ceased, and the estate was transferred to other
hands. In 1766 it was purchased by Mr
Fraser, a director of the East India Company^
a descendant of the ancient family of Foyers,*
and father of the present amiable proprietrix,
Lady Saltoun.

Throughout the whole of the period during
which it was in the possession of the Mackin-
toshes, it was less or more the resort of the
most unprincipled and desperate characters in
the country, who found in it a welcome asylum
to protect them from consequences of fonner
misdeeds and ready employment for future mis-
chieft With few exceptions the lairds had ac-
quired a fearful notoriety in the Highlands for
the perpetration of every species of crime, in an
age and at a time when people were not over-
it in 1760; their possession of Borlum thus extended to
only 150 years. William Mackintosh, first of Borlum, ac-
quired the property from Campbell of Calder (now the
Earl ot Cawdor), the price paid for the same being 3,000
merits. He further acquired Drumboy in Strathnairn and
Raitts in Badenoch from the Marquis of Huntly.

* Some years ago this estate was sold, and a portion of
it was purchased by the late Mr Fountaine Walker, and is
still in possession of the representatives of his family.

+ William, first of Borlum, was, during his nephew's
minority, acting captain of Clan Chattan, and had the
whole clan re-united in one bond of union in 1609, His
whole life was spent in the service of three successive
chiefs, and no part of his career shows the charge of har-
bouring worthless characters or broken men lo be true.

of the Mackintoshes of Bortunt. 5

scrupulous as to the means by which they ac-
quired property, or the manner in which a real
or supposed wrong or affront was avenged.

The Mackintoshes of Borlum are now laid in
the dust, and the land which once knew them
knows them no more ; but the remembrance of
their iniquities is still associated with the scenes
of their former crimes. It is, indeed, difficult to
believe, when we look with feelings of pleasure
and admiration on the beautiful estate of Lady
Saltoun, which is so fertile in cultivation — so
tastefully laid out — the home and the hope of
so many happy and contented beings, that
there, at one time ruled with a rod of iron
the Mackintoshes of Borlum, as distinguished
for their strength and extent of daring as most
of them were for cruelty and crime. Reared
up from infancy amidst scenes of blood and
danger, they reckoned time by the number and
atrocity of their deeds of spoliation and murder,
and closed their career in the pursuit of plunder
and revenge.

Instead of fruitful fields, yielding laborious
but comfortable sustenance to cheerful hun-
dreds, the estate was, when the Mackintoshes
possessed it, barren and bare except where it
was covered with whins and broom ; and where
extensive plantations judiciously laid out, inter-
mixed with shrubbery and •evergreens, now rise
with their variegated foliage enlivening and di-
versifying the landscape, nothing met the eye
but the sterile monotony of heath and stone.

6 Historical and Traditional Sketches

with here and there a miserable hut — the tem-
porary residence of daring and restless robbers,
the terror of the adjacent country, and the con-
genial friends and allies of the lairds of Borlum
Castle.* ** I well remember," adds old John,
** the black castle of Borlum, being several
times in it on visits to an honest man, whose
character was the extreme to that of its oc-
cupiers for centuries before." This building
was extremely strong — almost impregnable,
and was situated on an eminence within a few
yards of that on which the present Ness Castle
stands.

But what will not time and the industry of
man produce? For barren moors and sterile
plains, we now see plenty issuing from the
pregnant bosom of the earth, and instead of the
appalling gloom of Borlum's proud and frown-
ing castle, we behold not a great way off the

* The estate was valuable both in respect to fishings and
woods. The fir woods were equal to any in the Highlands,
and as early as 1631, in an arbitration betwixt Aldourie
and Kinchyle of the day, reference is made to '*the
woods of Borlum.*' Shaw Mackintosh, sixth of Borlum,
sold the estate about 1735 to his relatives BaiHes William
and Angus Mackintosh of Inverness, but redeemable with-
in a certain number of years. Shaw Mackintosh took steps
over twenty years afterwards to redeem, and the bailies
complaining, he stated that while Borlum was in their pos-
session and the rents uplifted they had sold as much wood
as equalled in value the ofiginal price, which still fell to be
repaid in full. The name of one of the chief farms — Ballin-
darroch — shows that oaks abounded. The fishing- pool of
Laggan, on the Ness, has been known from the earliest
times H3 affording excellent fishing.

of the Mackintoshes of Bortunt, 7

elegant and hospitable mansion of Lady Sal-
toun — surrounded by its smooth lawn, its ser-
pentine walks and shady bowers. Nor is hers
the only mansion, tor there are many others
besides bearing witness to the progress of civi-
lisation, and the beneficial changes effected
generally on the extensive estate of Borlum.
But could the castle ruins (traces of which are
still visible), the green knolls and running
brooks, or the Ness's clear and silvery stream,
which winds its way immediately behind, speak
the tales of other times, they

*• could a tale unfold whose lightest word
would harrow up the soul,"

but these witnesses are dumb, and dumb they
were doomed to be — yet other witnesses
looked on, and thus some account of the foul
deeds done have been ** handed down from sire
to son," for,

** Murder, tho* it hath no tongue,

will speak with most miraculous organ."

Of all those who figure in the list of Borlum's
lairds, the one who lived about the time of James
V. and in the minority of Queen Mary, surpassed
them all for fiendish ferocity.* Like Rob Roy

* William, first of Borlum, and his wife, through mem-
bers of the A thole family, were both of the blood royal.
The charge of cruelty or oppression made here is not
borne out on investigation. It is true he got (Campbell of
Barbeck, who married his brolhev's >n\Aov«^ VaO«l^^ ^qn^x. <2^^

8 Historical and Traditional Sketches

(but without any mitigating circumstances to
palliate or excuse his conduct), he levied black
mail on the neighbouring lairds, and unfortu-
nately the favour and protection of the Earl of
Huntly, then Governor of the Castle of Inver-
ness (and who invariably lived with Borlum
when he came to visit his hunting grounds of
Drumashie and other places in the neighbour-
hood), emboldened him to levy the imposition,
and effectually secured him from the conse-
quences. Whoever refused the compulsory
payment to Borlum or paid the tribute grudg-
ingly, might look with certainty for a speedy
and fearful revenge. Nor was his lady a whit
better than her lord. Strong and masculine in
person, she was at least as unfortunate as he was
in temper, and if possible more savage in re-
venge.* Never did a greater fiend in female form
appear upon the earth, nor was her determina-
tion and courage unequal to the execution of her
worst purposes ; and of her, in the words of

Dunachton in Badenoch, under aggravating circumstances,
but it was the act of the whole family. He also crossed
swords with Huntly and Moray in those troublous times,
and was engaged in numerous actions offensive and defen-
sive in which the Clan Chattan were concerned.

* It is true that Lady Borlum had been reared in the
midst of crime and violence. Her grandfather was
murdered in 1584. and her father put to death in Edin-
burgh for allegel participation in the slaughter of the
*• bonnie " Earl of Moray, a few days after her marriage in
the month, of July 1 595.

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 9

Lady Macbeth it might be truly said —

" I have given to suck ; and know

How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me ;
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have pluck'd my nipple from its boneless gum,
Aud dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn, as you
Have done this."

The stories which have been handed down
of this fierce couple are numerous as they are
frightful. Of these the murder of the venerable
Provost Junor of Inverness, was one, and in
some degree illustrates their character.* Mrs
Mackintosh (or, as the laird's wife is calUed in
Gaelic, bean an tighearn, or the laird's lady), on
one occasion went to Inverness, where her visits
would be most agreeably dispensed with ; or,
in other words, ** her. absence would be con-
sidered good company " by the terrified
inhabitants. She was followed by two mis-
chievous imps as train bearers, or lady's hench-
men. In the course of her perambulations
through the town she was seen by the worthy
Provost in a position

** That mantled to his cheek
The blush of shame,"

* The author of the " Memorabilia of Inverness " (James
Suter) says " that tradition states that about 1618 a Pro-
vost of Inverness was murdered by the Mackintoshes of
Borlum." Captain Burt, author of •* Letters from the
North of Scotland," who was in Inverness in 1735, also
mentions the tradition as current in his time. To this tra-
dition we can add no information or contradiction. Still
powerful though Borlum undoubtedly was, it seems in-
credible that the town did not resent th^ \3KM\d^\ c^Jl ^€\s.
Yxoyost

lo Historical and Traditiofial Sketches

and he was so shocked at her rude and indeli-
cate demeanour, that he took courage to reprove
her, exclaiming — " O, fie, fie, Lady Borlum."
On hearing this, she fixed her kindhng eye,
glaring with the fiery fierceness of the crouch-
ing tiger ere he leaps. More than once she
made an eflfort to speak, but she was choked
with passion — her heart was too full ** of pride,
of rage and malice " — all her faculties were
wound up, and her tongue refused its office —
she stood immoveable as a marble. At length,
making a desperate effort, and raising herself to
her full height, she said, as she slowly turned
away her flaming eye, '* You shall dearly pay
for this," and passed on. Her determined but
subdued tone, her flashing eye, that plainly in-
dicated

((

The coming events

Ihat cast their shadows before,"

impressed the decent, sober, but in this case in-
discreet magistrate, with a presentiment of
future revenge.

Lady Borlum having inwardly sworn (and
she seldom swore an oath that it might be
broken), that the Provost's death alone should
satisfy her revenge, proceeded homewards^ rumi-
nating over her wrong, and concocting schemes
for the execution of her diabolical purpose.
Borlum was not at home on her return, and did
not return for sometime thereafter ; but in the
interval the violence of her fury had rather in-
creased than diminished, and she hailed her

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 1 1

lord's return as the speedy harbinger of death ;
and when she beheld, as she did at the first
glance by his dark and stern look lowering
brow, and compressed lips, that he too was
in no very amiable humour, she welcomed
him with more than ordinary joy, and he
was scarcely seated, when she poured her tale,
with such exaggerations as her malice sug-
gested, into an ear as greedy to hear as she to
tell ; and when she had finished, she said that
nothing could or would satisfy her but the old
man's death. To this Borlum, without reflect-
ing on the matter — for in his estimation it
would have been beneath him to trouble him-
self a moment in reflecting on such a trifling
affair as the death of a burgher — at once as-
sented. The Provost's death being thus agreed
upon, the how, by whom, and where, were the
next questions to be settled.

Having obtained, rather than won the laird's
assent, which she had asked more as a matter
of course than as a thing essential, the gloomy
pair sat down to supper. Both intent on sepa-
rate purposes, they partook of the evening
meal in silence. The moor, the valley, and the
stream supplied the supper. The moors of
Stratherrick furnished the game, the rich
flavoured and sweet tasted mutton v/as taken
in foray from some of the estates in the neigh-
bourhood, and the prolific Ness yielded the
salmon. The strong pot-ale that overtopped
the rich gilt flaggons that lined the board was

1 2 Historical and Traditional Sketches

home brewed ; the genuine mountain -dew that
filled the capacious vessel that occupied the
centre of the table was distilled in Abriachan's
most secret shade ; and the generous and exhi-
larating products of the vine, which, in long-
necked bottles adorned with silver tops, graced
the table, were a present from an offshoot of the
family, who had been forced to fly to foreign
climes, but, who, amidst the excitement of for-
eign wars, the charms of France and Italy, and
the fascinating influence of more civilised and
more enchanting manners, never forgot the land
of his birth,

'■ The birthplace of valour.

The coun'ry of worth."

I The silent gloomy supper over, and the dishes
I removed, the congenial pair moved towards the
fire. Long and silently they sat. Both were
wrapt up in alternate musings of past mischief
and future revenge. In the bosoms of both, the
compunctions of conscience for a moment pricked
the soul, and in the next, from an innate love of
fiendish self-condemnation for having even for a
moment listened to the still small voice of
reason, their hearts were kindled into revenge —
their souls were dark — their purposes Satanic ;
and these two, whom no magic cord of love did
bind, who felt not the uniting bond of man and
wife, nor the indescribable co-union and co-ex-
istence which parents feel when children bless
the marriage-knot — these two, who had never
known the secret mystery by which in friend-

of the Mackintoshes of Borlnm, 1 3

ship, love, and affection soul communicates
with soul, were linked and bound in inseparable
and constant union in the dark impulses of mis-
chief, and the self-consuming gratification of
revenge.

For hours they sat, wrapt in black thought
and desperate purpose, until the flickering light
of the dying fire, shedding an uncertain and
party coloured glare on their recumbent forms,
and unmoved but fearful countenances, aroused
them from contemplation to talk as well as
think of bloody purposes. Lady Borlum rotold
her story and urged her lord to revenge the in-
sult which had been offered to her. The laird
listened with attention, and signified his wish
to hear how she proposed to gratify her desire.
Various were the schemes proposed, and long
the consultation continued. At length it was
determined — for nothing else would satisfy the
lady — that as the Provost would be taking his
customary walk the following evening, he
should be despatched by their two sons Un-
less his life was taken away by the hand of one
of her own flesh and blood, her vengeance, she
said, would not be half satisfied; and her hus-
band, although he had urged a bolder couri^e, at
last consented, and they retired to bed — to bed,
but not to sleep, for what sleep can ever reach
the tortuous restlessness of a foul mind, or
silence the damning testimony of a guilty con-
science ?

On the following morning, Provost Junor

14 Historical aiid Traditional Sketches

rose as hearty and unconcerned as if the inci-
dent of the previous day had not occurred, — his
heart was at ease, no tremulous yearnings of
conscience obtruded themselves to disturb his
mind ; nor did one passing thought of the pre-
vious day*s encounter with Lady Borlum arise
to disturb his serenity and self-complacency.
That encounter, terrible certainly at the time,
(and especially so to a man of his quiet habits
and peaceable disposition,) had raffled his
temper and very much frightened him, but it
soon passed away, and in an hour afterwards, the
happy, good-natured official might be seen re-
ceiving and retailing the gossip of the town with
his usual cheerfulness and orood humonr — his
fright had entirely melted away, and like last
year s snow, left no trace of its temporary exist-
ence behind. On the succeeding day he got up
at his usual hour, and paid his accustomed formal
attention to the cleanliness and neatness of his
magisterial person ; his square hat was carefully
brushed, his wig was made trim and neat, his
broad flapped coat was well dusted, his knee-
breeches — with fringes above the knee, as was
he fashion of the time — were stainless ; nor were
his '^ brocan dhti' torgotten, although Day and
Martin were yet unborn. Thus attired, and
ample justice done to a good breakfast, he took
his gold-mounted official staff and went forth to
attend to his private business (that of a skin
merchant), and his magisterial functions. Hav-
ing paid the requisite attention to his *'ain"

of the Mackintoshes of B or him, 15

private affairs, which, as a prudent and well-
doing citizen it behoved him to do, as he was
wont to say, he applied himself to the discharge
of his public duties with well-meaning zeal, and
with a pomposity which was somewhat foreign
to his nature, and which therefore became with
him at least questionable grace, but which he
thought the dignity of the office made it neces-
sary for him to assume. His business being
over, he returne to his house about mid-day —
partook of the plain and substantial dinner
which was placed before him with a hearty appe-
tite and a contented mind. After dinner he
enjoyed his nap, and relished his chat as usual —
no cloud crossed his brow, no apprehensions of
coming evil agitated his mind, nor was his heart
touched by any unpleasant forebodings. Time
passed on ; morning, noon, and evening came
and went, and the shades of night began to fall
gradually around, nature seemed as if drawing
together the curtains of repose, — the world
was calm and still, not the profound stillness
of the midnight hour, but that soothing quiet-
ness which imparts a tender melancholy to
the mind, making it serious without austerity,
and contemplative without effort, and which
touches and expands the better promptings of
the heart. It was somewhat later than eight
o'clock, as the guileless Provost left the town
and directed his steps towards the Gaic or
Drumden, now called, from the circumstance of
the Black Watch haying been embodied and en-

1 6 Historical and Traditional Sketches

camped there, Campfield. At this period there
was no regular road between Inverness and
Campfield, nor did the face of the hill west-
ward of the town bear any traces of cultivation.
It was then bare and sterile, although it is now
adorned with elegant patches of garden, shrub-
bery, and plantation, and beautified by handsome
villas. The irregular broken footway wound its
course along the margin of the river, until near
the present water-house, when it diverged a little
towards the base of the hill, and proceeded up
the hollow between Drummond and Campfield.
Along this path the Provost was in the habit of
taking his walk in the summer and autumn
evenings, and being a regular and exact man,
he almost invariably went and returned at the
same hour. On the particular evening to which
allusion has been made, he proceeded on his
walk with slow and steady pace, enjoying the
solemn but not oppressive stillness which reigned
around , now gazing in devout contemplation of
the moveless sky, anon following with his eye
the homeward flight of some wearied traveller of
the feathered tribe; and when the eye could
no longer trace his form on the darkening
horizoUj and attracted by the rippling of the
stream as it broke over the stones and pebbles
which obstructed its progress, he looked in
silent admiration on the ceasless flow of the
waters of his own bright river, now tinged
with the darkening hues of the clouds above, as
it swept on in its course to join the ocean,

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 1 7

But to return to Borlum Castle. As the soft
golden light of the setting sun was taking a
last parting kiss of the western mountain tops,
and the black clouds, which began gradually
descending, as if to relieve the rays of the set-
ting sun announced the approach of the crime-
begetting night, the sons of Borlum were called
to their mother's presence. Though bred in a
school where scruples formed no part of the
discipline, yet the young men were somewhat
staggered when informed by their loving mother
of the business they were to perform. Although
suflSciently inured to crime, to blunt, if not en-
tirely to eradicate any compunctious yearnings
of humanity, they still retained something of
the buoyancy and chivalry of youth not to feel
some repugnance to commit a deed so foul and
so unmanly ; and, accordingly, took the liberty
of telling her that they felt great reluctance to
obey her commands, and that it would oblige
them if she appointed some other instruments
of vengeance. Curbing her wrath against such
disobedience, and the better to accomplish her
purpose, she disclosed to them the provoca-
tion she had received. But instead of the
recital producing the anticipated effect, the
sons could scarce refrain from indulging in open
laughter.

The mother's quick and eager eyes saw this ir-
reverence, and her wrath was rising into fury —
a fury which the sons, bold and desperate as
they were, could not face without, fe^^^ ^\A

1 8 Historical and Traditional Sketches

which they no sooner perceived than they
yielded an ungracious acquiescence, and with
httle loss of time departed on their mission.
As they reached the verge of the eminence
which overlooks the pathway, they beheld the
Provost at some distance advancing with easy
step towards them. They remained concealed
until he had gained the summit of the hill, and
when but a few yards from them, he paused to
take breath after the ascent, and survey the
famihar scene before him. The assassins sprung
from their lurking-place with the agility and
ferocity of their race, and ere the worthy
magistrate could recognise his murderers, he
breathed his last, pierced in several places by
their daggers.

Thus foully fell, by the hand of Borlum's
ruthless sons, and at the instigation of their
more bloody mother, between his sixtieth and
seventieth year. Provost Junor of Inverness — a
skin merchant by trade — a wealthy and re-
spectable citizen — an able magistrate, and a
kind, inoffensive man. After the accomplish-
ment of this horrid and unprovoked tragedy, the
brothers removed the body further down the
hill, and hid it in whin bushes. Having thus
performed their mother's stern command, they
returned with all possible haste to tell the pleas-
ing tale. During their absence, Lady Borlum
was unusually restless and uneasy — they had
now been absent two hours, which seemed to
her as so many days — she looked out with eager

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum, 19

and watchful eyes, until the thickening darkness
made further watching unavailing, and, at
length, her patience was exhausted, and misgiv-
ings thick and strong came crowding upon her
mind, that the resolutions of her sons had failed,
or that some unlucky accident had interposed
between her purpose and its accomplishment —
that the attempt had been made and the deed
not done, or that unlooked-for aid came to the
old man's rescue, and murdered those who were
to be his murderers. These, and a thousand
other conjectures, came rushing upon her with
the rapidity of thought, and made her almost
mad. At length, however, she heard a knock-
ing at the outer iron gate of the Castle, when
her heart beat with increased velocity and vio-
lence ; her breathing became quick and difficult,
her eyes burned and her head swam — bound up
in the feverishness of anxiety and the intensity
of suspense, she stood motionless, and when her
two sons entered the room, and pointed to their
unsheathed daggers covered with blood as
the most eloquent and impressive description
of the work they had done — she turned her
fiendish and glazing eyes upon the daggers,
and giving a scream of fiendish joy, fell upon
the floor.

Here, for the present, we must leave this
crime-begetting haunt and return to the house
of mourning and of woe. The Lady of Borlum
was not the only one who on this fatal night
felt anxiety and alarm. Ten o'clock, ^^tw^^^

r

I

^

20 Historical and Traditional Sketches

more than usually late hour for the Provost to
be out, and yet he returned not, but his wife,
though somewhat alarmed at his absence, was
still confident he might have met some neigh-
bour, and gone home with him to crack over a
" cogie " or two of ale ; or he might be engaged
on some councU business ; but when eleven
o'clock came and the Provost not ■ returning,
she became restless, and some shadows of
alarm began to cross her mind ; still she sat
without communicating her uneasiness to any
one. Midnight brought not back Provost
Junor, and the dark forebodings which the
hushed silence of the midnight hour is apt to
bring to more easy minds than Mrs Provost
Junor's, then began to settle into alai-m and
terror. Morning arrived and yet no traces of
her loving and affectionate husband. The tid-
ings of the sudden disappearance of the worthy
Provost excited the greatest sensation and
alarm for his safety, and numerous were the
conjectures whispered about him in the town
and neighbourhood, but none which could afford
any consolation to his anxious wife. The
Council now assembled, and dark hints were
freely exchanged as to his mysterious fate.
After many fruitless inquiries, it was at length
resolved to search along the hue of his usual
evening walk — as more than one had seen him
going in that direction, but none saw him
return. This search was prosecuted with great
•dpiere nce ^id .^jintiteness^^nd _at length, the^

1

of the Mackintoshes of Barium. 2 1

mutilated body of the chief magistrate was
found huddled together under a whin bush —
his hat and stick at some distance off. The
townspeople crowded around the body, and
there was not a dry eye ^present nor a silent
tongue. Every one remembered something to
his credit, and as the body was carefully and
solemnly carried to the town, the praises of the
departed magistrate were feelingly sung amidst
tears and lamentations by his sorrowing fellow-
citizens. "^

An investigation was immediately entered
into for the purpose of discovering and punish-
ing the perpetrators of this foul deed. Various
circumstances were discovered calculated to
bring strong suspicions on the Borlum family,
and in a day or two after the murder there re-
mained no room to doubt, what all from the
very first suspected, that the assassins were the
sons of Borlum. Meetings after meetings were
held to bring them to punishment, but the
Town Council, although eager enough to avenge
the death of their chief magistrate, dreaded the
ferocity and power of Borlum (who was himself
a member of Council), the more particularly

* The story of Provost Junor's murder is related with all
the minutiae of the modern journalist — the feelings of all con-
cerned in the foul deed, and their conversations, and even
their thoughts so detailed, is wonderful ! But we doubt
not that Mr Finlay Maclean (the son of the Inverness
Centenarian), who wrote this narrative, drew largely on his
own imagination for the particulars set forth in his pa^es.

22 Historical and Traditional Sketches

as he was backed by the friendship and power
of the Earl of Huntly, at the time exercising
almost regal authority in the north, and by
whom, as has been already noticed, black Mack-
intosh of Borlum had been protected from the
consequences of his evil deeds. The Council,
therefore, however reluctantly, were obliged to
abandon the idea of punishing the assassins,
and all they could do to show their respect for
the deceased Provost and their detestation and
horror of his murderers, was to pass a resolu-
tion that no member of the Borlum family
should ever be eligible to a seat in the Town
Council of Inverness — a resolution which was
ever after during their occupancy of Borlum
and Raitts most strictly adhered to.*

Not long after the tragedy of Provost Junor's
death, another victim fell a sacrifice to the
bloodthirsty vengeance of the Lady of Borlum.
As was usual in every laird's family at this time,
there lived in that of Borlum a female servant,
whose principal business v/as to bake the family

* Subsequently to that period, however, more than one
descendant of this ill-fated family sat in the Council, and
also filled the office of Provost with credit and honour
— gentlemen who excelled in humanity, and who delighted
in doing good to their poor fellow-creatures ; but this was
after Borlum and Raitts had passed into more honest hands
and after the last laird of Borlum had fled the country.

[The preceding note is by Mr Maclean, the author of the
work, but it is not correct The story that no Borlum or
any of his descendants should thereafter be eligible to hold
a seat in the Town Council, rnodified, as alleged, after the

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 23

bread, and who from this circumstance, and her
shortness of stature, obtained the soubriquet
of '* Ipac Bheag na Brecaig'^^ or Little Isabel of
the bannocks. On the evening on which Pro-
vost Junor was murdered, Ipac Bheag had been
sent on some errand to Inverness, and as she
was returning, became an unwilling and acci-
dental witness of the murderous deed done by
her master's sons, and partaking of the weak-
ness which has at all times characterised her
sex, she could neither get rest, or peace of
mind, until she found some one in whom she
could confide, and unburthen her mind of the
dangerous and fearful load with which it was
charged. Relying on the fidelity and integrity
of a fellow-servant, Ipac, still with great reluc-
tance, unbosomed herself to this person, and re-
vealed to her all she had seen — the revelation
at the same time lightening herself of the
burden which agonised her whole frame. In a
few days thereafter this confidante made it no
point of conscience to betray poor Ipac to her
master and mistress. From that moment her
fate was sealed. Neither the laird, his lady, or
their sons, cared much about the fact of a wit-
ness having been present to bear testimony to
their villany. The Provost's murder had been

estate of Borlum was sold, is inaccurate, for no such resolu-
tion can be found on the record ; and William and Angus
Mackintosh, grandsons of the second Borlum by a younger
son sat in the Council, and also as magistrates, long before
Borlum was sold. — Ed.J

24 Historical and Traditional Sketches

clearly traced to them, and could not be denied.
It was, therefore, a matter of perfect indiffer-
ence to them, whether or not there were any
witnesses who could give direct and positive
evidence as to their guilt. They depended not
on their power to hide the truth, but on their
power to shield themselves from its conse-
quences. But indifferent, as they consequently
were, as to who saw or did not see the act
committed, it was another, and a very different
affair, that one of their servants, eating their
own bread, having many opportunities of ob-
serving their every act, should publish so im-
portant a secret and blab their guilt to the
world. For this imprudence, in the estimation
of the Borlum family, one of the most heinous
of crimes, Ipac's death was resolved on. On the
day after it came to the knowledge of the family
that she had acted an unguarded part she was
sent on a pretended message to Bona Ferry, a
distance of about two miles westward from the
castle, and when returning late in the evening
she was waylaid, and most barbarously mur-
dered. To conceal murder, fresh murder must
be committed ; thus it ever is. The mind once
habituated to crime, all the restraints of
morality, religion, and of conscience are over-
thrown — guilt becomes familiar, and conscience
callous

'* I am so steeped in guilt, that

I may as well go through as turn back."

For many, many years afterwards, Ipac's

of the Mackintoshes of B or turn. 25

ghost was seen to " haunt the lone vale," wan-
dering up and down the banks of the river, and
its doleful lamentations were heard within the
walls of Borlum Castle. The very herds who
were wont to tend their sheep and cattle along
the banks of the Ness, were so familiar with
Ipac Bheag's wraith, that its mournful cries
latterly became a signal to them to return home
with their charge.

We have already mentioned that the Borlum
family were the terror and scourge of the
neighbouring lairds. However, Maclean of
Dochgarroch, who had experienced much an-
noyance and oppression, made a bold attempt
to resist Borlum's overbearing power, and set
his threats at defiance, which so maddened
him, that to be revenged he directed his son,
and about thirty of his vassals and dependents,
to proceed to Dochgarroch House, raze it to
the ground, and destroy everything belonging
to his mortal enemy. The good and worthy
proprietor of Dochgarroch, being apprised of
this force having marched, and the object in
view, but ignorant of their number, sent twelve
brave and faithful clansmen to watch young
Borlum and his desperate companions in arms.
On the north bank of the river, a little to the
west of the ancient Castle of Spiritual, the little
band of the Macleans met the more numerous
one of Borlum advancing at a rapid pace ; no
words were exchanged, no explanation de-
manded ; both parties knew each other too well

26 Historical and Traditional Sketches

to require information aj to each other's mis-
sion. Undismayed by the disparity in num-
bers, the Macleans with their claymores and
Lochaber axes, rushed upon their opponents.
The Macleans maintained their ground most
gallantly, diminishing their foes at every blow,
and ultimately forced them into the river,
where, up to their middle in the water, the
battle was fought with unabated fury and deadly
animosity for a considerable time. The clear
stream was reddened with the blood of the slain
and wounded for some distance from the spot
of combat. So brave and determined were the
Macleans, with the recollections of the wrongs
and oppressions of their foes fresh in their
memory, and the desperate enterprise upon
which they were, that every blow inflicted added
fresh vigour to the resolute arm dealing it, and
they firmly resolved, that before yielding to the
laird of Borlum's son, every one should be
" with his back to the field, and liis face to the
foe." Such was the undaunted courage and
deadly determination evinced by both parties,
that the combatants did not separate until
almost annihilated Of the gallant little hand-
ful of the Macleans, three only survived to tell
the result of this bloody fray ; and among the
eight of the Mackintoshes who escaped was
Borlum's wounded son.*

• The story of the fight between the Mackintoshes of
Borlum and the Macleans of Dochgarroch is apocryphal,
as no such tiadition exists amongst the representatives of

of Ihe Mackintoshes of Borlum. 2 7

Tidings of this affair spread like wildfire
through the country, and the neighbouring
lairds were secretly rejoiced at the repulse the
Mackintoshes thus received, and the undaunted
bravery displayed by the few sons of Clan
Gillean was the theme of their praise. This
battle brought some discredit on the Mack-
intoshes. Nevertheless for a time they con-
tinued to advance in importance, not only from
the number of their vassals, and the daring and
desperate character of the laird and his followers,
but also from the favour and countenance ex-
tended to the laird of that day by the Earl of
Huntly, whose power and authority in the
north, as already stated, was of itself a sufficient
shield. But soon afterwards they gradually
declined ; their followers became few — they were
less fortunate in their adventures — and their
power and importance became more limited ; it
was getting *' short by degrees, and beautifuUv
less."

It was supposed that the laird of Borlum, in

these families. It seems to be confounded with an un-
doubted fight at Castle Spiritual which took place at a
much earlier date (15th century) than that mentioned in
the above text, when the Macleans were in possession of
Urquhart, and before they were settled in Dochgarroch.
The fight was beween the Camerons of Lochiel and the
Macleans. The atrocities committed by the Camerons on
this occasion led to a belief that the old castle of Bona was
haunted, hence it became known as " Castle Spiritual." (See
Mackafs ** Urquhart and Ghnmoristoitj^ 1894, page 94,
etc.)

■ 28 Historical and Traditional Sketches

return for the favour and protection which he
had uniformly received from the Earl of Huntly,
was indirectly implicated in the betrayal of the
Chief of Clan Chattan to the Earl, who had
him executed, and that in revenge for this real,
or supposed betrayal, the estate of Borlum suf-
fered some part of the punishment which the
clan inflicted on those who were implicated in
the affair,* Be this as it may, it is nevertheless
certain that from this time the family power
began to decline ; -but although decreasing in
power, the successive lairds lost little of that
ferocity which had obtained for them so bad a
notoriety, nor did they degenerate from their
forefathers in their deportment in battle, or their
avidity for crime.t It is, however, but right to

♦ William, the firteenth chief of Clan Chattan, was eie-
cuted in August 1550. and as the first Borlum was his
grant'son— born long after this date— the folly of this accu-
sation is evident,

I The history of the various successive lairds of Borlum
does not bear out the charges of ferocity and criminality
here made, as already shown in the case of the first Borlum.

Lachlan, the second Borlum, who first married the
widow of Sir Lacblan Mackintosh, thereby incurred the
deep resentment of her sons William Mackintosh of Mack-
intosh and Lachlan Mackintosh of Kinrara to such a de-
gree that all his life he struggled with poverty, living chiefly
in Badenoch, without power to hurt or oppress any one.

William, the third of Borlum, married Mary Baillie of
Dunean. He held a prominent position from 1652 to
1717. He lived chiefly at Borlum, where he died. No
charge of cruelty or oppression has been ever stated against
him. The character given of him by certain Macphersons
in Badenoch shows how well he discharged his duties to his
employer the Duke of Gordon (see Spalding Club Miscel-

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 29

except from this sweeping condemnation, the
most celebrated member of the family, Briga-
dier General Mackintosh, or, as he was more
familiarly called, " Old Borlum,*' who, though
possessing much of the sterness, had very little
of the cruelty of his forefathers. His indomi-
table courage, enterprising character, and un-
shaken constancy were conspicuously displayed
in his daring expedition across the Forth — his
skilful and masterly retreat to Kelso — his
bravery at Preston — his escape from Newgate,
and his subsequent flight to France, which
have left for him a proud name in the annals
of his country that in some measure re
deems the character of his family from that
infamy which their cruelty deservedly obtained
for them.*

From various causes, some of them, no
doubt, arising from the civil wars in which the
Borlum family took an active part, in favour
of the unfortunate Stuarts, the family was, in

lany^ vol. iv. page 165), as illustrated by the attempted
murder of his successor Glenbucket by the Macphersons,
as noted by Burt and others.

* Brigadier Mackintosh, the fourth of Borlum, has been
excepted by Maclean from the general condemnation
brought against his family. To readers of the history of
the rising of the ''ijis" it is unnecessary to detail the
career of the Brigadier — the only chief in the Jacobite army
who displayed generalship. The very street ballads of the
time were partial to this gallant soldier —

*' Mackint03h was a soldier brave,
And of his friends he took his leave ;
Toward Northumberland he V)o\d\v c&me«
Marching with gallant men 0! \iiB n«ixi«,^' ^\a.

30 Historical and Traditional Sketches

the time of Edward, the last laird, very greatly
diminished, and somewhere about the year
i76o, the extensive estate of Borluni was sold.
It had been in possession of the Mackintoshes
for upwards of three hundred years, never likely
to be again the property of any of that ilk.
The estate of Raitts or Raitles, in Badenoch,
was still held by them, where Edward, the last
laird, resided, whose character in a great mea-
sure corresponded with that of too many of his
ancestors.

From the period at which Provost Junor was
assassinated by the Mackintoshes of Borlum,
the power of that family gradually declined.
The Clan Mackintosh^ whose interest it was to
keep up a good understanding with the burgh of
Inverness ; and who, besides, felt the natural
repugnance which was entertained, even in those
unscrupulous days, to the perpetration of mur-
der, under circumstances not connected with the
interest or credit of the clan, and which could
not be justified by any of the (so-called) '' laws
of honour and clanship" which prevailed in the
Bighlands at the time, were not slow in express-
ing their disapprobation of the heartless and
cowardly act. The apparent independence of
the rest of the clan, which the lairds of Borlum
had, for a long period, arrogated to themselves,
arising from their isolated position, their previ-
ous services to the clan, their direct family
power and influence ; and above all, the coun-
tenance which they received from, and the

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 3 1

services which they rendered to the all-powerful
family of Huntly, at length subjected them,
not only to the suspicion of the clan but ex-
posed them to the secret hatred and open hosti-
lity of the chiefs of Clan Chattan. The
consequence of such a combination of adverse
circumstances was then, as it would be now,
that those who would be the followers of the
lairds of Borlum, through fear, gradually be-
came emboldened, as the power of the latter
declined, to throw off their yoke ; and that those
who followed them from interested and merely
mercenary motives, diminished in number as
the influence of the clan perceptibly lessened,
and the prospects of reward became more
uncertain.

But these causes, powerful and sufficient as
they appear, were not the only ones to which
we are to attribute the fall of this family. There
were higher, more potent and less falUble causes
at work, the existence of which, in the decline
and fall of the family, it would be as impious to
deny as the attempt to describe the mode in
which they operated would be rash and pre-
sumptuous. The Christian believes, and the in-
fidel feels and fears ^ the certainty of retributive
justice. Its progress may be accelerated or pro-
tracted, but nothing is so certain in physical
science, in the investigations of the astrologer or
the chemist, nor even in the certainty ot the
connection which must exist between cause and
effect, as that justice will be done even upon

3 2 Historical and Traditional Sketches

earth ; and that He who gives the assurance that
the bread which is thrown upon the waters,
shall, after many days, return with increase,
will as certainly punish *' the iniquities of the
fathers upon the children, even to the third and
fourth generation."

Exposed to the operation of these agencies,
and writhing under the withering influences
of the unconcealed dislike of the clan, the
openly expressed disgust of their neighbours,
and what was still more galling to their feelings
and pride, being openly bearded and defied by
the worthless wretches who had been called
into importance by their power and patronage,
the lairds of Borlum, as they declined in power,
became more remorseless. As the means of
committing injustice became more limited, their
passions became more fiendish and debased ;
their infamy increased as their degradation was
made more manifest ; their moral turpitude
became impervious as loss succeeded loss, and
degradation followed degradation, until at last,
like the ruined gambler of modern times, who
had become involved in the vortex of play,
and who resorts to one unfair trick after an-
other, as his means melt away, despised and
scouted by his former associates, he is forced to
seek other company, among whom he may play
a still more disreputable part, — the Mack-
intoshes gradually fell from their feudal power
and lordly splendour, and were forced to leave

** the land o'er which they ruled supreme,''

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 3 3

and take up their residence on the estate of
Raitts, in Badenoch, and sink from the dignified
position of lairds levying black mail, to the less
honourable profession of "taking purses, and
going by the moon and seven stars." *

At Raitts, or, as it is now called, Belleville,
the last laird of Borlum, Edward Mackintosh,
resided. In many respects he excelled most of
his forefathers in ferocity, and was one of the
most daring robbers that ever lived in the
Highlands of Scotland. Within a mile and a
half of the mansion-house there is an artificial
cave in which he and his band found a conven-
ient and secure lurking place from which to sally
forth to rob travellers of their purses, and some-
times of their lives. In a recently published
statistical account of Inverness-shire, will be
found mention made of this cave. It states
that ** the excavation, when entire, amounted to
1 45 yards — was artificially built round with
dry stones, and covered with large gray flags,
by a desperate band of depredators, commonly

♦ Following the notes on page 29, it may be stated, in
reply to the assertion here made, that Lachlan, fifih of
Borlum, eldest son of Brigadier Mackintosh, had to seek
his fortune in early youth in New England, and perished at
sea. In 1720 he was admitted a free burgess of Inverness.

Shaw, sixth of Borlum, brother of Lachlan, parted with
Borlum, on a redeemable right, in 1734 and the family
never returned to Borlum. Shaw retired to Raitts, and
married Jean Menzies of Woodhill, county of Perth, and
after her death lived a retired life.

34 Historical and Traditional Sketches

called Clannmagilleanoidh^ " Over the cave
was erected a turf cottage, or dwelling-house,
such as the people of the country inhabited at
the time, the inmates of which enjoyed the con-
fidence of the occupiers of the cave ; were the
depositaries of their secrets, and participated
along with them in the spoil of the Mac-
phersons.

* We give the full particulars from the account of the
parish of Alvie in the Statistical Account of 1842 : — *• It
is not certain to what particular clan these depredators be-
longed. Instigated by implacable hatred against the Mac-
phersons, on account of some deadly feud, they secretly
dug the cave, which is called, after their name, Uaigh
Clannmhicgillenaoidhy as a place of concealment, from
which they occasionally sallied forth in the night time
to steal and to slaughter the cattle of the Macphersons,
wherever they could be found. . . . The Macphersons find-
ing the number of their cattle daily diminishing, made a
strict search after them, but for a long time without effect.
At length appearances were noticed about the hut erected
over the cave, which excited a strong suspicion that the
lurking place of these depredators could not be very distant
from that hut. This suspicion was increased by the inhos-
pitable churlishness of the landlord, who contrary to the
custom of the times, would permit no stranger to lodge for
a single night in his house. Accordingly the Macphersons
sent one of their number as a spy in the garb of a beggar
to solicit a night's lodging in the suspected hut : and feign-
ing illness from a fit of the gravel, the beggar was allowed
to remain in a barn or outhouse for the night. The beggar
being thus disposed of, the most active preparations com-
menced within the house for a sumptuous entertainment ;
and the feast being prepared, a large flag was raised in the
centre ot the house, on which Clannmhicgillenaoidh came
out, feasted on the Macphersons* choicest beef, along with
the inmates of the house, and then spent the remainder of

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 3 5

In the now thriving village of Kingussie, in
the immediate vicinity of the haunt of the
Mackintoshes and their associates, there were
at the time of which we write, but a few miser-
able, straggling huts, whose proximity to the
cave imposed no check upon Borlum's move-
ments, but rather aided, than obstructed him in
his bad and bold career ; for it not unfrequently
happened that travellers, whilst refreshing
themselves at the little public-house in the
village, were joined by some of Edward's asso-
ciates, who on such occasions kept the mountain
dew in circulation, so as to make easier victims ;
and when the unfortunate traveller sallied forth
to renew his journey, under disadvantage of a
glass too much, some of the gang were sure to
waylay him and ease him of his cash. For a
long time, Edward and his lawless crew con-
ducted their depredations with caution and

the night in search of a fresh supply. The beggar observed
all that passed through an aperture on the side of the hut,
and returned to report what he had seen. In consequence
of the discovery thus made, the Macphersons collected a
strong party on the following night, seized and massacred
the whole band of Ciannmhicgillenaoidh, in the cave, de-
molished the hut erected over it, and thus put an end to
those freebooters, and to all their depredations. The pre-
tended beggar by whom Olannmhicgillenaoidh were betrayed
was called Ian Mac Eoghaiwn, or John Macewan. and the
tribe of the Macphersons descended from him are disting-
uished by the appellation of Sliochd Ian Mhiceoghainn^ that
is, John Macewan's descendants. It is said that all this
tribe have ever since been peculiarly liable, at some ^wc^<i
of life, to be mor^ or less afRicted mXVv gca\^\*'

{

$6 Historical and Traditional Sketches

secresy*; but, emboldened by impunity and
success, they at length became recklessly daring,
put the law at defiance, and committed crimes of
the greatest enormity in open day, insomuch that
that the whole district was alarmed, and ac-
counts of their crimes spread over the kingdom,
and prevented travellers from going by that
road. Nevertheless, there were no means taken
to suppress the daring outrages daily committed
by this band of highwa)mien. On one occasion,
Edward being informed by some of his satel-
lites that Mr Macgregor, factor or chamberlain
for the laird of Grant, was collecting the rents
from the tenants in Glen-Urquhart, thought it
no bad concern to lay in wait for his return in
the lonely, wild, and craggy rocks of Sloch-
muicht. Accordingly, he set out alone, think-
ing, being well anned, that he himself would
easily overcome the worthy factor, and accom-
plish the object sought, viz., to rob him of all
his money. In that obscure and wild retreat,
he remained two days in the utmost anxiety.
Mr Macgregor at last made his appearance
mounted on a Highland pony, accompanied by
a trusty gillie. Edward Mackintosh imme-
diately sprung from his hiding-place, levelled
and fired his piece, but as the factor anticipated
that Ned Mackintosh or some of his party
would be on the look out for securing a rich
booty, he took the precaution of having himself

* The period was less than a year.

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 3 7

and his servant well armed ; consequently, when
the shot was fired, fortunately with no effect,
the factor, in the true spirit of his namesake
Rob Roy, returned the fire, and then chal-
lenged Ned to a fight with claymore or pistol.
Edward finding he was thus discovered, preci-
pitately fled to his place of concealment, like a
tiger disappointed of his prey, and Mr Mac-
gregor was allowed to proceed in safety with
his wallet well filled with bank notes, gold and
silver to Castle Grant. All were not so fortu-
nate as Mr Macgregor, for some time thereafter,
a poor wandering and aged pedlar, who, besides
supplying the surrounding country with his
wares, was also the newsvendor and chronicler
of the events, and who, from his honest prin-
ciples and inoffensive humour, had become a
favourite for many years with high and low, and
familiar with all, had been waylaid, robbed, and
murdered, as it was conjectured, by Ned Mac-
kintosh or some of his companions, and his
body afterwards buried in the sands of Spey-
side. Justice, though it may for a time be
eluded, and sometimes frustrated, will even-
tually prevail, for

«

many a crime, deem'd innocent on earth.

Is registered in heaven ; and there no doubt
Have each a record with a curse annexed."

A drover of the name of John M'Rory, alias
M'Farquhar, from the neighbourhood of Red-
castle, JRoss-shire, who had been for many yeat^
in the habit oi driying cattle so\xl\\ \i^ \}cve.1?^\\Jcv.

38 Historical and Traditianal Sketches

road, and was reputed wealthy, was one time
returning home from the southern markets,
where he had been disposing of his cattle, and
when two or three miles north of the now
flourishing, clean, and populous village of Kin-
gussie, was waylaid by Edward and (as he
said) his ill^timate brother Alexander. Mac-
farquhar, or as he was more commonly called,
M*Kory (by which last name we will abide),
was rattier an ugly customer to have to do with,
and in a fair stand up fight, would have paid
any man in as hir a manner as he had got.

Edward, who was some distance in advance
of his brother, commanded M'Rory to deliver
up his purse, otherwise his life must pay the
forfeit M'Rory did not much relish either the
proposition or the alternative ; but ere he had
time to speak, Edward's hand had grasped his
throat, and with the other seized the bridle of
drover's horse. M*Rory was fully sensible of
his perilous situation. Alexander was hasten-
ing to his brother's assistance, and was not
many yards off, when, to increase his fear and
anxiety, the drover heard the tread of approach-
ing footsteps caused no doubt by the advance
of some more of the same gang. There was no
time to lose— everything depended upon expe-
dition and self-command. The drover raised
his hand to his throat, as if to grasp the oppres-
sive hand of his antagonist, but in reality to
cut his handkerchief with his knife. This done
he passed his hand to the reins, and cut them ;

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 3 9

then clutching Ned by the throat, hurled him
to a distance of some yards, and at the same
moment applying the whip to his garron, made
"twa pair of legs" worth one pair of hands
Bending his body down as far as possible on
the neck of his nag, off he went at full speed.
He did not, however, altogether escape scaith-
less, for ere he could get beyond the range of
their fire the bullets whistled, as he afterwards
declared, ** like hailstones aboot his lugs,'' some
of which even penetrated his clothes, particu-
larly his greatcoat, but fortunately no further.
But for the thick quality and superabundant
quantity of his apparel, Jock M*E,ory might bid
adieu to all terrestrial affairs. Upon his arrival
in Inverness, he called upon the Sheriff, Mr
Campbell of Delnies (a gentleman to whom ac-
cess at all times was easily obtained), to whom
he communicated the particulars of his unplea-
sant encounter.

A warrant was immediately issued and
placed in the hands of an oflScer, for the ap-
prehension of Edward Mackintosh and his
brother Alexander, they being the only persons
M*E,ory had ever seen and could identify.
Although the officer received injunctions to ap-
prehend the Mackintoshes with the utmost
secrecy and despatch, yet Edward contrived to
get information of the warrant for his appre-
hension having been issued, and the directions
for executing it given to the officer to whom it
was entrusted, when he summoned a full at-

Historical and Traditional Sketches

tendance of his companions in crime to the
house of Raitts, where he entertained them to a
sumptuous supper and a splendid ball, and early
next morning took his departure for the south,
escorted a number of miles by his comrades.

He remained in private for some weeks in
the house of a friend in Edinburgh, and after-
wards made good his escape to France, where,
previous to the Revolution, he attained to some
eminence in the army of that country, but his
ultimate fate is unknown.* Whether he took
part in the tragedy which Europe beheld
with horror and amazement enacted in a coun-
try holding the first place in the march of civi
lisation, and in the bloody actions of which he
was, by his recklessness and ferocity, so well
calculated to take a prominent part, is also un-
known. The star of his house arose amidst the
darkness and the barbarity of the feudal times,
and attained, with surprising velocity, a high
altitude in power and crime. In its progress it
produced terror and destruction. The increas-
ing light of advancing civilisation gradually di-
minished its power, until, after more than three

* Edward, the seventh and last Eorlum, succeeded about
1770. His conduct cannot be justified, nor even explained,
except on the ground of criminai mental aberration. In-
deed an examination of the evidence produced on the trial

I in 1773 exhibits such utter folly, such a want of ordinary
precaution, considering the dangerous mode of life prac-

' tised, as to be simply incredible. The estates of Kaitts and
Benchar were judicially sold in 1788, many years after
Edward Mackintosh's flight, his creditors being paid in full.

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 41
hundred years, it sank for ever, and their name,

** Doubly dying shall go down

To the vile dust from whence it sprung,

Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung."

Although Edward Mackintosh, laird of Bor-
lum, as already mentioned, succeeded in effect-
ing his escape, yet his illegitimate brother,
Alexander, was apprehended and conveyed to
Inverness, and, in due time,^^* tried for robbery
and other crimes. He pleaded Not Guilty, and
attempted to prove an alibi. The evidence of
M*Farquhar alias M*E,ory, as to the facts before
detailed, and Alexander's identity, was posi-
tive; and other witnesses were adduced on the
part of the crown to corroborate, by circum-
stantial evidence, the testimony of the principal
witness. Mackintosh produced several wit-
nesses to prove that it was not he who fired at
M'Rory, and that he never in his life accom-
panied Edward in his lawless pursuits — ^his
habits being quiet, peaceful, and honest. Some
of these witnesses had been acquainted with
Edward and his associates, and their evidence
was therefore in a great degree disregarded.
His counsel made an able and eloquent appeal
in his behalf; but the charge of the judge —
who, in summing up, told the jury that very
little reliance was to be placed on the credibi-
lity of the witnesses for the defence — entirely re-
moved the impression which the prisoner's coun-
sel had made ; and from the positive testimony

* At Inverness Spring Circuit inv

42 Historical and Traditional Sketches

of M'Rory, and the bad notoriety which the
prisoner's brother, Edward, and his companions
had acquired, the jury, after some deliberation,
returned a verdict of Guilty. The prisoner
heard the verdict with the same cahn and
decent composure which he manifested through-
out the trial. The court was crowded to suf-
location, and great sympathy was manifested by
the majority of the audience for the prisoner,
whom they believed to be innocent, and none
felt and sympathised more than the present nar-
rator of these events. The most death-like
silence pervaded the Court — every counte-
nance reflected the awful solemnity which all
felt, and, in slow and impressive language, the
Judge pronounced the dreadful sentence of the
law — the most awful it can inflict — death.
Even during the delivery of this terrible judg-
ment — every word of which sunk into the
prisoner's soul, and called forth tears of compas
sion and pity from many not used to the melt
ing mood— even in this dreadful hour the
prisoner flinched not — no weakness such as
might have been expected on such an occasion
manifested itself, and his fine handsome form,
clad in the humble gray thickset, or homespun
corded cloth, stood erect and firm, with the
dignity so characteristic of the Highlanders
on great and solemn occasions. Not a limb
trembled — his look was sad, but steady, and
not a muscle moved, except a slight quivering
of the lip, — immoveable as a rock. Neither
terrified nor dismayed by the awful scene around

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 43

he appeared the impersonation of manly forti-
tude and conscious innocence, bearing calamity
without shrinking. When the Judge had
ceased, Mackintosh, fixing his eyes steadily on
him, solemnly and emphatically denied his
guilt ; and said, that although he had been
guilty of many sins against his Maker, for which
he hoped for forgiveness, he called that God
before whom he must soon appear, to witness
that he was as innocent of the crime for which
he was condemned as the infant at the breast.
This declaration, at so serious a moment, and
with a certain and ignominious death before
him, produced a strong impression on the
audience, which was increased by pity and
commiseration for his wife and family. His
wife was a mild and gentle creature, and in
every respect, a most amiable woman. The
prisoner was removed from the bar amidst the
prayers and blessings, both loud and deep, of
the greater portion of the audience.
. At length the: day of Mackintosh's execution
arrived. How solemn was that dreadful day !
Such as could leave their avocations did so in
the morning, and paraded the streets in gloomy
silence, or, if they spoke, it was only in whispers.
By twelve o'clock the streets were almost en-
tirely deserted, and nearly half the population
ol the town and neighbourhood was collected
round the gibbet. It was erected at Muirfield,
a little above the town, upon the top of the hill,

** , from whose fair brow,

The bursting prospect spreads around.''

44 Historical and Traditional Sketches

and on which several splendid villas have re-
cently been built. It was then, however, bare
and naked — its desolate and cheerless appear-
ance suiting well to the appalling scene that
was about to take place. The day was cold
and cloudy. The spectators ranged around,
looked with anxious fear on the unconscious
instruments of death. At length the culprit,
accompanied by two clergymen (the Rev.
Messrs Fraser and Mackenzie*), the magis-
trates, and a strong posse of constables, appeared.
Mackintosh ascended the fatal ladder with a
steady and firm step, and stared vacantly
around — ^he appeared overwhelmed by internal
agony — his face was pale, and large drops of
perspiration rolled down his cheeks. The
Rev. Murdo Mackenzie almost immediately
commenced to discharge his sad duty. He
began by prayer, to which the prisoner listened
with the utmost attention, and his countenance
became more settled, as if communing with his
Maker and composing his soul. After prayer
a psalm was sung, the voices of the assembled
multitude raising in solemn consonance into the
air. Methought, says John, the very wind
wafted the heart-giving offering to the Throne
on high. Mr Fraser thereafter read a text, and
commented upon it at considerable length,

* The Rev. Alexander Fraser was minister of the second
charge at this time ; he died 12th January 177^$^

The Rev. Murdoch Mackenzie was at the date of this
trial minister of the^rj^ charge; he died 7th April 1774.

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 45

The subject of discourse was the great merit of
the Redeemer's blood; and, as he proceeded,
with great earnestness and animation, he con-
soled, cherished, and elevated the culprit's soul
by expatiating on the goodness and infinite
mercy of God, and the eflSciency as well as the
universality of the Redeemers saciifice, and
the divine again concluded by praying, in so
earnest and pathetic a manner as to draw tears
from young and old. All eyes were now ri-
vetted on the person of the unfortunate victim.
The executioner slowly adjusted the noose and
pulled down the white cap over his face. The
feeling of the crowd was intense — no one
breathed — a load oppressed all, — the brain be-
came giddy, and every faculty, physical and
mental, seemed convulsed when the culprit's
voice broke in accents of piercing agony upon
the ear, and sunk into the heart — the last words
he uttered were — " Oh, Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, I come." The sound was still murmur
ing in the breeze when the crowd were startled
by a short, sharp knock, or jerk — a something
falling, but not distinctly seen, that

** strikes an awe

And terror on the aching sight,**

and the culprit's lifeless body was swinging in
the wind, and his soul winging its flight into
the mansions of eternity. With mingled feel-
ings of sorrow and horror, the multitude slowly
and silently dispersed, many, if not most of the
company, placing a small piece of bread under a
stone, which, according to a superstitious tradi-

46 Historical and Traditional Sketches

tion, would prevent after-dreams of the unfortu-
nate Alexander Mackintosh.

After hanging the time required by law, the
body was cut down, and according to the sen-
tence, was placed in an iron cage, which was
suspended from the top of a post near the
gibbet, in order to be a warning and terror, in
time coming, to evildoers. During the after-
noon, crowds of persons who had not the cour-
age to be present at the execution, were to be
seen going to view the body in the cage, and
many were the good things said of the deceased.
While the young women, in particular, heaved
a heartfelt sigh for his untimely and dreadful
end, the elders were loud and pathetic in their
expressions of commiseration for his widow and
children, and the old and gray-headed indulged
in groans and ejaculations touching the career
of the family, interspersed with doubts — rather
indicated by a grave shake of the head than ex-
pressed — that those who were the condemners
would have an awful account to give of that
day's work. At last night closed in, and hid
with its mantle from the gaze of the curious,
the lifeless body of Alister Macintosick.

Notwithstanding the harsh and persevering
attempts of every successive Government — from
the accession of William the Third to the throne
down to the period of which we write — to de-
stroy the feudal power of the chiefs and to ex-
tirpate that feeling of clanship which had so
long and so powerfully prevailed amongst the

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 4 7

Highlanders, they still secretly, and sometimes
openly, maintained their attachment to their
chief, and their friendly and brotherly feeling
to their namesakes and clansmen. Neither the
Disarming Act nor the defeat at Culloden had
extinguished this species of filial feeling between
the members of the same clan, and although
the law was now too powerful to permit this
feeling to display itself on an extensive scale in
the open field, still it manifested itself not un-
frequently at fairs and district gatherings —
sometimes at marriages and funerals — and at
times in the everyday business of ordinary life.
The clan Mackintosh, in particular, had pre-
served with the utmost tenacity that spirit of
clanship ; and the disgrace which the execution
of even an illegitimate member of the clan was
supposed to bring upon the whole, was sensi-
tively and painfully felt by them, and yet
though they knew the fruitlessness of any at-
tempt to impede or obstruct the course of
justice, a few of them, resident in and about
the town of Inverness, came to the determina-
tion of preventing any long continuance of the
exposure of the body by cutting it down and
interring it. Amongst the number was William
Mackintosh, a dyer, better known by the name
of '* Muckle Willie the Dyster," who from his
daring and great strength was looked upon as a
leader. The day, as we have said, had been
cold and cloudy, and towards evening showers
of driving rain began to fall, the wvud ^xi^Asx-

48 Historical and Traditional Sketches

ally increased, and about seven o'clock, when
the dyer and his companions thought it safe
to put their purpose into execution, it swept
along in strong gusts The night was very
dark — not a star was to be seen — and as the
Mackintoshes stole cautiously out of the town,
they, in an undertone congratulated each other
that the night was so favourable for their de-
sign. They walked circumspectly and slowly
until they reached the burn of Aultnaskiach,
when they proceeded up the bed of the burn
until they arrived at the bridge which crosses
it, beyond the late Provost Robertson's house.
From that place they crept, rather than walked,
over the barren heath, in the direction of the
gallows. The eager dyer, in the exuberant
ardour of his feelings for the honour of the clan,
urged upon his companions (some of whom he
perceived to be faint-hearted) to be firm and re-
solute, and stand by him; telling them that
the honour of the clan was at stake, and that
not a moment was to be lost. They did not,
however, much relish Willie's proposition and
appeal, but insisted on the necessity of caution.
Whilst the ardent dyer was thus endeavouring
to convince his associates, the whole party
(with the exception of the dyer) were almost
transfixed with fear, by hearing a short, hard,
screeching sound at no great distance from
them. The clansmen stood statue-stiff — each
held his breath — every one Ustened atten-
tively to catch the faintest sound — every eye

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 49

was strained to penetrate the darkness of the
night, to discover the cause of the interruption
— every heart beat with fear and apprehension,
and a cold clammy sweat trickled down their
cheeks. For upwards of a minute, the whole
party stood fixed and mute — nothing was to be
seen — nothing heard, save the whistling of the
wind and the grating sound produced by the
swinging of the iron cage wherein the body was
suspended. The party, however, seeing it like
a black cloud hanging in the horizon above their
heads, became irresolute and discouraged, and
were on the eve of returning home, when Willie
broke the silence by a very unceremonious
" Pooh, you heard nothing but the wind. If
there was any noise, why did I not hear it too ?

Come, come, let us do our work, and the tak'

the hindmost." On this they feebly and slowly
followed Willie, who sprang to the post, and
climbing up with the agility of a cat, was speedily
sitting on the top undoing the fastenings, and in
a few minutes the cage, with its contents, fell at
the feet of his companions with a crash, which
they afterwards solemnly declared shook the
earth, under them. The body was taken out of
the cage with the utmost despatch, and carried
across the moor to the bank of the bum. Here
they made a hole in the sand with their hands,
in which the body was deposited, and covering
it over, returned to their dwellings, inwardly
congratulating themselve«i that so disagreeable
and dangerous a piece of business was ended,

^

' 50 Historical and Traditional Sketches

and resolved never again to be engaged in
such an enterprise under any circumstances
whatever. In the morning, when it was dis-
covered that the body of Alister Mackintosh had
been taken away during the night, a reward
of five pounds was immediately offered to any
person who should discover the perpetrators of
this daring act, and considerable excitement was
created in the town by the circumstance. To-
wards evening, a claimant appeared in the person
of Little Tibbie, the wife of Archy the water-
man. She had been at Aultnaskiach bum for
sand, and to her amazement discovered the
stolen body of Mackintosh. She, with great speed
repaired to the town to claim the reward, and,
burning with the importance of her discovery
and anticipated reward, roared out as she ran —
" Oh, sirs, sire, Saunders Mackintosh's body I "
She proceeded to the house of the Provost, who
himself was a clansman ; but afaithful clansman,
who had heard Tibbie proclaiming the discovery
she had made,arrived at the residence of the Pro-
vost before her, and communicated the disagree-
able tidings that Saunders' body had been found.*

• The finding of the body caused the Provost dis-
pleasure, and no wonder, as Alexander Mackintosh was
■ '.s cousin in the third and fourth degree, as under ; —

LiCHLAN 2SD BOBLUM.

1 ' I 2

Willijun. 3rd Borlmn. John,

William, Ith Borlnm.

XimWluJ,5thBorluni. Shaw, Gth Borlum. Phiness, Provost, l77-t.
I I B

Edward, 7th Bortam. Alex., hall-bioltet <A fi4wM4. VII*.

J

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 5 1

The Provost, although obliged in the discharge
of his duty to offer the reward, was by no
means sorry that body of his namesake had
been taken down, and there were some who
even insinuated that he was the instigator of
the act himself. Be that, however, as it may ;
when Tibbie made her appearance before die
Provost, she was not only coldly received, and
the promised reward flatly refused, but she was
likely to have more kicks than halfpence ; for
she was threatened with a night's lodging in the
blackhole. In the meantime another party of
the claai, headed by the ever ready dyer, pro-
ceeded with the greatest expedition to Aukna-
skiach burn and removed the body to Camp-
field, where it was again interred, and allowed
to remain.

The narrator relates the singular occurrence
of a descendant of the Borlum family, whose
life had been forfeited to the law, being buried
not many yards from the spot where Provost
Junor was assassinated more than two centuries
before, and he does not fail to ascribe to the
Great Ruler of Events the circumstance which
thus so forcibly realised the truth of the com-
mandment, that '* The sins of the fathers shall
be visited upon the children to the third and
tourth generation." Standing upon this spot,
and recalling to memory the former pride,
power, and cruelty of the Mackintoshes of
Borlum — their subsequent misfortunes and
disgrace — ^how variable appear the vic\s»%\l\iA!^^

Historical and Traditional Skteckes

of human affairs, and the danger and insta-
bility of human greatness, and over the grave
of the unfortunate Aliater, how appropriate
iwould be the line,

I '• Proud lineage ! now how little thou appearest."

The widow and children of Alister were
amply provided for in every respect by the
humane and patriotic Bailie Inglis, a gentleman
who was continually

" Doing good by stealth.
And blushed to find it fame."

The eldest son, James, entered the Gordon
Fencibles, and was speedily promoted, but soon
thereafter died. He was a truly worthy young
man. Edward, the second son, entered the
navy, but the Inverness historian never heard
what his ultimate fate was. There was also a
daughter, who, after being educated in all the
branches of education suitable to a lady of rank,
repaired to the south. She was an amiable
girl, and much respected by all the genty of the
town and neighbourhood.

That Alister Mackintosh was innocent, was
very generally believed at the trial, but the
subsequent fate of M'Rory increased and con-
firmed the suspicion. The latter very rapidly
sunk in general estimation. His respectability
and supposed wealth quickly left him, until at
last he became a solitary outcast — in the midst
of society, stamped with the brands of perjury

of the Mackintoshes of Borlum. 53

and murder — ^and a few years after the execu-
tion of poor Alister he terminated his miserable
existence in the village of Beauly.

The estate of Raitts subsequently became
the property of James Macpherson, Esq., the
celebrated translator of the poems of Ossian,
who changed its name from Kaitts to Belle-
ville — the original name being in his, as well
as in the estimation of others, obnoxious. This
property he highly cultivated and improved,
whereon he built an excellent mansion-house.

( 54 )

SIMON LORD LOVAT.

fHERE are few men who figure more in the
history of the stirring times in which he
lived than Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat;
and there is none who took an active and
prominent part in pubHc affairs, and was a
principal actor in the plots and counter-plots
which were projected or carried into execution
in those times, whose actions are so variously
represented, and whose motives arc so diffi-
cult to be ascertained and accounted for. He
has himself left an account of his actions, and
assigned motives for his conduct, which are
contradicted by historians who were contempo-
raneous with him ; and subsequent historians,
more diligent and more impartial than their
predecessors, while they have not been able
satisfactorily to dispel the uncertainty with
which his history is surrounded, have been
all but unanimous in impugning the truth of
his own version of his conduct, and in por-
traying him as a man who had exerted con-
siderable talents for bad and selfish purposes.
To fathom the depths of such a character,
and to lay open motives which preceding
historians have been unable to penetrate, are

i

of Simon Lord Lovat, 5 5

not the objects of the present sketch ; and all
that an old man, who is neither versed in the
mysteries of character or the learning of schools
or histories proposes to do is to communicate to
others those scraps of information which he has
picked up in his youth from those who saw and
knew Lord Lovat well, in the hope that they
may amuse others, and perhaps cast a feeble
ray of light on one of the most intricate charac-
ters in history.

Simon Lord Lovat was born in the year
1663.* He received an excellent education, of
the advantages of which he fully availed him-
self in after-life. In his youth — that period
which stamps the future man — ^he was thought
fill and reserved, evincing, however, great
forbearance, if not amiability of disposition ;
and possessing a complete control over his
temper and passions, and exhibiting a shrewd,
penetrating, and quick mind. After his boyhood
had ripened into manhood, and he had suc-
ceeded to the management of the family pro-
perty, he was a kind, sympathising, and
enterprising landlord. On his own estates he
was much beloved, and by his friends and
neighbours respected and esteemed.

The first act which brought him prominently
before the public and involved him in the meshes
of the law, was an alleged rape on the Dowager

* John Hill Burton states that Simon Lord Lovat was
bom about the year 1676. He follows Loval's owtv §fc^\s.-
ments at his trial and the inscriptiOTi put oti\Cv& c^^ti.

9

Historical and Traditional Sketches

lady Lovat, sister of the Duke of Athole,
'ho was as distinguished for her benevolence as
rfor her exalted rank.* We say for an alleged rape,
because Lord Lovat himself, in his Memoirs,
distinctly denies that he was guilty of any such
crime, and he appeals with considerable truth
in corroboration of his innocence to the fact,
that after he had been so charged, he was much
beloved, respected by all persons in his own im-
mediate neighbourhood, who had the best
means of making themselves acquainted with
the facts. Be this, however, as it may (for it is
surrounded, like most of his actions with doubt),
it is certain that criminal proceedings were in-
stituted against him, and that as he had failed
to appear, a sentence of outlawry was pro-
nounced against him, to avoid which, and the
vengeance of the Duke of Athole, he fled to
France.t It is equally certain (for the author
had the story from those who were personally

* There was a forced marriage with the sister of the Duke
of Atholl, and the ceremony was performed twice, first at
Castle-Downie by Mr Robert Munro. minister of Abertarff ;
and to satisfy her ladyship's scruples as to the legality of the
first ceremony, a tittle later on the marriage was re-enacted
at Eilean-iigas, by William.Fraser, minister of Kilraorack.
The marriage was, however, at the instance of the Atholl
family, annulled, Her ladyship lived til! the year 1743,
and thus saw her whilom husband twice married. Had a
few short years more been given to her, she might have wit-
nessed her lord receive the reward of his treacherous^conduct.

t Sentence passed on 4th Sept. 1698 —condemned to be
executed, and his name, fame, memory, and honours to
be extinct

of Simon Lord LovaL 5 7

cognisant of the fact), that in order to disgrace
the lady and insult the Duke of Athole, he sent
her home to her brother, riding on a one-eyed
horse, which was led by a one-eyed lad. To re-
venge so ignominious a treatment, a numerous
band of Athole men, exasperated at the dis-
grace of the lady, and the insult shown to the
house of their proprietor and chief, marched
northward to attack the Frasers. The wily
Lord having, however, received information of
their approach, fled from Beaufort Castle, and
concealed himself in the rocks behind Clach-
naharry. For fourteen days he lurked amongst
the rocks, enduring the greatest possible priva-
tions, and dependent entirely upon the scanty
and precarious bounty of an attached butcher of
the name of John Bain, who resided at Elnock-
nagur, close by. Meanwhile the Athole men,
after searching Beaufort and the neighbour-
hood, demolished a portion of the Castle, and
after a fruitless hunt in quest of the fugitive
through the Aird, were obHged to return home
disappointed. On the retirement of his pur-
suers. Lord Lovat availed himself of the first
convenient opportunity and fled to France.*

On his arrival in France, Lord Lovat pre-
sented himself at the Court of St Germains, but
James, the exiled King, who had heard of the
charge brought against him, refused to receive
him, and debarred him from appearing at

* In 1702.

I

58 Historical and Traditional Sketches

Court.* In consequence of this repulse, it is
said that he entered into holy orders, and for
some time had charge of a nunnery. It is not
unreasonable to suppose that while thus occu-
pied {an occupation by the way not very suit-
able for a person who had been guilty, or at
least charged with rape, under very cruel and
aggravating circumstances), Lord Lovat became
thoroughly initiated in the principles of the Je-
suits — ^principles which throughout the rest of
his life he practised with so much ability and
so little scruple.

While occupied in a watchful and pious
superintendence of the nuns, Lord Lovat had a
correspondence with several leading men in his
native country, and among others with the Duke
ofQueensberry,whois5aidto have invited Lord
Lovat from France to conduct a conspiracy,
which had for its object to bring the Dukes of
Hamilton and Athole, and other courtiers who
were obnoxious to the Duke of Queensberry
and the Duke of Argyle into disrepute with
Queen Anne, who had just ascended the throne.

* His offer to aid ihe cause of King James was suspected.
He, however, received a commission from l^uis XIV.
in 1703 to visit Scotland and test (he feelings of the Jacob-
ites towards the exiled family at St Germains, but one or
two secret agents were despatched to wa:ch his movements.
His mission was a failure, and on his return to France he
was accused of trafficking with the British Government-
was arrested, and sent to the Bastile, according to some
but l.^vat (in his own Memoirs) says he was imprisoned in
the Castle of Augouleine for three years.

i

of Simon Lord Lovat. 59

Before he left France he had succeeded in ob-
taining from the widow of King James a com-
mission of Major-General, and on his arrival in
Scotland, he made use of this commission to
entrap the enemies of Queensberry and Argyle
into a conspiracy against the Government, but
not succeeding in his mission so well as he ex-
pected he was again sent back to France.
Lord Lovat himself, in his Memoirs, gives a
very different account of his embassy to Scot-
land , but it is beyond our sphere to attempt to
reconcile the various conflicting accounts of his
objects and proceedings. On his return to
France, and when the whole conspiracy became
known, Lord Lovat was confined in the Bastile *
by orders of the French King, for having im-
posed upon the widow of King James in the
matter of the commission of Major-General.

After remaining for some years in restless
confinement in France, Lovat at length suc-
ceeded in obtaining his release from a French
prison, and had the art also to obtain a condi-
tional pardon from the Enghsh Sovereign.
Before the breaking out of the rebellion of 1 7 1 5,
and when that ill-conceived and worse-conducted
outbreak was in embryo Lovat was suspected
of being implicated in treasonable practices, and
he was apprehended, but by the interposition and
indefatigable exertions of a Mr Patrick Nichol-

* It is very questionable if Lord Lovat was ever confined
in the Bastile. His first prison was the Castle of Augou-
leme, and thereafter in banishment at SautavLi.

6o Historical and Traditional Sketches

son. who was a chaplain in one of the Royal
Regiments, and perhaps from the absence of
conclusive evidence, he was acquitted. After
his acquittal he all at once became a zealous
partizan of the existing Government, and used
all his art and talent to obtain credit and influ-
ence with the leaders of the Whig party.

Lord Lovat now all at once became a zealous
partizan of the Government — having collected
a large body of his own clansmen (the Erasers),
and assisted by no inconsiderable body of the
Grants and other neighbouring clans, he deter-
mined on capturing the fort of Inverness, then
in the hands of the Chevalier's friends, under
the command of Sir John Mackenzie. This de-
termination, which required both courage and
prudence, he planned with his usual tact and
ability. Having formed his plaus with great
secresy and dexterity, he attempted to surprise
the Castle, but in this he was defeated. Capt.
Rose, who had charge of the detachment that
was to lead the assault, was repulsed at all
points. Again and again, he led his kinsmen
to scale the walls, but was gallantly repulsed by
the Governor. The town and the neighbouring
country was in the possession of l.ovat, and
knowing that the Castle could not long hold out,
he prudently resolved not to waste his men and
ammunition in fruitless attempts to take a castle
by force which he knew its defenders must soon
yield of their own accord, he therefore ceased
in his attempts to take the Castle by force. Sir

of Simon Lord LovaL 6 1

John Mackenzie availed himself of the earliest
opportunity afforded him either by the negligence
or the design of the besiegers to abandon the
Castle and escape across the Ferry into Ross-
shire. Lovat of course immediately took pos-
session of the Castle, an event which was at the
time of the greatest possible importance to the
Government, and which very materially contri-
buted to the complete defeat of the Chevalier
and his friends, which almost immediately
followed.

The Government could not well overlook the
claims of an adherent who had rendered such im-
portant service at so critical a moment ; and
besides other favours which he received, Lord
Lovat was entrusted with a very extensive com-
mand in the north. Borlum Castle, Brahan
Castle, Erchless Castle, and the lands and resi-
dences of several other distinguished and gallant
chiefs were in his hands or under his vigilant
watchfulness, and for a time he exercised the
authority of a local Lieutenant Governor over a
considerable part of Inverness and Ross-shires.

But the restless, the intriguing and the un-
satisfied spirit of Lord Lovat. would not permit
him to remain at ease. Either because he con-
ceived himself not sufficiently rewarded by the
Government for the services which he had ren-
dered, or because he anticipated from the suc-
cess of the cause of the Stuarts greater benefits ;
or, what is not unlikely, because ** the neb of
him could never be out of mischief," he was one

62 of Simon Lord Lotrnt.

of the first who engaged in and concocted the
rising of 1745. In the October of that year, a
meeting of those friendly to the cause of Prince
Charles, was called by Lord Lovat, at which a
great number of persons attended, and on that
and on several previous and subsequent occa-
sions, he not only used all his influence, but all
his policy and powers of persuasion, to induce
his dependents and neighbours to join him in
taking arms against the Government. While
he was thus secretly exerting himself in the
cause of the Prince, he was not altogether idle
with respect to that of the Government. He
was even at this time in correspondence with
President Forbes, and to him he made the moat
violent protestations of attachment to the Go-
vernment ; and so artfully and plausibly did he
conduct himself, that he succeeded for a consi-
derable time in imposing on the worthy Presi-
dent. Even when his clansmen were in arms,
and marching towards Edinburgh to join the
forces of the Prince, he still continued to assure
the President that he was firmly attached to
the Government, and that his clansmen had
marched contrary to his orders at the instiga-
tion of his son, whose actions he found it im-
possible to control.

When the Erasers were in the field, Lord
Lovat, who was too infirm too sustain the
fatigues of a campaign, was hatching treason in
the north — keeping a fair face to both parties.
After the retreat of the Highlanders from Eng-

63 Historical and Traditional Sketches

land, it was, however, a point of importance to
secure " the old fox," and with this view Lord
Loudon and President Forbes approached his
" burrow," and by specious speeches prevailed
upon him to proceed with them from his resi-
dence to Inverness. He was required to bring
all the arms of his clan by a given day, which
he promised to do ; but failing to perform his
promise, sentries were placed at the door of the
house in which he lived, and he was virtually a
prisoner. But the old adage, that '* old birds
are not to be caught with chaff,*' proved good
on this occasion. For old Lovat, suspecting
the intentions of Loudon and President Forbes,
gave them leg bail by escaping by the baek
door. The slip which Lord Lovat gave his
keepers occasioned them great inconvenience
and disconcerted their plans, and no doubt
protracted the final fall of the Stuart hopes.

After the battle of Culloden, Lord Lovat was
obliged to leave his own part of the country,
and take refuge in a small island in Loch
Morar, where, it is said, he had been compelled
to subsist for several days on meal and water,
and where he was apprehended in the month
of June 1 746, having concealed himself in the
hollow of a tree. He was immediately con-
veyed to London, where he arrived in August.
He was impeached before the House of Peers
in December, and his trial commenced on the
9th of March 1747. The trial continued for
several days, and throughout Lord Lovat cour

64 Historical and Traditional Sketches^

ducted himself with uncommon skill — but the
facts were too glaring — he was unanimously
found guilty, and doomed to death. On the
9th of April 1 747, rather better than one hun-
dred years since, this most extraordinary man
was beheaded on Tower Hill, London, and dur-
ing his trial, imprisonment, and execution, his
conduct was firm and dignified/'^ May his body

* There has been always a question as to where Lord
Lovat's body was buried. His own desire was that it should
rest in the north among his own clansmen, and to this
request the Government assented ; but Horace Walpole and
others assert that the permission was rescinded, and the body
buried in the Tower. The following interesting letter, for
which we are indebted to Colonel A. J. Warrand of Rye-
field, sets another light on the matter. The writer, Hugh
Inglis, was of the Kingsmills family. He sailed his own
vessel " The Pledger " between Inverness and London ;
we meet his name frequently among documents of this
period. Bailie Gilbert Gordon, to whom the letter is ad-
dressed was a merchant, and for many years a member of
Council and Town Treasurer : —

** My db Sir, — I wrote you by last post, and now as then, can
give you but poor encouragement with regard to our fishing.
Nev^r poor people were so unlucky as to the sale ; still large quan-
tities arrive daily. Rob. Rodger is not yet come up. What has
happened in his adventures is still a mystery to me, tho' there
will be no difficulty in recovering the insurance I hope.

** Poor Lord Lovat was beheaded a few hours after writing you
my last. He behaved like ane old true duelnach,t quite un-
daunted even to the last ; made several witty speeches, which
seemed quite agreeable to the bulk of the people. His corpse is
to be brought down by ' The Pledger.'

'* I have been looking out for ane sloop, but none to be had worth
the buying. I expect to be loftded this ensuing week, and if our
old good luck is with us, I hope to be with you soon. Very best
wishes to good Mrs Gordon and all true friends. — 1 am, my dear
sir, yours for ever, ** Hugh Inolis.**

♦•London, 11 Apl. 1747.

*' Mr Gilbert Gordon, mercht., Inverness."

tDaelnach— iH^^nacA— a hero.

of Simon Lord Lovat. 65

rest in peace, and may his soul inhabit the man-
sions of bliss ! Let posterity imitate his vir-
tues and avoid his errors !

The life of so extraordinary a character is
replete with anecdotes, and one or two of these
we shall lay before our readers. We have
already said that a Mr Nicholson, a Presby-
terian minister, had used great exertions to get
Lord Lovat out of the meshes of the law on the
eve of the outbreak of 17 15. For this generous
and disinterested act. Lord Lovat presented
him to the united parishes of Glenconvinth and
Kjltarlity.* This was the first Presbyterian
minister settled there — the incumbents of Glen-
convinth and Kiltarlity for twenty-eight years
previous being Episcopalians. The first day he
went to preach, he took a sword and target
with him — Lord Lovat accompanied him.
They expected strong opposition, and it is true
a large /fosse of females made up their minds to
offer resistance ; among these was honest Peggy
Bain, a relative of the narrator s. With aprons
tied round their waists, well filled with stones,
the fair Amazons were determined, when the
worthy minister should come out of the church,
to maltreat him ; but his preaching had such
effect upon them, that whenever they came out,
they skulked behind the wall of the burying-

* Ihe Rev. Patrick Nicolson was ordained to the
parish of Kiltarlity i6th July 1716, died on 7th March
1771, his successor being his youngest son, Malcolm
Nicolson.

66 Historical and Traditional Sketches

ground, and there deposited their grape. Some
years after, Mr Nicholson so far carried on the
discipHne of the Kirk as to order, of course not
for good conduct, Lord Lovat on the " cutty
stool." This order sadly militated against the
pride and wishes of his lordship. Being, how-
ever, assured by his friend, Mr Fraser, town-
clerk of Inverness * (whom he consulted in the
matter), that the law of the Kirk was impera-
tive, and that nothing but comphance would
save him from excommunication, he consented
to the punishment, upon a promise from the
worthy Town- Clerk that he would stand by
him for three Sundays in the church of Kil-
tarlity. Mr Nicholson, who was then the
John Knox of the Highlands, being about to
address the lordly occupant of the " cutty stool,"
Lord Lovat exclaimed, " Ah, Nicholson, you
ungrateful man, was it not I that placed you
there?" {having presented him to the living),
whereupon Mr Nicholson answered, "True,
my lord, you have placed me here, and I have
placed you there to-day to be publicly rebuked
for your sins." Lord Lovat, however, there-
after forsook the church of Kiltarlity, and be-
came a hearer of Mr Chisholm of Kilmorack,

Of Lord Lovat it was remarked by some that
there was not a single good act in his life ; but
the compiler of these sketches says : " Did he

♦William Fraser of Eught, writer, and Town- Clerk oi
Inverness. He was famiiiarly known in Inverness as
'- Clerk " Fraser.

of Simon Lord Lovat 67

not place the Rev. Messrs Nicholson in Kil-
tarlity, Chisholm in Elilmorack, and Thomson
in Kirkhill,^ than whom, in their day, Scotland
could not produce three greater divines." Look-
ing back to a period of some years after the
affair of the Duke of Athole's daughter, Lord
Lovat on one occasion sending his principal
servant, Donald Cameron, on an important
mission to Glenmorriston, gave him a shilling
to defray the expenses of the journey. Donald
indignantly looked at the coin and his noble
master, and said in Gaelic, " Do you think, man,
lord (he never addressed him * my lord '), that
a shilling would bring me back and forward be-
tween this and Glenmorriston ? " On this his
lordship said, " Tell whose servant you are, and
you will not want on the way." " I tell you,
man, lord," said Donald hastily, " that if I
would tell whose servant I am, every one be-
tween this and Glenmorriston, would shut the
door upon me." His lordship replied, •* O,
Donald, Donald, if you knew how many a hard
and trying hour I suffered before now, whilst
lying hid amongst the black stones of Clachna-
harry, you would not complain of a shilling
being too little to bring you between this and
Glenmorriston -

Lord Lovat had an only brother, the Hon.
John Fraser, who was obliged to fly the country

* The Rev. Robert Thomson from Clyne, Sutherlcnd-
shire, admitted to Kirkhill 22nd April 1711^ d\sA 'Jfi^
April 1770 in the 85th year of his age.

f 68 Historical and Traditional Sketches

to evade the punishment which would most likely
overtake the tragic event of which he was the
author. Accompanied by a few youthful spirits
of the clan, he attended a market in the village
of Beauly. The amusements of the fair they
enjoyed very well, and as they were returning
they heard the sounds of the bagpipes issuing
from a barn, where a party of Highlanders
were dancing to Its shrill notes. Listening for
some time to the tune, the peculiarity of which
first attracted their musical organs — one of the
young men remarked it was played in contempt
of Mr Fraser, and that if it were he who was al-
luded to, he would instantly put it beyond the
power of the piper to play any more that even-
ing. This remark roused John's spirit to such
an angry height, that unsheathing his dagger, he
entered the barn determined only on ripping up
the bag of the pipes. His sudden appearance in
the bam, with a dagger ghstening in his hand,
as if courting provocation, and rage depicted on
his countenance, and the applicability, in that
attitude, of the words of the song to him at
that moment, certainly drew on him the scorn-
ful looks of the dancers. The piper, the unfor-
tunate object of his rage, sat, unconcious of the
fuel he was adding to the flame, at every note
he struck of " Ha bitac air Mhac Thomais," &c.
Mr Fraser, inflamed at what he conceived an
insult, quick as thought plunged his dagger
to the handle in the heart of the poor piper,
who instantly dropped down dead. Mr Fraser,

of Simon Lord Lovat. 69

with his evil advisers, immediately fled from
the barn — remorse adding swiftness to his
flight. Finding that Beaufort Castle was no
secure retreat for him from the minions of jus-
tice, by whom he was pursued during that and
the succeeding two days and nights, he hid him-
self within the sea mark at a place called
Morich. This was within a few miles of the
noble mansion in which he was bom and
brought up. At times he covered himself with
the sea weed, affording but a very uncomfort-
able bed and hiding-place for one of his breed-
ing ; but he was forced to submit to anything
for security. From this cold and insecure
place of concealment he contrived to reach the
house of a faithful clansman in Stratherrick, by
whom he was most kindly received. With this
attached adherent he remained for some time
in perfect security, until his brother, Lord Lovat,
furnished him with a sum of money to carry
him out of the country, — which he left soon
thereafter.* The melancholy affair threw a gloom
over the whole tenantry on the extensive estates
of Lovat, and the sympathy of the north gen-
erally was excited in behalf of Mr Fraser.
Many supposed that had he stood his trial he
would have been acquitted, in consequence of
its not being a premeditated act, but solely

* The disappearance of this brother of Lord Lovat's, and
whose fate has never been ascertained with certainty, has
led to the many claimants from time to time to the estates
of Lovat

Historical and Traditional Sketches

arising out of the unceasing provocation, and at
the wicked instigations of his companions.
The tune " Ha bitac air Mhac Thomais," which
was the occasion of the perpetration of the
murder, is a very old one, and was originally
composed out of contempt to one of the lairda
of Applecross. Although Mr Fraser'e dress
exactly corresponded with its words, yet the
poor piper had not the least intention of offend-
ing any person when he was playing it ; besides,
the family Gaelic name ot Lovat is " Mhac
iS^^w?!?," while that of Applecross is ^^ Mhac
Thomais." So that the only allusion it
could bear to the Hon. John Fraser was that
his father's name was Thomas, and it was
merely this which led his companions to infer
that it was played in derision. The tune is still
in repute, and an excellent one too ; but it is
wrong to suppose, as some do, that it was the
murder of the piper which originated it^it wai
long before then well known.

Lord Lovat left two sons, the Hon. Simon
I Fraser/'^ Master of Lovat, and Archibald. The

• Simon Lord I.ovat left three sons — [i) Simon, Master of
Lovat. by his first wife, Margaret Grant, fourth daughter
of Ludovick Grant of Grant, born 1726, and was thus nine-
teen years of age when concerned in the Rebellion. (2)
Alexander, bom in 1729, died in 1762, unmarried.

Lord Lovat, by his second wife, sister of the Duke of
Argyle, had one son, (3) the Hon. Archibald Campbell
Fraser, The latter, after many years passed in the public
service, resided in the neighbourhood of Inverness. Many
stories are told of his eccentricities; but he had also many

of Simon Lord Lovat. 7 1

Master was but a youth about seventeen when
the patrimonial estates were forfeited. He had
joined in the rebellion at the instigation of his
father, and was too young to be a guilty partici-
pator in it, and he was therefore a fit object for
the mercy of the Crown. Through the exer-
tions and influence of the Duke of Argyle and
his friends a commission was procured for him
in the army. His chivalrous and brave miHtary
career more than realised the encomiums passed
upon him by his Grace of Argyle, and the as-
surances he had given the Government of Mr
Frasers loyalty. He distinguished himself
greatly in the first American war, where his
gallant conduct soon attracted the notice of his
superior officers, and the commander-in-chief
wrote home of the gallant daring of Colonel
Fraser at the taking of Quebec. Intelligence
of this, and of the probability of his being
speedily installed into the inheritance of his
forefathers, arriving, the Aird and other Lovat
estates were all in one blaze with bonfires, and
in Inverness the demonstrations of rejoicing
were equally great — bonfires and firing of guns
were the order of the day. The inns were
filled, and the quaich and coggie successively
went round. At a party of these glad spirits
the author had the honour of acting as croupier.
In a large procession, headed by a piper, he
acted also a conspicuous part. The procession

good qualities, and was a gentleman of great public s\^irlt.
He died in 1815.

72 Historical and Traditional Sketches

received a great augmentation and decidedly
handsome appearance from a number of females
joining, and especially those of the clan Fraser,
on observing which the author ran home for his
aged mother, she being a Fraser, who, when
informed of the event, was right glad and joy-
ful to join the happy cavalcade.*

Subsequently Colonel Fraser arrived as
Major-General, and entered into full and un-
interrupted possession ot the estates. He was
afterwards elected Member of Parliament for
Invemess-shire.t The Government not being

* In 1772 Colonel Fraser was rewarded for his disting-
uished service to the Crown with a free grant of his family
estates lorfeited in 1746.

t Elected M.P. in i76r. He had meditated standing for
the county representation in 1754, as appears from the fol-
lowing letter addressed to a clansman. We are indebted
for the copy of it to T. R. Biscoe, Esq. cf Newton : —

LtUcr addressed to Hugh Fraser, younger of Duhballoch. To the
care oj Angus Mackintosh o/Drummondf Inverness,

** Dear Sib, — The friendship you expressed when I was in the
country, and the desire to serve me demands that you should know
the state of my affairs at present. Prudential considerations have
made me resolve to lay aside thoughts of standing for the county of
Inverness at this time, and as that is the case I wish all my friends
wou'd appear and vote for Mr Campbell, younger of Calder.* I
don't know if you have been long enough infeft, but if you have I
hope you will go in and vote.

*' It wou'd be too tedious to mention in a letter the particulars
that have made me come to this resolution ; when we meet you
shall know it all. Meantime I think myself as much obliged to
you as if I had occasion for your vote, and am as much convinced
of your good disposition towards me. Pray remember in the kindest
manner to all at Newton, and believe me, dr sir, your most obedt.
humble servt. " S. Fbasbr,"

** London, Aprile 23rd, 1754.

* Pi^^se Campbell, yr. of Calder, elected 1754, sat till 1761.

of Simon Lord Lovat 73

tired of his valuable services, conferred a higher
command upon him. He raised the 71st Regi-
ment of Highlanders, and was on the eve of
again embarking for America, when he was
suddenly taken ill and died in England.* He
was succeeded in command by Lord Balcarras.
It may well be said that General Eraser's
actions more than doubly atoned for the ini-
quities of the father. His brother, Archibald
Eraser, also a firm and loyal friend to the
House of Hanover, succeeded him in the pater-
nal possessions, and subsequently the present
noble proprietor.

In concluding these sketches, we cannot help
calling attention to what will no doubt suggest
itself to every reader, — the contrast of the
Lord Lovat of 1747 and the Lord Lovat of
1847.1 The former, as already observed, was
proud, crafty, and avaricious — the present,
amiable, kind, and generous, and easy of access
to the lowest individual on his estates, and one
who wishes the well-being of every one on his
extensive domains. He is also one of the most
liberal and kind landlords known, while the
great delight of his noble lady \ is to be con-
stantly doing good — feeding the poor, clothing

* Died in 1782.
+ Thomas Alexander Fraser.
X Charlotte Georgina Jerningham, daughter of Lord
Stafford.

74 Historical and Traditional Sketches

the naked, and to their children extending the
blessings of education. Long may they Hve to
enjoy their exalted rank and extensive estates
and to bear the thanks and blessings of the
poor !

( 75 )

LORD PRESIDENT FORBES.

"PEW names occupy a more prominent or dis-
Jl distinguished place in the annals of Scot-
land than that of Lord President Forbes ;
and in the eventful era in which he lived he
stands pre-eminently distinguished in the his-
tory of the times, as one of whom it would be
difficult to decide whether his pubUc or his
private virtues preponderated, or exercised the
greater influence over his actions. In whatever
light his conduct is viewed, whether as a man,
a Christian, or a patriot, we are struck with the
consonance — the uniformity and the consistent
harmony of his life, in thought, principle, and
action, in all the multifarious and frequently
conflicting circumstances which influenced and
sometimes controlled his conduct. It is diffi-
cult to say whether simplicity, integrity, or
benevolence were the most prominent charac-
teristics of his mind. His patriotism was
deeply tinged with benevolence, his political
character was marked by the strictest moral in-
tegrity, and his most comprehensive plans as a
statesman (and his were tke otvVj cioxcLYt^^^cL-

76 Historical and Traditional Sketches

sive plans of and for the time) are no less to be
admired for their simpUcity than their ability
and wisdom.

Amidst the heterogeneous mass of mercenary
sycophants, corrupted parasites, and sincere
patriots, who supported the Government, or
swelled the ranks of those interested, dis-
contented, or mistaken hosts that thronged
round the standard of the Stuarts, there is not
one man who took a principal part in the stir-
ring events of that period, whose motives arc
so pure and praiseworthy, whose conduct is so
blameless, or who conferred on his country a
tithe of the benefits which resulted from the
prudence and wisdom of President Forbes.
While he was devoting his best energies to
secure the throne and consolidate tl^e Govern-
ment, he was no less laborious to save the chiefs
and clans who sided with Prince Charles, and
were doing all they could to overthrow the Go-
vernment. Like Blanche in the play of King
John, he seemed to think that he had a divided
duty, and to say —

'* Which is the side that I must go withal ?
I am with both : each army hath a hand;
And in their rage, I having hold of both,
They whirl asunder and dismember me."*

Firmly attached to the Government, he sincerely
wished it success, and yet afraid of the terrible
fate which would await the friends of the
Prince in the eYent of defeat, he could not con-
template the success of the Government but
^^\^ - ^^aJifl^ of horror. Ordinary minds would

of Lord President Forbes. 7 7

have sunk under such conflicting feelings, but
the very necessity which calied for the most
constant watchfulness, and intrepidity on the
part of the President, appeared to give him re-
newed will and power for the discharge of the
duties which his position in the Government,
and his attachment to his friends, would seem
to have imposed on him.

Of such a man it would indeed be presump-
tuous in the humble narrator of a few disjointed
facts connected with the Forbeses of Culloden,
to attempt any biographical sketch , and it
would be still more unpardonable to attempt
to give an analysis of the qualities and conduct
of President Forbes. In the foregoing obser-
vations we have only endeavoured to give ex-
pression to the feelings and opinions with which
the President was regarded in and about Inver-
ness during his Hfetime, and by those who
knew him best, — who had good opportunity,
from their intimacy with himself and from their
knowledge of his conduct and their personal ac-
quaintance, with the circumstances in which he
was so prominent a performer, of forming a
just estimate of his merits.

Before we proceed to narrate those traditional
and historical facts with which we became ac-
quainted in our youth, concerning the Presi-
dent, we think it right to lay before our readers
a short account of the history of his ancestors
from the time at which they settled in Inver-
ness-shire.

f78

Historical and Traditional Sketches

>

Duncan Forbes, or Dunachac na Boiceannan,
the first of the family of Forbes, who came to
Inverness-shire, and who was the founder of
the family, was the eldest son of Mr John
Forbes of Badenley, second son of Alexander,
laird of Tolquhoun.* Mr John Forbes having
died young, leaving a wife and three children
(Duncan being the eldest), the widow was in-
duced to entrust Duncan to the care of a gentle-
man who became tutor to Lovat, and who was
married to Duncan's aunt, and Duncan accom-
panied them to their residence, Beaufort Castle,
about the year 1569. He was then sixteen
years of age. His aunt and her husband paid
every attention to his health and education, and
both prospered under their fostering care. At
the age of 20, Duncan Forbes had few superiors
in the Highlands for strength, agility, and Intel-
hgence. And in 1594, having, as was the pre-
vailing practice of the age, betaken himself to
" the use of arms,'' he distinguished himself at

• About 1567, John Forbes of Bailenley married Eliza-
beth Keith of Tulloes, and had by her Duncan, first of
Culloden, etc. Duncan Forbes of C'jiloden, eldest son of
John Forbes, married Janet Forbes ot C'orsindae, by whom
he had John Forbes of Culloden and other two sons and
two daughters. Jolin Forbes of Culloden married Anna
Dunbar, only daughter of Dunbar of Grange, and by the
said Anna had Duncan Forbes of Culloden and other five
sons and two daughters. Duncan married Mary Innes,
daughter of Sir Robert Innes of that Ilk, and by her had
two sons, John and Duncan— this latter the Lord President
Duncan Forbes— and seven daughters.

of Lord President Forbes. 79

the battle of Glenlivet, where he exhibited sur-
prising courage, and had the honour of assisting
the Earl of Argyle and his (Duncan's) relative
Lord Forbes in the cause of the King against
the Lords Huntly and Erroll.

He very shortly thereafter bade farewell to
the profession of arms, and was by his step-
uncle employed in a more peaceful but more
intricate business, viz., in examining and adjust-
ing certain accounts and family matters, at
which he made but slow, or at all events, but
unprofitable progress. The consequence was
that he left the business entrusted to him by
his step-uncle, and took up his residence in In-
verness, where he commenced business as a
skin merchant.

Being of an amiable, affable, and humane
disposition, he gained the esteem and good
wishes of diose who had the pleasure of coming
in contact with him, and as his friendship was
becoming more extensive and firm with his
fellowmen, his business was the more rapidly
prospering. His country residence was Drakies,
now known as Ashtown, the property of JEneas
Mackintosh, Esq. of Raigmore. Speaking of
the estate of Raigmore, comparing it eighty
years ago with what it is now a strange contrast
is perceptible ; then it was mostly a cold, barren,
and bleak moor — now it is one of the most
beautiful and fertile properties in the country,
adorned by an elegant mansion-house, and sur-
rounded with shrubberies and plantations, ik.

8o Historical and Traditional Sketches

short distance from Raigmore House there is a
small pond, of which a few swans and geese
keep possession in mutual fellowship. These
improvements were principally made by the
late proprietor, and show how sterile wastes
can be converted into most fruitful fields.
Below the house where it now stands, ran the
uncontrollable burn, Alt Mourniack, reputed as
the rendezvous of witches, and which no travel-
ler, after nightfall, had the hardihood to pass ;
but now a good Parliamentary road renders it
safe at all hours of the night. To return to Mr
Forbes, or as he was more familiarly known in
Gaelic as Dunackac na Boiceannan. Mr Forbes
on one occasion invited a party of gentlemen to
dinner at Drakies, and requested his lady to
prepare a good dinner for them. At the ap-
pointed hour the guests arrived — among them
was Cuthbert of Castlehill and his son; but
Mrs Forbes, either from penurious motives, or
from having no great regard for some of the
party, prepared nothing more than the ordinary
family dinner, which hurt the feelings of her
husband so much, that as on former occasions
when he was likewise very much provoked, he
determined for a time to ** cut her acquaint-
ance." The morning following that on which
the dinner party took place, Mr Forbes rose
very early, as if going to town ; but to town he
did not proceed. Night came on, but he did
not return to his own fireside — the next morn-
ing came and still there was no appearance of

of Lord President Forbes. 8 1

the absent husband. Mrs Forbes became
greatly alarmed for his safety, and accused her-
self of having offended an affectionate husband,
and would now give worlds, if she had them at
disposal, to have him back again. Weeks,
months, and even years rolled on, but they
brought no tidings of the worthy burgess who
had so precipitately disappeared from the arms
of a loving wife and a large circle of admiring
and attached friends and acquaintances.

At length, however, Mr Forbes was dis-
covered in the Western Isles, pursuing his
business more extensively than before, purchas-
ing all sorts of skins — shipping them to Liver-
pool and other ports in England. In the Heb-
rides he continued for some years, but having
gone to London to settle affairs with some
merchants, he purchased a vessel, which he
loaded with all sorts of fancy goods, and sailed
for Inverness. The vessel being noticed from
the town at the mouth of the river Ness, the
majority of the population ran down to see the
largest vessel that ever entered the river.
Among the spectators was Mrs Forbes ; and as
the ship neared the quay, she noticed her long
lost husband standing beside the captain at the
helm. In an instant she gave a scream of joy,
and fainting, fell into the arms of a lady who ac-
companied her. Mr Forbes well knew the voice,
and quickly leaping ashore amidst the plaudits
of the people, clasped his senseless wife to his
bosoni. She soon rallied, but l\eT ^vvM.^tv\^"^

6

82 Historical and Traditional Sketches

threatened to be too much for her to bear. The
joyful demonstrations of the people were beyond
description. He now commencod business still
more extensively as a general merchant and
shipowner, being the only one at the time in the
northern metropolis. Taking a walk one sum-
mer evening with his lady, they strolled out in
the direction of Culloden, then belonging to
The Mackintosh. When they reached Cullo-
den, the masons were after laying the founda-
tion stone of the Castle. Mr Forbes gave the
men a shilling (no small sum in those days) to
drink, but Mrs Forbes demurred a little to this
piece of extravagance, to which her husband re-
plied, '' Who knows, my dear, but you and I
may be the occupants of this Castle, and pos-
sessors of Culloden." Six months had scarcely
elapsed from the time when this conversation
took place when Mr Forbes was possessor of
Culloden. That took place in 1624.^' Only
one storey of the Castle was then above the
ground, when Mr Forbes completed it. On
the lintel above the main door, were The Mack-
intosh's initials, and part of the armorial bear-
ings, which were never defaced. In the year
1625, Mr Forbes built a splendid edifice as a
town house in Church Street, which was pulled
down in 18 10. In 1626 he became chief
magistrate of Inverness a situation which he
filled for several years with credit to himself

* The barony of Culloden was purchased from the laird
of Mackintosh in 1626,

of Lord Preside7it Forbes. 83

and benefit to the town and its inhabitants. In
I654, having been thirty years in possession of
the estate of Culloden, he was gathered to his
kindred at the age of 82, much regretted by all
who knew him. His likeness is still to be seen
in a state of good preservation at Culloden
House. In the Chapelyard, Inverness, over
his tomb and that of his lady, are the following
lines : —

•* These polished stones

Placed here above thy bones

Add to thy honour not a whit

Which was before, and still remains, complete,

Thy memory shall ever recent be

Preserved by such as draw their blood from thee.

Who in regard of thy good fame.

Receive reward by claiming to thy name ;

For thy remains do honour to this place,

And thy true virtue honours all thy race."

Duncan Forbes was succeeded by his eldest
son John, who, from the treasures left him by
his father, was enabled to purchase the barony
of Ferrintosh, which afterwards became so cele-
brated for the distillation of whisky, although
for many years not a single drop has been
made on that property. He subsequently
(in the year 1670) purchased the property
of Bunchrew,'' a favourite resort of the great
President.

* Bunchrew. A small property about three miles to
the north-west of Inverness. In 1843 it was sold, and
purchased by the late John Fraser, a native of Invernessi^
and is still in possession of his famWy.

$4 Historical and Traditional Sketches

John was succeeded by his son Duncan, who
was a very amiable man, and who, like his
father, was a pious and exemplary man. He
again was succeeded by John, the fourth laird,
who was a very active patriot. He sat for some
years in Parliament,* where he frequently dis-
tinguished himself for his patriotism and his
advocacy of his countrymen. He died in 1734,
and was succeeded by his brother Duncan, then
Lord Advocate.

Duncan Forbes, the most eminent Scottish
patriot and statesman of his time, and as a
statesman, perhaps the most distinguished that
the country has ever produced, was born in the
year 1685, in a small, unpretending, but not un-
comfortable house close to the seaside on the
estate of Bunchrew,t about three miles to the
west of Inverness, — a retreat interesting not
only on account of its being the birthplace of
this truly great man, but also, iand still more
interesting, as the favourite retreat to which he
withdrew in his secessions from severe labour
to mature fresh plans for the benefit of his
countrv.

Having completed his studies at home he
made a tour to the Continent, visiting and mak-
ing some stay in those towns renowned for

t He represented Nairnshire from 1704-7, and again
1713-15; Inverness-shire 1715-22; and Nairnshire a third
time 1722-27.

\ Bom at Bunchrew iQth Noven^ber 1685.

of Lord President Forbes. 85

learning * where, no doubt, he overlooked no-
thing of interest to the scholar, and gained in-
formation which proved of the greatest utility
afterwards.

Mr Forbes, on his return from the Continent,
applied himself to the study of the law. He
resided for some time with his uncle. Sir David
Forbes of Newhall, Mid-Lothian, who was an
eminent lawyer. In due time he was admitted a
member of the Faculty of Advocates,! and had
subsequently the office of Lord Advocate con-
ferred upon him ; and he also represented the
Inverness District of Burghs in Parliament.} Of
his Parliamentary conduct it is not our province
to speak at length; but there are one or two
points connected with it which we feel called upon
to notice. In 1725, we find Mr Forbes, then
Lord Advocate, introducing a bill for disarm-
ing the Highlanders. Strange to say, some of
the clauses of the bill were rejected, or rather
dropped, in consequence of the opposition of
the English members, and Lord Advocate
Forbes's attempt at legislation, while it proved
distasteful to the Highlanders, was opposed by
the English squires. The bill, although harsh
in appearance, was in reality the best course
that the Government could have pursued. It

* He studied, after the manner of Scottish students in
those days, at Leyden for one year.

\ He passed at the Scottish Bar in 1708.

X He sat as member for the Inverness burghs from 1722
to 1734.

86 Historical and Traditional Sketches

is gratifying to observe that even in the Parlia-
ment of 1725, while the work of corruption was
at its height, that a majority of the Enghsh
members, entertaining more extended notions
on, and having a better appreciation of, the prin-
ciples of liberty as secured by the Constitution,
resisted parts of the bill of Mr Forbes the Lord
Advocate, himself a Scotchman and a High-
lander. But while we cannot help expressing
our admiration of the motives which influenced
the opponents of the bill we are bound to say
that no better measure could have been sug-
gested for the purpose of preventing any rising
in the Highlands. The provisions of the bill
v/ere applied in our own time in principle, for
successive years, in the Irish Arms' bill, and
without entering into political discussion on the
justice or harshness of that measure, we may
remark that in applying it to the Highlands of
Scotland, inhabited by a purely military people,
immediately after they had taken arms against
the Government, and at a time when the people
of the country made little secret of their desire
to see the Government overturned, the same
principle which was resorted to one hundred
years afterwards, and with all the advantage of
the experience of that period in the case of Ire-
land, proves at all events, if not the wisdom or
the justice of Lord Advocate Forbes's bill in
1725, that he is entitled to the credit of the
plan, and that as regards Scotland it was subse-
guently successfully carried out.

of Lord President Forbes, 8 7

Mr Forbes, during the whole of his Parlia-
mentary career, was not only consulted by the
Government, but was, in fact, the chief law
officer of the Crown in Scotland, and also the
representative of the interests of the whole
kingdom, in Parliament, as well as his Majesty's
advocate for his Majesty's interest. Mr Forbes
having risen to the highest position at the bar
was elevated to the bench. His talents and
knowledge of the law as well as his patriotism,
were soon rewarded with the highest judicial
appointment recognised in Scotland — Lord
President of the Court of Session ; — and the
next measure with which we find his name as-
sociated is, the scheme for raising the indepen-
dent Highland companies. This was in 1739.
As the measure to which we have before re-
ferred was intended to deprive the Highlanders
of the power of doing mischief to themselves or
the Government, that to which we now advert
had for its object to confer upon them the
l)ower of doing good, both to the Government
and to themselves. This plan, although it was
at the time when it was first proposed rejected,
was eventually carried out, and the benefits
which it conferred on the Highlands, were not
only largely felt at the time, but are participated
in at this moment by thousands of the descend-
ants of gallant soldiers who availed themselves
of the honourable employment thrown open to
them by the Goverment.

The most interesting feature to the public in
the character of this noble-mmd^^ ^\AV\^s^'

88 Historical and Traditional Sketches

gifted man, was the judicious and patriotic part
he acted in the eventful and stirring rebellion of
1745-46. Hearing that Prince Charles Stuart
landed on the west coast of Inverness-shire, and
that several chiefs, with their clansmen, were
mustering and enrolling themselves under his
banner, he cast his official wig aside, and hastened
down to CuUoden to warn his tenantry and
friends of the portending, and prevent their en-
listing in the Pretender's ranks. The Prince's
claim to the throne, the means at his com-
mand to make good the same, the futility of
these, and the consequences to the country, he
impartially laid before the Government and the
qians ; in consequence of which, together with
his powerful influence and assiduity, it is
allowed that fully ten thousand men were dis-
suaded from taking up arms in behalf of Charles.
So heartily attached was the President to the
House of Hanover, that he raised, clothed, and
paid out of his own private means a regiment of
fine men, for which he received no compensation
whatever, and which had the effect further of
greatly embarrassing the family for some time.

The President, when arrived at CuUoden,
instantly had the Castle fortified, and he him-
self was busily employed, day and night, writ-
ing despatches to different parts of the country ;
and wherever the Pretender happened to be, he
was sure of finding that President Forbes had
been there before him with his letters, causing
the people to keep quiet and not join with him.

of Lord President Forbes, ' 89

Charles was, of course, aware of the sway exer-
cised by the President over the people, and was
not a little chagrined at the success attending it.
But of all the chiefs who embraced his cause
none was more enraged at the President than
my Lord Lovat, for which it was well known he
entertained private and selfish motives. First,
he expected, in the event of Charles Edward
bringing the enterprise in which he was en-
gaged to a successful termination, a dukedom
would be conferred upon him ; and secondly,
that the picturesque estate of Bunchrew, the
property of the President, but originally that of
the Frasers, would be added to his other
estates in the Aird. Illustrative of the feeling
entertained by Lord Lovat towards President
Forbes, it may be noticed, that on each side of
the road at Bunchrew grew some large black-
thorn bushes, overtopped here and there with
alder trees, proving an eyesore to his lordship
as he passed to and from Inverness, and the
great agricultural improvements which were
made on the estate likewise added fuel to the
flame already burning within him, so that when
he entered Inverness, the first person he was
sure of calling upon was the amiable Provost
Fraser, who would generally inquire of his lord-
ship — ** What news from the Aird ? " ** Nothing,
but that the black thorns of Bunchrew stab me
to the very heart's core every time I pass.''
President Forbes likewise planted those portions
of Bunchrew not adapted to agriculture with

I

90 Historical and Traditional Sketches

trees, some of which can still be seen towering
majestically above the mansion-house.

Bunchrew was the spot, during vacation time,
which the worthy President delighted to fre-
quent, and where he always resided. His great
partiality for this beautiful locality must have
been owing to its being his birthplace, and the
pleasure and delight he experienced in improv-
ing and ornamenting it must be ascribed to the
same cause. At Bunchrew, likewise, he further
delighted to receive and entertain many of the
more highly respectable visitors who came to
the neighbourhood, who were quite enchanted
with the President's affable manners and the
decorations of his estate. Some of them men-
tioning so to Lord Lovat, galled the latter
not a little, while few, if any, visited him at
Beaufort Castle save his friend the chief of

Macleod.

The President, sojourning at Bunchrew on
one occasion, where he often kept convivial
parties, invited the Town Council of Inverness
to dinner. The deacon of the weavers, on sit-
ting down to dine with his brother councillors,
began to show the extent of his knowledge and
appreciation of modern discoveries and refine-
ments by calling for a dish of tea, just then as
great a delicacy as could be named in the house
of the Highland laird. Hospitality, however,
placed everything within command at the
service of the guest, although it was out of the
regular order. A domestic having prepared

of Lord President Forbes. 91

and brought in the tea, with a valuable set of
china, placed the beverage oh a side table, the
deacon being invited to move to it to partake of
the tea. The dinner table groaned under a
load of substantial Highland cheer, and the
civic functionary, intent on that which was im-
mediately before him, so fat forgot the cap of
gentility he had assumed as to break out into a
violent passion, declaring it an insult to request
him to take refreshment at a table separate
from his companions. ^^ During this paroxysm of
rage, he commenced laying about him in wild
Highland style, demolishing the valuable
service of china in a very brief space of time.
The President, instead of imitating the rage of
his guest, passed over the damage and mis-
behaviour by humorously saying, •' Well, well,
deacon, it cannot be helped ; I will make the
shuttle pay for it some day," alluding to the
offenders craft. This mild reproof, while it
formed a striking contrast to the weaver, was in
keeping with the high character for personal
and domestic worth and piety for which the

* It is curious, in connection with this story of the worthy
deacon and his tea, to note that the President, while in
Parliament, had entered on a crusade against the use of
•*the cup that cheers." Instead of this article, which has
changed the entire social habits of the country, he proposed
to substitute ale, and he bewails the miseries that would
follow the disuse of malt when working men took to the use
of tea in place of their accustomed drink, and working
women to the use of the same drug instead of the usual
** twopenny."

92 Historical and Traditional Sketches

President was so justly celebrated. The mem-
bers of the Council, on leaving the ever-
hospitable house of Bunchrew, were each pre-
sented with a hat, some of whom up to that
time never had a hat on their heads. So im-
portant a present was then only worn on state
occasions, being at other times carefully laid by
in the " muckle kist ; " and the deacon alluded
to was, in his latter days, the first and only
tradesman in Inverness who began to wear a
hat every day, and the novelty was so great
that crowds followed him wherever he went.
At times it was with difficulty he kept them at
a respectful distance when he took up his even-
ing station on the '*old bridge'' to contemplate
the beauties of the scenery around his native
town. The honest deacon at last had to give
vent to the displeasure he felt at the conduct of
his admirers, whom he reproved by saying,
" What do you see about me, sirs ? am 1 not a
mortal man like yourselves ? " These reproofs
had often to be administered, and being gene-
rally in the same words, the expression *' Am I
not a mortal man like yourself," became a cant
phrase in the town and neighbourhood for many
years afterwards.

But to return to the ''troubles" of the '45.
After a course of uncertainty, the laird of Mac-
leod at length became a firm supporter of the
Goverment in consequence of the persuasion
of the Lord President. Frequent communica-
tions took place between them. Macleod's valet

of Lord President Forbes. 93

was kept constantly on the road with de-
spatches between himself and the Lord Presi-
dent. The valet had come in contact on his
journey with some of Prince's followers, and
for fear of being searched by them to discover
what his frequent missions were, he always
carried a large staff, with a hole, so artfully and
neatly executed as to defy the closest scrutiny.
In this cavity was deposited the letter ; and the
Dunvegan ** gillie maol " passed and repassed
the rebel parties without detection.

It having come to the knowledge of Presi-
dent Forbes that Lord Lovat was secretly en-
gaged in forwarding the interests of Prince
Charles, he immediately despatched a messenger
with a remonstrance, warning him of his danger,
but to his friendly advice his lordship replied he
took no part whatever, but believed his stiff-
necked son had. The Master of Lovat a few
days afterwards hearing of this, told his hoary-
headed parent in tears, " I'll go myself to the
President and tell him the whole truth ; " but
the fears of the youth were soon calmed when
his father told him that Prince Charles would
be triumphant, and that then he would be raised
to the dignity of a Duke. To the young ami-
able Earl of Cromertie, to whom he was parti-
cularly attached, the President was also sending
friendly advices, which Lord Lovat understand-
ing, he on his part was sending him his trusty
and confidential servant, Donald Cameron, urg-
irtg him to be firm in the Princes cwl%'^^'?ss\^

94 Historical and Traditional Sketches

heed not the delusive advices of either the Pre-
sident or the Rev. Mr Porteous.

The President's indefatigable exertions in
support of the dynasty of the House of H ano
ver were now so well known, and the success
generally attending these, that the wrath of
the rebels against him became so fierce and
deadly that several plots were devised to cut
him off, but few were found hardy enough to
carry these into execution. However, Mr
John Fraser of Ericht, in the parish of Dores,
Inverness-shire, even though a staunch Pres-
byterian, and notwithstanding the urgent re-
monstrances of his father-in-law, the good
and pious Mr Chisholm, first Presbyterian
minister of Kilmorack, and his own parish
clergyman, the worthy Mr Bannatyne of Dores,*
was so thoroughly bound up in the Prince's
cause, that all arguments to dissuade him
proved of no avail. Mr Fraser held the rank
of captain in the rebel army ; and about ten
days previous to the battle of CuUoden, Cap-
tain Fraser, heading a party of his clan, all
bound by oath that they would neither eat nor
drink until they had taken President Forbes
dead or alive, marched at midnight to Cul-
loden Castle to take it by surprise and seize the
President ; but on nearing the Castle they were
observed by a sentinel stationed on one of the
turrets, who gave the alarm, and the assailants

* The Re\% Archibald Bannatyne from Ardchattan, ad-
mitted 14th September 1731, died 2cth June 1752.

of Lord President Forbes, 9 5

were - received with a fearful discharge of shot,
which wounded many but killed none. Captain
Fraser and his lawless band quickly retreated.
He escapecj unhurt, as he likewise did on Cul-
loden Moor, which sealed the claims of the
Prince, and brought ruin on those of his adher-
ent, who escaped the bloody day. One of these
was Ericht, with whom the narrator was inti-
mately acquainted ; and many a time have they
sat down together to relate the events of
Ericht's life, mourning over the wreck of his
home, and the loss oi his beautiful little estate,
and the blindness which reduced him from
affluence to penury, and expressing sorrowful
compunctions for neglecting the sound counsels
of his dearest friends and relatives. Ericht was
one of the most handsome Highlanders ever
seen, and when in his better days a guard of
honour consisting of twelve men in full High-
land costume escorted him to and from the
kirk. When the gallant and brave General
Simon Fraser, after the taking of Quebec, where
he highly distinguished himself, returned to his
native country, to resume possession of his
patrimonial estates, forteited by his father,
whose treasonable conduct he more than atoned
for, hearing that Ericht was still living and very-
poor, sent for him and offered to procure him a
commission in the army, but this he refused.
Poor Ericht, reduced from independence, now
to the greatest poverty, and when his locks were
grey, went to Perth, and there ^.^ ^ Y^ym-^^^
soldier, enJisted in the Gfxaivx'^ ve^vrcv^\x\,.

96 Historical and Traditional Sketches

Another gentleman, who had the good fortune
when the rebellion was in its infancy, to receive
a pressing invitation from President Forbes to
spend a few days with him at Culloden, was
Sir Alexander Macdonald of Sleat, in Skye.
The President was led to believe that Sir Alex-
ander, with his clan, contemplated joining the
rebels on his [the Prince's] landing in Skye, and
being well aware of the sway he exercised in
these places, as well as his anxiety for him as a
friend, had therefore sent for him to prove the
utter fallacy of the claims of the Pretender, and
the ruin consequent on the attempt, and, hap-
pily for Sir Alexander, he returned home con-
vinced, after spending a few agreeable days
with the worthy President. The flag of rebel-
lion was unfurled in the Isles; but it found Sir
Alexander firm at his post. The result being
already well known, it is needless here to repeat
it. Suffice it to say that CharlesEdward Stuart,
accompanied by the faithful Flora Macdonald,
compelled to relinquish his aspiring views, was
a refugee, with a price set upon his head, and
after many hairbreadth escapes, eluded the pur-
suit of his enemies, at last reached Skye, and
with Sir Alexander Macdonalds knowledge,
was at one time concealed within a mile of his
house at Monkstad, where at the time he was
entertaining a party of royalist officers.

"War tests the magnanimity of man,
Sweet the humanity that spares a fallen foe.''

^''" Alexander, though he knew the very spot

of Lord President Forbes. 9 7

where the Prince lay hid, and the easy certainty
with which he could be captured, despised be-
traying him into the power of his enemies.
Many true and faithful Highlanders acted a like
noble part.

After the battle of CuUoden, President
Forbes exerted all his influence and ingenuity
to save the lives and property of those who had
taken up arms against the Government, but his
efforts were not always successful. The fiend-
ish thirst for blood evinced by the Duke of
Cumberland could not be satiated, — the pri-
soners, the wounded, and the dying were
butchered without mercy, and in the ranks of
the conquering army the only cry was ** kill,
kill." The President again and again raised
his voice against the massacre, and entreated
the victors to " spare," but the work of death
still went on, and the ministers of vengeance
heard not his voice. Even in his own house
the work of destruction went forward. After
the battle, eighteen v/ounded officers, unable to
join in the flight of their companions, secreted
themselves in a plantation near CuUoden Castle.
They were however, discovered, brought to the
Castle, where they were kept for two days in a
room under ground, in a state of the utmost
torture, without receiving medical or other aid
except such as was afforded by the kindness of the
President's steward. They were then huddled
into carts, carried out of the courtyard, ranged

7

98 Historical and Traditional Sketches

in a row against the wall, and shot to death.*
The destroying fiends proceeded in their work.

* A statement by John Fraser, an officer in the Master of
Lovat's Regiment, was published, in which he relates the
cruel barbarity of this fact, of which he himself was the
sole survivor. Some hours after the defeat of the High-
land army, he, with seventeen other wounded officers of
that army (who were either carried or made their escape
towards a little plantation of wood near to the place where
Fraser lay), were carried to the close and office-houses of
CuUoden, where they remained for two days, wallowing in
their blood and in great torture, without any aid from a
doctor or surgeon, though otherwise kindly entertained by
Mr Thomas Stewart, chamberlain and chief housekeeper to
the late Lord President ; and this he did to some at the
hazard of his life. The third day, Fraser and the other
seventeen wounded officers were, by a party of soldiers
under the command of a certain officer, put on carts, tied
with ropes, and carried a little distance from the house to the
park dike, and there planted against the wall or park dike,
when the officer who commanded the party ordered Fraser,
and the other prisoners to prepare for death, and all
who were able bended their knees and began to pray to
God for mercy to their souls. In a minute the soldiers who
conducted them were ordered to fire, which they did, and
being at the distance only of two yards from the breasts of
the unhappy prisoners, most of them all expired in an in-
stant ; but such was the humanity of the commanding
officer as thinking it right to put an end to so many miser-
able lives, that he gave orders to the soldiers to club their
muskets and dash out the brains of such of them as they
observed with life, which accordingly they did. One of
the soldiers observing Fraser to have signs of life after re-
ceiving a shot, he struck him on the face with the butt of
his musket, broke the upper part of his nose and cheekbone
and dashed out one of his eyes, and left him for dead. A
certain young nobleman, riding out by the house of Cul-
loden and the park-dike, observed some life in Fraser, and,

of Lord President Forbes, 99

Mr Hossack, the Provost, who had, under the
President, performed good service to the Gro-
vernment, was induced to apply to the Duke of
Cumberland to entreat him to stay his destroy-
ing hand. The Duke was attended by Generals
Hawley and Huske, who were deliberating with
him as to the speediest mode of putting his pri-
soners to death at one fell swoop. The Provost
said, ** As his Majesty's troops have happily been
successful against the rebels, I hope your excel-
lencies will be so good as to mingle mercy with
judgment." Hawley in a rage cried out, " D — n
the puppy, does he presume to dictate here ?
carry him away ! " An officer in attendance
offered to kick Hossack out, and the order was
obeyed.* The Provost of Inverness, a firm and

calling out to him, asked him who he was ; he told him he
was an officer in the Master of Lovat's Regiment. This
young lord offered him money, saying he had been ac-
quainted with his colonel; upon which Fraser said he had
no use for money, but begged for God's sake either to cause
his servant to put an end to his miserable life, or carry him
to a cot^house, which he mentioned, at a little distance.
This the young lord had the humanity to do, and Fraser
being put into a com '* kilnlogie," where he remained for
three months, and with the assistance of his landlord was
so far cured as to be able to step upon two crutches.

* We append the following more particular account of
ihfs incident : —

" Provost Hossack, with the magistrates, having gone to
the levee to pay their compliments, hearing orders were
given to shut the ports that no rebel might escape, and that
the meeting. house should be burned and the man who
preached in it, said he hoped they would mix. \xv«c.>j ^w^
judgment, upon which they said, ' V> — ^iv ^qm^^xxvvj'^''^^

icx) Historical and Traditional Sketches

useful friend of the Government, was kicked
down stairs by a servile hireling, because he
pleaded for mercy ! Oh, Glencoe ! Oh, Cul-
loden ! The God of justice and of battles
will yet avenge thee !

On his return from Skye, the President him-
self went to the Duke, and with that firmness
and candour which distinguished him, he stated
to the Duke that the wholesale slaughter that
was going forward, was not only inhuman and
against the laws of God, but contrary to the
law of the land, which he called upon his Royal
Highness to observe. But what said the Duke
to the man, of all others, to whom the House
of Hanover, was most indebted ? ** The laws
of the country, my Lord ! " said the Duke with
a sneer, •* I'll make a brigade give laws, by
God." Shortly afterwards he visited London
and being asked by the King if the reports in
circulation of the atrocities committed by the
Duke of Cumberland were true, he answered,
" I wish to God that I could consistently with
truth assure your Majesty that such reports
are destitute of foundation." The King abruptly

you preterd to dictate here ? ' They ordered him to be
kicked down stairs ; accordingly he was tossed to the stair
head from one to another, and there one of a considerable
character [Sir Robert Adair] gave him a toss that he never
touched the stair until he was at the foot of the first flat of
itx These gentlemen were ill-rewarded, for none could be
more attached to the Government than they were ; but they
had compassionon the distressed and oppressed, which was
then an unpardonable crime of the deepest dye.''

of Lord President Forbes. loi

and in displeasure left him — his accounts
with the Government were with difficulty
passed, an immense balance was left unpaid,
the House of Hanover had discharged its debt
of gratitude, and President Forbes was heard of
no more ! ! !

But it is painful to dwell on this subject. It
is difficult to say which excites most surprise,
the cruelties of Cumberland, or the ingratitude
of the King and the Govermeut. But what is
even still more surprising is, that in more peace-
ful and juster times, the claims of the Culloden
family should have been forgotten by successive
Governments, and that the possessors of the
Crown have not remembered to whom in a
great measure they owe it.

As a Christian, President Forbes was a man
who truly ruled his own house. Morning and
evening a bell was rung for worship, and none
were permitted to absent themselves on any
pretext. The narrator recollects seeing a small
volume entitled The Life of Faith, which had
formed part of the President's library, and the
margin of every page of which was covered
with his criticisms. His public character was a
most upright and exemplary one — his private
one nothing less ; he was beloved and happy in
his family — esteemed by his domestics and de-
pendants, and surrounded by attached relatives
and friends and acquaintances, and worn with
over study and care, this amiable and disting-
uished individual was, in the year 1747, and at

i02 Historical and Traditional Sketches

the age of sixty-two, like a clock worn out with
eating time," gathered to his fathers. His
name and fame will live for generations yet to
come. He was succeeded by his son John, like-
wise a most exemplary man.

The beetling stone, which supplied the place
of a mangle, on which Mrs Urquhart, the Pre-
sident's washerwoman, used to dress his linens,
is still in the narrator's possession. This stone
was bequeathed as a legacy by Mrs Urquhart
to his mother, then the principal washerwoman
in Inverness.

The Culloden family from the first were emi-
nent for their loyalty, and in the person of the
present amiable young laird the virtues of bis
ancestors are reflected.

{ 103 )

SIR GEORGE MACKENZIE OF ROSEHAUGH.

TyjIANY, no doubt, have read in the pages of
iU history of the celebrated Sir George Mac-
kenzie of Rosehaugh, one of the most
talented members of the Scottish bar, who, in
the reign of Charles II. was Lord Advocate of
Scotland, and whose Institutes are still con-
sidered as standing authority by the legal pro-
fession. Of him the author says, that on one
occasion while at Rosehaugh, a poor widow
from a neighbouring estate called to consult
him regarding her being repeatedly warned to
remove from a small croft which she held under
a lease of several years ; but as some had yet to
run before its expiry, and she being threatened
with summary ejection from the croft, she went
to solicit his advice. Having examined the tenor
of her lease, Sir George informed her that it con-
tained a flaw, which, in case of opposition, would
render her success extremely doubtful ; and
although it was certainly an oppressive act to
deprive her of her croft, he thought her best
plan was to succumb. However, seeing the
distressed state of mind in which the ^oox:
woman was on hearing lais OYVxx\otL^\\^ ^<^iYt<^^

I04 Historical and Traditional Sketches

her to call upon him the following day, when
he would consider her case more carefully.
His clerk, who always slept in the same room
with his lordship, was not a little surprised,
about midnight, to discover him rise from his
bed fast asleep, light a candle which stood on
his table, then draw in his chair and commence
writing very busily, as if he had been all the
time wide awake. The derk saw how he was
employed, ** but ne'er a word he spak', " and,
when he had finished, saw him place what he
had written in his private desk,, then lock it,
extinguish the candle, and retire to bed. Next
morning, at breakfast. Sir George remarked
that he had had a very strange dream about
the poor widow's affair, which, if he now could
remember, he had no doubt about making out
a clear case in her favour. His clerk rose from
the table, and requested from him the key of his
desk, brought therefrom a good many pages of
manuscript, and as he handed them to Sir
George inquired, ** Is that like your dream 1 ''
On looking over it for a few seconds, Sir George
said, *' Dear me, this is singular ; this is my
very dream ! " He was no less surprised
when his clerk informed him of the manner in
which he had acted, and sending for the widow,
he told her what steps to adopt to frustrate the
efforts of her oppresssors. Acting on the coun-
sel thus given, the poor widow was successful,
and, with her young family, was allowed to re-
main in possession of her '* wee bit croftie '*
without molestation.

of Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh. 105

Sir George principally resided in Edinburgh,
and previous to dining invariably walked for
half an hour. The pkce he selected for this
was Leith Walk, then almost a soUtary place.
One day in taking his accustomed exercise, he
was met by a venerable looking, gray-headed
gentleman, who accosted him without either
introduction or apology — " There is a very im
portant case to come on in London fourteen
days hence, at which your presence will be re^
quired. It is a case of heirship to a very ex-
tensive estate in the neighbourhood of London,
and a pretended claimant is doing his utmost to
disinherit the real heir, on the ground of his
inability to produce proper titles thereto. It is
necessary that you be there on the day men-
tioned ; and in one of the attics of the mansion-
house on the estate, there is an old oak chest
with two bottoms ; between these you will find
the necessary titles, written on parchment."
With this he disappeared, leaving Sir George
quite bewildered ; but, resuming his walk, he
soon recovered his former equanimity, and
thought nothing further of the matter. While
taking his walk the second day, he was again
met in the same place by the old gentleman,
who earnestly urged him not to lose another
day in repairing to London, and assured him
that he would be handsomely compensated for
his trouble ; but to this Sir George paid no
great attention. The third day he was again
met by the same hoary-headed gentleman, who
energetically pleaded mtla. Vvvcci wox. \.o Vij^^ ^

io6 Historical and Traditional Sketcfus

day in setting out, otherwise the case would be
lost. The singular deportment of the gentle-
man, and his anxiety that Sir George should be
present at the discussion of the case in which
the old man seemed so deeply interested, in-
duced him to comply with his importunities, and
accordingly started the following morning on
horseback, and arrived in London on the morn-
ing preceding that on which the case was to
come on. A few hours saw him in front of the
mansion-house described by the old gentleman
at Leith Walk, where he met two gentlemen
engaged in earnest conversation — one of the
claimants to the property and a celebrated Lon-
don barrister — to whom he immediately intro-
duced himself as the principal law officer of the
Crown for Scotland. The barrister, no doubt,
supposing that Sir George was come to take the
" bread out of his mouth," spoke to him rather
surly and disrespectfully of his country ; to
which the latter answered, " that, lame and
ignorant as his * learned friend ' took the Scotch
to be, yet in law, as well as in other respects,
they would effect what would defy him and all
his London clique." This disagreeable dialogue
was put an end to by the other gentleman tak-
ing Sir George into the house. After sitting
and conversing for a few minutes. Sir George
expressed a wish to be shown over the house.
The drawing-room was hung all round with
beautiful paintings and drawings, which Sir
George greatly admired; but there was one,

of Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh. 107

however, which attracted his attention ; and
after examining it very minutely, he with a
surprised countenance, inquired of his conductor
whose picture that was ? when he was told, ** It
is my great-great-grandfather's." *' My good-
ness," exclaimed Sir George, ^* the very man
who spoke to me three times in Leith Walk,
and at whose urgent request I came here ! " Sir
George, at his own request, was then conducted
to the attics, in one of which there was a large
mass of old papers, which they turned up with-
out discovering anything to assist them in pro-
secuting the claim to the heirship. However,
as they were about giving up their search in
that attic. Sir George noticed an old trunk lying
in a corner, but was told that for many years it
it was placed there as lumber, and contained
nothing. The Leith Walk gentleman's infor-
mation recurring to his memory, he went and
gave the old moth-eaten trunk as hearty a kick
as he would wish to have been felt by his
** learned friend " the barrister. The kick sent
the bottom out of the trunk, also a quantity of
chaff, among which the original titles to the
property were discovered. Next day Sir
George entered the Court just as the case was
about to come on, and addressed the pretended
claimant's counsel with '* Well, sir, what will I
give you to abandon this action ? " *• No sum,
or any consideration whatever, would induce me
to give it up," was the answer. ** Well, sir,"
said Sir George, at the same time drawing out

io8 Historical and Traditional Sketches

his snufF-liorii and taking a pinch, "I will not
even hazard a pinch on it." The case having
been called, Sir CJeorge, in answer to the pre-
tended claimant's counsel, in an eloquent speech,
addressed the bench, exposing most clearly the
means adopted to deprive his client of his birth-
right, and CDncluded by producing the titles
mentioned, which ail at once decided the case
in favour of his client. The decision being an-
nounced, Sir George took the youog heir's arm,
and, bowing to his " learned friend " the bar-
rister, remarked, " You see now what a Scotch-
man has done, and I must tell you that I wish
a countryman anything but u London barrister."
Sir Gecge immediately returned to Edinburgh,
well paid for his trouble, but be never again in
his favourite walk, encountered the gray-headed
gentleman.

( I09 )

THE FAMILY OF CHISHOLM. ETC.

^xLfassiJ)''*-—

?HE Chisholm family is amongst the oldest
and most respectable in the Highlands,
Their chief residence is Erchless Castle,
which is one of the few castles of the " olden
time " now standing in its primitive grandeur.
It is situated in a lovely valley, surrounded
with the most picturesque and romantic scenery,
and the silent but rapid stream of the Glass
(which is joined by the Cannich and Farrar),
wends its way downwards close to the Castle,
to join the sea in the Beauly Firth. The ele-
vated and craggy mountains, which rise, as it
were, towering to the skies, on each side of the
narrow glen, are truly imposing, and are the ad-
miration of the numerous tourists that journey
thither. Prior to the construction of the pre-
sent ancient family residence, the original seat
stood on an elevated spot some distance to the
north of where the present one stands — and
near to which place the remains of the late chief
lie, in a beautiful tomb, which is surrounded
with shrubbery and evergreens.

Glenconvinth is one oi tV^ tcvo^\» \i<^^\x^^>^

no Historical and Traditional Sketches

and picturesque spots in the Highlands of Scot-
land. Its name in the Gaelic language is
Gleann-a-conn-j hiock, of which the literal trans-
lation is " Glen of the Wild Dog or Wolf."
This little glen is surrounded and overtopped
by the surrounding hills, and concealed from
the view of the tourist until he just enters it,
when a valley, " rich with the scents of nature's
laboratory," bursts upon his sight, with a fine
clear stream meandering through the bottom of
it, wending its way until it discharges itself
into the Beauly Firth. About half way up the
glen, at its northern base, may still be seen the
ruins of a church, where people were wont to
worship in the '* olden time ; " also a spacious
burying-ground attached. The church, previous
to the Reformation, but subsequent to that
eventful period, was united to that of Kiltarlity,
and is now denominated the United Parishes
of Kiltarlity and Glenconvinth.

The tales associated with Glenconvinth are
not a few ; its church, bell, and burying-ground
being consecrated, were held in the highest
veneration by the people of the place and sur-
rounding country. Connected with this hal-
lowed spot are told the following anecdotes : —

In the dusk of one fine evening, as the merry
songsters of the grove were winging their airy
way to leafy bowers, a poor widow, returning
home from Belladrum mill, leading by a halter
a Highland garron with a bag of meal on his
back^ and when passing the burying-ground,

of the Family of Chisholniy etc. 1 1 1

the bag dropped off, which, from its weight, the
poor woman was unable to replace on the ani-
mal's back. In this trying dilemma, and seeing
none to assist, the disconsolate * widow gave
vent to her sorrow, augmented as it must have
been by being beside the place where now in
peace reposed the ashes of her departed husband.
In the agony of her mind she exclaimed,
*' Well, well, if he that is lying with his head
low here to-night was now living, he would
soon put the bag on the horse's back." Scarcely
had she pronounced these words, and turning
round, to her surprise found that the bag was
actually replaced, and then proceeded on her
way.

The church bell was also an object of re-
verence, and whatever truth there may be in the
words that " coming events cast their shadows
before," it is nevertheless stated that this bell
has been known to toll when none was near it,
giving a forewarning of the demise of some in-
dividual whose remains were soon to mix with
those of his kindred. A sturdy Highlander
from the confines of Strathglass, possessing a
greater share of hardihood and daring than is
generally to be met with among his country-
men in interfering with any sacred thing — for
we are safe in saying, that Highlanders in parti-
cular, are more tenacious of their religious
observances, and are remarkable for the super-
stitious awe in which they hold anything
connected with their religion or place of worship,

112 Historical and Traditional Sketches

much more so than in any quarter of the king-
dom — was base enough to carry off the bell one
night and hang it up in an oak tree near his resi-
dence. At midnight the offender was alarmed
at hearing the shrill tones of the bell, but could
not summon up enough ot* courage to proceed
to the oak tree and learn the cause. The fol-
lowing morning the bell had again disappeared,
but was found in its former exalted position, in
the west gable of the Glenconvinth chapel, and
none could state how it got there. The distance
to which it was conveyed is full six miles, and is
still known as Craobh a-ghlac, or ** the bell tree."
The bell was never more interfered with until
the year 1745, when a party of Lord Loudon's
men, then stationed in Inverness, having taken
a stroll through the Aird, hearing of the venera-
tion in which it was held, and viewing it as a
Popish relic, took its tongue away, and other-
wise destroyed it, to the no small sorrow of the
surrounding peasantry. I well remember seeing
this bell in its dilapidated state lying in a corner
of the ruins of the church.

Glenconvinth, like other places at one period,
was infested with wolves and many an unwary
huntsman got dreadfully wounded, or lost his
life, in an affray with those ferocious beasts ;
but by the frequent visits of the lovers of the
chase to the locality, their numbers were gra-
dually diminishing, till at last it was supposed
the glen had been ridden of this pest, but the
havoc made amongst the sheep in the neighbour-

of the Family of Chisholniy etc, 113

hood told but too plainly such was not the case.
The glen was then, and for a long period there-
after, overgrown with alder trees and hazel
bushes, affording an excellent cover to these
denizens of the forest, and here it was dis-
covered a wolf of extraordinary size and fe-
rocity had his lair. This was the last one that
could be seen — the terror of the place and the
dread of the wayfarer. To kill this formidable
scourge, and extirpate thereby the race alto-
gether, the neighbouring gentlemen assembled.
Among those who met on this perilous adven-
ture was the Master of Chisholm — a young
man not yet arrived at manhood. The party
were standing a little to the east of the burying-
ground, sharpening their spears on a large stone,
when the wolf was espied in the valley a little
below where they stood. One of the party
volunteered to go down alone and despatch the
animal, but he had not gone above half way,
when perceiving the size of the enemy he was
about to cope with, his courage failed and he
turned back. The young Chisholm then re-
quested to be allowed to go down, but although
the gentlemen admired the valour of the strip-
ling, they dissuaded him from such a rash step.
The youth sharpened his spear, after wringing
a reluctant consent from the party, and buckling
himself, set off to meet his crouching antagonist,
whose bowlings and fiery eyeballs, flashing de-
fiance, noways dismayed the brave youth. Our

hero, coming up, all the time watching closely

8

114 Historical and Traditional Sketches

the animal, and as he was in the act of spring-
ing, pierced the enraged beast a Httle below
the neck. So great was the force of the blow,
that his hand nearly followed the course of the
spear. The party, who anxiously waited the
result of the combat, were over-joyed, and loud
in their praise of the gallant youth, when they
discovered him unscathed standing on the car-
case of the wolf. The stone on which they
sharpened their spears, still stands as a lasting
relic of the affray, and although frequent using
has considerably defaced it, may still be
pointed out to the traveller who visits this
lovely spot, and among those whom kindred
associations brought to view this renowned
place and see the stone was the late lamented
amiable and pious chief, brother to the present.
Since the above affair, the wolfs head forms
part of the armorial bearings of the ancient and
respectable family of Chisholm."^'^

Of another chief of this family, there is the
following amusing anecdote : — He had been for
some years greatly afflicted with pain in his
legs, so much so that he was deprived of the
power of walking, and had to be carried about.
As was customary in those days with chiefs and
lairds, every family kept a fool or jester. One
fine summer evening, the worthy chief was car-
ried to a couch prepared for him in the garden,

* Similar mythological stories are told in the history of
several Highland families. The *^ Centenarian " here has
5ubstituted a wolf for a wild boar. The boar's head is part
^r^u^ family arms.

of the Family of Chisholm^ etc. 115

and seeing his fool there too, called him, in
order to keep the flies off* his legs, which fchey
were tormenting. The fool carried in his hand
a large cudgel, and seeing a swarm of flies resting
on his helpless master's legs, aimed a blow at
them ; but instead of killing myriads, as he ex-
pected, he nearly broke the chiefs legs, and
threw him into a swoon. Supposing he had
terminated his master's existence, the fool ran
away as fast as he could, and betook himself to
the neighbouring wood. Soon after the occur-
rence, some of the domestics entered the garden,
and finding the chief in such a condition, were
greatly alarmed ; but shortly thereafter rallying,
he told them what the fool had done — but he
was nowhere to be seen. Conjecturing rightly
where he had gone, a search was made ; but
when on the point of giving it up as fruitless,
from the top of a thickly branched tree the fool
bawled out — " Ye needna, sirs, for mysel' just
got myser." Having decoyed him down, and
on their way expostulating with him for the in-
jury he had done his indulgent master, he re-
plied — '* It was the flies that did it, and not
me." But in the end it turned out that the
poor fool was the best physician his master ever
saw, for the disease in his legs not long there-
after disappeared, and there was not a gentle-
man in the country had a sounder pair than the
Chisholm. He lived to a good old age, and es-
teemed none of his domestics more than
his fool.

1 1 6 Historical and Traditional Sketches

The next anecdote of this family, relates
to a period when the worthy chief was rather
seriously indisposed, and an express was sent
for his son, Mr William, who was then practis-
ing as a physician in Inverness. He lost no
time in repairing to the bedside of his sick
father, and remained at Erchless Castle for two
or three days, by which time his father was out
of danger, and said ** Now, William, since I am
almost quite well, I do not mean to have your
services for nothing, therefore you will tell me
what is your charge ? " The doctor replied,
'* Oh ! father, I do not mean to charge any-
thing." But on the chieftain again saying, he
would not take his trouble without being remu-
nerated, answered, " Oh ! then, since you are
determined to pay I will only charge what I do
other gentlemen." '^How much is that?"
''Only ^50." '^Only ^50!" remarked the
Chisholm, *' do you charge other gentlemen that
sum ? " and being answered in the affirmative,
said, " Oh, Willie, Willie ! it is I who put the
estate into vour hands when I made a doctor of
you." So rising, and going to a drawer, took
therefrom the ^50, which he placed in his son's
hand. Dr Chisholm was a gentleman highly
esteemed by all classes in Inverness, and subse-
quently became chief magistrate — an office
which he filled for years with honour and inte-
grity.''^ His lady was grand-aunt to Mr Baillie

* Dr William Chisholm was Provost of Inverness from
^773 to 1776, and reelected 1779—1782. He survived till

of the Family of Chisholnty etc. 1 1 7

of Dochfour. In benevolence and sympathy
she excelled, and wherever sickness or poverty
prevailed, her helping hand was extended to
alleviate it. This was beautifully exemplified
in the year 1781, better known as *' the year of
the white pease," in which, throughout the
length and breadth of Scotia's soil, its inhabi-
tants experienced the distressing effects of a
famine. Among others who sent to the Conti-
nent for cargoes of pease was the lady's brother,
Mr Alexander Baillie of Dochfour, who, on its
arrival in Inverness, directed Mrs Chisholm to
distribute a considerable portion of it to the
most necessitous in the town — ^the rest to be
disposed of to the best advantage, and it cer-
tainly would have brought a handsome profit
then, as everybody would give any price for it
rather than starve, had not this amiable lady
represented to him that the poor could not pay
for it, and the rich would be provided for in
some other way. He then told her to do with
it as she thought best. Persons were now ap-
pointed to grant " lines " to the poor, some for
a peck or a peck and a half, and one of those
who had the honour of granting lines was the
narrator himself.

The present Chisholm's father was one of
those kind and liberal landlords who lived in
the hearts of his tenantry and dependants,
cherishing a mutual and good understanding
with them, and they in return were directed by
his superior counsel and advice. Illicit dia-

1 1 8 Historical and Traditional Sketches

tillation was carried on then in Strathglass to a
great extent, and although he was continually
pressing on the people the danger and unlaw-
fulness of smuggling, he could not suppress it.
At Excise Courts he often presided, and when
an unlucky smuggler was brought before the
justices, and in all probability amerciating the
unfortunate man in a heavy fine, the Chishobn
was known frequently to move the sympathy of
his brethren on the bench, and set at large for a
mere trifle of a fine.

The great and godly Mr David Chisholm,
minister of Kilmorack, was a descendant of the
Chisholm family. He was a most powerful,
impressing, and convincing divine, and an hon-
oured instrument of doing much good in his day
and generation. He was succeeded in the
parish by his son, Mr David, also a celebrated
divine.

#•

( "9 )

THE MACKENZIES OF REDCASTLF.

?HIS branch of the Clan Mackenzie, at one
time numerous and powerful, may now be
said to be extinct.* In former days when
violence, rapine, and war, was the all-absorbing
business of men, the Mackenzies of Redcastle
occupied the southern part of the county of
Ross, and possessed in the firth of Beauly
(which bounded their estate on the south) a
natural barrier of great importance to protect
them from sudden invasion or surprise, com-
manding a view of an extensive portion of the
country of the Frasers and the Mackintoshes,
and were well situated to act as the scouts and
warders of their clan, to communicate informa-
tion to their chief and his adherents, and to
harrass and delay, if they could not effectually
oppose, an invading army. In their capacity
as sentinels of the clan, they were distinguished
by watchfulness and bravery, and rendered

* The estate of Redcastle has passed from the Mac-
kenzies. Tn 1720 it was sold to Mr Grant of Sheuglie for
^^25,450. In 1790 Sir William Fettes became the purchaser
at over ;^ (35,000, but it was sold to the family of the present
proprietor, J. E. Baillie of Dochfour, upwards of sixty years
ago, at a large reduction on this price. For many descend-
ants of the Mackenzies of Redcastle, see The History of the.
Mackenzies by Alexander Mac\Ltivii\^) \*^^V

1 20 Historical and Traditional Sketches

important services to their friends. In times of
peace, they were, however, characterised by a
spirit of tranquillity, humanity, and benevo-
lence, which was seldom evinced in the turbu-
lent times in which they lived.

The period at which the Mackenzies became
proprietors and took possession of the estate of
Redcastle, is very remote, and not known to the
author. In the year 1590,* Kenneth Mackenzie,
then laird of Redcastle, a gentleman of great
worth, and endeared to his friends, tenants, and
dependants by his amiable and engaging
qualities, resided in the family castle at Chapel-
town, situated a few hundred yards north of
where the present castle stands. From his
peaceable and impartial conduct to all with
whom he came into contact, he obtained a char-
acter for integrity, intelligence, and justice, and
the disputes of his more quarrelsome neighbours
were referred to his decision. Not only was he
esteemed and respected by those lairds and
chiefs in his own county and immediate neigh-
bourhood, but his friendship and acquaintance
were solicited by many at a distance. He was
particularly intimate and a great favourite with
the then chief of the Clan Cameron, and on the
inv^itation of the chief, paid frequent visits to
the residence of Lochiel in Lochaber.

In the year 1598, the Earl of Huntly, created

* According to Mackenzie's history of the clan (1894),
Redcastle did not come into the possession of the Mac-
kenzies before i6o8.

of the Mackenzies of Redcastle. 121

Marquis in the later part of that year by James
VI., went on a hunting excursion to the wilds
of Lochaber. The Marquis was a keen sports-
man, and devoted much of his time to that
noblest of British, or perhaps of any sports, deer
stalking, then pursued with an ardour and on a
scale of greater extent and danger than in these
degenerate days, although of late years some-
thing of the spirit and enthusiasm of the olden
times seems to be reviving among those who
devote themselves to this glorious pursuit. To
receive so important a personage as the Mar-
quis of Huntly with suitable respect, and to en-
able him to follow his favourite amusement on
an extended and splendid scale, Lochiel invited
to his castle, not only the gentlemen of his own
clan, but several lairds and chiefs far and near,
and amongst them Kenneth Mackenzie, laird of
Redcastle. The sport was carried on for
several days with all the ardour, skill, and suc-
cess of practised sportsmen, and great was the
destruction which the numerous party made
amongst the antlered monarchs of the braes of
Lochaber and the surrounding country.

On the return of the party one evening, after
a fatiguing day's sport through hill and dale, the
worthy chief as usual threw open his castle
gates, and admitted the almost worn out party.
They were received with the highest courtesy,
and treated with the greatest respect ; and on
the pressing solicitation of Lochiel, Huntly
and the other guests consented to ijasa tiv^

122 Historical and Traditional Sketches

night under the chieftain's hospitable roof, for
whom a splendid feast was ordered to be
speedily prepared, to which a few of Lochiel's
most respectable neighbours were hastily sum-
moned. At the groaning board, on the right of
Huntly, sat their brave and hospitable host and
son, and on the left Lochiel's lady and her lovely
daughter. The piper, as customary, played
during the repast, some family airs. AH, with
one exception, were as joyful and happy as could
be ; the ruby cup passed round, relieved with
some of Ossian's songs bursting powerfully and
melodiously on the ear, and at times the piob-
rach's stirring strains resounded through the
banqueting-hall. But there was one individual
present for whom the cup held out no entice-
ment, or the rapturous songs delight, nor could
the wild and martial notes of the great bagpipe
arouse him from his reverie. This solitary ex-
ception was Redcastle's son, who, from the first
glance he got ot Lochiel's beautiful daughter,
became desperately in love with her ; and al-
though his father, who was surprised at his un-
usual silence, would now and then gently chide
him, it had no effect in awakening him from his
contemplative mood. Next morning as the
guests were leaving the hospitable mansion,
under the roof of which such an agreeable and
happy night had been passed, each and all of
them shook Lochiel and the rest of the family
heartily by the hand ; and among the last to
pejrfonn this mark of friendship was the laird of

of the Mackenzies of Redcastle. 123

Redoastle's son. He shook Lochiel and his
lady with the accustomed cordiality and re-
spect, but upon approaching Miss Cameron, the
chiefs daughter, to take his leave of her, there
was a hesitation in his manner, his cheek was
flushed, and in the expression of his eye there
was an eloquence which told the throbbings of
of his heart, although his tongue was mute.
The young lady was also much fluttered, her
colour came and went, and she hung down her
eyes upon the ground until their hands separa-
ted, and the young laird was about to depart,
when she ventured to raise them, and they
encountered his as they were taking a last
lingering loving look of the object of his aflfec-
tions. The declaration on either part, although
not a word was spoken, was inexpressibly intel-
ligent — the eyes spoke unutterable things, and
the bond of mutual attachment was sealed. The
young laird departed in melancholy silence, and
quickly rejoined his party, and a few more days
saw himself aud his father in safety at Red-
castle.

Since the morning he had left Lochiel's, the
young man was never known to be happy, it
was the smile of one who was a stranger to
cheerfulness — a sort of melancholy seemed to
have taken possession of his mind, and settled
there. This state of matters could not long re-
main concealed from the eye of a fond and anx-
ious parent, who became greatly alarmed, when
he discovered traces of decline in his e.o\>J^

1 24 Historical and Traditional Sketches

countenance, and pressed him hard to know
the cause. To his father's entreaties to be in-
formed of the change in his manner, he at last
yielded, and informed him of his attachment to
Miss Cameron, and that without her he could not
survive much longer, at the same time request-
ing his father to intercede for him with Lochiel.
Finding that his son's affections were irretrie-
vably fixed on Miss Cameron, Redcastle, Hke a
wise and prudent parent, entered into the feel-
ings of his son, and instantly despatched a
trusty messenger with a letter to Lochiel, ac-
quainting him with the distressed condition of
his son, stating, at the same time, that nothing
on earth would give him greater pleasure than
that that chieftain would condescend to bestow
his daughter on his son, and pointing out the
disastrous results to himself (Redcastle) in the
event of his refusing to do so. Lochiel found
his daughter in much the same state as Red-
castle his son, and the sooner the youthful pair
were united, the better. Great was the joy of
the son when Redcastle informed him of the
purport of the letter, and even the worthy
parent could not refrain from participating in
his beloved son's happiness, at the approaching
alliance with the daughter of the chief of a
powerful clan.

Redcastle and his son, accompanied with a
good many relatives, and a numerous body of
followers, lost no time in setting out for the
eastJe of Lochiel, where, in a few days after

of the Mackenzies of Redcastle. 125

their arrival, the young and loving pair were
united. In the evening of that eventful day,
and for many after, the halls of Lochiers castle
overflowed with guests, all hearts joining in
wishing happiness to the youthful couple, for
which the latter seemed to entertain no fears for
a bright future. During the marriage feast, the
visitors were delighted with music, resounding
through the extensive hall ; while their fol-
lowers, forgetting old animosities, betook them-
selves to sports and games upon the green,
and were amply refreshed with home-brewed
ale, etc.

After spending some weeks at Lochiel Castle
the happy pair, accompanied by their friends
and followers, returned to Redcastle — Lochiel
sending along with his daughter his faithful and
trusty valet, Donald Cameron, an gille maol
dku, or the bonnetless lad. Valets then, did
not, as now, wear fine hats with gold and silver
bands around them, neither were they dressed
in any other livery than their plain clan tartan,
and were not only bonnetless but shoeless.
Now, although Donald Cameron held this
menial situation under his chief, he was a mem-
ber of one of the most respectable families in
Lochaber, and nearly allied to the chief himself.
It was not generally the poorest who held the
situation of their chief's gille maol dhu, and
Donald being a stately, fine looking, powerful,
and faithful man, possessed no small share of
Lochiel's confidence. Although Lochid. ^^s.

1 26 Historical and Traditional Sketches

overjoyed at his daughter's marriage with Red-
castle's son, he had yet his fears for her safety,
owing to an old feud that existed between the
the Black Isle people and those of Lochaber,
especially the Glengarry men, and the horrible
tragedy at the church of Gilchrist not being yet
effaced from the memory of the Black Islanders.*
What still more increased his apprehensions
was, that some time previous to this they were
repeatedly harassed by a lawless band of cattle
lifters from Lochaber — the Bains, or Macbeans,
headed by their savage leader, Bengie Macbean,

* The following interesting note relative lo the " Raid of
Cillichriost " is from an original MS. in possession of the
editor of this volume : —

'' The long and sanguinary feud between the Mackenzies
and the Macdonalds, and more particularly the Glengarry
branch of them, is supposed to have originated in the parti-
tion of property. Be that as it may, many and deadly were
the conflicts between them previous to the Raid of Cilli-
chriost. The Maclellans — a tribe who acknowledged the
lords of Kintail as superiors, and found protection under
their banners — unfortunately intercepted and murdered the
eldest son of Donald Macangus, alias Donald Gruimach, of
Glengarrii. Donald, ere he could mature matters for ade-
quate retaliation, died, and the second son (who was now
chief of his clan), was, in consequence of his tender age, in-
capable of heading an enterprise of sufficient importance to
avenge the murder of his brother. But though the matter
lay dormant for some time, and the young chief had in the
buoyancy peculiar to youth, nearly forgot his sorrows, still
there was one in whose rugged soul delay had but strength-
ened revenge. This was Allan -dhu.Macranuil of Lundi,
the chief's cousin, and, during his minority, acted as captain
or leader of his clan. This man, whose personal prowess
equalled bis ferocity, collected the Macdonells, and several

of the Mackenzies of Redcastle 1 2 7

whose son. whilst quite a youth, became so dis-
gusted with the barbarous life his father and his
adherents led, that he fled from, and never re-
turned to them again, but afterwards became
one of the brightest ministers that Scotland
could boast of since the days of the great Mr
Welsh. As already stated, Lochiel being aware

times swept away the Mackenzies* cattle ; but these incur-
sions were but a prelude to the more sanguinary deed in
contemplation. Blood — the life-blood of a whole host of
his bitterest foemen — could alone expiate the murder of his
relative and chief. In singling out a favourable opportunity
for his revenge, it is affirmed that he wandered for some
time in the country of the Mackenzies as a mendicant, until
he fixed on the scene of his horrible tragedy. Returning to
his own country, he gathered a band of the most desperate
of his clan, and by a forced march across the hills surround-
ing the church ot Cillichriost, on a Sunday forenoon, when
a numerous congregation had assembled to worship their
common God, here, without a moment's pause — without a
single pang of remorse — he ordered the infernal torches to
be applied to the dry heath with which the building was
thatched ; and whilst a low breeze from the east fanned the
work of destruction, the voice of praise from within might
be heard mingling with the crackling of the flames. Too
conscious at last of the awfulness of their situation, the hor-
rified assembly rushed towards the porch. But here a
double row of bristled swords were opposed to the breasts
of those who thought themselves more than fortunate in
having reached it. From the doorway they tumultuously
flew to the small and high windows ; but here, also, the same
formidable barrier gleamed upon their eyes. Now indeed,
arose the wild wail of despair* 1 he shrieks of the women,
the infuriated roaring of the men, and the helpless cries of
the children mingled with the raging of the flames, formed
a combination of horrors which appalled even the hearts of
the followers of Allan-dhu Macranuil. * Thrust theca V^^sl^
into the flames,' said that fiend •, * Vit ^\vo ^>jSfe\'& ^»Jigpx

1 28 Historical and Traditional Sketches

of a deep-rooted prejudice existing in the minds
of the Black Isle people towards the Lochaber
men, made him the more anxious of sending
with his daughter the gille maol dhu, knowing
full well that this trusty adherent, sword in
hand, would die in defence of his beautiful mis-
tress. The party at length, without the least
occurrence worth mentioning, arrived in safety
at Redcastle, where a sumptuous banquet was
prepared, to which all the neighbouring gentry
and farmers were invited, and a cordial welcome
the young pair received to their future home
from those assembled. The surrounding hills
were all in flames, every knowe showed its bon-
fire in honour of the occasion, and as the blaze
was reflected from the Beauly and Moray
Firths, Donald Cameron was convinced, that
for his young mistress no danger need be ap-
prehended from the Black Islanders, from this
display of their attachment to the house of Red-
castle. Donald was soon presented with a
more civilised dress, with the additional appen-
dages of bonnet and shoes. Being a remarkably

with his life to escape out of Cillichriost shall be branded as
a traitor to his clan.' And they were thrust back, or hewn
mercilessly down in that narrow archway until the dead op-
posed an insurmountable heap to the dying. Anxious to
make a last desperate effort for the preservation of their suf-
focating young, the scorched mothers flung their infants out
at the windows in the vain hope that the feelings of a father
might be stirred in the bosoms of some of the savages of
Lundi ; but here they were received on the broadsword,
and iheir innocent spirits fled in the hands of monsters in

of the Mackenzies of Redcastle. 1 29

good-looking young man, he attracted the at-
tention of the housekeeper, who was also young
and pretty. Honest Donald being aware of the
bonnie damsel's partiality for him, like a good
and true knight, could not suffer any lady to
die for love of him, and they were soon united.
Having now possessed himself of an agreeable
and happy companion, Donald was resolved to
return to " Lochaber no more," but fix his resi-
dence in the Black Isle, and by the kindness of
his amiable mistress and her lord, he was
enabled to enter into possession of the farm of
Mulchaich in Ferrintosh, but was not long
tenant of it when he was deprived of his wife
who left him, however, a legacy of seven
beautiful daughters. Donald soon married
again, and his second wife bore him seven
sturdy sons, who grew up and married, so that
the Black Isle was well supplied with the race
of the gille maol dhu. He lived himself to a
great age, and was interred in the churchyard of
Ferrintosh, where also repose the ashes of many
of his descendants. The descendants of the
gille maol dhu were not only to be found in the
Black Isle, but Ross-shire in general, and not a
few of them are to be found in the shires of
Sutherland ^nd Moray, and even in various
parts of the globe, holding prominent stations in
society, while a good many respectable and

whose breasts mercy never had the smallest share. It
was a wild and fearful sight, but the excess of its horrors
was only witnessed by a wild and fearful race."

9

1 30 Historical and Traditional Sketches

sturdy sons are yet to be found in Ferrintosh,
their original soil.

But to return from this digression to the
Mackenzies of Redcastle. The family continued
to increase in wealth and power. The old castle
became too old or too inconvenient, and the pre-
sent castle was erected. It is situated on a
small eminence within a few hundred yards of
the sea, and commands one of the most exten-
sive, varied, and picturesque views in the north.
Immediatey in front is Loch Beauly, the whole
of which, from the village of Beauly at the one
end, to the ferry at Kessock at the other, can be
seen from the castle windows. Beyond Loch
Beauly, the Aird, Bunchrew, Muirtown, and
Belladrum, rise in variegated splendour, with
their handome seats, fruitful fields and beauti-
ful plantations, while to the north the eye gleams
along a fertile and cultivated country, until the
view is bounded by the dark mountains of Strath-
orrin and Strathconan. The Castle itself is an
extensive, commodious, and elegant structure,
combining some of the conveniences of the
modern mansion with the strength, the turrets,
spires, loopholes, and battlements of the castles
of the 1 6th century.

From the period when this castle was erected,
the tide of prosperity which had hitherto at-
tended the Mackenzies of Redcastle began to
ebb. The superstition of the people of the
country ascribed the decay of the family to the
circumstance of a man having been buried alive

of tlie Mackenzies of Redcastle. 131

below the foundation stone. It is unnecessary
to say that there can be no grounds for a story
which would reflect such diabolical disgrace on
the family ; but it may have arisen from the
accidental death of one of the workmen while
engaged in his work. The people in the neigh-
bourhood — perhaps the most superstitious in the
kingdom — required then, and require even now,
but very slender materials to impose upon
themselves, and upon others, a tale of horror.
Be this, however, as it may, certain it is, that
from that period the family declined in prospe-
rity, until it gradually became extinct. The
lairds of Redcastle, like their neighbours, took
part in the civil commotions of the last century ;
and like most of those who were engaged in
those commotions, suffered for their loyalty or
disloyalty, whichever it may be called.

The last laird of Redcastle of the name of
Mackenzie was Collector of Customs at Inver-
ness, and well known to the narrator. He was
a most amiable man, condescending in his man-
ners, and arduous in the duties of his office,
but from the circumstance of his eldest son
Kenneth joining himself with a band of deter-
mined smugglers, the good old gentleman was
viewed with a jealous eye. Kenneth was not
long associated with this lawless band when he
had the boldness to bring them with him to his
father's castle of Redcastle, and there for safety
deposit their contraband goods.

The worthy laird his father, who ^^s.\>L<:i\,^^

1 3 2 Historical and Traditional Sketches

then aware of the illegal and evil career his son
was pursuing, although at the same time his
hopes were far from being sanguine regarding
him, as from his youth upwards he was of an
over-rambling disposition. However, there was
now no alternative for Collector Mackenzie
but to resign his situation — a situation he
filled with honour and integrity. He was
much felt for and sympathised with by both
high and low throughout the north, and parti-
cularly so by the inhabitants of Inverness.
Kenneth, seeing what his folly brought his
venerable parent to, he, like the prodigal son, im-
mediately abandoned his iniquitous career. A
short time after this he commenced the droving
trade — a more lawful occupation — but not being
successful, he gave it up for the more honour-
able one of fighting for his king and country,
having got a commission in the 78th, or
Koss-shire Highlanders. So keen and eager
was he in enlistment, that he forced several
poor fellows out of their beds on his father's
estate, to accompany him to India's shores.
This work of compulsion he even had the bold-
ness to carry on in Inverness, where he trepanned
not a few, among whom there was one of the
name of Gunn, whose mother was a reputed
witch, and whose awful imprecations were
fearfully levelled against him and his family for
tearing away her only child. Some time after,
while with his regiment in India, he was
charged at the instance of the Government with

of the Mackenztes of Redcastle. 133

fraud, for which he was called home and con-
fined for the rest of his lifetime in the Tower of
London. In the midst of grief and sorrow
his venerable parent calmly and meekly re-
signed his spirit into the hand of his eternal
Father, in whose mansions the cares, toils, and
disappointments of this world below are not
known. The estate subsequently became much
burdened, and as the second son John, who was
in the army, and was much beloved and re-
spected by his brother officers and every one
who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, was
not in circumstances to redeem it, it was put up
for sale. A wealthy scion of the clan offered
largely for it, and the only impediment in the
way of getting it was his being the son of a
tinker (but he was a good and honest man, al-
though horn spoon-making, etc. was his calling).
It was, however, purchased by the Grants, then
by Sir William Fettes, and after his death by
the present proprietor. Colonel Baillie of Tarra-
dale, the Lord-Lioutenant of the county.

The last of the Mackenzies of Redcastle,
Miss Mary or Molly, died at a very advanced
old age a few years ago at Lettoch, in a house
which she had occupied there for many years.
She was a stately dignified old maiden lady, but
somewhat eccentric in her habits, and if a story
current of her in the neighbourhood be true,
a little whimsical in her tastes. If the cooking
of any dish did not please her, she invariably
exclaimed, " Very good for servants, but dou't

1 34 Historical and Traditional Sketches

like it for mysel'." So frequently did she give
utterance to this expression, that for several
years before her death the neighbours were in
the habit of calling her by the title^of '* Very
good for servants, but don't like it for mysel'."
Major Mackenzie of Kincraig is the lineal des-
cendant and representative of the Mackenzies of
Redcastle.

There is, perhaps no property in Scotland
which has been so much improved as the estate
of Redcastle. Eighty years ago the estate was
a naked barren waste, scarcely yielding any corn
except on what was called the Mains. It is
now one of the best cultivated properties in the
kingdom, and so greatly and so rapidly did the
value of the property increase in consequence of
planting the hills and cultivating the plains,
that although the property was purchased by
the Grants only a few years before the begin-
ning of the present century for somewhere about
;^ 20,000, it was in 1828 or 1829*'' sold to Sir
WiUiam Fettes for the sum of about ;^ 13 5,000 !
but the present proprietor purchased it for a
smaller sum. One of its most valuable farms
is the ferry of Kessock, which pays a rent of
about ;^iooo per annum, although not sixty
years ago the toll was principally paid in ban-
nocks ! It is still more gratifying to record that
the comfort, intelligence, and morals of the in-
habitants have improved in a ratio corresponding
with the value of the soil.

* For changes of proprietors see note to page 119.

of the Mackenzies of Redcastle. 135

Until within a late period superstition
abounded in this and the neighbouring estate
of Drynie. There is scarcely a bog, burn, or
lonely spot with which some tale of superstitious
horror is not associated ; and in addition to the
ordinary witches, warlocks, ghosts, benshees,
and benaives the superstitious have called to
their aid the water-horse and the water-bull,
which are said to frequent Loch Drynie and
Linne-a- Bhuic- Bhain.

A very singular story is told of the Patersons
of Kessock. It is said that one of them was
fortunate and courageous enough to secure and
take home a mermaid, which he kept for some
time in his house. But the nymph of the ocean,
being eager to regain her native element, sup-
plicated her captor for her release, and said she
would grant any throe requests he would make
if he would permit her to depart. He agreed
to this, and one of the three which he asked
was " that no Paterson should ever be drowned
in the ferry of Kessock." The people of Kes-
sock, Craigton, and Redcastle, firmly believe in
this story, and their belief is strongly confirmed
by the singular fact, that although many
persons of the name of Paterson have for cen-
turies been engaged on the ferry, such a circum-
stance as one being drowned was never known,
and what is perhaps more singular is, that while
the ferry was in their possession, no person was
drowned in it."^^

* We have heard a version of this U^ji\\.\s$^ ^i^^\j^%

136 Historical and Traditional Sketches

Besides the above annoyance to the peaceable
inhabitants ot Redcastle, they were often
troubled, especially in their sojournings under
cover of night, with other and still more wicked
demons, particularly while passing a burn about
a mile to the east of Redcastle, for scarcely one
could pass or repass it without being in danger
of their life. The last individual who was at-
tacked at this unhallowed spot was a worthy
man of the name of Paterson, reader and cate-
chist of the parish. Episcopacy was then the
creed of the entire district. He being at the

from the above. Tt was told that one of the Patersons,
taking an early stroll along the rocky shore at Cralgton, had
suddenly come upon a mermaid who was disporting herself
out of her native element, and seized on her before she could
find her way back. Paterson was aware of the superstition
attached to the mermaid, that, if a scale or two were taken
off her tail she would lose the fishy part of her power. Her
captor suddenly acted on his knowledge, and immediately
before him stood a beautiful woman. He took her to his
home — married her — she bore him a famil}. The scales
detached from her were carefully hid away by her husband
— well knowing as he did, that if once regained by his wife,
she would resume her original state. The children were
growing up; and one day a son, who wondered what his
father's visits to a certain out-house portended, discovered
that there was something carefully put away in a place in
the wall. He one day took out the carefully wrapped-up
scales, and rushing into the house in his father's absence
showed them to his mother, who immediately seized on
them, and hurried down to the beach and disappeared in
the water. Her husband on his return home learned what
had occurred, and long mourned the mother of his children.
It is said that for years after, the family never wanted for a
daWy supply of fish of all kinds — a liberal supply was always
to be found on the beach opposite thdt \voust.

of the Mackenzies of Redcastle. 1 3 7

time on a catechising mission in the west, and
returning rather late to his own house at Easter
Kessock, was attacked whilst approaching the
said burn by a huge monster, and were it not
for the repeated interposition of a faithful mas-
tiff, he would never return to tell the tale.
However, the poor man proceeded homewards,
when there appeared as it were, a lighted torch
or candle, as an emblem of the fiendish spirit
being overcome, which light stuck by him until
he arrived at his own house, a distance of four
miles. He ordered his wife to give plenty of
food to his faithful companion the dog, but next
morning the poor animal was found dead, and
the inference was, that although the evil spirit
did not get the power over the honest catechist,
it assuredly got it over his companion. Nothing
daunted, the worthy man repaired next night
to the burn, travelling the whole night up and
down from one end to the other, carrying in his
hand an open Bible, and constantly engaged in
prayer. From that time henceforward, the poor
traveller was never known to meet with any
impediment at this ill-fated spot.

" The prayer of the righteous availeth much."

However, the march of civilisation, religious and
moral, has now, we may say, entirely banished
all ideas of such supernatural beings out of our
land.

( 138 )

THE BLACK WATCH,

OR FORTY-SECOND ROYAL HIGHLANDERS, ETC.

. — 'Cse.S^f^JV'V— '

f\ T the period when the Highlands were go-
lg\k verned more by might than either by
justice or honour, lawless bands of free-
booters and cattle-lifters committed sad depre-
dations on friends and foes, rich and poor. To
such excess were matters carried with a high
and daring hand, that at last their deeds of
spoliation became intolerable, threatening many
with utter ruin ; and although small detach-
ments of soldiers were stationed in garrisons in
diflferent localities in the Highlands, they were
not of sufficient strength to cope with the hardy
and daring cattle-lifters, aided, as they generally
were in their movements and flights, by a
thorough knowledge of every nook and corner
in the whole country. To counteract their law-
less and annoying deeds, and render some secu-
rity to life and property, many of our Highland
chieftains and lairds found it necessary to raise
companies of strong, resolute, and able-bodied
men, acquainted with the country — each respec-
tjve gentleman maintaining the company he had

The Black Watch, 139

raised — and whose duties were generally per-
formed by night in scouring the country, search-
ing for stolen cattle, or intercepting the
marauders with their ** creachl' and restoring
them to their owners. "^^ The dress of the differ-
ent companies was of a similar description,
being dark green jacket, philabeg, hose, and
brogues with large buckles, black belt over the
shoulders, another round the waist^ a large broad-
sword on the one side, and a dirk on the other
— hence they were called the " Black Watch,''
or Freacadain Dhu. They sometimes carried
muskets, and it may also be said they were a
kind of rifle corps. Their vigilance, deter-
mination, and prowess soon struck terror and
alarm into the hearts of the evil-doers, and their
very name carried fear with it, so that ere long
depredations were scarcely heard of, and at last
existed only in the mere name. An effectual
check being thus given to the freebooters,
it was considered unnecessary to continue the
Black Watch any longer ; but, nevertheless,
as they were such useful, brave, and excellent
bands of men, it was thought a hardship to dis-

* The Government of the day established these indepen-
dent companies in 1729. They were paid and maintained
by the authorities, and not by the Highland chiefs. The
notorious Simon Lord I^ovat was in command ol one
company, and it has been said that the deprivation of this
military honour in 1744 led him to plunge deeper into the
intrigues of the Jacobite party. Colonel Grant of Ballin-
dalloch and George Munro of Culcairn were other northern
lairds who had commands given to them in this locajl fo^^L'^*

1 40 Historical and Traditional Sketches

band them, particularly as their country at the
time required the services of all able to carry
arms in its defence — and these men. if formed
into a regiment, would make a very superior one.
To suggest such to these brave men would be
inconsistent with the motives which embodied
them, and not altogether safe. But the chiefs
and lairds, being bent on forming them into a
regiment, had recourse to artifice and flattery.
Accordingly, in April 1744, the different com-
panies were assembled in Inverness ; but the
object for which they were called together was
ot course kept a profound secret. At Inverness,
all the companies were embodied into one, and
non-commissioned officers of the ** regulars"
were procured to drill them every day, and train
them in the proper army exercises. They re-
mained a considerable time in Inverness, were
put '* through their facings " daily, and learning
the different military manoeuvres, at last, natu-
rally supposing that their services being now no
longer required, they would be allowed to return
to their homes and families ; but no — they were
otherwise destined. The place where they used
to exercise is a little to the south of the Ness
Islands, still known as Campfield.

Artifice and flattery, as stated, were neces-
sary to induce the Black Watch to leave
the vicinity of their homes. They were told
by their chiefs and officers, that his Majesty,
hearing of their fine appearance, and the great
services they had done the country, was anxious

of the Black Watch, 1 4 1

to make a personal inspection of such a disting-
uished body of men previous to their being dis-
banded. The duped Black Watch, elated with
such a message from royalty, unanimously con-
sented to embark for London, on the under-
standing that after the review they would be
sent home to their families.* However, a
melancholy occurrence happened which threw a
sad gloom over the whole corps, and was con-
strued by many as a bad omen. One of Lord
Lovat's company had been for some time pay-
ing his addresses to a young female in the town,
who became enciente. Pretending to be going
to the Aird to bid adieu to his parents, he re-
quested the confiding girl to accompany him on
his paternal message, that he might introduce
her as his intended partner for life, and on their
return to town he would have their union
solemnized. Cheered by the prospect of an im-
mediate union, and relying on his assurances,
the unfortunate girl consented to accompany him.
On the road thither, they called at Peggy Bain

* When the regiment assembled at Perth in March 1743,
they learned with surprise of the intention to send them to
England, and thereafter abroad to reinforce the army in
Flanders. After protestations and the warnings of Lord
President Forbes, the Government persisted, and they were
marched to London. These proceedings were attended by
disaster, and resulted in the desertion of a large body of the
men, who attempted a retreat to Scotland. We need not
follow this episode ;— but finally the soldiers were induced
to return to their duty. Three of the ringleaders in this
affair were tried and found guilty, and were shot.

142 Historical and Traditional SketcJies

the innkeeper's, at Clachnaharr}', where they had
a glass of gin or hoUands. Here they remained
for a considerable time, he being evidently anx-
ious to prolong their stay as much as he could,
and, intending not to go much farther with
his unsuspecting victim, was wishful that
the shades of night would close and shroud the
diabolical deed he contemplated. They .started
at last for the Aird, but, alas ! horrid to relate,
the Aird she was destined never to reach, for
they only reached Bunchrew, and there, close to
the roadside, beneath the foliage of an alder
tree, the poor unfortunate girl was barbarously
murdered by her inhuman seducer. In about
an hour after the tragical deed was done, he was
in Peggy Bain's again, and had a dram. Seeing
him besmeared with blood, Peggy suspected
what had occurred, and asked what had become
of his companion, and how far he had accom-
panied her ; but he would return'no answer, and
hastily left for town. Next day the mangled
corpse of the deluded female was found in the
spot where she had been murdered. The Black
Watch man, understanding that he was generally
suspected, precipitately fled to the hills and fast-
nesses of the Aird, supposing that among his
clan he would be secure, and which he certainly
was for some time, for they aided him greatly,
and thereby eluded those sent in pursuit. Pre-
sident Forbes, who was at the time in Edin-
burgh, hearing of the murder, and of its being
committed near his favourite residence, wrote

of the Black Watch. 143

Lord Lovat, stating, that he hoped none of his
clan would shelter or screen an individual guilty
of such an atrocious crime , besides, that he had
written to Inverness, in order that a party of
the 15th Foot, then stationed in the Castle,
would go to the Aird and capture the murderer,
if possible. This had the desired effect
for the murderer was soon taken, tried, and
sentenced to death. He confessed the crime,
and acknowledged the justice of his sentence..
The alder tree never again shot forth leaves, but
for years stood a withered stump, as if bearing
testimony to the atrocity of the crime perpe-
trated under it. The narrator well remembers
seeing this tree.

Whilst the above distressing events were
being enacted, the Black Watch left in great
glee for the Metropolis. They were reviewed
by his Majesty * and principal oflScers, and high
were the encomiums passed on them. After
satisfying the curiosity of the cockneys, they
were marched to Chatham, where they were to
embark for the Continent. At Chatham they
understood the turn matters had taken, and
that they were not to be allowed to return to
their peaceful homes as promised, but to fight
with Britain's foes. A good many here deserted,
but most were captured, a few only making good
their escape. Britain was then waging war with
France, and the first appearance of the Black

* This is not a fact. The King left for Hanover the same
day that the Highlanders reached xVi^ o>3X^\\X^^^\a^^^^-

144 Historical and Traditional Sketclies

Watch on the Continent was at the memorable
battle of Fontenoy. Here they were placed
where the battle raged the hottest; but seeing
the slight damage done to the enemy'8 ranks by
their muskets, they seemed to waver, which
being noticed by their companions, thought they
meant to desert, and were therefore preparing
to fire upon them, but they were sadly mis-
taken ; desertion they knew not or dreamed of,
for throwing away their cumbersome muskets,
and drawing their claymores, the Black Watch,

" True to the last of their blood and their breath,
And, like reapers, descend to the harvest of death,"

dashed instantly amongst the enemy, whose
line, by the impetuosity of the chaige, they soon
broke, and made fearful carnage. At this time
a party of dragoons rode up, and followed the
advantage gained by the Black Watch, to whose
bravery and undaunted courage the victory was
mainly ascribed. Of them the French com-
mander remarked, " Oh I how these royal bon-
nets slaughter our men," which being reported
by the Duke of Cumberland, commander of the
British forces, to his Majesty, the latter said,
" Then let them be henceforward royal." This
memorable battle was fought on 30th April
1 745. Subsequently the cause of the Pretender
was exciting some alarm, and it was thought ad-
visable to recall the Duke of Cumberland with a
considerable part of his forces; but although the

of the Black Watch. 1 45

Black Watch, now the 42nd Royal Highlanders,
had distinguished themseWes, they were not
allowed to return, Government fearing that
once more on their native hills, they would not
fight for the House of Hanover against their
chiefs and relations, who fought in Prince
Charlie's cause. This was probably a judicious
step, and not even aflTording them an opportu-
nity of testing their loyalty. It is but justice
to say that the 42nd, throughout all the wars
up to 18 1 5, distinguished itself as a brave,
valiant, and renowned corps, which their innu-
merable laurels amply testify.

IQ

( H6 )

DONALD GRUIMACH.

THE BLACK ISLE CATTLE-LIFTER.

Sifi.

rP'OR the last two centuries there has not, per-
yf haps, been a more notorious cattle-lifter
than Donald Gruimach. From his very
grim and ferocious appearance, he was better
known by the soubriquet of " Gruimach." In-
deed, Donald was the terror of the whole
country, especially the Black Isle, to which his
depredations were chiefly confined, and whose
lairds he most unsparingly plundered of their
best cattle and sheep. He resided near Tarra-
dale, and never walked abroad without his bitac
(dirk) and skian dhu. His courage was as
reckless as his presence of mind was astonish-
ing, and being thoroughly acquainted with the
locale of the scene of his operations (for there
was not a corner or crevice in the country with
which he was not familiar), it rendered it no
easy task to bring home any charge to him.
And although many were quite conscious that

Donald Gruimack. 147

he, and he alone, was the person who stole their
cattle and sheep — still they were afraid to lay
such an action to the credit of this renowned
freebooter. However, M'Homais, the laird of
Applecross, whose sheep now and then were
stolen from off his estate of Highfield (which
was then, and for many years after, the pro-
perty of the Applecross family),^ determined to
make a strict and thorough investigation re-
specting his stolen property, and Donald's fame
reaching his ears, it naturally occurred to him
that there was none so likely to harass him as
Donald Gruimach ; consequently he despatched
twelve strong able bodied men to Donald's
bothy on the evening of the day on which one
of his best wedders disappeared. Donald, how-
ever, happened to be about the door, and as the
guilty mind is always timorous and apprehen-
sive of coming evil, he gave a cautious look
around his residence, then with the keen and
penetrating glance of the eagle scanned the
face of the country, where he espied at a dis-
tance the men rapidly approaching him. He
saw portending danger in their movements, and
there being no time to lose in conjecture as to
the purport of their mission, he instantly entered
his hut, seized the sheep and bound it with
thongs, — then laid it in a large cradle, and cover-
ing it over with a piece of blanket, he seated

* The estate of Highfield vyras sold by the Mackenzlea vx
1781.

J 48 Historical and Traditional Sketches

himself beside it, and appeared tenderiy engaged
in rocking the supposed child, humming at the
same time, ' ' Baloo, baloo, mo lenaibh ! ! " while
the men made their entrance at the door. One
of them accosted Donald by asking, " Where is
the wedder you have taken to-day from High-
field T He answered them quite seriously, and
not the least disconcerted, *' May I eat him
that's in the cradle, if I took it." They did not
question Donald further, or examine the con-
tents of the cradle, by which he swore so fer-
vently, but returned much mortified, without
taking either sheep or Donald ; and it may
easily be supposed that he was but too happy
when he saw them make their exit, and get so
easily out of this uncomfortable dilemma. But
this narrow escape fi-om detection had no effect
on Donald, neither did it prevent his levying
contributions on those in the neighbourhood of
his abode, tor sometime thereafter he had the
hardihood to take one of Kilcoy's best oxen
from the Mains ; but whether it was owing to
his being always so well armed, or that the proof
against him was considered inadequate to en-
sure a conviction, there was no effort at the
time made to take him into custody, — he was,
therefore, for some time suffered to roam un-
disturbed over the country, committing several
other depredations.

Kilcoy, however, did not forget the loss of
his good ox, but it availed not ; he could not
fall on any scheme to entrap the wary thief.

of Donald Gruimach. 1 45

After running over in his mind several strata-
gems, which were no sooner concocted than dis-
pelled, he at last thought on the following.
Being told that Donald was in the vicinity of
the Castle, he went out, in order, if possible, to
meet or see him, and was not long in discover-
ing the object of his search. Donald, seeing
Kilcoj approach him unaccompanied, stood,
for indeed he was so powerful that he would
not show his back to the four strongest men in
the country. Ealcoy told him he had an im-
portant letter to send to the Sheriff at Fortrose,
which required urgent attention, and that if he
would convey it, he would get a shilling for his
trouble, which in those times was considered no
bad remuneration for the distance he had to
travel. Donald hesitated, but at last consented
to go. Kilcoy then immediately went and
wrote the necessary letter to the Sheriff, the
purport of which was that the bearer was a
most notorious stealer of cattle and sheep, and
that it would be doing the greatest service to
the country at large, if he (the Sheriff) on re-
ceipt would safely secure Donald in jail, as
shortly charges would be brought against him
which would be proved to his satisfaction ; as
himself and many of his neighbours around
him, suffered severely from the redoubtable
cattle-lifter.

Donald could neither read nor write ; how-
ever, he did not proceed far on his way, wrapt
in meditation, his own circumstances haunting

1 50 Historical and Traditional Sketches

his mindy and probably contemplating the reck-
less career of his past life, when he began to
examine and look very minutely into the letter,
when, lo ! he imagined that in it he discovered
the horns of Kilcoy's brown ox. It then oc-
curred to him that it was for the purpose of
having himself apprehended and handed over to
the Sheriff, that he was despatched with the
letter, which Avas meant to have effected this
object. He immediately retraced his steps,
and the first person he met was the laird him-
self, who, no doubt, was previously overjoyed
at the thought of ridding himself of such a for-
midable neighbour as Donald Gruimach. But
in this the laird of Kilcoy was sadly disap-
pointed, who, addressing Donald, asked him,
" How was it that he returned so soon ? "
Donald's mind was not at rest, and he answered
the laiid, ** Back ! it is no wonder than I am
back; did I not see the very horns of the
brown ox in that letter as distinct as possibly
could be ? " Then, throwing the ominous
letter at Kilcoy's feet, fled with the swiftness of
the roe to his hiding-place, in order to elude
the search of any who might be sent in pursuit
of him.

Crime may be carried on unchallenged for a
time, but a day of reckoning will come, when
justice will prevail, and so it happened with
Donald. He was seized for stealing a stot from
a widow who lived on the estate of Tulloch —
Bayne being then the proprietor, who warmly

of Donald Gruimach. 151

interested himself in the poor woman's loss.
Donald was lodged in Dingwall jail, and while
he lay there, the widow visited him daily, fur-
nishing him with the best meat she could pro-
cure, in order if possible, by her kindness, to
extract some information from him, by which
she could recover her favourite stot. He always
promised to tell her where the stot was,
and thereby kept her in continual suspense.
In due time he was tried and sentenced to be
executed. On the day of his execution, and
while he stood on the platform, the poor woman
cried out to him, " Will you no tell me now
where is my stot ? " But he answered, *' I
have more to think of at present than you or
your stot." While he thus stood he was anx-
iously and impatiently looking towards the
west, as he expected a strong party of the clan
Fraser to make their appearance and effect a
rescue. They actually left their homes for that
purpose, and came the length of Ord, but hav-
ing been met there by a number of the Mac-
kenzies as a deputation from Brahan Castle, the
latter reasoned with them on the necessity and
justice of freeing the country of such a notori-
ous individual as Donald Gruimach, and pre-
vailed on the Frasers to return, without
proceeding farther to rescue him from the scaf-
fold, a doom which he so justly merited,
Donald was never known to commit any en-
croachment on the Lovat estates, and it was
supposed that it was on this account Os^^

152 Historical and Traditional Sketches

Frasers favoured him so much. One of his
most impregnable hiding-places was on the
estate of Lovat in Glenstrathfarar, and it was
further conjectured that he was a scion of that
clan.

( 153 )

HIOHUND ROBBERS AND CAniE-LIFERS.

?HE following is an account of the wild and
daring exploits of three of the most hardy
cattle-lifters that ever traversed our High-
land hills, viz., Alexander Macdonald, alias
Coire-na-Caorach ; Donald Kennedy or Mac-
ourlic, alias An Gaduiche Dubh ; and Samuel
Cameron, alias Mac Domhuil Dubh : —

Macdonald, or Coire-na-Caorach, lived in a
secluded bothy on the confines of the Glengarry
estate, a little to the west of Fort- Augustus,
whose daring exploits in robbery and cattle*
lifting ultimately became the terror and scourge
ot the surrounding country, whose creach^ or
spoil, he often, in defiance of the law, drove to
the south. However, this state of things was
not to be much longer carried on by him, as the
neighbouring lairds supposed, with their vassals
combined, they might lay hold of him ; and
none was more eager for his apprehension than
Glengarry, who cordially joined the other lairds
in getting him outlawed ; but Coire-na-Caorach.
being apprised of tWix des\^tv/\\. ov^^ \\sv^ ^^^

154 Historical and Traditional Sketches

effect of making him more vigilant than before.
Coire now perceiving that he was outlawed and
a price set upon his head, determined on not
venturing any more to sojourn over night at his
own residence, but ever afterwards took up his
nightly abode in his cave on the margin of
Loch Ness, a most rugged and craggy spot, a
few miles west of the celebrated Falls of Foyers.
This cave actually stretches out upwards of
twenty yards below the bed of the lake, and
over the entrance was a large flagstone. There
Coire-na-Caorach was perfectly secure from all
his pursuers, where he lived on the best, viz.,
roast beef and mutton, etc., but he contrived to
see his wife now and then in hor bothy without
being observed ; at last, in consequence of old
age creeping upon him, he became unable any
longer to go in search of prey, and confined
himself to his dungeon. At length he became
so very ill that she expressed her wish that he
should breathe his last under their own roof.
But how was this to be done 1 About mid-
night, however, this devoted woman buckled up
the feeble frame of her husband in a good
blanket and carried him to the mouth of the
cave, and afterwards trudged through rugged
rocks and barren moors with her aged partner
in life, and arrived at the house in safety — un-
seen and unknown — before daylight. Coire
began. to sink rapidly, and in the course of a
few days thereafter, breathed his last, when his

of Highland Robbers and Cattle- Lifters. 155

Iremains were gathered to the dust of his kindred

I unmolested.

Donald Kennedy, or Macourlic, alias an
Gaduiche Dubh, was also a notorious thief and
cattle-lifter. He lived in the Braes of Lochaber,
and sometimes sojourned in the company of
Coire-na-Caorach, and divided the spoil. He

I Was also outlawed, and a price set upon his
head. Having no proper place of concealment
in the neighbourhood, he forsook home and
family, and went to Perthshire. Here he en-
id as a farm servant, and a rather curious
circumstance led to his discovery. A fine
horse, the property of his master, having
been amissing, he was ordered to search for
the animal, which he gladly consented to
do, and on his finding the horse, rode at
Gilpin speed to a remote part of the country
with it and sold it. After being two days
nway he returned to his master, telling him
that there was not a hill or dale that he could
think of but he searched for the horse. His
master replied, angrily, and said, " You ought
to try, sir, places you did not think of An
Gaduiche Uubh set out again on his pre-
tended pursuit, but in the course of a few
minutes thereaftei-, the worthy farmer and his
wile, who were sitting round a blazing pile of
ts, were suddenly startled by a rumbling

I noise on the top of the house. In a minute or

I two afterwards large pieces of turf began to
pour down upon them, which caused them

1 56 Historical and Traditional Sketches

quickly to repair outside, lest the whole fabric
might fall in, when, to their astonishment, who
did they see on the housetop (eagerly throwing
the turf in all directions around him), but he
whom they sent in further search of their horse.
The honest farmer bawled out to his servant,
** What in the world prompted you to do such
mischief? " The Gaduiche repUed, " Did you
not tell me to go and search for the horse where
I did not think of, and I am just doing so/'
Before morning the farmer formed another
opinion of his supposed half-witted servant, for,
said he to his wife, " As sure as you are aUve,
woman, Donald is no other than the Gaduiche
Dubh (the fame of the Gaduiche being over the
length and breadth of the Highlands), so that
the sooner we get quit of him in peace and
quietness the better." The honest wife at once
coincided with her husband. Next morning
Donald was paid his wages, no doubt as well
pleased to go as his master and mistress were
to get quit of him.

At one time Lochiel being on a visit to Glen-
garry, where the two chiefs spent a happy night
together, among other conversation between
them a wager was laid which of the two, viz.,
an Gaduiche Dubh or Coire-na-Caorach, was
the greatest thief. Glengarry wagered on
Coire's head, and Lochiel on that of the Gad-
uiche. Next day the desperadoes made their
appearance before their respective chiefs at the
Castle oi Glengarry. Having been told the
nature of their mission ihey »efc do^tv xXva strath

of Highland Robbers and Cattle- Lifters. 1 5 7

to Fort- Augustus ; from thence to Tnvermoris-
ton, but having espied nothing worthy of cap-
turing, they traversed part of Glenmoriston
with as Uttle success. Being determined not to
return without some evidence of their expert-
ness. they bent their course to Glen-Urquhart.
After ascending the hill of Monadh-na-Leum-
naich, Donald, the Gaduiche Dubh, became
overcome with fatigue, and said it was of no
use to enter the country of the Frasers and Mac-
kenzies, as they would be in danger of being
taken, they then sat down on the top of that
stupendous hill, and immediately Donald fell
into a profound sleep. However, Coire-na-
Caorach did not sleep, as he was fully deter-
mined not to return without some token of his
dexterity, and having quickly unfolded his com-
panion's plaid, cut a piece out of one of the
folds, and made a pair of hose, which he put on
his brawny legs ere he awakened the Gaduiche
Dubh. He now roused him up, saying it was
of no use to go further, but to return to Glen-
garry. The Gaduiche reluctantly assented, and
on their arrival at the Castle the chiefs anxiously
enquired what had they done on their journey.
The Gaduiche spoke first, and said he regretted
to say nothing at all. Coire-na-Caorach
answered, looking to Donald, " But I have
though ; look at my hose, and look at your
breacan^^ or plaid. The Gaduiche unfolded it
and at once saw that the piece had been taken
out of it, and became fully convinced that It

158 Historical and Traditional Sketches

was the identical piece which had been so
quickly converted into Highland leggings. As
a matter of course, Glengarry won the wager.
The Gaduiche, like his contemporary, Coire-na-
Caorach, lived to a great age, and died a
natural death.

Samuel Cameron, alias Mac Dhomhuil Dubh,
was also one of those worthies who considered
might to be right, and that his ability and daring
in cattle-lifting afforded him a title to pursue
that vocation with impunity. At the era of the
outlaw, the power of life and death was confided
to the Sheriffs, and he who was the principal
Sheriff in the north at this time, was a Mr
Mackenzie, of the family of Kilcoy, residing at
Kilmuir Wester, better known on account of his
severity by the title of Shirra Dubh. This official
had long desired to have Mac Dhomhuil Dubh
iu his clutches, and he at length succeeded.
Conviction and sentence of death followed as a
necessary consequence of his having fallen into
the hands of the Sheriff; but just previous to
the hour of execution, Mac Dhomhuil Dubh ap-
plied his herculean powers with such success as
to break out of the Inverness jail ; and rendered
still more desperate by this circumstance,
became a greater terror than ever to the sur-
rounding country, which he in a manner placed
under tribute. The officers of justice, although
they knew whereabouts his ordinary retreat was
situated, at the same time knew that their lives
would be in jeopardy by evetv a^iproaching the
^3ed spot, as he couVd m\jLv'^\^ ^\^\^^ ^^^

of Highland Robbers and Cattle Lifters, 159

gun defend himself successfully against a host
of invaders. A cave in the Red Craig, near
Abriachan, on the mountain side above Loch-
Ness, was his place of rendezvous.

From this elevated spot the outlaw could
command an extensive view of the Loch, and
for miles all around, particularly to the south
and east of Inverness, while no one could pass
along the narrow pathway at the foot of the
mountain without coming under the inspection
of the tenant. It happened on one occasion
that Shirra Dubh was led by the chase along
the side of Loch-Ness, immediately below the
domicile of the outlaw, who, perched eagle-like,
aloft betwixt earth and sky, and with a glance
well-nigh as keen, watched the approach of a
horseman in whom he quickly recognised the
person of the relentless Shirra Dubh. With the
delight of the vulture hovering over its devoted
prey, and with the agility of the tiger advanc-
ing to spring from his lair, the person of the
outlawed Highlander, with a visage so over-
grown with hair as to resemble the shaggy
goats that alone shared with him the empire of
the mountains, might have been seen rapidly
descending the face of the cliff, or screening
himself behind the stunted pine and birch trees
which skirted the base, until Shirra Dubh came
fairly abreast of the place where he was en-
sconced. Then springing forward, the outlaw,
with one hand, grasped with an iron clutch the
neck of the Sheriff, while with the otKet \x^ %^x^-
sented a pistol at his breast, e7L^^\m\^%%'^'^^'^^^

1 60 Historical and Traditional Sketches.

Dubh. T have you now in my power. I am
hunted like a beast from the earth ; if I attempt
to meet my family, I do it as the peril of being
shot by any one that may please. I cannot be
worse oiF, and now, unless you will solemnly
swear to reverse my sentence, and declare me a
free man at the Cross of Inverness, on Friday
first, I will instantly shoot you." The Sheriff
perceived that he was entirely at the mercy of
the outlaw, in whose haggard countenance and
eye he plainly read that desperation which
would assuredly lead him to fulfil his threaten-
ing. He therefore religiously proposed com-
pliance, but this would not satisfy Mac Domh-
uil Dubh, until he gave a most solemn oath,
whereupon he was permitted to depart, and the
outlaw retreated to his cave. Shirra Dubh,
true to his oath, assembled on the following
Friday (being a market-day), the officials of the
town and neighbourhood, and publicly, at the
Cross, proclaimed the reversal of the sentence,
and Samuel Cameron, alias Mac Dhomhuil
Dubh, a free man. This act of mercy was not
misplaced, as Samuel, who had been a pest to
the wealthy proprietors, and (like Rob Koy), to
them only, ever after abandoned his predatory
habits, and lived highly respected for the re-
mainder of his life at the Muir of Bunchrew,
where he reared up a large family. The
narrator was personally acquainted with his
grandson, a most decent and exemplary man.

( i6i )

ADDENDA.

INVERNESS IN THE OLDEN TIME.

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

■^REVIOUS to the year 1775 it was custom-
Jr ary for the whole of the Town Council to
assemble on Sundays at half-past ten
o'clock AM. at the Provost's house, and thence
go in procession to church. A fter divine ser-
vice was over, they returned in the same order
to the Provost's residence, where they were
duly solaced with a glass or two of Hollands
and some bread and cheese. The town -officers,
who sat on a form in the lobby, were not for-
gotten ; for whilst their superiors were regaling
themselves up-stairs, the humble functionaries
were each served with a good oat bannock and
a coggie of strong beer. When the Council
after this manner had made a hearty lunch, they
returned in similar state to the afternoon service,
after which they returned to their respective
homes. This piece of civic ostentation was dis-
continued, and the magisterial authorities pro.

11

1 62 hwerness in tlu Olden Time,

ceeded to the church from the Town Hall, as
at present, in consequence of a dispute as to
precedance and dignity. The dispute happened
in this way. A little tailor residing at Drakies,
named Hugh. Chisholm, had the good fortune
(as it was said) to find a wallet well filled with,
gold in a whin-bush near the bothy in which he
resided, which was supposed to have been con-
cealed there by an officer in the Highland army
in his flight from the battlefield of Culloden.

Hugh, however, did not give up his business,
but continued steadily for several years at his
lawful calling at Dralaes, during which many a
good calf did he measure, being specially famed
for making hose. He at length came to reside
in Inverness, where he engaged in the profes-
sion of a merchant. He was successful in
business, and attracted the attention of Provost
Chishohn, who was partial to him on account of
of his being a clansman ; and the result was
that honest Hugh was invited to become one of
the civic rulers of the Highland capital — an
honour which he at once and very proudly ac-
cepted. This took place in September 1775.
The seat in the High Church at present appro-
priated to the use of the magistrates, at that
time was divided into two pews. The front
one being considered the most honourable, was
of course occupied by the Provost and magis-
trates, and the other appropriated to the
merchant and trade councillors. The merchant
councillors took precedence of those denomi-

Municipal Affairs, r 63

nated trade councillors, and entered the pew
according to their order, the tradesmen fol-
lowing.

The first day little Hugh joined the magis-
terial procession, he substituted the cocked hat
for the blue broad bonnet, the single-breasted
broad-skirted coat for the home-made kelt one,
and thus conceitedly trudged along with his
brother councillors. On arriving at the church,
Hugh's right of precedence was disputed by
Convener Grant the coppersmith — a stately,
fine-looking man — who, carrying in his hand
his official staff, looked upon his newly in-
stalled brother with both jealousy and con-
tempt.

Hugh, however, determined to maintain his
rights, when a regular scuffle ensued, and not-
withstanding the interference of the worthy
Provost, and Jock Hay and Rory Mackinnon,
the burgh officers, their angry looks and threat-
ening gestures did not subside until some
minutes after the minister had entered the
pulpit. This unseemly melee in the house of
prayer caused a painful sensation in the congi-e-
gation. Next day a meeting of Council was
summoned, and the Convener was sharply re-
buked by the Provost for persisting in what
was not his right, and thus occasioning confusion
in such a place and on such a day. Afterwards,
on the motion of the Provost, it was resolved
that the two pews should be converted into one
solely for the accommodation of tha Pyqth^^'sx -jssAw

164 Inverness in the Olden Time.

magistrates, and ever since it has remained in
statu quoJ^ It was also resolved that the proces-
sion to church should henceforward take place
from the Town Hall.

FRACAS AT CNCX:AN- NA-GOUB.

Cnocan-na-Goury or "Goat's Knowe," is a
rising ground on the Tomnahurich Koad about
half-a-mile west of Inverness, where, about a
century and a-half since, markets were held for
the ssde of goats. Subsequently a weekly
market came to be held on this stance every.
Thursday afternoon for the sale of butcher
meat, poultry, eggs, butter, and cheese. The
sellers of these useful commodities were chiefly
the Urquhart and Glenmorriston tenantry, who,
by selling their goods here, evaded the payment
of the bridge toll and the other customs in the
town. The glens' people were from time to
time well supported and patronised by the in-
habitants, who resorted thither to buy, being
supplied cheaper than at the regular Friday
market in town, so that those who attended the
latter had often to return home without selling
scarcely anything, which was deemed by them

* A change has again taken place in the arrangement of

the magisterial pew. It has this year (1894) been formed

into two seats as in 1775. The magistrates, however, now

only make one visit annually to the High Church, on the

^rst Sabbath after the election in l^ovembti,

Fracas at Cnocan-na-Gour. 165

a hardship, they having to pay the regu-
lar dues.

The magistrates at length saw the injustice of
the regular market being thus forestalled by the
illegal one at Cnocan-na-Grour, which, if allowed
to be held, would tend much to diminish the re-
venue of the town. A meeting of Council was
called which unanimously agreed that vigorous
and prompt measures should immediately be
adopted so as to discontinue the Thursday
market at Cnocan-na-Gour. However, they
thought it more advisable, before having re-
course to harsh measures that two or three of
their number should on the following Thursday
go thither and apprise the mountaineers in
calm language ot the determination of the
Council respecting their assembling there.
To this warning the glens' people paid a
deaf ear.

The deputation returned and reported to their
official brethren the equal determination of the
mountaineers to resist to the utmost of their
power any infringment that might be attempted
on what they conceived to be their just rights.
On this another meeting of Council was called,
when it was resolved that the whole body, with
their officers and Ti posse of constables, should
proceed on the afternoon of the following Thurs-
day to the market, and compel those assembled
— sellers and buyers — never to meet again there
for the same purpose. As the market people
were gathering the next Thursday the.^ ^^x.^

1 66 Inverness in the Olden Time.

apprised of the determination of the magistrates
and Council, and who were to be on the ground
shortly. Notwithstanding they were nowise
alarmed. At length the official dignitaries and
their followers appeared in the distance, headed
by the town officers with Lochaber axes on
their shoulders.

The glens' people now thought it was time
to put themselves in battle-array so as to meet
their civic opponents. Both parties met, and
in an instant a savage onslaught was the result
— fist to fist and cudgel to cudgel. The burgh
officers made themselves prominent with their
lialberds or Lochaber axes, and there was
nothing now but helter-skelter — bonnets and
cocked hats flying in all directions.

For some time it was uncertain which of
the parties would be triumphant. At length
the magistrates and their party took to their
heels, some of them having received fearful
scars and bruises. They were hotly pursued,
and it was only those who were so fortunate
as to be long-limbed that escaped scathe-
less.

The most formidable and effectual weapons
used by the sons of the mountain were legs
of mutton, which they dexterously wielded
and brandished in skelping right and left to the
horror and consternation of the Inverness rulers
and their assistants.

On their arrival in town the Council as-
semhled and wrote immediately to the lairds

Provost Maclean in a Fight. 167

of Grant and Glenmorriston, giving an account
of the whole matter, who, after receiving the
letter, convened their respective tenants and
cottars, charging them never more to meet in
the same place for the sale of their goods —
whoever doing so being threatened with re-
moval from their estates. This had the desired
effect ; and so ended the Thursday's market
at Cnocanna-Gour, to the great mortification
of the glens' people as well as disappointment
of the townsfolk.

PROVOST MACLEAN IN A FIGHT.

Another somewhat serious affair, and akin to
the preceding, took place on the High Street
opposite the Cross. This occurrence happened
about the year 1725. On market days it was
invariably the practice of the town's boys to
annoy country lads by throwing handfuls of
shot, or otherwise tempting them, so as to
induce them to retaliate — the town boys gen-
erally having a strong force at hand to assist
them if any of their number was struck. On
the occasion referred to a sturdy Highlander of
the name of Maclean, from the braes of Glen-
Urquhart, not relishing altogether the pranks of
his beardless friends, succeeded in bringing
some of them within arms length, and quickly
putting four of them hors-de combat. Their
cries soon attracted a number of thaix c5^\s5l%^^-

1 68 Inverness in tlu Olden Time.

nions to their aid, and the mountaineer had soon
to deal with heavier metal, as a considerable
number of persons of more powerful strength
than those he had already encountered entered
on the fray. For a few minutes he withstood
their charge, defending himself most gallantly,
but he was ultimately overpowered. For him
there was no quarter, and he would not surren-
der. In the height of his despair, he called
out so as to be heard above the deafening noise
of the crowd — ' Oh ! sirs, is there not a son of
Clan Gillean here to-day ? " His appeal was
not in vain. Provost Maclean was at the mo-
ment standing in his shop-door, waiting for the
arrival of a party of constables for whom he
had sent to quell the fight, and on hearing the
distressed cry of his clansman, his Highland
blood got the ascendancy, and forgetting his
dignity as chief magistrate, he rushed bare-
headed into the crowd, clearing his way as he
advanced, and knocking down his tellow-citizens
right and left, until he made his way to the
side of his oppressed namesake.

The crowd did not perceive, until he was
planted in the midst of them, that it was the
I^rovost who had thus unmercifully belaboured
them ; and then his face operated like magic.
Some stood amazed, while others, quickly rea-
lising the situation, took to their heels, while
not a few bore marks of after-recognition. The
Provost took his brave and thankful namesake

The Bloody Marymas Cheese Market. 1 69

by the hand, saying, " I heard your distressing
cry, and at once came to your assistance, and
would not count him that would not do so as a
true son of Clan Gillean." He then led him to
his house and entertained him hospitably, and
on leaving presented him with an excellent
bonnet as a further token of his esteem for the
manner in which he upheld the honour of
the clan,

Provost Maclean was an amiable and kind-
hearted man, and in his day the principal mer-
chant in Inverness. His shop was opposite the
Exchange, in the town residence of the once
powerful Cuthberts of Castlehill, otherwise
known as *' Tigh mor Mic Sheorsa." The
late Colonel Inglis of Kingsmills was a lineal
descendant in the female line of Provost
Maclean.

THE BLOODY MARYMAS CHEESE MARKET.

The Marymas market for the sale of cheese
in the olden time was held on the southmost
end of the Castle Hill, and the last which was
held there was the scene of a most sanguinary
aflfray, arising out of a circumstance of a trifling
and ludicrous nature. On a beautiful August
evening in the year 1666, a stout masculine-
looking dairymaid from Strathnairn, not well-
satisfied with her sales, was hastily packing
up her unsold kebbocks, and the discotitiexNteji.

1 70 Inverness in the Olden Time.

manner in which she set about this was re-
marked ; but as ill-luck would have it, or to
torment her the more, one of the kebbocks un-
fortunately slipping from her hand rolled down
the green slope; nor was its course arrested
until the waters of the Ness closed over it.

The descent of the kebbock was noticed by
two or three young boys of the toi??n who lost
no time in snatching it from its watery bed ;
but the dairymaid, seeing it was recovered, and
and supposing the boys would, for their trouble,
appropriate it as their own, despatched a like
number of lads of her own acquaintance from
the country to take it from them. The town
boys refusing to give up the cheese, words
speediy degenerated into blows. The country
lads, having the worst of the day, a number of
grown-up people came to their aid, but this move-
mentVas followed by additional supplies pouring
in on the side of the town's people — so that in
a few minutes hundreds were engaged in the
broil, which now bore the appearance of a pitched
battle. The Provost hearing of what was going
on, hastened to the ground accompanied by the
Sheriff and a party of soldiers from the Castle ;
but their utmost exertions to put a stop to the
fight were of no avail. Their presence only in-
censed the combatants the more. Fresh sup-
plies poured in every moment, and all kinds of
weapons that could be procured were put in use.
Town officers, with their Lochaber axes, were
opposed bj the cudgels of the mountaineers.

Smuggling. 1 7 1

The fight having now raged for more than
three hours without either side wavering, and
no more auxiliaries arriving, the combatants
simultaneously desisted. Then came reflection.
The river Ness was dyed with blood, and all
around were heard the groans and piercing
cries of the wounded, the friends and acquaint-
ances of the combatants. Both sides were
horror-struck at the work they had been en-
gaged in, and neither could claim the victory.
This battle was denominated the *' kebbock
battle," or batail-a-mulachac — a name which
will not be forgotten in the annals of the High-
land capital. Connected with this senseless
carnage, the dairymaid, according to tradition
afterwards told, that whilst the milk was yearn-
ing in the " muckle pot '' for the unlucky keb-
bock, it actually appeared like blood; and
further, that her hands and arms had been all
covered over with the same. After the above
conflict a cheese market was never more held in
the same place, but formed part and parcel of
the regular Marymas fair in the town.

SMUGGLING.

At the period we write of the protection of
the revenue in the Highland capital was en-
trusted to two functionaries, an excise officer
and a tide-waiter. These two worthies held
and exercised consFderable sway o\^x \3sns:. ^^^^ss%

172 Inverness in the Oldest Time.

desperadoes of the Highlands, but they never-
theless came into frequent collision with them
and had consequently many narrow and hair->
breadth escapes. The fairy hill of Tomna-
hurich had been a favourite resort of the smug-
glers, although locality and other circumstances
must have rendered it extremely inconvenient
for their desperate purposes, and it is probable
they availed themselves of the superstitious
dread which was then attached to this haunted
hill, a feeling no doubt increased by their own
nocturnal orgies. No matter why, it is certain
that this was the selected spot where many an
" anker " of sparkling Hollands had been care-
fully deposited.

The smugglers generally employed an Ama-
zon denominated Muckle Madge, to carry
their illegal gear from Tomnahurich to the
town, and in this capacity she on one occa-
sion unfortunately met the ganger, who, of
course, demanded the prize. Madge, however,
without revolving the propriety of the matter,
resolved to hazard an engagement, and a des-
perate conflict ensued, but she was no match
for the officer with his cutlass, and the result
was that victory and a cask of gin became his
pro tempore. The exciseman, however, having
plenty of other work before him. was necessi-
tated to conceal his prize in a court opposite
where the Northern Meeting Kooms now
stand, but in doing so he had been perceived by
a yovLXig lad and lass who had chosen a corner

/
/
/

Smuggling. .

of the court to talk over certain business inter-
esting only to themselves, and who, discover-
ing the gauger's secret, carried off the " anker *'
in triumph, and restored it to its original
owner.

Some time afterwards Archie Chisholm, an-
other officer of the excise, was assailed at the
Little Green by a mob of young women, who
seized the officer, and having bound him in a
large washing-tub, set him adrift down the
river. Fortunately, however, his incongruous
barque took the ground whilst getting over a
shoal, and he was rescued from his perilous si-
tuation bv a benevolent individual who hap-
pened to near his cries of distress.

Another character named Rory Macquain, a
very strong and powerful man, was pretty often
employed in those times by certain authorities
to carry supplies of gin, etc., from their hiding-
place, the whin bushes of the fairy hill, into the
town. On one occasion he had the boldness to
carry a large " anker " of Hollands in broad
daylight, meeting with no interruption till he
came to the bridge, on the parapet of which he
rested his heavy burden. Here he espied little
Mr Hossack the tide-waiter coming in great
haste in his direction. Rory was a good deal
down in the mouth, but determined to make a
bold stroke for the gin, and as his enemy the
tide-waiter came quite close, Rory accosted
him with — *' I wish, Mr Hossack, you woviJ^

/

1 74 Inverness in the Olden Time.

relieve me of this weighty * anker ' of gin, as
I am perfectly tired with carrying it," to which
honest Mr Hossack answered — " Don't you be
mocking me, Rory, for weel ken I you have no
such thing in that ' anker.' " Rory was allowed
to pass the rest of his way without molestation,
and delivered his valuable burden to its proper
owner. What is most singular, Mr Hossack
was well aware of Rory's notoriety as a smug-
gler, but never thought he would have had the
hardhood to indulge in such a practice at mid-
day. But in those days almost all respectable
householders brewed their own ale, which no
doubt led Mr Hossack to think that it was an
" anker " of such beverage Rory Macquain was
carrying.

SHERIFFS CAMPBELL AND FRASER OF INVERNESS-
SHIRE.

Perhaps a more upright and merciful judge
than Sheriff Campbell never sat upon the
bench, or one who took a greater interest in the
cases of the humbler classes. At the com-
mencement of the first American war a great
demand existed for men, every method and
artifice being resorted to in order to enlist or
or entrap the unwary. It was no uncommon
trick with recruiting parties to present the
country Jads with lozenges or other conlec-

Sheriffs Campbell and Eraser, 1 75

tions with a shilling secreted among them,
which upon the unsuspecting greenhorn taking
in his hand, he was immediately enlisted — and
no entreaties could induce the soldiery to take
back the obnoxious shilling. At other times
they would clandestinely slip a shilling into the
pockets of the unwary, and then claim them
as recruits. Many a hardy and brave moun-
taineer was thus ensnared, and sent abroad to
fight in defence of his country and native wilds.
One of those who had been thiis practised upon
was a young man from the braes of Glen-
Urquhart, who, not relishing the idea of cross-
ing the Atlantic, showed some resistance, in
which he was aided by a few friends, but the
red-coats were too many for them, and for
better security lodged his prize in jail. Upon
this two or three of the captive's female friends
immediately repaired to Sheriff Campbeirs
house (now known as Ness House), and re-
quested an interview. The worthy Sheriff,
though entertaining a large party to dinner, im-
mediately came out, and hearing the suit the
females proffered, he instantly proceeded bare-
headed to the jail, and demanded the young
man's immediate liberation, which to the joy of
his friends was quickly granted.

Sheriff Campbell was succeeded by Mr
Fraser of Farraline who likewise was a just
and upright judge, but it can hardly be said
that his decisions wei'e seasoned with that for-

1 76 Inverness in the Oldest Time,

bearance and leniency which distinguished the
trials and judgments of his predecessor. In his
time the French war broke out, and enlistments
were made in a manner equally crafty as in the
days of Sheriff Campbell, A young man from
Stratherrick who happened to be in Inverness
on a market-day Avas entrapped by the red-
coats as the Glen- Urquhart lad had been, and
made an appeal to Sheriff Fraser ; but the only
consolation he gfot was that he could obtain no
redress, for ** King George must have men,
come what will, or by whatever manner ; other-
wise the French will come over and kill us all/
The poor fellow departed much cast down, fol-
lowed by a 'posse of red coats. A countryman,
however, found opportunity to whisper in his
ear to go to the ever ready friend of the poor
and distressed — Mr Macdonell, solicitor. To
him he accordingly went and mentioned what
the Sheriff had said to him. On this Mr Mac-
donell desired him to go immediately back to
the Sheriff", and getting as near as possible to
his person, slip a shilling into his breeches*
pocket, which if he succeeded in doing, he
could claim the Sheriff" as his recruit, at the
same time using his own words, namely, "King
George must have men, come what will."

The Highlander did as desired, and claimed
the worthy administrator pf the law as his
lawful recruit, who, in a great rage, said,
"Away home yoy scoundrel, out of my sight !

A Highland Desperado. 177

I know it was that devil Sandy Macdonell
that put you up to this." The now overjoyed
Highlander returned to his native hills.

A HIGHLAND DESPERADO.

In byegone times the Highlands were cele-
brated for giving birth to many strong, robust,
and healthy men, some of whom were endowed
with more than an ordinary portion of physical
powers. Crunar Fraser, the subject of the
present tale, was born at Kingellie, in the parish
of Kirkhill about the year 1625. As he was
rising towards manhood his strength propor-
tionally increased ; but in his disposition he
possessed nothing of the meek or amiable, but,
on the contrary, was overbearing, unbending,
and cruel to excess — so much so that ultimately
he was the terror of the country. A new field,
however, was opened for him more congenial
to his tastes. Through the interest of his chief
a commission in the army was procured for
him. At this time a civil war broke out in Ire-
land, and thither Crunar Fraser and his com-
pany were ordered ; but as he was leaving
his native place his stepmother gave him a
Scotch '* convoy " the length of Inverness —
no doubt inwardly rejoicing at getting off such
a ferocious character. On coming to the centre
of the bridge, she told him she intended going
no farther ; but ere bidding hira. Ca^x^^^ ^^g^

12

178 Inverness in the Olden Time.

a charm around him, which she said would
make him invulnerable to either steel or bullet.
** And how long is the charm to last ? " asked
Crunar. " Until you see my face again," re
plied the pretended enchantress, turning away.
Crunar s evil genius was in the ascendant, and
quick as thought he unsheathed his broadsword,
and with one blow severed her head from her
body, in the belief that by this barbarous deed
the charm would remain with him all his days.

Having joined his regiment in Ireland, he
was not long there when his prowess and dar-
ing were unequalled, and' his hairbreadth
escapes were the surprise of the whole army,
while his powers as an officer were mercilessly
exercised towards all whom the fortunes of war
placed within his grasp. To none who fell into
his hands was quarter given, but all were cruelly
butchered — not even the tender sex being
spared. In one instance the agonising en-
treaties of a beautiful young lady arrested for a
moment his murderous arm as he was in the
act of thrusting his sword through the heart of
her husband — a gallant and brave officer — but
the emotion was merely transitory, for in an in-
stant he sacrificed his victim. The lady, to
whom he had taken a fancy, was spared with
the purpose of carrying her to the Highlands as
his bride. Returning from the field, with the
lady seated behind him on horseback, and
whilst in the act of crossing a bridge, he felt the
hands of his fair captive as if searching for

A Highland Desperado. 179

something about his person — probably his dirk
or skiandhu — he instantly turned round and
despatched her, throwing her lifeless body into
the rapid stream beneath.

Crunar's warlike exploits and fame in Ire-
land were greatly lauded by not a few of the
clan who remained at home ; while there were
others who dreaded the worst on his return, but
these were agreeably disappointed, he having
settled down amongst them as a quiet peaceable
farmer, and not the ferocious and bloody soldier
they had expected to find him. Some time be-
fore his death a company of Irish soldiers was
stationed in Inverness, and, learning that
Crunar still lived, and that within seven miles
of the town, they formed the resolution of going
to Kingellie and putting a period to his exist-
ence in revenge for the havoc he committed
among their countrymen when in Ireland.
Crunar, however, was apprised of their intention
and approach, and requested those around him
to carry him out to the east end of the house.
This being done, when the red-coats were about
a quarter of a mile off, he raised himself on his
elbow, and gave such a tremendous roar as re-
echoed amongst the neighbouring hills. The
soldiers alarmingly exclaimed that the old fox
was powerful as ever, and hastily retraced their
steps back to Inverness. Crunar Fraser was
never after interfered with, and died in peace at
a good old age. His house was ever afterwards
haunted ; and honest James Young the weaver,

1 80 Inverness in the Olden Time.

who was an occupant, according to the legend,
was often tormented with his apparition moving
through the house. At length James became
so well acquainted with the spectre that his
nocturnal visits gave him no uneasiness. The
house has long since crumbled into ruins, not a
vestige of it being visible.

THE BLACKSMITH AND THE LAIRD OF GLENGARRY.

A worthy representative of Vulcan, who re-
sided at the village of Fort-Augustus, had a
pretty large account against the laird of Glen-
garry for work done, furnished, and delivered ;
but notwithstanding his having called oft and
divers times for payment, he could never obtain
au interview with the debtor chief. His
patience being quite exhausted with dunning,
he on one occasion determined, come what
would, to have a personal conference with the
laird, and, accordingly, wdth that firm resolve
strengthened at every step, he set out for Inver-
garry House. On arriving, he immediately in-
quired for the laird. The servant gave the
usual answer — " Yes, but cannot be seen at
present, as he is engaged." The answer was
decisve, and enraged the blacksmith a good
deal, who, without further ceremony, dashed
past the attendant and entered abruptly the
room in which Glengarry waa engaged at the

The Blacksmith and Glengarry. i8 1

time in conversation with Mr Robert Ander-
son, the principal innkeeper then in Inverness.
They had been transacting some piece of busi-
ness together, and the unlooked for appearance
of the blacksmith, with his black face neither
shaven nor shorn, and an apron which seemed
from its hue to have been recently used in
scouring the anvil, silenced the worthy pair.

But Glengarry, recovering his self-possession,
demanded of the intruder \vhat he wanted.
'* What do I want ? Is that yeVe saying, laird,
then me wants payment o' ma monie." Glen-
garry, not being in a mood to meet the de-
mand, and fond of a bit of mischief, laid hold of
a whip which was at hand, saying — " 111 pay
you, you rascal." The blacksmith, aware of the
customer he had to deal v/ith, took fright and
ran away as fast as he could, pursued by the
the laird and Mr Anderson. Having got out-
side, he tied his apron round his middle, and in
right earnest took to his heels. After running
some distance. Glengarry guve up the pursuit,
leaving it to Mr Anderson to continue the
chase, which he did, and after a pretty long
run succeeded in laying hold of the poor
smith, whom he held until Glengarry came up,
when the enraged chieftain bestowed a heavy
flogging on his unfortunate creditor.

The latter returned to his house quite a dis-
coonsolate man, laughed at by his neighbours,
and made the jest of those who patronised his
smithy. However, there happened one day

1 82 Inverness in the Olden Time.

soon thereafter to enter his workshop an itine-
rating skin merchant from Inverness, to whom
he told the whole affair. This sympathising
individual advised him to lose no time in sum-
moning Glengarry and Anderson to appear
before Sheriff Campbell at Inverness. This he
did, and the parties attended, the former at
considerable inconvenience.

The SheriflF, on hearing the case, addressed
Glengarry as follows : — " This is a new way,
laird, of paying old debts, but such conduct
will not and cannot be tolerated, for the time
is now gone bye in which a chieftain or a
laird would use his vassal as a slave. You
are, therefore, to pay the poor man's account
before you move out of the box in which you
sit ; and for beating him with the whip, you
are to give him the fine of fifty pounds Scots."
On Mr Anderson he bestowed a severe repri-
mand for the part he had acted in the business.

Glengarry, to his credit, cheerfully paid
both the account and the fine, and went home
highly pleased with the *' pluck" the smith had
shown in bringing him before SheriflF Campbell.

THE REV. MURDO MACKENZIE."^''

The above clergyman "was a member of the
family of Gairloch, and his first outset as a

* Descended from a common progenitor of the family of
the Mackenzies of Dailuaine, Strathspey. — See Mackenzies
"History and Genealogies of the Mackenzies," 2nd edition,
page 474.

The Rev. Murdo Mackenzie. 183

preacher was on being appointed chaplain to a
regiment in the army of Gustavus Adolphus,
King of Sweden ; after which he was settled
minister of the parish of Contin, Ross-shire ;
and from thence translated to Inverness in
1640, where his ministrations were highly ap-
preciated. The *^ speaking on the question,"
or the meeting of the '* Men," on Fridays be-
fore the celebration of the Lord's Supper, ori-
ginated with Mr Mackenzie — not in the church,
however, but in his own house at Kingsmills,
in which place, during his incumbency in
Inverness, pious laymen were wont to assemble,
edifying and instructing each other by stating
their own Christian experience, as also their
opinions of select passages of the Scriptures.
Subsequently the meeting of the ** Men " be-
came general throughout the Church in the
North. Although Mr Mackenzie had thus
begun and established soul- edifying exercises
in Inverness, yet he was so disgusted with the
impiety of some of his parishioners that he de-
termined on the first opportunity that presented
itself to leave the parish. The following ludi-
crous affair heightened his resolution : —

Whilst addressing the Gaelic congregation
from the important words, ** Take up thy cross
and follow me," a drouthy knight of the awl sat
in the gallery in a state of inebriety, listening
as attentively as he could to the impressive dis-
course of the preacher ; and the words of the
text attracting his attention, it occun'ed to IvW

184 Inverness in the Olden lime.

to turn them to a subject quite foreign to the
purpose. Accordingly, as Mr Mackenzie was
returning home in the afternoon, and when as-
cending the Flesh Market Brae, he was suddenly
alarmed by hearing moans and groans imme-
diately behind him. Turning quickly round
to his dismay he saw a man carrying a stout
woman on his back. The bearer of the un-
willing burden was the shoemaker, who, on Mr
Mackenzie's demanding to know why he be-
haved in such a manner to a female^ was
answered that he was hearing him that day in
the Hielan' Kirk, and that he (Mr Mackenzie)
desired him to take up his cross and follow him,
which he was just doing. The shoemaker had
thus persisted in following the worthy minister,
and it was only when the latter gave him a six-
pence that he could get rid of him, desiring
him at the same time to get out of his sight
with his abominable cross.

Soon after this unhallowed affair, Mr Mac-
kenzie, in 1645, ^^'^s translated to Elgin, and
on the restoration of Charles II., was conse-
crated Bishop of the diocese of Moray, on the
I St of May 1662 ; and in the end of the year
1676 was translated to the see of Orkney,
where he died in February 1 688.

THE REV. JOHN PORTEOUS.

This eminent divine was born in Inverness
in the year 1 704, and was presented to the

The Rev. yokn Porteous. 185

united parishes of Daviot and Dunlichity about
the latter end of the year 1730. The first
place he preached at was Daviot, and although
no obstruction was offered by those of that dis-
trict of the parish, yet he was but coldly re-
ceived. Next Sabbath-day, when he was to
preach at Dunlichity. just as he was enter-
ing the church he was not a little surprised to
be assailed with a shower of stones, and to his
astonishment, he perceived upwards ot fifty
females, headed by a virago named Elspet
Maclean, coming towards him with their aprons
tied round their waists, in which were deposited
a goodly supply of the article which slew
Goliath.

Such unexpected treatment caused Mr Por-
teous to stand tor a moment in suspense;
but seeing the women approaching close to
him shaking their hands, and also hearing
their generalissimo Elspet vociferating, " Let
us kill the Whig rascal," at the same time issu-
ing orders to her followers, he judged it the
safest course to take to his heels. He ran
down the strath towards Daviot, with Elspet
and her lawless force in. full chase after him,
every now and then exclaiming, as she dis-
charged a stone, ** Another throw at the Whig
minister." Fortunately for him, he could lay
no claim to what is alleged of some of our
London aldermen — he being a tall but slender
person, which no doubt enabled him to outrun
his pursuers, particularly lor the first three

1 86 Inverness in the Olden Time.

miles, thp.t is, to Tordarroch ; at which place, on
a little knoll, the curate of the district was hold-
ing forth to a large assemblage, and, as ill-luck
would have it, Mr Porteous in his flight had to
pass hard by this congregation, from whom a
large and formidable accession, headed by Rory
Macraibart the tailor, joined Elspet's corps, but
much to the credit of the curate he vehemently
denounced their proceedings. The reverend
fuoritive had now to redouble his exertions to
escape with his life, and the chase was continued
regardless of running streams, which presented
no impediment to Elspet and the tailor's fairy
bands, until they came near Daviot. It is not
a little remarkable that, although the stones
were flying like hail around him, only two or
three of the enemy's balls struck him, the eff*ects
of which were no way serious.

His pursuers having desisted from following
him further, he sat down at the roadside to
draw breath, and no doubt to return grateful
thanks to Providence for the wonderful and
hairbreadth escapes he had made that day — a
day never to be effaced from his mind. While
he was thus musing, a pious venerable man
came up who sympathised with him very much.
In the course of their conversation, Mr Porteous
said, *• Well, well, one thing I will say, that
seven generations shall pass away before the
people of Daviot and Dunlichity will have a
minister who will please them." This predic-
tion was fulfilled to the very letter.

The Rev, John Porte ous. 187

About the year 1732, and after Mr Porteous
had remained upwards of a year in his father's
house, he got a presentation to the parish of
Kilmuir-Easter, in the Presbytery of Tain,
where he met with a far different flock to that
of Daviot and Dunlichity, and where he was
the honoured instrument of much good. By
his sound reasoning and advice he tended
greatly to suppress the spirit of rebellion in
1 745-46, and along with Lord President Forbes
he was constantly urging upon the young Earl
of Cromartie to take no part in it. Lord Lovat
hearing of Mr Porteous's influence in Easter-
Ross, and suspecting the cause of the EarFs
backwardness in embracing the Pretenders
cause, was constantly despatching his confiden-
tial valet, Donald Cameron, with letters to him
requesting him not to listen to any suggestions,
but to stand firm, as he (Lord Lovat) was to
get a dukedom, and was perfectly satisfied that
the same title would be conferred on him also.
Mr Porteous never married, and it was sup-
posed the cause lay in the conduct of the fair
sex at Dunlichity He lived to a good old age,
and died greatly lamented by all who knew
him. He was cousin to the notorious Captain
Porteous whom the mob in Edinburgh hanged
in the Grassmarket.

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