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M.
GENEAUOCr COULECTION
MEMOIR
FAMILY OF M'COMBIE
" Man is properly the only object that interests man." — Goethe.
MEMOIR
v
OF THE
FAMILY OF M'COMBIE
A BRANCH OF THE CLAN M'INTOSH
COMPILED FROM
HISTORY AND TRADITION
WILLIAM M'COMBIE SMITH
WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS
EDINBURGH AND LONDON
MDCCCLXXXVIT
All R lights reserved
^
^
PREFACE.
^__^ 1135570
^"^ ^ I ^HE first question regarding the publication
T
of a new book ouQ;ht to be, Does it contani
anything not already known to those likely to
read it ? Of the present work it may safely be
said that much of what it contains is not already
known to probable readers. The second ques-
tion, in the event of the first being satisfactorily
answered, ought to be, Are the contents of suf-
ficient interest or value to warrant publication ?
It would be presumptuous on the part of the
compiler to answer this question affirmatively.
He may be permitted, however, to say, that he
believes that what is authentic and historical in
the life of John M'Comie of Porter is of interest
vi Preface.
and value as illustrative of the social and political
life of the seventeenth century ; and that the
record of the position attained and work accom-
plished by several of his descendants in Aber-
deenshire, and the means by which their position
was attained and work accomplished, will be
found interesting, valuable, and instructive. If
the traditionary events are of less value, they
are still interesting, and their publication may
be excused on the Q^round that most of them
were likely soon otherwise to have passed irre-
trievably into oblivion.
W. M'C. S.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Introduction, ...... i
CHAPTER I.
Origin of the Clan M'Intosh — Origin of the family of
M'Combie — Called Clan M'Thomas, Acts of Parlia-
ment 1587 and 1594 — Settled in Glenshee — Inter-
marriage with Farquharsons — Bond of manrent to
Lachlan Mor, sixteenth chief of the M'Intoshes,
CHAPTER II.
John M'Comie, the M'Comie Mor — Finnegand — Barony
of Forter — Personal history, traditional— Fight with
the kain-gatherers — Attempt to carry off M'Comie
Mor to Athole — Fight with a foreign champion at
Blair-Athole — Slaughter of the caird — M'Comie
Mor's putting-stone and well — Subdues a fierce bull —
Supernatural incidents : Knox Baxter and the water-
kelpie's wife — Tests the courage of his eldest son —
viii Contents.
Personal history, historical — First a Royalist, but
changes sides — Litigation with Lord Airlie, 1661 —
Excepted from Act of Indemnity, 1662 — Attends
summons of the chief of the M'Intoshes, 1665 — Feud
with tlie Farquharsons of Broughdearg — Raid of
Crandart, 1669 — Fight at Moss of Forfar, 1673 —
Trial, M'Comies v. Farquharsons ; Farquharsons v.
M'Comies, 1673 — Death of M'Comie Mor — His
family, . . . . . .13
CHAPTER in.
Settlement in Aberdeenshire — -Donald M'Comie — Rob-
ert M'Combie — William M'Combie, tenant -in Lyn-
turk — The M'Combies a stalwart race — Faction fights
— Incidents of the '45 — Family of William M'Com-
bie of Lynturk and their descendants — His brothers, 82
CHAPTER IV.
William M'Combie of Tillyfour — His youth — Becomes
tenant of Tillyfour, Bridgend, and Dorsell — Fond of
sport — Begins his career as cattle-breeder, 1844 —
Entertained to public dinner by the gentlemen of the
north-east of Scotland, 1862 — By farm-servants and
tradesmen of the vale of Alford — Second President
of the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture — Visited by
her Majesty the Queen — Publishes ' Cattle and Cat-
tie-Breeders' — M.P. for West Aberdeenshire — Pur-
chases Tillyfour — Crowning success of 1878 — Deatli
— Personal characteristics, . . . .106
Contents. ix
CHAPTER V.
William M'Combie of Easterskene and Lynturk — His
early years — Succeeds to Easterskene, 1824 — Investi-
gations regarding the history of his ancestors — Visits
to Perthshire and Forfarshire — Marriage, 1831 —
Succeeds to Lynturk — Death of his wife, 1835 — And
of his son, 1841 — Easterskene — Lynturk — Easter-
skene herd — Mr M'Combie as a farmer and land-
lord — Public life — Personal characteristics — Con-
clusion, . . . . . .121
Appendix, . . . . 149
THE FAMILY OF M'COMBIE.
INTRODUCTION.
T3I0GRAPHY is ever the most profitable and
interesting matter for both writer and
reader. The Hfe of the most commonplace man
or woman or family, it has been remarked, were
it fully unfolded, would be full of interest, and in
proportion as the individual or family becomes
conspicuous, the interest increases. In some in-
stances the interest attaching to a family name
centres round one individual, who appears as a
bright particular star, outshining all the others.
In other cases the interest attaching to a family
name is continued throughout many generations,
by a succession of men who distinguish them-
A
2 Introduction.
selves in their day and generation as not of com-
mon mould. In either case there arises, among
those inheriting the family name, that pride of
ancestry so highly to be prized by those whose
heritage it is. An honourable pride of ancestry
is one of the most valuable incentives to the main-
tenance of human worth and greatness. It is
from the honourable pride and ambition of the
individual members of distinguished families to
maintain in undiminished honour the prestige of
the family name that the permanent stability and
greatness of a nation arises. National pride in
the nation's history, and national ambition to hand
down to posterity its honour and glory untar-
nished, or even with added lustre, is the outcome
of the combined efforts of the individuals and
families comprising the nation, animated by the
desire either to maintain and add to individual
and family renown already acquired, or to be the
first to bring renown to an individual or family
not previously distinguished.
The Celtic population of the Highlands of
Scotland have always been remarkable for the
Introduction. 3
tenacity with which they have maintained the
name and honours of the various clans, with their
distinct branches or septs. This determination
has naturally led to a desire to collect and pre-
serve authentic records of the lives of the leading
members of whatever clan or family has achieved
an honourable position, and has through suc-
cessive generations maintained that position ; and
the object of the present memoir is to put on
record and preserve whatever has come down to
the present time, through history or tradition,
concerning the family of M'Combie, a branch .of
the Clan M'Intosh.
CHAPTER I.
ORIGIN OF THE CLAN M'iNTOSH — ORIGIN OF THE FAMILY OF
M'COMBIE — CALLED CLAN M'THOMAS, ACTS OF PARLIAMENT
1587 AND 1594 — SETTLED IN GLENSHEE — INTERMARRIAGE
WITH FARQUHARSONS — BOND OF MANRENT TO LACHLAN MOR,
SIXTEENTH CHIEF OF THE M'iNTOSHES.
' I ^HE founder of the Clan M'Intosh was Shaw
M'Duff, second son of the fifth Earl of
Fife, who distinguished himself in quelling a re-
bellion among the Moray tribes, against Malcolm
IV., about the years 1 161-63, and whose descend-
ants thenceforward assumed the name M'Intosh
= Mac-an-Toiseach = son of the foremost or chief
man. The Clan M'Intosh, of which the family
of M'Combie is a branch, was in turn a branch
of the still older Clan Chattan, the derivation of
which is uncertain. The famous fio^ht on the
North Inch of Perth, in 1396, in the reign of
Origin of the Family. 5
Robert III., between the Clan Chattan and Clan
Quhele, was fought by the ancestors of the pres-
ent M'Intoshes, M'Phersons, and Camerons.
From Angus Og, son of Angus, the sixth chief
of the Clan M'Intosh, who died in 1345, were
descended the M'Intoshes of Glen Tilt, who
afterwards settled at Dalmunzie in Glenshee. It
was probably owing to the settlement of this
branch of the M'Intoshes in Glenshee, that the
descendants of Adam M 'William ^ of Garvamore,
in Badenoch, a natural son^ of William,^ the
seventh chief, also settled in Glenshee, Strath-
ardle, and Glenisla.
This Adam M'Intosh, son of William, the
seventh chief of the Clan M'Intosh, was the
founder of that branch of the clan which after-
wards came to be known by the surname of
M 'Thomas = son of Thomas, which in time
became corrupted into M'Thomie, M'Homie,
M'Omie, M'Comie, and latterly M'Combie.
The surname M'Intosh was used interchange-
ably with M'Comie until the settlement in
1 Appendix, Note A. - Appendix, Note B. ^ Appendix, Note C.
6 The Family of M'Combie.
Aberdeenshire. The family of M'Combie took
its rise, therefore, as a separate and distinct
branch of the Clan M'Intosh in the latter half
of the fourteenth century. In the original feu-
charter,^ of date 9th September 1571, the
M'Combies are described as being ab antiquo
tenants and possessors of Finnegand in Glen-
shee.
In the " Roll of the Landdislordis and Baillies "
appended to the Act of Parliament, of date 1587,
" for the quieting and keeping in obedience of the
disordourit subjectis inhabitantis of the Bordouris,
Hielandis, and His," commonly called " The
General Band," there is first given " The Roll of
the names of the Landislordis and Baillies of
Landis in the Hielandis and lies, quhair brokin
men hes duelt and presentlie duellis," followed by
"The Roll of the Clannis [in the Hielandis and
lies] that hes Capitanes, Cheiffis, and Chiftanes
quhome on thay depend, oft tymes aganis the
willis of thair Landislordis : and of sum speciale
personis of branchis of the saidis clannis." In
^ Appendix, Note D.
Called Clan M' Thomas. 7
the latter roll there occurs the " Clan M'Thomas
in Glensche."
In the roll of the clans of 1587, following " Clan
M'Thomas in Glensche," are the " Fergussonis,
Spaldingis," without locality given, and the " Mak-
intoscheis in Athoill," showing that Angus Og's
descendants, together with those of Adam, son of
the seventh chief, still held Glen Tilt and Glen-
shee as their headquarters.
In the roll of the broken clans in the Hiofh-
lands and Isles, in the Act of Parliament " for
punishment of thift, reiff, oppressioun, and soirn-
ing," of date 1594, there are included under
"many brokin men," the "Fergussonis, Spa-
dingis, M'Intosheis in Athoill, M'Thomas in
Glensche," and " Ferquharsonis in Bra of Mar,"
The necessity for this second roll, so soon following
on that of 1587, is set forth as follows: " Oure
Soverane Lord and his estaitis in this present
Parliament, considering that, nochtwithstanding
the sundrie Actis maid be his Hienes, and his
maist nobill progenitouris, for punischment of the
authoris of thift, reiff, oppression, and sorning,
8 The Family of M'Combie.
and masteris and sustenaries of thevis ; yet sic
hes bene, and presentlie is, the barbarous cruelties
and daylie heirschippis of the wickit thevis and
lymmaris of the clannis and surenames following,
inhabiting the Hielands and lies," &c.
In both rolls the M'Intoshes, Fergussons,
Spaldings, and M'Thomases occur together ; and
in the ' Geography of the Clans of Scotland,'
by Mr T. B. Johnston and Colonel J. A. Robert-
son, the M'Intoshes are marked in the map as in
Glen Tilt only, and the M 'Thomas clan in the
head of Glenshee, with the Fergussons lower
down, and the Spaldings lowest down in what is
now known as the Blackwater district, and in
Strathardle around Ashintully. There is evi-
dently something wrong in this arrangement.
The M'Intoshes were in Glen Tilt previous to
1587; but they were also in Dalmunzie, in the
head of Glenshee. Where the Ferofussons are
placed in the map, Finnegand is situated, where
no Fergussons were at that time nor since ; and
in 1571 the M'Thomases had been '' ab antiquo''
possessors of Finnegand, and were in possession
Located in Glenshee. 9
of it for long after 1594. The Spaldings were,
until comparatively recent times, tenants and pos-
sessors in the Blackwater district of Glenshee,
and in and around Ashintully in Strathardle.
Bearing in mind that the M'Intoshes and
M'Thomases were of the same origin, and that
long after this time of 1587, or even of 1594, the
head of the Clan M 'Thomas used the surname
M'Intosh Interchangeably with M'Comie, there
can be little doubt but that Glen Tilt in Athole,
with the head of Glenshee, should be set down
in a clan map of the sixteenth century as held
by M'Intoshes, and the district between the head
of Glenshee and what is now the Blackwater
district, as held by the branch of the M'Intoshes
known by the surnames of M'Intosh, M 'Thomas,
and M'Comie, and below the M'Comies, the
Spaldings. The Fergussons in the map ought
to be placed in the Glenshee south of Dunkeld,
held, in part at least, by Fergusson, Baron of
Fandowie, and not in the Glenshee north of
Dunkeld.
It is clearly established, however, both by the
lo The Family of M'Cornbie.
parliamentary records of Scotland and by char-
ter, that the M'Comies were a distinct family,
settled in Glenshee in the sixteenth century.
The phrase ab antiquo, in the charter of 1571,
establishes a settlement long previous to that ;
and their descent from William, seventh chief of
the M'Intoshes, points to this settlement as being
probably in the end of the fourteenth or begin-
ning of the fifteenth century.
In the roll of 1594, the M 'Thomases in Glen-
shee are immediately followed by the Farquhar-
sons in Braemar, The great hero of the Far-
quharsons was the renowned Finla Mor. In
1547, he was standard-bearer in the disastrous
battle of Pinkie, where he was slain. It is an
interesting fact that the great hero of the
M'Comies, the M'Comie Mor, was a lineal de-
scendant of Finla Mors. Finla Mors first wife
was a daughter of Baron Reid of Kincardine-
Stewart. Their eldest son, William, married Bea-
trix Gordon, daughter of Lord Sutherland, whose
daughter was married to Thomas M'Intosh of
Finnegand. The family, therefore, had acquired
Band of Manre7it to Chief of M'lntoshes. 1 1
considerable influence and power in the sixteenth
century ; and in the words of the Act of Parlia-
ment of 1 587, was depending on its own chief, " oft-
times against the will," it may be, of its feudal
superior, the Earl of Athole. The concern ex-
pressed by Parliament in the doings of these
"brokin men" — that is, branches of original clans
who had assumed independence — naturally led
these to confederate themselves. The measures
adopted by the Scottish Government after the
Act of Parliament of 1587, had evidently been
ineffectual in bringing these broken men into
submission ; but the subject being taken up again
so soon after, showed both that the independent
branches were proving troublesome to their land-
lords and the Government, and that the latter
was determined to bring them to account.
Accordingly, in the year following the Act of
1594, we find the distant colonies of the clan in
Aberdeenshire and Perthshire granting a heritable
band of manrent, at Invercauld, to Lachlan Mor,
the sixteenth chief of the M'Intoshes. In this
band, dated March 1595, James M'Intosh of
12 The Family of M'Combie.
Gask, Donald Farquharson of TuJligarmont,
John Farquharson of Invercauld, George, Lach-
lan, and Finlay Farquharson, brothers to the
laird Donald (these four were sons, and John of
Invercauld a grandson, of Finla Mor), Duncan
M'Intosh of Dalmunzie, and Robert M'Homie in
the burn of Glenshee, promise to maintain, fortify,
and defend Lachlan and his heirs, "as our natu-
rall cheiff."
'3
CHAPTER II.
JOHN M'COMIE, THE M'COMIE MOR — FINNEGAND — BARONY OF
FORTER — PERSONAL HISTORY, TRADITIONAL — FIGHT WITH THE
KAIN-GATHERERS — ATTEMPT TO CARRY OFF M'COMIE MOR TO
ATHOLE — FIGHT WITH A FOREIGN CHAMPION AT BLAIR-ATHOLE
— SLAUGHTER OF THE CAIRD — M'COMIE MOR'S PUTTING-STONE
AND WELL — SUBDUES A FIERCE BULL — SUPERNATURAL INCI-
DENTS : KNOX BAXTER AND THE WATER-KELPIE's WIFE — TESTS
THE COURAGE OF HIS ELDEST SON — PERSONAL HISTORY, HIS-
TORICAL— FIRST A ROYALIST, BUT CHANGES SIDES — LITIGATION
WITH LORD AIRLIE, 1661 — EXCEPTED FROM ACT OF INDEMNITY,
1662 — ATTENDS SUMMONS OF THE CHIEF OF THE M'INTOSHES,
1665 — FEUD WITH THE FARQUHARSONS OF BROUGHDEARG —
RAID OF CRANDART, 1669 — FIGHT AT MOSS OF FORFAR, 1673
— TRIAL, M'COMIES V. FARQUHARSONS ; FARQUHARSONS V.
M'COMIES, 1673 — DEATH OF M'COMIE MOR — HIS FAMILY.
TTROM the end of the sixteenth to about
the middle of the seventeenth century,
there seems to have been a period of com-
parative quietude. The tranquilHty of the rest
of the country, from the Union of the Crowns to
the beginning of the great Civil War, exerted its
14 The Family of M'Combie.
influence on the Highlands also. About the
beginning of this period was born John M'Comie,
the M'Comie Mor, in whose lifetime the family
rose to its highest point of influence and power in
Perthshire and Forfarshire, and also sank to its
lowest ebb, under powers and circumstances which
the haughty chief was too proud to submit to,
and in his old age unable successfully to resist.
History and tradition alike bear testimony to the
remarkable character of this Highland chief The
sagacity and indomitable spirit that characterised
his mental qualities were not more conspicuous
among his contemporaries than his extraordinary
bodily strength. Sir ^neas M'Pherson, in his
MS. history, makes mention of "John M'Intosh
of Forter, commonly called M'Comie," as among
" the oldest and wisest not only of my own, but
of all our neighbour families ; ... all men of
sense and reputation, and most of them so very
old that if they were not acquainted with Finla
Mor himself, they were at least personally known
to his children." John M'Comie could not have
been acquainted with Finla Mor, but might have
John M'Comie, the M'Comie Mor. 15
been personally acquainted with his children, his
own mother being a granddaughter of Finla Mor.
Sir ^neas M'Pherson speaks of John M'Intosh,
or M'Comie, as of Forter, of which barony he
had obtained a wadset from the Earl of Airlie,
some time between 1651 ^ and 1660. After enter-
ing on possession of Forter, he built a mansion-
house on the estate at Crandart, where he took
up his residence. Crandart is situated on the
right bank of the Isla, about a mile and a half
north of the old castle of Forter, which had been
burned down by Argyll in 1640. Before pro-
ceeding further with the history of the M'Comies,
it is necessary to describe the main features of
the lands held by them in Perthshire and Forfar-
shire.
Finnegand, that had been so long in the posses-
sion of the M'Comies, lies wholly on the right bank
of the Shee, in the parish of Kirkmichael, Perth-
shire. On the south-east corner, opposite Dal-
naglar, the land on the side of the Shee at its low-
est point is over 1000 feet above sea-level. For
1 Appendix, Note E.
1 6 The Family of M'Combie.
about two miles along the Shee, which from the
mansion-house of Finnegand turns a little to the
west, there is a belt of arable land, consisting of
level haughs and gently sloping fields, extending
from two to three hundred yards from the water-
side ; then a series of rounded heights, of no great
elevation, leads to the foot of the range of moun-
tains forming the watershed between Glenshee
and the glens with their tributary streams stretch-
ing southwards to Strathardle. The land, with
an easterly and north-easterly slope and aspect,
is of moderate fertility; and from its height above
sea-level is better adapted for green than white
crops — grain crops being fully matured only in
very favourable seasons. At about half a mile
from the Shee, the mountains rise rather abruptly,
culminating in Meall Odhar and Meall Uaine,
the latter being 2600 feet above sea-level. On
the opposite side of the Shee from Finnegand
lies Broughdearg, also with its belt of arable land
on the left bank of the Shee, and the mountains
forming the watershed between Glenshee and
Glenisla rising steeply behind it. The highest
Finnegand and Barony of Farter. 1 7
point between Broughdearg and Glenisla Is Meal-
na-letter, 2297 feet above sea-level, which is on
the boundary-line between Perthshire and Forfar-
shire, and looks down towards the east upon
Crandart. Farquharson of Broughdearg, it will be
seen, marched both west and east with M'Comie
Mor — on the west with Finnegand, on the east
with the barony of Forter, and the large tract of
forest-ground in the extreme north of Glenisla,
The result, with ill-defined boundary-lines, and
unconquerable courage and unyielding pride in
both chieftains, was disastrous to both.
The property of Dalmunzie, held by the de-
scendants of Angus Og, lies about two miles
north-west of Finnegand, immediately west of
the Spittal of Glenshee, and is still held by a
M'Intosh. Glenbeg, in which the M'Comies had
a shealing, lies north of the Spittal of Glenshee,
marching with Braemar on the north.
The barony of Forter, on which the mansion-
house of Crandart was to become the headquar-
ters of the family of M'Combie, is situated in the
west of Forfarshire, in the parish of Glenisla, and
B
1 8 The Family of M'Combie.
extends from Mount Blair, 2441 feet, on the
south, to Cairn - na - Glasha, 3484 feet, on the
north. For about four miles from the eastern
base of Mount Blair northwards, the Isla is the
eastern boundary ; it then includes both sides of
the Isla, the boundary being the watershed be-
tween Glencally and the Isla, over the summit
of Finalty, 2954 feet. On the north the boun-
dary is formed by the watershed between Canness
glen — Canness burn being the north - eastern
branch of the Isla — and the glen of the Doll,
down which rushes the Whitewater to join the
South Esk, and the watershed between Can-
lochan glen, the burn of which is the north-western
branch of the Isla, and Glencallater in Aberdeen-
shire. Between Canness and the head of the
glen of the Doll the highest summit is Tom
Buidhe, 3140 feet; between Canlochan and Glen-
callater the hiofhest summit is Cairn-na-Glasha.
On the west, the broad-crowned Glas Maol, 3502
feet, near the summit of which the shires of Aber-
deen, Perth, and Forfar meet, is the culminating
point of Forfarshire. Thence the boundary-line
Barony of Forte7\ 19
goes along the top of Craig Leacach, 3238 feet,
which descends in almost a sheer precipice to the
Brighty burn, which rises far up the Glas Maol.
On the western side of Craig Leacach is Glen-
beg, which runs south to the Spittal of Glenshee.
At Cairn Aighe, 2824 feet, the boundary -line
turns south-eastward to Monamenach, 2649 feet,
about two miles north-north-west of Crandart,
and thence in a southerly direction to the height
overlooking Dalnaglar and the Balloch, whence
it sweeps round south-eastwards to Mount Blair
again. The length of this district, from Mount
Blair to Cairn - na - Glasha, is about ten miles,
the breadth varying from one to four miles.
The low-lying arable ground extends from the
Balloch, 1000 feet, to Auchavan and the Linns,
about 1250 feet. Much of this is a friable fertile
soil. Above the 1250 feet line, much fine sum-
mer pasture-land stretches up the mountain-sides
to about 2000 feet. The scenery around Forter
is picturesque ; above Forter, Glenisla is narrow,
the steep mountain-sides closing in on the narrow
bottom of the o^len. Above the Tulchan, Glen-
20 The Family of M'Combie.
isla contains some of the finest mountain and
glen scenery in Scotland. To the left, going up
the right bank of the Isla, Monega rises precipi-
tously to the height of 2917 feet, its lower slope
for about a mile below the junction of Canlochan
and Canness beinor well wooded. In front, the
towering promontory that divides Canlochan from
Canness rises grandly and abruptly. The lower
part is thickly wooded, then the scarred rocky
face, with thin lines of trees struggling up wher-
ever they can find sufficient soil, rises steep and
grand to the height of nearly 3000 feet. To the
right, Canness, a narrow gorge, wooded on its
western side for about a mile from its junction
with Canlochan, penetrates for about two miles,
first in a north-easterly, then in a north-westerly
direction, towards the head-waters of Glencallater.
To the left is Canlochan, the glory of Glenisla.
From the north - east shoulder of Monega an
escarpment runs right round the head of Can-
lochan, and back to the water-parting between
Canlochan and Canness, a distance of over four
miles, the top of the escarpment the whole way
Barony of Fort er. 21
being from a little under to a little over 3000
feet above sea-level. Where the waters of Can-
ness and Canlochan meet, the height above
sea-level is 1500 feet; so that there is a preci-
pitous wall of from 1000 feet to 1500 feet run-
ning round Canlochan, indented with rugged
and broken rocky gorges. The glen is about
two miles long, running first in a north-westerly
direction, then turninof almost due north to Cairn-
na-Glasha. From its south-eastern end, for about
a mile, it is wooded for a considerable distance
up the precipitous face. Beyond this the surface
is bare, with here and there rocky faces rising
sheer and abrupt, in the crevices of which grow
some very rare alpine plants, the exact habitat of
which is known only to a few enthusiastic bot-
anists, who keep their knowledge from ordinary
mortals with jealous care. After passing the
Tulchan, the eye discovers fresh beauties at
every step. The Isla, winding through grassy
hauQfhs, the liorht rich orreen of the q-rass contrast-
ing with the deeper and darker green of the
larch wood, and both with the purple of the
2 2 The Family of M'Combie.
heather ; the rocks seamed with red scaurs, jut-
tinof at first here and there through the wood,
then rising sheer and abrupt over it, — present a
picture of beauty and grandeur altogether un-
rivalled in Forfarshire, and with few equals in
the Highlands of Scotland.
Between the Brighty — which, rising far up the
Glas Maol, flows first south by the base of Craig
Leacach, and then east till it joins the Isla at the
Tulchan — and the Isla, below the junction of Can-
ness and Canlochan burns, there lies on the west
side of Monega a small ravine or gully called the
Glascorrie, the burn from which falls into the
Isla, after a south and then south-easterly course,
nearly a mile above the junction of the Brighty
and Isla. Glen Brighty is black and bare, the
only feature in the landscape that attracts the
eye being the precipitous face of Craig Leacach,
destitute of vegetation and covered with loose
shingle. Such is a brief outline of the property
of the M'Comie Mor in Glenisla.
Coming now to the personal history of M'Comie
Mor, we shall first take up the traditionary tales,
M'Coinie Mor routs the Kain-gatkerers. 23
which are still preserved, both in Glenshee and
Glenisla, of his intrepid bravery and immense
personal strength. The first of these refers to the
time he resided at Finneo-and.
Those passing along the Highland road from
Blairgowrie to Braemar, may observe a large
stone on the west side of the road, about opposite
to Dalnaglar, and about a mile south from Finne-
gand. This stone is known by the few Gaelic-
speaking people in the district as Clach-na-
Coileach — the stone of the cock ; by those who
speak Scotch, as Cocksteen, which originated as
follows. Proprietors in Glenshee — and most if
not all those in the Blackwater district — in the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, held their lands
by feu-charter from the then Earls of Athole, who
levied kain — that is, so many fowls annually, as
a tax or rent — from every reeking house on the
various properties. The term is probably derived
from the Gaelic ceann, a head — as this tribute
would consist of so many head of whatever kind
of live stock the kain had to be paid in. This
annual gathering of kain by the Athole men,
24 TJie Family of M'Comhie.
while M'Comie Mor was in Finnegand, had gone
on peacefully one year, from the head of the glen
down to a small cot above Finnegand. Here the
kain-gatherers, finding a poor widowed woman —
a tenant of M'Comie Mor — heartlessly took not
only their lawful kain, but all her stock of poultry,
despite her most urgent entreaties to leave at
least some of them, in pity for her circumstances.
We can easily conceive that the retainers of the
powerful Earl of Athole carried matters with a
high hand, as in those times there was practically
no redress of grievances except by the strong
arm. The widow's only strength lay in tears and
entreaties ; and finding these of no avail, she be-
thought her of the strong arm of M'Comie Mor,
if only he could be persuaded to aid her. There
was no time to lose ; for the kain - gatherers
were making their way down the glen, and her
treasured poultry would soon be irretrievably be-
yond reach. In all haste she set out for Fin-
negand, with many tears laid her complaint
before M'Comie Mor, and to her great joy he
at once consented to accompany her to ask re-
M'Comie Mor 7^outs the Kain-gatherers. 25
dress. We can picture the widow, with heart
already lightened — for who would dare to refuse
what M'Comie Mor asked in Glenshee ? — trudg-
ing along by the side of her stalwart protector,
and relating all the circumstances of her visitors'
harsh words and still harsher deeds. It would
not be difficult to find the kain-gatherers, as
their progress would be accompanied by the
shrill " scraichs " of the captured cocks and hens,
mingled, no doubt, with equally shrill objurgations
in Gaelic from irate goodwives, whose ideas of
what should be taken and what should be left
would doubtless differ widely from those of the
Athole men. M'Comie Mor and the widow came
up with them near the big stone, when the former
explained the circumstances of the poor widow,
and asked that at least part of her poultry might
be returned to her, especially as they had taken
more from her than they had a right to. To the
widow's great surprise and renewed grief, this
reasonable demand was met with a decided re-
fusal, couched in terms the reverse of polite.
There was nothing for it, then, but to return to
26 The Family of M'Combie.
her cot, and put up with her loss as she best
could. But if the widow was to be content with
silent submission to those with part right, and
seemingly whole might, on their side, not so
M'Comie Mor. It was bad enough to be re-
fused, but to be spoken to with insolence on his
own ground, when making a reasonable request
for one of his own dependants, was intolerable.
The civil request for the restitution of part of the
widow's fowls became a peremptory command to
deliver up the whole. The command meeting
with no better reception than the request, was at
once followed up by M'Comie Mor drawing his
sword and attacking the leader of the band. The
kain-gatherers at once set down their creels, and
rushed to their leader's assistance. But he was
hors de combat before assistance could reach him ;
and the astonished Athole men soon found that
might as well as right was on the side of the
widow, for wherever a blow from M'Comie Mors
right arm fell, there fell an Athole man also. As
by this time a good few Glenshee men were arriv-
ing, who had learned what was going on, the
M'Comie Mor routs the Kain-gatherers. 27
Athole men wisely gave way, M'ComIe Mor
then advanced and unceremoniously cut open the
coops containing the widow's feathered treasures,
whereupon one crouse young cock mounted the
big stone, and sent forth a shrill, clear, and tri-
umphant pseian of victory. That was a scene not
likely soon to be forgotten in Glenshee : the poor
widow, doubtless but a moment before in an agony
of fear for the safety of her chivalrous champion,
risking his life against such heavy odds on her
behalf, now gladly pouring forth her thanks, while
rejoicing over her recovered treasures : the crest-
fallen kain-gatherers making off with what kain
was still left to them — doubtless strictly civil
and honest in their further requisitions while
in Glenshee ; the stalwart chief sheathing his
sword ; and high over all the brave little chan-
ticleer, sending forth his notes of defiance to all
the race of Athole kain-gatherers. The scene
was not likely to be forgotten, and is not for-
gotten ; for the Clach-na-Coileach still remains,
a mute but steadfast witness : and often is the
story told in Glenshee of how M'Comie Mor
28 The Family of M'Coinbie.
supplied the much-needed might for the widow's
riorht.
But the quarrel about the kain, as might be
expected, did not end here. The Earl of Athole,
as superior of the district, could not brook the
insult of having his retainers routed, and his kain
withheld by a vassal. A well-armed band was,
therefore, sent from Athole to Glenshee, to bring
M'Comie Mor to Blair Athole dead or alive. In
due time they reached Finnegand, and surprised
the laird unarmed in the house. But M'Comie
Mor had sagacity and wit, as well as strength
and courage. The Athole men having explained
their errand, he frankly admitted that, in the cir-
cumstances, he was powerless to gainsay them.
However, it was a pretty long way to Blair
Castle, and both they and himself would be better
of having some refreshment before setting out.
Orders were at once given for refreshments to
be set down in the other end of the house ; the
Athole men and the laird being at this time in
the kitchen. While the servants busied them-
selves in preparing a substantial repast, M'Comie
M'Comie Mor outwits the A thole Men. 29
Mor, by his frank and genial bearing-, soon put
the Athole men at their ease. When It was
intimated that their repast was ready, the laird
courteously requested them to lay aside their
arms and plaids, that they might be at more
freedom while eating and drinking. As he him-
self was unarmed, and all distrust of their enter-
tainer had vanished under the influence of his
unexpected affability, the Athole men piled their
arms in a corner of the kitchen ; and removing
their plaids, followed the host to the other end of
the house, where they found a profuse abundance
of Highland cheer set forth. Charmed by their
host's genial frankness, and softened by unlimited
uisge-beatha, the Athole men were now completely
at their ease, and were doubtless mentally con-
gratulating themselves on the unexpected ease
and pleasure with which they were carrying out
a mission, which they had calculated would be
one of no little danger and difficulty. When,
therefore, their host at length asked permission
to go and give some necessary Instructions to his
family about the management of his affairs while
30 TJie Family of M'Combie.
he would be absent, rendered necessary by his
being so unexpected called away without notice,
the permission was at once granted, without the
slightest feeling of mistrust on the part of the
Athole men. Accordingly, M'Comie Mor went
out, telling them he would send word when he
was ready. After waiting a short time, a servant
announced that her master was ready. The
Athole men at once proceeded to the kitchen
to resume their plaids and arms, and found —
M'Comie Mor standing fully armed, their plaids
all laid out on a table, but not a single gun nor
sword to be seen in the corner where they had
so imprudently left them. Their lately so genial
host then informed them in a haughty tone, that
as they had been sent for him, they were at
liberty to try and take him with them, but that
he was determined to defend his liberty to the
utmost of his power. The dismay of the Athole
men may be imagined. Even had they been
again armed, they knew full well by this time
how extremely dangerous a task it would have
been to have overpowered him ; as it was, it
M'Comie Mors Fight with a Foreign Bravo. 31
would have been but throwing their Hves away
to have attempted his capture. There was
nothing for it then but to resume their plaids,
and return unarmed to Athole, and explain, as
they best might, the ignominious failure of their
mission.
As a matter of course, M'Comie Mor did not
expect that the Earl of Athole would quietly
submit to this fresh indignity. An unforeseen
event, however, brought the matter to a more
friendly termination than could otherwise have
been looked for. Shortly after the unsuccessful
attempt to carry off M'Comie Mor to Athole, a
professional champion swordsman, or bully as he
was called, a gigantic Italian, made his appear-
ance at Blair Athole, and as usual challenged the
best man the Earl of Athole could produce to
fight ; and in the event of no one accepting his
challenge, or any one accepting it and being
beaten, he would claim, as a right, a sum of
money, as a sort of tribute earned by his
prowess. The payment of the money was a
less source of annoyance to one in the position
32 The Family of M'Coriibie.
of the Earl of Athole than the thought that in
all the wide district of which he was superior,
he could not find a man of sufficient strength
and courage to successfully cope with this foreign
bravo. And in proportion also to the disgrace
of having no man in Athole a match for him,
would be the glory to the Earl and his vassals
if he could produce an Athole champion able to
conquer such a redoubted hero. In the present
instance, disgrace instead of honour appeared
likely to fall on Athole and Athole men ; for a
sight of the foreigner, who was of immense
size and fierce aspect, together with the no-
toriety of his extraordinary skill as a swords-
man, proved sufficient to deter the strongest and
bravest of the Athole men from risking life and
limb in a fight with him. In this emergency, the
Earl at last reflected that M'Comie Mor, who
had recently lowered the prestige of the Athole
men as their opponent, was the very man to
raise it again as their champion. We can easily
understand that at a time when personal prowess
was of such account, the Earl's displeasure at
M'Comie Mors Fight ivith a Foreign Bravo. ^2,
the double indignity offered to his immediate
retainers was tempered with a feehng of satis-
faction that he had amongst his vassals a man
possessed of such unusual strength, courage, and
sagacity. It was evident, also, to a prudent man,
that it would be a more satisfactory termination
to the present quarrel that M'Comie Mor should
give satisfaction to the Earl's offended dignity by
rendering a personal service to him, than that so
brave a man should be subdued by mere force of
numbers. Accordingly, a trusted retainer was
despatched to Finnegand, who was to explain to
M'Comie Mor that if he would come to Blair
Castle, and there render a personal service to
the Earl of an honourable nature, that in that
case the Earl would look on this as making full
amends for the indignities inflicted on his re-
tainers on their last two visits. For some time
M'Comie Mor was in great doubt as to this
intimation being made in good faith, and had a
strong suspicion that it was merely a ruse to get
him quietly into Athole, where satisfaction would
be required of him for the affair of the kain-
c
34 The Family of M'Coinbie.
gatherers, and his outwitting the second expe-
dition. Assured at length that the Earl's in-
vitation was made in good faith, he set out with
the messenger, and arrived at Blair Castle. But
here a fresh difficulty arose. On being con-
fronted with the Italian champion, and the pur-
pose for which he had been summoned explained
to him, he flatly refused to fight with any man
with whom he had no quarrel. At this unlooked-
for declaration, the hopes of the Athole men,
which had been raised to a great height, from
the account given by the kain-gatherers of his
extraordinary strength and courage, and from his
magnificent personal appearance, received a rude
fall. In vain the Earl urged and entreated him,
in vain some of the Athole men began audibly to
hint that the redoubted M'Comie Mor's courage
had vanished like their own at the sight of the
fierce and stalwart Italian. This latter worthy's
behaviour soon brought about the desired result.
On learning that the man who was expected to
fight with him refused to do so on the plea that
there was no quarrel between them, and there-
M'Comie Mors Fig Jit with a Foreign Bravo. 35
fore no occasion to fight, he at once attributed
this to cowardice, and began to indulge in much
high-sounding bravado. This having no effect,
he next proceeded to personal indignity, and
approaching his apparently imperturbable oppon-
ent, he with one hand lifted his kilt, and with the
other — horresco referens — bestowed a sounding
whack on the astounded chief's posteriors. In
an instant, with the peculiarly graceful sweep
that always marked the drawing of his sword —
a peculiarity which afterwards stood him in good
stead on another occasion — his sword was out of
its scabbard. The Italian immediately sprang
back, and put himself in position. The Athole
men now silent, in breathless suspense watched
the two gigantic opponents, for there was that on
the face of M'Comie Mor that showed it was
to be a battle ct outrance. Nor were the spec-
tators held long in suspense as to the result. A
few careful parries, and almost before they could
comprehend or believe what they saw, M'Comie
Mor's blade, with lightning-like rapidity and ex-
traordinary force, was through the Italian's guard,
1135570
36 The Family of M'Combie.
and his fiofhtino- career in this world was for ever
ended.
Another incident of his Hfe while at Finnegand
marks both the proud spirit of M'Comie Mor and
his determination not to put up with any slight to
himself or family, and also shows the lawlessness^
of the time, and the little regard for human life.
One day on coming home to Finnegand, he found
his wife and the female servants in a very excited
state, and on inquiry found that a big strong caird
had called, and finding no man about the place,
had behaved very rudely to his wife. Ascertain-
ing that the caird had gone up the glen, he took
two swords with him, and immediately followed
in pursuit. Coming up with him opposite Brough-
dearg, he gave him his choice of the swords, and
the result of the fieht that followed between them
was the slaughter of the caird, who was buried
where he fell, and the place is still known as
Imir-a-Chaird, the Caird's ridge or field.^
After obtaining the wadset of the barony of
Forter, and building the mansion-house at Cran-
^ Appendix, Note F. ^ Appendix, Note G,
M'Comie Mors Piitting-Stone. 37
dart, M'Comie Mor left Finnegand and resided at
Crandart, the house of which was built in 1660.
By the time he came to reside there he was past
his prime, and had become less desirous of exert-
ing his personal strength, it is therefore probable
that his famous feat with the stone, which since
then has been known as M'Comie Mors putting-
stone, was performed while he was yet a young
man at Finnegand, The place where the feat
was performed, and the stone itself, and the stance,
are all remarkable. The source of the Prosen, a
right-bank tributary of the South Esk, is at the
west end of the slope that reaches back from the
summit of the Mayar, 3043 feet, whose eastern
side rises abruptly over Glen Prosen. At the
west end of this slope, in two slight depressions
which spread out like a V, are gathered the head-
waters of the Prosen, a short distance from the
source of the Cally, a left-bank tributary of the
Isla, Between the two depressions is a com-
paratively level meadow of short benty grass, and
from the surface of this meadow the upper edge
of an earthfast stone, about 4 or 5 feet long,
38 The Family of M'Combie.
projects for about 6 inches above the surface.
This projecting edge of the boulder forms the
stance, and about 26 feet beyond this stance
is embedded, in a round hole in the ground, •
a round -shaped rough -surfaced stone of about
35 lb. in weight, and local tradition for over two
hundred years has handed down the hole, in which
the stone lies embedded to about half its diameter,
as the mark to which M'Comie Mor putted the
stone from the stone stance. On many of the
surrounding heights, pieces of ground as smooth
and level may be got ; but so good a natural
stance and natural putting-stone is extremely rare,
if not altogether unique, on a mountain-top. It
is easy to understand that all the conditions and
materials being found so handy, for such a national
pastime as putting the stone, by the young men
of the surrounding glens, when on hunting ex-
peditions or looking after their flocks, the place
would soon become well known ; the marks of noted
throwers would be pointed out, and every noted
putter would be anxious to put a best on record
down if possible. There is nothing Improbable,
M'Comie Mors Well. 39
therefore, in believing that the mark put in over
two hundred years ago by admiring contempor-
aries, and kept fresh by succeeding generations,
points out the exact spot to which M'Comie Mor
putted the present stone from the present stance.
Many athletes of the present day have made a
pilgrimage to it when passing between Clova and
Glenisla, and to both them and their forefathers
stance, stone, and mark have ever remained the
same. What renders it still more probable is,
that the same stone could be putted the same
distance by one or two of the leading athletes of
the present time. Most traditionary putting-
stones of bygone heroes are of a weight, or have
been putted a distance, that at once stamps the
accounts given as absurd nonsense.
On the west side of the westmost arm of the
V, the strongest spring that there gushes out is
known as M'Comie Mor's well. From the top
of the Mayar, looking north, the top of Benachie,
beyond the vale of Alford, may be seen through
a gap, as it were, among the intervening moun-
tains. Perhaps it was a glimpse of distant Ben-
40 The Family of M'Combie.
achie from this point that led young Donald
M'Combie in after-years, when the fortunes of
his family were on the wane in Forfarshire, to
seek his fortune in the Vale of Alford. Besides
that of the well-known putting-stone, other tradi-
tions exist of M'Comie Mors great personal
strength. Two stones used to be pointed out
in Canlochan, with which he performed feats
altogether beyond the power of ordinary men.
He is also said to have become possessed of a
bull in the Stormont district, which had become
unmanageable from its fierce temper, on very
easy terms from his point of view. M'Comie
Mor hearing the owner of the bull saying he
would have to destroy him, as he was become
unmanageable and unsafe, laughed at the idea of
a man being beat by a bull. The owner, said to
have been Mercer of Meikleour, nettled at being
laughed at, said that if M'Comie Mor could
manage the bull unaided, he would get him home
with him as a present. This offer being accepted,
they proceeded to the enclosure where the fierce
brute was confined, which no sooner saw them
M'Comie Mor and Knox Baxter. 41
than he rushed bellowing to the side of the fence.
M'Comie Mor, reaching over the fence, with his
left hand seized the bull's right horn, then vault-
ing over the fence, seized his other horn with his
right hand, and in a moment had the now in-
furiated brute on his back. Then allowing him
to regain his feet, he immediately overthrew him
a second time, and this he repeated till he was
thoroughly subdued, when he was afterwards
taken home in triumph by his conqueror.^
In an agfe when witches were still believed in
by ministers of the Gospel, and duly punished or
exorcised, and the black art had its schools of
learning, it is quite natural that several tradition-
ary incidents in M'Comie Mor's life should con-
tain supernatural elements. There is still pointed
out a large stone forming the lintel of the lime-
kiln at Crandart, which, after baffling the efforts
of the old chief and his sons, was placed there
by one man. The story goes that this man,
Knox Baxter, alias Colin M'Kenzie, by name,
who was suspected of being possessed of black
^ Appendix, Note H.
42 The Family of M'Combie.
art, came to Crandart as M'Comie and his sons
were trying ineffectually to get the stone into its
place. Sitting down a little apart, he viewed un-
concernedly the efforts put forth, without volun-
teering a helping hand. By-and-by the dinner-
hour came, without the stone having been got
into position. Having excused himself from
accepting the invitation given him to dinner,
the stranger was left sitting by the kiln-side,
where he was found when they returned to con-
tinue their work at the kiln, but the stone was
now in the place where the united efforts of
M'Comie Mor and his sons had failed to place
it ! It is said the old chief made no comment
on this startling feat, but quietly divesting
himself of his coat with its silver buttons, he
handed it to Knox Baxter as a tacit acknow-
ledgment of the estimation he had of his powers.
The old chief knew that no man unaided could
have done what had been done, and deemed it
prudent to propitiate his uncanny visitor.
But a still more exciting and uncanny adventure
awaited him. In going through the forest of Can-
M'Comie Mor and the Fairy. 43
lochan one day he came upon no less a being
than the water-kelpie's wife, in the weird and
secluded Glascorrie. Taken unawares, this re-
doubted fairy or elf had not time to escape to
the water before M'Comie Mor had her firmly
in his grasp. But how to get her to Crandart ?
He knew that if he crossed running water with
her she would escape from him, do what he
might. He therefore set out on a long and diffi-
cult route homewards, around the head-waters of
the Brighty, along the summits of Craig Leacach,
Cairn Aighe, Black Hill, and Monamenach, then
cautiously threading the mountain - side above
Crandart, and nearly losing his precious capture
while incautiously stepping over an almost in-
visible streamlet, he at length landed her safely
at Crandart. Arrived there, his unwilling visitor
had to bargain for her release, the condition being
that the chief should have some circumstance re-
lating to the time, place, or manner of his death
foretold him. Thereupon the fairy, taking him
to the face of the hill above Crandart, pointed
out a large stone, and told him he would die
44 The Family of M'Combie.
with his head above it. Having now acquired
her Hberty, she departed to her own haunts
again, and we may be sure was careful never
to be so incautious in her future wanderinQ^s in
Canlochan. M'Comie Mor took prudent pre-
cautions that dying with his head above the
stone pointed out by the fairy should prove
more convenient than its then position war-
ranted. He therefore caused the stone to be
removed from the hillside, and built into the
wall of his house at Crandart, so that the head
of the stone was under the head of his bed,
whereon many years after he died, with his head
above the stone, as the fairy foretold.
As John M'Comie advanced in life and found
his personal strength diminishing, he was anxious
that his eldest son and successor might be worthy
of the family name, but seems to have had some
doubts on this point, as although the young man,
who was also named John, had obtained the cog-
nomen of Mor, big, from his stalwart appearance,
yet his quiet peaceable disposition had led the
old chief to imagine he was too gentle — had, as
]\PCoinie Mor tests his Eldest Son. 45
he said, too much of the Campbell blood in him.
This, according to M'Comie Mors opinion, was
not likely to increase his courage ; he therefore
determined to put it to the test, and thereby set
his mind at rest. Knowing that his son would
be returning from Glenshee to Glenisla one even-
ing about dusk by the pass of Glen Bainie, he
there lay in wait for him at a sort of natural
stone seat, still called M'Comie Mors Chair.
Having disguised himself as much as possible,
he trusted to the deepening twilight sufficiently
concealing his identity. No sooner, then, did his
son appear, than, without uttering a word of chal-
lenge or warning, he at once sprang up, drew his
sword, and attacked him. It has been already
mentioned that M'Comie Mor was distinguished
by the peculiarly graceful sweep with which he
drew his sword when about to fight. His son
fortunately observed this, and at once suspected
both who his adversary was and the reason for
this unexpected attack. Keeping his suspicions
to himself, however, he at once began to defend
himself, while demanding the reason of the attack.
46 The Family of M'Coinbie.
His demand meeting with no attention from his
silent aggressor, he gave all his attention to the
matter on hand, and exerting his utmost skill,
strength, and agility, he began to press his op-
ponent in the most determined manner, and at
length disarmed him, and had him completely
at his mercy. He then told his exhausted and
— for the first time in his life — defeated assailant,
that if he wished to save his life he must at once
reveal his name, and give his reason for so un-
provoked an attack. At the first sound of his
father's voice, his son immediately began to
reproach him for thus endangering both their
lives, and told him that he could have slain him
more than once during the combat, and probably
would have done so, had he not suspected from
his manner of drawing his sword and beginning
the attack who he was, and reminded him of
how awful a thing it would have been for the
survivor had either of them slain the other ; to
all of which the old chief, highly elated by his
son's unquestionable courage, strength, and skill,
contentedly replied that all that was of no con-
M'Comie Mor forfaulted as a Royalist. 47
sequence compared with the now, to his mind,
clearly demonstrated fact that his son was a true
M'Comie.
Leaving tradition, we now come to the histor-
ical part of the history of John M'Comie, and it
will be found that it is far more excitingf and
tragical than anything handed down by tradition.
To understand how the strange and stirring
events towards the close of John M'Comie's life
originated, we must bear in mind that he had
entered into possession of the barony of Forter
during the time of the Commonwealth. In these
unsettled and unsettling times, such a man as
John M'Comie could not remain inactive. At
the outset he had sided with the King's party,^
and in Chambers's ' History of the Rebellion in
Scotland ' we find, in vol. ii., appendix, under
date February 11, 1645, as forfaulted for "the
invasione of the Northe,"^ John M'Colmie.^
There is no doubt, however, but that he
changed sides, and it is probable this was in
great measure owing to his being married to
^ Appendix, Note A. ^ Appendix, Note I. ^ Appendix, Note J.
48 The Family of M'Covibie.
Elizabeth Campbell, granddaughter of Donald
Campbell of Denhead, near Coupar-Angus, who
was a son of Donald Campbell, last Abbot of
Coupar in Angus, and fourth son of Archibald,
Earl of Argyll. It was doubtless this connection
by marriage with a scion of the House of Argyll
that induced John M'Comie to side with the
Parliament and Cromwell latterly. This change
of sides proved most disastrous to him and his
family, for no sooner was the Restoration an
accomplished fact, than the Royalists, who had
before feared and respected him, began to harass
him in person and property. Charles II. was
restored in May 1660, entering London on the
29th of May, and in less than a year afterwards
the Scottish Parliament passed an " Act and
Decreit in favour of James, Earle of Airlie,
against Johne M'Intosh, alias M'Comie, of For-
thar," at Edinburgh, May 3, 1661. From
which Act it appears that the Earl's father,
James, Lord Ogilvie, had raised letters of free
forestry for the forest of Glascorrie, commonly
called Camlochan, in the reign of James VI., as
M'Couiie Mors Laivsiiit ivitli Lord Air lie. 49
had also the then Earl In the reign of Charles I.
Yet, notwithstanding, " The said Johne M'Intosh,
alias M'Comie, upon ane secreit design to in-
croach upon the supplicant's glen of Glascorie,
comonly called Camlochan, did eat the grass
of the said forrest, cut down and destroy the
growing trees, and kill the roes and dears haunt-
ing and feiding therein at his pleasure." John
M'Comie had obtained a sight of these letters
and " gave ane inventar subscryved with his hand
for redeliverie thereof, . . . but flatlie refused
so to doe." So cannot get them, though " neid-
full to the supplicant and James, Lord Ogilvie, his
Sonne." "And the said John M'Comie, defender,
compeiring personally with Mr George M'Ken-
zie^ his pro""', . . . and alledged that he ought not
to redeliver the same Because be verteu of ane
contract of alienation betuixt the persewer and
defender The persewer is obleidged to deliver to
him the said writs et quod frustra petit qui mox
est restiturtis. Whereunto it was replyed for the
said persewer that he opposed the band and in-
1 Appendix, Note K.
D
50 The Family of M'Conibie.
ventar subscryved with his hand for redelyverie
of the same, To the which it wes duplyed for the
said defender, that the yeers wherein the per-
sewer had hbertie to redeim the said glen of
Glascorie from the defender not being expyred
the time of the granting of the saids inventars,
as they are now, he could not be tyed be verteu
therof to deliver the same, his right to the said
glen being now irredeimable, and the writs his
oune. All which being set forth, His Maiestie,
with advice and consent of the saids estates of
Parliament," ordained that the letters of free
forestry be given up.
From which it would appear that the defence
of John M'Comie lay, first, in the fact that the
deed of alienation gave him the right to the
letters, and that it was needless to give back to
Lord Airlie what he would immediately have to
redeliver again ; second, that the time which had
been given to the Earl of Airlie to redeem the
forest had expired, and that as the engagement
to redeliver the letters referred only to the time
during which the forest could be redeemed, the
M'Comie Mors Lawstut with Lord Air lie. 51
letters of free forestry were, like the forest itself,
beyond recall, and were now the property of
John M'Comie, not of Lord Airlie. In the Act
there is no attempt to deny John M'Comie's
statements. Judgment was simply given against
him, the reason for which appears in certain
phrases in an " Act and Remit, James, Earle of
Airlie, against Johne M'Intoshe, alias M'Comie, of
Forther." " Anent the supplication given in to
the Estates of Parliament be James, Earle of
Airlie, and James, Lord Ogilvie, his sonne, against
Johne M'Intosh, alias M'Comie, of Forther, shew-
ing That be ane contract of alienation passed
betuixt the supplicant and the said Johne M'ln-
tosh, anent the alienation to him of the lands and
baronie of Forther, Ther is expreslie reserved
to the supplicant the forest and glen of Glascorie,
cofnonly called Camlochan, lyand within the
parochen of Glenyla and Shereffdome of Forfar,
and bounded within the particular meiths and
marches mentioned in the said contract : Not-
withstanding of the which reservation, the said
John M'Intosh, alias M'Comie, haveing great
52 The Family of M'Coinbie.
power with the late vsiirpers as their intelligencer
and favourite, had these severall years bygone en-
croached within the meiths and marches of the
said forrest, and had pastured yeerly thereon
above fyvescore oxen and twenty milk kyne with
diverse horses. For remeid whairof the suppli-
cant intendit action of coofnition of marches and
molestation against the said John M'Comie be-
for the Shirreff of Forfar, founded vpon the Act
of Parliament, In which action ther being diverse
disputes, ansuers, duplys, and triplyes made for
either partie and set doun in writ, The same
wes at lenth delivered to Mr David Nevay,
Shirreff of Forfar, to be advised be him, who
being readie to pronounce interloquitur therein,
The said Johne M'Comie, be his said moyen and
favotcr with the English vsurpers, purchased ane
advocation of the said persute, and produced the
same befor the said Shirreff depute, thereby to
stop and discharge him from any further pro-
ceiding therein, Albeit upon most false and unjust
grounds. . . . Since the production of the which
advocation not only the forsaid action and per-
M'Comie Mors Lawsuit zvith Lord Airlie. 53
sute had sisted and sleeped, Bot also the said
Johne M'Comie had continewed yeerly sensyne
pasturing his goods and cattell vpon the said
forrest, and eiting and destroying the haill grasse
thairof, to the supphcants' great hurt, preiudice,
and heavie oppression. . . . Thereupon His
Majestie, with advice and consent of the saids
estates of ParHament, having considered the said
suppHcation, . . . and the said defender nor his
said pro""' had proposed no reasonable cause why
the desire of the said petition ought not to be
granted," — thereupon remits to Sheriff to settle
marches. Here we have the reason of the
summary settlement of the matters in dispute.
It is admitted that John M'Comie had had full
and complete possession of the forest of Can-
lochan for years past, and that he had got
discharge "from any further proceeding" anent
his right. But he had got all this, it was alleged,
because of his "moyen and favour with the
English usurpers," and on account of his "hav-
ing great power with the late usurpers as their
intelligencer and favourite." For such a one
54 The Family of M'Combie.
against a Royalist nobleman there was little hope
of a favourable issue in any court of law of that
period, and in Parliament none whatever. That
Lord Airlie placed his hopes of success not on
a decision according to law, but on the political
feeling of the time, is shown by his bringing the
matter in dispute, not before the ordinary legal
tribunals, but before Parliament. To the Resto-
ration Parliament the matter would appear very
simple. Here is Lord Airlie, one of ourselves,
who, while our party was held in subjection by
the late usurpers, alienated a valuable part of his
property to one in power and favour with these
usurpers. This deed of alienation has become
irredeemable, but Lord Airlie says this was
owing to the position of the respective parties at
the time, the usurpers having great power, the
Royalists little or no power. Lord Airlie, there-
fore, wants his property back again, which we,
as the party now in power, will now give him,
putting aside all question of the legality or justice
of our decision.^
^ Appendix, Note L.
M'Comie M or excepted from Act of Indemnity. 55
As showing still further to what extent John
M'Comie was a marked man, and disliked by the
Government of the Restoration, we learn from the
Acts of Parliament of Scotland, vol. vii. p. 426,
that he was amongst the " exceptions from the
Act of Indemnity, Sept. 9, 1662, in so far as
may concern the payment of the sumes under-
written,"— viz., "Johne Malcolme of Forthar,
1800 pds."
In 1665 John Mackintosh of Forter in Glenisla,
with twenty-five Farquharsons under William of
Inverey, and George Farquharson of Brough-
dearg in Glenshee, were among 500 men who
attended the summons of the chief of the
M'Intoshes, to meet at the Kirk of Insh. It
is also worthy of note that Forbes of Skellater
joined the M'Intoshes at the same muster.
Broughdearg, opposite to Finnegand in Glen-
shee, and marching with the barony of Forter in
Glenisla, was held in the time of John M'Comie
by Farquharsons. The proprietor about the time
of the Restoration was Robert Farquharson, who
had sought the hand of John M'Comie's daughter
56 The Family of M'Conibie.
in marriage, and had been accepted, but had after-
wards changed his mind, and married Helen
Ogilvie, daughter of Colonel Ogilvie of Shan-
nalie. This slight no doubt rankled in the
minds of the M'Comies, and had much to do
with the bitterness that subsequently existed
between the two families.
Some time after the decisions in his favour, the
Earl of Airlie let the grazings of the forest of
Canlochan to Farquharson of Broughdearg. But
John M'Comie was far from acquiescing in or
even obeying an Act of Parliament, when he
thought it unjust towards himself. Although
Farquharson of Broughdearg had got a tack of
the grazings, he by no means got possession, as
John M'Comie continued to send his stock to
the forest as formerly. Farquharson of course
resented this, and the bad feeling between the
two families increased, till it found vent in a
series of events, so strange, lawless, and exciting,
that one can scarcely believe they could have
taken place little more than two hundred years ago
in Glenisla and Glenshee, where to-day a serious
M'Comie Mors Fend wit Ji Broughdearg. 57
breach of law or order is rarely or ever heard of.
But we are now on firm historical ground, as the
events we are about to narrate are all duly
chronicled in the Justiciary Records, or Books of
Adjurnal, vol. xiii., 1673. From this we learn
that, on the ist of January 1669, Robert Far-
quharson of Broughdearg, and his brothers John
and Alexander, with fifty or sixty others, went
" under cloud and silence of night " to Crandart,
with " swords, durks, pistolls, hagbutts, targes,
halberts, axes, and other weapons," and having
laid themselves in ambush, awaited till near break
of day, when John M'Comie having "had occa-
sion to come abroad about his lawfull affaires,"
they without giving him time even to put on his
clothes, carried him off to Broughdearg. A
strange scene truly, and one little creditable to
the Farquharsons. To surprise an old man, not
only unarmed, but only partially dressed, in the
dark at his own door, was a poor feat for fifty to
sixty men, bristling with arms and armour of all
kinds. It is also to be observed that the Far-
quharsons were the first to use personal violence
58 The Family of M'Combie.
in the quarrel. The force employed, and the
mode of capture, both show very forcibly the
opinion the Farquharsons entertained of M'Comie
Mors prowess even in his old age. But though
the old chief had been thus entrapped, his sons
were to be reckoned with. Accordingly, John
M'Comie was kept all that day at Broughdearg,
but at night was removed to Tombey, which is
called in the indictment, "ane wilderness and
desert place." It is about a mile or little more
westward from Broughdearg, and has still a good
deal of natural birch wood upon it, the name
meaning the birch thicket or knoll. Here on the
following day, John, Alexander, James, Robert,
and Mr Angus (Angus it will be observed
had been at a university and obtained his
degree), came to enter into negotiations for their
father's release, when they also were detained as
prisoners, until the whole were compelled to give
a bond for 1700 merks for their liberty.^ In the
Farquharsons' indictment against the M'Comies,
this visit of the sons for the release of their father
^ Appendix, Note M.
M'Comie Mors Feud with Broiighdearg. 59
is set down as a raid organised by Mr Angus for
the murder of Broucrhdearsf. Mr Anofus is said
to have collected twenty to thirty persons, all
armed with " swords, durks, pistolls, and other
weapons," and knowing that Robert Farquhar-
son was at Tombey, they laid an ambush in a
thicket of wood, near the house of Tombey, and
on the highway, waiting for several hours till he
should come out, on purpose to kill him, and that
they detained several persons that passed by, lest
they should have given Robert Farquharson
intelligence of the ambush. No mention is
made that Mr Angus's father was also at Tom-
bey, in the power of the Farquharsons. To have
slain Robert Farquharson outside the house of
Tombey, while their father was inside it a
prisoner in the power of the Farquharsons,
would have been to have ensured his father's
death, instead of procuring his life and freedom.
And that that was their purpose is clearly proved
by the fact that his release in safety was pro-
cured. It is also difficult to see how, if the
M'Comies had gone with a force of twenty to
6o The Family of ATCombie.
thirty men, they could have been kept prisoners,
apparently without any trouble. We can, how-
ever, believe it quite probable that Mr Angus
and his brothers approached Tombey with
caution, and also believe that if chance had
thrown Robert Farquharson in their way, they
would have seized him and kept him in their
power, as a guarantee for the release of their
father without ransom. But for the reason
already given, it is manifest they would not, at
that time, have made any attempt on Robert
Farquharson's life.
So far the Farquharsons had been the ag-
gressors, and might be supposed to be satisfied
with their success, and the ransom for which they
held the M'Comies' bond. Yet, on the 14th
May of the same year, the Farquharsons and
their retainers, to the number of thirty-eight, all
armed with dirks, pistols, and other weapons,
went to the lands of Kilulock, then occupied by
Robert M'Comie, son of John M'Comie, and
sowed and harrowed the land, although it had
already been sowed and harrowed by Robert
M'Coinie Mors Feud with Brouo-fidearcr, 6i
M'Comie. At first sight it is difficult to see on
what grounds the Farquharsons so repeatedly, and
seemingly so wantonly, attacked the M'Comies
in person and property. To understand this, it
is necessary once more to consider the political
situation. During the latter years of the Com-
monwealth the M'Comies had rapidly increased
in power and influence. John M'Comie's mar-
riage with a Campbell had still further increased
his ascendancy. But in 1661, the very year that
John M'Comie began to be harassed by his
enemies, the Marquis of Argyll was executed.
With the Restoration, John M'Comie's Royalist
neighbours, and chief among them the Ogilvies,
at once began to turn the changed fortunes
of parties to their own account. As John
M'Comie's marriage with a Campbell was at
one time a stepping-stone to power, and latterly
a weight to drag him down, so Robert Farquhar-
son's marriage to an Ogilvie, which would have
been a drawback to his fortunes in the time of
the Commonwealth, was now a powerful agency
for his advancement. Although the cause of the
62 The Family of M'Combie.
breaking off of the marriage between Robert
Farquharson and Miss M'Comie is not men-
tioned, it is highly probable that the marriage
had been arranged about the time of the fall of
the Commonwealth, and that Farquharson had
drawn back when he saw the turn affairs were
likely to take, and had chosen an alliance with
an Ogilvie and Royalist, as likely to be far more
to his advantage. We have, then, on the one
hand John M'Comie proscribed by the Govern-
ment of the Restoration for the part he had taken
latterly on the side of the Commonwealth ; al-
ready deprived in law of part of what he con-
sidered his own property, by the head of the
Ogilvies ; and now attacked in person and pro-
perty by Farquharson of Broughdearg, who was
to enjoy what he had been deprived of. On the
other hand, Farquharson, allied by marriage with
the Ogilvies, and already, as it were, rewarded
for the slight he had given the M'Comies, by
receiving a tack of the disputed forest of Can-
lochan, would naturally think that the M'Comies
were now become fair spoil for all who had the
M'Comie Mors Feud with Broughdearg. 63
courage to attack them, and that they would be
little likely to resort to law after their recent
experience. In these times of civil war, those
on the losing side were practically at the mercy
of those on the winning side. On the most
frivolous pretexts their right to property would
be disputed, or forcibly taken from them, and an
appeal to law was almost certain to go against
them. Their only hope lay in their own ability
to defend themselves and their possessions. And
the Farquharsons were soon to see that M'Comie
Mor was no longer to be trifled with. Old and
failed though he was in person, and knowing that
there was no one now with power to help him,
his spirit was still undaunted, and he determined
to withstand his enemies with his own strength in
future, and to make retaliation when he saw an
opportunity. Accordingly, we find that the next
incident in the feud was that Robert Farquharson
narrowly escaped with his life in July or August
1670, from the pursuit of James and Alexander,
sons of John M'Comie, and Donald Gerters, John
Burns, and David Guthrie, servants to John
64 The Family of M'Coinbie.
M'Comie, within the forest of Glascorrie ; and
these not appearing to answer for the crime at
the trial in 1673, were " denunced our Sove-
raigne Lord's rebells, and ordained them to be
putt to the horn, and all ther movable goods and
gear to be escheat and imbrought to his Majesties
use, as fugitives frae the lawes for the crymes
above mentioned — which wes pronunced for
doome." It was on the occasion of Robert
Farquharson's meeting some of John M'Comie's
servants in Glengarmie, which lies to the north-
west of Broughdearg, and south of Glen Brighty,
that on their telling their master "they had let
the defunct gae without any prejudice," John
M'Comie " did either curse, upbraid, or reprove
them for not taking from him ane legg, ane arme,
or his lyff, declairing that if they had done it he
should have bein their warrand." This fact,
brought out at the trial, shows that M'Comie Mor
was now thoroughly roused ; and it is significant,
too, of the effect this had on the Farquharsons,
that we hear no more of the Farquharsons making
personal attacks on the M'Comies, They had
M'Comie Mors Feud zvith Broughdearg. 65
evidently thought that, being now old, and having
no one to depend on for help but his own family
and dependants, he could be attacked with im-
punity. Finding now their mistake, they would
doubtless have been glad to have let the quarrel
drop; and had the M'Comies given up their
claim to free forestry in Canlochan, there might
have been no further trouble. But the fact of
Robert Farquharson's being driven out of the
forest showed that his tenure of it was still very
precarious. Fearing, however, any longer to
attack the M'Comies personally, the Farquharsons
seized some of the M'Comies' cattle in 1672,
whereupon John M'Comie " persewed a spulzie"
against Robert Farquharson before the Sheriff
of Forfar, and got letters of caption against him.
It is worthy of remark here that John M'Comie
sought redress in a legal way. But a new diffi-
culty arose, as Robert Farquharson swore " no
man should take him alive," an oath he made
good. Accordingly, when Alexander Strachan,
the messenger of the burgh of Forfar, went to
take Broughdearg, he had to return baffled. So
E
66 The Family of M'Combie.
matters stood when, on the 28th January 1673,
Robert Farquharson went to Forfar " for his own
defence of the said persuit" John M'Comie was
aware of Robert Farquharson's going to Forfar
on this day, and is said in the indictment to have
spoken to his sons " thir words, or to the lyk
purpose : Goe to Forfar ; arme yourselves with
your pistolls and swords ; take my servant with
you, and bring him dead or alyve. That severall
tymes befor that he said he should have his lyff
for the many affronts and injuries he had done
him, tho' he should ware two of his best sones in
the querrell ; and who wotild or durst speir after
it?'' According to the account given by the
Farquharsons, when they reached Forfar, Robert
Farquharson was informed that " the Court
wes done ; whereupon, having no other bussie-
ness at Forfar, he returned, and wes in his
journey homewards," when he was attacked
by the M'Comies. John, Alexander, James, and
Robert, sons of John M'Comie, and J. Burn,
T. Fleming, D. Guthrie, and D. M'Intosh, their
servants, had gone to Forfar to watch the result
M'Comie Mo7^'s Fetid with Broughdcarg. 67
of the action before the Sheriff. It is probable,
therefore, that the Farquharsons had returned
homewards before reaching Forfar, when they
heard of the M'Comies being present in some
strength. Be this as it may, when the M'Comies
heard that the Farquharsons were on their way
home again without having put in an appearance
before the Sheriff, they got Alexander Strachan,
the burgh messenger, so that they might act
legally, and went in pursuit of the Farquharsons.
By the time they had got the messenger, they
were in some uncertainty as to where the Far-
quharsons were. It is said in the Farquharsons'
indictment, that at the house of Torbeg, " they
with ther durks and swords stobbed the beds and
other places where they imagined him (Robert
Farquharson) to have been lurking. . . . Alse did
swear every persone they did meit, if they had
seen Robert Farquharson." At length they met
a poor man, whom they threatened to kill if he
would not tell : said man, "in fear of his lyff,"
told them the Farquharsons were on their way
to Loggie. Being informed of which, " the said
68 The Family of M'Combie.
Alexander and James M'Comies, and the other
remnant persones above named, threw away ther
plaids and betook themselves to ther armes, and
in a hostill and militarie pouster, persewed and
followed after the saids Robert and John Far-
quharsons, and the said Alexander ther brother,
to the lands of Drumgley, where having over-
taken the said Robert, they most cruellie and
inhumanlie invadit and assaulted the saids Robert
and John Farquharsons, and the said Alexander
ther brother, and gave them severall shotts and
wounds in ther bodies, heads, and hands, off the
which the said Robert Farquharson dyed im-
mediatlie upon the place, and the said John Far-
quharson wes woundit, and therefter dyed of
these wounds within days." This is the account
of the Farquharsons, which, be it observed, gives
no details of the fight, the reason for which we
can understand in the light of the details given
by the evidence brought forward by the M'Comies.
The evidence of the messenger, that should have
been impartial and trustworthy, is unfortunately
contradictory and unreliable. There was first
M'Comie Moi's Feud with Brotighdearg. 69
produced "an execution of caption," which he
wrote at "the desyre of the M'Comies — but re-
ceived neither good deid nor promise of good
deid at that time for giving thereof" The exe-
cution of caption was to the effect that Robert
Farquharson, " being chairged in his Majestie's
name to render him prisoner to me — most con-
temptuouslie disobeyed, and made resistance by
drawing of ane sword against me and my assist-
ants, whereupon I brack my wand of peace."
This is in accordance with the M'Comies' de-
fence— viz., that the messenger called on them
as assistants, and that they were acting legally
in trying to capture Robert Farquharson. The
letter next produced was written to James Far-
quharson of Laidnathie, because David Fenton,
in Loggie, a friend of the Farquharsons, told him
the Farquharsons were all at Kilimuir, and were
to take messenger's life unless he would write
some such letter. The letter states, that " I wes
not within sex pair of butts when he (Robert
Farquharson) was killed, and likewise I do declair
I never spoke with him that day." Lastly, we have
70 The Family of M'Combie.
what professes to be the messenger's impartial
account of the matter as follows : " As to the
matter of fact, declares that he did not speak
with Brughderg that day, nor wes near him be
the space of sex or seven pair of butts when he wes
killed, but cryed to him about that distance to render
himself prisoner, and the M'Comies also cryed,
who were running after Brughderg ; does not
know whether he heard either of them, but cryed
he woidd be taken be none of them, and ran through
a mosse and the M'Comies after him." In the
indictment by the M'Comies against the Far-
quharsons, the account is so circumstantial and
graphic, as to carry conviction of its truth along
with it. It is certain that the messenger, armed
with a legal warrant, cried to Robert Farquharson
to surrender ; it is also certain that Robert Far-
quharson heard this, as he replied that " he would
be taken be none of them." After this, John
M'Comie, believing that he was acting legally,
overtook Robert Farquharson, and, be it observed,
did not attempt to slay or even injure him, but
merely "so secured him as that he wes not able
M'Comie Mors Fejid with Broughdearg. 71
to doe any present hurt." And here he gives
proof of the mildness of disposition which led
his father to doubt his courage. He wanted to
make sure that Robert Farquharson should no
longer escape answering for the seizure of his
father's cattle ; but he also wanted this to be
effected, if possible, without undue violence, and
without bloodshed. While holdine Robert Far-
quharson, he was of course incapable of defending
himself from any other one who chose to attack
him, and it was while in this position that John
and Alexander, brothers to Robert Farquharson,
"presented ther guns, and came so near them
that the months of ther guns toiUched the said
John his flank, and fyred upon him, and so
disinabled him that he fell to the ground, and by
the sa7ne shotts killed Robert Mcintosh, the corn-
p leaner s other son, dead to the ground ; and ther
being nothing to satiat ther inveterat hatred and
malice but the said John M'Intosh lyff and his
sons, the said John Farquharson in Cantsmilne,
Farquharson his son, Thomas Creighton in
Milntown of Glenisla, came in cold blood near to
72 The Family of M'Combie.
the Mosse of Forfar, wher the said John M'Intosh
wes yet alyve lying in his wounds, and ther with
ther durks and swo7^ds stobbed and woundit the said
yohn MTntosh untill he dyed." More cowardly
and dastardly butchery — for it was not fighting —
was never perpetrated. From first to last there
is no account of any Farquharson attacking a
M'Comie in an honourable and straightforward
manner ; and now, after shooting John and Robert
M'Comie almost in cold blood, they made no
further stand, as it was offered to be proved, on
their behalf, that the wounds of which Robert
Farquharson died on the spot, and John Far-
quharson his brother died a few days after, we^'-e
received in the back.
The bodies of the slain men were, it is said,
brought home by different routes, by the advice
of prudent counsellors, lest there might be a fresh
outbreak between the two families and their ser-
vants and adherents, if they should meet together
in the then excited state of their feelings. The
M'Comies were buried in the churchyard of
Glenisla.
M'Comie Mors Fend with Broughdearg. 73
We can form some idea of the feelinofs of orrief
o o
and exasperation that filled the heart of John
M'Comie, from the following expressions, cited
during the trial as being used by him after the
intelligence of what he termed the murder of his
sons, reached Crandart. It is stated that " sev-
erall tymes, when friends wer endeavouring a
mediation betuixt them, the pannall's expressions
severall tymes wer that all was to no purpose,
the sword behoved to decyde it ; that since the
murder he wished he wer but twenty yeeres of
age again, which, if he wer, he should make the
Farquharsons besouth the Cairn of Month thinner,
and should have a lyff for ilk finger and toe of his
two dead sones." As to Mr Angus, " he houndit
out " the others to the pursuit, and said to his
sister, when lamenting the loss of her brothers,
"She had no reason to lament for them, since
they hade gott the lyff they wer seeking."
The trial of both parties took place on various
days from the 2d to the nth of June 1673. On
the one side, John M'Comie of Forter, pursuer,
" for himself, and in name and behalf of the rem-
74 The Family of M'Combie.
nant kin and freinds of the saids John and Robert
M'Intoshes." The others named on the side of
the M'Comies were, James, Alexander, and Mr
Angus, sons ; Thomas Fleyming, in DaHnamer,
John Burn, David Guthrie, Donald M'Intosh,
and Donald Gerters, tenants and servants — in
all ten persons, besides John M'Comie, senior.
On the other side, Helen Ogilvie, relict of the
deceased Robert Farquharson of Broughdearg ;
Alexander Farquharson, his brother; James, Alex-
ander, and John Farquharsons, his uncles, "for
themselves, and in name," &c., were pursuers.
The others named on the side of the Farquhar-
sons were: "John Barnot, in Dunmae ; Donald
M'Vadenach, in Burghderg; George Patton, ser-
vitor to Burghderg; Thomas M'Nicol, also ser-
vant; Duncan M'Coul of Kero ; Thomas Creigh-
ton, in Milnetoun of Glenila ; Alexander Farqu-
harson, in Belnaboth ; John Farquharson, in Bel-
naboth ; John Farquharson of Dunnieday ; James
Farquharson, in Milne of Ingzeon ; William Far-
quharson, his sone ; John Farquharson, in Cants-
milne ; Farquharson, his sone." In all, in-
M^Comie Mors Ferid with Broiighdeai'g. 75
eluding, as in the case of the M'Comies, the two
slain, eighteen persons.
The result of the trial as regards the main
charges — viz., the deaths near the Moss of Forfar
— was that each of the pursuers abandoned their
case, both parties seeing that to follow the
double action to the end would only be to bring
several of the survivors on both sides under the
severest penalty of the law. We have already
seen that of those on the M'Comies' side, James
M'Comie and Alexander M'Comie, his sons, and
Donald Gerters, John Burn, and David Guthrie,
his servants, were outlawed as fugitives. On the
9th June, Duncan M'Coul of Kero ; Thomas
Creighton, in Milnetoun of Glenila ; John Far-
quharson, in Cantsmilne ; Farquharson, his
son, " being ofttymes called," for their share of
the raids of Crandart and Kilulock, and the three
last mentioned for killing the wounded John
M'Comie, and having been duly summoned,
and " not enterand and compeirand," the Lords
Commissioners of Justiciary "decerned and ad-
judged the haill forenamed persones to be
76 The Family of M'Combie.
denunced our Soveragne Lord's rebells, and
ordained them to be put to the home, and all
ther movable goods and gear to be escheat and
inbrought to his Majesties use, as fugitives frae
the lawes, for the crymes above specified — which
wes pronunced for doome." ^
That the Farquharsons had now enough of the
feud which they themselves had originated, and
been the agressors in, and were now in dread of
the old chief whom they had thought to have
subdued, is evident from the fact that, on the
same day on which the several actions were
abandoned by both parties, " Helen Ogilvie, re-
lict of the deceast Robert Farquharson of Brugh-
derg, craved law-burrowes of the said Johne
M'Intosh of Forther, and made faith that she
dreadit him bodylie harme and oppression;" where-
upon the Lords Commissioners ordered him to
find caution. " In obedience whereof the said
John M'Intosh, as principall, and Thomas Oliver,
of Westmiln, in Glenila, and Thomas M'Intosh,
merchant in Montrose, as cautioner and sovertie
^ Appendix, Note N.
Death of M'Comie Mor. 77
for him, gave caution, in form according to Act of
Parliament." Item, i6thjune: "Thomas Fleym-
ing, in Dalinamer in Glenila, was set at libertie,
upon caution to appear on 15 days' notice." He
had stood prisoner with John M'Comie and his
son, Mr Angus.^
And now, after a long and most eventful life,
John M'Comie, the M'Comie Mor, died in peace,
in his own house at Crandart, before 12th Janu-
ary 1676.- His sagacity and unconquerable spirit,
his chivalrous courage and extraordinary personal
strensfth, marked him out as a true leader of men
in revolutionary times such as those in which he
lived. That he was the most remarkable man of
his time in the district in which he lived, is indis-
putably proved by his traditionary fame even at
the present time. In few districts in Scotland has
the memory of a man who died over two hundred
years ago been kept living so vividly by tradition,
as has that of M'Comie Mor, in Glenshee and
Glenisla. He was buried in Glenisla churchyard,
beside his two sons who were killed at Drum-
^ Appendix, Note O. - Appendix, Note P.
78 The Family of M'Combie.
gley. Not many years ago, the late Rev. Mr
Simpson, Free Church minister of Glenisla, told
the late Mr J. B. M'Combie, advocate, Aberdeen,
and great-great-great-grandson of M'Comie Mor,
that he was present in Glenisla churchyard,
when, in digging a grave in the spot pointed
out by tradition as the burying - place of the
M'Comies, some immense bones were exhumed,
which Mr Simpson and others who saw them
had no doubt were those of M'Comie Mor, or
one of his sons.
Of John M'Comie's seven sons, John and
Robert were killed, as already narrated. James,
who was outlawed in 1673, for not appearing to
stand his trial, on finding the main action de-
parted from by both parties, returned, and had
doubtless had little trouble in eettine the sen-
tence of outlawry reversed. Accordingly we find
that, on the 12th January 1676, "Jacobus M'ln-
tosh de Forther " was served nearest lawful heir
to Robert M'Intosh, his younger brother, who
had been portioner of Gambok, in four acres of
arable land of the town and lands of Easter-
M'Comie Mors Family. 79
Denhead, near Coupar - Angus (which he had
doubtless inherited from his mother's family), in
the field called Cottarbank ; in the piece of un-
laboured ground at Corshill ; and with common
pasturage in the Soidmyre.^ From the same
source^ we learn that Thomas M'Comie, son of
John M'Intosh, alias M'Comie, of Forther, was
served nearest heir to the foregoing James, his
elder brother, on January 2, 1677. Of Mr
Angus, the late Mr William Shaw, of Milton of
Blacklunans, in the letter already quoted from,
says that James M'Intosh, there referred to, "told
me that it was an Angus M'Comie, alias M'In-
tosh, that restored Forter to the Airlie family ;
that this is seen in the process between Sir David
Wedderburn of Ballindean and the Airlies."
From the ' Registrum Magni Sigilli,' lib. Ixix.
No. 51, it appears that there was a charter under
the Great Seal, of date 15th December 1682,
granting to Alexander M'Intosh the lands of
Wester Innerharitie, in the parish of Glenisla,
1 Inquisitionum Retornatarum Abbreviatio, vol. ii. p. 1125, i8n.
- Ibid., vol. ii. p. 5962.
8o The Family of M'Combie.
and sheriffdom of Forfar. Alexander, it will be
remembered, had been outlawed with James in
1673. There remains now only the youngest son,
Donald, from whom are descended the well-known
M'Combies of Aberdeenshire, and whose history
we now proceed to take up.
But before doing so, let us take a last look at
Crandart, where, on the death of M'Comie Mor,
and the subsequent dispersion of his family,
the fortunes of the M'Comies seemed for ever
wrecked. Of the old Ha' of Crandart little re-
mains. The outlines of the old house can still be
made out as regards the ground-plan, and the
sides of the door and one window of the pres-
ent farmhouse, and another in the steading, with
their moulded corners, and the threshold-stone,
were taken from the old Ha'. Besides these
stones, there are two stones with inscriptions
still left from the old mansion-house. One of
these is built into the south end of the west
wing of the present steading at Crandart. On
it is the following inscription : —
Memorials of ]\rCouiie Mor. 8i
I'M. OP E . c .
lOI lOI
•TIE . LORD . DEFEND • TIIS • FAMILI(E).
l6 60
The other stone was, unwarrantably we beheve,
removed from Crandart, first to Dal-na-Sneachd,
across the Isla, and from thence to Balharry,
where it now is. The inscription on it is —
I SHALL . OVERCOM • INVY . VITI
GODS . HELP • TO • GOD • BE • AL •
TRAIS • HONOVR • AND • GLORIE
16 I I 60
At Balharry it possesses little interest for any
one, and we think it a great pity it was ever
removed from Crandart. At Crandart it would
be in its original home, and would be a silent
memento of him who placed it there — the hero in
tradition and history, of Glenshee and Glenisla,
M'Comie Mor.
82
CHAPTER III.
SETTLEMENT IN ABERDEENSHIRE — DONALD M'COMIE — ROBERT
M'COMBIE — WILLIAM M'COMBIE, TENANT IN LYNTURK — THE
M'COMBIES A STALWART RACE — FACTION FIGHTS — INCIDENTS
OF THE '45 — FAMILY OF WILLIAM M'COMBIE OF LYNTURK AND
THEIR DESCENDANTS — HIS BROTHERS.
T T is easy to see that many events from 1660
to 1673 had tended to exhaust the resources
and weaken the position of the M'Comies. The
litigation with Lord Airhe concerning the right
of free forestry in Canlochan, terminating in two
Acts and Decrees of the Scottish Parhament
in Lord AirHe's favour, must have cost John
M'Comie much money, as he, in that and the
subsequent trials, employed the best counsel of
his time. The loss of the forest itself as a
grazing and hunting ground, when at last given
up, must have caused a serious diminution of
Settlement in Aberdeenshire. 83
income. Then, again, the legal conflict with
Lord Airlie was almost immediately followed by
the exaction of the Government fine of £ 1 800, a
very large sum in those times. Although there
are substantial grounds for believino- that the
bond granted to the Farquharsons, under the
circumstances already narrated, was never paid,
yet the resistance of its payment must have
entailed very considerable law costs. All this,
followed by the great trial in 1673, must have
reduced the fortunes of the family to a very low
ebb. We have seen that the old chief did not
long survive this ; and the facts relating to the
history of the family for some time afterwards
are very meagre. There can be little doubt
but that the property was burdened by debt ere
this time,^ and that the surviving sons of John
M'Comie, finding it impossible to make headway
longer at home, one by one set out in search of
better fortune. Of the subsequent fortunes of
those who remained south of the Grampians we
have no authentic record, and the history of the
^ Appendix, Note Q.
84 The Fainily of APCoiiibie.
M'Comies must now be transferred from Perth
and Forfar to Aberdeenshire, where the young-
est son, Donald M'Comie, settled, while still a
very young man, towards the end of the seven-
teenth century. The date of the migration of
Donald M'Comie from Glenisla to the vale of
Alford is not known exactly, but was probably
between 1676 and 1680, as by the Poll-book
for Aberdeenshire of date 1696, we find him
married to Janet Shires, and tenant to the yearly
value of ^10 in a holding at Edindurnoch, now
Nethertown of Tough. In addition to his poll-
tax as tenant, he was taxed six shillings additional
as a tradesman. From this it is evident that he
had been a considerable time in Aberdeenshire
previous to 1696. There can be little doubt but
that, owing to the circumstances above mentioned,
and from his being the youngest son, he brought
little into Aberdeenshire except a few personal
effects. There has always been a tradition that
he brought a few relics with him from Crandart,
which have, unfortunately, not been preserved in
the family. Looking back on the circumstances
Donald APCoviie, Maws of Toiilcy. 85
of Donald M'Comie in 1696, they are about as
unpropitious as could be ; and the subsequent
slow but steady rise of the family in fortune and
influence, through no sudden accession of for-
tune, but by steady unremitting perseverance and
prudence, is of itself sufficient proof that its for-
tunes were laid by a race of men who, however
impeded they might be by adverse circumstances
for a time, could rise superior to all ill-fortune, if
unconquerable will and strength of purpose could
effect it.
Of the personal history of Donald M'Comie
little has come down to the present time, his
life having evidently been one of uninterrupted
industry, free from any remarkable incident.
From the parish records of Tough we gather
that he was frequently employed as a valuator,
which shows that he had come to be looked
upon as a man of sound judgment, and to be
held in considerable reputation. Before his
death he became tenant in Mains of Tonley,
in Tough, where he died in 17 14. His stone ^ in
^ Appendix, Note R.
86 The Family of M'Covibie.
the churchyard of Tough is amongst the oldest,
if not the oldest one in it with an inscription.
There is a tradition that when the people of
Tough were visited by the cateran, Donald
M'Comie sometimes got these troublesome vis-
itors away with as little loss as possible to the
community, not, as his father, "big M'Comie in
the head of the Lowlands," used to do, by the
terror of his sword, but by his persuasive words
addressed to them in Gaelic. In Glenshee, the
early home of his father, Gaelic was the ordinary
language of everyday life, and is still spoken
there, although we are sorry to say it is fast
dying out. Donald M'Comie was therefore
familiar with it, and all who know the High-
landers know how their heart warms to any one
who can address them in their own tongue,
especially when they meet with one who speaks
it where they believe it is unknown. It is not
difficult to understand, therefore, how he came to
have such influence with the wild cateran.
Donald's son Robert became tenant in Find-
latrie, also in Tough, and overlooking Lynturk.
His life seems to have been spent like that of his
Robert J\rCo??ibie, Findlatrie. 87
father, in peaceful industry, which was soon to
bear fruit, as the rapid rise of the family after
his time is evidence that he was laying a good
foundation on which his descendants could raise
a lasting superstructure. He married Isobel
Ritchie, daughter of Mr Ritchie, Farmton of
Alford. One of his sons, Robert, was out in
1745, and in 1746 escaped with difficulty from
the rout of Culloden. After the battle he was
overtaken by three dragoons, of whom he asked
and fortunately obtained quarter. Scarcely, how-
ever, were they out of sight when a single dra-
goon overtook him, and on his refusing quarter,
Robert M'Combie drew his pistol and shot the
horse, and after a brief combat slew the rider.
After this he managed to get home in safety,
and after spending some time in concealment,
succeeded in orettinor first to Whitehaven in
England, and subsequently went to the West
Indies, where his future history is unknown.
The eldest son of Robert was William, grand-
father of the present proprietor of Easterskene
and Lynturk. He became tenant of Upper and
Lower Farmton and Mains of Lynturk in 1748,
88 The Family of APCoinbie.
residing at Lynturk, where his house still remains,
with the date 1762 on the lintel above the door.
It is situated close to the present mansion-house
of Lynturk, and the stones round the doors and
windows, with their moulded corners, very like
those at Crandart, were taken from the old
castle of Lynturk, which was situated a little
to the north-west. The present proprietor re-
members seeing his grandfather in this house,
which is a relic of great interest to him, and
has been recently new-roofed to preserve the
walls.
A most interesting fact in connection with the
history of the M'Combies has been the hered-
itary transmission uninterruptedly for over 500
years of great personal stature and strength.
The seventh chief of the M'Intoshes, William,
from whom they are descended, was a man "of
stature exceeding that of common men." The
M'Comie who got the charter for Finnegand
had the cognomen oi Mor in 1571, and although
John M'Comie of Forter was tJie M'Comie Mor
par excellence in legend and history, it must be
A Stahvart Race. 89
remembered that his ancestors had the same cog-
nomen before him, and his son John, who was
slain at the Moss of Forfar, was known as young
M'Comie Mor. So little of the personal history
of Donald and Robert has come down to us,
that we find no particular record of their personal
appearance ; but no sooner do we come to learn
particulars of the personal appearance of their de-
scendants than this hereditary personal charac-
teristic is as marked as ever. The late Georgfe
Mackie, slater, who was when young a servant to
William M'Combie at Lynturk, used to tell the
present proprietor of Lynturk that his grandfather
at Lynturk had the largest bones of any man he
ever met with, and he had the reputation of being
the strongest man of seven parishes. His son
Thomas, the present proprietor's father, used to
be the champion putter of the stone on the links
of Aberdeen, among the young men of his time.
His eldest son, "the stalwart laird" of Easter-
skene, is 6 ft. 2 in., and very muscular ; and his
brother, the late Mr J. B. M'Combie, was also
6 ft. 2 in., and of massive build. Their cousin.
90 The Family of M'Coinbie.
the late Dr M'Combie of Tillyfour, was about the
same height. James M'Combie of Farmton was
a remarkably strong man, Charles M'Combie
of Tillychetly, the father of the present tenant,
was a powerfully built deep-chested man ; and
many will remember the tall figure of the late
editor of the ' Free Press.' In very few families
has a personal characteristic been transmitted in
so conspicuous a manner for such a length of
time — over 500 years, dating fromWilliam, seventh
chief of the M'Intoshes.
William M'Combie, when a young man, was,
like his great ancestor, distinguished for his
personal prowess. Up to the beginning of the
present century, and In many Instances well Into
it, faction fights between the Inhabitants of dif-
ferent parishes or districts were very common in
Aberdeenshire, and, we believe, all over the coun-
try. A remarkable fight of this kind took place
when William M'Combie was a young man, on
the occasion of a penny, or, as it was sometimes
called, a " siller " wedding between a Leochel
man and a Monymusk woman. On this occasion
William M'Conibic, Lyutiirk. 91
the fight that took place seems to have been
between not only the guests present from the
parishes of Leochel and Monymusk, but also
those from several neighbouring parishes, the
combatants ranging themselves with the bride-
groom's party or the bride's, according to resi-
dence west or east respectively of Cairn William_
William M'Combie was captain of the Leochel
or west of Cairn William men, and a noted
fighting man named Thomson from Mill of Hole,
Midmar, captain of the Monymusk or east of
Cairn William men. The fieht was a lone and
stubborn one ; and a vivid idea of the vigour
with which it was prosecuted, and the hard
knocks going, is conveyed by the fact that Wil-
liam M'Combie sent his youngest brother Donald
to strip some neighbouring houses of their thatch,
and bring the cabers to supply the necessary
weapons of war for such of the Leochel men
and their partisans as had the misfortune to
break their own cudgels on the heads of their
opponents. Victory is said to have rested ulti-
mately with the bridegroom's party, in great mea-
92 The Family of M'Corubie.
sure owing to the prowess of their captain, who
defeated the Midmar champion in single combat.
On another occasion WilHam M'Combie had
gone into a neighbouring parish to attend a ball,
at which there was present a young man with
whom he had had a quarrel, which had not been
satisfactorily settled. As the night wore on he
observed this young man consulting from time to
time with several of his associates, and being sus-
picious of mischief being plotted against himself,
he kept a wary eye on their movements. At
length observing some commotion in the other
end of the ball-room from where he was standing,
he noticed that his opponent and his associates
were making their way towards him, in a line
extending from side to side of the house, so as
to prevent his escape, while the women and the
more peaceably inclined of the dancers were
making a hurried exit. But like the athletic
miller of "Christ's Kirk on the Green" —
" M'Comie was o' manly mak,
To meet him was nae mows ;
There durst nae tensome there him tak,
Sae noited he ther pows " —
vD
William M'Comdie, Lynturk. 9
for springing upwards he wrenched a caber
from the roof above him, and using it Hke a
two - handed sword, with terrific sweeps right
and left he cleared the ball-room and escaped
without injury.
His strength and courage on occasions such
as these, made him very popular amongst the
young men of the surrounding district, a jDop-
ularity that was like to have brought him into
some trouble in 1745. The proprietor of Tonley
at that time was an ardent supporter of Prince
Charles, and became active in raising men in
his behalf. Well knowing William M'Combie's
personal prowess, and his popularity among the
class of men he wanted to join the Prince's army,
he was sure that if he got him to join, many
would follow his example, while if he held back,
many would probably do the same who would
otherwise have joined. William M'Combie's
father being a tenant of Tonley, the laird made
sure of getting any of his tenant's sons he wanted,
and as we have seen, did get Robert, but found
William determined to have nothing to do with
94 T^^^<i Family of M'Combie.
him or Prince Charlie ; perhaps the memory of
what his family had already suffered from taking
a side in civil war had something to do with his
refusal. Tonley, finding persuasion of no avail,
determined to carry him off by force, thinking
that if he were once away and amongst the
others engaged in the enterprise, he would not
like to turn back, Tonley's wife, however, se-
cretly conveyed word to young M'Combie of
the design of her husband, and when the latter
went with a strong party to carry him off, he
could not be found. It is said that William
M'Combie looked upon Tonley, who had not
been long in possession of the estate, as a noviis
homo who was trying to acquire prestige for
himself at the expense of others, and on that
account was less inclined to join him.
After entering on his tenancy at Lynturk,
William M'Combie came to care less and less
for distinguishing himself as the hero of such
scenes as we have narrated, and a rather remark-
able incident that happened to him while there
had a permanent influence on his after - life.
William M'Coinbic, Lyjihirk. 95
About this time there were a considerable
number of Dissenters in the district around Lyn-
turk ; and before there was a manse for their
pastor, the latter was for some time lodged
with William M'Combie at Lynturk, although
he had not at that time joined himself to the
Dissenters. One day while William M'Combie
was in one of his fields, he heard a voice pro-
ceeding from behind a dike at some distance.
Drawing near he became aware that it was his
lodger engaged in prayer, and was greatly moved
on finding that special entreaty was being made
for his own spiritual welfare. The result was
that soon after he joined himself to the Dis-
senters, and became their leading member in
the congregation at Bufile. This connection has
been maintained by some of his sons and their
descendants down to the present time in the U.P.
congregation at Lynturk, which now represents
the Buffle one.
William M'Combie, after settling at Lynturk,
married Marjory Wishart, daughter of Mr
Wishart, merchant, Banchory, by whom he had
g6 The Family of M'Combie.
3. family of seven sons and three daughters. The
sons were Alexander, Robert, William, John,
Thomas, Peter, and Charles. William's great-
grandfather, it will be remembered, had seven
sons also, and as in their time the fortunes of
the family were at their lowest, so now, from
amongst the seven sons of his descendant, they
were once more to be restored to even more than
their former position. Four of the seven names,
it will be observed, correspond with the names of
four of the former family of seven sons. The
names of William's seven sons, contracted in the
usual Scottish fashion, formed a sort of anapestic
rhythm, as follows: Same, Rob, Willie, Jock, Tam,
Pate, aiid Charlie, — at one time very popular
amongst scholars in the parishes of Tough and
Leochel, and still remembered by many who
never knew, or have forgotten the origin of it.
Alexander, the eldest son, was a man of great
size and strength of body, but lacked energy of
mind, and was content to reside with his brother
Robert at Upper Farm ton, where he lived and
died unmarried.
William M'Combie, Lynturk : His Family. 97
Robert, the second son, was tenant of Upper
and Lower Farmton, and married a daughter of
Mr Milner, Mains of Corse. His eldest son,
WilHam, became tenant in turn of Upper Farm-
ton, and had four sons: WilHam, who died young;
Peter and James, both deceased ; and Robert, the
present tenant of Upper Farmton. Robert's
second son, James, became tenant of Lower
Farmton, and had a son, Robert, who died young ;
and a daughter, married to John Hunter, till re-
cently farmer in Lower Farmton, whose daughter
is married to Dr M'Donald of Markinch, Fife ;
Jessie, the sister of the present tenant of Upper
Farmton, unmarried ; and Helen, married to Mr
Duffus, whose son is now tenant of Lower Farm-
ton, brings the family of William down to the
present time, and leaves them tenants of Lower
and Upper Farmton, as his father had been.
The daughters of the first Robert of Farmton
were Marjory, married to Mr Smith, Easter
Tolmands, whose son is the present tenant there ;
and Penelope, who had no family.
William, the third son, became tenant of the
G
98 The Family of M'Combie.
Netherton of Tough, where his great-grandfather
Donald M'Combie first settled, and married a
Miss Urquhart. Their son William was their
successor in Netherton, where he died not many-
years ago. Their son Charles became tenant
of Tillychetly in the parish of Alford, now
tenanted by his son Charles. Their daughter
was married to her cousin William in Upper
Farmton.
John, the fourth son, held a situation in the
Customs, Aberdeen, the family ultimately settling
in London.
Thomas, the fifth son, was born in 1762, and
became a merchant in Aberdeen, of which he was
a magistrate, being several times a bailie and
member of the town council, and refused the
honour of the provostship. His success in busi-
ness enabled him to buy the estate of Jellybrands
in the end of the last century, and the estates
of Asleid and Easterskene in the beo^inninof of
the present century. He was the first of the
M'Combies north of the Grampians who suc-
ceeded in regaining the position held by his
Thomas M'Combie of Easter skene. 99
ancestors in Perthshire and Forfarshire as land-
owners. It is doubtless owing to this circum-
stance in great part that his eldest son, the present
proprietor of Easterskene and Lynturk, has been
looked upon as the chief of the name, it being
a well-known fact that the chieftainship of High-
land clans did not always go by seniority of birth
or direct succession. Thomas married Margaret
Boyn, daughter of Mr Boyn of the Customs,
Aberdeen, by whom he had a family of three
sons and five daughters, of whom two died young.
He died in 1824, and was succeeded in Easter-
skene by his eldest son William, born in 1802,
whose biography will be given later on. Mr
James Boyn M'Combie, his second son, succeeded
by destination to the estate of Jellybrands, and
had a long and honourable career as an advocate
in Aberdeen. He was much esteemed by his
townsmen of Aberdeen, and but for his retiring
disposition would have been brought more prom-
inently into public life than was the case. As
it was, he was Dean of Guild once ; and his pop-
ularity for the provostship on one occasion was
loo The Family of M'Combie.
set forth in song in one of the newspapers, one
verse of which was as follows : —
"Oh wha's to be provost? wha? wha?
Oh wha's to be provost ? wha ?
Ye should tak Jellybrands,
He's made to your hands;
He's a dungeon of wit, and of law, law.
He's a dungeon of wit, and of law."
He married Miss Helen Davidson, daughter of
Mr Davidson of Elmsfield, but had no family.
He died in 1885.
Thomas, the third son, inherited Asleid and
Richmond Hill. He married Miss Catherine
Arbuthnot, daughter of Mr Robert Arbuthnot
of Mount Pleasant, and left an only daughter,
Nicola, married to Mr Thomas Hutchison, who
held a situation in the National Debt Office for
many years : issue, two sons and two daughters.
The daughters of Mr Thomas M'Combie of
Easterskene were Barbara, married to Dr Alex-
ander Ewing of Tartowie, a very successful
physician and surgeon in Aberdeen, whose only
surviving son is Major Alexander Ewing of the
Army Pay Department, who married Juliana
Peter M' Combie of Lyntztj^k. i o i
Horatia Gatty, a well-known author. Thomas
M'Combie's second daughter was Margaret, mar-
ried to Mr Simpson Duguid of Cammachmore,
whose son, Mr Peter Duguid of Cammachmore,
advocate, married Miss Adamson, daughter of
Mr Adamson, merchant and shipowner, Aber-
deen : issue, two sons and a daughter.
Isabella, the third daughter, was married to
Mr David Blaikie, of Blaikie Brothers, whose
only son John married a daughter of General
Tweedie of East India Company's service : issue,
one son and two daughters. The daughters we're :
Margaret, married to Mr Patrick Keith, of the
firm of Gladstone, Wylie, & Co. — issue, two sons
and four daughters ; Helen, married first to Mr
Hislop, Prestonpans, second to Major Wood, 91st
Highlanders, third to Mr Williamson.
Peter, sixth son of William M'Combie, Lynturk,
like his brother Thomas, engaged successfully in
business in Aberdeen, and early in the present
century bought the barony of Lynturk, on which
his father had been tenant so long, and where
he and his brothers had been born and brought
I02 The Family of M'Combie.
up. He married Miss Murray, daughter of Rev.
Mr Murray, minister at Buffle, but left no issue,
his nephew Mr William M'Combie of Easter-
skene succeeding to the property.
Charles, the seventh son, became proprietor of
Tillyfour, which, in the hands of his son, was to
become a household word in the agricultural
world. He married Miss Ann Black, daughter
of a Buchan farmer of good position, and had a
large family, several of whom died young. He
was well known over the north of Scotland as a
worthy, upright gentleman, and a successful cattle-
dealer on a very extensive scale. He was suc-
ceeded as proprietor of Tillyfour by his eldest
son Charles, who, for the long period of forty-
nine years, was minister of Lumphanan. He
received the degree of LL.D. from the Univer-
sity of Aberdeen, and few men have ever led a
more unblemished life, or approached nearer to
the ideal of a perfect Christian gentleman. He
died at Lumphanan in 1874. He was married
first to Miss Scott, daughter of the Rev. Robert
Scott, minister of Glenbucket, by whom he had
Charles M'Combie of Tillyfour : His Family. 103
one son, deceased ; second, to Miss Eliza La-
mond, daughter of Mr Lamond of Pitmurchie,
by whom he had four sons and five daughters, of
whom only three survive, — Thomas, in Cape
Colony, unmarried ; Isabella, married to the
Rev. Mr Young, Ellon ; and Rachel, un-
married.
William M'Combie, the second son, will be
noticed further on.
Thomas, the third son, who reached maturity,
emigrated to Australia, where he had a pros-
perous and honoured career, being elected a
member of the Leg^islative Council of Victoria.
He came home to settle in the old country, but
did not long survive. He left a widow and two
daughters, who are both married. The daughters
of Charles of Tillyfour who reached maturity were
Marjory, married to the Rev. Mr Laing, Aber-
deen ; and Mary, married first to Mr P. C. Auld,
the well-known artist — issue, three sons ; second,
to the Rev. Mr Forbes, Oban.
The daughters of William M'Combie in Lyn-
turk, were Isobel, unmarried ; Helen, married to
104 The Family of M'Coinbie.
Mr Dunn, merchant, Aberdeen, who had no
issue ; and Marjory, married to her cousin, Wil-
Ham M'Combie in Cairnballoch, whose son Wil-
liam had a very successful career as a journalist
and author. It was under his management that
the ' Aberdeen Free Press ' was started, which
under his care and editings attained a distina;uished
position amongst the provincial press, which it has
fully maintained to the present time under his
successors. He was also the author of ' Hours
of Thought ' and several other well-known works,
which met with a large share of public favour.
He was a self-made man, having attained his
success in life through his natural talents and
perseverance. He left a large family of sons
and daughters, who have also shown marked
ability.
We must now go back again to the time of
William M'Combie, Lynturk, and briefly notice
the other two sons of Robert M'Combie, Find-
latrie, Donald and Alexander. Donald became
farmer in Boghead, Tough, and left an only
daughter, married to Mr Moses Copland, also
Robert M'Combie, Findlatries, Yoimger Sons. 105
farmer there, as were their descendants for some
time. Alexander was a htstar at Bandley. His
daughter, Grizel M'Combie, was married to Mr
Alexander Garden, in Bandley, among their
family being Mr George Garden, also in Bandley,
and Colonel William Garden of the East India
Company's service. Mr George Garden, Band-
ley, had a son, the well-known Dr William
Garden, in Balfluig, Alford, who had a son, Mr
Farquharson Taylor Garden.
The daughter of Robert M'Combie in Find-
latrie, was married to Mr Reid, Cromore, Craig-
myle ; issue, one son, Robert ; issue, a daughter.
io6
CHAPTER IV.
WILLIAM M'COMBIE OF TILLYFOUR — HIS YOUTH — BECOMES TENANT
OF TILLYFOUR, BRIDGEND, AND DORSELL — FOND OF SPORT —
BEGINS HIS CAREER AS CATTLE-BREEDER, 1844 — ENTERTAINED
TO PUBLIC DINNER BY THE GENTLEMEN OF THE NORTH-EAST
OF SCOTLAND, 1862 — BY FARM-SERVANTS AND TRADESMEN OF
THE VALE OF ALFORD — SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE SCOTTISH
CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE — VISITED BY HER MAJESTY THE
QUEEN — PUBLISHES ' CATTLE AND CATTLE - BREEDERS ' — M.P.
FOR WEST ABERDEENSHIRE — PURCHASES TILLYFOUR — CROWN-
ING SUCCESS OF 1878 — DEATH — PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.
^1 riLLIAM M'COMBIE of Tillyfour. the
second son of Charles M'Combie of
Tillyfour, was born in 1805. As it was his
father's wish that he, with his elder brother,
should enter one of the learned professions, he
was sent to Aberdeen University ; but the result
of two sessions at Marischal College was so un-
satisfactory that his father took him home and
set him to work a pair of horses. In after-life,
William M'Combie of Tilly fou7\ 107
he often reg^retted his ncQflect of education in
early life ; and the higher the position he attained,
the more he felt the disadvantages of that neo^lect.
The only good result that came of this neglect
was the benefit acquired by practical experience
of a ploughman's work. This he held to be in-
valuable for every one who intended to follow
agriculture in its widest sense as a profession.
His ideal of the training necessary for a farmer's
life was, first, a good education, especially in all
that was likely to be of practical use afterwards,
laying particular stress on English grammar and
composition ; second, a practical training in all
kinds of farm-work — not a turn now and then as
a pastime, but filling the place of a regular work-
man for a stipulated time. After that preliminary
training, a man was fit to enter on the superinten-
dence of work, and ready to acquire experience
in buying and selling stock, and to exercise his
judgment generally on everything pertaining to
practical farming.
After two years' probation as a ploughman, the
future "Grazier King" began some dealing on
io8 The Family of M'Combie.
his own account, some details of which are given
in his * Cattle and Cattle- Breeders.' Previous to
his father's death, he became tenant of the home
farm of Tillyfour, including Tillyreach and Nether-
hill — a tenancy continued during the lifetime of
his brother, who had been settled as minister of
Lumphanan some time before his father's death.
Some years afterwards he became tenant of Bridg-
end, on the estate of Lynturk — a tenancy only
broken by his own death. Still later he became
tenant of Dorsell in Alford, which he held until
he purchased Tillyfour. From about 1830 he
was free to follow his own bent in regard to
cattle, yet there was no systematic attempt at
cattle - breeding until some fourteen or fifteen
years afterwards. Until this later period, he
was rather of a sporting turn, and was a good
shot and a capital horseman. His shooting he
continued occasionally up to about 1856. As
a rider he performed many astonishing feats,
being always well mounted, and covering extra-
ordinary distances to and from markets on one
horse in one day. To the last he liked to see
William M'Co7nbie of Tilly four. 109
a good fast horse, and had many horses in his
time well known for their high powers of speed
and endurance. He also engaged in coursing at
one time, and once won and once divided the
all-aged stakes at Turriff with Amy, whose por-
trait held a conspicuous place in the dining-room
at Tillyfour. During this period, 1830-45, with
the exception of an odd beast now and then sent
to Alford shows, his breeding stock was com-
posed of ordinary country cows kept for dairy
purposes, the lean cattle trade being still his main
dependence; and not until 1844 or 1845 did he
enter on the main work of his life — the breeding
and improvement of the polled Aberdeen-Angus
breed of cattle. From that time onwards he de-
voted the best energies of his life to that object.
With good abilities and good opportunities, a
man who determines to follow out a certain aim
in life is sure of success if granted time ; and
William M'Combie had rare abilities, good oppor-
tunities, and had over thirty years of uninter-
rupted application of his abilities and oppor-
tunities. The result was a success altogether
I lo The Family of M'Combie.
without parallel. When he commenced the
breeding of Aberdeen-Angus polled cattle, the
breed had not long been shown as a distinct
class at shows. At that time there were at least
three breeds of cattle — shorthorns in England
and Scotland, and Herefords and Devons in Eng-
land— whose supporters would have derided the
idea of serious rivalry from the Scottish black
polls of Aberdeen and Angus, while several other
breeds were at least on an equality with them.
Yet in little over twenty years from starting in
earnest to improve the breed, William M'Combie
both bred and fed a pure polled Aberdeen-Angus
ox that put completely into the shade the best
shorthorns, Herefords, and Devons that Great
Britain could produce ; and twelve years later, in
a competition open to the world, he took first
place with the same breed, beating every other
breed of note either at home or abroad.
From the time he entered on this work, it be-
came the main business of his life. He was
never at rest long from Tillyfour. When neces-
sarily absent on business, he always set out for
William M'Combie of Tilly four. 1 1 1
home immediately it was finished. Every day
of his life, if at home and well, he made his
rounds of his byres or his fields, and saw every
beast ; and no eye was quicker in detecting any-
thing amiss with any of them. Such unremitting
ardour soon brought success, show-yard honours
came thick and fast, and what is more, continued.
The agricultural world began to realise that this
was no common man, making lucky hits now and
again, but a man with a genius for what he had
taken in hand — a man making history in his own
particular walk of life.
In recognition, therefore, of the work he was
accomplishing, he was entertained to dinner at
Aberdeen in 1862 by about four hundred of the
leading noblemen and gentlemen in the north of
Scotland connected with agriculture, under the
presidency of the late Marquis of Huntly. On
that occasion he, in a few words, put before the
public what had been his aim in life, and to what
extent he had attained it. " I was led," said he,
"by a father whose memory I revere, to believe
that our polled cattle are peculiarly suited to our
112 The Family of M'Combie.
soil and climate, and that if their properties were
rightly brought out, they would equal, if not sur-
pass, any other breed as to weight, symmetry,
and quality of flesh. I resolved that I would
endeavour to improve our native breed. I ex-
erted all my energies to accomplish this purpose.
For many years I was an unsuccessful exhibitor
at the Smithfield Club. I went to Baker Street.
I minutely examined the prize-winners. I di-
rected my attention especially to the points in
which the English were superior to the Scottish
cattle. I came to the conclusion that I had been
beaten, not because our Scottish breed was in-
ferior to the English breeds,^ — I saw that I had
been beaten because I was imperfectly acquainted
with the points of the animals most appreciated
in Baker Street. I doubled, I tripled, I quad-
rupled the cake allowed to my feeding stock. I
attained the object of my ambition. English
agriculturists always maintained that a Scot would
never take a first place in a competition with a
shorthorn, a Hereford, or a Devon. I have
given them reason for changing their opinion."
WiUiam Al'Combi'e of Tilly four. 1 13
Not long after this he was entertained to dinner
by the farm-servants and tradesmen of the vale
of Alford, an honour which he always looked
back upon with especial pride. In 1865, when
the rinderpest was paralysing stock-breeders by
its ravages, the farmers of Aberdeenshire, under
the leadership of William M'Combie, showed the
agricultural world how to grapple successfully
with this evil, by the stamping-out process they
adopted.
In 1866 he succeeded Mr George Hope, Fen-
tonbarns, as second president of the Scottish
Chamber of Agriculture. In December of the
following year his fortunes as a combined feeder
and breeder of the polled Aberdeen-Angus cattle
reached a climax, when Black Prince, a pure
Aberdeen-Angus ox bred and fed by himself,
was, Eclipse-like, "first, and the rest nowhere,"
both at Birmingham and London. So conspic-
uous was he by his superiority over all the most
noted English breeds, that her Majesty the Queen
expressed a wish to see so notable an animal.
He was accordingly sent by Windsor on his way
\\
114 The Family of M'Conibie.
from Birmingham to London. Her Majesty was
greatly struck with the magnificent black, and
Mr M'Combie was so proud of the honour done
to himself through his champion, that, after
Smithfield, he offered the Black Prince as a eift
to his sovereign. Her Majesty of course de-
clined so large a present, but graciously accepted
the baron of beef for her Christmas dinner. The
after-result of this was, that Mr M'Combie had
the high honour of receiving her Majesty at
Tillyfour in 1868. On this occasion some 400
polled cattle were spread over the fields sur-
rounding the mansion - house of Tillyfour, in
which her Majesty took tea before setting out
on her return to Balmoral.
In 1867 'Cattle and Cattle-Breeders,' by Wil-
liam M'Combie, Tillyfour, was published. Few
men seemed more unlikely at one time to have
turned author than he was. ' Cattle and Cattle-
Breeders ' was, however, a success, Qroino^ throuo-h
■'00 o
three editions in a few years. It contained much
valuable matter on the breeding, feeding, and
care of cattle, and some racy reminiscences of
Williain APCombie of Tilly fottr. 1 15
the great cattle-dealers in the beginning of the
century. The style is plain and unaffected, being
just such as a man adopts who, without any pre-
tensions to literary culture, has something to say,
and says it in a simple, straightforward manner.
For its raison cPelre the book supplied a good
deal of information, not before published, on
matters of moment to an important part of the
community, which is more than can be said of
most books.
Although now over sixty years of age, and
held in honour by all classes, from sovereign to
peasant, William M'Combie was yet looking for-
ward, in 1867, to still further honours in a new
field. When it became certain that the county
of Aberdeen was to have an additional member
of Parliament as soon as the Reform Bill of 1867
became law, he diligently canvassed West Aber-
deenshire, and at the general election in 1868 he
was returned unopposed, being the first tenant-
farmer returned for a Scottish constituency, and
the second returned to the House of Commons.
As a member of Parliament, he had the ear of
J 1 6 The Family of M'Combie.
the House of Commons whenever he spoke on
agricultural questions, and the unwavering confi-
dence of his constituents. At the general elec-
tion in 1874 he was opposed by Mr Edward
Ross, more celebrated as a rifle-shot than as a
politician. The result was the most decisive
victory obtained by any member returned at that
election, the figures being — M'Combie, 2401;
Ross, 326.
There can be no doubt, however, but that his
parliamentary duties, coupled with his large farm-
ing operations, and the management of his famous
breeding - herd, put too great a strain on his
powers. When, therefore, after his brother's
death, he, in 1875, purchased Tillyfour, it was
not to be wondered at that he gave up Dorsell,
the most outlying of his farms from Tillyfour, in
that year, and resigned his parliamentary duties
in 1876. On the occasion of his retirement, a
large sum of money was subscribed for, and in-
vested so as to provide the "M'Combie Prize"
annually at Aberdeen for the best specimen of
the breed with which his name was so indissol-
William M'Couibic of Tilly four. 1 1 7
ubly connected. Thus honoured, and Hghtened
of part of his work, he settled down more closely
to his home affairs, and projected many improve-
ments on the home farm and estate of Tillyfour,
several of which he saw effected. But he was
failing fast in bodily strength. Those long reck-
less rides, at all times and in all weathers, when
in the heyday of his youth and strength, were
having their effect now. But before the end he
was to have one crowning honour and glory for
the breed he had done so much for. In 1878, at
the great Exhibition at Paris, he won the two
great prizes of the show against all the most
famous breeds from every country of Europe, his
group of polled Aberdeen -Angus cattle being
first both for breeding and feeding qualities. It
was a fitting close to a g-lorious career. Prac-
tically there was no further honour possible of
acquirement for the Tillyfour herd. After this
he was not long spared, and died, full, of years
and honours, at Tillyfour on February i, 1880.
In this brief summary of the chief events of
the life of William M'Combie of Tillyfour, but
ii8 The Family of APCombic.
little idea can be formed of the man as he lived
and moved at home and abroad. He was con-
siderably above the average height, his personal
appearance being more indicative of strength and
vigour than of elegance or refinement. His head
was massive, with a commanding forehead ; the
rest of his features plain. The disposition which
led him to neglect his education when young, also
led him to be less refined in speech and manners
than most people would have expected from the
high position he attained latterly in social life.
But his strength of intellect and force of will grave
a natural dignity to him, which did much to over-
shadow these defects, and no one could see him
without recognising a man born with power to
overcome obstacles, and to make a name for him-
self. His neglect of education had also much to
do with his defects as an orator ; yet here, again,
his force of character commanded attention, and
throufjh the haltino- sentences his meaninof would
come out clear and forcible in a few terse, homely
words. Some of his unprepared speeches, had
they been printed verbatim, would have seemed
William M'Covibic of Tilly four. 1 19
not much clearer than Cromwell's, yet, like him,
ideas pregnant with meaning could be seen strug-
gling through the seeming confusion and repe-
tition.
As an agriculturist in the strict meaninof of
the word, he stood high. He reclaimed much
on Tillyfour from heather and bog, pointing
out with satisfaction fields great part of which
he had himself ploughed for the first time. He
dealt liberally in manure, employed only the
best seeds, and took many prizes both for grain
and root crops. He was very particular as to
having good workmen, and it may safely be
said that better ploughed and drilled fields, or
better - built stacks, were not to be seen any-
where than on Tillyfour, Bridgend, and Dorsell.
He was an excellent judge of men, and gener-
ally had a good idea of the worth of a man
before he was long in his service. He had
also a penchant for strong men, and was very
proud of any of his servants who had won prizes
at athletic sports, never failing to point them
out to visitors, with a short history of their ex-
I 20 The Faimly of M'Coinbic.
ploits. For a long period his three farms were
training-schools for young men who wanted to
push themselves on in the agricultural world,
and he was ever willing to forward merit by
generous recommendation. In the latter part
of his life he paid strict attention to the duties
of religion, holding family worship nightly with
his immediate household, and on Sunday the
whole of the servants at Tillyfour were as-
sembled for this purpose. He was by no means
ascetic, however, had a keen relish for humour,
and enjoyed a hearty laugh. His outward de-
meanour was somewhat brusque and seemingly
harsh at times, but those who knew him inti-
mately, knew that there was much depth of kindly
feeling beneath it. His success in life was
entirely due to his own conspicuous abilities,
and untiring persistence in the course he had
entered on. He was a ** powerful, pushing, and
prosperous M'Combie," a veritable M'Comie Mor
in his own line, a benefactor of his time whose
name and fame will lons" survive.
I2T
CHAPTER V.
WILLIAM M'COMBIE OF EASTERSKENE AND LYNTURK — HIS EARLY
YEARS — SUCCEEDS TO EASTERSKENE, 1824 — INVESTIGATIONS
REGARDING THE HISTORY OF HIS ANCESTORS — VISITS TO PERTH-
SHIRE AND FORFARSHIRE — MARRIAGE, 1831 — SUCCEEDS TO
LYNTURK — DEATH OF HIS WIFE, 1835 — AND OF HIS SON, 1841 —
EASTERSKENE — LYNTURK — EASTERSKENE HERD — MR M'COMBIE
AS A FARMER AND LANDLORD — PUBLIC LIFE — PERSONAL CHAR-
ACTERISTICS— CONCLUSION.
TiriLLIAM M'COMBIE, eldest son of
Thomas M'Combie of Easterskene, and
Margaret, daughter of James Boyn, Esq.,
Aberdeen, was born in Aberdeen In 1802,
and was made a free infant burgess of the
city in the same year, his father being a
magistrate at that time, and magistrates when
in office being entitled to have that privi-
lege conferred on their sons born during their
magistracy. Vv^hen a boy of about five or six
1 2 2 The Family of M' Coinbie.
years of age, he remembers being along with
his parents on a visit to his grandfather at Lyn-
turk, and seeing and talking to him not long
before he died, which was in i8o8. This was
in the old house of Lynturk, already mentioned
as having been built by his grandfather. When
we remember that his grandfather was eighty-
eight years of age when he died, and was there-
fore born only six years after the death of his
grandfather Donald, who did not live to be a
very old man, we see that very little is wanting
from having the history of the stirring events
that took place in the family of the M'Combies
in Glenisla and Glenshee between i66o and
1673, told by a contemporary, and in several
cases an eyewitness of them, to his grandson,
who in turn could have told them to his grand-
son, who is still alive. Or in other words, only
a few years were wanting, from the present head
of the family being the second who could have
received the history of the raid of Crandart in
1669 by direct oral communication from one
who was witness of and shared in the conster-
William M'Coinbic of Eastcrskcnc. 123
nation and wrath in the old Ha' of Crandart
amongst the family of M'Comie Mor, when
the dastardly outrage became known on that
eventful New Year's morning. As it is, it is
very remarkable that Mr M'Combie is but the
third to whom the history of events that took
place over two hundred years ago may be said
to have come, by direct oral tradition, from an
eyewitness and participator in them.^
Mr M'Combie was educated in Aberdeen, and
graduated at Marischal College in 1820. In 1822
he was one of a number of young gentlemen
from Aberdeenshire who went to Edinburgh to
participate in the rejoicings consequent on the
visit of George IV. to Scotland. In 1824, on
the death of his father, he succeeded to the
estate of Easterskene, and commenced the series
of improvements which, continued up to the
present time, has wrought a change hard to
realise by those unacquainted with the aspect
of the estate in 1824. But while busy with
improvements at Easterskene, there had arisen
1 Appendix, Note S.
124 The Family of M'Combie.
in his mind before this time an earnest desire
to investigate, and if possible throw additional
light on, the history of his ancestors in Perth-
shire and Forfarshire. Up to the time when
Mr M'Combie began his researches, the family
in Aberdeenshire had litde but traditionary re-
miniscences of the history of their ancestors.
The leading facts, such as their being landed
proprietors in Glenshee in Perthshire, and latterly
in Glenisla in Forfarshire, and of the feud with
the Farquharsons, and the breaking up of the
family soon afterwards, were well known to all
Donald's descendants in Aberdeenshire. Mr
M'Combie remembers hearing the particulars
of the fight at the Moss of Forfar from his
father and uncles, long before he knew that all
the details were preserved in the Justiciary
Records. His grandfather William used to deal
to a considerable extent in cattle — in fact, was
paving the way for his still more renowned son
Charles, and grandson William, of Tillyfour,
in the same line. His business in that line
occasionally took him to Forfarshire, where
William Al'Coiiihic of Eastcrskcne. 125
he met and in time became acquainted with
the Earl of Airhe of that time. Lord AirHe
was greatly interested when he became aware
that this Aberdeenshire farmer was a great-
grandson of the famous M'Comie Mor who had
obtained the wadset of the barony of Porter
from the Earl of Airlie in the time of Charles I.,
and had required two Acts of the Scottish Par-
liament to make him forego his claim of free
forestry in Canlochan. So interested was he
and pleased with William M'Combie— who, like
so many of the descendants of M'Comie Mor,
carried proof of the genuineness of his descent
in his own massive frame — that he more than
once intimated the pleasure it would give him
to see the M'Combies once more settled in Glen-
isla. All these reminiscences were eagerly
gathered and treasured up in the mind of the
young laird of Easterskene. And now, after
long years of push and progress by Donald's
descendants, there was at length one who had
at once both the time, and not only the incli-
nation but an enthusiastic desire, to trace back
126 The Family of Al'Combie.
the history of his ancestors. In 1827 he
determined to visit Glenisla and Glenshee.
Mr Martin, at that time minister of Glen-
isla, knowing Mr M'Combie to be a descendant
of M'Comie Mor, had previously made his
acquaintance, and on Mr Martin's invitation,
Glenisla manse was made his headquarters.
The two weeks he then spent in wandering
over the upper end of Glenisla and of Glen-
shee, he has always looked back upon as
amongst the most interesting and pleasant of
his life. Twice since then he has gone over
the same ground. In these later expeditions
he was accompanied at one time by his brother,
Mr J. B. M'Combie — at another time by Dr
Taylor, minister of Leochel-Cushnie, who was
well skilled in antiquarian lore. At the time
of Dr Taylor's visit, he made out with consider-
able certainty the ground -plan of the mansion-
house of Crandart erected by John M'Comie
in 1660. On each occasion Mr M'Combie found
much to interest him, and met with local eentle-
men willing to help him in his researches. The
William Jll' Coinbie of E aster skcnc. 1 2 7
late Mr William Shaw, Finnegand, entered
with great zeal into the matter, and to him Mr
M'Combie was indebted for many interesting
facts in the history of the M'Combies, both his-
torical and traditional. The late Mr Thomas
Shaw, Little Forter, Glenisla, on Mr M'Combie's
first visit was very friendly and attentive, and
by him Mr M'Combie was led to study the
etymology of the Gaelic names of places, with
the result that more than one Gaelic scholar
has been with difficulty persuaded that Mr
M'Combie could not speak Gaelic. It is rather
strange, too, that Mr Shaw, his first preceptor
in the etymology of Gaelic names, was also un-
able to speak Gaelic. Mr J. B. M'Combie was
from the first an active assistant in the search for
documentary evidence regarding the history of
the family, and little by little much that hitherto
rested on tradition in the family was established
as historically correct. The record of the great
double trial M'Comies v. Farquharsons, Far-
quharsons v. M'Comies, was a grand find; so
also were the two Acts and Decreets of the Scot-
1 28 The Family of M'Combie.
tish Parliament settling the dispute between
Lord Airlie and John M'Comie as to Canlochan.
The search after authentic records of his an-
cestors was no transient pursuit, but has con-
tinued throufyhout a lone life.
In 1 83 1, Mr M'Combie married Katherine
Ann Buchan Forbes, eldest daughter of Major
Alexander Forbes of Inverernan. This lady was
a Forbes by descent on both sides, her mother
being a daughter of Duncan Forbes Mitchell, Esq.
of Thainston, second son of Sir Arthur Forbes
of Craigievar. In 1832 a son, Thomas, was born.
In the same year was built the present handsome
mansion-house of Easterskene, and a short time
previously Mr M'Combie had succeeded to the
barony of Lynturk, on the death of his uncle
Peter. For about three years, therefore, from
the birth of his son, it seemed as if nothing
was wanting to his happiness and good fortune.
But such remarkable felicity rarely lasts long in
this world. In 1835 the first blow came In the
death of his wife, and six years later the death of
his son seemed for a time to have left life almost
William JM'Coinbic of Easterskene. 129
a blank. Both wife and son lie side by side in
the churchyard of Skene, and the following epi-
taph closed for ever in this world the record of
two lives, in whom for a season were placed
the brightest hopes: "Within this enclosure are
interred the remains of Katherine Ann Buchan
Forbes, the wife of William M'Combie of Easter-
skene and Lynturk, and daughter of Major Alex-
ander Forbes of Inverernan, who died on the
1 6th day of April 1835, in the 26th year of her
age ; and of their son Thomas, who died on the
15th of September 1841, in the loth year of his
age."
From this period Mr M'Combie gave his time
almost exclusively to the management of his
estates, which we now proceed to describe. The
estate of Easterskene lies wholly in the parish
of Skene, the mansion-house being about 9 miles
west from Aberdeen, about 4^ miles south of
the Don, and about 6 miles north of the Dee.
The length from north to south is fully 2 miles,
the breadth from east to west about i ^ mile.
The estate is bounded on the north by the lands
I
130 The Family of M'Combie.
of Skene and KInellar, on the east by the lands
of Achronie and Kirkville, on the south by the
lands of Cairnie and Skene, and on the west by
the lands of Skene. The elevation ranges from
under 300 ft. above sea-level on the north side
of the Loch of Skene, to a little over 700 ft. on
the summit of the wooded height south-east from
Drumstone. When Mr M'Combie succeeded to
the estate, much of the low ground was an unre-
claimed swamp, while much of the higher ground
was a bare heather moor. Now it may safely
be said that there is not a square yard of waste
ground on the estate, all being either in a course
of rotation, in pasture, or under wood. The farms
from south to north, all with orood houses and
well fenced, are Lochhead, South Bank, Howe-
moss, Millbuie, North Bank, and Drumstone.
The main road from Aberdeen to Alford and
Strathdon passes through the south end of the
estate. From this a branch goes north to Kirk-
ton of Skene, from near which the east avenue
leads to the mar^sion-house. From Kirkton of
Skene a road joins the main road near Lochhead.
William M'Combie of Easterskene. 1 3 1
From the main road again, another strikes north
by the Free church and school, and north-west
by South Bank and Line of Skene. From this
again, a Httle above the school, a branch goes
past the home farm of Easterskene, below which
the west avenue strikes off to the mansion-house.
This road is continued past the home farm by
Howemoss, Millbuie, and Drumstone, being a
thoroughfare to K into re and the right bank of
the Don eastwards from Kintore. Drumstone,
on the high ground on the north of the estate,
receives its name from the stone on which the
laird of Drum rested on his way to the hard-
fought battle of Harlaw in 141 1, and took a last
look backwards to the lands of Drum, with a
presentiment that he would never see them again.
The stone forms a sort of natural chair, and has
always been an object of interest to Mr M'Combie,
who many years ago had " Drum's Stone, Har-
law, 141 1," inscribed on it. Besides the farms
mentioned, most of the village of Kirkton of
Skene is on Easterskene, with various tradesmen,
and a blacksmith's shop at Millbuie, and a saw-
132 The Family of M'Conibie.
mill at Lochhead. Reserving notice of the home
farm in the meantime, we come to the mansion-
house, a handsome building in the Elizabethan
style, surrounded by beautiful and well - kept
policies, the whole having a southern aspect.
The situation is delightful, the view truly mag-
nificent. To the south and west the Loch of
Skene, with the woods of Skene and Dunecht,
. make a fine foreground, backed by the Hill of
Fare. Farther west, the Forest of Corennie, and
Bennachaille overlooking Tillyfour, and beyond
these the mountains overlooking Cromar, con-
spicuous amongst them the massive crown of
Morven ; then to the south the Grampians, beyond
the valley of the Dee, with Mount Battock and
Clochnaben, and the lesser heights sloping gradu-
ally to the North Sea, — form a prospect of which
the eye never wearies. As one emerges from the
woods surrounding the lawn on the west, the
Mither Tap of Bennachie, with the wooded
heights of Cairn William, are seen to the north-
west shutting in the vale of Alford. As you
ascend to Drumstone the prospect on all sides
William M'Combie of Easterskene.
JO
enlarges, until on the summit you command the
rich valley of the Don stretching away by Kin-
tore and Inverurie, beyond which lies the district
of the Garioch. From here, too, Callievar, beyond
the vale of Alford, the Tap o' Noth, the Buck of
the Cabrach, and in the dim distance Ben Avon,
are seen. To the east and north-east the view
is circumscribed by the hills of Brimmond, Elrick,
and Tyrebagger ; but even with this slight draw-
back the panorama is one of rare beauty and
grandeur.
The barony of Lynturk is about 24 miles by
road west of Aberdeen. On the north side
it is within 3 miles of the river Don in a direct
line, on the south side it is within 7 miles of
the Dee. The length from east to west is fully
2^^ miles, the breadth from north to south is over
I mile. The surrounding estates are : on the
north, Carnaveron, Tillychetly, and Tonley ; on
the east, Tonley ; on the south, Tillyfour ; and on
the west, Craigievar, the estates of Craigievar and
Lynturk forming the whole of the parish of
Leochel before its union with Cushnie. The
134 ^-^^^ Family of M'Coiubic.
area of both estates is about 2200 acres, all of
which may be said to be either arable or under
wood, except a small piece of moss. The
elevation varies from under 600 ft. above sea-
level on the west along the Leochel burn, to
slightly over 1000 ft. on the top of the wooded
height south of the mansion-house. A fringe
of unreclaimed marshy ground at one time al-
most surrounded the estate of Lynturk ; but now,
except the small piece of moss between Upper
Farmton and Little Lynturk, the whole is arable
or under wood. The farms are : on the north.
Lower and Upper Farmton, and two at Little
Lynturk ; on the west, the farm and inn of Mug-
garthaugh, and Bridgend ; on the south, Clay-
mill, Drumdaig, and Buffle ; on the east, the
home farm of Lynturk. About half a mile south
of the mansion-house is the school of Lynturk,
endowed by the late Peter M'Combie, Esq. of
Lynturk. The handsome U.P. church and
manse, between Little Lynturk and Muggart-
haugh, was built in place of the old church at
]]HUaiu I\I'Coinbic of Eastcrskene. 135
Buffle, where a Secession congregation existed
in the time of WilHam M'Combie, the grandfather
of the present proprietor. There is also a black-
smith's shop and joiner's shop east and west of
Little Lynturk. The estate of Lynturk is sur-
rounded by a good road, with branches where
necessary to the various farms. The greater part
of Lynturk is fine strong land, some of the land
on Bridgend so long farmed by Mr M'Combie
of Tillyfour being of exceptional fertility, Mr
M'Combie having reaped 13 quarters of oats
per acre one year off the southern slope of the
field on which the stackyard stands. There is
much fine wood on Lynturk, and a sawmill has
long existed in connection with the home farm.
A good deal of the home farm is in pasture,
there being an annual let of parks. As men-
tioned before, besides the modern mansion-house
— a plain two-storey building set in an amphithe-
atre of woods, plantations, and groups of fine
old trees — there is the house of Mr M'Combie's
grandfather, and another built on the site of the
136 The Family of M'Combie.
old castle of Lynturk. On the east side of
Lynturk, on the burn that, rising on the extreme
cast of Tillyfour, flows between Lynturk and
Tonley for some distance, is a small but pictur-
esque cascade known as the Linn of Lynturk,
in connection with which there is a traditionary
Lady of the Linn/ Although there are many
fine views from various points on Lynturk, there
is nothing to compare with those from Easter-
skene, the wall of mountains encircling the vale of
Alford bounding the view almost on every side.
Returning to the home farm of Easterskene,
we find that here, as at Lynturk, part of it is kept
in grass. Several of these grass parks are let
annually, and have an unrivalled reputation for
the quality of the pasture. One field which has
been over forty years in grass, situated in the
corner between the roads leading south and west
from the Kirkton of Skene, has been let at the
extraordinary rent of £c) per acre, which is be-
lieved to be the hiorhest rent ever oriven in this
country for a grazing not in the immediate vicinity
^ Appendix. Note T.
William M'Combie of Easter skene. 137
of a town, if indeed it has been equalled under
any circumstances.
The home farm of Easterskene has for between
forty and fifty years been the home of a herd of
polled Aberdeen-Angus cattle, second in fame
in Aberdeenshire only to that of Tillyfour. The
Easterskene herd was founded in the beginning of
the forties, a prize-winner at the Highland Society's
show having been bred at Easterskene as early
as 1845. Since then animals from the herd have
gained the highest honours, time after time, at the
Highland Society, the Royal Northern, and local
Agricultural Societies' shows. The Easterskene
herd has been conspicuous especially for the
excellence of its bulls — Alaster the Second hav-
ing beat the celebrated Fox Maule from Port-
lethen, that Mr M'Combie of Tillyfour declared
to be " one of the best polled bulls ever ex-
hibited." Caledonian H. and Taurus were High-
land Society winners ; and Paris H., after winning
at the Royal Northern and Highland Society
shows, was sold before he was two years old for
150 guineas. Mr M'Combie sent winners in the
138 The Family of APCombie.
heifer classes at Highland Society's shows in
1869, 1873, and 1875, while Mr M'Combie of
Tillyfour bought many prize-winners from Easter-
skene. So recently as December 1886, Mr
M'Combie, with his Black Beauty of Easter-
skene heifer, bred and fed at Easterskene,
obtained first prize in the polled cow or heifer
class, and prize as Champion Scot both at Bir-
mingham and London. The herd is as strong
and flourishing as ever at the present time, and is
the oldest established herd of note in Aberdeen-
shire.
In the manaofement of the home farm of Easter-
skene, Mr M'Combie, in both farming and breed-
ing, has shown an example that ought to be fol-
lowed by every landed proprietor who has the
welfare of his tenantry, and in a wider sense the
good of his country, at heart. There is no at-
tempt at a style of farming beyond a tenant's
means, which can only discourage men of moderate
capital. The bogs and heathery moors have been
reclaimed by degrees at moderate cost. The fine
crops grown at Easterskene are raised by means
William M'Combie of Easterskcnc. 139
and processes within the reach of every intelligent
enterprising farmer. The fine breeding herd has
not been got together by buying right and left
fancy animals at fancy prices, a method resorted
to by many landed proprietors, who form herds
not by their intelligence and skill as breeders,
but by the length of their purses, a system gen-
erally beyond a tenant's means. The Easter-
skene herd has been formed from what was ordi-
nary materials at first, by careful management,
with the result that although fancy animals at
fancy prices have gone out from Easterskene, few,
if any, have been brought in ; the method in
this case being within a tenant's means, and the
result of a nature to encourage a tenant to follow
the method.
All this has been done under Mr M'Combie's
own immediate superintendence. He knows, in
much the same way as his tenants do, the trials,
difficulties, fears, hopes, and rewards of the far-
mer's life. Farmingr with him has not been taken
up in a spirit of dilettanteisfn, but has been an
earnest practical pursuit.
140 The Family of M'Combie.
If, as a practical farmer, Mr M'Combie has
been an example to other landlords, much more
has he been an example to be followed as a land-
lord. No lawyer factor, a class who have been
and are one of the greatest evils in the agricul-
tural life of this country, not even a land-steward,
comes between Mr M'Combie and his tenants.
In the rare cases where a tenant and he cannot
agree as to the value of a farm, an impartial
arbiter is called in. The result is that only in
very exceptional cases is there a change of tenant
other than by succession. You look in vain in
the newspapers for "eligible farms to let on the
estates of Easterskene and Lynturk." Where, as
in the case of Mr M'Combie, a landlord lives on
his estates in the midst of his tenants, and knows
the life of every tenant, as every tenant knows
the life of his landlord, a feeling of mutual trust
and friendship springs up, in which the unity of
interest of landlord and tenant becomes a living
present fact, at work all the year round, and not
a remote abstract idea to be brought forth once a-
year in after-dinner speeches at agricultural shows,
Williavi ]\rConibic of Easterskcne. 141
and now and again at election times, or once or
twice in a lifetime at marriage or coming-of-age
rejoicings.
Country people see now and again, often at long
intervals, a flag displayed from the top of the
country seat of the laird, by which it is under-
stood that he is there in person. This has for
long been a " sign of the times," upon which
much might be said, and which is having results
in these latter days. If at Easterskene the dis-
play of a flag was made when the laird was absent
for more than a day, the sight of the flag indicat-
ing his absence would be rarer than that indicat-
ing the presence of most others. While thus
making his duties as a landlord the main business
of his life, Mr M'Combie has given much of his
time to public duties. He has been a Justice of
the Peace for the long period of about sixty years,
and is one of the only two remaining freeholders
of the county, being enrolled as long ago as 1825.
He was also for many years chairman of the pa-
rochial board of Skene, retiring only a year or two
ago, much to the regret of every one on the board.
142 TJie Family of M'Coinbie,
As was to be expected, the Volunteer movement
received his hearty support. Although when the
movement originated he was about sixty years of
age — a time of life when most people are thinking
of retiring from active work — yet, when in his
sixty-fifth year, he undertook the command of the
3d Aberdeenshire Rifle Volunteer Corps, and
held the captaincy until 1870. He was exceed-
ingly popular with his men and brother officers,
and when nearly seventy years of age stood as
straight as any in the ranks, and was the tallest
man in his company of nearly 100 volunteers.
In private life Mr M'Combie is highly es-
teemed as one of the most amiable and hearty of
men, full of genial humour and wit. His store of
anecdotes, illustrative of the social life of Aber-
deenshire in the end of last century and the
beginning of the present, is unrivalled, and it is a
great pity that a collection of these anecdotes has
not been made for preservation, as many of them
will soon be altogether lost, being known to few
of the present generation even in the districts
where they originated. Mr M'Combie has all his
William APC online of Easter skene. 143
life been a great reader, and the collection of
books at Easterskene, especially those relating to
Scottish history, antiquities, and old lore in gen-
eral, was declared by the late Mr Jervise, author
of the ' History of Angus and Mearns,' &c,, who
occasionally visited at Easterskene, to be the best
private collection he knew of. Mr M'Combie is
an enthusiast in Scottish music, and an excellent
judge of it, and has a fine collection of old strath-
speys, many of them in MS., and very rare. He
loves to recall the powers of the late Mr James
Strachan, the famous Drumnagarrow, who used
to be the leading player at the Easterskene balls
many years ago. Mr M'Combie has all his life
been a stanch supporter of athletic sports, and
over twenty years ago capital games were held
at Lynturk and Muggarthaugh. For a good
many years past games have been held at Easter-
skene, where the leading athletes of the present
time, Donald Dinnie, George Davidson, and
Kenneth M'Crae, have appeared; and we happen
to know that any of them, when opportunity offers,
would go to Easterskene in preference to most
144 The Family of M'Combie.
places, if for nothing else than to show their re-
spect for Mr M'Combie, as one who has so hearty
an appreciation of and interest in manly men and
manly sports.
In 1870, Mr M'Combie's popularity as a land-
lord and country gentleman received public re-
cognition when he was entertained to dinner by
his Lynturk tenantry and the leading gentlemen
of the vale of Alford. The following account of
this dinner appeared in the ' Banffshire Journal '
of February i, 1870: "The chief of the clan
M'Combie — the popular laird of Easterskene —
was entertained to dinner on the 21st ult by the
tenantry on his estate of Lynturk, in the vale of
Alford. The chair was occupied by the laird's
cousin, Mr M'Combie, M.P. for West Aber-
deenshire, who is tenant in Bridgend, the largest
farm on the Lynturk estate ; and there was a
great gathering of the chief men of the vale.
The chairman referred to Mr M'Combie as a
kind and considerate landlord, who lets his farms
at moderate rents, who keeps no head of game,
and who lives among his people as an enter-
William H/'Conibie of Bastci^skene. 145
prising improver of the soil, and of the breeds
of cattle ; the winner of many a prize in the
show-yard ; as a warm supporter of the Volunteer
cause, having been for a lengthened period the
captain of the local volunteers ; and as a gentle-
man of the kindest heart and most agreeable
manners. In these observations the chairman
did not say a word more than was due to
Easterskene, and the large meeting cordially
endorsed the sentiments. The laird made a
suitable reply, and proposed the health of the
tenantry of Lynturk, coupled with Mr Hunter,
Farmton, who acknowledged." In addition to
the foregoing, Mr M'Combie has on more than
one occasion been entertained by his Easterskene
tenantry.
In politics Mr M'Combie is a Conservative of
a mild type, and were there more of the same
character, Conservatism would not be at so low
an ebb in Aberdeenshire. He has never, how-
ever, given much of his time nor attention to
politics, nor been an ardent party-man. Some
idea of Mr M'Combie personally has already
146 The Family of M'Cojiibie.
been given while mentioning his height. Until
incapacitated from active outdoor exercise by an
unfortunate accident some years ago, he might
have been cited along with the late Mr Horatio
Ross as an example of the remarkable preserva-
tion of strength in old age. When his portrait by
Mr J. Coutts Michie was exhibited at Edinburgh
in 1885, it was difficult to believe that the hand-
some, vio^orous, and alert-lookino- old man was an
octogenarian ; and one critic thought doubtlessly
that he showed remarkable critical acumen when
he triumphantly asked, "Where are the wrinkles?"
But the critic missed his mark, as critics some-
times do ; for although now midway between
eighty and ninety, Mr M'Combie's forehead is
marked with only the faint outline of one or
two wrinkles, just as the artist has faithfully
delineated in the portrait.
In the difference between the condition of
the estates of Easterskene and Lynturk at
the present time, and their condition when Mr
M'Combie entered into possession, lies the result
of his life's work — a work the value of which
Williaui IM'Contbic of Eastcrskciic, 147
is beyond all calculation. It rests there an ac-
complished fact, that has already borne much
trood fruit, and will continue, as all good work
ever does, to bear fruit in a variety of ways
and for a length of time beyond all human
foresight.
In bringing our brief memoir to a close, we
feel that in looking back to the solitary figure of
Donald M'Combie arriving poor and friendless
in the vale of Alford some two hundred years
ago, and then looking at the position of his
descendant and representative of the present
day, while enjoying his otiuiii atni dignitate in a
green old age as the respected and honoured
proprietor of two fine estates, and the many
other descendants who have brought respect
and honour on the name of M'Combie — such a
retrospect cannot fail to be an incentive to in-
dividual effort in others, who may learn from it
that prosperity always waits on energetic perse-
verance in well-doing, and invariably crowns it
with success sooner or later. When, again, we
compare the "life of sturt and strife" of John
148 The Family of M'Combie.
M'ComIe of Forter, with the peaceful career
of his descendant at Easterskene, we see the
advance the nation has made from revolution,
imperfect civilisation, and lawlessness, to settled
government, advanced civilisation, and conform-
ity to law.
149
APPENDIX.
NOTE A, page 5.
"I OWN that John MTntoshe of fforter, comonly
called M'Comie,"\vas a brave loyall gentleman, and be-
haved very worthily in the King's service. But he
needs not be excepted in this place ; his predecessor, as
he told me and others severall tymes, was a son of the
House of Garvamore in Badenoch, where never a MTn-
toshe treaded till this our age, otherwise than as a
guest or passenger ; so was really Macphersone, as all
the oy'' M'Intoshes in the south are, who tho by ane un-
acceptable mistake they bear yr name, have our nature,
and constantly from age to age loved us better than
them. But if he had been a M'Intoshe as he was called,
he was neither at Glenclova nor at Blaire Castle, or the
seidge of Lethen and Burgie, consequently that part of
the history that concerns the services of the Catana tribus
under the reign of King Charles the first, cannot at all
be ascribed to the M'Intoshes, nor the rescue of Queen
Mary, more than this, except that in contradiction to
150 TJic Family of M'Combie.
comon sence and reason, and the vouched testimonies
of unexceptible witnesses, their bold assertion pass for a
sufficient proofe." — From Sir yEneas M'Pherson^ of In-
vereshie's MS. Memorial to the Laird of Cluny in Bad-
Q.noch., penes M'Pherson of Cluny.
" The care taken by the family historians to record
the natural offspring of William, seventh laird of M'ln-
tc^h, is sufficient proof that they were persons of note.
The manners of the country and the time, both equally
rude, may warrant the inference that the connection of
which they were the issue was sanctioned by some such
imperfect rite as that of handfasting. The mother of
the two elder, Angus and Donald, appears to have been
the daughter of the chief of the tribe of the M'Gillonies
of Lochaber, a considerable branch of the Clan Cameron.
The name of the mother of the three younger has not
reached us ; but from the marriage of her daughter to
a person who was evidently of consequence, we may
infer that she was of honourable rank. Both her sons
seem to have received lands from their father, Sorald or
^ The following notice of Sir /Eneas M'Pherson is given in Douglas's
'Baronage of Scotland,' p. 360, ed. 1798: "/Eneas, afterwards Sir
/Eneas, a man of great parts and learning, and highly esteemed both by
King Charles II. and King James VII. He collected the materials for
the histoiy of the Clan M'Pherson, which is thought a valuable MS.,
is much esteemed, and is still preserved in the family. He was made
Sheriff of Aberdeen by a charter under the great seal from King Charles II.,
dated 1684. His only son died a colonel in Spain, without issue." Sir
/Eneas was the second son of "William M'Pherson of Inneressie, who
married Margaret, daughter of Farquhardson of Wardes " (Wardhouse in
Aberdeenshire, which belonged to the Farquharsons of Invercauld). " His
grandfather, Angus or .Eneas M'Pherson of Inneressie, married a daughter
of Farquharson of Bruickderg " (Broughdearg in Glenshee).
Appendix. 151
Sorlie ; and his descendants for two generations pos-
sessed lands apparently in the neighbourhood of Petty,
the favourite residence of their father. Of the elder,
the Latin History gives the following account; 'Adam
MacWilliam at first settled in Atholl, but afterwards
removed to Garvamore in Badenagh ; and from him are
descended the Macintoshes of Glenshee, Strathairdle,
and Glenisla.' As his father died in 1368 at an ad-
vanced age, and as he was born before his father's
second marriage (of which there was issue), the date
of his birth may be placed in the middle of the four-
teenth century (probably rather before than after
1350), and it is not likely that he long survived the
year 1400. Unless a further clue shall be discovered,
the endeavour to trace link by link the descent of the
Macintoshes of Glenshee, Strathairdle, and Glenisla
from this common and remote progenitor, must be
abandoned as hopeless. [There is no record come down
to us of the particular Thomas M'Intosh from whom
the surname of M'Combie originated. The first men-
tion of M'Thomas as surname seems to be in " Clan
Chattan's Band," Spalding Club Miscellany, vol. iv.
p. 260, where Aye M'Ane M'Thomas is mentioned.
Thomas as Christian name has always been kept up in
the family. — W. M'C. S.] It is, however, vouched in the
most direct manner by the family annalist, whose sources
of information and discriminating accuracy leave no
room for doubt in the matter. He is indeed to be re-
garded as so far a contemporary witness ; for of the
documents from Avhich he compiled his work, it has
been seen that one was written within a century of the
D-
Thc Family of M'Coinbie.
death of Adam M'William, with whose children, at the
farthest in the second generation, this eldest historian
of the Macintoshes (who was also the chief of the clan)
must have been contemporary. The evidence thus far
(that is, to about the year 1500) is unquestionable ; and
by the other two historians, it is carried down in the same
contemporary channel to the year 1550. The writer of
the Latin History wrote shortly after the year 1679 .< so
that the period as to which it was necessary for him to
speak of his own knowledge is less than a century and
a half, a period for which the amplest evidence of
family descent is generally accessible even in the ab-
sence of written proofs, and among a people much less
tenacious of such recollections than the Highlanders.
It will be observed, also, that he speaks of the families of
Glenshee, Strathairdle, and Glenisla as still existing,
Avhich gives additional weight to his evidence." — From
' Notes (MS.) on the Family of Macintosh or M'Combie
of Forthar in Glenisla, in the shire of Angus, descended
from the Family of Macintosh or of that Ilk, Captains
of the Clan Chattan,' by the late Dr Joseph Robertson,
the eminent antiquary, author of ' The Book of Bon
Accord,' &c., written in 1839, penes Mr William
M'Combie of Easterskene and Lynturk. In addition
to the notes by Dr Robertson, the compiler desires to
express his indebtedness to the exhaustive ' Historical
Memoirs of the House and Clan of Mackintosh,' by Mr
Alexander Mackintosh Shaw, for several interesting
facts in the early history of the M'Combies.
Appendix. 1 5 3
NOTE B, page 5.
" To any one at all versant in matters of genealogy, it
will be superfluous to remark that until a recent period ^
illegitimate birth was scarcely counted a spot in a pedi-
gree. The instances are innumerable of lords, earls, and
princes who subscribed and called themselves bastards ;
and there is scarcely a family in the peerage of Scot-
land in which, in some instance, the succession has not
been carried on by an illegitimate son. In 1404, Alex-
ander Stewart, a natural son of the Wolfe of Badenagh,
acquired the Earldom of Mar, which he transmitted to
his natural son, Sir Thomas Stewart." After citing
other cases involving damnatiLin coitum, Mr Robertson
quotes from Feme's ' Blazon of Gentrie, or Glorie of
Generositie,' p. 287 (London, 1586): " Spurii qui ex
damnato coitu procreantur, ita ut tempore procreationis,
non possit esse matrimonium, omni prorsus beneficio
excludantur." " It was," he continues, " perhaps scarcely
necessary to cite these examples, for the history of the
chiefs of the Macintoshes itself furnishes a sufficient
instance. In the beginning of the sixteenth century, on
the occasion of a disputed succession to the chiefship,
the clan chose a bastard brother of a late chief to be their
captain." — Robertson, 'Notes on the Family of Mac-
intosh or M'Combie.' (See also Skene's ' Highlanders
1 A writer, indeed, of the reign of King James VI. speaks thus of the
practice of his day : "Observandum hodie et hoc est, quod bastardi, si a
parentibus suis agnoscantur pro liberis nobilitatem ea parte patris recipi-
unt." — Craigii 'Jus Feudale,' lib. ii. § 21.
154 ^^i<^ Family of M'Coinbic.
of Scotland,' vol. ii. p. l8i; Sir Robert Gordon's 'Gen-
eral History of the Earldom of Sutherland,' p. lOO.)
NOTE C, page 5.
" Hie Gulielmus erat supra communem popularem
staturam procerus robustus sed minima camosus(?);
cratque suae familise primus qui Clan Chattanorum
ducem subscripsit." — From ' De Origine et Incrumento
Makintoshiorum Epitome.' The Latin History of the
MTntoshes, preserved in MS. in the Advocates' Library
at Edinburgh.
NOTE D, page 6.
This was a feu-charter of the four-merk lands of
Finnegand and shealing of Glenbeg, lying in Glenshee,
in the barony of Middle Downie and sheriffdom of Perth,
granted by Thomas Scott de Petgorno in favour of
John M'Comy Moir ; Janet Rattray, his wife ; and their
son and apparent heir, John M'Comy Moir, junior.
Janet Rattray was a daughter of John Rattray of Dal-
rulzion, who was one of the witnesses. The charter also
included " astrictis multuris omnium granorum prefa-
tarum terrarum solitis et consuetis molendino meo de
Innerreddcrtye," together with the long obsolete right
of " miilicnim vierchetisr
Appendix. 1 5 5
NOTE E, page 15.
The following extract from the records of the kirk-
session of Kirkmichael (Perthshire) shows that the re-
moval of M'Comie Mor from Finnegand had not taken
place previous to 165 1, and also throws considerable
light on the Church discipline of the time : " March 2,
165 1. — Ilk day Johne M'Intoishe of ffanneyzeand,
Thomas Keill, and Alexr. M'Intoishe in Derrow, his
tennants, maid public satisfaction in sackcloth, and gave
(due) evidences of yr. repentances for deceiving the
minister be causing him baptize ane chyld gottin in
fornication, under the notione of a lawll. chyld."
NOTE F, page 36.
As still further showing the lawlessness of times com-
paratively not of a very remote date, the following inci-
dent, which took place before the time of M'Comie Mor,
probably in Finla Mor's time, before the granting of the
charter for Finnegand to the M'Comies, is of interest :
" On another occasion, some Highlanders came down
and killed a gentleman in Glenshee, one M'Omie or
M'Homie. The Baron caught two of them, and instantly
caused them to be hanged on birch-trees in the wood of
Enochdhu, Their graves are to be seen there to this
day. Their names were Donald-na-Slogg and Finlay-
a-Baleia." — From ' Memoirs of the Family of Straloch,
156 The Family of M'Coiubie.
in Strathardle, commonly called Barron Reid (Robert-
son), written in 1728.'
NOTE G, page 36.
A most remarkable confirmation of this incident in
M'Comie Mor's life took place not many years ago. A
house was to be built on the part of the field where the
caird was said to have been buried, and to the intense
astonishment of those excavating the foundation, human
bones were turned up which no one to whom the tradi-
tion was known doubted were those of the unfortunate
caird. The event created a good deal of excitement
at the time in Glenshee, and was looked upon as a
most remarkable corroboration of a tradition which
some, in the lapse of time, had begun to look upon
with incredulity.
NOTE H, page 41.
Here, again, we would point out that none of the feats
of strength attributed to M'Comie Mor are incredible,
as so many traditionary feats are. Only a few years
ago a celebrated athlete near Lochabcr, in Inverness-
shire, although at the time past his prime, on a bull
attacking his brother, who was lame and unable to
defend himself, at once rushed forward, seized the bull
by his horns, and dislocated his neck.
Appendix. 157
NOTE I, page 47.
In a letter from the late William Shaw, Esq. of Milton
of Blacklunans, to William M'Combie, Esq. of Easter-
skene and Lynturk, written from Finnegand 26th Feb-
ruary 1855, he says: "I promised to try and find out
who your great forefather took prisoner in the north.
James M'Intosh, one of the oldest men in our country,
says that he has often heard that it was the laird of
Craigievar, and thinks it was at the Kirkton of Alford
the battle was fought. He does not know how he went
there, only that Grahame (Montrose) and M'Comie were
great friends. This was the more likely, as one of the
lairds of Blacklunans, Robertson, Baron of the barony
of Blacklunans, and one of Grahame's vassals, was with
him. It was to this man that M'Comie showed his
prisoner after the battle, asking him what he thought of
him. The Baron said, ' Nae muckle.' M'Comie an-
swered, ' Had you met him as I did, you would have
another tale. Give him his sword, and he would drive
all the lairds of Blackwater east Glack Pool,' ^ or the
watery hollow, a pass between Blacklunans and Alyth."
Now, in support of the above, we have, first, the testi-
mony of "James Ramsay of Ogill," taken on 2Sth
January 1645, and published in vol. ii. p. 167 of the
1 There is reason to believe that what Mr Shaw calls the Glack Pool was
the Glack of Fulzie, which is shown in a map in the possession of Mr
Charles M'Kenzie of Borland, of date 1766, at the depression in the
heights above Blacklunans through which the road to Alyth passed, and
by which the routed lairds would flee in their imagined discomfiture by
Craigievar.
1 5 8 The Family of Al' Coiubie.
' Memorials of Montrose and his Times,' printed for the
Maitland Club, 1850, from the original in the Montrose
charter-chest, that among those with Montrose at the
Law of Dundee, immediately after the battle of Tipper-
muir in 1644, was "John M'Colmy." Mr Shaw's infor-
mant was not sure where John M'Comie took his
prisoner, and it was at Aberdeen, not Alford, that
Craigievar was taken prisoner. Second, in ' The History
of the King's Majestie's Affaires in Scotland vnder the
Conduct of the Most Honourable James Marquess of
Montrose, in the years 1644, 1645, ^I'^d 1646,' printed in
the year 1649, p. 49, it is stated: "They [Montrose's
forces] tooke prisoners one Forbes of Kragevar, a knight
of great esteeme with the enemy, and another, Forbes
of Boindle." Sir William, as we shall see, escaped.
Third, the evidence of Sir William Forbes of Craigie-
var, 25th January 1645, on which date "Sir William
Forbes of Craigievar, of the aidge of 32 years or therby,
mareit, being sworne and interrogait anent thoiss whome
he did see with the Erie Montroiss, Depones, that the
day of the conflict at Aberdein, the deponer being in
action and service for the weele of the Estaitts of this
Kingdome, he was taken prisoner upon the feilds be sum
of the Irish rebells and thair associatts, and wes deteand
prisoner be the space of a month, efter whiche tyme the
deponer wes permitted be the rebells to come aff upon
his paroill to returne agane, and that the deponer come
sua aff at Auldbar ; and that a twentie days or tharabout
therefter the deponer, for keeping of his paroll, went in
agane to the rebells at Strabogy ; and having stayed
two dayes or therabout he escaiped, and came aff at
Appendix. 159
Strabogy." — Maitland Club, ' Memorials of Montrose,'
p. 167. We have therefore the fact that John M'Comie
was with Montrose prior to his march and fight at Aber-
deen, the tradition in Glenshee that he took prisoner
the laird of Craigievar while with Montrose in the north,
and the fact that Sir William Forbes of Craigievar was
taken prisoner by some one in Montrose's army at Aber-
deen, and may therefore safely conclude that Sir Wil-
liam Forbes had to succumb to the invincible M'Comie
Mor.
NOTE J, page 47.
The complete list is as follows: "James, Erie of
Montrose ; Alexr. M'Donald, alias Colkittoches, sone ;
James, Erie of Airlie ; Sr. Thomas and Sr. David Ogil-
vies, his sones ; Jon. Stewart of Auchannachan ; Don-
nald Glass M'Ronnald of Keppoche ; David Graham of
Gorthie ; Patrik Graham, fiar of Inchbrakie ; John
M'Colmie ; Donald Ro[ber]tsone, tutor of Strowan ;
Alexr. Ogilvie of Innerquharitie ; John Stewart of
Shitrglass.
NOTE K, page 49.
Mr George M'Kenzie, John M'Comie's procurator in
his law process with Lord Airlie, was also his leading
'counsel in the trial of 1673, by which time he was Sir
George M'Kenzie. He was the son of Simon M'Kenzie
of Lochslin, and was born in 1636. He early showed
i6o T/ic Family of M'Combie.
marked talent, and in the same year in which he ap-
peared as counsel for John M'Comie against the Earl of
Airlie, he was one of the counsel for the Marquis of
Argyle. Dryden terms him " that noble wit of Scot-
land, Sir George M'Kenzie." Soon after the Restora-
tion he was appointed a justice-depute. He was knighted
before 1669, in which year he represented Ross in the
Scottish Parliament. In 1677 he was appointed King's
Advocate. One of his most distinguished public acts
was the founding of the Advocates' Library of Edin-
burgh. He died in 1691.
NOTE L, page 54.
" From these proceedings it would appear that, firstly,
John M'Intosh, otherwise M'Comie or M'Combie, held
Forther in virtue of a contract of alienation (probably a
wadset or redeemable right) made several years before
1661 ; secondly, that to the Glen of Glascorie or Cam-
lochan he had acquired an absolute or irredeemable
right, from the Earl having failed to redeem within the
stipulated time ; thirdly, that M'Intosh was a person of
very considerable note, influence, and wealth. Mention
is made of his * great power,' ' his moyen and favour,'
with the English usurpers ; and again he is described
as their partisan, or their 'intelligencer and favourite.'
These expressions show that the person to whom they
were applied was of no little importance ; and another
incidental statement brings out his wealth. It is stated
that in this disputed glen of Glascorie alone he had,
Appendix. 1 6 1
besides divers horses, twenty milch kine and more than
a hundred oxen.^ The justice of the decision may cer-
tainly be suspected ; and it may be safely concluded
that the ' Restoration Parliament,' as it was called,
found little scruple in finding for a nobleman so emi-
nent for his loyalty, and against a person who had been
distinguished like M'Intosh as a 'favourite' of Crom-
well's Government." — From ' Notes on the Family of
Macintosh or M'Combie of Forther,' by Dr Joseph
Robertson.
NOTE M, page 58.
In the Decisions of the Lords of Council and Session
from June 6, 1678, to July 30, 171 2, vol. ii. p. 89,
in a case. Logics against Wiseman, February 14, 1700,
there occurs the following passage : " Transactions do
not redintegrate null invalid deeds — 8th December 1671,
Mackintosh contra Spalden and Farquharson ; and loth
January 1677, Stuart contra Whiteford, where a son's
bond given to liberate his father, unwarrantably de-
tained, was found null." Here, M'Intosh against Spal-
ding and Farquharson undoubtedly refers to the bond
given by John M'Intosh, alias M'Comie's son or sons,
for the liberation of their father in 1669, The Spalding
is in all probability Spalding of AshintuUy, fined in
^ In a marginal nole Dr Robertson adds : "John M'Intosh had in one
glen more than 120 cattle. In 1574, the whole bestial which belonged to
Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm, Knight (the ancestor of the noble house
of Buccleuch), was 114 cattle — viz., 36 ky, 26 stottis, 21 queyis, 26 oxin,
3 bulHs, 2 stirkis — 1397 sheep, and 841 hogs."
L
1 62 The Family of iVrCouibie.
1673 for not appearing as a witness on behalf of the
Farquharsons. Spalding had evidently received the
bond as an equivalent for money from the Farquhar-
sons, and found it valueless. The Farquharsons, there-
fore, did not profit even in a pecuniary sense by the
abduction of John M'Comie.
NOTE N, page 'jG.
On the same day, "Andrew Spalding of Ashintullie ;
David Spalding, his brother ; John Robertson of Tilli-
murdo ; John M'Gillilvie, in Dalinamer ; and David
Rattray of Rannagullion," for not appearing as wit-
nesses at the instance of the relict and nearest of kin
of the deceased Robert Farquharson, were adjudged " to
be in ane unlawe and amerciament of ane hundred
merks Scotts."
NOTE O, page -jj.
Robert Farquharson of Broughdearg's descent from
Finla Mor is : Finla Mor, Lachlan Farquharson, William
Farquharson, David Farquharson, Robert Farquharson.
Alexander Farquharson, the son of Robert Farquhar-
son who was slain at the Moss of Forfar, wrote what
rs known as the Broughdearg Manuscript, giving the
genealogy of the Farquharsons. He was a surgeon,
and practised about Braemar. It is said that on being
called on one occasion to prescribe for some woman
related to the M'Comies, he said if he gave her any-
Appendix. 163
thing it would be poison. The last male representa-
tive of the Farquharsons of Broughdearg was Thomas
Farquharson of Baldovie, born 1770, died i860. Robert
Farquharson, besides his son Alexander, had a daughter,
Margaret, married to John Smith in " Bredfald at Bal-
gais"; also "a natural daughter, married to William
Baton of Brewlands in Glenylla." — BrongJidearg MS.
NOTE P, page "]-].
While M'Comie Mor lived, the caterans gave the head
of Glenisla a wide berth in their predatory incursions ;
and on his death, the one who brought the news home,
on being asked, " What news ? " joyfully replied in
Gaelic, "News, and good news! Blessed be the Virgin
Mary ! the great M'Comie, in the head of the Low-
lands, is dead, for as big and as strong as he was."
NOTE Q, page 83.
A fact which throws considerable light on the circum-
stances of the M'Comies subsequent to their father's
death has recently come to light. In tracing back the
history of the M'Kenzie family, who bought Finnegand
in 1 71 2, it appears that at one time the family was at
Crandart, and afterwards in Glenbeg, and while in Glen-
beg the head of the family lent money on the land of
Crandart to a M'Intosh in 1687.
164 The Family of M'Combie.
NOTE R, page 85.
Both in the Poll -book and on the gravestone the
family name is spelled so as to pronounce M'Comie. In
the Poll-book it is once M'Komy and once M'Comy.
The ^ is a modern innovation, and was not introduced
until about the end of the eighteenth century. After
the time of Donald we have conformed to the modern
usage, although etymologically it is incorrect.
NOTE S, page 123.
Another reminiscence of Mr M'Combie's youth car-
ries us back to the time of Culloden. In 1818 there
died a well-known man of the name of M'Bean, one of
the class known as gentle beggars, at the great age of
102, whose death was chronicled at some length in the
'Aberdeen Journal' of that time. Mr M'Combie re-
members having often talked with him about Culloden,
where he charged with the MTntoshes, who were fear-
fully cut up. M'Bean would have been about thirty
years of age when he fought at Culloden.
NOTE T, page 136.
The Rev. Dr Taylor, in his account of the parish of
Leochel-Cushnie, in the 'New Statistical Account of
Scotland,' published in 1843, writing of the Linn, says :
Appendix. 165
" It is called the Linn of Lynturk, and has the repu-
tation of being haunted by the apparition of a lady in
green or white ; but the oldest living inhabitant not
having had ocular demonstration, the colour of the
dress remains doubtful. The last instance of her ap-
pearance which tradition has handed down is the fol-
lowing : The laird of Kincraigie had dined with his
neighbour the laird of Tulloch, and as he returned
home late at night, mounted on a spirited horse, and
attended by a faithful dog, he was passing along the
brink of the dell above the Linn, when suddenly the
apparition seized the bridle of his horse, and exclaimed,
' Kincraigie Leslie, I've sought you long, but I've found
you now.' The dog, however, fiercely attacking the
spectre, it quitted the bridle for a moment, and the
horse dashed off at the top of his speed, while his ter-
rified master could see the spectre and the dog tumbling
down in mortal struggle to the very bottom of the dell.
Kincraigie was thus saved, and his generous canine
friend returned next day, showing evident marks of the
perilous strife in which he had been engaged."
ADDENDUM.
In the Dean of Lismore's ' Book of Gaelic Poetry,'
edited by the Rev. Thomas M'Lauchlan, there is a poem
by " The Baron Ewen M'Omie," on sickness. In a note
Mr M'Lauchlan says : "The editor has not been able to
identify the author of this poetical complaint. During
the existence of baronies, with their bailies or local
1 66 The Family of M'Combie.
judges, the number of barons or baron bailies in the
Highlands must have been large. Of this class was
most likely our poet" Taking into consideration, first,
that the M'Omies were established as a separate branch
of the MTntoshes, considerably anterior to the date of
the collection of these poems, and second, that the physi-
cian longed for is a M'Intosh, there is a strong proba-
bility that the writer was an ancestor of the present
M'Combies ; but the information is so indefinite as to
the time when and the place where the poem was com-
posed, that it has been placed here as an interesting
addendum. The following is the English translation of
the poem, with the editor's notes : —
" Long do I feel my lying here.
My health to me is a stranger ;
Fain would I pay my health's full price,
Were mine the numerous spoils.
A spoil of white-haired heavy cows,
A spoil of cows for drink or feasting.
I'd give besides the heavy bull,
If for my cure I had the price.
The herds and flocks of Mannanan,^
The sword and horn of MacCumhail,
The trumpet of Manallan- I'd give,
And the quiver CuchuUin,
^ An ancient Celtic hero, from whom the Isle of Man takes its name,
as well as the district in Scotland called Slamannan.
2 The editor has not been able to obtain any acconnt of this person.
There is a contraction over the second a in tlic MS., which makes the
reading doubtful.
Appendix. 167
Ir, Evir, and Eireamon/
And were I to possess them,
The harp of Curcheoil,^ which hid men's grief,
The shield of the king of Golnor.-
Lomond's^ ship of greatest fame,
Had I it upon the strand,
All I've seen I'd freely give,
Ere as now I'd long remain.
Long to me appears the coming
Of Alexander Macintosh,
That my disease he might drive away,
And then I might no longer lie.
Lonsf."
1 The three sons of Milidh of Spain, from whom the Milesian races are
descended, according to Celtic story.
- The editor can give no account of these names. The traditions re-
specting them seem to have perished.
^ A famous Celtic hero, from whom Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond
are said to derive their names.
THE END.
PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS.
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