Their was thrie thries[561] (as they called them) in Fyfe, Balveiry Scot,
Ardrosse Scot, Dischingtoune of late, but Scot, and Balgonie Sibbald:
Balmuto, Bosuel, Weimes of that Ilk, and Rossyth Stuart: then Lundie of
that Ilk, Durie of that Ilk, and Colerine, Barclay or else Craighall,
Kinninmont.
[561] This seems only to mean that the three trios of lairds hunted,
not in couples, but in threes.
On the 5 of May we came over from Bruntiland.
Skein in his de V. Signi:[562] _in verbo_ Clan Macduff, tells whow on
William Ramsay was Earle of Fife in King David the 2'ds dayes.
[562] _Verborum significatione_.
Saw in the way to Bruntilland the sands King Alexander the 3'd brak his
neck on.
* * * * *
Mr. Joseph Mede,[563] in one of his letters to Doctor Tuisse,[564] speaking
anent the manner whow the great continent of America and its circumjacent
ilands may probably be supposed to have bein peopled, thinks that the
greatest part of that country (especially Mexico and Peru, who ware found
the only civilized people amongs them, having both a State and a Church
government established among them) was planted by great colonies sent out
of the barborous northern nations laying upon the north frozen sea,
videlicet, the Tartars and others,[565] who entred America by the Straits
of Auvan, and that the most of them hes gone thether since our Saviours
coming in the flesh. After which the devil, finding his kingdom ever more
and more to decay through the spreading of Christianity upon the face of
the wholle earth, which before he keipt inchained in black heathinsme, and
being much afflicted with the great din and noyse of the gospell
which was come to the utmost ends of the then knowen world, so that he was
affraid to lose all his footing hear, he by his oracles and responses
encouraged thesse Barbarians (in this Gods ape[566] who called Abram to the
land of promise) to desert their native countrie and promised them better
habitations in another part (which he might soon do) wheir he might be out
of the dread of the gospell and might securly triumph over them as his bond
slaves.
[563] Mede, Joseph, B.D., 1586-1638.
[564] Twisse, Wm., D.D., 1575-1646.
[565] On the margin: 'Purchas in his Pilgrimage in Mexico reports this
storie also.'
[566]_ i.e._ imitator.
The ground of this conjecture is from some records found in the city of
Mexico of their kingdome and its foundation, bearing that their ancestors
about 400 years ago onlie (who then dwelt far north) ware called out of
that countrie by their God which they called Witzill Putzill, in effect,
the Devil, to go to a far country (this was to Mexico), far more fruitfull
and pleasant than their oune, which he should show them, and wheirof he did
give them marks and that he should go before them. And that accordingly
they sett on for the journey, and that their god went before them in ane
ark, and that they had many stations and marches, and that they ware 40
years by the way, and that at last they came to the promised land, and that
they know it by the marks their god had given them of it. All this in
manifest imitation of God his bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt.
Its reported that the State of Scotland looking ut for a suitable match for
James the 2d, then King, sent over to the Duc of Gelderland (who had 3
daughters) some of the nobility and some bischops for the clergy to demand
any of the 3 they should judge most sutable for the King. The Duc was
content on of the Bischops [it was the Bischop of Rosse][567]--should sie
them and feill them all 3 naked to discern theirby which of them was
strongest and wholesomest like. His report was in favors of the youngest:
his reason was, _Est enim bene crurata culata cunnata aptaque ad
procreandos nobis generosos principes._[568]
[567] Interlined.
[568] The Bishop of Dunkeld (not Ross) was one of three commissioners
sent to choose a bride for the king, first to the Court of France.
Mary of Gueldres was an only daughter-Tytler, _Hist._ iii. 209.
The story is probably apocryphal. But in Russia, when the Tsars
were married, the inspection of the candidates was an established
custom and ceremony for two centuries after the marriage of James
II.
A French gentleman being inamoured with a damoiselle of Lyons, going in to
Italie to travell she gets notice that he had tane huge conceit of a
Venetian, and that he was about to marrie hir. She writs a letter in a
large sheit wheirin was nothing written but Lamasabachthani, withall a
false diamond. He receaving it know not what to make of it, went to a
jeweller to try the stone, who discovered it to be false tho it had ane
excellent luster. After many tossing thoughts he fell upon the knack of it,
videlicet, that it was a heiroglyphick diamant faux, and that it behoved to
be read thus, Tell, false lover, why hast thou forsaken me.
* * * * * [569]
[569] There is here omitted an unpleasant story of a Duc de
Montpensier of a former age, who in ignorance married a lady to
whom he was doubly related by the closest ties of consanguinity.
The same story will be found in Nouvelle 30 of Queen Margaret of
Navarre (the scene being laid in Avignon), and in Horace Walpole's
play _The Mysterious Mother_. Also an anecdote about the terms of
the _tenendas_ clause of a charter said to be in the Tower of
London, which is given in English, and is too gross to print.
For farder demonstrations of the truth of that conspiracy of Gouries (which
some cals in doubt), besydes what is in Spotswood, Mr. William Walker told
that he heard oft from Mr. Andrew Ramsay that the said Earle being
travelling in Italie had a response thus, _Dominus de Gourie erit Rex_.
After which he took a strong fancie he would be King, wheiras it was to be
reid, _Rex erit_, etc. In pershuit wheirof being in on of the Universities
of Germanie and to leive his armes their, in his coat he caused put the
Kings armes, videlicet, the Lyon, with a hand and a dager pointing at the
Lyons breist, and so gifted them. And when he was returning he wrot to all
his freinds and dependents to meit him at Muslebrugh, which they did to the
number of 300 horse or their abouts, with which he came to Edenburgh; and
that he might be the more tane notice of, he caused take his lodging in the
Landmarket,[570] and came up al the streit with this train, and tho the
King was in the Abbey yet he passed by without taking notice of him. He was
likewayes a great receipter and protector of all the discontented factious
persones of that tyme.
[570] Now Lawnmarket.
They say their are blood yet to be sein on the wall of the house in St.
Johnston, wher he and his brothers ware slain, which cannot be washen away.
Sir John Ramsay being then the Kings page killed him (he was a sone of the
Laird of Wyliecleuchs in the Merse), and for his valeur and good service
was made Earle of Huldernesse and got a great part of the lordship of
Dumbar, which was then of the Kings annexed patrimonie, but on this accompt
in anno 1600 ware dissolved by the Parliament. Thesse lands Mr. W. Kellie
afterwards acquired.
In September 1670 I waited upon my father to the Merse to sie the Laird of
Idingtoun.[571] Lighted at St. Germains, so called from are old chappell
dedicat to that saint of old standing their. From that went to Hadingtoun,
saw in the way Elvingston, weill planted, but standing in Gladsmoore: item,
Nunland, Adderstone, and Laurenceland, belonging to Doctor Hendersone.
Above Hadingtone lyes Clerkingtone, Cockburne, Colstoune, Broun, who talk
much of their antiquity and pear[572] they preserve, Yester, and
Leidingtoune: 3 miles of stands the Registers house, Chesters, wheirin Mr.
Patrick Gillespie now dwells. To the eist of Hadington stands the Abbay,
Newmilnes, Stevinsone, and Hermistone, all most pleasant places and weill
planted; as also Morhame and Hailles, past the Almous[573] house within a
mile of Dumbar. Saw on our right hand Spot and the Bourhouscs, ware Happers
now Muires; saw also Fuirstoun belonging to Andrew Whyte, once keiper of
the Tolbuith; then saw Innerwick toune and church standing at a good
distance from the house. Saw Neutonlies, Eistbarnes, Thornetounloch,
Scatteraw, Douglas, and Colbrandspath: past thesse steip braes called the
Pies. Saw Butterdean toune and house acquired by Mr. William Hay, the
Clerk, who also bought Aberlady, now belonging to Sir Androw Fletcher: then
saw Rentoun lying in a wild moir: item, Blacarstoun of on our right hand
also in a wild seat, yet seimed to be reasonably weill busked with
planting: item, Blaickburne in the moir: then Fosterland: then Bouncle,
Preston, and Lintlands, belonging to the Marquise of Douglas and presently
the Lady Stranavers jointer, worth 10,000 merks by year: then Billie,
Renton to his name, and then Billie, Myre; then Edencraw, then came to
Idington, 36 miles from Edenbrugh, ware Idingtons to their name, hes no
evidents of it but since the year 1490. In this same condition are the most
of the gentlemen of the Merse who ly most obnoxious to Englands invasions.
[571] Sir John Lauder senior's third wife was a daughter of Ramsay of
Idington.
[572] The Coalston pear was presented by the Warlock of Gifford to his
daughter, who married Broun of Coalston, telling her that as long
as it was preserved fortune would not desert the family.
[573] Alms.
Saw the Maines, a roome lying betuixt Chirnesyde tour and Idington: ware
Homes. On Patrick Mow, sone to the last Laird of Mow, maried the heritrix
of it, and so hes the land. They tell whow the Earle of Roxbrugh was the
cause of the ruine of the said Laird of Mow. Mow being on a tyme with some
Englishmen took on a match for running upon a dog of my Lord Roxbrughs
head[574] against their dogs, wheiron addressing himselfe to my Lord, he
would not quite his dog unless Mow would give him a bond to pay him 8000
merks incaise he restored him not back the dog haill and sound: which Mow,
thinking their ware no hazard in it, did. The day being come my Lords dog
wins the race; but as soon as it was done my Lord had a man ther readie to
shoot it: who accordingly did so, and fled. Then my Lord seiking the soume
in the bond, and he unwilling to pay it, was at wast charges in defending,
and at last succumbed, and so morgaged his estate to Adam Bell, who after
got it. His ladie was a daughter of West Nisbets, with whom the young man
Patrick was brought up.
[574] Upon the head of a dog of Lord Roxburgh's, _i.e._ backing
the dog.
Saw Chirnesyde toune standing a mile of Idingtoun, belonging to sundry
petty heritors, some of them of halfe mark lands. My Lord Mordington is
superior as also patron of the Kirk: on Lanty is minister their. It will be
more then halfe a mile long. At the end of it neir to Whitater stands the
Nynewells (corruptly called the Nyneholes), from 9 springs of water besyde
it, wheirof on in the fountain is verie great: are Homes to their name. Saw
Blanerne, belonging now to Douglas of Lumbsdean. Saw Eist Nisbet, ware
Chirnesydes, now belongs to the Earle of Levins daughter: item, Blacader,
ware Blacaders (of which name Tullialen is yet), are now Homes who ware a
cadet of Manderstones. At a greater distance saw Manderston, Aytoun,
Wedderburne, Polwart, Reidbraes, a house of Polwerts, Crumstaine, Sandy
Spottiswoods; West Nisbet, a most sweit place, ware Nisbets to their name.
Saw Huttonhall, ware Homes to their name, now belongs to Hilton, which was
a part of Suintons lands. Saw the toune of Hutton belonging to sundry
portioners. Saw Paxtoun and Edringtone, a part of Basses[575] lands, and
given away to a brother, now belongs to my Lord Mordington. Saw Foulden,
the Bastile, Nunlands, Ramsay--his grandsire was parson of Foulden. Saw
Mordington and Nather Mordington. Saw the bound road[576] within my Lords
park. Saw on the English syde of Tuede Ourde the Birkes wheir King Charles
army ly, Norame Castle and Furde; the ladie wheirof inviegled King James
the 4t when he went in to Flouden: they have bein leud women ever since.
Ker of Itall got it by marieng the heritrix. Went to Bervick, wheir they
are building ane Exchange. In the way is Halidoun Hill, wheir on of the
Douglasses was slain; Lammerton, in the Chappell wherof was King James the
3d maried on King Hendrie the 7th of Englands daughter. Their is a great
salmond fisching on Tueid: for the freedome but of one boat on it they pay
100 lb. ster: per annum. We was at a kettle[577] on the water syde. My Lord
Mordington had all the Magdalene field, but he could not get it peaceably
possessed for thesse of Berwick, so that he sold it to Watsone. Holy Iland
is 7 miles from Berwick. My Lords father Sir James Douglas was a sone of
the Marquis of Douglas: he maried the only daughter of the Lord Oliphant.
Idington is 5 miles furder in the Merse then Renton.
[575] Lauder of the Bass.
[576] Probably a road forming the boundary between the liberties of
Berwick and the county.
[577] 'A social party on Tweedside, common during the salmon fishing
season.'--Ogilvie's _Imp. Dict_.
Returned that same way almost and came to Auldhamstocks, 9 miles from
Idington. Saw Auldcambus, then came to Eistbarnes; then for Linton bridges;
within 2 mile of it saw the land of Nyne ware. Saw Gourlaybank; came and
lay at Wauchton, who ware Moubrayes, and a 2d sone of my Lord Hailles
marieing them they became Hepburnes. Quinkerstaines is a peice of old land
of theirs. They got also Lufnes by marieng the heritrix theirof Riccartoun.
But my Lord Hailes rose by 3 forfaulters: of the Earle of March, Dumbar, of
the Creichton, and of Bothuell, Ramsay, the Laird of Balmayne.[578] Gorgie
milne besyde Edenburgh did belong to Balmayne, but by a gift of nonentrie
Otterbune of Reidhall, who was at that tyme Clerk Register, he got it.
[578] As to Ramsay of Balmain being created Earl of Bothwell by James
III., see p. 205.
Saw nixt day Furd, Whitkirk, Craig, Hepburn, Balgone, Semple, Leuchie,
Merjoribanks, Sydserfe, Achesone, Cassilton, Tomtallon, both the Marquis of
Douglasses, and the Basse, 2 mile within the sea, about a short mile in
circumference. Saw the May, belongs to Barnes Cunyghame. Saw Fentontour,
ware Haliburtons and Wisconts, then purchased by the Earle of Gourie, now
my Lord Advocats:[579] saw the Heuch-Home.
[579] Sir John Nisbet.
Nixt day went for Hadington: saw Ethelstanefield.[580] In Hadington saw my
Lord Lawderdales buriall place, werie magnifiek. The Lord Yesters got
Zester by mariage of the only child of my Lord Giffart. He had Beltan by
marieng with a Cunyghame.
[580] Probably Athelstaneford.
In the coming to Edenbrugh saw Eister and Wester Adenstens, that is also
their name; then Tranent, and neir it Windiegoule; then Elphinstone; then
on the cost syde Cockenie, Seaton, Preston, Prestongrange, the Pans,
Landnidrie:[581] up on the brae are Wallyfield, Dauphinton, Carberrie and
Fausyde.
[581] Now Longniddry.
Master Thomas Scot of Abbotshall in King James the 5th tyme was Justice
Clerk. Vide Hopes Collections, page 12, in principio.
The Lairds of Glenbervie are not the oldest Douglasses as some say, but a
cadet of Angus maried the heritrix theirof, they being then Melvils verie
old in that name, and the powerfullest in all the Mearnes. They ware
heritable shireffs their, and on of them being a great oppressor of the
wholle country, manie complaints were made of him to the King. The King
once answering that he cared not tho' they supped him in broth, they
presently went and took him to a hill syde which they yet show, put on a
ketle and boiled him their, and each of them took a soop out of it. It was
in 1417.[582]
[582] This story is told more fully by Sir W. Scott in a note to
Leyden's ballad 'Lord Soulis,' _Border Minstrelsy_, vol. ii. p.
350, ed. 1802. Albany was Regent in 1417.
They tell that amongs the manie Universities that are at Lovain their is
one which of old was institute for poor scollars who had nought wheiron to
maintaine themselfs, but that their diet was verie sober, nothing but bread
and very small bread. At a tyme on of the students in it having a great
stomack, in a rage sayd to his other fellows, If I ware Pope of Rome I
would make the students of this Colledge to fare better then they do. He
came to be Pope, and endowed that Colledge with great revenues, so that its
the richest now in all Lovain.
Of all the histories we have on record of magicians and sorcerers that
seimes to me most strange which is reported of Ascletarion by
Suetonius,[583] in Vita Domitiani, in pagina 82.
[583] _Duodecim Caesares_, Domitian c. 15. The soothsayer's
power of divination was tested by asking what his own fate would
be. He said he would very soon be devoured by dogs. Domitian
desiring to confute such uncanny powers of prediction ordered him
to be killed and securely buried. The funeral pyre was knocked
down by a storm, and dogs devoured the half-burnt remains.
That Touch which George Tomsone hes wes acquired by his father from the
Melvines, who are designed Lairds of Dyserts, who again acquired it in 1472
from on Touch, so then they have bein of that Ilk.
Fingask, now McGill, ware Dundasses of before.
(2)
NOTES OF JOURNEYS IN SCOTLAND, 1671-72. [584]
Having past over to Fyffe about the latter end of August 1671, I went to
Leslie. Saw by the way Finglassie and Kinglassy and Caskieberry, bought by
a Gennan who came heir about 60 or 70 years ago, and professed medicine:
was called Shoneir. His grandchild sold it to the chancellor, who hes also
bought the barrony of Cluny, sometyme belonging to Crighton of St.
Leonards. Saw Touch, neir Markinch. Saw Balbirny, sometyme Sir Alex'r
Clerks, now it pertaines to a tailzeour called Balfour. Saw Balquharge
belonging to Bogie's unkle: then going for Couper, saw[585] Ramsayes
forther,[586] now Pitcairnes by a marriage with the heritrix. Saw the hy
way to Falkland, neir which stands Corston, whosse name is Ramsay: a sone
wheirof was sir John Ramsay in K. James the 3ds dayes, and created by him
Earle of Bothwell. He sent to the grammer scool of Edr. for a gentleman's
sone to wait upon him, and who could writ weill. 2 ware brought him to
choise one, wheirof Jo. Ramsay was the one; the other wrot better, yet the
king made choise of John as having more the mean of a gentleman then the
other, and made him his cubicular. He gave him the lands of Taringzean in
Air, and Karkanders in Galloway, Gorgie and Gorgymilne in Louthian, and
Balmayne in the Mernis. Without licence from him none could wear a sword
within 2 miles of the K.'s palace. He made him also captain of his guards,
vide Buchanan, pag. 444 and 450. Anent his being Earle of Bothwel Buchanan
causes some doubt, because in K. Ja. the 3ds dayes, at pag. 452, he
mentions Adam Hepburne, Earle of Bothwell; but I think he is in a mistake,
for Drummond is formally contrare. The time of his death is controverted:
some say he was killed at Stirling field with K. Ja. the 3'd, others
(amongs whom is Mr. Androw Ramsay in his poems) at Flouden with Ja. the
4't. Whoever on Ja. the 3'ds death the title of honor conferred upon him
was retracted; but he was not legally forfault nather in Parliament nor in
a Justice court, so that the familie of Balmayne might the more easily be
restored againe to that honor. He was the first in Scotland that ever got a
patent of nobility. Buchanan throw the wholle tract of his history makes it
his work to speak ill of all thosse who ware the king's favorites for the
tyme. He sets doune all their vices in folio, but conceals the vertue by
which it most be presumed they rose, and by which they did keip themselfes
on foot. The tyme was their ware 22 landed gentlemen of the name of Ramsay
in Fyffe. Some say Corston was a cadet of Dalhousie and some of
Auchterhouse, of which family I have heard it contended the famous Alex'r
Ramsay in King David's tyme (Buchanan, page 309) was, and not of Dalhousie;
as also the Ramsay that was with Wallace. Of Dalhousie Ramsay, sy page 314.
Skein, in the word Clan-McDuff, tells of W'm Ramsay E. of Fyffe, in K.
Davids time. Its thought Auchterhouse is elder then Dalhousie; but that the
most floorishing family is most ready to arrogat to it selfe as being the
oldest house. Sir Jo. Ramsay that killed Gowry was a sone of Wiliecleuches
in the Mers, and got Estbarnes, and was made E. of Huldernes. He was first
made vicount of Hadingtoun.
[584] MS. K.
[585] It may be that the name of the property is omitted by mistake.
[586] 'Formerly.'
We saw also Rossie ...[587] and its loch, which seemes to be very large;
saw Ramorney, Heriot; saw Scotstarvet, formerly Inglistarvet, on the croup
of a hill; besyde it is the Struther. Then came to Couper by that way wheir
the race is run; then came to Scotscraig-a part of it holds of the See of
St. Androis and some of the E. of Mar--my Lord St. Androis big house, 6
miles from Couper and 4 from St. Androis, and a mile from the north ferry.
It belonged, as also the Kirkton within a mile theirof, to George Lord
Ramsay, father to this E. of Dalhousie, and was sold by him to S.[588] J.
Buchanan, and Abbotshall conquestit[589] in lieu theirof. On the windows
of the house of Scotscraig are the initiall letters of Sir Jo. Buchanan and
Dame Margaret Hartsyde. Arthur Erskin got it from them, whosse creditors
sold it to the Bischop, and got but 8 pence for their pounds of what was
owing them.
[587] Two words torn off.
[588] Sir.
[589] 'Acquired.'
In the returning home to the Linkton, we saw 2 miles from the Craig
Brackmont and Brackmont milne; then Forret, then Moonzie, as also
Kinneuchar:[590] item, Dairsie, of old Leirmonts, now Morisones, with
Bischop Spotswoods chappell he can see build their.[591] On the same water
stand Kemnock[592] (theirs another in Fyffe called Cummock, who is Morton
to his name), ware Sheveses, the successors of Wm. Sheves, archbischop of
St. Androis, who outed Grahame, Kennedie's successor, and ingratiated
himselfe with the nobility because of his skill in Astrology; they are now
Mcgills; Rumgaye, also Migill; and Blebo, now Beaton. Saw Craigball, of old
Kinninmonts, now Hopes, as also Cires. Came at last to Kennoway, belonging
to the Laird of Balfour, and holden by him waird of the chancelor Rothes:
its 12 miles fra Scotscraig. Then came to Dysert moor, wheir we saw the
coal pits burning, which will ever burne so long as it hes any waste, but
will die when it comes to the maine coall for want of air. In Dysert toun,
hard by the church, which is a very old one, is a great cave which they
call the Hermitage, and I imagine the toune hes bein called Desertum from
it, yea, the most of the houses of the toun holds of it, and the parson of
Dysert is designed rector rectoriae de Dysert. Then came to Revenscraig
(alias Ruthvenscraig, of which name they seem to have bein of old), the
lord Sinclars dwelling, and so to the Links, which is 6 miles from
Kennoway, and so 18 from the Bischops house. Scotscraig was no old heritage
to the lord Ramsay, but was acquired lately from Dury of that ilk by him.
Balmayne had once Gorgie and Gorgiemilne, but Otterburne of Reidhall, by a
gift of non-entry, evicted it from them. See of the E. of Bothwell and
house of Balmaine largely alibi.
[590] So pronounced, now Kilconquhar.
[591] This seems obscure, though distinctly written. It may mean, 'ye
can see built there.'
[592] Now Kemback.
The Bells wrongs themselfes in wearing bells in their armes, for certainly
ther name is from France, in which language it signifies fair and
bueatifull, hence it was the surname of one of their Kings, vid. Philip le
Bell, yea, in the old Latine Bellum was that same with _pulchrum_; and war
was called _bellum, ironice, quasi minime bellum, id est, minime pulcrum_.