The Shire of Caithness is inhabited chiefly by StClairs and Dunbars.
The Earl of Caithness is Chief of the StClairs who are by far more
numerous than the other. I know not the precise number of men they
can raise but I have heard that at the Battle of [252] fought by
them against the late Earl of Breadalbin, I think in the reign of King
William, they had about 1500 men Horse and Foot. But several gentlemen
of that name living in the Orknies would on such ocasion with their
men join their friends on the Continent. Mr. James Gilchrist, Minister
at Thurso,[253] happened to be walking with a gentleman in Summer 1744
who found a letter on the road which when opened was found to be writ
in Cypher by a gentleman of the name of StClair to a correspondent at
Edinburgh mentioning that Shuch and Shuch would be ready at a Call
each with his number of men plainly exprest; all the names were in
Cypher nor could I learn the precise number. Mr. Gilchrist could not
prevail with the gentleman to let him have the keeping of the letter,
however this discovery was useful as it put the Lords Sutherland and
Reay on their guard. ’Twas talked here in time of the Rebellion that
the StClairs would have joined the Pretender but that they durst not
pass through Lord Sutherland’s country[254] as his men were in arms
joined by the McKays, some of the ministers of Caithness can inform you
particularly about this and about Sir James Stewart of Burrows[255] who
lives in the Orknies.
_Dunbars of Caithness_
I could not as yet be informed how the Dunbars of Caithness behaved,
Sir William Dunbar of Hemprigs their Chief, is the principle man. He
was reckoned well affected to Church and State.
_McKays of Strathnavar_
Next to Caithness, Southward and on the Western coast, is Strathnavar
the country of Lord Reay, Chief of the McKays,[256] a zealous
Presbyterian and revolutioner; with all his Clan he can raise as near
as I can guess about 600 men. The part he acted last year is well
known. It will be always mentioned to his honour that by his zeal and
diligence he got the large Parish of Diurness divided into three and
Stipends made for each of them by a general Collection through Scotland
and his own liberal assistance though his estate be but 10,000£ scots
there is scarce a family in this country but has been brought to have
Family Worship, though that People was of old very rude and barbarous.
_Sutherland of Sutherland_
Next to Caithness, Southward on the East coast, is the Earl of
Sutherland’s country, Chief of the name of Sutherland. His Lordship’s
affection to our Constitution in Church and State is well known;[257]
he can raise ’twixt 1200 and 1500 men; his Estate is reckoned about
£3000 scots but somewhat under burden.
_McLeods of Assint_
As the Shires of Sutherland and Caithness make a Peninsula formed by
the Firth of Tain from the east Sea and an arm of the Western Ocean,
that I may describe the People and the Country more distinctly I will
travel along the Western Coast and then return Eastward.
Next to Lord Reay’s country on the south side of the Firth called
Edrachaolis and on the west coast is the country of Assint, belonging
of old to a branch of the McLeod Family. This country fell into the
hands of the McKenzies for debt in Charles the Second’s time.[258]
McLeod kept possession violently till Letters of Fire and Sword were
executed against him by the Earl of Seaforth. The Commons there are
chiefly McLeods. McLeod of Ginnies in east Ross is the heir male of
that family. He raised one of the independent Companies last year and
continued in the Government’s service till dismissed a few weeks ago.
His dwelling is about 30 miles east from Assint. After the battle of
Preston McDonald of Barisdale[259] with a few men went to that country
and recruited about 60 men, but the Lord Reay’s or Lord Sutherland’s
people--I’m not sure which--fell upon him and [recaptured] the men. He
and his company were obliged to take to their heels. This country is an
entire parish, and prodigious rough and mountainous but famous for good
pasture and good cattle. A few of the Earl of Cromarties family lived
here and were obliged to go with him to the Rebellion. Viz. McKenzie of
Ardloch.
_McLeods of Cogach_
To the south of Assint is the country of Cogach, a part of the parish
of Loch-Broom formerly belonging to another family of the McLeods.
[Margaret] McLeod of Cogach, the heiress of the family, was married
to George, the first Earl of Cromarty.[260] This Earl, who was an
antiquary, alleged that McLeod of Cogach was Chief of the whole clan,
and consequently he as their representative, in right of his wife,
procured the Title of Lord McLeod from Queen Anne as his secondary
title, and this country continued the property of the family till now.
Out of Cogach and some branches of his family in Loch-Broom together
with the few I have mentioned from Assint, the Earl of Cromarty raised
above 200 men for the late Rebellion. What number he had altogether
will be mentioned when I come to the East Coast where he dwelt.
_McKenzies of Loch-Broom_
Next to Cogach is Loch-Broom, belonging to several small Heritors of
the name of McKenzie. John McKenzie of Ardloch and James McKenzie of
Cepoch, the only Papists that I know in all that tract of ground except
the Lady Assint, bred their children Protestants.
Next is the Country of Gairloch, belonging mostly to McKenzies of
Gairloch.
_McKenzies of Applecross and Loch-Carran_
To the south of it is Applecross a new erection in the year 1720. And
next to it Loch-Carran. To this last place, the Earl of Seaforth,[261]
as we call him here, retired when the Rebels retreated North and
gathered 600 or 800 of his men about him by which he kept them in
readiness for any service proper for him to do and preserved them from
straggling companies of the Rebels who went about recruiting men. This
last is the property of the Earl.
_Mathesons and Murchisons of Loch Ailsh_
Next to the South is the country of Loch Ailsh the property of the
Seaforth Family. The McDonalds of Glengarry of old pretended right to
the country and had many battles and skirmishes with the McKenzies
about it. The last was a Sea-fight in Birlins and Boats, with long
poles, corn forks and Lochabyr axes, in which the McDonalds were
defeated, and Glengary with many of his company killed.[262] This
happened before the Reformation. Most of the Commons are Mathesons and
Murchisons but they join the McKenzies.
_McRaes of Kintail_
Next to the South is the Parish of Kintail and the Parish of
Muick[263] a new erection in the year 1726 taken from the old Parish
of Kintail. The whole country goes under the name of Kintail. The
bulk of the inhabitants are of the name of McRae, descended from the
Campbells,[264] but they follow the Seaforth Family. Here lies Glen
Shiel.
In all this tract of ground, viz., from Lord Reay’s country on the
north to Glenelg on the south, the people are but late converts to
Presbytery. The old Episcopal Incumbents having lived long, some of
them till the year 29, I could not find that any of them took the
oaths to the Government. The gentlemen are most Episcopal and they or
their predecessors were at Shirefmoor and Glen Sheil with the late
Seaforth.[265] But by the good disposition of the present Seaforth
to our happy establishment, they did not think fit to join in the
late Rebellion, excepting a few younger brothers who had nothing to
lose and are now prisoners in London. The first Presbyterian Minister
was planted in Assint in the year 1727 at Loch-Broom. He landed much
sooner, but though married to a native he was so miserable that he
could not live in the country.
After him Mr. James Smith, now Minister at Creich in Sutherland, was
ordained for the place by the Presbytery of Dingwall. The first night
he came to his Parish both the eyes were plucked out his horse as his
welcome to the country. Applecross, Kintail and Muick were not planted
till the year 1730; Loch Carran in the year 1725. Mr. John McKilikin
was ordained at Dingwall for the parish of Loch Ailsh a good time ago
and though he lived for several years, he never durst enter his parish,
and after his death, the Presbytery who went there to command the
people about filling the parish in the year 1721 or 1722, were made
prisoners in the house where they met, by men in women’s clothes, and
their faces blackened. A pledge was demanded of them that they should
never come to that country, which they refusing, they sent a Guard
of this black crew with each of them towards their respective homes.
But in the year 1727 a minister was planted there who got peaceable
possession. In all or most of these parishes the Sacrament of the
Supper has been lately administered and the Commons are already much
recovered from their blindness and bigotry, and some of the gentlemen.
[_The Long Island_][266]
In all this tract of ground there are no Papists but what I have
named. I know the country minutely, and ministers are tolerably well
accommodated in Stipend, Manse, and Glebe. I will speak of the number
of men Seaforth can raise when I come to the east side of the country
where his seat stands.
Opposite to the coast I have been describing is the Long Island. That
part of it to the North, called Lewis, belongs to the Seaforth Family.
It was formerly the property of McLeod of Lewis, now extinct.[267] The
People here are Protestants and do not dislike the present Clergy;
there were two new erections made here, Anno 1726, before the estate
of Seaforth was sold by the Government; so that this country is in a
tolerable state of reformation.
The next district of the Long Island is called Harris. The people
Protestants: it belongs to the Laird of McLeod. The next portion
southward is called North Uist. The people Protestants; Sir Alexander
[Macdonald] of Slate, Proprietor, South Uist belongs to McDonald of
Moidart, or the Captain of Clanranald, as they call him. The present
Clanranald lived here: he and his People are Papists, as is McNeil of
Barra,[268] and his People. In the Uists and Barra are one or two new
erections of late; but by the influence of the Gentry, the diligence
and insolence of the Priests, and the bigotry of the people, the
ministers had little success till now. Old Clanranald was not in arms
in the late Rebellion nor could many of his people in Uist get over to
the Continent, for the ships of war that cruised upon the coast.
[_The Macdonalds_]
As I have mentioned two families of the McDonalds, I will say
something of them in general. They would be a great Clan and next to
the Campbells in strength and number, if united under one head: but
the several families of them, viz.: Clanranald, the Slate family, the
Glengarry family, the Keppoch family, and even the Glencoe family, all
pretend to be the lineal heir of McDonald of the Isles, Earl of Ross,
who was forfeited in the time of James the Second, for joining with
the Duglases and others in the Great Rebellion that then happened; and
this division makes them less potent and formidable than otherwise
they would be.[269] I once made an abstract of the several Rebellions
and Insurrections of the McDonalds against the Kings of Scotland, and
especially against the Stuart Family; by which it was very evident
this people was seldom loyal to any King on the throne. If they could
find no Pretender, they would find some pretence or other for war and
plunder. But this paper I have lost.
[_Skye_]
The next Island to the South and East is Skye, the property of McDonald
of Slate, McLeod and McInnin,[270] The people Protestants, the Commons
and most of the Gentry better disposed than those in Seaforth’s
country, on the opposite continent. Here is a new erection or two made
Anno 1726. Egg, Rum, Muick and Canney, etc., are little Isles adjacent
to Sky; the inhabitants Popish. But about 30 years ago, McLean of Coll
is said to have converted a pragmatical, forward fellow, who misled the
rest, by insulting him in their presence, and on this the inhabitants
of that Island became Protestants.[271] These Isles were erected into a
Parish in Anno 1726.[272]
[_Glenelg and Knoydart_]
The next country southward on the continent is Glenelg, the property of
the Laird of McLeod. The people Protestants and honest, and generally
well disposed: here are Barracks built for two or three companies of
soldiers near the Strait that divides Sky from Glenelg: this country
is fertile in grass and corn. Here are two famous Danish Forts of dry
stone built very high which I have seen.
To the south an arm of the sea called Lochiurn, _i.e._, Helsloch[273]
runs up ’twixt this country and Cnoidart. This last is the property
of Glengarry, and the most mountainous, craggy, and coarse of all the
Highlands: the roads are so eminently bad that there is no thought of
riding in it, and in some places so steep and rocky, that they have
ropes of withs tied to trees to take hold of, lest passengers should
fall and break their bones. The people all Papists and mostly thieves.
’Tis a part of the parish of Glenelg, but they never give the minister
any trouble, except in collecting his Stipend. Here lived those famous
Cadets of Glengarrie’s family, Barisdale, and Scotos,[274] who had
almost the whole country in bondage, and the people their slaves.
[_Moidart and Arisaig_]
To the south of Knoidart lies Moidart and Arasag, the property of
Clanranald. The people Popish but not so thievish as in Knoidart.
Next it lies two great glens called Moroirs; the one of them belongs
to Glengarry and the other to McDonald, commonly called McDonald
of Moroir. The Inhabitants Popish. The two principal Cadets of
the Clanranald family are Kinloch Moidart and Moroir, and their
branches,[275] all Popish. These four last countries, viz., Moidart,
Arasag and the two Moroirs are in the parish of Ardnamurchan, and
they with Knoidart are commonly called the Highlands by the other
Highlanders. The people of Lochabyr, Glengarry, and Stratherrick
reckoning their own country level in comparison of these.
Next lies Ardnamurchan in which is the famous Lead Quarry, Strontian,
the property of Murray of Stanhope:[276] it belonged till of late to
Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochnell: and was taken about the time of the
Reformation by Sir Donald Campbell of Ardnamurchan, a natural son to
Calder, from McDonald the old Proprietor. The people are generally
Protestants, but with a mixture of Papists. Many of the inhabitants are
Camerons and McLachlans, and violently Episcopal.
[_Ardnamurchan, Morvern and Maclean’s Country_]
As I am now arrived at the Cape commonly called Ardnamurchan, I turn
back to the north east, where on the Sound of Mull lies the country of
Morven the property of the Duke of Argyle. The people Protestants; many
of them Camerons, McLachlans and McLeans: much inclined to Episcopacy,
and consequently Jacobites. There are few or no Papists: of old this
country belonged to the McLean family.
The next country on the north east and still on the Sound of Mull is
Kingairloch, the property of McLean of Kingairloch. He himself was not
in the Rebellion but I saw two or three of his brothers there. The
people Episcopal, and Jacobite.
Next, still north east, and on an arm of the sea lies Ardgour, the
property of McLean of Ardgour; his country lies ten or twelve miles
along the sea-coast till you come to the head of Locheil. He is a
well disposed old man, but as his estate is much out of his hand, his
influence was not great; the people Protestants. Here lived Ludovick
Cameron,[277] Uncle to Locheil, who brought out many of the inhabitants
to the Rebellion, especially the Camerons who lived here.
Having now travelled on the north side of the Sound of Mull as far
as the sea goes up, the last five miles of which is called Locheil,
I go back to the islands in the Sound, and then will come along the
south coast, and describe the countries inhabited by Rebels; I will
afterwards describe the rest of Argyle if you require it.
[_Lismore, Mull, Strathlachlan_]
The first island of any note is Lismore; a most fertile soil; all
founded on Limestone, and like garden ground, which the name of the
island imports. Here was the seat of the Bishop of the Isles: it lies
in the Sound opposite to Lorn and Appin; the people Protestants and
well disposed. It is but eight miles long and one broad, and is the
property of ten or twelve heritors. To the west hereof lies Mull, a
large island containing three Parishes, mostly the Property of the
Duke of Argyle; formerly the property of McLean of Dowart. McLean of
Lochbuie has still an estate here, of about 6000 Merks: the people
Protestants mostly and well affected; but from this island, Morvern
and Kingairloch there came about nine score McLeans to the Rebellion,
of whom returned but 38 as a McLean told me.[278] The islands of
Tyree, Coll, Jura, Colonsay, Islay, Gigha, etc. I omit as there were
no men from them in the Rebellion. Only before I come to the southeast
coast of the Sound of Mull, I must not omit a gentleman who rose with
his men from the heart of the country of Argyle, I mean the Laird of
McLachlan;[279] his small country called Strathlachlan lies to the
south of Inverary and on the south side of Lochfine. He is Chief of the
McLachlans, and had as I am informed, near 300 men in the Rebellion,
but of the number I am not quite sure; Mr. Alexr. Campbell, minister
of Inverary, must know.[280] His people of a long time profest to be
of our Communion, but one Mr. John McLachlan,[281] a most violent
Episcopal minister poisoned his Chief and the gentlemen of his name to
a strange degree, and indeed did more mischief among other clans than
any three priests I ever knew.
[_Appin and Glencoe_]
I now come as I promised to the coast on the south east side of the
Sound of Mull. The first dissaffected country is Appin, inhabited
by the Stuarts. The Laird of Appin[282] keeps quiet at home but the
gentlemen of his clan and his tenants were in the Rebellion. The
people here are Protestants, but strangely poisoned by the Nonjurant
Episcopal Clergy. Adjacent to Appin is Glencoe; a small place; McDonald
of Glencoe is Superior.[283] He can raise of his tenants and followers
100 men. He and his people the same as to religion as his neighbours of
Appin.
[_Lochiel’s Country_]
To the north east of Glencoe, an arm of the sea runs up from the Sound
of Mull called [Loch Leven], which I now cross to describe the country
of Mamore, inhabited by Camerons and belonging heritably to the Duke
of Gordon, but a good part of it feued off to Locheil. The people all
Protestants, but of the same kind with Appin and Glencoe. To the north
east of Mamore lies Fort-William and a small Glen called Glennevis,
above which stands the largest and the highest mountain in Scotland,
called Ben Nevis.
On the north side of the River Lochy lies the rest of Locheil’s estate,
viz., Locheil, Strathlochy, and Locharkaig. The first and second of
these, six miles long each; the last, twelve miles.
On the north side of the Loch of Arkaig (the south side being all wood
and desert) mostly inhabited by thieves, the minister of Killmaly
preaches to them once a quarter or twice at most, and then the half of
them cannot be present if they were willing to attend. In Winter the
snow and storm hinders, and in Summer they are scattered through the
hills with their cattle. The Camerons boast of their being Protestants,
and Locheil hindered his brother the priest[284] to preach among them,
when he told him he would bring them from that villainous habit of
thieving, if he would allow him to preach, and say Mass among them: his
answer was that the people of Glengarry, Knoidart, Arisag, etc., who
were profest Papists, were greater thieves than his people, and if he
would bring these to be honest and industrious, he would then consider
his proposal as to the Camerons, and till he would bring that good work
to a bearing he positively forbad him to middle with his people. But
Locheil and the gentlemen of his clan were great encouragers of the
Nonjurants and as far as they could they perverted the Commons.
[_Keppoch_]
The South of the River Lochy is the property of the Duke of Gordon for
6 miles benorth Fort William: inhabited mostly by Camerons. And then
begins the country of McDonald of Keppoch, partly the property of the
Duke of Gordon; and partly the Laird of M‘Intoshes, Keppoch having but
a small interest in it. Anno 1687 McIntosh wanting a great arrear of
rents of Keppoch, and getting no satisfaction, went to that country to
poynd their cattle, and brought in his train above 500 men. Keppoch,
with the assistance of Glencoe and others, his good friends, paid him
his rents by giving him battle,[285] killing great numbers of his men,
and taking himself prisoner, and getting such good conditions as he
pleased before he released him. The whole ended in a famous Highland
song, mocking McIntosh, and placing the true property of the country
in Keppoch, as worthier to possess it. Next year Keppoch and his men
came northward within 4 miles of Inverness, and sent a message to that
town, to find him and his men, money, clothes, and provisions; with a
threatening if they scrupled this, he would plunder the town. The town
sent out three or four of their Top Burghers to commune with him. These
he detained close prisoners, and sent another message demanding 4000
Merks in Specie, and a suit of their finest scarlet mounted with gold
for himself with a certification that if this was not done next day,
which happened to be the Sabbath, he would hang up their ambassadors,
and then plunder their town. Accordingly the town redeemed themselves
at the rate he was pleased to prescribe, and his fine and rich suit was
finished on Sunday. Then the Ambassadors were released after a severe
reprimand for their insolence in prescribing anything to him further
than to ask his pleasure.
Keppoch’s people and the Duke of Gordon’s tenants in the neighbourhood
are mostly Popish;[286] the greatest number of them were perverted in
the Reigns of Queen Anne and George the first. They deal pretty deep in
the thieving trade.
[_Glengarry_]
The next country to the north east is Glengarry, the people Papists and
better at thieving than the worst of the other tribes. Their gentlemen
found a way to put most of their neighbours under Black Mail which
raised them some hundreds of pounds Sterling, for several years back.
[_Abertarff and Stratherrick_]
The next country still eastward is Abertarff, mostly the property
of the Lovat Family: some of it feued out to Glengarry: all betwixt
Fort Augustus are Popish: the few villages of Abertarf, be-east the
Garrison, are inhabited by a mixture of Papists and Protestants: the
people not free from theft.
Here lies Lochness, the country on the South side is called
Stratherrick the property of the Lovat Family. The people Protestants:
they submitted to the Established Clergy for many years back. The
Commons went to the late Rebellion with great reluctance, and most
of them violently compelled. The first country on the north side
of the lake is called Glen Morrison, the property of Grant of Glen
Morrison.[287] The old man with his men were in the Rebellion: the
young Laird is an Ensign in Lord John Murray’s Regiment.[288] The
people a mixture of Papists and Protestants, much given to theft.
[_Urquhart and Glenmoriston_]
Forward to the north east is the country of Urquhart, belonging to the
Laird of Grant. Their neighbours, the McDonalds and Frasers, raised
most of the men and carried them off to the Rebellion.[289] These and
the Glen Morrison men after the Battle of Culloden surrendered to the
young Laird of Grant, and were brought by him to the Duke of Cumberland
to Inverness to deliver their arms; but by some mistake in the Report,
as if they were taken in arms rather than surrendered, they were made
prisoners and sent off by sea to England. The people are Protestants,
though none of the most civilized.
[_The Aird_]
Next is the country of the Aird belonging to Lord Lovat, and where his
house stood. The people Protestants, and of our Communion, save very
few.[290] The Commons here are an honest, civilized sort of people if
left to themselves.
[_Strathglass_]
Next, to the North, is the country of Strathglass, mostly inhabited by
Papists. I do not hear much of their thieving, though they suffer much
by the Glengarry thieves. This country belongs mostly to Chisholm of
Comar (whose men were in the Rebellion, though he himself was not)[291]
and partly to the Frasers.
[_Seaforth, Munro, and Cromartie’s Country_]
Next is Seaforth’s country, all along pretty low and level, till you
come to Ferrindonall, the country of the Munro’s; (the Highland part
of his estate, I described on the first sheet as it lies on the North
Sea). The Gentlemen and Commons of the McKenzies are Protestants save
very few, but very much devoted to the Nonjurant Episcopal Clergy. The
Seaforth family embraced the Reformation in the Minority of James the
sixth. Coline, then Earl, entertained the famous Mr. Robert Bruce[292]
at his house with great respect and esteem when he was banished to
Inverness and the country beyond it. I saw the subscription of Earl
George, brother to the said Colin, to an original copy of the Covenant
ingrossed on parchment, but he was afterward excommunicated by the
Church for breach of trust. I am not sure if this family turned Popish
before James the seventh’s time, but the then Earl, whose name was
Kenneth, was Popish, as was his son the late Earl. The present Earl was
very faithful to the Government all the time of the Rebellion.[293] The
Munros and Rosses, I say nothing of, as their good affection to Church
and State is well known.
Next is the Earl of Cromartie’s Estate. In the low country the people
well affected to our Constitution in Church and State; and very few of
his Low Country tenants went with their Lord to the Rebellion.
[_Mackintosh Country_]
Having in the first sheet described all be-north the broad Ferry of
Sutherland at which I have arrived, I come to McIntoshes country,
viz., Strathnairn, Strathdearn,[294] and Badenoch. The people are all
Protestants, not given to thieving, but strangely poisoned by the
Nonjurant Clergy. Their dissatisfaction has sufficiently appeared by
their rising with the Lady against the King, rather than with the
Laird, their Chief who was a captain in the King’s pay, yea, McIntoshes
own company, which he had newly levied, deserted from him and listed in
what was called the Lady’s Regiment.[295]
[_Strathspey, Strathavon and Glenlivat_]
The next country, Strathspey, the property and seat of the Laird of
Grant: this Clan raised a Regiment at the Revolution and were firm
to the interest of King William, but they suffered so much by the
depredations of the Camerons and McDonalds that they became rather too
cautious in time of the late Rebellion; the truth is they were ’twixt
two fires, Lord Lewis Gordon to the east, and McIntoshes, Camerons
and MacDonalds to the west, so that their country must have been
severely plundered if they had been more than Neuters.[296] Besides
the emulation ’twixt Grant and the President in former Elections for a
member of Parliament was said to have made the Grants too [cautious];
however their good affection to the Revolution Interest has not been
questioned, and they are firm Presbyterians. Theft is scarcely known
in this country, though they have been great sufferers by the thieving
clans to the West.
To the east of Strathspey is Strathdown[297] and Glenlivat mostly
the property of the Duke of Gordon: the people mostly Popish, also
the Enzie and Strathbogy, a mixture of Papists and Protestants. From
these countries Lord Lewis recruited the most of his men, and in their
neighbourhood is Braemar and Cromar the country of the Farquharsons:
the people Protestants, with a small mixture of Papists: the Gentlemen
much devoted to the Nonjurant Clergy. I am not particularly acquainted
with this country; therefore, though it be large and populous, I say
little about it.
I can say little of the country of Angus and Mearns, only I know
dissaffection prevails there: nor am I much known to the country
of the Duke of Atholl; the Stuarts and Robisons there are bigoted
Jacobites, as are some of the Murrays. And as little do I know of the
Drummonds and McGregors, but their Dissaffection is _Notour_. Therefore
I conclude this paper with two lists as near as I can guess of the
strength of the Dissaffected, and Well affected Clans in the Highlands
and North Country. Which Lists you have in another sheet of this date.
[_Caetera desunt_]
AN ACCOUNT OF THE LATE REBELLION FROM ROSS AND SUTHERLAND WRITTEN BY
DANIEL MUNRO MINISTER OF TAIN
We had notice in this country of the Young Pretender’s arrival
in Lochaber, about the middle of August 1745. The friends of the
Government generally despised the Attempt, and the Jacobite party
showed then no open disposition to join him. It is said the first
notice of his arrival was sent by the Laird of McLeod to the Lord
President,[298] and that the President wrote insolently to Locheil
(at whose house the Young Pretender was said to be, dissuading him
from a Rising to Rebellion). Locheil was under great obligation to the
President, on account of the President’s endeavours to get him reponed
to his estate, which had been forfeited in the year 1715. The return
Locheil made was, that he had been long in search of an important paper
relating to that affair, which he now sent him enclosed: this is all he
wrote, and the paper enclosed was the Pretender’s Declaration.
The first Rising in this Country was under the Earl of Cromartie, the
Earl had waited on Sir John Cope at Inverness with others: he professed
a steady adherence to the Government, for though he had been bred a
Jacobite, yet he married young into a Whig family.[299] He had a post
and pension of the Government, and was universally thought a Government
Man in grant of interest, and was so looked upon in point of Principle,
having so often qualified to the Government. He and family joining the
Established Church and having educated his eldest son in Revolution
Principles.
The first step he took towards joining the Rebels (though it was not
so construed at the time) was declining to accept of a Commission
for his son Lord McLeod[300] to be Captain of one of the independent
companies, offered him by the Lord President. He pretended for so doing
a disobligement, being refused by the President the nomination of the
Subalterns of said companie. After this he was observed to associate
with Lord Lovat, and in the meantime Lord McLeod, his eldest son,
repaired to the Highlands of Lochbroom and Cogach, where his Lordship
has a considerable estate, vassalage, and superiority, being Heritable
Sherriff. Lord McLeod raised the men there; but it was yet pretended
this rising was for the defence of his house and person, as Lord Lovat
had raised his people and kept them about him under the same pretext.
Soon after the Battle of Preston, McDonald of Barisdale[301] came to
this country and was with my Lord openly at his house at Newtarbet,
which gave the first rise to any suspicion about the Earl, especially
as there was such preparation, as the making of Highland clothes,
providing of Arms, and ammunition: but to cover this, it was pretended
his Lordship intended a journey to Edinburgh, and must have a strong
guard. However early in November he openly declared himself, and went
from his house at Newtarbet to West Ross, where a part of his estate
lies, and was joined by his son Lord McLeod, with twixt two and three
hundred of his men, taken from Lochbroom and Cogach and off his Estate
in West Ross, having got none to follow him from his estate about
Newtarbet which is in East Ross, but about ten men who were his menial
servants and a young gentleman Roderick McCulloch of Glastalich,[302]
one of his vassals, and whose family and friends had no connection with
Jacobitism, and whom it is generally allowed the Earl decoyed into the
Rebellion. He then marched to the Lord Lovat’s house, where he was
joined by the master of Lovat, with 300 Frasers and both went to Perth.
Upon the Rebels coming North after their retreat from Stirling and
their arrival at Inverness, they were joined by the whole Posse of
the Frasers, who were formed into three Regiments under the command
of the Master of Lovat,[303] Fraser younger of Inverallachie,[304]
and Fraser of Foyers;[305] by the Chisholms,[306] all of them under
the command of two younger sons of their chief[307] the Chisholm of
Strathglass; by considerable numbers of the McKenzies reckoned about
400, besides the Earl of Cromartie’s own Regiment. These McKenzies
were of the Estates of Redcastle, Culcoy, Lentron, Applecross, Coul,
Fairburn, Gairloch, Balmaduthy and Allangrange. Under the leading of
McKenzie of Lentron, a younger brother to McKenzie of Fairburn[308] and
a brother to McKenzie of Culcoy formed into a regiment under McDonald
of Barasdale with some of the Banditti Highlanders formerly with him.
The Earl of Cromartie when Commander in Chief benorth Beullie affected
to be chief of the McKenzies. It is certain the men of the above estate
were actually in arms under him and I am well assured he threatened
Military Execution against McKenzie of Scatwell (a loyal family of that
name) if he did not give his men also, which he absolutely refused at
all hazards, and reckons himself happy his Lordship did not return
with the same power from Sutherland. It is also fact that when the
Rebels were exacting Cess and Levy money of all the estates of the
gentlemen in Ross in the most vigorous manner, the gentlemen of the
name of McKenzie whose men were in arms were excused from paying their
proportion of Levy money. The Rebels were joined by the McIntoshes
who had not joined formerly, by the McIlivraes and McBeans under the
command of McIlivrae of Dunmaglass,[309] commonly called the Ladie
McIntoshes Regiment,[310] as she was known to be extremely active in
raising them:[311] there were also a mixt multitude from Aberdeen
and Banffshire under the command of Lord Lewis Gordon and Mr. More of
Stonnywood.
The arts and methods by which the Jacobites endeavoured to raise
and spirit people into the Rebellion, and by which they were too
successful, were the spreading all sorts of false news to the
advantage of their own cause and party; particularly such as related
to a French landing, and a junction in England; the venting gross
misrepresentations and slanders against the King, Royal Family and
Administration; pretending intolerable grievances and confident
promises of relief from them: but above all, the indefeasible right of
the family of Stuarts, the native interest all Scots men had in them,
with the Pretender’s Declaration, were most commonly insisted upon, and
this was done with all possible zeal and address, by those Jacobites of
power and station who did not think it safe to risk their persons or
estates in the cause; though their brothers or sons or other relations
and tenants had joined openly. In this view we have been told the
Rebellion was a well conducted scheme not like that in the 1715; when
all the Jacobite Grandees took the field, but now when their common
men were only exposed, though the attempt should not succeed the same
Jacobite interest would still subsist.
As to characters all above mentioned whose relations or tenants had
joined were regular Jacobites, the Earl of Cromartie, Lord McLeod and
the Master of Lovat excepted.
As to the well affected: Mr. Harry Munro Younger of Foulis now Sir
Harry who had been newly nominated a Captain in the Lord Loudon’s
Regiment having speedily raised a company of Munroes to serve in
the said Regiment met Sir John Cope at the Water of Nairn and upon
their arrival at Inverness, Capt. George Munro of Culkairn,[312] Sir
Harry’s Uncle, waited on them, where it was concerted that the Munroes
should instantly take arms and join the King’s Troops, which was done
accordingly. Three Companies were raised under the Leading of Culkairn,
Hugh Munro of Teaninich and William Munro of Achany, and marched with
General Cope as his advanced guard to Aberdeen, where they stayed till
the Army took shipping. Sir Harrie and his company went along and were
at the Battle of Preston where they were taken prisoners with the other
Highland Companies there. At the same time Captain Alexander M‘Cay, son
to Lord Reay and Captain in Lord Loudon’s Regiment, raised a company
of McCays in Strathnavar and upon notice of General Cope’s arrival
at Inverness marched speedily to join him and missing the General at
Inverness followed him and being informed that Gordon of Glenbucket
was in arms for the Pretender, took boat upon the Murray Coast and
came up with the General at Aberdeen, was at the Battle of Preston and
taken prisoner, none of his men or the Monroes when prisoners would be
prevailed upon to enlist for the Pretender.[313]
Culkairn upon his march homeward from Aberdeen was apprised by a friend
from Banff that Glenbucket with 400 men waited to intercept him. He
made his best preparation and resolutely went on; when Glenbucket
thought proper to withdraw, which must have been owing to the known
bravery of Culkairn.
_Lord Loudon and the President_
Immediately after the Battle of Preston, the Earl of Loudon took post
for London, and without loss of time came down in a King’s Sloop to
Inverness, where he took upon him the Command for the North, and
acted always thereafter in concert with the President. The President
disposed of the independent companies for raising of which he had blank
commissions, in the following manner: A company to Captain Munro of
Culkairn, two companies to the Earl of Sutherland, two to my Lord Reay,
four companies to the Laird of McLeod, one company to Hugh McLeod of
Guineas, four companies to Sir Alexander McDonald whereof only two came
to Inverness, a company of Grants, two companies to the Lord Fortrose,
a company to the Master of Ross, and a company from Inverness,
commanded by Mr. McIntosh, late baillie here. The Munroes, Sutherlands,
McCays, and McLeods came to Inverness upon the first call: there was
difficulty in raising the McKenzie companies, though Lord Fortrose[314]
exerted himself all he could to get it done and showed abundance of
zeal for the Government. The best service he was able to do was
preventing a more general rising of his numerous Clan, in which he was
successful, there being only about 700 of them in Rebellion including
Cromartie’s Regiment. The Clan will at least amount to 1500.
As the Master of Ross was not in the country, the Laird of Inverchasley
bestirred himself much to raise a company of Rosses for the Master,
and a company of the Highlanders of the name of Ross were accordingly
raised; but Malcolm Ross, younger of Pitcalnie,[315] Ensign in Sir
Harrie Munroe’s Company of Loudon’s Regiment, and who had been taken
prisoner at the Battle of Preston, having come to the country upon
pretence of being on his parole, but in reality to serve the Rebel
interest, as sufficiently appeared afterwards, got the said company
dismissed in the following manner. Mr. Bailey, factor to the Lord Ross
in this country, ordered the company to attend at his house at Ardmore,
in order to be received by Mr. Ross of Inverchasley and others. The
night before the Day of the Review the said Pitcalnie lodged at the
house of Mr. Baillie (Mr. Baillie not being in the knowledge of his
design) and when the men appeared ready for the intended Review, Mr.
Ross younger, of Pitcalnie, ordered them to follow him, which they did,
and he lead them back to the Highlands. Mr. Ross of Inverchasley coming
up soon thereafter, and joined by Mr. Baillie went after them and
having come up with them, very seriously expostulated with Pitcalnie
for his conduct, and dealt earnestly with the men to return, and engage
in the intended service for the Government; which Pitcalnie refused
and the men also at that time (but they absolutely declined entering
to the Rebellion and when the Master of Ross came to the Country they
appeared for the Government), upon which Pitcalnie repaired to Lord
Lovat’s, openly joined the Rebels attended only by his servant, after
the President who is his grand uncle had been at the utmost pains to
reclaim him. He was debauched with the hopes of being made Laird of
Balnagowan, nor were his family formerly tainted with Jacobitism.
The President’s house of Culloden was attacked in October by a body
of Frasers, commanded by Fraser of Foyers, to the number of about 150
in the night time: they were repulsed and one of their number found
wounded in an adjacent wood next day, who was brought to the President;
and upon examination he discovered who were of the party. After which
the President ordered him to be carried to Inverness to be cared for by
a surgeon, gave him a piece of money and liberty after his cure to go
where he had a mind. Some time thereafter the Earl of Loudon marched
from Inverness with a body of 800 men, and apprehended Lord Lovat at
his house of Castledownie and carried him prisoner to Inverness, where
he was kept under a guard in a private house and in a few days found
means to make his escape.
My Lord Loudon by the junction of the independent companies and the
remains of his own Regiment, made up a body of about 2000 men at
Inverness. Lord Lewis Gordon, who had been an officer in the Fleet,
was at the same time very active in raising men for the Pretender in
Aberdeen and Banffshire, and the Earl of Loudon being informed by
intelligence from Aberdeen, and called upon by the friends of the
Government there, ordered seven of the Independent Companies, viz., the
four McLeod Companies commanded by the Laird of McLeod in person, the
Munro and Inverness Companies, and that commanded by Captain McLeod of
Guineas;[316] who accordingly marched for Aberdeen and were joined by
400 Grants at the Water of Spey who marched with them to Strathbogie
18 miles from Spey; where they again left them, and returned to their
own country. The Companies continued their march for Aberdeen, and
having upon the [23rd] day of December come to Inverury within 10
miles of Aboin, they were attacked in the night by Lord Lewis Gordon
and his party, who had been reinforced by some companies of Lord John
Drummond’s French Regiment sent for that end from the North. The
attack was sustained by the Laird of McLeod and Culkairn with great
bravery, who finding the superior number of the enemies, and then first
observing the French Reinforcement they had got, ordered a retreat,
which was managed with good advantage, having only seven private men
killed and a few taken prisoners, among whom was Mr. Gordon younger of
Ardoch, Culkairn’s Lieutenant. There was considerable execution done
upon the Rebels as our men had the favour of the houses, garden dykes,
etc., and the Rebels made no pursuit.[317]
The Master of Ross, having come by sea to Inverness, was joyfully
received by the loyal Clan of the Rosses, when he immediately repaired
to this country with the concurrence of the gentlemen of his name,
particularly the Laird of Inverchasley, he raised an independent
Company with which he joined Lord Loudon.
Upon the Young Pretender’s retreat Northward, Lord Loudon being
informed of his being at the House of Moy, the Laird of McIntosh’s
seat, within 8 miles of Inverness, he marched from Inverness in the
dead of the night with about 1200 men with a view to surprise the
Pretender, but as to the particulars of this attempt and how it came to
miscarry, it is referred to a more particular information.[318]
The Rebels being upon their march to Inverness both those who came the
low way by Aberdeen and those who came by the Highland Road with the
Young Pretender; the Earl of Loudon furnished the Castle of Inverness,
which Major Grant commanded,[319] with a company of Red Coats, with
stores of provisions, and added two independent Companies, the Grants
and that commanded by the Master of Ross, and by the defences he made
about the town he seemed disposed to maintain Inverness against the
Rebels: but upon their approach and considering their numbers and that
the place was not tenable, he made a well conducted retreat over the
Ferry of Kissack towards Ross-shire. When the retreat was a-making the
Rebels carried a field piece to the shore below Inverness and having
planted it upon a rising ground within flood mark, they discharged
it several times, at the Boats on their passage, without doing any
execution, though the bullets lighted very near the Boats, particularly
that in which was Lord Loudon which was the last that passed, and one
of them among the men drawn up on the other side after their landing.
The Rebels immediately took possession of Inverness, and laid siege
to the Castle, which was surrendered the third day; but as to the
particulars of this sort of siege you are referred to the proceeding of
the Court Martial which condemned and cashiered the Governor.
Before Lord Loudon left Inverness, and upon the approach of the Rebels,
he called upon the Lord Sutherland, Lord Reay and the Master of Ross,
to get up to Inverness all the men they could make. Whereupon my Lord
Sutherland marched in person at the head of 400 men. The Master having
called upon the Laird of Inverchasley and his other friends, four
companies of Rosses were ready and upon their march to Inverness their
advanced party met Loudon immediately as he landed in Ross. They were
astonished to find the Master of Ross their leader had been pent up in
the Castle of Inverness, however they waited Lord Loudon his orders:
some of them he advised home, to others he gave arms and pay, and they
were with him in Sutherland. My Lord Sutherland by Loudon’s orders
retreated to his own country, his four hundred men last mentioned,
continued under arms. The McCays, by reason of the distance of their
country, would not come up with Lord Loudon, till they found him
retreated to Sutherland where they joined him.
The day after Loudon’s retreat from Inverness, he marched down
from East Ross where he continued for three or four days: and upon
intelligence that a strong body of the Rebels under the Earl of
Cromartie, Commander in chief benorth Beully had come to West Ross
and were upon their way to attack him. He with the Lord President and
several gentlemen who had taken flight from Murray to Ross, and all
the men under his command (excepting the two McKenzie Companies who
dispersed themselves immediately after the retreat from Inverness
and not one of them having followed him) he retreated to Sutherland
with a resolution to guard the Passes to that country against the
Rebels. Several gentlemen of this country, particularly Inverchasley
and ministers who had been so active in raising men to join Loudon,
thought fit to repair at the same time to Sutherland. Lord Fortrose
left his troup at Brahan and took flight to the Highlands of his own
country,[320] where he remained with a body of his men about him till
after the Battle of Culloden.
The Earl of Loudon when he got into Sutherland posted his men along the
Firth of Tain which divides Sutherland from Ross: from Dornoch to Lairg
the difference of ten miles.
The remains of Loudon’s Regiment being about 200 were posted at
Dornoch: the McCays being 300 at the Muckle Ferry, three miles above
Dornoch: the two McDonald Companies at Pulrossie, a mile above the
Ferry: the Inverness Company at Spengadale, two miles above the
McDonalds: the Munroes at Criech, two miles above Spengadale: McLeod
of Guineas his Company at the Bonar, a mile above Criech: the Laird of
McLeod with his 400 men at the Pass of Invershin, three miles above the
Bonar; and the Sutherlands to the number of 600 at Lairg and thereabout.
TAYNE, _Feb. 13, 1747_.
MEMOIRS OF THE REBELLION IN 1745 AND 1746, SO FAR AS IT CONCERNED THE
COUNTIES OF ABERDEEN AND BANFF
_Gordon of Glenbucket rises_
The first man in these countys that rose in this rebellion, was John
Gordon, Elder of Glenbucket. Immediately on the Young Pretender’s
landing, he went to the Highlands to meet him and returned directly
with a Commission as Major-General and some money to raise men, and he
soon got together about 300 mostly from Strathdawn[321] and Glenlivet
and some too from Strathboggy, all parts of the Duke of Gordon’s Estate.
_Is assisted by Skeleter in Strathdon_
His son-in-law, Mr. Forbes of Skeleter,[322] also brought him some of
this Corps from Strathdon, a country belonging mostly to gentlemen
of that name, formerly vassals of the Earl of Mar, now of the Lord
Braco.[323] In consequence of this vassalage most of this country had
been engaged in the Rebellion in the 1715, and formed a very good body
of men, and as their new Superior, Lord Braco, had not yet acquired
great authority over them and Mr. Forbes of New (a family all along
well affected to the Government)[324] was abroad, being an officer in
the army, the Rebels flattered themselves that by Skeleter’s means the
rising at this time would be no less considerable; but in this they
were greatly disappointed. For Mr. Leith of Glenkindy, who had lately
come to that neighbourhood, being a very firm friend of the Government,
and Mr. Forbes of Inverernan (whose predecessor in the 1715 was known
by the name of Black Jock) much contrary to the Rebels’ expectation,
declaring the same way; and Mr. Lumsden, minister of Towey, who had
a small estate in that country, managing the whole with a great deal
of address, as he was entirely well-acquainted with all their tempers
and situations, Skeleter found his measures so effectually traversed,
that he had difficulty enough in raising his own Tenants. Mr. Gordon
of Avochy, Glenbucket’s Nephew, a very resolute, active lad, assisted
him considerably in his Levys about Strathboggy, where he had a small
estate. He, Glenbucket, had also two sons joined him, but the eldest
having drunk himself blind could not attempt to march along and was of
little use to him at home: the other, too, was but an insignificant
creature.
Glenbucket was at Strathboggy when General Cope came to Aberdeen,[325]
where the Jacobites gave out that his numbers were at least triple
of what they were in reality, and there was so great apprehension of
his surprizing the town, and the Magazines there, provided for the
Army, that the General thought proper to order most of his Highland
companies to march from Old Meldrum in the midst of the night and
take possession of Aberdeen. Why General Cope was so many days at
Aberdeen before he embarked, why he refused the most expeditious way
of embarking his troops which was proposed by the Magistrates, of
bringing about their Fish Boats from John’s Haven, and as well as
using the Torry and Foothy[326] boats which would have gained him a
day at least (as the Transports when the Soldiers came not out to them
in boats, behoved to come up to the harbour with one tide, and go out
with another) let those that know the reasons, give them. Meantime
his dallying gave several of his men an opportunity of deserting to
Strathboggy.
_Glenbucket declines Fighting the Munroes_
When the 200 Munroes under Culkairn who had accompanied General Cope
to Aberdeen were returning from thence, there were great apprehensions
lest Glenbucket, who was superior to them in numbers, should have
intercepted them and cut them off; but Culkairn himself was under no
dread, as his men were good and better armed than Glenbucket’s, and
therefore marched on very briskly the way of Banff. Glenbucket had gone
down to that country on an expedition for horses and arms, and was in
Banff that very day the Monroes came there, but, not choosing to wait
their coming up, he sheered off the way to Strathboggy.
Soon after this he had a call from the Young Pretender to hasten up,
and accordingly marched South, keeping the westerly roads, and not
coming near the towns of Aberdeen or the low parts of the country, but
did not join the main Army of the Rebels, till after the Battle of
Preston.
_Glenbucket’s Character_
Glenbucket was a man very singular in his way, and is perhaps the only
instance of a Gentleman of a low country family and education, that
both could and would so thoroughly conform himself to the Highland
Spirit and manners, as to be able to procure a following among them
without a Highland estate or any of the attachments of Chieftainry. He
always discovered a great deal of personal courage and particularly
behaved well in the 1715 when he commanded some men raised by the
Duke of Gordon, in that Rebellion, and after that time kept up a
great intercourse with the Highland Chiefs, which was much increased
by the marriage of one of his daughters to one of them, McDonald of
Glengarry, and it is generally believed he was very serviceable to the
court of Rome, in keeping up their correspondence with the Chiefs of
the Clans, and was certainly once and again of late years over at that
court, when his Low Country friends believed him to be all the while
in the Highlands. He had sold the estate of Glenbucket, from whence
he has his designation, a good while ago, and at the breaking out of
this Rebellion, had not a foot of property, and yet those creatures
in Strathdawn and Glenlivet were so attached to him that a number of
them rose voluntarily with him. He was however by this time so old and
infirm that he could not mount his horse, but behoved to be lifted into
his saddle, notwithstanding of which the old spirit still remained in
him.
_More of Stonnywood_
Very soon after the Young Pretender landed, More of Stonnywood[327]
prepared to join him, at first very privately, as his estate lay
within three miles of Aberdeen, where all in appearance was for the
Government. This gentleman very early imbibed the Jacobite principles
and was entirely educated in that way; his fortune also was greatly
embarrassed, so that his going off was no great surprise. He was a
man of little note or interest and of no great genius, but yet by his
activity, diligence, and application, and his thorough acquaintance
with the circumstances of Town and Country, he was very serviceable to
the Rebels in those parts. He slipped away at first alone, and came
up with his Pretended Prince, as he was about to enter Edinburgh,
and having immediately got a Commission to raise men, he left them
before the Battle of Preston, and had the assurance to enter the
town of Aberdeen supported by a couple of broken merchants and York
Street Cadys[328] all in white cockades, and to enlist men for the
Pretender. The well affected people in town seemed only to make a
jest of Stonnywood and his procession, and the magistrates found it
convenient to overlook it, since any ill-usage of him might have been
severly revenged by a very small party, for as Cope had carried off the
Town’s Arms lest the Rebels should have seized them, a very few armed
men might have come and plundered the whole town; but from this small
beginning thus neglected, the Rebels very soon became masters of the
place in reality and so continued till the army arrived under His Royal
Highness.
_Farquharson of Monaltry rises at the head of Dea_
Much about the same time Mr. Farquharson of Monaltry,[329] age 35,
a gentleman of no great estate, Nephew and factor to the Laird of
Invercauld, began to move at the head of Dea. This gentleman was
educated in Revolution principles, but was unhappily seduced and
debauched into the Jacobite scheme by the Duke of Perth, who both
the times that he was obliged to conceal himself from the Government
made that country his retreat,[330] and Mr. Farquharson, being a
sweet-tempered, agreeable lad, was his chief companion in his exile.
As Invercauld gave Monaltry no countenance in his rebellion, but
immediately turned him out of his Factory, he was not at first very
successful in his levys, but as Farquharson of Balmurral,[331] Gordon
of Blelack and some others, all of small estates, rose some time after
from that country, there were at length a good many men brought from
thence.
_Hamilton and Tulloch in Strathboggy_
John Hamilton, Factor to the Duke of Gordon for the lands about
Strathboggy, and afterwards Governor of Carlisle,[332] resolved also
very early to join this Rebellion, and being a very haughty man would
not act under Glenbucket, but set up on his own footing, and this
stopped both their progress for a while, as their misunderstanding made
them counteract one another. However Hamilton, being much assisted
by one David Tulloch, a considerable tenant of the Duke’s,[333] soon
got together 100 Men, thirty of whom he mounted on gentlemen’s horses
which he seized through the County. Hamilton undoubtedly was a noted
Jacobite, but reckoned too selfish to meddle in such undertakings, so
that the reason of his commencing adventurer was generally imagined
to be owing to the disorder of his affairs, which indeed was not
apprehended till this step brought it to light. He marched from
Strathboggy to Inverury the Monday after the Battle of Preston, where
he obliged the Magistrates to attend while the Pretender’s Manifesto
was being read over the Cross, and next day using the same ceremony as
he marched through Kintore, he came to Aberdeen just as the Council
were about electing their Magistrates, which he immediately stopped
unless they’d take their oaths to the Pretender (so that the Town
wanted Magistrates all the time of the Rebellion), and forced the
then Provost and some of the Bailies to attend the reading of their
Manifestos over the Cross which was done by Sheriff Depute Petry,[334]
he pretending at that time to be forced to it, though he afterwards
joined them openly, and then when the Provost refused to join in their
disloyal healths Hamilton poured a glass of wine down his throat, and
all along behaved very insolently, but happily for Aberdeen he soon
marched south with his corps.
_Lord Pitsligo moves in Buchan_
The unhappy Battle of Preston soon put several in motion who till
then were quiet. The Lord Pitsligo[335] who had also been engaged in
the Rebellion in the 1715, and had received both his life and fortune
from the Government, still retained his old affection for that cause,
and never qualified to the present Government. He was justly esteemed
a polite and learned gentleman, and of great integrity and honour in
private life, but entirely enthusiastic on the Jacobite principles.
As the Young Pretender had wrote letters soon after his landing to
most of those whom he thought would favour his design, Lord Pitsligo
was not neglected; and though he was now old and might have had merit
enough from the party for former services, yet he could not withstand
this address, but immediately began to stir and rouse the friends of
the Cause. In his letters on that subject he usually called the young
Pretender by the name of the Amiable young Stranger. It was not however
imagined that in such an infirm state, as he then was, he would have
thought of undergoing the fatigues of a Winter Campaign, especially
as he had a very small estate, and no Vassalages or Following to his
Family, and so could not in that way make any considerable accession
to the Party. But now that the family of Marischall was out of the
country, and the Earl of Kintore, the next representative of that
family, was in the interest of the Government, the gentlemen of Buchan
who were friends of the cause and used formerly to follow Marischall,
immediately had their eyes fixed on Lord Pitsligo to head them. But
all these that appeared in Buchan would not probably have been of
consideration enough to have determined him, if soon after Preston,
a set of gentlemen in Boyne and Enzie[336] set agog by this victory
had not made this an express condition to their going out, that Lord
Pitsligo should go as their head. It was generally believed that
this condition was insisted on by one or two of them who had been
rash enough to be always speaking of their going out if they had an
opportunity, and now that it came to the push, repented of it and
thought still of getting off and some honour, by offering to go only
if Lord Pitsligo went at their head, which they reckoned themselves
sure one of his age never would; and if he did not they might then
pretend they had no confidence in any attempt of this kind for which
Lord Pitsligo would not venture all. But if this was their view they
were disappointed in it, for the rest of these gentlemen consenting to
join them in making the same proposal to Lord Pitsligo, he accepted of
it and so there was no retracting. The gentlemen who from this country
joined his Lordship, or who were in concert with them, were Sir William
Gordon of Park, Gordon of Carnusy, Gordon of Cupbairdy, Mr. Hay,
Younger of Ranas, Forbes of Brucehill, Gordon of Glastirrum, Abernethy,
brother to Mayen, and several other gentlemen of lesser note. Carnusy
and Cupbairdy’s journey was a great surprise. The latter had no manner
of tincture that way, but being a rambling young lad was determined
mostly by comradeship and something too by the high regard he had for
Lord Pitsligo. Carnusy was esteemed a wise, solid man and some one not
at all wedded to Kingscraft. But as many debts of his never heard of
formerly are appearing, this somewhat unravels the mystery.
_Joined by Buchan Gentlemen, and Aberdeen’s etc._
Immediately on Lord Pitsligo’s resolution being known there appeared
also to join him, Sir William Dunbar of Durn, from Boyne, Mr. Gordon of
Hallhead and Mr. Mercer, gentlemen of considerable note that resided
usually in the town of Aberdeen: Mr. Gordon of Mill of Kinkardine, Mr.
Petrie, Sheriff Depute, Mr. Sandilands and several gentlemen of the
lower class from that place; from Buchan, Mr. More of Lonmay,[337]
Factor to the Countess of Errol,[338] Cuming, younger, of Pitully,
Gordon younger, of Logie, Cuming of Kinninmuth, Ogilvie of Achirris,
(all gentlemen of considerable estates), Thomson elder and younger of
Fachfield, Turner younger of Turnerhall, Fraser brother to Inveralachy
and some others of less note; also from the country about Aberdeen,
Mr. Irvin of Drum, two sons of Menzies of Pitfodels, [Charles] More
brother to Stonnywood, etc. But none of these gentlemen raised any
number of men, but all rendevous’d at Aberdeen on horseback, with
their servants, and made a pretty enough appearance. Mr. Sandilands
only raised a Company of Foot which joined them there, as also did two
companies raised by Stonnywood, the one commanded by himself, and the
other by his brother; the whole not amounting to 200 men. These did
indeed march south with Lord Pitsligo, but were afterwards incorporated
in the Duke of Perth’s second Battalion. Lord Pitsligo and his friends
were but short time in Aberdeen, but while they stayed, conducted with
great discretion.
_Rebels favoured by Commons_
Hitherto the Rebellion was favoured by almost all the common people.
The promise of freeing them from the Malt Tax had a surprising
influence upon them, this being a tax the Farmers are especially
sensible of, as they themselves pay out the money in the first instance
being all Maltsters, at least for their own use. The Rebels therefore
hitherto behaving civilly, listing only volunteers, paying freely,
taking but some few good horses and arms as they met with them, and
freeing the country people from the eternal dread they were under of
the Malt Gaugers, were looked on by them as the deliverers of their
country.
_Why no Opposition made by the Friends of the Government_
It may at first seem surprising that no steps were taken in two such
countys by the friends of the Government to stop this procedure.
But let it be considered that after Preston people were really in a
consternation for some time, and nobody knew (as the intelligence from
the south, meeting with so many interruptions, was very uncertain) how
soon the Government might be in a situation to force the Rebels from
Edinburgh so that they might have had leisure enough to have sent north
Detachments and destroyed all that would attempt to disturb their
friends.
Besides it was requisite to have a man of rank and quality at the head
of such a thing (as the Government thought not fit to give anybody
the authority of a Lord Lieutenant) to give a proper weight to it.
But such was the situation of the Nobility of these countys, that no
such thing could have been expected of any of them except the Earl of
Aberdeen, whose undoubted attachment to the Government as well as his
large estate and high rank might indeed have made him very serviceable
had he thought it prudent to have tried to raise the friends of the
Government.[339] The Duke of Gordon, had it not been prevented by his
indisposition, might have been of great use not only in keeping these
Counties quiet, but even in suppressing the Rebellion altogether. The
Earl of Findlater’s[340] sickly constitution quite disabled him, and
though the Earl of Kintore[341] had had a greater relish for military
matters than he has, yet the incumbrances on his fortune would have
been a drawback on him. The Lord Forbes[342] had by no means an Estate
suited to his ability though he had inclined to appear. The Lord
Salton[343] had no weight in the county, and the Lord Braco[344] had
a great estate, yet the newness of his family would have marred any
project of his forming.
_Gentry_