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Clan Gregor with Glencairn 1651-1660

By Peter Lawrie, ©2018

The Battle of Aberfoyle and the Battle of Dalnaspidal


Clan Gregor appointed to defend the passes at the head of the Forth
In 1651, March, "Calum McCondachie VcEwin” with his brother "Ewin McCondochenin petitioned King Charles II. stating on behalf of the whole name of McGregor, that they having been appointed, by the Marquis of Argyll, and Lt-General David Leslie, to defend the Passes at the Heads of Forth, had contrary to the Act of Levy, which ordained that "all Clans should come out under their respective Chieftains, been daily troubled by the Earl of Atholl and the Laird of Buchanan, for additional men, drafted from them, and praying that their men might be restored, and the Clan have a quarter assigned them for their entertainment, which petition was remitted to the Committee of Estates." [1]  

Scots defeat at Battle of Worcester
The Battle of Worcester took place on 3rd September 1651. The Scots Covenanter Army was totally defeated with between two and three thousand dead and around ten thousand captives, most of whom were sent to the Americas as indentured servants in the English colonies. Charles II escaped with a few others and went into exile in Europe. The Covenant was dead and Scotland occupied by Cromwell's English army. Cromwell pushed through an incorporating union and placed garrisons at strategic points throughout Scotland.

The Commonwealth
In 1652, the English parliament declared that Scotland was part of the Commonwealth, ruled by the Lord Protector Cromwell. Various attempts were made to legitimise this forced union, calling representatives from the Scottish burghs and shires to negotiations and to various English parliaments, where they were always under-represented and had little opportunity for dissent. In June 1652 there were eleven English regiments of foot and seven of horse garrisoning Scotland.

It was not only the common people who suffered the financial burden of foreign occupation. During the political instability of the previous years, many noblemen and clan-leaders had accumulated vast debts - the Marquis of Argyll especially.. The English restoration of peace – albeit superficially – meant that creditors began to push for payment. As Firth believes, the end of the debt amnesty was a contributing factor to outbreak of the Glencairn uprising. [2]  

The raising of the Standard of Charles II at Killin
“King Charles II.'s standard had been raised at Killin, reported the Mercurius Politicus No.167, published in Edinburgh August 1653:
"We now have certain intelligence that on the 27th July Charles Stuart's standard was set up at Killin. On that day 40 horsemen, well mounted with swords and pistols, went by the house of Doune (Doune Castle) towards the Highlands and on the 28th Sir Mungo Murray went thither in the night; and Kenmore with 100 horsemen crossed the Water of Clyd, and went by Duntreth towards Killin and is returned into the South to raise more forces. On the 30th Glencairn was at Maggrigor's House in Loth Kennoth (Loch Rannoch the Hall on the Island) and listed three men there. To each he gave 2/6 and sent them for the lowlands, there to be in readiness and return on notice." [3]  

"October 5th, 1653. King Charles II. issued a warrant to the "Tutor of MacGregor" dated at Chantilly, to raise his friends and followers in His Majesty's defence." [4]  

The above reports from "An account of the expedition of William 9th Earl of Glencairn as General of His Majesty's Forces in the Highlands of Scotland 1653-1654, written by John Graham of Deuchrie who was eye and ear witness to all that passed from first to last." [5]  

William Cunningham, 9th Earl of Glencairn
"The Earl of Glencairn went from his own house of Finleston in the beginning of August, 1653 to Lochearn, where several of the Clans did meet him, viz the Earl of Atholl, MacDonald of Glengarie, Cameron of Lochyell, ordinarily called MacEldney, John Graham of Deuchrie, Malcolm MacGregour tutor of MacGregour, Farquharson of Inverey, Robertson of Strowan, MacNachtane of MacNachtane, Archibald Lord Lorn, afterwards earl of Argyle, Colonel Blackader of Tullyallan.

"These gentlemen, after some few days consultation with his lordship, did promise to bring out what forces they could with all expedition. My lord, notwithstanding, did lie to and from the hills, not having any with him but the writer of this, and three servants, for the space of six weeks.

"The first forces that came to, him here, were brought by John Graham of Deuchrie: they were forty footmen. Within two or three days after came Malcolm MacGregour the Tutor, with eighty footmen. Having been joined by some eighty Horse and about the same number of Lowlandmen on foot and marched to Deuchrie, Glencairn's rising attracted the attention of the parliamentary authorities.

Battle of Aberfoyle
"Colonel Kidd, [6]   [The Commonwealth] Governor of Stirling, being informed that the king's forces were come so near him, did march with the most part of his Regiment of foot and troop of horse, to Aberfoyle, within three miles from the place where my Lord General did lie, who, having intelligence thereof, did march with the small force he had, to the pass of Aberfoyle; and drawing up his forces within the pass, did distribute his footmen on both sides thereof, very advantageously; and the horse which were commanded by Lord Kenmure, were drawn up on the wings of the foot. He gave orders that Captain Hamilton who commanded the Lowlandmen, called Gravats with Deuchrie's men should receive the first charge, which they did very gallantly; and at the very first encounter, the enemy began to retire back. The General perceiving the same, did command the Highland forces to pursue, as also Lord Kenmure with the Horse he had. The enemy began upon this, downright to run; they were pursued very hard, they lost on the spot about sixty, and about eighty were killed in the pursuit: no prisoners were taken. My Lord General having succeeded so well, from all places men did daily come in to him. We then marched to LochEarn, and from that to Loch Rannoch, where at the Hall in the Isle of Loch Rannoch the Clans met him.

"The Clans who met him at Loch Rannoch brought their forces with them: the Laird of Glengarie brought three hundred very pretty men - the Laird of Lochyell brought four hundred Lochaber men - the Tutor of MacGregour had then about two hundred men with him."

Letter to the Tutor, signed Charles II
“1653. October 5th. - "To our Trusty and well-beloved the Tutor of McGregor. "Charles R
"Trusty and well-beloved we greet you well since the affection of our good subjects in the Highlands is now so notorious that the Rebells themselves begin to confess some apprehension of their power and the mischief would be irreparable if after so gallant an attempt to redeem their countrie from the slaverie and dishonor it groans under they should, for want of concurrence in the wholl natione be reduced to extremitie and made a prey to the bloodie and merciless English Rebells who intende ane utter extirpatioune of the Nobilitie and ancient Gentrie of that kingdome We thought it fitt in ane especiall maner to Recommend so important a consideration to you, and to desyre you that if upon any privat and particular reasone you have hitherto forborn to engage yourself for those who ar now in arms for ws, that you will, as soon as they who ar entrusted by ws shall desyre you, join with thame And use your utmost interest and power to advance our service by drawing all our friends and Dependants to a conjunctione with thame; and as we also endeavouring all we cane to procure arms, ammunitionne and uther supplys to be sent unto you by degrees, and in such a maner as we find most convenient, so we directed Liuetennent Generall Middleton himself speedily to repair to you as soon as he cane obtaine such a supply as we hope will not requir much mor time And we doubt not but God Almightie will bless you in this enterprise, and we shall never forget the service you shall do us and the alacrity you shall express therein, and so we bid you heartily farewell.-Gevin at Chantilly the fyfth daye of October One thousand sex hundred and fyftie three years and the year of our Reigne." [7]  

Middleton tales over from Glencairn
Although it gained recruits, the rising began to suffer from internal divisions, particularly between the Highlanders who made up the bulk of the forces and the Lowland nobles and officers who were their commanders. In early 1654, nine months into the revolt, John Middleton (1608–74), a Lowland officer and a veteran of the Battle of Worcester, arrived with a commission to command from Charles II. Despite objections from his followers, Glencairn surrendered control over his forces, which had now reached 3,500 foot and 1,500 horse. A series of disputes and duels undermined the leadership of the campaign for the remainder of the rising

Unlike the dynamism shown by Montrose ten years earlier, Middleton adopted a strategy of raid and harrying. Although successful in distracting the Commonwealth forces and causing disruption, it soon began to prove counter-productive, as growing unpopularity led to a drying up of recruitment.

The Battle of Dalnaspidal
In the summer of 1654, General Monck, now returned to Scotland as the commander of the English occupation, began a determined campaign against the rising. On the evening of 19 July 1654, the English surprised Middleton's army - which the report specifcally mentioned including MacGregors from Rannoch - at Dalnaspidal near Loch Garry on the Drumochter Pass. The Royalist horse had become separated by about four miles from the foot. Most of Middleton's cavalry fled, leaving the infantry unprotected. As the cavalry continued to advance, the Royalist infantry also turned and ran.

The Rising as reported by Lilburne, Commonwealth Governor in Scotland
According to a 2005 Thesis by Helen Baker, [8]   it was "difficult to give any kind of connected narrative of the guerrilla warfare that took place in Scotland from the summer of 1653 to the following thirteen or fourteen months. On 6 August Lilburne informed Cromwell that he believed that the rebels were intending ‘suddaine action’ and that they were daily joined by Lowland stragglers and men from Ireland. Of course, at this point the Royalists still hoped that the arrival of Middleton with large numbers of men, supplies and finance from the Continent, would prove to be the decisive turning point in the struggle. A similar hope that the Dutch fleet might render aid was quashed by its defeat on 31 July at the hands of Monck at the battle of Texel."

On 13 August 1653 Lilburne reported that Glencairn was not far north of Badenoch and heading towards Inverness and that he was joined by around 1200 men including Lorne and Glengarry. A few days later, he reported that Kenmore and the Tutor of Macgrigar had retreated to the Hills after attempting to stir up support in the area between Dumbarton and Stirling. Another group of rebels were in Frazers’ country to the east of Inverness. It seems that the rebels were capitalising on rumours which suggested that Middleton and the Duke of Gloucester were to land on 20 August at Portpatrick with 10,000 men.

On 18 August, Lilburne wrote that the news of the Dutch defeat had provoked the rebel forces to disperse from Bonnywher near Ruthven Castle in Badenoch. Lorne and M’Lean (M’Clane) had returned to their own territories in Argyllshire and the Isle of Mull respectively. Glencairn and Glengarry had travelled in the direction of Lochaber while the Macgrigars had travelled to the west of Stirling. The rumour that the Highlanders had dispersed is illustrated in a letter from Argyle to Lilburne dated 30 August 1653. He passed on the information that only Kenmore, McNaughton and Lorne were still ‘bent on mischief’.

It seems that the insurgents realised they were insufficiently strong to engage in open combat so had temporarily broken up into marauding bands and had travelled to various parts of the country. On 3 September, Argyle reported that Lorne and his cousin Kenmore were in Menteith, a few miles to the west of Stirling, Glencairn was on the Isle of Mull and Seaforth had returned to his territory in Kintail. Col. Reade, the governor of Stirling, attempted to pursue Lorne and Kenmore but with little success. A skirmish took place at Aberfoyle at which both sides declared victory. Reade only managed to kill two or three of the insurgents for the remainder quickly retreated into the Hills where the English army could not follow.

Like Monck in the previous Scottish campaign, Lilburne’s attempts to surprise the rebels were usually unsuccessful and he was forced to accept a war of attrition. The strategy of the Royalists was to avoid outright confrontation in favour of attacking small parties of the enemy and engaging in sudden raids. The native Scots had the geographical advantage, being more familiar with the challenging Scottish territory and able to retreat into the mountains when necessary. The conflict then took the form of a kind of guerrilla warfare, focussing on the Highland territory. Such tactics were also useful in enabling the Royalists to divide their men and, therefore, keep apart feuding Highland leaders.

Moreover, the Scottish community, albeit for the greater part unwilling to commit to open rebellion, refused to inform the English of the rebels’ movements. In November 1653 Lilburne was complaining of the ‘secrett contrivements and incouragements the generality of this people affords [the Royalists]’. In another report of the same month he writes that even victims of the Royalists’ plunder refused to provide intelligence and that every appearance or victory of the enemy seemed to heighten the spirit of the Scottish people. This is perhaps the greatest indicator of the feelings of the majority of native Scots. Encouraged by every Royalist victory, the ordinary people of Scotland were illustrating their innate hostility to their foreign conquerors.

On 19 July 1654, Monck was camped at Kinnell in Breadalbane, at the head of Loch Tay. The Royalists, moving away to avoid Monck, bumped right into Morgan who had travelled from Ruthven to Dalnaspidal at the northern tip of Loch Garry. This long-awaited encounter appears to have taken both sides by surprise. Middleton’s foot, which numbered 1200, had separated from his horse and they were around 4-5 miles apart. The English first encountered the Royalist horse at Dalnaspidal. The Royalists immediately retreated but the narrowness of the track allowed the English to capture over 300 of Middleton’s horses. It was reported: ‘We presently put them to the Rout, persued them about six miles, and forced them to disperse three waies.’ The English also seized documents and around 25 prisoners. The English went on to pursue the Royalist foot in the direction of Lochaber. Middleton was badly wounded and his horse was captured, but he escaped on foot and, a week later, was reported to be in Sutherland.

By dramatically reducing the number of horses Middleton had at his disposal and dispersing the rest, Morgan had ensured that the Royalist force could no longer pose any kind of real threat to the English in formal battle circumstances. After the engagement at Dalnaspidal, the only form of resistance left to them was a continuation of guerrilla warfare. Many of the foot soldiers deserted to their homes.

Monck was determined to pursue those who had failed to disband. Even though the main body of rebels were in no state to engage the English in formal battle, they were still able to challenge English authority by means of plunder and skirmishes. Like the English army, Middleton’s men continued to burn and pillage and committed acts of brutality on any lone English solider they happened upon. On 20 July Monck left Kinnell for Glen Lyon where he ordered Major Bridge to round up escapees around Loch Rannoch, where he captured a number of prisoners and supplies and rejoined Monck on 21 July near Weem. In August Monck and his men marched in the southern Highlands, continuing to destroy crops and property particularly in Aberfoyle in the area of Perthshire and Loch Lomond in Dunbartonshire.

End of the Rising
Although the rising was unsuccessful it forced a change of policy by the regime, which now looked for reconciliation. Instead of a blanket forfeiture among those implicated in resistance, the Act of Grace and Pardon, proclaimed in Edinburgh on 5 May 1654, had named 24 persons (mainly from the nobility) whose lands would be seized, and 73 other landholders who could retain their estates after paying a fine. Even then most of those named were treated with leniency and fines were remitted for confiscations, or were reduced, and some were abandoned. William, Earl of Glencairn eventually surrendered to General Monck in September 1654. Middleton escaped back to the Continent and rejoined Charles II at Cologne early in 1655.

Conflict between Buchanan and MacGregor
“1649. March 15th. "Act in favouris of George Buchannane fear of that Ilk.
"The estates of parliament, Taking to their consideratioune The Supplicatioune given be George Buchannane fear of that ilk, Makand mentioune That James Grahame haveing conceaved ane deadly hatred and malice againes the said supplicant, for his fidelitie and constant service in the publict caus, sent some of the rebelles and took away the haill guids that wer vpone the supplicantes landes, and herried the same in august 1645 Lykas in November that same yeere he came againe with his haill forces, horse and foote and brunt and waisted his haill landes murdered and begg(ar)ed his freindes and tennentes man, wyff and childring without respect of sex or age besydes his hous. Whill the Estaites sent vp for the must pairt of their Armie vnder the Command of the Erle of Callander, Generall major Midletoune and generall major Howburne, who wer ey witnesses and forced the enemie to retire And thairefter ordanit the supplicant to keepe ane garisone in his hous for the vse of the publict. Lykas also the said James Grahame in the moneth of Januar thairefter sent the Clangregour and the Macnabes to the rest of the supplicantes landes of Stroshire, Strathire, and vtheris in Perth and Stirling Schires possest thamselves thairin, herrieing and waisteing all whaerever they came placed tennentes of thair owne and removed his exacted in his laite Majesties’s name The haill few dewties at ten merk alledging thame to have ane gift thairof wherby ever since the supplicantes haill landis hes bene altogether vnproffitable to him [16]

“1655. August 15th.
“My Noble Lords,
"According to ane order I received from the Generall [ie Monck] for removeing of differences and setleing of ane agriement betwixt the Buchananes and Mcgregors, I did convein the speciall men of both syds, and after conference with them, they have condescendit and agried that all differences questioned and caused, civil and criminall betwixt them 'be settled?' And lykwayes that surety either of the saids parties shall for themselves and behalfe of their wholl kinred and name give for peaceable liveing and Indemnitie In tyme to cum shalbe referrit and submittit to the Judgement and Decisione of yor lop. for the past part of the Mcgregors and to the lord Cardross and Livtennent Generall Hapburne for the part of the Buchanans and in caice of any difference or variance betwixt the afoir sd arbitrators they have named and chosen me to be oversman ffor determineing of all differences and their are six persones for each syd quhose names are contained in the inclosed list who are to be take burding in the sd submission and to become obleist for obsereing, performeing and fulfilling quhilk ever shalbe dicernit and ordained to be done be aither of them and their name and kindred to others concerning the particulars before mentioned and have appointed ane meitteing for perfecteing and subscriveing ane permissioune for that effect to be at Dunblane the fyft day of September next wher the parties submitters whose names are conteined in the inclosit list and the freinds and arbiters chosen for them are to subscryve the submissioune all quhilk I thought fitt to communicat to your lops entreateing you will be pleasit to keip the foirsd meiteing and contribute yor best advyce and Indeavour for setling of that busnes and I sall be willing for my part to give my best advyce and accept upoune me the decisioune of any variance or difference iff any happin to be in the foirsd matter and in the mean tym I have taken assurance and (of?) the laird of Lenie and of Callum Mccondechie wt him and Pat. roy Mcphadrick alduch that ther sall be a cessatioune and forbearance of all acts of hostilie and all trouble and molestatioune betwixt the forsd parties and ther names to the forsd submissioune perfectit and subscribed and item thereof to be an article and conditioune of the submissioune and the decreit in the submissioune to be betwixt, and the first day of March next and I remaine: Your lops affectionate freind and servant
Argyle. [9]  

"September 12th 1655, at Doune. "The which day James Lord Drummond, David Lord Madertie, Judges, Arbiters and amicable compositors nominated, elected and chosen for the part of the name of Clangrigoure, David Lord Cardross, James Holburne of Menstrie, Judges, Arbiters and amicable compositors nominated, elected and chosen for the part of the Name of Buchanane on the other part, to witness their care and respect to the desire of the Lord Marques of Argyll his Lordships letter, anent the agree¬ment of the said two Clans. In reference to what Injuries have been committed betwixt them since the last letter of the slaines anno 1631, whereby their friends had been at his LordshIp and nominated his Lordship oversman in the said matter, the said noblemen, Judges foresaids, have met and convened at this time with one and others of the said two parties under subscryvand friends and that at the special desire of the said two parties, that for establishing and keeping a true and friendly agreement betwixt the said two Clans, In all time coming, that six more men of the said two Clans on One and either side be added and eikit to the six on ane and either side nominated and listed to the said noble Lords. My Lord Marques Argyll sent hithertill his Lordship's letter, namely for the said Clangreigour, Allan McConachie vic Kewin, Gregor McConachie Grigor in Rora, Donald Glass Mcallum vic Gregor vic Doulcheir, Pat roy Mcphadrick alich, Pat McCondochie abroach, Pat McCondochie beg in Dalbeigh, in My Lord Marquiss list and added Pat. McCondochie vie Dowie in Rannach, John McGillespik there, Jon McGregor roy in Leragan, Duncane McChallum baine alich, John Roy McGregor in Innervair, Pat. McCallister in Dunblaine, as the other six which makes up the twelve in number And for the name of Buchanane the Lairds of Buchanane, Lennie, Drummakeill, Arnpryor, William Buchanane of Ros, Duncane Buchanan of Caslie Which parties undersubscribing faithfully bind and oblige them conjunctly and severally to meet and convene at Dunblaine the twenty third day of October next to come and bring with them personally all the forenamed friends respective to bind and subscribe with them conjunctly and severally on one and other sides for keeping and observing a friendly peace in all time coming betwixt them and to sign a submission conform to the Intent of the Lord Marquiss letter as oversman and give such asithement and good security to others as the Judges shall think expedient at their meeting and in the meantime the said parties shall keep hence-forth their friendly peace and good will not harming one or other of the said Clans in body or goods, Consenting these presents be registrated in any Judicatory books within this nation for preservation and constitute their procurators In witness whereof these presents are subscribed as follows and written by Hairie Blackwood notar, day year and place foresaid Subscribed thus R. Buchanan of Lennie, W. Buchanan, J. Buchanan of Arnepryor, Wm. Buchanane, Duncan Buchanane, … McGregor, Patrik Drummond, Callum McGregor, Patrik roy, Pat abroch, these three by an Notar H. Blackwood.
"Noblemen subscribed thus. J. Drummond, Madertie, Cardross, Ja. Holburne. [10]  

"October 24th 1655 at Callander. "Convened the Laird of Buchanan and Malcolm MacGrigor Tutor, and finding all former meetings ineffectual for taking away the differences betwixt their names Did condescend that three or four the especials of each particular race of their names should bind for all whatsomever came of their races, that they shall do no manner of damage, skaith or prejudice in body or goods, to any of the other name nor in any kind be art or part with those of any other, that does the same.
As likewise that the race of Buchanan of Lenie and those of Duncan Ladosich's house shall find such sureties as friends on both sides shall think fitting and condescend on the foresaid sureties and obligations, which are to be given by each to others any day my Lord Argyll will appoint to bothe parties after his home comeing. As likewise the Laird of Buchanan and the Tutor promises faithfully and upon oath that they will concur against and to the utmost of their power be enemies, to any whatsoever of the races that will not condescend to bind or to be bound as aforesaid. As likewise for effectuating of the premises, the rolls of those that are to be bound for the particular races are to he given in by Buchanan and the Tutor to each other betwixt and the month of December And further they condition that all differences betwixt the Buchanans of Lenie and Duncan Ladosich's house be referred to the four chosen in my Lord Argyle's letter and stating their agreement to my Lord Himself And in the meantime The laird of Buchanan and Malcolm McGregor are bound for their whole respective names that they will abstain from all acts of Hostility until the premises be performed Before these witnesses Johne Stuart of Annet, Walter Stuart his brother and Captain Drumond, Day and place foresaid."
(Signed) Buchanane
Cardross witnes
The mark of the tutour M'Gregor.
S. Haldane witnes"
[11]  

The Restoration
As military commander in Scotland, commanding the Commonwealth's largest armed force, Monck was instrumental in the restoration of Charles II. After the death of Cromwell in 1658, Monck remained aloof from the political manoeuvring in London. In 1659 Monck opened negotiations with Charles II and began a march south with his army. After reaching London he restored the English Long Parliament that had existed at the beginning of the civil wars. This body, having received some assurances from Charles II, voted for a restoration of the monarchy in England and then dissolved itself. This created a de facto restoration of the monarchy in Scotland, but without any safeguards as to the constitutional position in the country. Scottish notables were in a weak position in negotiations with the crown as to what the settlement would be. Charles II gave Monck the title Duke of Albermarle in gratitude for his part in the Restoration.

Charles was proclaimed king in Edinburgh on 14 May 1660 (for the second time: the first having been more than ten years earlier on 6 February 1649). He was not crowned again in Scotland. Charles II summoned his parliament in Edinburgh on 1 January 1661, which began to undo all that been forced on his father Charles I. "The Rescissory Act 1661" made all legislation back to 1633 "void and null".

“1660 August 29th. - "The Sub Comittie of Estates, appointed for drawing of the letter to be sent to the Chieftans of Clans Gave in their Report to the Committee with ane draught of the Letter and the Gentlemen's names to whom the same are to be directed -Whereof the Committie Approves and Ordaines the same to be subscryved and sent accordinglie.

"Sir, The Comittie of Estates conveined by his Majesties speciall warrand and authoritie being comandit by his Ma: to secure the peace of this Kingdome by all lawfull meanes. And especially to suppresse any depradations committed by the Hielanders and broken men in the hills and braes Understanding that severall louse ydle men in the hielands doe gather themselffes together in companies and carries away sprauchs of chattell and other bestiall to the hills & comitting many other insolencies to the disturbance of the peace of this kingdome And considering that by many Acts of Parliament and lawes of this Kingdome standing in force The Chiftanes & heads of Clans have been ever bund & obliged for the peaceable carriage and behaviour of all of their Clan, Kinsmen, followers and tennents They doe therefore require yow That ye tak speciall notice of all such of your Clan, Kinsmen followers, servants and tennents and of all others travelling thro' your bounds whom you may stop or lett, that they carry themselfs peaceably and doe not in any sort trouble the peace of this Kingdom by gathering themselffs together in Bands or Companies or making of any depredations upon any of their neighbours or committing any other insolencys pnvate or public. Certifieing yow that whatever shall be comitted by them or any of them of that sort will be imputed unto yow and yow will be called to accompt for the same And ordaines yow to make ane report of your diligence herein from tyme to tyme to the Comittie of Estate Wee rest your afectionat freinds
“This Circular is addressed to -
Earl of Seaforth
Earle of Tulliebarden
Earl of Athole and in his absence to Mr Robt Nairne of Strathurde
Earle of Airlie
Earle of Aboyne
Lord Rae
Lord Lovit
Laird of Ballingoune
Laird of Fouls
Laird of Assin McCleud
Laird of Glengarrie
Laird of MCloud
Sir James McDonnald The Captane of the Clanronnald
Laird of Lochiell
Donald of Guirk
Laird of McIntosh
Laird of Grant
Ferquharson of Innercauld
Laird of Glenurquhie
Laird of Auchenbrek or George Campbell Shirreff deput of Argyll in absence of the Marqueis
Callum McGreigour Tutor of McGreigour
Laird of Luss
Laird of McFarline
Laird of Buchanan
Lord Kilpunt
Stewart of Appin
Sir Thomas Stewart of Garritullie
and the Laird of Eggell." [12]  

Eoghan MacCondochy or Ewin son of Duncan in Morinch, the 1st of Kilmannan, entitled 'Colonel'
Ewin, or Hew, noticed in Record 31st March 1651 as Ewin McCondochenin, when he joined in a Petition by his elder brother to King Charles II. He appears about this time to have been styled Colonel, as in a Charter by Colin Campbell of Mochaster to Patrick Roy McGregor of the Lands of Corriechrombie, [13]  

Note that Malcolm (Calum) is addressed as tutor. Patrick, 13th chief had died by 1649 when his son James, 14th chief, was still a minor. Malcolm the tutor was the grandson of Ewin the Tutor and father of Gregor who became the 15th chief when James died in 1679.

Patrick Roy appears to have died by 1649 as did Duncan in Morinch, (the father of Eoghan, 1st of Kilmannan and grandfather of Archibald, 16th chief.) Eoin McInvallich, uncle of Alexander of Balhaldie, the 17th chief, is recorded as having been killed at the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645.

The Burial of Montrose and Execution of Argyll
On the 11th May 1661, so much of the remains of James Graham, Marquis of Montrose as could be found were gathered together and interred with great solemnity at St Giles Kirk in a ceremony attended by every peer in Scotland. While, on the 27th May, Archibald, 1st Marquis of Argyll was executed in Edinburgh and his head stuck on the same spike of the Tolbooth on which Montrose's had been displayed in May 1650.

Proscription lifted (for a while)
Following the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, although none of the promised restitution of MacGregor lands took place, the proscription of the clan was lifted.

"1661 April 8th at Edinburgh. "Act in favours of the Clangregor.
"The King's Majesty considering that these who were formerly designed by the name of McGregor have during these troubles carried themselves with such loyalty and affection to his Majesty as may justly wipe off all memory of their former miscarriages and take away all marks of reproach put upon them for the same And his Majesty being desirous to reclaim his subjects from every evil way And to give all due Encouragements to such as live in due obedience and submission to his Majesty's authority and laws of the kingdom Therefore his Majesty with advice and consent of his Estates of Parliament Doth Rescind Casse and annul the thirtieth Act of the first parliament of King Charles the first Entituled Act anent the Clangregor And declares the same void and null in all time coming And that it shall he hereafter free to all persons come of the name and race of the ClanGregor to keep and make use of the said name of Gregor or McGregor and enjoy all privileges and immunities as other subjects Notwithstanding of the said Act or any other Acts or any thing therein contained to the contrary Provided that the surety's formerly given for those of that name Stand in force Ay and until the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council take such course with them for their good behaviour in time coming As shall be done with other clans." -Parliamentary Record. [14]  

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1661. 1st October. Malcolm McGregor, eldest son of Duncan MacGregor alias Douglas, Tutor to the Laird of McGregor, "Gregor McGregor of Roro, and Patrick Drummond alias McGregor in Dundurn" had a decree passed against them, as "Chieftains" for neglecting to obey a citation, 2nd August preceeding, to find security in terms of the General Band. -Record of Secret Council. [15]  

Following the insurrection of another Graham, John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee, on behalf of James VII which ended with the death of Claverhouse at Killiekrankie in 1689, the proscription of Clan Gregor would be re-imposed and remained in force until 1774.

[1] - Record of the Scottish Parliament, 31st March 1651. See Amelia volume 2 Chapter 9 page 113.

[2] Firth, C.H. Scotland and the Commonwealth, p.xxix.

[3] Mercurius Politicus No.167 states, Edinburgh August 1653 See Amelia volume 2 Chapter 9 page 108.

[4] Mr MacGregor Stirling quotes this in his MS. Memoir of Glenstray See Amelia volume 2 Chapter 9 page 108.

[5] Taken from published memoir, not from Sir Walter Scott's quotation.

[6] The Colonel's name was Reid , not Kidd

[7] Letter from Charles R - Transumpt in the archives of MacGregor of Balhaldies. As Malcolm McConnichie Vic Ewin, or Malcolm Douglas, afterwards of Ewir in Glendochart, was now known as Tutor of McGregor, this document probably existed in the original in the archives of McGregor of Kilmanan, his representative, and found its way into the Balhaldies Collection, through Rob Roy, about the time of Balhaldies's election, by Rob and others, to the station of Captain of the ClanGregor in 1714"

[8] The Glencairn Uprising, 1653-54. Helen Baker Lancaster Universityy, 2005, pp38-41 and 67-69

[9] Amelia, Vol II, ch 10, page 129, Rosneath, 5 August 1655.
"This is the just authentick and true copie and double of the lord marquise letter collationed and subt by me J. Blackwoode not publict. ffor my Noble Lordes My Lord Drummond and my Lord Madertie."
-Leny Papers.

[10] Amelia vol II, ch 10, p130 - "The above is a transumpt, modernized in the spelling, of a notarial copy by Hairie Blackwood notary public. Subscribed: H. Blackwode notar publict."

[11] Amelia vol II, ch 10, p131 - - Original in the possession of Hamilton of Bardowie or Buchanan of Leny.

[12] Amelia vol II, ch 11, p138 - Circular from the Sub Comittie of Estates, appointed for drawing of the letter to be sent to the Chieftans of Clans

[13] 16th June 1655, one of the witnesses is Robert Clerk, Quartermaster to "Hew Colonell McGregor. - In Particular Register of Sasines, Stirlingshire, October 1666.
Malcolm MacGregor of Ewir, as he was latterly called, surnamed Douglas, succeeded to his father, Duncan McEwin or Douglas of Moirinch in the office of Tutor of Glenstray before 28th August 1649, on which day he appears on record as "Kallum McConnochie VcEwin Tutor to the children of umquhile, the Laird of MacGregor." - Register of Committee of Estates. The names of the wards were: James, Representative of Glenstray and his sister Jean. See page 108. chapter 9

[14] Amelia vol II, ch 11, p140 - Record of Parliament."

[15] Amelia vol II, ch 9, p113

[16] Amelia vol II, ch 9, p107 - March 15th 1649, Record of Parliament."