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The Red and White Book of Menzies |
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"The "Red and white" book of Menzies ... The history of Clan Menzies and its chiefs" Edited by Peter Lawrie to remove pre-11th century material, all illustrations and most of the poetry |
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This page has been edited from a downloaded copy Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 National Library of Scotland There follows a list of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies, I suspect that all those prior to the 38th or 1st Baron Menzies is fanciful and not supported by any documentary evidence. I have included the entire list for the sake of completeness. 1st Menzies — Maynus, Mains, Manre, 3 (b.c. 300 to A.D. 29); 2nd Menzies — Dorvidilla (b.c. 300 to A.D. 29) 3rd Menzies — Nathak 4th Menzies — Rewthar 5th Menzies — Thereus 6th Menzies — Josyne 7th Menzies — Fynnane 8th Menzies — Durstus 9th Menzies — Ewin I. 10th Menzies — Gillus 11th Menzies — Ewin II. 12th Menzies — Edeir 13th Menzies — Ewing III. 14TH Menzies — Mainus, Metellane (b.c. 15th Menzies — Mensuteus, Mansuteus (a.: 16th Menzies — Maynus, Medanus (A.D. 69-150), 17th Menzies — Medani (A.D. 145-234), 18th Menzies — Meanius (A.D. 225-300), 19th Menzies — Menna (A.D. 270-361), 20th Menzies — Meinaus (A.D. 300-369), 21st Menzies — Menrus (A.D. 357-440), 22nd Menzies — Menacus (A.D. 400-463), . 23rd Menzies — Meinus (A.D. 430-480); 24th Menzies — Mianus (A.D. 459-538), 25th Menzies — Menaus (A.D. 498-586), . 26th Menzies — Meinus (A.D. 520-590), 27TH Menzies — Meanus (A.D. 579-664), 28th Menzies — Maninus, Meinus (A.D. 621-700), 29th Menzies — Mennis (A.D. 679-738), 30th Menzies — Mannerrus (A.D. 737-829), 31st Menzies — Menrus Rabanus (A.D. 788-856), 32nd Menzies — Mennanus (A.D. 800-878), 33rd Menzies — Mainus (A.D. 857-930); 34th Menzies — Menyne (A.D. 887-960) ; R 35th Menzies — Menus (A.D. 899-962), 36th Menzies — Meanus (A.D. 958-1037), . 37th Menzies — Maianus, Mainus, or Marianus (A.D. 1008-1087). The end of the fanciful. Subsequent chiefs probably actually existed. 38th Menzies — Menyeis, Mengeis, 1st Baron of Menzies (A.D. 1043-1132), 39th Menzies — Anketillus Menyeis, Maynores, 2nd Baron of Menzies (A.D. 1120-1190); 40th Menzies — Lord Robert, Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland (A.D. 1177-1266), Mengyies, Mengyes, Meynrs, Meiyners, Meyners, Meiners. Meyniss, Meyneres, Mayneres, Mayners, Meniers, Meyneiss, Manrijs Meinerf, Mengys, Meingys, Meyrs, Mesneres, Meyeius, Meyneris. Meygneris, 3rd Baron of Menzies ; 41st Menzies — Earl Alexander (A.D. 1235-1320), Meyners, 35; Meners, 37 Meiners, Meygners, 41 ; Maynoris, 46 ; Megynes, 47 ; Menygners, 48 Meinzies, 49; Menyers, 50; Meynis, 56; Meineris, 60; 42nd Menzies — Viscount Lord Robert (A.D. 1267-1346), Menzeis, 62 Meygeneris, Meygneres, 65; Meygneris, 66; Meigneres, 66; Meygners. 69; Meignes, 72; Meygneis, 73; Meigners, 73; Meyhneis, 75 43rd Menzies — Sir John the (A.D. 1323-1410), Megyners, 80; Meigners, 82 Mengners, Meners, and Menzer, 83 ; Menzers, Meignes, Meigneis, 84 Meygners, 90; 44th Menzies — Sir Robert the (A.D. 1353-1411), Meigners, Meygners, Menzeis. 91; Meigners, Meingnys, 94; Meyners, 95; 45th Menzies — Sir David (A.D. 1377-1449), 96; Meignes, 101; Menyas, Menzies, 103; Meygnes, 104; Meignes, 104; Menyhes, 105; Mayn- heis, Meyhes, 106; Mengeis, Menzeis, 107; Meneris, Meniris, 108; Mengheis, 109; 46th Menzies — Sir John (A.D. 1397-1467), 107, 111, 113, 114, 115-122; Menzeis, Meigners, 107; Mengues, in; Megnes, Menzhers, Meignes, 117; Menyheis, 118; 47th Menzies — Sir Angus (A.D. 1430-1498), 122, 124-131 ; Meinzies, Menzeis, 125 ; Menyeis, 126; Meigneris, 128 ; References, 132, 134, 151, 152, .. 124 to 131 48th Menzies — Sir Robert (A.D. 1433-1523), 122; Mezeis, 133; Menzeis,i34; Mezes, 136; Meze, 146; Menzes, 156; 49th Menzies — Sir Robert (A.D. 1475-1557), 161; Menzes, 165; Menzeis, 166; 50th Menzies — Sir Alexander (A.D. 1504-1563) (of Rannoch, 168, 170, 172, r 73, 175), 189; Menzes, Menyes, 178; Menyeis, 182; R 51st Menzies — James, the (A.D. 1523-1585), 187, 189, 191-227; Meinyeis, 192; Menzeis, 198; Meneyze, 201; Meigeis, 206; Menzes, 227; Mezes, ; 52nd Menzies — Sir Alexander, the (A.D. 1566-1644), 227, 229-281; Menzes, 231, 283; Meynzlis, 288; Menzeis, 235; Meinzies, 251; Meinzeis, 251 ; Meingeis, 258 ; Menzees, 266; Menzes, Meinzes, 274; Meingzies, 275; Mennzeis, 276; Meanezeis, 283, 53rd Menzies — Sir Duncan (A.D. 1600-1656), 249, 257, 268, 272, 273, 274, 276, 277, 282-299; Meanezeis, 283; Meingeis, 285; Menzeis, Meinzeis, 291; Meingzeis, Menzis, 295; 54th Menzies — Sir Alexander, 1st Baronet (A.D. 1623-1694), 297 ; Meinzies, 300 ; Meingeis, 302 ; Menzeis, 305 ; Alexander Menzies, Knight, Baronet, 308; Menzees, 313, 323, 325, 342, 368, 400, 401, 438, . . 300 to 322 55th Menzies — Captain Robert, "Fiar" of Menzies (A.D. 1660-1692), 304, 315, 3 l6 > 3i7> 3 l8 > 319. 32i ; 323-338, 401 ; Meingeis, 331 ; Meinzies, 332 ; References, 339, 340, 345, 368, 372, 373, 400, 401, 438, 439, 44i> 479, 3 22 to 338 56th Menzies — Sir Alexander, 2nd Baronet (A.D. 1682-1709), 338, 339; References, 344, 364, 368, 370 ; Meinzies, 339, 339 to 344 Tutor-Menzies — Captain James, of Comrie, Regent (A.D. 1663-1748); References, 370, 372, 373, 374, 389; Meingeis, 401, 403, 404, 413, 443. 345 to 369 57th Menzies — Sir Robert, 3rd Baronet (A.D. 1706-1786); References, 343 345, 346, 355, 360. 364, 365, 368, 403, 404, 407, 414. 418, 438, 439. 58th Menzies — Sir John, 4th Baronet (A.D. 1739-1800); References, 365, 366 368, 401, 413, 414, 439, 59th Menzies — Sir Robert, 5th Baronet (A.D. 1745-1813); References, 366 368, 403, 404, 405, 418, 419, 60th Menzies — Sir Neil, 6th Baronet (A.D. 1780-1844) ; References, 366, 368 417, 432, 433, 434, 436 , 440. 61st Menzies — Sir Robert, 7th Baronet; References, 16, 366, 368, 414, 420. 423, 424, 425, 430, 62nd Menzies — Captain Neil James; References, 366, 36S, 436, 449, 455. Menzies, Fletcher Norton, Hereditary Captain of Clan Menzies; References 366, 368, 423, 424, 425, 427, 428, 431, 432, 440, 449. NOTE BY PJL March 2019 Some exceedingly 'iffy' history follows concerning Menyeis and the defeat of MacBeth, probably using Shakespeare as an authoritative source! However, irrespective of the imaginary account on pages 19 and 20, I suspect that Menyeis may have been a real person and the actual founder of the Clan Menzies. Charter evidence is cited on page 22 for "ANKETILLUS DE Maynores" who has been claimed as the son of the 1st Baron Menzies. It is interesting, if somewhat improbable that the first five Baron Menzieses all appear to have lived into their 80s! The previous 37 'chiefs' can be ignored! [page_19 A.D.. 1043-1132. ] Chief the "Meinyeis," the 38th Menzies from Maynus, and the 1st Baron of Menzies. A.D. 1043-1132. MENYEIS was born about 1043, in the time of King Duncan. It was during his reign that one of the Highland chiefs or thanes named " Banquho" (who is said to have been the founder of the House of Steward), made a rising in Lochaber, which Macbeth, being sent against by King Duncan, successfully put down. Macbeth was also sent to repel an invasion of the Norwegians, in which the Scottish arms were again victorious under him. Macbeth, now feeling his power, slew King Duncan, and usurped the throne of Scotland. For some time after being crowned he governed well, but ultimately his tyranny became so oppressive and cruel that many of the leading men of the realm, who detested the usurper, were driven out of Scotland or obliged to fly. Macbeth, having established and built his stronghold at Birnam near Dunkeld, which is only a few hours' ride from the lands of the Menzies', who seem to have suffered so much from him for their attachment to the house royal of Fergus, their great ancestor, that Mainus was obliged to fly to Germany (about 1058) with his son Menyeis, out of the reach of the tyrant Macbeth. It would appear that Menyeis, while an exile, hearing that Malcolm Canmore, who had taken refuge in England, was preparing, with the assistance of Macduff and other banished Scots, to attempt the recovery of his rightful crown and kingdom — Menyeis, apparently with the advice of his father, who was now devoted to study and the Church, at once joined Malcolm Canmore on his march to the north. Meantime Macbeth, having consulted the witches, was told " that he should not be conquered or lose the crown of Scotland until Birnam wood should come to Dunsinnan," where he had built his strong castle on the high hill overlooking Dunkeld and the whole valley of the Tay, the woods of Birnam being on the other side of the valley, and distinctly seen from the Castle of Dunsinnan. As Malcolm Canmore marched north through Scotland, he was joined by many of his friends and their followers, who only awaited the return of their banished chiefs. Thus Menyeis, on entering Perthshire, received the support of his kin and clan. When the army of Malcolm Canmore came to Birnam wood, they passed the night there. The next morning, before marching to attack Macbeth in his stronghold, Macduff suggested that every clansman should cut down the bough of a tree and carry it on high when crossing the broad valley, so as to hide the [page_20 A.D.. 1043-1132. ] smallness of their numbers. From this circumstance many of the clans represented in Canmore's army claim their badges. Clan Menzies claim the mountain-ash or ash, otherwise the rowan tree, the dark green of which, with its red berries, gives the Menzies' the colours for their hunting tartan. In this way each clan could distinguish each other by the bough or badge they bore on that momentous day. On the approach of Canmore's army the sentinels, on seeing the enemy carrying the branches, ran and told Macbeth of the singular sight, saying that the wood of Birnam was moving towards his Castle of Dunsinnan. Calling the sentinels liars, he rushed to the walls and there saw the terrible sight, which at once let him know that the hour of his doom was come. However, he determined to die fighting bravely,- and sallied out at the head of those who would follow him, and fought furiously in the thickest of the fight until he and Macduff encountered each other, as is traditional. The united armies made a ring round the two great warriors of the age, each side urging Macbeth or Macduff on to greater prowess, until Macduff, by a mighty stroke, slew the tyrant. After the death of Macbeth — now so celebrated in song, story, play and poetry — good King Malcolm became the possessor of his rightful kingdom, and was crowned at Scope on the 30th April 1061. Knowing well what hardships he had suffered, both from the tyrant and as an exile in a foreign land dispossessed of his rightful inheritance, and his followers having suffered the same for his cause, he, immediately after his coronation, reinstated those who had suffered on his behalf in their possessions. On the day he ascended the throne, the chroniclers record that — " He rewardid al tham that assistit to him aganis Macbeth with lands and office, and commandit that ilk man haif his office namet efter his surname ; he maid mony erlis, lordis, baronis, and knights." Among the barons who had their names for the first time made surnames was " Menyeis," as given by Boece, and " Mengeis " by Holinshead. From this date (the 30th April 1061) dates the possession and foundation of Castle Menzies and the lands of Menzies as a barony, with the right of the chief of the Menzies' to use the designation de Menyeis, or "The Menzies" of that Ilk, otherwise Menzies of Menzies. This Menyeis was the first baron and warrior of the race. He died about 1132, and left a son, Anketillus Menyeis,his successor. [page_21] THE FIRST BARON OF MENZIES. On Scotland being restored to peace, Menyeis appears to have visited his father, and it is just possible that it was he who brought the book written by his father to Scotland — " Notitia Utriusque Imperii " — and which was lost sight of until 1571, when it appears to have been discovered at Castle Menzies, in which year, as recorded by the Chronicle of Fortingall, considerable repairs and alterations were done at Castle Menzies, and also indicated by the date sculptured on the moulding round the escutcheon above the ancient entrance to Castle Menzies. [page_22 A.D. 1120 TO 1190] NOTE on this page is the first documentary evidence which mentions "ANKETILLUS DE Maynores" - claimed to be an ancestral Menzies Chief Anketillus Menyeis, Maynores, 2nd Baron of Menzies (A.D. 1120-1190); ANKETILLUS MENYEIS, or Maynoers, was the son of the first Baron Menyeis, who had so nobly supported King Malcolm Canmore in recovering his kingdom and crown, and who, as a reward for his services, had the honour of being made one of the first Scottish barons, and had his lands erected into the Barony of Menyeis. Out of gratitude to God, for the restoration of his lands and the birth of a son, his father called him Anketillus, meaning in Gaelic, The Restored, for he was apparently born to him in his advanced years. Thus his birth became a double source of restoration and thankfulness, to mark which, this first Christian name of the Menzies' speaks like the Menzies motto on one of the window-caps of old Castle Menzies, which says, " Prysit be God for Ever." Anketillus Menzies was born, probably from 1110 to 1120, in the time of King David I. On the death of his father, in the time of King William the Lion, he appears to have held some office under that monarch. It is at this period that his name is first met with in any of the now existing charter-records of private grants made under the Crown. Thus we find a charter of a donation, made by " Willielmus de Vetere Ponte," to the " Abbacy of Holyroodhouse, of the lands of Ogleface, in the shire of Linlithgow," "pro salute Domini meis Regis Williemi et Reginae Emegardae" (translated " For a greeting to the Lord and Song which King William the King has given") — to this charter is the name of "ANKETILLUS DE Maynores" as a witness. He signs before the Lord High Chamberlain, showing that he was considered a noble connection of the King ; after him the Chamberlain, along with other Officers of State in the reign of King William the Lion. Nisbet says that in his time, about 1770, there was in the possession of Sir Robert Menzies other charters of this chief. It was this Scottish King who sent 5000 of a Scottish army to assist Richard the Lion in the Holy Land against the Saracens, and according to traditions this Chief of the Menzies', at the head of a number of his clansmen, [page_23 A.D. 1120-1190] formed part of that Scottish army. This may account for his name not appearing so frequently as his successors, as a witness to the few existing charters of the period. Doubtless, the tendency of the Menzies' — from their first progenitor, King Maynus, down to the 15th century — lay towards a religious turn of life ; Anketillus, therefore, like other knights and barons of the period, would join this Scottish army to war against the Infidel, from the religious tendencies of his race in the first place, and as one of the Scottish barons or knights in the second place. From these wars he may have returned towards the end of the reign of William the Lion, and had a son born to him about 1170 to 1177, who became Sir Robert Menzies, the Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland, and his successor, a position always given to those of royal descent in those days. [page_24 A.D. 1177-1266] Chief Lord Robert the Menzies, 3rd Baron of Menzies. Regent and Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland, A.D. 1177-1266 CHIEF SIR ROBERT THE MENGYIES, Knight, Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland, and also one of the barons or magnates of Scotland, called Magnets Scotia. He held the high and influential office of Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland for a continuous period of about fifty years, as will be seen from his name being attached to so many documents and charters connected with the national affairs of Scotland, a position which only those of royal descent or connection were exalted to, or permitted to hold. He was also intrusted with several embassies to England, duties which he discharged with great honour and commendation, both to his country and himself. His love for Scotland and her rights made him one of the most reliable patriots of his age. These qualities shone out brightly during the minorities of Alexander II. and Alexander III., to whom, during their reign, he steadfastly adhered ; and with great sagacity, as one of the regents or councillors of the young king's, assisted to steer Scotland through many dangers, both from internal foes and enemies across the borders. From his high position and influence in the national affairs of Scotland, he must have held all the vast tracts of land, afterwards granted from time to time to his descendants, by charter. These lands stretched far into Argyleshire, including " Mamlorn," Breadalbin, Glendochart, Glenurchy ; and in Athole — Loch Tay, then called " Discher and Toyer," Glenlyon, Glenquich, part of Strath Earn, all Strath Tay, or the Appin-na-Maynus, i.e. the Vale of the Mengyeis, with the lands of and lochs of Tummel, Ericht, Rannoch, and other places in Athole. With such a great extent of country, his followers and the clan must have been very numerous ; thus giving him the forces necessary to support the power he swayed in those days when might was right. Sir Robert was probably born about 1177, and was, at a very early age, intro- duced to the Court of King William the Lion by his father, " Anketillus de [page_25] Maynoers," who appears to have been one of the magnates of that monarch. We find Sir Robert of Mengyes in active office immediately on the accession to the throne of King Alexander II. in 1214. When the king visited Edinburgh, on the 11th September 1214, he granted a charter in favour of the monks of Holyrood, and to which charter is appended the signature of " Robert De Meynrs." From Edinburgh the king and court went to Glasgow, and there in the month of October 1214, the monks of Glasgow had a charter granted in favour of the Church of Glasgow, to which document is appended the name of " Robert de Meiyners," as one of the witnesses, along with others of the king's court. This was in the time of Bishop Walter of Glasgow, in whose time its Church became an establishment of considerable importance ; he being sent the next year, 1215, to a Grand Council held at Rome, along with the Bishops of Moray and Caithness. In the year 1216, King Alexander II. seems to have visited Roxburgh, and there made further grants of favours to the Church and clergy in a charter, " Listerd Protections per Alexander II. Regens Willimo Espiscopo Glasguensis, concessia, &c. &c., the witnesses to which are the Earl of Dunbar, another, and ' Roberto de Meyners, Chamerico,' Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland, dated at Roxburgh, thirteenth day of April 1216." On the 22nd April 1216, Alexander II. visited Haddington, where he gave a charter confirming lands to the Priory of St Andrews, which document is witnessed, first by " Robt. the Meynis, Camer.," Lord High Chamberlain ; the fourth witness being " David de Meyners." Then, again, in the following year, he was present with the king as a witness to a charter of Alexander II., concerning the Baillie-ship of Lanark, Confirmacmo de mosplat in Baillia de Lanarc, attached to which is the name of " Robo de Meiners." This document is dated 7th February 1217. About this time a considerable difficulty arose between the Pope and Scotland. It is of interest to know that, on the 26th May 1217, King Henry of England wrote to the Pope complaining of the canons of Carlisle, who, notwithstanding his excommunication, adhered to the Scottish king, and had elected an excom- municated clerk as their bishop, who, it is presumed, was a Scotsman ; and it is apparent that Sir Robert Menzies, from his high office of Lord Chamberlain of Scotland, was one of the supporters of the Scottish party at Carlisle, as this defiance, both of the Pope and the King of England, was backed up by the Government of Scotland, and the Scottish nobles and chiefs. — Shdm. Lanark, p. 166, Regm., Glasgow, p. 15, vol. i. His name comes before us in this year again in the Errol Papers, p. 307, to a charter commencing as follows : — " Alexander, by the grace of God King of Scotland, to all men whom it may interest, saluteing them concerning the lands," &c, &c. Here follows a long charter, to which are subscribed the following names as witnesses : — " W. Comyn, Comite de Meneteth ; Alans Hostiaris, justicrais [page_26 A.D. 1217-1232] Scocie ; Johanne de Bayol, et Roberto de Meyners, Cameraio," Lord High Chamberlain, at Schon on the 6th day of July, in the third year of the reign of Alexander II., 1217. That Sir Robert the Menzies signed next to "Bayol," whose son was afterwards the renegade King of Scots, infers that the Menzies was of line royal ; only removed by a few generations, but coming next to the Baliolls, doubtless through their descent from Fergus, or Meynyne, who married Beatrice, daughter of King Malcolm, or a later marriage with daughters of the royal house. About the year 1218, it would appear that Sir Robert Menzies was sent into England to arrange matters between the two countries regarding the rights of the Scottish Church at Carlisle. In this, it is recorded, he was completely successful in arranging affairs to the honour of Scotland. Shortly afterwards, as recorded by the old historians, the king sent a considerable force of Scottish knights and barons to assist the King of France in the Holy Land against the Infidel ; and one of those knights — who, with a section of gentlemen of Clan Menzies, helped to form the Scottish army of Crusaders — was Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, and Sir David of Menzies, with their clansmen. In proof of his absence in these wars, his name does not appear to any document at home until about the year 1231, so that he must have been away about ten years. After his return we find, in 1231, Sir Robert Menzies at the court then being held at Linlithgow Palace, where Alexander II. granted a charter to the Earl of Lennox, to which is affixed the name of" Roberto de Meiners," dated at Linlithgow, September 1231. As already indicated, Sir Robert Menzies was lord of large tracts of land in Argyle, Breadalbin, Strathern, Athole, &c. As such we find, as is recorded by Nisbet, that he granted a charter of the " Lands of Culdares to Matthaes de Moncrief pro homagis et sus" for his homage and service. This charter, or a copy of it, was preserved in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, in the time of Sir Robert Menzies, the 3d baronet. The lands of Culdares still retain the name among the natives of Glenlyon as " Moncrief's land." From this time the Moncriefs became the vassals, or followers, of the Chiefs of Menzies, of whom they are probably a branch, the name being a corruption of Meyners. Among the witnesses to this document are the names of David de Meyners and Thomas de Meyners, who must have been the brothers of the Lord of Menzies. This Sir Thomas Menzies is also a witness to the confirmation to the Kirk of Melville, and to the Monastery of Dunfermline, by " Georgorius de Melvill," A.D. 1251. In the year 1232, we find Sir Robert of Menzies a witness to a charter confirming a grant of land by the king to the then Earl of Athole, "terris de Imanth," &c. Along with other witnesses, we find his name affixed thus — "Roberto de Meyniss," dated 1232. — Reg. Coupar, Ab., p. 333, vol. i. Two years afterwards, in connection with the Church of Glasgow, we find Sir Robert Menzies [page_27 A.D. 1234-1244] at Roxburgh, and there, in the presence of Alexander II., witnessing a charter in the month of October 1234, to which his name is thus appended — "Roberto de Meiyners." The founder of what is known as " King James's Hospital," in Perth, was Alexander II., as is shown by ancient documents belonging to the hospital, who founded it as a monastery ; and the oldest document now in the collection, is a writ granted by that king at Forfar, on the 31st October 1241, addressed to the Provosts of Perth, wherein he commands them to pay from his farm of Perth yearly to the friars preachers of Perth a certain proportion of the income from it, &c. There are three witnesses to this document, and one of them is " Robert of Meyners." It looks as if King Alexander II. had stayed at Forfar with his court during the winter, for we find him in the spring of 1242 at Forfar granting a charter to "Walter de Normanville ;" and of the witnesses to this document are the names of " Alexandra Cumyn, William de Marr, Robert de Meyneres," and others, granted at Forfar, 8th April 1242 — Diocese of Aberdeen, p. 109, vol ii. Then we find, in the year 1244, Alexander II. again grants further favours to the Kirk, &c, of Glasgow, in a charter dated 3rd February 1244, to which is attached the name of " Robo de Meiners " as one of the witnesses ; following it, we find Sir Robert Menzies at the court, then being held at Holyrood, where, on the 7th June 1244, the same king granted to the monks of Perth, totam illani placeam in qua fuit gardinum nostrum also ut habeant conductum agues de Strangno molendini uxtri de Perth, habentem in quadram quator pollices. The witnesses to this writ are : William, Bishop of Glasgow, Chancellor ; William, Earl of Mar ; Alexander Cumyn, &c. ; and " Robert of Meyners," at Holyrood. This document is still preserved in the charter-chest of King James's Hospital, Perth. In this same year, 1244, the King of Scots, to implement a promise to the King of England, his brother-in-law, to aid him in his contest with the Irish malcontents, allowed a large number of his leading nobles to come under the following obligation in the form of an oath, which was taken by the Earls Patrick and Walter Cumin, viz., " That they were neither of council or aid when, on their part, any people were sent to attack, or lay waste, the King of England's land in Ireland, or elsewhere, to the king's dishonour, or ever received any of his enemies," &c. The knights who have sworn with "Earl Patric " and " Earl Walter Cumyn " — here follows a long list of knights, &c, among whom is the name of " Robert de Bruce," and " Robert de Mayneres " ; and relative to the same matter, the chief Sir Robert the Menzies was chosen one of the jurors, as we find by an additional list of those appointed jurors with the " Earl Patric " and " Walter the Earl " Cumyn. On the latter list is the name of " Robert de Mayneres." — Cal. doc. re Scot., p. 552, vol. i. Also in his capacity as a juror, in these international affairs, Sir Robert the [page_28 A.D. 1245-1248] Menzies discharged his duty to the credit of Scotland, and the issue was brought to a satisfactory close. About the year 1245, Alexander the Second conferred further grants of lands upon the priory of Saint Andrews, to which are the names, as witnesses, of Wilto de Ramefay, Vicount of Forfar, and Dno Rob de Maynerf i.e., Lord Robert the (Mayners) Menzies. In a transcript of a charter in the reign of Alexander II., in the year 1247, entitled Transumptum Carte Alexandri Regis, &c, &c, to Roberto de Waluchop, one of those who are witness to this document is " Roberto de Meniers," dated 6th October 1247, at Roxburgh. — Shires of Aberdeen and Banff, p. 338, vol. iii. It is very astonishing to find the great change that has now come over many places in Scotland, and in no place more wonderful than Roxburgh, since the time that Lord Robert the Menzies was there to attend to the duties of his high office of Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland. Roxburgh was at that time one of the largest towns in Scotland, if not the largest — it was certainly larger and of greater importance even than Edinburgh ; now there is not a stone of it left, even the site of where it stood is very uncertain, the present village which bears its name being on a different site altogether. At this time, and during the reign of William the Lion, it had its Provost and Bailies, held its seal as a burgh, and was a royal place of coinage, with a weekly market and an annual fair. On the 27th of February 1248, at " Kinclenin," King Alexander II. granted a charter to the Abbey of Coupar, to which is the name of " Roberto de Meyneiss " as witness, along with the Earl of Buchan. — Reg. Cupar. Ab., p. 326, vol i. It was Alexander the Second who first introduced government by Parliaments into Scotland. The first Scottish Parliament was held at Berwick in the year 1248, and of those who had the honour of being one of the first Scottish members of Parliament was Sir Robert of Menzies. From this first beginning what wondrous changes has been wrought in Scotland and Britain in the government of the country by the representatives of all classes of the people, and our now established Parliaments ! From this first Scottish Parliament a long line of Menzies' appear on the Parliamentary Rolls, down to the last Parliament held in Scotland before the Union in 1707 ; after which the Parliaments held in London do not appear to have had almost if any attraction or charm to the Menzies', as few have sat in the London House, or even aspired to it. Much different was it with the Scottish Parliaments, however, in the days of yore. It was about the beginning of April 1248 that Alexander II. held the first Parliament at Berwick, at which he passed several Acts ; at the close of the VIIIth Act it is attested by the names of Robert de Ros, David de Graham, " Roberto de Manrijs" (Menzies). Again these same names occur to the laws passed at the same Parliament of Berwick, where they on the 8th April 1248 passed the IXth Act [page_29 A.D. 1248-1251] of the Scottish Parliaments, at the end of which are attached the names of " Roberto de Ros, David de Graham, Roberto de Meinerf " (Menzies), and a list of other names follow these first three. — Acts Par. Scot., p. 79, vol. i. The deliberations of the king and the Scottish Parliament at Berwick lasted for a considerable period, for we find from Act X. the Parliament still at Berwick on the 13th of April 1248, where we have "Roberto de Ros, David de Graham, and Roberto de Meiners" (Menzies), present, and, with others, signing the Acts then passed as becoming law. — Acts Par. Scot., p. So, vol. i. In the same year Alexander II. held a Parliament at Stirling. At this Parliament " Robert de Mengys " (Menzies) also had a seat. These Parliaments of Alexander II. become exceedingly interesting when we know that they are the first Parliaments we have any record of ; and among those who sat in them, as men of light and leading at the time, was Lord Robert Menzies the Chief. The record of this Parliament is as follows, abridged, Act XV. : — " The Year of Grace 1248, &c.j in the month of May, Alexander, King of Scotland, sat at Stirling before al great men, as underwritten, that is to say, William, Bishop of Glasgow, Chancelor of Scotland, 'Robert de Bruys,' ' Robert the Ros,' 'John the Wallace,' ' Robert of Mengys,' and mony otheris that, frae this time furth, nane athis be maid of tynfal (title) of lyfe or of lym of na land haldan man no of greaytmen, bot trough lele men of gud fame fre haldan be Chartir." — Acts Par. p. 74, vol. i. In this year Alexander the Second died, and his son succeeded him as King Alexander III. of Scotland. He was only about nine years of age, and Lord Robert Menzies is said to have been " re-appointed, on the accession of Alexander the Third, 8th July 1249," as Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland. — Ex. Rolls, Scot., p. xxi., vol. ii. This great State office of Lord High Chamberlain, or Chancellor, was held by the most intimate friend, usually a relative of the king, who acted as his counsellor and adviser in all State matters, and generally was the witness to the charters, letters, and proclamations of the king. On the 16th of October 1248 we find that David of Menzies, one of the brothers of Lord Robert de Meingys, has a safe passport, granted to him by the King of England, to pass through that country on business of importance connected with Scotland. The pass reads as follows : — " David de Meynners, knight, and others of the Queen of Scotland's retinue, whom she may wish to send to Farance, for her niece, the daughter of the Count of Sesson (Soissons), have letters of safe conduct till twenty days after Christmas next. Westminster." — Cal. Doc. re Scot., p. 333, vol. i. This embassy, as it may be styled, Sir David of Menzies discharged with great honour and commendation to his country and the satisfaction of all Scotsmen. Chief Lord Robert the Menzies, from his high office of Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland, must have been at the coronation of Alexander III [page_30 A.D. 1251-1255] at Scone, as, shortly after that event, we find the King still at Scone, and there renewing the favours granted by his father to the monks, &c, of Perth, which are still retained by King James's Hospital of Perth. Thus : — By a writ addressed to his Provosts of Perth, dated Scone, 31st May 1251, King Alexander III. renews the grants made by his father of a cake of wax for lighting the church of the monks on the day of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, and also enjoins an additional payment out of his farms of Perth. The witnesses were : " Robert of Ross," " Robert of Meyners," " Chamberlain," and others. — Rept. Doc. St James Hos., Perth, p. 713. Lord Robert the Menzies, in the beginning of the same year, seems to have been at Arbroath along with the king, for, on the 17th of February 1251, he is a witness to a charter there, in his office of Lord High Chamberlain. — Chartulary of Arbroath, p. 190. And again, on the 19th August 1251, he is a witness to another charter. — See Charter in General Register House. The evils attending the minority of a sovereign are notorious, and that was the position of Scotland at this time. During Alexander III.'s nonage Scotland was harrassed by the contests of the great nobles for the guardianship of their king, in which King Henry III. of England took an active interest, siding with the party of which Earl Patric, Robert de Brus (the future competitor for the crown of Scotland), the High Steward, Lord Robert the Menzies, and others were the leading spirits, and were styled " The King's friends ; " the opposition — consisting of the Comyns, John de Balliol, and others — being styled " The Queen's gainsayers " or rebels. About this time the young king seems to have been at the then important town of Roxburgh, and there he granted letters of protection to William, Bishop of Glasgow, and others. To this document is attached the signature of " Roberto de Meyrs " (Menzies), " Chamerar," Lord High Chamberland, dated at Roxburgh, in the month of April 1251, in the reign of Alexander III. — Reg. Glas., p. 162, vol. i. It will be seen from the above that, notwithstanding the intrigues going on in the court and country, the young King of Scots and his guardians and advisers, called " The king's friends " — one of whom was Lord Robert Menzies — were able to discharge their duties, although under difficulties, to their subjects with a firm hand, keeping the country from the demon of civil war, which the Baliol and Comyn faction were anxious to drive it into. This William, the Bishop of Glasgow, was one of the king's friends, and during his time made considerable donations to the Cathedral of Glasgow out of his own liberality. Matters went thus with the country of Scotland, which at this time was divided into parties, when, on the 10th August 1255, the King of England sent the following to the young king's party : — " The king accredits the said Earls and others, or any two of them, ' his beloved friends,' ' Patric, Earl of Dunbar,' &c, [page_31 A.D. 1255-1256] ' Robert de Brus,' ' Alexander, the Steward of Scotland,' ' Walter de Murrevya ' (Murray), ' Robert de Mesneres ' (Menzies) — here follows a list of the other regents — " and all others who shall adhere to him in opposition to those Scots ; who have caused, or shall presume to cause, damage to Alexander, King of Scotland, or his (the king's) friends and adherents ; or who shall be gainsayers (rebelles) of his dearest daughter, Margaret, Queen of Scotland, whose condition the king intends to redress in good faith. The king gives full power to his envoys, or any two, to provide full security for his friends and adherents in the business in all convenient modes, promising to hold their acts firm and shure." — Cal. Eng. Doc. re Scot, p. 381, vol. i. The troubles of Scotland increasing, King Henry III. of England summoned his army to the Borders, and, at the same time, declared his pacific intentions towards Scotland and his zeal for its liberties. In September 1255, his son-in-law, Alexander III. of Scotland, and daughter, met him at Werk castle; and at Roxburgh, on 20th September, Alexander appointed certain of " The king's friends " as regents and guardians of the queen and himself, to hold office till his majority, which was approved of by Henry, who seems to have been only a few miles off on his own side of the Border. The letter informing Henry of the arrangements runs thus : — " The king (of England) having received letters from Alexander, King of Scotland, dated at Roxburgh, 20th September, seventh year of his reign, 1255, stating that, 'The King of Scotland declares that at the instance of his father-in-law, Henry, and the council of his own magnates,' of Scotland " — here follows a list of the magnates of Scotland, of whom are " Alexander, the Steward of Scotland," " Robert the Brus," and " Robert de Meyners " (Menzies), who stands fourteenth on the list, and is followed by " William de Duneglas" (Douglas), and others, after whom comes a list of other barons whom Alexander had removed from office, who were " Walter Comyn," " John de Bayllol," and all their set from his council and their offices, " in consequence of their demerits," &c. — and, " He had ordained that Richard and Peter, Bishops of Dunkeld and Aberdeen, the Earls of Fyfe, Dunbar, Stratherne, and Carrik, Alexander, the Steward of Scotland, Robert de Brus, Alan Durward, Walter de Moraira, David de Lindeseie, William de Brechin, ' Robert de Meyners,' Gilbert de Hay, and Hugh Giffard, should be appointed of his council, regents of the kingdom, and guardians of himself and his queen ; that they should not be removed from the council of their offices, except for manifest demerit, for seven years complete, beginning from the feast of St Cuthbert, 14th September 1255," &c. — Cal. Doc. re Scot., p. 386, vol. i. The Chief, Lord Robert the Menzies, as a regent, with the other officers of State, being thus appointed, apparently so far settled the troubles of Scotland ; immediately after which the King and Queen of Scotland visited England till about the midsummer of 1256. [page_32 A.D. 1255-1258] The Parliamentary rolls of the first Parliament of King Alexander III., held at Roxburgh, dated 20th September 1255, also record the name of " Roberti de Meyeins," as being present there on that date, along with a long list of others from all parts of Scotland. He is mentioned in two places in the record, in the second place the name being spelt " Robtus de Meyners." — Acts Par. Scot., p. 17, vol. i. King Henry III. sent an escort to accompany the royal Scottish pair to visit him in England, which is thus recorded : — "September 21, 1255. The king having sent the Earl of Gloucester and John Maunsel to bring the King and Queen of Scotland to treat personally with him of their comfort ; and these faithful envoys having found the Scottish king's councillors not only gainsayers of the English king's command, but useless and grievous to their own lord, had therefore allied themselves with the Earls of Fife, Dunbar, Stratherne, Carrick, Robert de Brus, Alexander, the Steward of Scotland, ' Robert de Meyners,' and others, by whose advice the King and Queen of Scotland came to him on the above visit," &c. ; " and promises to the said nobles, if molested for that reason, his protection and succour against the said gainsayers and their accomplices. Also to make no peace with them without the consent of the above nobles, who, on their part, shall make none without him." — Eng. Cal. Doc. re Scot., p. 388, vol. i. This extract shows that Lord Robert the Menzies was acknowledged in rank one of the highest of the land. Dissensions again arose in Scotland. The queen-mother (Mary de Coucy) and her second husband, John de Brienne (or Acre), came to Scotland, and, in spite of their oath, joined the party of the Comyns. In July 1257, Henry sent envoys to promote peace ; but, shortly afterwards, the Comyn faction seized the young king and queen at Kinross, and, in Alexander the Third's name, drew an army towards the English border. Some of " The king's friends " fled to England ; but Lord Robert the Menzies, like a true patriot, kept close to the king's person, along with some other faithful chiefs. On learning of the changed aspect of affairs, Henry collected an army in England to rescue the young king, and was approaching the Scottish border when, at this juncture, a negotiation took place, in consequence of which a new regency was established, among these being Lord Robert the Menzies. This new set of governors for Scotland was approved by King Henry, as will be seen by the following record : — "6th November 1258. The king promises to William, Bishop of St Andrews, John de Acre, Mary, Queen (dowager), his spouse, Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith, Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan, William, Earl of Mar, Alexander, the Steward of Scotland, Alan Durward, Robert de Meyners, and Gilbert de Hay, who have assumed the government of Scotland, that so long as they conduct the affairs of State according to God and justice, the honour and [page_33 A.D. 1258-1266] advantage of the King and Queen of Scotland, and the old laws and customs of that realm, he will afford his council and aid when required. But if they, or any of them, err in any matter, and do not ammend the same within three months after receipt of the king's requisition, he shall be free from his obligation, — Westminster." Also, under the same date, King Henry sends another writ, similar to the above, showing the king's anxiety to settle the affairs of Scotland, even though some of the opposite party had been admitted as regents. One of these writs is as follows: — "6th November 1258. The king to William, Bishop of St Andrews, John de Acre, Mary, Queen of Scotland, spouse of the said John, Alexander, Earl of Buchan, William, Earl of Mar, Alexander, the Stewart of Scotland, Alan Durward, Robert de Meyneris, and Gilbert de Hay, councillors of the King of Scotland, so long as they conduct the affairs of that kingdom according to God and justice," and the " laws and customs of the realm hitherto in force. But if any of them offend, the king is to be bound no longer." — - Eng. Cal. Doc. re Scot, p. 418. With the above is " A letter from King Henry," in the form of a schedule appended, the messengers being friars. It says, " and the two friars are to get another letter under the King of Scotland's seal if possible," and they are " to be enrolled when they arrive," and for this purpose two friars " are sent with letters of credence from the King of England to the King and Queen of Scotland," and " their Councillors," of whom Baron Robert Menzies was one of the oldest and ablest at this time, certainly one of the most powerful; for when the Comyns seized the person of Alexander III., Lord Robert the Menzies was powerful enough to stand by the king, and see that no harm was done to his person, while the other regents of Scotland fled into England. The Clan Menzies and their following must have been very numerous and powerful at this period, otherwise their Chief, Lord Robert the Menzies, could not have taken such a high stand, and exercised such an influence as he did. Lord Robert the Menzies, as one of the Scottish Regents and Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland under Alexander II. and III., must have been a man of high education and scholastic attainments, as his forefathers were. He, doubtless, received his learning at the Menzies College of Dull, being thus qualified to overlook and check the revenue, and other matters of a like nature connected with the State. He was appointed to audit the accounts of the Scottish Bishops connected with the crown, and their churches. We have a remaining proof of his capacity in this respect by an entry in the Old Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, in the year 1266, where we find " Lord Robert the Menzies appointed auditor of accounts." The entry in the record translated runs somewhat thus : — " In like manner this is a memorandum of the audit, instituted into the accounts of William, Bishop of St Andrews, Richard, Bishop [page_34 A.D. 1266] of Dunkeld, the Abbots of Dunfermlling, Lindoris, the St Cruce, Scona, and of Cuper, by R. de Meyneris and Joannes de Cambrum, witness," etc. — Ex. Rolls Scot., p. 11, vol. i. The record of such entries shows how careful and business-like the affairs of the crown were managed by Lord Menzies in his time. It almost sounds quite modern, to read of audits being instituted in these old times, including a memorandum passing the Churchmen's accounts as correct. In the year 1266 King Alexander III. visited Inverness, where, as had been arranged, he met King Magnus IV. of Norway, for the purpose of arranging a treaty between the two countries. Among those Scottish statesmen who were there with Alexander III. as his advisers, was Lord Robert the Menzies, then designated " a Baron." Matters were adjusted in the most friendly manner between the two kings and their advisers, of which it is recorded that on the 6th July 1266, "a treaty was executed between King Alexander III. of Scotland and Magnus IV., King of Norway," and to this treaty is the name of " Robert de Meygneris, a Baron," appended as one of the Scottish statesmen attesting the deed. This same treaty was afterwards confirmed and renewed by King Robert the Bruce of Scotland and King Harquin V. of Norway, and executed at Inverness on the 28th day of October 1312. — Robertson's Index of Charters, 101. Lord Robert the Menzies, after a long and glorious life of active service in the interest of Scotland, in which, during the great troubles and difficulties of the minorities of Alexander II. and III., through which he stood by Scotland in her dangers a true patriot and statesman, he at last, at a good old age, died some time near the latter end of the year 1266. His death is recorded by Fordoun in his " Scotichronicon," 1 x. c. 21, as having taken place in 1266. He left a son, Sir Alexander the Menzies, his successor, and also two brothers — 1st, Sir David of Menzies, who was with him at Haddington, 22nd April 1216, &c, &c. ; 2nd, Sir Thomas of Menzies — he is a witness to the charter of lands to Moncrieff in 1251, &c. [page_35 A.D. 1235-1320] SIR ALEXANDER THE MEYENERS , 4th Baron of Menzies, A.D. 1235-1320 Acknowledged as Earl Menzies in an Act of Parliament of Scotland, on the 29TH October 1312, at Inverness. CHIEF SIR ALEXANDER THE MENZIES of Menzies, on the death of his father, Sir Robert the Menzies, in the year 1266, succeeded to the lands of that " Potent Chief," and the possessions of his ancestors. Scotland at that time was under a wise and prudent ruler, Alexander III., to whom his father was one of the regents during his minority, and also acted as one of the councillors and advisers in the affairs of State ; and, as the custom was, the king renewed the charters held by his father, Sir Robert, to him, and that through the representative of the Crown in Perthshire, the Earl of Athol. This charter practically confirms their having always held the Lands of Weem, Aberfeldy, etc., and is still in the possession of Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., in his Charter Room, at Castle Menzies, and reads as follows : — " Ancient Charter by John Earl of Athole (as acting for King Alex. III.), son and heir of David, Earl of Athole, in favour of Sir Alexander de Meyners, son and heir of umquhile (deceased) Sir Robert de Meyners and his heirs, for his homage and service of all the granter's land of Weem and Abyrfeally-beg," Aberfeldy, " in Atholl, extending to three davachs of land, with the pertinents, under reservation to the granter and his heirs of the patronage of the church of Weem. To be held for payment to the earl and his heirs of one penny sterling, yearly, at Whitsunday, and for rendering the king forinsec service pertaining to so much land, and one suit at the granter's court at Rath, in Athole." — Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 1. Sir William Fraser says : " This charter is without date, but belongs to the same period with the Ragman Roll," 1296 (or earlier), "as the name of the granter and witnesses prove. These latter are : — Sir John de Inchemartyn, Sir John de Cambrun, Sir Archibald de Levyngistoun, Sir Robert de Cambrun de Balemely, Sir Laurence de Strathbolgyn, Sir William Olifard, and Sir Henry de [page_36 A.D. 1266-1267] Inchmartyn, Knights;" but 1296 is too late a date, for it is scarcely possible, as in 1296 Sir Alexander Menzies was with the Scottish army on the Borders, and was there taken prisoner, at the siege of Dunbar, by Edward I. of England, who sent him to the Tower of London in chains, where he was imprisoned. It is therefore clear that it must have been given on his succeeding to the estates of his ancestors, by the king's command, through the Earl of Athol, as his representative in that part of the Highlands, and on the death of his illustrious father, Sir Robert the Menzies, the Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland, in 1266; for, observe, the charter says " and for rendering the King forinsec service" etc. This clause in the charter clearly shows that King Alexander III. was alive when the charter was granted, and therefore makes it at any rate much earlier than the Ragman Roll period, and not later than 1286, as Alexander III. was killed in 1286 by his horse running over the cliffs at Kinghorn, in Fife, on a dark night, which cut this good king's reign short. This ancient charter of the Menzies' must have been granted much earlier than has been given, and therefore we may put its date down with confidence as 1266 or 1267, when Sir Alexander Menzies got possession of the Menzies' estates on the death of his father, Lord Robert the Menzies, who, as we have seen, possessed vast estates, according to charter and tradition at this date, all afterwards confirmed by charter. The above included a great stretch of land, including Glenlyon, of which it has been said " the oldest knowen name of Glenlyon is Crom-ghleann-nan-clach, that is, ' the crooked Glen of the Stones.' " It was so called from the old circular forts which abounded in it, and of which there were twenty or twenty-one in the parish. Of these it is said that a dozen of them were in this glen. It is a general opinion with believers in Ossian, that these forts were the castles of Fingal's heroes. One of them is called Caisteal an Deirg, the Castle of Darg, one of those heroes whose grave is at Derculich. Their antiquity is attested by their having been built of dry stones, without mortar or cement of any kind, and they must have been strong fortresses. Their walls are generally eight feet thick, and built of stones, many of which it would tax all our mechanical appliances to move and lay — the diameter of some of the towers within walls being sixty feet. This confirms what has been written as the works of King Maynus, the great progenitor of Clan Menzies, the Siol na Meinerich. Many of the names of places, although not mentioned in detail in these early charters, are all included within the ancient district or parish of Weem, such as the lands of Disher and Toyer, Crannich, Lochtay, a great part of Glenlyon, and many other places forming the complete barony of Weem. Duneaves, Culdares, and Chesthill all lie in Glenlyon, and their connection with the highly historic families of Menzies is shown in the following note of [page_37 A.D. 1267-1290] Ferguson to the Queen's visit : " Duneaves with the lands of Culdares formed part of the possessions of Sir Alexander Menzies, the friend and strenuous supporter of King Robert the Bruce. His marriage with the sister of Walter, Lord High Steward of Scotland, the husband of Marjory, daughter of King Robert, brought him into close alliance with the sovereigns, and added greatly to his honour and consequence. One of his ' predecessors ' gave a grant of Duneaves ' Tenaiffs ' and Culdares to Moncrieff of that Ilk,' as we have seen, in whose family these lands remained for several centuries. In 1587 they were held by William Moncrieff of that Ilk, who afterwards sold them, when a number of years afterwards they became once more the property of the Menzies' of Culdares and Megernie, when, after changing hands again and again, they passed to the late John Stewart Menzies of Chesthill, in right of his mother as heiress of these lands." — Historic Scenes of Perthshire, p. 43. In the time of King Alexander III., about the year 1270, there appears to have been a strong feeling in favour of the Crusades, in Scotland, at which time many chiefs left to join the Holy War. It is a matter of tradition that several of the chiefs of the Menzies' were Crusaders, and we find the King of England granting free passes through England to Crusaders from Scotland, mention being made that David, Earl of Athol, Richard and Robert de Brus, with other knights, of whom Sir Alexander Menzies must have been one, went through England in 1270. Being thus abroad in the Holy Land fighting the Saracen, his name is not found in State affairs until his return, when we find him attending the Parliament held at " Briggeham," 17th March 1289. At this Parliament of " Margarete," Queen of Scotland, appears the name of Alexander the Menzies. The name occurs about the middle of the long list of nobles who were assembled there, and is spelt Alifaundre de Meners in the records of that great Parliament, which was to have so much to do with the future of Scotland. — Acts Par: Scot., p. 84, vol. i. We again get a glimpse of him at the final settlement for the marriage of the Queen, at Salisbury, on the 6th November 1289. On this date, "The Treaty of Salisbury, with the terms of the marriage of the Queen of Scotland with Edward, son of the King of England, was drawn up and sanctioned by the Pope on the 16th of November 1289, and confirmed by the Parliament of Brigham, March 14th, 1290." As recorded, it reads — "To all those who shall see or hear this letter, William, Bishop of St Andrews, and Robert, Bishop of Glasgow," etc. Here follows a long list of witnesses, among whom are the names of Robert de Brus, Nichole de Graham, Simon Frasel, Patrike de Graham, Guillaume de Duglas, Alisandre de Meyners, and many other " barons, saluz en nostre pardurable." " Know : ye that we have confirmed the affair lately treated of, and decided at Salisbury respecting the settlement of the estate of our dear Lady, [page_38 A.D. 1290-1296] the Lady Margaret, Queen and Princess of Scotland, and of her realm, in the presence of the noble Prince, in Edward by the Grace of God, King of England, in form which and for the greater security and stability of the things above we have put our seals to these letters, dated at Brigham, the Tuesday next after the feast of St Gregory, in the year of our Lord 1289." — Eng. His. Docs., III. Scot., p. 105, vol. i. The Scottish Parliament again met at Brigham on the 14th May 1290, and there, along with the other nobles of Scotland, we find Sir Alexander the Menzies at the " Confirmation by the Scottish Parliament at Brigham of the Treaty of Salisbury," to which his name is appended, " Alisaundre de Meyners," along with a long list of other names, of whom are " Brus " and Duglas, " Barons saluz en nostre Seignor pardurable." — Doc. III. Hist. Scot., p. 130, vol. i. After all had been settled for the marriage of Queen Margaret of Scotland with the son of Edward I. of England, both nations awaited the arrival of the Queen of Scotland from Norway ; and when, in September 1 290, news arrived of the death of the young queen at Orkney, who was only in her eighth year, its announcement struck terror, sorrow, and despair into the heart of the kingdom. William Fraser, Bishop of St Andrews, was the first to send the news to Edward I., and, like a traitor, advise him to come to Scotland. Edward took the cue, and at once claimed the office of superior judge, in deciding the competition for the crown of Scotland. Hereafter followed all the low intrigues of Edward I., which ultimately put John Baliol on the throne of Scotland. During this time Sir Alexander the Menzies is not mentioned in any of these negotiations, but he, with other patriots, was preparing for the worst. He appears to have gone to the fastnesses of his Highland domains ; and there, in 1296, on the news that Edward was on his way to invade Scotland, he assembled by the Fiery Cross the Clan Menzies, with his other followers, and lost no time in joining the Scottish army on the Borders. The great move of Edward in this invasion was to rush upon the town of Berwick before the Scottish army could come to its assistance, and by a ruse throw the citizens off their guard. In this he was successful, and Berwick fell a prey to his ferocity ; for, by his orders, his brutal soldiers fell upon and massacred the whole citizens of Berwick, when no less than 17,000 persons, of all sects, young and old, were butchered. He burnt the churches, and plundered all he could lay hands on. On news of these horrid deeds reaching the Scottish chiefs, they, burning for revenge, at once set the Scottish army in motion, when Sir Alexander Menzies, at the head of Clan Menzies and his followers, with the other leaders of the Scottish army, crossed the English border into England, where, with merciless severity, they ravaged Redesdale and Tynedale, carrying away a great booty. The flames of the towns and villages taken, with the ancient monasteries of Lanercost and Hexham, marked the destructive progress of the Scottish army, and, loaded [page_39 A.D. 1296] with the spoils of their victorious expedition, they returned across the border. The Castle of Dunbar, at this time, was one of the strongest and most important fortresses in Scotland — its lord, Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, served on the side of Edward ; but his wife, the Countess, who hated the English like a true Celt, entered into a secret negotiation with the Scottish leaders to deliver it into their hands, when the Earls of Ross, Athole, Menteith, Sir Alexander the Menzies, and other leaders, with a strong force, threw themselves into the castle and expelled the soldiers who remained faithful to England. Edward, on hearing of the loss of this great stronghold, at once determined on its recovery at all hazards ; and for this purpose sent the Earl of Surrey with 10,000 foot and 1000 heavy armed horse, who besieged the castle with all their power for a considerable time, and ultimately got the defenders to agree to surrender in three days if not relieved. The Scots, anxious to retain so important a place, led their army to its relief, but were defeated with great loss. The next day Edward came in person with the rest of his army of about 40,000 men to Dunbar. Against such a force, numbering in all about 50,000 men, it was impossible to hold out, with no hope of relief ; when the castle surrendered, and Sir Alexander the Menzies was made a prisoner. The following is a description of these events, as recorded in the English documents relating to Scotland : — " March 25. In the 24th year of the reign of King Edward (I.) of England, Easter day fell on the day of Announciation of our Lady (March 25, 1296). On the Wednesday in Easter week, being the twenty-eighth day of March, the before-named King Edward passed the river of Tweed with 5000 armed horse, and 30,000 footmen, and lay that night in Scotland at the Priory of Coldstream, and the Thursday at Hutton (March 29, 1296), and on the Friday (March 30) he took the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, by force of arms, without tarrying. On the same day Sir William Douglas, who was within the castle, surrendered it ; and the king lay that night in the castle, and his people in the town, each person in his house which he had taken ; and the king remained there nearly a month. " On the day of St George (24th April), news came to the King of England that they of Scotland had besieged the Castle of Dunbar (in this Scottish army was Alexander Menzies, ' Meyners,' one of the guardians of Scotland), which belonged to the Earl Patrick, who held strongly with the King of England. It was upon a Monday (23rd April) that the king sent his troops to raise the siege. Before they came there the castle had surrendered, and they of Scotland were within. When the troops of the King of England came there, they besieged the castle with three hosts on the Tuesday (April 26th) that they arrived before it. On the Wednesday (April 24th), they who were within sent out privately ; and on the Thursday and Friday (26th April) came the host of Scotland all the afternoon to have raised the siege of the Englishmen. And when the Englishmen saw the [page_40 A.D. 1296] Scotchmen, they fell upon them and discomfited the Scotchmen, and the chase continued more than five leagues of way, until the hour of vespers ; and there died Sir Patrick de Graham, a great lord, and 10,055 by right reckoning. " On that same Friday, by night, the king came to Berwick to go to Dunbar, and lay that night at Coldingham, and on the Saturday (April 28) at Dunbar, and on the same day they of the castle surrendered themselves to the king's pleasure. And there were the Earl of Atholl, the Earl of Ross, the Earl of Menteith, Sir John Comyn of Badenoch, the son, Sir Richard Stuart, Sir William de Saintclair, and as many as fourscore men-at-arms and sevenscore footmen ; there tarried the king three days. Amongst the prisoners was Sir Alexander the Menzies, ' Alexandri de Meyners,' one of the guardians of Scotland."— Eng. Hist. Docs., III. Scot. p. 25, vol. ii. Edward I. was not slow to follow up the advantages which these successes had given him. Returning from Lothian, he besieged the Castle of Roxburgh, which surrendered to him. Others followed, and soon almost all Scotland was in the hands of the English, with the exception of the Highlands. All the prisoners taken at Dunbar, of whom were nearly all the leading men of Scotland, were sent off to different prisons in England. Sir Alexander the Menzies was sent to the Tower of London, showing that he must have been considered one of the most important men of the time, as the following extract shows : — " May 16. Scottish prisoners taken in Dunbar Castle committed to the following prisons : — The Earls of Ros, Athol, Menteth, John, son of John Comyn of Badenagh, Richard Siward, John Fitz Geoffry, Andrew de Moray, John de Inchemartin, David, son of Patrick de Graham, Alexander de Meners (Menzies), Nicholas Randolf, son of Thomas Randolf, knights, sent to the Tower of London. Roxburgh." There follows a long list of names, some being sent to Windsor Castle, Rochester Castle, Ledes Castle, Winchester Castle, Chester Castle, Conewey Castle, Kenilworth Castle ; in fact, they were made up in batches or gangs, and sent to almost every strong castle in England. These batches were twenty-three in number, and were made up of six or seven barons, knights, or gentlemen in each, with the exception of the above, which is the largest, and the first on the list, and contains the most important prisoners, which, for greater safety, were sent to the Tower of London. — Cal. Docs, re Scot., p. 176, vol. ii. On the 8th August 1296, at a Parliament held at Berwick, it has been said that Edward I. made a provision for the wives of the prisoners taken at Dunbar, one of whom was the wife of Sir Alexander the Menzies ; and we find, on the 3rd September 1 296, there is a petition by Agnes Menzies, the wife of Sir Alexander the Menzies, whose estates had been seized by the order of King Edward I. The petition is somewhat as follows : — ¦" Agnes, the wife of Alexander the Menzies, who [page_41 A.D. 1296-1297] is a captive in prison, taken prisoner at Dunbar, supplicates support from the hereditary estates of the prisoner and herself, Agnes." — Cal. Docs, re Scot., p. 92, vol. ii. This Agnes, or Egidia, was the daughter of John the Stewart. To this petition Edward granted a fifty merk land of old extent, to be allotted for the subsistence of the wife and children of Sir Alexander Menzies, regarding which we find the following entry : — " Membte 9 dorso Berwick, 4. Sept., Ed. I. cons tras hient muliers subscripte videlicet Agnes Wxr. Alex de Meiners de quinquaginta, mercatis thre pleglem extentam," &c. ut Sd." — Exchequer Rolls, Scot., p. 28, vol. ii. Sir Alexander the Menzies was sent to London in chains, where he was kept in close confinement, along with the other brave men taken at Dunbar ; and after Edward I. had, as he thought, subdued Scotland, he compelled them to attend him in his wars in France, but even this partial liberty was not allowed them until their sons were delivered as hostages. The following extract will show Edward's action towards the Scottish prisoners : — "Aug. 17. Writ under the Great Seal of the Barons, commanding that if John, Earl of Athol, becomes bound before them, body for body ; that Alexander de Meyners, prisoner in the Tower (of London) ; Malcolm de Kilros, prisoner in Rochester Castle ; David le Mire, prisoner in the Castle of Ledes ; and John Page, prisoner in Tunbridge Castle, shall attend the king beyound seas with horses and arms ; they shall be freed — dated 9th August. Whereon the earl on Friday, the morrow of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary, became bound in their presence for the said Alexander [Menzies], Malcolm, and John, who were accordingly delivered to him ; and on the following day, Saturday, the earl became bound for David, who was also delivered to him." — Cal. Docs, re Scot., p. 241, vol. ii. It is very gratifying to see the imprisoned Scotsmen trying to make the best of their awful position, and assisting one another in the sufferings they had to endure while undergoing their imprisonment ; and we find Sir Alexander the Menzies no sooner got so far free, than he assisted other Scots in the same direction, as will be seen from the following record : — " August 22. Letters patent by John, Earl of Athol, Alexander de Meygners, and John de Inchemartin, guaranteeing that Sir Laurence de Strathbolgy, Sir Henry de Inchemartin, Sir William de Moray, Sir Edmond de Ramsay, Sir John de Camburnon, Sir William de la Haye, Sir Walter de Berkeleye, knights ; Simon de Hiskendy, John de Irland, John de Strathbolgy, Robert de Mountour, William Bron, David de Cambernon, Gregor Makenkerd, Walter Dalith, Thomas Dalith, Nichole Drilowenan, Malis de Loggy, Walter de Buthergax, Robert de Inchethor, John Buterwan, Michel Lescot, and Andrew de Strathgartney (Strawyatenay), vallets, shall serve the King of England in his army in France or elsewhere. Append their seals at Winchelsea." — Cal. Docs, re Scot., p. 242, vol. ii. It is one of the many things of which the Clan Menzies are proud, that no [page_42 A.D. 1296-1297] Menzies ever signed the Ragman Roll, and that Sir Alexander the Menzies, their chief, unflinchingly suffered so much for his patriotic principles and for the liberties of Scotland. From the Tower of London Sir Alexander the Menzies and his other friends accompanied Edward I. and his army to Flanders, where he was waging war against the French. It was at this point that Sir William Wallace burst upon the scene, and became the champion of Scotland and her freedom. The son of Sir Alexander the Menzies — Sir Robert of Menzies — smarting under the confiscation of whatever lands that lay in the power of the English to lay hold of, opposed their progress, and, notwithstanding that the English had overrun the greater part of Scotland, the Clan Menzies in their Highland fastness were able to hold their ground in spite of their enemies. The young chief, Sir Robert Menzies, must have given considerable assistance to Wallace, on the outbreak of the patriots, against the yoke of England. And it is also traditional that another Menzies — thought to have been the brother of Sir Alexander, who is called in old deeds " John [Menzies] of Glenurchy," who flourished at this time, 1297 — also gave aid to the cause of Wallace. Tradition also says that Wallace visited the Menzies country and castle very frequently ; and here, it is said, in the then difficult of access Appin-na-Meinerich, a considerable force of Clan Menzies mustered under their young chief, Sir Robert, joined the army of Sir William Wallace, and fought under him at the battle of Stirling Bridge, which took place on the 11th September 1297, where Wallace, with the patriotic clans, gained a great victory over the English, and this was followed by the capture of many of the most important strongholds and castles in Scotland. On the news of this great victory reaching Edward I. in Flanders, he at once arranged a peace and returned to England, where, by his orders, a large army had been raised and was awaiting him. It would seem that, in his haste to punish the Scots, he had allowed some of his prisoners to get away, and Sir Alexander the Menzies evidently made good his escape. On Edward arriving in England he at once pushed into Scotland at the head of his army, and encountered Wallace at Falkirk, where the Scottish army suffered a defeat. After the battle of Falkirk Sir William Wallace led a wandering life for some time, and it is traditional that he got shelter from his friend and fellow-patriot in arms, Sir Alexander the Menzies, at Castle Menzies, on whose lands he had safety. Indeed, traditions linger still in the " Vale of the Menzies," or Strathtay, of his having spent a considerable time among his friends of the siol na Maynus, and also in other parts of their lands, particularly towards the north of the present parish of Fortingall, in the Rannoch part of the Menzies country. Marshall says : — " The feet of the immortal Wallace trod the soil of Rannoch, which he passed through in returning to the south from his expedition to the West Highlands. On the [page_43 A.D. 1297-1303] farm of Innerchadden is an old ruin called Sheomar-na-Staingl, which means 'The Ditch Hall,' if we may judge from Blind Harry's description of it. It had been constructed of earth and turf. Here Wallace, coming from Argyle, attended by a few faithful adherents, rested for some days, and passing from thence through Glengonlindie into the Appin-na-Maynus, was joined by chief Sir Alexander the Menzies at the head of his clan and followers from Rannoch, who, glad of his presence among them, took the opportunity to join the hero's standard and marched with him to attack the English near Dunkeld and Perth. Although Wallace had been defeated at the battle of Falkirk, yet such was the effects of his tactics, by destroying everything rather than let the English get subsistence either for man or beast, that Edward was compelled to return to England with his army in a state of starvation, thus preventing his victory from having much effect. Matters after this went more favourably for Scotland until the year 1302, when Edward sent another army to subdue Scotland. It was encountered at Roslin, near Edinburgh, by the Scottish army under the Steward, and other faithful Scots, with Sir Alexander the Menzies and his clan. In this battle the English were totally defeated in each of its three successive engagements, although they numbered ten to one. As they came on in three divisions, they were each cut down one after the other. Exasperated at such a disgraceful defeat, Edward raised another army and marched into Scotland the following year, 1303, where, in revenge, he set fire to everything in his way through the country, going as far as Aberdeen, and returning to Dunfermline, where he received the homage of a considerable number of the Scottish nobles and barons, but never that of a Menzies." One of those out of the very few who still held out against Edward, and would not submit to his yoke in any form, was the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, who stood firm on the side of his country and Wallace ; Comyn, the governor of Scotland, the successor of Wallace ; and Sir Simon Fraser — all of whom continued in determined opposition to the detested Edward, who, leaving his army behind him to keep the Scottish chiefs and patriots in check, returned to England. When Sir Alexander the Menzies and Sir John Menteith learned that the English army were in a bad state from want of provisions and money, they went to Linlithgow to treat with Edward's representatives for peace, and there found the English army in a sad condition, to which they had been reduced by the action of Wallace, Comyn, and Sir Alexander Menzies, who by small bands of followers had so harassed them and captured their provisions, that they were reduced to great straits. This emboldened Menzies and Menteith to go to their camp on pretext of making peace, when, on seeing the condition of the English, they broke off the negotiations, as recorded by the English. It reads thus: — " 1303, September 28. Intelligence sent by Sir [page_44 A.D. 1303-1305] James Vallance to 'Edward' I. on the affairs of Scotland — That we should tell the said Richard de Bromesgrave and Alexander de Convers that the Scotch have openly assembled, with all their force (under Sir J. Mentethe and Sir Alexander Menzies and others), in the lands ; and that the Irish troops, who are in their (the English) pay, are remaining in the country round about Linlithgow, where they can have nothing whereon to live, excepting for ready money, unless they rob the people who come into allegiance to the King (of England) ; and they perceive that no one cares for them nor for their lives ; whereupon they have packed up their baggage to depart to their own country. And Sir John de Mentethe and Sir Alexander de Meyners, who had come to treat in good form for peace, broke up their business by reason of the scarcity which they saw amoung the said people. " Hereupon Sir Aymer de Valence promised them that if money had arrived they might thereof think themselves safe, whereupon they held themselves well satisfied ; and that he was not strong enough to stop the enemies without them. Whereupon the aforesaid Richard and Alexander ought to do his commandment, so that it should be no blame. On this side the Scottish sea was in such a state that the King (of England) had no power to stop his enemies to his dishonour and damage. In testimony of which we have set our seals to his credence. — Written at Berwick-upon-Tweed, 28th September 1303. Edward I." — Eng. His. Docs, re Scot., p. 454, vol. ii. The foregoing shows the condition of the English army at this time, and how Sir Alexander Menzies and his followers, with other chiefs of the Scottish army, were so successful in harassing them. On the arrival of Edward I. with reinforcements, place after place fell into his hands, and at last Stirling Castle, which had made a noble defence, surrendered. It was after this event that Edward increased his efforts to capture Wallace, who, when sorely pressed, sought shelter with his faithful supporter and comrade-in-arms, Sir Alexander the Menzies, in the Highland wilds of the Meinerich, in north-west Perthshire, at Castle Menzies. Notwithstanding every effort to conceal Wallace, who was perfectly safe as long as he remained in the Highlands among such clans as Menzies, [page_45 A.D. 1305-1307] Robertson, Stewart, Cameron, and others ; but, coming to the Lowlands, was at length captured near Dumbarton, by the treachery of Sir John Monteith, and, after great torture, executed in London on the 23rd of August 1305. With the death of Sir William Wallace, Edward flattered himself that he had now conquered Scotland. But how idle are the dreams of ambition ! In less than six months after the execution of Wallace, Edward's power in Scotland was entirely overthrown, and Scotland once more was free. And, although almost all the nobles and barons of Scotland had sworn fealty to Edward, yet Sir Alexander the Menzies, Sir Robert, Sir Thomas, and Sir Alexander, his sons, never rested until the usurper was driven out. On the 20th of March 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone, after which he lost no time in raising an army from among his friends the clans of the Highlands of Athole and surrounding districts, among whom it is considered were the clans Menzies, Stewart, Robertson, Macgregor, and Cameron. Bruce at once sat down with his army at Perth, then in the hands of the English, and began to besiege it, when it was arranged by the English commander to have a fixed battle on a certain day. Bruce, therefore, withdrew to the wood of Methven, but the same night he was treacherously attacked, surprised, and outnumbered by the English, notwithstanding the honourable and knightly arrangement. In this defeat Bruce lost many of his friends and followers, and it was with difficulty that Bruce with Sir Alexander the Menzies effected his retreat into the fastnesses of Athole, where the English dared not follow. It is still current in the folk-lore of the country of the Meineirch, round about Weem, Dull, and Fortingall, that King Robert the Bruce lingered in Strath Tay at Castle Menzies with the then chief after the Battle of Methven. Many places in the Menzies' country are still pointed out where he either found shelter or connected with some of his exploits. It was at this time that Bruce received news that a body of the English had entered the northern part of the parish of Fortingall, which takes its name from the village of the famous yew-tree, and formed part of the lands of the Menzies'. The king collected what remained of his friends after the battle of Methven, and, augmented by additions from the clans Menzies, Robertson, Macgregor, Stewart, and others, he marched over to the north of the parish of Fortingall, on the east of Loch Rannoch, and there gave battle to the English and the renegade Scots, gaining a notable victory over them. There is still a number of names of places that are memorials of this battle. The glen through which the English came to the scene of conflict is called Glen Sassan — that is, the Englishman's Glen. The ground where the English and the patriot clans met in mortal combat is called Innerchadden, or the point where the battle began ; and the spot where the fate of the day was decided is called Dachosnie — that is, the field of victory. After this victory, Bruce ventured into Argyleshire, where he was defeated, and lost his famous brooch of Lorn at the encounter at Dalree, from [page_46 A.D. 1307-1310] whence he returned and concealed himself in a large wood about two miles east of Dalchousnie, where there are in several of the names of places memorials of his presence. The site of the house on the then Menzies' lands, where lived the royal fugitive, is called in Gaelic Scomar-an-rich — that is, the king's hall, and the ford of the Tummel over which Bruce crossed is called the " king's ford," and the high point of the eminence above is called the " king's watch-tower ;" also, on the estate of Bonskeid, there is a wood named collevrochan, which name was given in consequence of Bruce having, it is said, partaken of a very hasty breakfast with Duncan Atholi, Sir Alexander the Menzies, and other faithful adherents, on his way to Rannoch. — Statistical Account, Historical Scenes, Perth ; and Robertson's E. Athole, p. 10. In the irregular warfare, carried on for some time with varied success, several exploits were achieved by Bruce and his faithful supporters, one of these being the capture of Dundee, in which the junior chief, Sir Robert of Menzies, took a part ; and where we find him, on the 24th of February 1309, present at a general council held at Dundee after its capture, where the prelates declared King Robert the Bruce their lawful sovereign. Again, in the same year, on the 5th October 1309, Bruce granted a charter confirming Sir Gilbert Hay as Chief Constable of Scotland, to which Sir Alexander the Menzies is a witness, which reads — " Carta confirmationis predictis monachis quarundem elintosuraum [of] Gilbertus de Haia, Constabularius, Scotie," to which, with other names, are the Bishops of St Andrews, Glasgow, Brechin, and Alexendro de Mynoris, at Dunkeld, 5th October 1309. — Reg. Cupar Ab., p. 286. About this date Bruce granted Sir Thomas Menzies, one of the sons of the chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, the estates of Unym, or Oyne, in the Gairoch, in Aberdeenshire, doubtless for the assistance he had rendered to the Bruce in the capture of the city of Aberdeen from the English in 1308. This grant is recorded in the Rolls of Missing Charters, where " a charter by Robert I. to Thomas Menzies, knight, of the lands of Unyn (Oyne), in the Garioch," is registered. These lands, however, may have been held by the Menzies before the days of charters ; and on Scotland being overrun by the English may have been taken from them, and again restored by the Bruce for valour in the field to Sir Thomas Menzies, from whom descend the Menzies' of Aberdeenshire, where the name has been corrupted into Mennie, Minnie, Minnus, &c. — Robertson's Index of Charters, p. 16, &c. After the death of Edward I., on the 29th July 1307, his son Edward II. made another extraordinary effort to conquer Scotland, and marched into Scotland with a stronger army than before. Bruce, having cleared all provisions out of their reach, retired to the Highlands, and from pure starvation they were compelled to retreat over the Borders, where they were followed by the Scots, who made great inroads into England. Having now so far settled the southern part of the kingdom, Bruce [page_47 A.D. 1310-1312] marched through Scotland, retaking the strongholds, in this being ably assisted by Sir Alexander the Menzies and his clan, and when Bruce had proceeded as far north as Cromarty, we find Sir Alexander is still with him. On the 1st July 1310, when Bruce granted a charter of favours to the Abbot and Monastery of " Kiynlos," Kinloss — "Tenent in perpetuam elemosinam" witnesses " Malcomo Com. de Levenax, Alex, de Menzies, Wil. Wysman, Walt, de Normanvile, Jac. de Duglas, Alex. Fraser," and others — it will be observed that Sir Alexander signs next to the Earl of Lennox, " Levenax" those that sign after him being Sir James Douglas and Sir Alexander Fraser. From this it will be gathered that Sir Alexander must have been considered either a blood connection to the king, or he held a superior position in Scotland to them. This is the good Sir James Douglas, who afterwards, along with one of the Menzies', went with the heart of the Bruce to the Holy Land. The Meinerich at this time must have held very large tracts of land in the Highlands of Scotland, and as charters had been gradually obtained for one part after another, they confirm the traditions of the Menzies' that they at one time held land stretching across to the Atlantic from Appin-na-Meinnerich, or Strath Tay. They, of course, got first charters for the most important of the lands they held, and their lands in Athole were the best and nearest to the seat of government. We have, therefore, the eldest son of Sir Alexander Menzies — Robert of Menzies, afterwards chief — receiving a charter for his lands, and, as it would appear, what was the old boundary of Athole took in the parish of Kenmore, as it is now called ; but in 1312 it was called Disher and Toyer, as is embodied in the following charter of David de Strathbogie, Earl of Athole, dated about 1312, who, acting for the king, declares : — " To all who shall see or hear this charter, David de Strathbogie, Earl of Athole, and Constable of Scotland, salvation in the Lord, know — We have given, granted, and by this our dear and faithfull confederate, Sir Robert de Meygnes, knight, son of Sir Alexander de Meygnes, for his homage and service, the whole Thanedom of Cranach, within our Earldom of Athole, with all the lands Cranach, Achmore, Kynknoch, the two Rathrowes, and Achnethrosik, along with all their pertinents, rendering to us and to our heirs the services of one archer in the army of our Lord the King of Scotland, and three suits of Court yearly, at the three capital pleas at Rath, in our earldom of Athole, in testimony whereof to this our present charter we have placed our Seal before these witnesses, — Robert the Steward of Scotland ; Lord John Randolph, Earl of Moray ; Patrick de Dunbar, Earl of March ; Andrew de Moravia, Lord of Bothwell ; Patrick de Carnoco, knight ; Simon de Sawelton, then our Chamberlain ; Henry de Wollor, and many others." The above charter is in the possession of Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies at Castle Menzies. — Earldom of Athole, p. 10. Bruce having now recovered most of the northern strongholds from the [page_48 A.D. 1312] English in his march north, accompanied by Sir Alexander Menzies, who, on his return towards Perth, determined on its capture ; but this was achieved with great difficulty, as it was strongly fortified. Bruce, however, invested it with all the forces he could muster from the neighbouring Highlands of Perthshire, being assisted by the Clans Menzies, Stewart, Robertson, Macgregor, Cameron, and others. He pressed the siege with great vigour, but without effect, and was obliged to withdraw his troops for a time, but afterwards returned with scaling-ladders in the silence of a dark night, leading his men in person, partly wading and swimming across the ditch, followed by his Highlanders, who by scaling-ladders mounted the walls, Bruce being the second to enter the city, followed by the Menzies' and others ; when the whole garrison was put to the sword, and the walls razed to their foundations. This great achievement freed all Perthshire from their foes. As " nothing succeeds like success," so it was with Bruce and his patriotic band ; after the fall of Perth, one fortress or castle after another was captured until, by the harvest time of the year 1312, Bruce again invaded England with an army, with which were Sir Alexander the Menzies, his son Sir Robert, and the Clan Menzies. In this raid they gave to the flames the towns of Hexham and Corbrigg, and attacked the important towns of Berwick and Carlisle, where they met with a repulse, but only retired from them on receiving payment of a large sum of money. Bruce afterwards returned to Scotland laden with booty, and summoned a Parliament to meet him at Inverness on the 29th October 1312, where we find Sir Alexander the Menzies, and his son Sir Robert of Menzies, appears on the list of Scottish barons, where the chief was acknowledged as Earl Menzies, Comitum. The records in the Acts of this Parliament state that, " On the 29th October 1312, King Robert the Bruce held a Parliament at Inverness, at which were Alexi Comyn, Earl Comitis de Buchan, Patricij de Dunbar, Willi de Marre, Ade de Carr, Comitun et Earl Menzies, and Robtj de Menygners, barronis eft appointum" &c. — Acts Par., p. 103, vol. i. The acknowledgment by Bruce of the chief as Comitum, or Earl Menygnes, was, doubtless, in recognition of his great services to the king and Scotland ; and, in further confirmation of his right to the lands of his ancestors, Sir Alexander the Menzies got a charter about this time, 1312, from King Robert the Bruce, of the barony of Glendochart, and which is given in Robertson's " Index to Charters," which states that " Robert I. granted to Alexander Meinzies a charter of the barony of Glendochyre, Perth," 1312, No. 97. This barony of Glendochart comprised Loch Dochart, which is about three miles long from east to west, and contains a floating island about fifty-one feet long by twenty-nine feet broad, which appears to have been gradually formed by the natural intertexture of roots, stems, and water plants. It moves before the wind, and may also be moved by poles. It is said that cattle going unsuspectingly on it to feed are liable to be carried on a voyage round the [page_49 A.D. 1312] loch. On another, but stationary, island still stands the ruins of one of the ancient castles of the Menzies', and where this chief, Earl Alexander, resided. It is embowered with wood, and has a very romantic appearance, but must have been a place of great safety in those trying times. The river Fillan runs into the west end of the loch, and the Dochart issues from the east end, and runs about ten miles east-north-eastward along Glendochart to join the river Lochy, and finally falls into Loch Tay at the village of Killin. The glen is romantic ; the falls of the river above the bridge of Killin are exceedingly picturesque, and the admiration of all lovers of the beauty of nature. On entering Glendochart from Glenogle, it presents a region of sterile magnificence, but varied by the winding course of the river Dochart. Several hamlets nestle on the eminences that just rise above the level, which stretches far to the west. The bottom of the glen excites considerable interest, though the hills exhibit a lengthened chain of barren wildness. Above this scene towers Benmore, raising in the mind a sublimity of feeling not easily to be expressed in words. Proceeding by the banks of the Dochart to Killin is the hill called Stronclachan, the craggy heights of Finlairg, the lofty Benlawers, with Loch Tay stretching along the base of these mountains — all forming the magnificent Barony of Glendochart, and at this time part of the lands of the Meinerich, and now renewed by charter to Earl Alexander the Menzies, being the first charter ever granted for the Barony of Glendochart. It confirms the tradition that the Meinerich were in possession of it ages before. The same applies to their other lands in Argyle, Breadalbin, and Athole, of which, at this time, Earl Alexander the Menzies further got his possession confirmed by charter from King Robert the Bruce of the lands of Finlargis (Finlarig), with its Menzies-built strength, Finlarig Castle. This charter is also given by Robertson the next to the foregoing in 1312, No. 98. — "Robert I. granted a charter to Alexander Meinzies of the davach of land of Finlargis in (and) baronia of Glenorcht, Perth." This charter appears to include the Menzies' possession of Glenorchy, which, tradition says, belonged to the Menzies' before and at this period, the greater part of which apparently belonged to John, the brother of Earl Alexander the Menzies. The ancient seat and stronghold of the Menzies' on this part of their lands is Finlarig Castle, which still rears its head, a ruined three-storied ivy-clad building with a square tower at one corner of picturesque appearance ; standing surrounded with noble old trees, planted by its ancient chiefs the Menzies', on an undulating park about a mile and a half from the village of Killin, and not far from Loch Tay. At the same time Earl Alexander the Menzies got his ancestral possessions adjacent to the above, stretching eastward from Glendochart along the shores of Loch Tay on its north side, known as " Cranach," acknowledged by charter from King Robert the Bruce. With this the Menzies' also were confirmed in their rights as thanes of Crannich, and the hereditary office of what was called the Kings Tosachdorership, which gave [page_50 A.D. 1313-1314] them the power of life and death in their domains, a power which they used very rarely, as their considerate dealings with all classes of their followers made them the respected chiefs of the people ; and as long as the Menzies' held these lands of Crannich, they had Grown charters for them and the office, which they retained until the seventeenth century. — Robertson's E. dom. Athole, p. 81. In the summer of 1313, King Robert the Bruce, with a chosen band of Scots, led an expedition against the Isle of Man, in which Sir Alexander the Menzies seems to have taken part with the clan. He expelled the powerful sept of the MacDowalls, the inveterate enemies of Bruce and Menzies, and reduced the whole isle to his sway. On the return of Bruce, in the autumn of 1313, we find him and Earl Alexander the Menzies at Dundee, whence they appear to have proceeded immediately after landing. At Dundee, on the 4th October 1313, we find that King Robert the Bruce granted a charter Regis de custodia Foreste Regie de le Stoket, &c. To this charter, which is in the archives of the city of Aberdeen, is appended the name of Alexandro de Menyers as a witness, dated at Dundee, 4th October 1313, whereby Bruce made a gift and conveyance to the community of Aberdeen of the royal forest of Stocket. During the absence of Bruce and Menzies at the Isle of Man, his brother, Edward Bruce — who was besieging Stirling Castle, which resisted all his efforts — was prevailed upon by Mowbray, its defender, to stay the siege, on conditions that he would yield it up if not relieved by the 24th June 1314. This agreement Bruce learned with displeasure ; nevertheless, he resolved to abide by his brother's pledge of honour, and accordingly prepared to meet the great army being raised in England by Edward II. to relieve Stirling, and finally crush and conquer Scotland. Earl Alexander the Menzies and others of the Highland chiefs were instructed by Bruce to raise the full strength of their clans. The traditions of the Menzies' relate that they — being from the dawn of Scottish history the hereditary governors under the Crown of the gold, silver, copper, and lead mines of Scotia — marshalled from the different mines all the miners for Bannockburn. Indeed, one of the meanings of the name Menzies, in Gaelic Mein, which forms the first syllable of the plural Mein-erich, is " metal," and Mein-oir means " gold metal," bullion, silver, &c. The Menzies' are said to have had many of the clan skilled in the mining operations of old, and in those days the Highlanders produced works of art in silver and gold unsurpassed even in modern times, of which Bruce's Brooch of Lorn and other works are examples. It is said that the Menzies' wrought the mines all over the old boundary of Scotia, and, at the time of Bannockburn, actually wrought the mines in Badenoch, with those near " Ben-mein " in Morven, and those on their own estates, also held by charters at this time, of which were the mines near Tyndrum, at the west end of Glendochart, the Tomnadashen silver and copper mines on Loch Tayside, the mines at " Corribuie," and the mines of " Meall-na- [page_51 A.D. 1314] Creige" — all in the neighbourhood of Loch Tay, and all within the lands of the Meinerich. These Celtic miners are said to have, by the exertions of Earl Alexander the Meingeis and his sons, responded to the call to arms as only Highlanders can, with Celtic ardour, burning to cross claymores with the hated Sassenach. With these hardy miners and the other portions of the Clan Mein-gyeis — as the name was spelt about this time — the chief, Sir Alexander the Menzies, is said to have mustered a larger force of clansmen under the " red and white " banner of Clan Menzies than has ever before or since responded to the Fiery Cross. Doubtless the Menzies', from the vast extent of their possessions, as yet unreduced by encroachment of other surrounding clans, and being at this time so near the then important town and capital of Scotia, Dunkeld, the country near it, as near all important towns, would be much more thickly populated than it is at the present time ; thus — as the Fiery Cross was sent from Castle Menzies along the Appin of Menzies (now Strath Tay), around Loch Tay, Glendochart, Glenlyon, Glenlochy, Glenqueich, Glenalmond, Glenorchy, Glengoulindie, Rannoch, Tummel, and Strathbran, with other parts of the Menzies' country — the numbers that could then be called out must have been much greater than at present. These, with the force of hardy miners from the Menzies' mines, must have numbered from 4000 to 5000 clansmen and followers. With this force the chief, Earl Alexander the "Meinges," headed Clan Menzies, who, with pipes playing, marched to join the army of King Robert the Bruce at the appointed rendezvous at Torwood, between Falkirk and Stirling. There the Scottish army mustered about 30,000 fighting men. As the English army approached, numbering over 100,000 armed men, the Scottish army drew nearer Stirling, and took up their appointed position behind the Bannock at Bannockburn, occupying several small eminences south and west of St Ninians, their line extending in a north-easterly direction from the burn of Bannock, on which their right flank rested ; their left flank rested towards the high ground above St Ninians. The English army drew near and encamped on the opposite bank, when they secretly sent about 900 cavalry round by the low grounds to relieve Stirling Castle ; but were observed by Bruce, who, with a taunt of carelessness to his nephew Randolph, whom he had ordered to watch that point, despatched him to intercept them with 500 foot. These the English horse charged, but were received by the Scots formed in square, and ultimately defeated with great loss. The Scots only losing one man, returned to the main army amid their acclamations. This — with the incident where Bruce cut down the English knight with his battle-axe, who treacherously attempted to surprise him — greatly inspirited the Scottish army. These incidents occurred on the 23rd June 1314, the day before the Battle of Bannockburn. The day being far spent, the Scottish army lay in arms upon the field. Next morning being Monday, 24th June 1314, all was early in motion on both [page_52 A.D. 1314] sides. The Scottish army was drawn up in four divisions — their front extended about a mile in length ; the right wing, which was upon the highest ground, under Edward Bruce (the king's brother), had also a body of cavalry under Keith ; the left wing was on the low ground, under Walter the High Steward and Sir James Douglas. Bruce himself took the command of the reserve behind the centre, which had also a body of 500 cavalry; the rest of the Scottish army were on foot ; the front centre was under the command of Randolph, the son of the sister of King Robert the Bruce. The right division was composed partly of the Clans Macdonald, Menzies, Robertson, Macgregor, Cameron, and others. We can imagine the appearance of the Clan Menzies as they took up their position, dressed in their red and white tartan, with the badge of the clan in each clansman's blue bonnet, with its " red and white " dice-check round its border — the badge being the Menzies heath, known by its " red and white " bell or blossom ; and above them waved, in the breeze of that ever-to-be-remembered summer morn, the " red and white " banner of Clan Menzies, while in front of them were played the bagpipes by their hereditary pipers the Macintyres, who played some stirring Menzies tune, such as the " Menzies Rant." On taking up their position, there was an interval of some time, while the English hordes moved forward and were about to engage, when the Abbot of Inchaffray, Mauritius, or Manuris — one of the line of ecclesiastical Menzies' — barefooted and with crucifix in hand, walked slowly along the Scottish line, when all fell on their knees in the act of devotion. Edward II. observing them in that position, cried, " See ! They are kneeling ; they crave mercy ! " " They do, my liege," replied Umfraville ; " but it is from God, not from us." " To the charge, then ! " cried Edward, when Gloucester and Hereford threw themselves impetuously upon the right wing, in which was the Clan Menzies, who received them unflinchingly, while the centre division rushed furiously upon the English main body and met with a warm reception. The ardour of one of the Scottish divisions on the left — consisting of the Clans Stewart, Ferguson, Mackay, Chattan, and others — had carried them too far, and were Sorely harassed by a body of 10,000 archers. This being observed by the keen eye of Bruce, he ordered the Keith to the attack with the 500 light horse, who, fetching a circuit round Milton bog, suddenly charged the left flank and rear of the English bowmen, and instantly threw them into disorder, and chased them from the field, or were cut down by the Scottish horsemen. The English, failing to make any impression on the right wing of the Scots, in which was Clan Menzies, a strong body of cavalry then charged the right wing with such irresistible fury that the Scots would have been quite overpowered had not Randolph hastened to their assistance. The battle was now at its hottest ; the English continued to charge with unabated vigour, while the Scots received them with inflexible intrepidity — each clansman fighting as if victory depended on his single arm. But still victory was uncertain, when suddenly the face of affairs [page_53 A.D. 1314] was altered by a stratagem of King Robert the Bruce, which greatly contributed to secure the victory. Above 15,000 servants and camp attendants — who had been ordered to retire with the baggage behind the adjoining hill during the engagement — formed in martial array and marched to the top of the hill, with long poles upon which they had mounted sheets and tartan plaids for banners, and descended towards the battlefield with war-cries and shouts. The English, alarmed, and taking them to be fresh reinforcements, were seized with such a panic that they began to give way in much confusion. Seizing this opportunity, the right wing and the clans rushed upon the English shouting their war-cries, and the Menzies' raising their cath ghairm, or battle-shout, Geal's dearg gu brath! — that is, the "red and white for ever ! " — rushed upon the English with their claymores or two-handed swords, along with the other Highland clans of the right division, spreading death among their Sasunnach foes ; and as success became apparent, shouts of victory were raised by the Highlanders as they pursued the vanquished English, and among the shouts was heard that of the Clan Menzies, "Geal's dearg a suas!" which is "Up with the red and white ! " The English army was now completely routed. Barbour, who evidently was an eye-witness, describes the field as exhibiting a terrific spectacle. "It was awful," says he, " to hear the noise of these four battles fighting in a line, the clang of arms, the shouts of knights ' and chiefs,' as they raised their war-crys, the alternate sinking and rising of the banners, and the ground slippery with gore, and covered with shreds of armour, broken spears, pennons, and rich scarfs torn and soiled with blood and clay, and listen to the groans of the wounded and dying." It appears that during the heat of the fight, the Chief Earl Alexander the Menzies got wounded. The havoc among the English was greater in passing the river, where, from the irregularity of the ground, they could not preserve the slightest order. King Edward escaped by the fleetness of his horse, closely pursued by the Douglas, and was about to be captured when he managed to get within the gates of Dunbar Castle, from which he made his escape in a small fishing-boat to England. Over 50,000 English were killed on the field, and doubtless about 100,000 perished in all, as the stragglers were cut down in all directions in their flight to the Borders. The value of the plunder taken from the English is reckoned at not less than three millions sterling of our present money, and the waggons and wheeled carriages which were loaded, [page_54 A.D. 1314] would, if in line, have extended for twenty leagues. Thus the battle of Bannockburn was a glorious victory for Scotland, both in the determined manner in which the Scottish soldiers fought, the high military talents displayed by the king and his leaders, and the amazing disparity of numbers. Its consequences were in the highest degree important, as it put an end for ever to all the hopes of England accomplishing the conquest of Scotland. Of the Menzies' who were there at the Battle of Bannockburn with the chief Earl Alexander the Menzies, was his son, Sir Robert of Menzies, his successor ; Sir Thomas Menzies (the second son) of Garioch in Aberdeenshire, and his sept of the clan ; and the younger son, Sir Alexander of Menzies. "The Menzies Claymore," or two-handed sword, that was wielded at Bannockburn by the chief of Clan Menzies, Earl Alexander the Menzies, is still preserved at Castle Menzies in the possession of his descendant, Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, the seventh baronet. It measures, over-all, 5 feet 8 inches from point to crown of hilt. The blade from the guard is 4 feet 1 1/2 inches, and measures across the blade, at the ' fort ' of the sword, almost 2 inches broad (1 7/8 inches full). Across the centre of the blade between point and guard it measures 1 5/8 inches broad. One-half the guard or ' quillon ' is broken off, and that which remains measures 8 1/2 inches long from the centre of the handle, so that the cross-guard would measure 17 inches before it was broken, which may have been done at Bannockburn. Then these two long guards are connected by an oval-shaped handle guard on each side, in line with the flat of the blade, for the purpose of catching a lance or spear, whereby an opponent could be disarmed, and at the same time acted as a guard against a cut from an enemy, and also to catch by in slinging the claymore over the shoulder, or unslinging it. The handle of " The Menzies Claymore " is 1 foot 6 inches long from the guard to the crown or large iron boss or knob at its end, which is 2 1/2 inches in diameter; the blade is marked by the armourer's mark, known by the name of " The Running Fox," which indicates that it was made about the time of Alexander III. or Edward I. "The Menzies Claymore" is very similar in every way to the celebrated Wallace Sword, but is somewhat larger and heavier, as it weighs 6 lbs. 10 1/2 ozs. as it is, but with the lost portion of its guard it would weigh about 8 lbs ; and, no doubt, was used by Sir Alexander, side by side with Sir William Wallace, at the Battles of Stirling Bridge and Falkirk, and finally at Bannockburn in support of his companion-in-arms, Robert the Bruce. There still remains another relic of Clan Menzies at Bannockburn, and that is the bagpipes which were played in front of the Clan Menzies at their muster at Castle Menzies, and played before the clan on their march to join the main body of the Scottish army at Tonvood, and in front of them on [page_55 A.D. 1314] the field of Bannockburn, by their hereditary pipers the MacIntyres, which family were the pipers to the chiefs of the Menzies' down to the time of Sir Neil Menzies, about 1840, when, the line breaking, the present family of the MacGregors became their pipers. The Menzies' Bannockburn pipes have only one drone, but the number of holes are the same as in the modern chanter, but there are two holes on each side of the chanter — no bag lasting in good condition more than seven years. We have no guide as to the exact size of the ancient bags, but the present sizes, no doubt, were handed down from generation to generation. — See Maclntyre North's "Book of the Club of True Highlanders," which also gives a diagram of them. The Highland clans who fought at Bannockburn on the side of Bruce for Scotland were Stewart, Menzies, MacDonald, MacGregor, Robertson, Mackay, Cameron, Macintosh, MacPherson, Sinclair, Drummond, MacLean, Sutherland, Grant, Fraser, Ross, Munro, Mackenzie, Macquarrie, MacFarlane, and probably Campbell, with other smaller septs ; there were several clans against Bruce, such as MacDowall, &c. The number of the direct descendants of the chiefs of these clans now in existence, and in possession of their paternal estates, is remarkable, with an unbroken succession of nearly 600 years. It is the more remarkable, when we consider these ages of misrule, that they have held their lands through all these years of trouble and poverty, and that there should be a greater change of Highland property within the last fifty years of abundance, wealth, and tranquility, than in the preceding six hundred years. After the battle of Bannockburn King Robert the Bruce, with that sagacity which was so characteristic of him, finding so many of the Highland families and clans his most faithful adherents, gave to several of them grants of lands in the southern Highlands of Scotland, there to act as a barrier in future against any other invasions by the English. For these reasons, and also as a reward in consequence of the distinguished conduct of the Chief Earl Alexander the Menzies at the battle of Bannockburn, King Robert the Bruce granted to him, immediately after that great event in 1314, a charter of the lands and barony of Durrisdeer in Dumfriesshire. Robertson, in his Index, records that: — "Robert I. granted a charter to Alexandri de Meyners et Edidie sen his spouse fue of the barony of Dorisdeir." This Lady Menzies was Egidia Stewart, the sister of Walter, the Lord High Steward of Scotland, and aunt of Sir Robert Stewart, afterwards King Robert II. and first of the royal house of Stewart. In further confirmation of the unfailing services in the national cause of Scotland, so patriotically rendered by Earl Alexander the Menzies, this grant of the barony of Durrisdeer was further confirmed by the following charter, given under the great seal of King Robert the Bruce, a translation of which runs thus : — [page_56 A.D. 1314] "A.D. 1314. King Robert I. grants a charter to Alexi de Meynis and Egidie, his spouse, by which King Robert acknowledges, and for good services now rewards and concedes, and, by this present charter, confirms to Alexo de Meynis, knight, and Egidie Stewart, his spouse, to them and their heirs male descending, the whole barony of Dorisder, with fortlace, houses, and lands ; to the said Alexo and Egidie, his spouse, and their heirs male descending heritably, begotten of them legitimately, procreated by them, and their heirs, descending in succession, possession, and heritage, with full right of boundry, and continual free fue, with full office of high Bailliery herewith assigned ; and for its high office being fulfilled, from now and heritably to the said Alexi and Egidia, and those born the heirs of the said pair, descending and belonging, or coming from the said Alexi and Egidia's bodies, to their heirs ; afterwards descending to such of them thus procreated, the whole of the said barony, with all its pertinents heritably, to the heirs of the said Alexi and his heirs whatsomever in full possession from the crown." — Registrum magni selgilli Scot., p. 38 (32). On a sidenote is " Vacat per resignacaem sub condiae." This is the first grant of lands given to the Menzies' in the southern parts of Scotland, and went to lay the foundation of the ancient branch of the clan in Durrisdeer and Enouch in Dumfriesshire. The barony of Durrisdeer contains the village of Durrisdeer, and is situated on the north of Nithsdale, being bounded on the north by Lanarkshire. The length of the barony of Durrisdeer may be measured by its parish, which is 7 1/4 miles long by 5 1/2 miles at its greatest breadth, with an area of about 29 miles. In the northern parts it is bleak, inhospitable, and highland in its aspect. Hills and mountains press so tumultuously upon the glens, that a tourist in following the winding paths is often puzzled to conceive how there could be an opening among the mountains and almost perpendicular heights, which seem to forbid his progress. The central, southern, and south-eastern sections of the barony are comparatively low in surface, and beauteous in their diversity. Here the river Nith intersects the barony over a distance, including sinuosities, of eight or nine miles ; all the way it luxuriates in much richness of scenery. From the narrow pass, with its shelving or precipitous banks clad in wood and foiled by rock and scaur, to the broad plain of Enouch, which surrounds the old castle, all is now cultivated like a garden and screened by the mountain barrier of the hills of Durrisdeer, amid which the present village nestles, and the site of the ancient fortress of the Menzies'. The basin of the river exhibits nearly every variety of landscape, astonishing the stranger who visits this region by the suddenness and beauty of its transitions. Other parts of the barony — ¦ even its most cheerless and most rugged — are variegated, and tinged by the beauty of the courses of Carron Water and the burns of Kirk, Enterkin, and [page_57 A.D. 1314-1315] Mar. The soil in the low parts is deep, loamy, and fertile. The uplands in the north-eastern border of the barony ascend to the watershed between the cisterns of the rivers Nith and Clyde, comprising the Lowther mountain, and enclosing the higher part of a remarkable Alpine pass, called the Wallpath, running between Nithsdale and Clydesdale. They contain the same rocks and minerals as in the neighbouring mines of Wanlockhead and Leadhills, which are said to have been first opened up and wrought by the Menzies' on getting possession of the barony after the battle of Bannockburn, to which they brought a number of their clansmen, skilled in the art of metal mining, from the Highlands of Athole to the Highlands of Dumfriesshire. At these mines there is found gold, silver, copper, and great quantities of lead, and they are still wrought successfully. About one-half of the barony is waste or pasture land, and about 2000 acres under wood. The village of Durrisdeer stands on the Kirk Burn about three and a half miles from Carron Bridge, and is now a most sequestered place. In the church of Durrisdeer the Clan Menzies branch, who afterwards held it, erected an aisle called " The Menzies Aisle," where they also raised an altar to the "Virgin Mary." This aisle, on the Drumlanrig Douglases getting Durrisdeer, was gutted out, and now contains the vulgar Italian marble monumental sculptures to the second Duke of Queensberry and his duchess. Many of the old sculptured stones of the Menzies' are now built into the wall of the graveyard which surrounds the " Auld Kirk o' Durrisdeer " ; but the Menzies altar of Durrisdeer is now gone. North of the church is the pass of Durrisdeer, called " The Wallpath," where are the vestiges of a Roman camp. Along the Wallpath the great Roman road from Nithsdale passed, to join in Lanarkshire the road thither from Annandale. The great assistance rendered during the War of Independence by Clan Menzies and their chief, Earl Alexander the Menzies, with his three sons, Sir Robert, Sir Thomas, and Sir Alexander, and at the battle of Bannockburn — together with their being the relations of the Bruce, as Earl Alexander was married on Egidia, the sister of Walter the Steward, who married Marjory, the daughter of King Robert the Bruce, thus making the sons of the Chief of the Menzies' the nephews of the King's daughter, the Lady Marjory Bruce, the cousins of King David II. and of Robert II., the latter being the nephew of their mother, Egidie Stewart — these ties of blood, with the achievements of Earl Alexander the Menzies, gave the Menzies' a high standing at the court of the Bruce. This is well exemplified by Nisbet, who says that Sir Alexander the Menzies was a frequent witness to the charters of King Robert the Bruce, and " particularly he was a witness to the grant made to Gilbertus de Haya of the office of Lord High Constable of Scotland in 1315, and it is observable he is inserted in the charter before Sir Robert Keith, Marischal of Scotland ; from which it may be supposed that at [page_58 A.D. 1314-1316] that time he enjoyed some place of considerable rank, otherwise he never would have had the preference of the Marischal." This near connection through marriage with the Bruce royal family through that of the Steward doubtless strengthened the friendship which existed between the Bruce and the Menzies ; and it would appear that, at the request of Bruce, Sir Alexander the Menzies, as Lord of Glendochart, granted about the year 1316 considerable privileges to the Church of Saint Fillan in Glendochart, and the custodians or dewars of the Crosier of Saint Fillan, the patron saint of King [page_59 A.D. 1314-1316] Robert the Bruce, who had the reliques of that saint carried in front of the Scottish army by Maurinus, who is considered among the last of the old ecclesiastical race of Menzies' who were educated at Dull, before its college was removed to St Andrews about 1314. This Menzies, or — as his name has been corrupted to — Mauritius, was made Abbot of Inchafferey, an abbey on the banks of the Pow, in Perthshire, in the southern borders of the Menzies lands, a few miles from Crieff. This Menzies abbot probably had a son, who was made the custodian of the Crosier, Quigrich, or Cogerach of St Fillan. It is recorded that Earl Alexander the Menzies, as Lord of the Barony of Glendochart, about 1316 gave a letter of confirmation of the lands of Eych in Glendochart, to Donald MacSoberell, Dewar, Cogerach. The document is now lost, but the title remains in an old inventory — MacSoberell meaning the son of the Menzies, with the cheeks of a broken red and white colour, or similar to red-clover blossom ; or the son of the clover-coloured Menzies, who from his office was called Dewar in Gaelic, meaning custodian or keeper. From this Menzies Dewar descended heritably those keepers of St Fillan's [page_60 A.D. 1316-1320] crosier, who carried on the rights and privileges of the office of Cogerach and its Dewars, in the main unimpaired, and they may be considered a branch sept of Clan Menzies. In the course of a century afterwards the ancient rights of the Dewars began to be questioned, and in 1428 we find them authenticated, by verdict of an inquest held by the Menzies' Bailie of Glendochart on the authority and privileges of a certain relique of St Fillan, commonly called the Coygerach, which we now know to be the silver crosier-head preserved in the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland at Edinburgh. This crosier is one of the reliques of St Fillan, carried in front of the Scottish army on the field of Bannockburn by Menzies, the Abbot of St Fillan ; from whom descend those of the name of Dewar, whose descendants in 1487 had their privileges of the Cogerach confirmed by letters under the privy seal of King James III., which records that " Malise Doire and his forbeairs have had ' ane relik of Sanct Fullane, callit the Quegrich, in hereditary custoday,' from the time of King Robert Bruce and before." A Malise Doire appears as the Dewar of the Quigrich in the document of 14th February 1549. It is significant of the tenacity with which the Dewars clung to the relique itself that they got the missive letter of James III. registered as a probative writ at Edinburgh, 1st November 1734 ; and when the Dewars went to Canada it went with them, but was acquired from the present representatives of the family, Alexander Dewar of Plympton, in Canada, and his son and heir, Archibald Dewar, by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1877. — Dr Joseph Anderson, Trans. Soc. Antiq. Scot., vol. xii., p. 112, &c. Earl Alexander the Menzies must have died about the year 1320, being born about 1235. He succeeded to the estates and possessions of the Menzies' in 1266; thus he lived to the ripe old age of about eighty-seven years, notwithstanding the hardships he suffered, and the chains and imprisonment in the dungeons of England and the Tower of London, with the forced campaign under Edward I. in France, escaping then from the clutches of the English. He never submitted to degrade his name by the slightest act in favour of the usurper, and never signed the Ragman Roll — a boast that few names in Scotland can make. In 1320, when the Scottish Barons drew up their famous letter to the Pope, he appears to have been unable to attend that meeting, and delegated his son, Sir Thomas of Menzies, to represent him there. Thus we find the seal of Sir Thomas of Menzies appended to the letter of the Scottish Barons to the Pope, now in the Register House, Edinburgh, dated 1320. The seal represents a chief indented ; on the top of the shield is a small ornament, and on each side is a Celtic ornament like a lizard and " S. Thome D. Meineris." Chief Earl Alexander the Menzies, by his wife, Egidia Stewart (the sister of Walter, the Lord High Steward of Scotland, who married Marjory Bruce, the daughter of King Robert the Bruce), had three sons and one daughter — [page_61 A.D. 1320-1329] (1st) Sir Robert Menzies, his successor as chief, and afterwards Viscount or Earl of Edinburgh. (2nd) Sir Thomas of Menzies, who held the lands and barony of Garrioch, in Aberdeenshire, during his father's lifetime, and also the lands of "Umyne." He was one of the Scottish Barons who framed the letter to the Pope in 1320, to which he appended his seal. (3rd) Sir Alexander of Menzies, who got the lands of Durrisdeer after his father's death restored to him by James Stewart, to whom in the first instance (on the death of the chief, Sir Alexander) they went, as recorded by Robertson's Index, No. 82, p. 1 3 — " To James Stewart, brother of Walter Stewart of Scotland, the lands of Dorisdeir, in the valley of the Neith, which Alexander Meinzies resigned " by his death. Following which these lands were re-transferred to this 3rd son, Sir Alexander of Menzies, who had married Giles Stewart, daughter of this same Sir James Stewart, the brother of Walter the Lord High Steward, for which the young Sir Alexander Menzies got a charter, a copy of which — made in 1739 from the Register of the Great Seal, is No. 4 of the charters at Castle Menzies — records, " Charter by King Robert the Bruce to Alexander de Meyners, knight, and Giles Stewart, his spouse, of all and haill the Barony of Dorisder, with the pertinents : To be holden of his Majesty for service used and wont." No date, but must have been about 1323 to 1329. [page_62 A.D. 1267-1346] Chief Lord Robert "Meyhneis", Knight, Viscount or Earl Menzies, 5th Baron of Menzies. Lord High Sheriff of Edinburgh, A.D 1267-1346 LORD ROBERT THE MENZIES, Knight, on the death of his father, Earl Alexander the Menzies, succeeded to the greater part of his vast possessions. Mclan says, " To Robert the elder son of this Potent Chief descended those great estates of Fortingall, Weem and Aberfeldy in Athole, Glendochart in Braidalban, and many others." To these may also be added all the lands of Loch Tay — north, south, east and west — including Glenlyon, Garth, Glenquich, Finlarig, Glenorchy, and the vast stretch of country known as Mamlorn, then stretching to the shores of Loch Lomond and Lochfine. In his father's lifetime he had got the lands of Fernachie or Fearnan, which extends from the west of the port of Loch Tay to about Paderleigh on the west, including the lands of Kinghallion on the north, which at this time included Drummond Hill ; likewise he got the lands of Gowlantine, now Glengowlandie, in the abthanage of Dull Vi de Perth. — Nisbet, p. 244, vol. ii. This glen stretches from Drummond Hill and Coshieville right north to Loch Rannoch, including Tychurrain, Hiochmore, Pitcuril, and other places which were embodied in these names, all of which his father held charters for. There is still preserved at Castle Menzies an old copy of a charter, granted to Sir Robert the Menzies in i321,on his succeeding to the estates, as follows : — " Notarial Transumpt of a Charter by Robert de Bruse, lord Ledilisaill [also designated in the confirmation No. 7 infra, dearest brother of King David Bruce], to Sir Robert Menzeis, knight, for his homage and service, of the lands of Fornauchi and Goulentyn, in the ' Abthen of Dull, in the shire of Perth, with the men of the said lands : to be held by the said Robert and his heirs male of his body for rendering " forinsec " service to our lord the King,' so far as pertained to so much land, and three suits yearly in the court of the Abthen of Dull, at three head pleas to be held there." [page_63 A.D. 1321-1326] Sir W. Fraser says that this charter bears no date, but it was granted before 1326, probably 1321. The witnesses are : — Thomas Ranulph, Earl of Moray, lord of Annandale and Man ; Patrick de Dunbar, Earl of March ; Walter Steward of Scotland ; James de Douglas ; John de Moray of Drumsergarth ; Andrew de Moray, lord of Botheuyl ; Archibald de Douglas. — Transumpt at Edinburgh, 2nd June 1439 — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 3. For the sake of connection we give the extract of No. 7 referred to above, which is also in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies ; and it is worthy of note that one of the witnesses to No. 3 is Walter the Lord High Steward of Scotland, the uncle of Sir Robert the Menzies, and whose son was afterwards King Robert the Second of Scotland and cousin to Sir Robert the Menzies, and who also appears as one of the witnesses at the confirmation, which is as follows : — " Transumpt of a confirmation of the Charter (No. 3 hereof) by David, King of Scots, who designates the granter ' Robert de Brus,' our dearest brother, ' dated at Lindoris, 6th January, 14th year of the King's reign, 1342.' The witnesses are: — William, Bishop of Saint Andrews ; Robert, Steward of Scotland, the King's nephew ; John Ranulph, Earl of Moray, lord of Annandale and Man, the King's kinsman ; Duncan, Earl of Fife ; Patrick de Dunbar, Earl of March ; Matthew Flemyng, Maurice de Moray, and Thomas de Carnot, Chancellor, Knights." — Transumpt of 1439, No. 7, Charter Room, Castle Menzies. Nisbet, in referring to the above, says : " He got them in his father's lifetime, wherein he is designated his son and heir, and also the lands of Weem and Aberfeldy ; and he likewise received through " David de Strathlogy, Earl of Athol, and Constable of Scotland," acting for the king, " the lands of the thanage of Cranach." Sir Robert the Menzies, soon after succeeding to his Highland possessions, had additional honours bestowed upon him, but they were in connection with the Lowlands ; and perhaps these were granted for the assistance rendered by him to Bruce shortly after he had succeeded to the chiefship of the Meinerich, as the following events of history seem to indicate. In the year 1322 King Robert the Bruce, on the second great invasion of Scotland by Edward II. of England, withdrew everything that might render subsistence to the English between the Borders and the river Forth, leaving nothing but a wilderness to pass through — the face of the fertile lowlands being one tract of blackness, where nothing could be had, either for man or beast. The English fleet being detained by weather with the provisions of their army, the invaders were compelled through starvation to beat a retreat back to England, and were closely followed by the Bruce, who, with his band of Highlanders, fell upon their detached parties, cutting them down, and pursuing them to the English border, [page_64 A.D. 1326-1327] where he besieged Norham Castle. Edward continued his flight as far as Biland Abbey in Yorkshire, where he heard that Bruce had given up the siege of Norham, and gone home. Scarcely had this good news reached him, when the advanced guard of the Scottish army hove in sight, and Edward had only time to draw his army up on a ridge, accessible only by a narrow pass. This, with a chosen body of knights, Douglas attacked, but was received by the English with great bravery. Bruce, whose keen eye watched every circumstance, determined to repeat the manoeuvre by which he had defeated Lorn, who had occupied a similar position. He commanded the men of the Highlands — consisting of the clans Stewart, Menzies, under their chief Sir Robert the Menzies, Robertson, Macgregor, Macdonald, Fraser, Macleod, Maclean and others, from Athole, Argyle, and the Isles — to climb the rocky ridge at some distance from the pass, and to attack and turn the flank of the English army which held the summit. These orders the Menzies' and the other mountaineers, trained in their own country to this species of warfare, found no difficulty in obeying. The Menzies' and the other Highland clans on reaching the summit drove the English from their strong position on the heights with great slaughter. At this point Douglas again attacked the pass at the head of the Scottish knights and carried it, completely routing the enemy. After this disastrous defeat of the English, which was mainly accomplished through the bravery of the Highlanders, with the consequent flight of Edward II., the Scots plundered the whole country north of the Humber. It is after this victorous expedition — apparently for his, and his hardy clansmen's services — that we find the Chief, Sir Robert the Menzies, designated as " Vi Count," or " Earl, Menzies of Edinburgh." In 1326 the uncle of Sir Robert died. He was Walter the Lord High Steward, who married the daughter of Bruce (Marjory), and brother of the mother of Sir Robert Menzies. He did good service for Scotland at Bannockburn, and greatly distinguished himself by his brave defence of Berwick. The result of the foregoing defeat of the English, and the campaign of 1327, was to force England to acknowledge Robert the Bruce as King of Scotland, and Scotland itself a free and independent kingdom for ever, which was confirmed on the 1st March 1327. The assistance rendered by Sir Robert the Menzies and the Clan Menzies so pleased the Bruce that he made Sir Robert the Menzies the Lord High Sheriff of Edinburgh, who after 1327 is frequently mentioned in the accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland as Lord Robert the Menzies, Viscount or Earl of Edinburgh. In the same year, 1327, we find an entry where he is recorded as making a statement regarding " the tenth penny of his Vicecomitis of Edinburgh, Haddington, and Lothian." He is also named in connection with Aberlady, as Lord Robert the " Meygeneris Vicecomitis of Edinburgh'.' — Orig. Ex. Account L. H. T of Scot. [page_65A.D. 1328 ] Earl Robert the Menzies appears to have been one of the representative Scottish magnates, who were at the final adjustment of the independence of Scotland, which was ratified by a Parliament at Northampton, 4th March 1328. He was thereafter ordained by King Robert the Bruce to receive the dues or contributions for defraying the expenses connected with bringing about the peace between the two nations, whereby Scotland was to be a free and independent nation for ever ! As soon as the Scottish representatives had returned from England, Bruce summoned a Parliament to meet him at Scone on the 23rd June 1328, and at this Parliament the chief, Viscount Robert the Menzies, submitted an account of his dues for the peace, of which the following is a translation : — " Robert the Meygneres, Sheriff of Edinburgh, his account regarding the contribution for peace. " The reckoning of Lord Robert the Menzies, Vice Comitis of Edinburgh, discharged at Scone on the 23rd of June 1328, under the said contribution aforesaid and concluded herewith the sum of £200, 47s. 5d. ; being the contribution foresaid, for the tenth part of the Bailie's custum, namely of Edinburgh, Hadington, and of Linlithgow, from the burgesses of the king's barony. And also 3s. 10d. for the tenth part of the Burgh of Muselburgh at the term of ' Pentecostes' being reckoned, and 2s. & 3d. also for the 10th part of the Burgh of Aberledy at the said terms, and £4, 4s. 1d. for the tenth part from the possessions of the Lord the King in the Bailliship, accounted for at the said terms." — Exch. Rolls of Scot. Earl Menzies had also at this and other Parliaments the supervising of the commissariat or purveying ; together with reports of revenue by the dues upon corn and other grain. The report which he submitted to this first Parliament as translated reads : — " Robert the Meygneris, his report and accounts clearly and freely discharged. "For the burdens or Dues on 12 celdris of Grain for demand accounted, collected, and paid. 3 barrellis good grain for transfer over the tenth of the whole whatever as patent by the account of Robert the Meygneris, for the provisions for the King and Parliament when sitting at Edinburgh, as by letters of his received by the hand of William of Kyngorn, and discharged 3 celdras and 8 bolls of this as payment from John of Dunfermline, clearly discharged by letters of receipt. 1 pipam and 3 barrells of this discharging the sum of the expenses paid in such part by good grain. Also paid in grain 8 celdras and 8 bollas. 23rd June 1328." — Notl. Sacra. Reg. Scot. There is also another entry of his management of the affairs connected with this Parliament, which is as follows : — [page_66 A.D. 1328-1329] " Robert of Meygneris, Commissirat or Purveyor for the Parliaments of 1327 and 1328. " For the dues from 3 bollis meal by price calculated by him as before ; and of 8 celdris ; 8 bollis meal proven ; and of 17 celdris ; also of the sum received of 8 celdre and 9 bolls, of which account is clearly discharged by letter of receipt ; 2 celdris of meal, the which is accounted for, and Robert the Meygneris proclaimed that over 4 celdras and 3 bollas, the which is reconed ; also for milk in ship by sea 4 bollas, the amount of expense 8 celdre 8 bolle, and as debit 4 bollis. " For the fees on the 4 scoar and 8 celdris and small bollas as per price received by him in the foregoing. Amount received and paid of which account Earl Lord Robert of Meygneris proclaimed that over 19 celdras and 12 bolls of which were discharged, and as man sent with letter the sum of recepts was 10 celdras the which is paid, and by milk in ship by sea 4 bollas. Amount hitherto expended 30 celdre and such debit 58 celdras, and reduced bols." 1328. — Ex. Rolls Scot., p. 120, vol. i. The tact which Earl Robert the Menzies, Viscount of Edinburgh, showed in managing the affairs of Parliament, and also his great assistance to King Robert the Bruce in raising the money to defray the expenses connected with procuring Scottish independence, gave him a great deal of labour ; and the frequent record of these transactions in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland remain as a proof of his ability as a Lord of the Exchequer, and the confidence placed in him by Robert the Bruce. We find another of these record reports of the revenue received and paid by him into the treasury of King Robert the Bruce in 1329, which says: — " Robert of Meigneres, Sheriff of Edinburgh, his account regarding the contribution for peace. "For amount of meal given by him 57 celdris 13 bolles by arrangement paid as accounted before; and of 18 celdris for support of ' Bothkenner,' from the tenth part of grain before this given in his contribution ; and of 40 celdris for disposal granted over the amount received of grain, 5 scoar and 15 celdre 13 bolle, the which amount is contributed by said Lord Robert of Meigneres, Vi-count of Edenburgh ; 8 celdres of these being given and the same by letter acknowledged as received ; 8 bollas of said grain by the lord of Meneteth ; given up to the King 4 celdars from Murielle of Cambov ; given to the King 1 celdram from Earle of Marr; given to the King 5 celdras; and the same Earl gives to the King by another letter 2 celdras." — Ex. Rolls., p. 179, vol. i. From the lost national manuscripts of charters, but of which Robertson brought to light an index, we find that about the year 1328 Sir Thomas of Menzies, the brother of the Chief Lord Robert the Menzies, got the lands and barony of [page_67 A.D. 1329] Fortingall, which his father and ancestors had held, and which was confirmed by a charter of King Robert the Bruce to the lands of Fothergill in Atholia, Perthshire. The barony and lands of Fortingall are represented by the present parish of that name, and occupied the chief part of the north-western division of Perthshire, the length of the barony being about 40 miles, and the breadth about 30 miles. In circumference along the sinuosities of the boundary line it measures about 130 miles, and its area about 450,000 acres. Within its boundary lie Glenlyon, Rannoch, Ericht, Lydoch, and Garry, with their lands and lochs. It marches with Badenoch in the north, Blair Athole in the north-east, Glenorchy, Appin, and Lochaber to the west, and interlaces with the other Menzies baronies of Weem, Dull, Glendochart, Disher, and Toyer, and others, all at this time the property of Clan Menzies. The whole barony lies among the Grampians, is exceedingly mountainous, and is strongly Highland in its character, with ever-changing scenes of savage grandeur, varying views of romantic beauty, towering mountains, cleft into ridges by torrents and ravines, clad with mountain-ash on the acclivities of their sides, with broad shoulders of " Menzies heath "-clad mountains, sylvan braes, and the far-stretching lochs of Rannoch and Ericht, rendering the barony of Fortingall eminently Highland — its most remarkable mountain being Schiehallion. The village of Fortingall stands at the west end of the Appin of the Menzies', about 7 miles west from Castle Menzies, on the lower part of the course of the river Lyon. The vale of Fortingall is about 6 miles long, and about half-a-mile in breadth, with mountains coming gradually down upon its gentle beauties, which are adorned with groves, and the nestling clachan sublimely yet softly picturesque in its vale. It is surrounded with such a phalanx of Alpine mountains that a stranger might think ingress or egress to be impracticable. In the churchyard stands the celebrated yew-tree which was there when one of the progenitors of the Clan Menzies (Metellanus) entertained the Roman ambassador, the remains of whose encampment is still to be seen at the west end of the vale. There are many circular forts in the barony of Fortingall, from 30 to 50 feet in diameter, built of vast blocks of stone by the Menzies' in ages gone. It is difficult to conceive how they could have been placed there unless by machinery, showing that our Highland forefathers had inventive faculties, as these forts clearly prove. The height of their walls is inconsiderable, and they are almost all in view of one another, and formed a chain of watch-towers through the centre of the Menzies' country, extending from Dunkeld through Fortingall into Argyleshire. Two of these forts are much larger than the others with outworks. At the east end of the barony, not far from Coshieville on the banks of Keltny burn, stands Garth Castle, at this time considered impregnable, built upon a precipitous rocky promontory and cut off by converging deep chasms, with the brawling [page_68 A.D. 1329-1330] burn running round it. When Sir Thomas Menzies possessed it there was a ditch and drawbridge. Farther up Glenlyon is Castle Bann, also at this time inhabited by Sir Thomas Menzies. It stands on a high projecting rock, overlooking a sharp turn in the present road, guarding the entrance of the glen. This sketch gives but a faint idea of the vast extent of land re-embodied in the title of the charter conveying Fortingall to this branch of the clan, then represented by Sir Thomas Menzies. Shortly after these transactions connected with the Scottish Exchequer and Parliaments, in which Lord Robert the Menzies figures, as recorded in the preceding extracts, King Robert the Bruce died at Cardross, 7th June 1329, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, and with his dying breath commissioned " the good Sir James Douglas " to carry his heart to the Holy Land, and bury it in the Holy Sepulchre. His heart was extracted, embalmed, and delivered to Douglas, who, attended by a splendid retinue of knights and chiefs — among whom was Chief Lord Robert the Menzies (whose name disappears from the records from about this time)— sailed from Scotland in June 1330. On reaching Sluys, in Flanders, Douglas learned that Alphonso, the young king of Leon and Castile, in the south of Spain, was at war with Osmun, the Moorish King of Granada. With the intention of fighting against the Infidels, he and his faithful followers joined Alphonso's army. The combined forces came in sight of the enemy near Tebas, a castle on the frontiers of Andalusia, when the Moors and Saracens were defeated with great slaughter ; but Douglas, giving way to his impetuous valour, pursued them too eagerly, and, in attempting to rejoin the main force, perceived Sir Walter St Clair of Roslin surrounded by a body of Moors who had suddenly rallied. With the few followers he had with him, Douglas turned hastily to the rescue of his comrades, followed closely by Lord Robert the Menzies. He was, however, nearly overpowered by numbers, who persistently pressed upon him. Taking from his neck the silver casket containing the heart of the great Bruce, he threw it on before him among the thickest of the enemy, saying, " Now, pass onward before us, gallant heart, as thou wert wont, Douglas will follow thee or die!" To this Lord Robert the Menzies responded, " Toilleadh Die e s ni mis e," or, " God will it ; I'll do it !" From this circumstance, it is said, the motto of the Menzies' was taken, which is, " Vil God, I zal," in answer to the cry of Douglas, " Pass forward," or corrupted into our modern British, " God will, I shall." Douglas, charging among the Infidels, was overpowered and slain. The Moor, or Saracen, who gave him his death-blow, is said to have lost his head by the hand of Chief Robert the Menzies, for which service he received as a crest the head of a Saracen or Moor, which is still the crest of the Chief Menzies of Menzies. Thus the brave and good Sir James Douglas, with the greater part of his warriors, were slain. His body, with the casket, was found on the field and brought back, along with the surviving Scottish chiefs and knights. The heart [page_69 A.D. 1330-1332] of the Bruce was afterwards deposited at Melrose, and the body of Sir James Douglas at Dunfermline. During the lifetime of his father, Sir Robert the Menzies got a charter from him of the lands of Weem and Aberfeldy in Atholl. This charter must have been granted about 1318, but not later than 1320. Under these two names are, at this date, implied the whole lands of Strath Tay, from about where Ballinluig is to-day up to Loch Tay itself. The document reads thus : — " Charter by Sir Alexander de Meygners, son and heir of Sir Robert de Mengners, to Sir Robert de Meygners, his son, for his homage and service to the granter's lord superior, the Earl of Atholl, of the granter's land of Weme and Abbirfeallibeg in Atholl. To be held for payment to the Earl of Atholl of one penny sterling yearly, at Whitsunday, rendering the ' forinsec ' service of the king that pertained to so much land, and three suits yearly at the three head courts of the lord superior's court at Rath in Atholl. The witnesses are : Robert, Steward of Scotland (afterwards Robert II.); John Rannulph, Earl of Moray; Patrick de Donbar, Earl of March ; Andrew de Moray, Lord of Bothewyle ; Robert de Keth, Marischal of Scotland ; John de Cambron, Lord of Balligernach, Knights ; Alexander de Meygners, grandson (nepos) of the granter, Lord of Forthirgyll (Fortingall) and others." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 5. No date, but Sir William Fraser says, granted in 1332, "as in that year Keith died, and Randolph became Earl of Moray." Then following upon this another charter was granted, confirming the Menzies' in their native possessions and Thaneage of Cranach, Achmore, &c. &c. These embodied the whole lands of Loch Tay, under the name Cranich, on the lands of Balnasuim, Balnahanaid, Easter and Wester Tombreck, Cragganester, Craggontoll, &c. These were in the parish of Weem, and included the land surrounding Ben Lawers and the whole mountain. The lands of Auchmore are on the south-west of Loch Tay, and included part of Glendochart and other lands, which are also embodied in this charter : — " Charter by David de Strabolgy (for the king), Earl of Atholl and Constable of Scotland, to his beloved and faithful ' confideratus,' Sir Robert de Meygners, knight, son of Sir Alexander de Meygners, for his homage and service, of the whole thanage of Cranach, in the earldom of Atholl, with all the lands of Cranach, Achmore, &c. To be held for rendering to the earl and his heirs the service of an archer in the army of the King of Scotland, and three suits at the granter's head court at Rath in Atholl. The witnesses are : Robert the Steward ; John Rannulphi, Earl of Moray ; Patrick de Dunbar, Earl of March ; Andrew de Moray, Lord of Bothewyle ; Patrick de Carnock, Knights ; Symon de Sawelton, Chamberlain to the Earl; Henry de Wollor {Circa. 1332)." — Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 6. During the reign of David II., Robert the Steward was the guardian of [page_70 A.D. 1332] Scotland, and as cousin of Earl Robert the Menzies, assigned to him the lands and rents of Obyne, near Balmoral, including Dunnottar Castle. These evidently were taken from Reginald More for assisting Edward Baliol, and given for services to Chief Robert the Menzies ; but as Reginald had to fly from Scotland, and not knowing that Lord Menzies had got his lands, he wrote instructing Adam of Bothirgask to collect his rents. His reply is preserved among the national manuscripts, dated 1332, and is as follows : — "1332. From the National Manuscripts of Scotland, page 29, vol. ii., "also as to the rents of Obyne, assigned of the said Reginald by our lord the guardian, Adam says that they never by fault of his remain unpaid but by the assignation of our lord the guardian, made to Sir Robert of Meyners and Sir John Cabr, knights, by letters patent of our lord the guardian." That it was not through the fault of the said Adam is evident, because the said Reginald could no more demand the rents of Obyne for the term of Martinmas while he himself was present, than the said Adam could demand the said rents for the term of Whitsunday while the said Reginald was absent." The lands of Aboyne are about thirteen miles long, and at their greatest breadth about twelve miles. Lord Robert the Menzies had the greater part of them covered by one of the finest forests in the country. In holding these lands he also held the Castle of Aboyne, and is said to have been the governor of the Castle of Dunnottar. This, with the other possessions held by his brother, Sir Thomas Menzies, consisting of the whole barony and lands of the Garrioch and other parts, made Clan Menzies one of the most powerful in the Highlands of Aberdeenshire, and they materially assisted in driving the Baliol faction out of the country. It is something for local history to know that Reginald More was succeeded by Sir Robert the Menzies as " lord of lands at Kincardine O'Neil and the Mearns, including the ancient Keep of Dunoter, about the year 1332 "- —Chamberlain Rolls. Viscount Robert the Menzies married Margaret de Oyoth, Uyoth, or Evioth, which family, afterwards called Evioth of Busey, was of considerable note, and sub- sisted till the reign of King James the Sixth, when Colin Eviot of Busey was forfeited for his share in the Gowrie conspiracy. This lady was one of the daughters and heirs-portioners of Sir David de Oyoth, knight. By this marriage the Menzies' got the lands of Syres, now called Ceres, in Fifeshire. Ceres is a town and also a parish that extends for seven or eight miles in length by about four miles broad, with an area of about 8000 acres. It is pleasantly and even picturesquesly diversified, the whole consisting of a beautiful valley screened by Tarvet Hill and Magus Moor. The town of Ceres stands two-and-a-half miles south-east of Cupar, on the road to Pittenweem, which may have got its name from the Menzies' village and possessions of Weem in Perthshire. They also got the lands of Caffyndoly, now called Cassindilla, adjoining Ceres ; the lands of Balquy, now Balcarlsward ; and the lands [page_71 A.D. 1332-1334] of Craigneir, now Craighall, near Ceres, where there is also a beautiful old tower 24 feet square and 50 feet high — the walls are of jointed stone and very thick, and the windows small, the whole surmounted by a battlement, doubtless the work of the old Menzies chiefs. They likewise got the lands of Caluge, now Gilston, two-and-a-half miles south-east of Ceres, with a village of about fifty-one houses. The following is a translation of the charter of these possessions given to Sir Robert Menzies : — "June 7th 1329 to Feb. 22nd 1371. " David, by the Grace of God, King of Scotland : Be it knowen unto all men that I approve of the gift by deed conveyed and granted to Margareta Ovyot, daughter and only heir of Sir David Ovyot, knight, spouse of Sir Robert of Meygner's, knight, made and conceded by Richard Ovyot, her brother, together the whole lands given over of Caffyndoly, and total lands of Balquy, and of Craigneir, and the total lands of Calauge, and these entire lands and buildings, together with water and fishings of ' Seyres,' with castle, in the shire of Fife, belonging and held by the said Richard and his heirs and asygnees, in full possession and heritage by one straight boundary to subsist with the whole and border parts free, thus given and assigned, and these with his otherwise extensive and great lands, and the open water and fishings in full possession, together with towers and strengths, in future to be free and peacefully possessed intirely and honourably in whole and as hereby, this said charter to Margaret by Richard, after completing, is in full interity and possession of this gift. — Salutation, with the first knowledge and consent of the king, and witnessed and confirmed at the monestary of Lindoris, 11th day of August 1334." — David II., Reg. Gt. Seal, p. 40-1, 1334. Lady Menzies, his wife, is also referred to by Robertson in a charter — " confirm donationis quam Margareta Ouyot filia una heredum David de Ouyot militis spousa Robert de Meygneris, &c. &c." — granted by King David II. After the death of the great King Robert the Bruce, his son David Bruce, eight years of age, was crowned at Scone. Randolph (the Regent) died suddenly, and Marr (nephew of the king) was chosen Regent. This nobleman was in every way unfitted for so arduous a position. A few days after these events, Edward Baliol, with the disinherited barons, landed at Wester Kinghorn, and advanced to Dunfermline, where he soon collected a force of over 2000 men, then pushed on to Perth, where he gained the Battle of Dupplin Moor, after which he was crowned king ; but the crown which he had thus gained he lost in three weeks at Annan, where he was defeated and forced to fly to England. Edward III. made this a pretext to invade Scotland, to assist Baliol to regain the crown. This was so far accomplished in the southern parts of Scotland that the lands of those who had remained firm to King David were confiscated and given to those who had come to put the usurper on the throne. Of those who remained steadfast to the cause of Bruce was Sir [page_72 A.D. 1334-1336] Alexander Menzies, the brother of the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies. Sir Alexander had got the lands of Durrisdeer from his father, and they had again reverted on his death to the Stewarts, but on Sir Alexander's marriage to Giles Stewart (a daughter of James the High Steward and guardian's uncle), Durrisdeer once more came into his hands, and was in the hands of Sir Alexander Menzies when Scotland was invaded by Edward III. The village of Durrisdeer stands at the entrance of a narrow mountain pass or gorge, and commands the passage or road between Dumfriesshire and Edinburghshire. On this invasion of the English, tradition says that Sir Alexander Menzies held this stronghold against the English army, who beseiged it for three days before they captured it ; and on the English taking possession of the country, they confiscated the lands of Sir Alexander Menzies and Annabella Menzies of Redhall, Colmanston, &c, with all they had. This is shown by the following record from the English Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland : — "A.D. 1335-36. The Barony of Redhall, confiscated as spoil by the King of England from the said Alexander of Meyners, to the value of £22, 1s. 4d. rental per annum, payable at the term of Saint Martin by 20s., and no less excuse for same. The lands of Bonalyn, forfeited as spoil by the King of England from said Annabella of Meigners, and which rents are £71, 8s. 9d. value per annum, and the sum of 55s. 10d., and no less sum for same. The other high lands of Colmanston in full extent, as spoil by the King of England forfeited from the said Alexander of Meignes, and the sum of 66s. 8d. value, not accounted because of such powers from the crown from the time of his account. The third part of the unpreserved lands of Colmanston in all, as spoil by the king, and forfeited from Alexander (Menzies), and the sum of 33s. 4d. in all not accounted, and which crown powers hold in absence from time of his account." — Cal. Doc. re Scot., p. 333, vol. iii. The foregoing go to show that Alexander of Menzies, the brother of Viscount Robert, had possession of the lands of Redhall. These lands form part of the parish of Colinton, then called Colmanston, near Edinburgh, and extend to about four miles long by three-and-three-quarters broad. The surface of the land is beautifully varied, descending from the northern range of the Pentlands towards the plain of Corstorphine, with occasional bold undulations. Towards the north-east are the picturesque heights of Craiglockhart and Firr Hill. About a mile from the town of Colinton is Redhall, and adjacent is an old castle of the Menzies', not far from Craiglockhart. There is an extensive quarry of sandstone at Redhall, which a few years ago paid a yearly rental of £1100. The lands of Annabella Menzies of "Bonalyn" are also in the parish of Colinton, and are now called Bonally, the old Menzies' tower of Bonally forming part of the present mansion, part of which is still to be seen. It is situated in a hollow pass through the Pentland Hills, and has a very interesting appearance, [page_73 A.D. 1336-1337] being surrounded by high hills. The whole parish and lands of Colinton were held by Sir Alexander and Annabella of Menzies. Following close on this the English forfeited the lands of Vogrie, in Edinburghshire, possessed by Viscount Robert Menzies, the chief, for his adherence to the house of Bruce and Scotland, which he held probably as Sheriff of Edinburgh and the shire of Edinburgh. The entry of his forfeiture is thus recorded : — " 1336-37- Sir Robert Meygneis forfeits his land of Wogrym" now Vogrie. " The lands of Wogrym, worth £69, 12s. in all per annum, held as spoil by the King of England by the forfeiture of Roberti the Meygners, to the amount of 3s. for the time, being 8s. due from Roberti the Meygners to the Castle ward of Edinburgh unpaid." — Cal. Doc. re Scot., p. 381, vol. iii. Then close upon this record of Viscount Robert the Menzies having his lands confiscated comes the forfeiture of the lands of Sir Alexander of Menzies, consisting of the town of Barrowstoun or Borrowstowness, now called Bo'ness, within the lands and barony of Kinniel, for his adherence to the cause of King David II. We find both their names on the rolls of the disinherited Scots for defending the rights and independence of Scotland against the English, the record entry of which is here translated : — " 1337. Alexander Menzies forfeits Barrowstoun in the barony of Kynneil. " The lands of Berwardestone in the barony of Kynneil, which are worth, as accounted of before and called the barony of Kynneil, the sum of £66, 13d. in all per annum, and held as spoil by the King of England by the forfeiture of Alexandri of Meigners ; also of 11s., and no less sum from same." — Cal. Doc. re Scot., p. 389, vol. iii. The Menzies' during this invasion had resisted the English in their march into Scotland, but were compelled to retreat to their Highland possessions, where the English could not and did not dare to follow. Viscount Robert the Menzies was, at the time of these confiscations, raising Clan Menzies and serving with the Scottish army in the north, which was opposing that of Edward Baliol. The entries of confiscation afford a valuable record of the condition of these parts of Scotland under English rule for two years, 1335-7. In these, the Menzies' and other patriotic adherents of King David and Scotland are seen to have been ousted from their possessions, which were mostly put into English hands, or those of lowland Scotsmen who preferred self-interest to that of their country. The English and their partisans made a clean sweep of all who would not submit to their yoke ; and the Scots, on the other hand, animated by the fiercest resentment, led by such men as Viscount Robert the Menzies, at the head of expert bodies of clansmen, cleared the open country, compelling them to keep within the castles in Linlithgow and Edinburgh shires ; and as a writer says : — -" The ' Highland and Scottish family [page_74 A.D. 1337-1340] of Menzies were extensive proprietors of these districts — one of them as owner of Kinneil, afterwards identified with the surname of Hamilton ' and the present Duke, to which family these lands went by the marriage of Annabella Menzies to Sir David Hamilton." The barony of Barrowstowness, or Kinneil, extends in length to about four miles by two. From S.E. the ground descends from the hill of Glowr-o'er-em (530 feet high) to the tract of flat alluvium called the Carse of Kinniel. The site of the old seat is still occupied by an old house which bears the name and belongs to the Duke of Hamilton, her descendant. Antoninus' wall traversed this old Menzies barony, and the Romans had a fort here. The lands of Vogrie are in the parish of Borthwick, three miles S.E. of Dalkeith (in Edinburghshire), and contain the village of Dewarton, so named, may be, from some of the Dewars of the Menzies' having been brought down from Killin or Dull to strengthen their southern estates against the English. While matters were thus with Sir Alexander in the south, the chief was with the patriot army of the Earl of Athole in the north. Athole, at this time, was for King David, and in command of the Scottish army in the north ; but he was a man so anxious for power that it mattered little which side he was on, so long as he could get office. An occasion opened up a prospect to him by the Regent Moray being taken prisoner, and Edward III. and Baliol had overrun, for a time, the greater part of Scotland. The Earl of Athole, at this juncture, showed his versatile and selfish ambition by aspiring to the vacant office of regent. He accordingly informed Edward III. that he was willing to make his final submission on this condition, which was agreed to. Athole was immediately appointed governor in Scotland, but he did not long retain his coveted office. It happened that within Kildrummie (a strong castle in the north), the wife of Sir Andrew Moray had taken shelter. She was a sister of Robert the Bruce. Athole, eager to make a captive of so valuable a prize, attacked it. Moray hastily collected a small army, and flew to raise the seige. His troops encountered those of Athole in the forest of Kilblene, and, after a severe conflict, entirely dispersed them, Athole and five knights being slain in the wood. He died young in years but old in political intrigue and ambition. In Athole's army were many of the friends of the king, who were compelled to remain there owing to the presence of the English in such large numbers headed by their king. On the first opportunity a large section of them, headed by Viscount Robert the Menzies, struck out from him, and took refuge in the Castle of " Canmore " until they could join in with Moray, whose friends they were. The next day Visconut Robert Menzies arranged matters with Moray, and by his influence all the army renewed their allegiance to King David Bruce. [page_75 A.D. 1341-1342] Boece says that Sir Robert Menzies and " the pepil thairof war sworn to King David's opinioun." Wynton gives the following description of the battle and the action of the Clan Menzies on that occasion : — " There by an oak died Earl Davie And sundry of his company : Sir Walter Comyn als was slayne ; And Sir Thomas Brown was [a prisoner] tane ; The same was beheaded hastily : It seemed they loved him not so greatly. Sir Robert ' Meyhneis ' [Menzies] to Canmore Went, where he wonnand was before : Thither he went, and in a Pele He savit him and his Menzies' weel. And then upon another day He treated, and came to their fay. There was but few slain in that fight, For the wood held them owt of sight : And they fled all so haistely, That away got the most of the party. 'Twas fought on Saint Andrew's day, Or on its eve, as they would say." — Wynton's Chron. Scot., ii. 201. Almost all those who had taken part with the Earl of Athole were either slain in the conflict or at once put to death on the spot. After this event, Moray was made Regent of Scotland. Gradually castle after castle was retaken by the Scots, and almost all Scotland cleared of the English. The country now began to become more settled, and the giving and renewing of charters was again proceeded with; and it is at this time (about 1341) that we find a renewal of the charters for the Menzies' lands on the north side of Loch Tay, Disher, and also on the south side of Toyer, embodying the parish of Kenmore, which reads as follows : — " Transumpt of a charter by Duncan, Earl of Fife (for the king), in favour of Sir Robert de Menzies, knight, the granters, kinsman of the land of Edirdamuky and of Morinche in Desawer, in the county of Perth. To be held for rendering the ' forinsec ' service of the king, used and wont, and a red rose or twelve silver pennies to the granter and his heirs, and giving three suits yearly at the granter's court of Desaweter. The Earl also grants and confirms to the said Sir Robert and his heirs the office of Tossach of the Earl's decree of Kyretollony, with all the privileges of that office." The charter bears no date, but it was probably granted about the year 1342. The witnesses are : — Alexander de Menzies, Alexander de Setoun, John de [page_76 A.D. 1343-1345] Cambroun of Ballnath, John de Bona Villa, and Roger de Mortuomare, knights. — Transumpt of 1439, Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 8. J. A. Robertson says : — " In the early part of King David II. 's reign, Duncan, Earl of Fife, for the king, in the year 1341 made a grant of a part of Disher and Toyer to the family of Menzies of that ilk, namely, the lands of Moreinsh and Edramuckie in Disher. This charter was confirmed by the crown in 1343. The family of Menzies had got a previous grant of another part of this lordship and the thanage of Cranach, in vicecomitat prae dict. The first of these charters is confirmed by King David II., A.D. 1343 ; the second by Robert, Steward of Scotland, and lord of Athole." — Nisbet, p. 244, vol. ii. Edramuckie and Moreinsh are lands stretching along the north and west end of Loch Tay, and in the latter are the lands of Rynachulig, Blarliaragan, Tomachrocher, now known as Moreinsh Crofts, Ballemore Macgrigor, Ardmoyle, and others. At Edramuckie the Menzies' had a castle at this time (the remains of which are still visible), to the south of the present farm building. About 250 yards from Loch Tay, close to the burn of Edramuckie, some of the trees planted by the Menzies', mostly sycamore and elm, — the remains of the avenues leading to the Castle, — still remain a testimonial of the love of forestry which has always been a characteristic of the race, and also showing the importance the place once had. Edramuckie means in Gaelic, " between two rising hills," as describing its situation, and the Gaelic name Moreinsh is big inch, or " big pasture fields." Viscount Robert Menzies the Chief had a third son, to whom he gave in his lifetime the barony of Enouch in Nithsdale, not far from Durrisdeer, where there was a strong castle constructed almost alike to Old Garth Castle, at this time also in the hands of Viscount Robert Menzies the Chief. The site of Enouch Castle is on the bank of the river Nith, which runs past it on the one side. The bank next the river is very steep and rocky, almost a vertical bank, and there has been cut in the solid rock a passage for the river, so as to form an oblong-shaped rocky island with the river running round it. Upon this rock was built Old Enouch Castle, which, from its position in these days, must have been almost impregnable. When the writer visited the spot in the summer of 1892 he was struck with the similarity of position and site to that of Old Garth Castle, so far from it in the north ; and although almost every stone has been carried away to build the neighbouring houses, the position is such that to an ordinary eye it can yet be seen that both places must have been a plan and model to each other — possibly the same Highland masons who built Garth also built Enouch. It is also likely that it was the same miners who cut the rocky bed round Enouch Castle that cut the way through the rocks round Garth Castle, so that the rivers might become a source of defence and security to those Menzies' who had to defend them in the hour of danger or invasion. In 1345 Viscount Robert the Menzies got a renewal [page_77 A.D. 1346] of his charter of Enouch in favour of his third son, Sir Robert Menzies, which is recorded in Robertson's Index, page 53: — "Charter to Robert Menzies, knight, of the barony of Enachie, in the valleys of Niche, quhilke [which] Robert Menzies, his father, resigned in Robert, the Great Stewart, his hands for new infeftment, to be given by King David II." It was at this time that King David was preparing to invade England ; and, just before taking the field, he confirmed the son of the chief in his possession of Enouch, the record of which is also given by Robertson, thus : — " To Robert Menzies, of the barony of Enach, in Niddisdale (Nithsdale), in the vicom de Dumfreis," a charter confirmed " by King David the Second," dated 1346. Viscount Robert himself apparently at this time got a renewed confirmation of his possessions of Weem, Aberfeldy, &c, as per No. 9 from Castle Menzies' charters : — " Charter by Robert, Steward of Scotland and Lord of Athole, confirming the grant made by Alexander de Meygners to Sir Robert de Meygners, his son, of the Weme and Aberfeally-beg in Athole" (No. 5 supra). — No date, but probably granted about 1346. The witnesses are: Duncan, Earl of Fyff; John Ranulphi, Earl of Moray ; Patrick de Dunbarre, Earl of March ; Maurice de Moray ; Robert de Erskyne, Malcolm Flemyng, Earl of Wigton ; Robert de Erskyne, Hugh de Elytoun — knights. In 1346, Edward III. being occupied in his French wars, David II., at the instigation of the French king, mustered a large army at Perth, consisting of the flower of the Highland clans, such as Menzies, MacDonald, Stewart, Robertson, MacGregor, Cameron, and others, with the barons of all the leading families of Scotland. From Perth he advanced upon the Borders, where he stormed and captured the fortress of Liddel, then marched south-east through Northumberland and towards Durham, the march of his army being marked by devastation. He was, however, surprised and defeated at the battle of Neville's Cross, near Durham, on the 7th October 1346, and taken prisoner after a desperate personal encounter, where, as the English historian says, " He had two spears sticking (hanging) in his body, his leg desperately wounded, and his sword beaten out of his hand." Fiercely struggling without arms, he was at last overpowered by the English, made a prisoner, and marched to London and imprisoned in the Tower. Many Scottish chiefs and knights fell in this battle, among whom was Viscount Robert the Menzies, who must have been killed, as after this date his name does not again appear. His widow, however, is mentioned, where she conveys the lands of Pitferrane, near the town of Dunfermline, to the Monastery of Dunfermline, probably for the repose of the soul of the deceased warrior-chief who had, with his father, been the compatriots of the great Bruce. Nisbet says : " Lady Menzies in her time of widowity, with consent of Sir John Menzies, her son and heir, gave to the Monastery of Dunfermline Totam terram meam de Pikfuram (Pitferran) me jure heriditaris contingentem ; and which charter was afterwards confirmed by King [page_78 A.D. 1346] David II., A.D. 1360. Lady Menzies had before this, likewise in the time of her widowity, given to her consanguineous Richard Evioth, the lands of Busey in the shire of Perth, which gift was confirmed by King David II. in the 23rd year of his reign, A.D. 1352." — Nisbet, p. 244, vol. ii. Thus fell Sir Robert the Menzies, Earl, or Viscount, of Edinburgh, fighting by the side of David II., the son of his fellow companion-in-arms, the great Bruce, in the service of whom he had distinguished himself at Bannockburn and in several of the invasions of England. He suffered the confiscation of his lands in Edinburghshire by the orders of Edward III. for his strenuous support of the house of his old leader and king ; as also did his brother, Sir Alexander of Menzies, and daughter (or sister), Annabella of Menzies. He was born about 1267 and died 1346, and left three sons and one daughter, Annabella : — (1st.) Sir John the Menzies, who became chief and succeeded to the estates of Menzies. (2nd.) Sir Alexander of Menzies, who, by his marriage, about 1370, to Janet — who was the only child and heiress of Robert Stewart, Earl of Athole — got lands in the shire of Aberdeen. In the charter granted by his grandfather Sir Alexander the Menzies to his father Viscount Robert the Menzies, he is called his grandchild, and is 'designated Alexander Menzies of Fortingall. From this son of Sir Robert, Nisbet considers that the family of Pitfodels (probably by a second son) and others of the name in the country descend. He likewise got the whole lands of Strathtummel with his wife, and from the importance of the property conveyed with his own, he received a charter confirming him in his possessions from King David II. These were the lands of Lassintullich, Tullichcroskie (now Crosmount), Kynachan, Garth, Bufrax, and a third part of the town of Lynnoch. Of this marriage there were two sons, Sir Alexander — who succeeded to the Garth estates — and Robert, said to be the ancestor of the Aberdeen branch of Clan Menzies. (3rd.) Sir Robert of Menzies, who got in his father's lifetime the lands and barony of Enouch, in Dumfriesshire, about five miles from Durrisdeer, which his uncle, Sir Alexander Menzies, held at that time, both marching with each other. In this barony stood the ancient stronghold of the Menzies', Castle Enouch. (1st.) Annabella Menzies — who received the lands and barony of Kinniel, with Barrowstouness in Linlithgowshire — married Sir David Hamilton, by which marriage these old Menzies lands descended to the present Dukes of Hamilton. They had three sons — 1st, Sir David, ancestor of the Duke; 2nd, Walter, from whom the Hamiltons of Grange and Cambuskeith in Ayrshire descend ; 3d, Alan, from whom are the Hamiltons of Larbert in Linlithgowshire. — Scottish Nation, p. 416, vol. ii. [page_79 A.D. 1323-1410 ] Chief Sir John the Meygners, Knight, 6th Baron of Menzies SURNAMED THE HERO OF THE BATTLE OF LIEGE. A.D. 1323-1410 SIR JOHN THE MENZIES succeeded his father, Viscount Robert the Menzies, in the whole lands and estates before mentioned, viz. : — Weem, Aberfeldy, Dull, Bolfracks, Loch Tay or Disher and Toyer, in Athole, including the whole surrounding country of Loch Tay, Glendochart, and Glenlochy in Breadalbane ; Glenlyon, with the lands of Fernachie and Gowlantine in the Abthanage of Dull ; also many other places, such as the lands of Finlarig, Moreinsh, Edramucky, Glenquich, and others ; with those of his mother Margaret Oynt or Evioth of Busey, in Perthshire, whose lands lay in Glenesk, a valley in the northern part of the Grampian district of Forfarshire, watered by the North Esk and its mountain tributaries. It is now called in its main body Glenmark, and in its offshoots Glen Enouch, which would still seem to retain in name at least a relic of its ancient Menzies owners, who at this time also held Enouch in Dumfriesshire. The other offshoots are Gleneffock and Glentinmount. Sir John also got the lands of Glen Bervie in Kincardineshire, which now contain the village of Drumlithie. The parish of Glenbervie is bounded by Strachan, Durris, Fetteresso, Donnottar, Kinneff, Arbuthnot, and Fordoun. Its length southward is six-and-a-half miles, and five miles broad. The surface is hilly and uneven, and descends eastward and southward from the Grampian mountains. The soil in the upper part is heavy, and in the lower a light dry loam, abundantly fertile. The western part stands high, and is bleak and little cultivated ; the eastern parts, although high and exposed, are well cultivated, as is also the northern quarter along a low ridge of the Grampian mountains. The remainder of the district is principally heath, copse, and pasture land, forming the very secluded part of Glenbervie. Bervie Water comes down from the braes of Fordoun, and runs about four-and-a-half miles south-east along the southern boundary of Glenbervie. The Carron Water rises in the braes in the west, and flows [page_80 A.D. 1371] eastward through the interior. Likewise he inherited the lands of Ceres in Fifeshire, and the lands of Vogry in Edinburghshire, with other places. Sir John the Menzies, before he succeeded to the chiefship of Clan Menzies, saw considerable military service under his father, in the wars with Edward III., against the English. In all these troubles he had given strenuous support to Robert the High Steward, his cousin, against the enemies of Scotland. At that time Scotland was divided into two parties — those who supported the policy of King David II., which was one of truckling to Edward III. ; the other party was that of Robert the High Steward, consisting of a body of patriots, who followed in the footsteps of their fathers and in the cause of their country. Of this latter party was Sir John the Menzies. His relationship to Robert the High Steward and support of him debarred him from appearing in connection with any of the events connected with the affairs of David II. — this being the reason why his name is not attached to any of the charters, &c, granted by that king. On the death of David II. at Edinburgh Castle, on the 22nd February 1371, Robert the High Steward succeeded as King of Scotland, and was crowned at Scone, on the 27th March 1371, ascending the throne of Scotland as King Robert II., the first of the royal house of Stewart. This was celebrated with great pomp and splendour. Sir John the Menzies, as one of the relations of the king, was present at the coronation, and held a near place to the throne in that vast assembly of nobles, barons, and others — his son Sir Robert of Menzies being the shield-bearer of the king. This post of honour he held from blood-relationship, giving both Sir John the Menzies and Sir Robert of Menzies such a standing in that august company that few were their superiors. This great event is recorded in the Acts of the Parliament of the time, and to which the names of the magnates and nobles of Scotland are attached, among whom is the name of Sir John the Menzies. The following is the Act of Parliament recording the coronation of Sir Robert Stewart as King of Scotland, afterwards Robert II. : — " The Coronation of Robert II. at Scone, 27th March 1371. " Celebrating this the crowning and anointing with princely and religious ceremonial the king and flower of all men, being proclaimed the future king, and seated in the seat-royal, over the people, at Scone, being with fame crowned there in person, before all the prelates, earls, the barons and nobles as the under-written." Here follows a list of the names of the nobles present, among whom is the name of John the Menzies, Johnes de Megyners, &c. &c. — Acts Par., Scot., p. 181, vol. i. Sir John the Menzies got for his son, Sir Robert, a charter from King Robert II. at Perth, 8th September 1376, of the lands and barony of Enouch, in the valley of the Nith. He seems to have stood well in the favour of the king, who calls his late father his faithful Sir Robert the Menzies. He also may [page_81 A.D. 1376-1380] have had in view the maintaining of a branch of the clan who had stood so true to him, near the English border, as a barrier against the Sasannach. We append an extract (translation) of this document : — " 1376. Robert, by the grace of God, King of Scotland : Be it knowen unto all men, I for service, interest, and three wonted salutes from my relation, and for love to my faithfull Sir Robert the Meingeis and John of Meingeis, his son, gives full possession of the whole barony of Enoch, with castle, in the valley of the Nith ; which same barony is held by said John, and to such of this John Menzies' noble surname discharged, and renewed possession as held by the same Robert Menzies heritably to males of his body of him legitimate begotten or procreated, with possession to his ; failing Sir John, then heritably to his legitimately whatsomever, of the surname and arms, descend the possessions heritably succeeding, free and full assigned rental to Sir Robert and heirs of his aforesaid ; and he failing Sir John, then heirs of his said surname and arms, succeeding to the said barony thus. Recording carefully to the three courts at the capital of the shire of Dumfries, to otherwise possess the said barony. Sealed and confirmed, &c, before witnesses, at Perth, 8th day of September 1376." — Reg. Gt. Seal, p. 133 (30). The foregoing charter went to establish the branch of Menzies' in the southern Highlands of Scotland, and found the Enouch cadets, who got a grant of separate armorial bearings, which are recorded about this date in the Lion Court register. Sir Robert Menzies received this estate, being the eldest son, to maintain him until he should succeed to his full possessions. This became the rule for a considerable period with the chiefs of Menzies to give their eldest son the estates of Enouch during their lifetime. Sir John Menzies, on the 14th of June 1380, got a renewed grant from Robert II. of his late father's lands of Vogrie, in the shire of Edinburgh, by which his Majesty granted a discharge of the castle ward dues, payable out of those lands, of the annual value of 8s. This document is still in the public archives, a translation of which runs thus : — " 14th June 1380, at Perth. Robert, by the grace of God, King of Scotland : Openly approves with honour, &c, and his full knowledge, gives, concedes, and by this present charter, confirms to his beloved and faithfull Sir John Meygneis, discharges the annual payment of 8s. as from the dues of the castle ward of the lands of ' Vogry,' in the shire of Edinburgh, held by the same Sir John Menzies, heritably descending to male heirs in full and heritage free, quietly, and peacefully conceded to John Menzies the said lands of ' Vogry,' with dues of former part thus discharged to John and heirs of himself; and third part and so much as is in the shire of Edinburgh, in three parts, at the capital, each year for the said holdings he holds. The which is confirmed [page_82 A.D. 1380-1391] by present charter under the great seal. " — Regni Sigilli Regm. Scot., p. 144. After the accession of Robert II. the country was greatly disturbed by almost continual war with England. Tradition says that the Menzies', who had been brought down from the Highlands of Perthshire to the mountainous parts of Dumfries, Edinburgh, and Lanark shires, played a most important part in these struggles and conflicts. They almost invariably joined themselves hand in hand with the Douglases in the border warfare. The Menzies' are said to have been with Douglas in the invasion of England in 1388 and at Otterburn. The last of these conflicts was signalized by one of the most stirring events of that eventful period. This was the great combat between the Percy and the Douglas at Otterburn, on the 21st July 1388. Douglas, after performing many astonishing achievements, encountered and vanquished Percy in single combat, and wrested from him his lance in presence of both armies. Enraged at this affront, Percy raised a still more powerful army, and, following up the Scottish army, encountered them at Otterburn, where the Menzies' and other Scots, not half their numbers, fought with the most determined bravery, and although long and doubtful, the valour of the Scots succeeded. Percy and his brother were taken prisoners, the English gave way, and the Scots gained a great victory, but with the loss of their brave leader, Douglas, who fell fighting. The English lost about 3000 men-at-arms and the whole chivalry of Northumberland and Durham. Scarce two years after this King Robert II. died in April 1390, and his son, Robert III., was crowned in August of 1390. The results of these wars and troubles led Sir John the Menzies into a considerable amount of outlay to equip Clan Menzies as required by the king, and obliged him to put his lands and barony of Glenbervie in ward, of which there are several entries recorded in the Chamberlain Rolls. Of these we give a translation, as follows : — " Sir John the Meigners, his land in the barony of Glenbervie in ward, and the £4, 1s. for outlays, carefully reckoned for the time. Such accounts and no payment of the account of 20 lib. for relief of the lands of ' Haucarton,' which Walter of 'Tullach,' the deputy chamberlain, has intromitted, and these are thus burdened. And repayment of the 20s. debit on the lands of the said John Mengners of Glenbervie, which lands are in ward until discharged by payment of the same reason as said deputy has for the burden. 1391." — Exch. Rolls, Scot., p. 285, vol. iii. This record is followed by another in the same year, wherein Sir John the Menzies is recorded as making a payment to account — a translation of which runs thus : — [page_83 A.D. 1391-1405] " 1391. Of the same burden to the £7, 13s. 3d. in partial payment, 20 lib. deducted for relieving the lands of ' Haukarton ' and the rest of the burdens are in rear account, and of 20s. received from the lands of same from said John Meigners in the barony of ' Glenbervy,' which are in ward of the king, in terms of his reckoning." — Exch. Rolls, p. 274, vol. iii. Sir John the Menzies also inherited the lands of Seres in Fifeshire, which his father held before him, and from them he sometimes got the title of Sir John Menzies of Seres. There still remains a relic of the old Menzies' lairds and possessors of these lands. To the north of Seres, about five miles, is the lands of " Moonzie," doubtless named after these old Menzies', who were the barons of large tracts of land round about that neighbourhood. About the end of 1404 a number of Scottish gentlemen and their followers, while sailing in French waters, excited the suspicion of the English garrison at Calais, who seized them and cast them into prison. News of this having been brought to King Robert III., no time was lost in arranging an embassy to Calais. It was appointed by the king that Sir John the Menzies should go as his ambassador to France, accompanied by eight knights and a body of his clansmen. He was also to have a Bard in his retinue. While preparations were being made, an application was made to the King of England (Henry IV.), for a safe conduct through England to France, and we find it in the English records, dated 21st September 1405, which reads : — "1405, Sept. 21 — Henry IV. October 1405. John Meners, &c, goes to Calais to ransom some Scots prisoners there. Treat for letters of safe conduct till Pentecost next, for John Menzer of Scotland, with eight men, 'gentilx,' and others, to pass through England by Dover to Calais, to pay the ransom of certain Scotsmen lately taken at sea by the garrison of Calais." — Worcester, Cal. Docs, re Scot., p. 149, vol. iv. The safe conduct was granted, and dated the 6th October 1405, and this fact was put upon record by the Rhymer in his Fcedera as follows : — "6th October 1405. Safe Conduct for John Menzer of Scotland to Calais, to ransom certain Scots." — Rhymer's Foedera, p. 554, vol. ii. The Duke of Albany, brother of Robert III., and the first Scottish duke, had all the financial matters to arrange with Sir John the Menzies for the equipment of his clansmen, followers, and retinue, for their journey through England to France, that the honour for knightly renown might be maintained by Scotland, as represented by Sir John the Menzies and his followers. Part of these arrangements are still preserved in the national records, and show the following sums of money paid to Sir John : — "Payment to John Meigners, A.D. 1405. — And the Lord Duke of Albanie, Chamberlane, thus openly, by letters, showes the ammount reckoned and given to Johannis Meigners and Thome senescalli ; also himself Lord Duke gave openly [page_84 A.D. 1405-1407] as calculated £69, 1s. 3d., the which is paid." — Ex. Rolls, Scot, p. 622, vol. iii. Following the payment of this money to defray the expenses of the embassy — to Chief Sir John the Menzies — we have the safe conduct, as granted by Henry IV., the translation of which is somewhat as follows : — " Safe conduct for JOHANNE MENZERS and others going to Calais for the redemption in that place of imprisoned Scotsmen, Wjgom, 6th Oct. 1405. The king by these letters gives open and free passage up to the feast of Pentiecoast next to execute the undertaking, this safe and secure conduct, given to protect and defend through the journey, to Johem Menzer of Scotia, and to eight nobles, his knights, companions and clansmen, and other additional followers, Scotsmen, by authority of the King of England, with passage and lodging given to Dover, and from that place by sea to the king at Calais, with knights in RED and WHITE (tartan) mountings, and a BARD, with their baggage, to be treated honourably by all men those of this good embassy ; and conclude a treaty with those gentlemen of Scotland, and officers upon the sea, to see the king's soldiers at Calais and have the prisoners freed and released, and after, by the authority of the king's command, safe and secure, without further loss or annoyance, all whatever wished on the way as a company for a good journey obtainable and necessary for the passage returning to Scotland — freely thus always to lodge themselves by the way in the castles and fortresses and villages of the king's establishment — herewith is a decree and instrument of the king of safe conduct to captains and others under his charge on the journey, as soon as informed not to detain unnecessarily, the king or representative as judge, with additional power, the king commands that judgment, in whatever connection or transgression, be adjusted in a proper manner." — P. Bill, de Privato Sigillo, and Exch. Rolls, p. 1 76, vol. ii. Sir John the Menzies appears to have discharged the responsibility of this mission to the entire satisfaction of his king and country, and received their commendation for arranging such a difficult business without loss of Scottish prestige, having maintained " peace with honour." On the return of Sir John in 1407, we find him receiving a payment of money to discharge the fees of the costumiers from the Duke of Albany, who had been elected to the high office of Lord High Chamberlain and Regent of Scotland on the death of Robert III., which took place during the absence of Sir John in France, on the 14th April 1406. The duke's name appears in this record : — . . " 1407. Payment to John of Meigneis, discharge fee of custumars, and for discharge of the same, the mandate of Lord Duke of Albany by Jolianni the Meigneis, in part payment 20 merks ; thus clearly, by letters of the said Lord Duke and the precepts of Lady Agnete of Tulach, settled and regiven as expended by the said Johannis above reckoned at £7, 13s. 6d., of which is accounted for with [page_85 A.D. 1407-1408] him, and for discharge of the same the mandate of said Lord Duke, the Chamber- lain of Scotland." — Ex. Rolls, Scot., p, 49, vol. iv. The fame which Sir John the Menzies had gained in his successful expedition to Calais, where he obtained freedom for the Scottish subjects imprisoned there, brought him into great favour at court. When his cousin, Alexander Stewart, the Earl of Mar, planned his celebrated knight-errant visit to France and Belgium, he at once applied to Sir John the Menzies to be one of his knights ; and the next we hear of Sir John the Menzies is that he accompanied the Earl of Mar to France, when, after the death of the Countess of Mar, Isabel, who died 10th Feb. 1408, a new chapter in the Earl's life began — " The Earle of Mar past into France with a nobel company — well arrayit and daintily — knights, squires, and gentlemen full sixty, one of whom was Sir John the Menzies, at the head of a few gentlemen of Clan Menzies. In Paris he held royal state at the sign of the Tynnyn Plate. For twelve weeks he kept open house and table. He was commendit of all nations for wit, virtue, and largess." The King of France gave him a post of honour at his court to wait upon him at table. The earl remained but a short time in France, and taking leave of the French king, the Duke of Burgon (Burgundy) — who " took him in special acquaintance" — and the French lords, he set out on his return home. While they waited at Bruges for favourable weather, the Scottish earl, Sir John the Menzies, and the other knights, were suddenly applied to by the Duke of Holland to help his brother, John of Bavaria, the secular bishop-elect of Liege, whose subjects had rebelled against his rule, and had themselves chosen another, a son of Sir Henry Horn. They were prepared to offer a stout resistance. He undertook the service, although he had with him but twenty-eight spears and four knights. In the siege and conflicts that ensued, the van was assigned by the Dukes of Holland and Burgundy to the Earl of Mar and Sir John the Menzies — the earl had five banners besides his own. He made several knights on the eve of the attack, one of whom was Alexander Keith, and another was his banneoure or standard-bearer, Sir John the Menzies. The battle was a most bloody one, 30,000 men being slain. The worthless bishop was put in possession of his See, which he held until deposed by the Council of Constance. — Inverurie and Edm. of Mar, p. 87. After the battle the Earl of Mar returned home under a safe conduct from Henry IV. of England, dated December 29th, 1408. Winton gives a graphic description of the Earl of Mar, Sir John the Menzies, and those with them in their travels and adventures as knights-errant to France, where they seem to have gratified their taste for adventures in foreign war, dividing their time between real fighting and the recreations of tilts and tournaments. The following is a translation as near as possible of Winton's old poetic chronicle, commencing on the eve of the battle where Chief Sir John the Menzies was knighted :— [page_86 A.D. 1408 ] On the return of Chief Sir John the Menzies and the Earl of Mar to Scotland their actions were looked upon by their countrymen as reflecting great honour and glory on the Scottish arms, and although the band of Scottish knights was small, yet they had the place of danger and of honour assigned to them at the battle of Liege ; and Sir John Menzies was only excelled in acts of bravery, dash, and daring, by the Earl of Mar himself, who killed Sir Henry Horn at the outset, and immediately after Sir Henry Horn's son was cut down by Sir John the Menzies. "This incident of the campaign redounds to the credit of Sir John as a martial hero." — H. Miller. The incident of the standard shows that Sir John Menzies resented the pompous command from Mar to bring his standard, which he had fixed in a [page_87 A.D. 140S-1410] stated spot before the battle began, and refused to comply unless Mar came himself, he being the only one from whom he would take the order. The grandmother of Sir John the Menzies — Egidie Stewart, the aunt of King Robert II. — had as a portion the lands of Tuloch, and these were inherited by him, for which he had to pay certain dues which had accumulated from her time, the payment of which, in 1409, being thus recorded : — " 1409. And for discharge of the same mandate of Lord Sir Johanni the Meigners in complete payment of 20 merks for the years before, reckoned by precept, thus discharged by letters of his and the mandate of Lady Agnetis of Tulach, thus received back from the said Johannis as before reckoned £6, 12s. 2d., the which accounted for with said Lord Knight and Lady Egidie, daughter of the late lord the king's (father), now deceased ; again conceded to Lord (John the Menzies) clearly by letters of his showen before the Lord Earl of Athole, in part expended for the said Lady Egidie, the receipts as declared above accounted £6, 12s. 4d., the which was reckoned for with him." — Exch. Rolls, p. 83, vol. iv. The above implies that Sir John Menzies held the lands of " Tuloch " or " Tullich," including Loch Tullich, which would then form the north-west boundary of the Menzies' country, connected as it is with Glen Dochart and Glenurchy on the north, both of which lead to Loch Lyndoch and Loch Rannoch, all in his lordship of Menzies, or in the possession of other branches of the Clan Menzies. Chief Sir John the Menzies was probably born about 1323, and died about 1410. He appears to have left three sons : — (1st.) Sir Robert the Menzies, his successor as chief. (2nd.) Sir Thomas Menzies, who got a charter by David II. for the lands of West and North Cultnachy, Burliche, and Ballingall Easter. Teinnincency, extending to a 40 merk land, pays 6s. 8d. " stg. in Kinross-shire." On the lands of " Burliche," now called Burleigh, which are about one-and-a-half miles north of the town of Kinross, are the remains of an old castle, evidently built by its old Menzies' lairds ; a great part of the exterior walls remain entire ; the out-buildings of a farm have been incorporated with it ; it seems to have been originally a square, surrounded by a wall and a ditch. The western side of this square consists of two towers, and an intervening curtain and gateway remain. The tower on the north-west angle is a square building ; that on the south-west is circular in form. The castle, like most other old castles of the Menzies', was at one period surrounded with fine old trees, some of which still linger in the vicinity of the ruins. — Robertson's Index of Charters. (3rd.) Sir William Menzies, the brother of Sir Robert Menzies, had in his time the lands and forest of Alyth, granted in the early part of his life by King David II. Robertson mentions in his list of charters that Sir William Menzies had granted to him the keeping of the forest of Alyth. The entry is as follows : — " To [page_88A.D. 1410 ] Sir William Menzies, the keeping of the Forest of Alyth in the Vicecom de Kincardine, granted by David II." about 1370. Alyth is a parish on the borders of Kincardineshire, but principally in Perthshire. Its length is about fifteen miles north to south, and its breadth one to six miles. The highest hill is the Alyth, about 700 feet high, and north-west of the town of Alyth is the forest of Alyth, a large tract of heathy ground of more than 6000 acres, which is skirted on the west by arable grounds, and affords pasture for sheep and black cattle. It abounds in game, especially moorfowl, and is much frequented in the shooting season. The largest stream in the parish is the Alyth ; it rises in the moss of the forest, and runs to the Isla at Inverqueich. The town of Alyth stands on the Alyth burn, about two miles above its confluence with the Isla. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES CHIEFTAINS HOLDING LANDS IN THE REIGNS OF DAVID II., ROBERT II., AND ROBERT III. Sir RICHARD MENZIES, contemporary with Sir John, had a grant of the annual forth of Newbie in Peeblesshire by King David II. Newby, now Newbigging, stands on the Tweed about 10 miles south of Biggar, and about a mile south of Newbigging is the village of Minzion, and the stream called Minzion Water, which runs down a narrow glen with high hills on each side called Glen Minzion, and empties itself into the Tweed. Doubtless the locality retains the name " Minzion " from its old Menzies' owners, being a corruption of Menzies. — Robertson's Index of Charters. Sir Alexander (?) Menzies of Fortingall, also contemporary, held the Baronies of Fortingall, Ouyn, and Garrioch, for these charters were renewed to him by King David II. "Ouyn," now Oyne, is a town and a parish in the centre of Aberdeenshire. It is nearly 6 miles long and about 3 broad, and its area is about 17 square miles. The Bennochie mountain has about three-fourths of its whole mass in Oyne, and the predominant rock is granite. There is a considerable amount of good natural pasture, but the greater part is under tillage. There is an ancient baronial residence at Westhall — probably the ancient dwelling-place of the Menzies'. " Garrioch," now Garioch, is a district of which Oyne is one of 15 parishes which are within its limits. It contains 150 square miles, and, on account of its fertility, used to be called the granary of Aberdeenshire. Its surface is mountainous and cold, and as a district gives name to the presbytery holding its seat at Chapel-of-Garioch. He was brother of Chief Sir John. — Robertson's Index of Charters. Sir Alexander Menzies of Glendochart also held the lands of Redhall, Swanston, Philmoorie, Dreghorn, Woodhall, and Durrisdeer. Redhall we have [page_89 A.D. 1410] already described : Swanston is also in the same parish of Colinton. It is a village standing on the skirts of the Pentland hills, 5 miles S.-S.-W. of Edinburgh. Dreghorn is also in the parish of Colinton, lying among the roots of the Pentland range, about a mile S.-E. of the village of Colinton ; the scenery around it is very beautiful. The present Dreghorn Castle probably stands upon the site of old Dreghorn Castle, built by the Menzies', standing as it would, embosomed among trees, about 490 feet above sea-level. Woodhall village stands about a mile S.-W. from Colinton. Several places take their name from it in the surrounding country, such as Woodhall Mill, Woodville, and Woodhead. These, with the others, made Sir Alexander Menzies owner of the whole of the present parish of Colinton. — Robertson's Index of Charters. The Glendochart barony and estates of Chieftain Alexander Menzies are now represented by the parishes of that name, which stretch to Glenorchy, and include, with other places, Strathfillan, which is a continuation of Glendochart. In his time the Church of St Fillan, from which the strath takes its name, was a kirk of considerable note, and famous for the cures wrought by its miracle-working bell, known as the " Bell of St Fillan." The cure of insanity and other diseases were publicly wrought with it until the Reformation, after which it was used super- stitiously in secret. It ultimately lay on a grave-stone in the old church-yard, but was stolen by an Englishman to England. It was again returned to Scotland in 1869, and deposited in the Museum of the Scottish Society of Antiquaries, Edinburgh. [page_90 A.D. 13S3-1411] Chief Sir Robert the "Meingnys", 7th Baron of Menzies The Beloved Shield Bearer of King Robert II SIR ROBERT THE MENZIES, Knight, during the lifetime of his father, the great Sir John the Menzies — renowned for his deeds of bravery in company with the Earl of Mar at the great battle and siege of Liege — received from Sir John charters for the barony of Enach, with the castle of Enach in the valley of the Nith, in the shire of Dumfries, &c, which were confirmed by King Robert II., dated at Perth, 8th September 1376. It is this Sir Robert of whom King Robert spoke as being his " beloved shield- bearer, Robert Meigners." He also got in his father's lifetime the barony of Vogrie, in the shire of Edinburgh ; the half of the barony of Culter, in the shire of Lanark ; and the land of Ceres, in the shire of Fife. Proceeding upon his father's resignation, and as he was still alive, his liferent was reserved. Robertson likewise mentions that a charter was granted " to Robert de Meigners of the barony of Enach within the valley of the Neith, resigned by John Meygners, his father, and given by Robert II. — Nisbet, p. 244, vol. ii. ; Robertson's Index of Charters. Sir Robert Menzies having the grant of the barony of Enouch (formerly called the barony of Durrisdeer) given him, also got the right to a separate coat of arms granted him about 1370, under the title of Menzies of Enouch — the shield or escutcheon being the same as the Chief Menzies of Menzies ; but instead of the colours being red and white, his escutcheon was " black and white," but otherwise the same, being afterwards used by the eldest sons of the chief as long as they were junior chiefs, but on becoming chief they assumed the original escutcheon as head of the clan — red and white. It is from this that the BLACK and WHITE Menzies tartan is taken, said to have been worn by the Menzies' of Enouch. Sir Robert's grant of the barony of Enach and the lands thereof was about ten years before the battle of Otterburn. We give a copy of it as in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies : — [page_91 A.D. 1376-1387] "1376. No. 12. Transumpt of a charter granted by King Robert the Second to Robert de Menzeis, son of John de Menzeis, of the whole barony of Enach in Nithsdale, which had been resigned by the said John into the hands of the king, dated at Perth, 8th September, 6th year of the king's reign [1376]. The witnesses are : William, Bishop of St Andrews ; John, the king's eldest son, afterwards Robert III., Earl of Carrick and Steward of Scotland ; Robert, Earl of Fife and Menteith, the king's son, afterwards Duke of Albany ; William, Earl of Douglas ; John de Carrick, Chancellor ; James de Lindissay, the king's nephew ; and Alexander de Lindsay — Knights." — Transumpt of 1439. It will be observed from the foregoing that although Sir Robert Menzies had not got as yet the chiefship, he was, however, high in the favour of his kinsman King Robert II. Sir Robert Menzies also seems to have been one of the young knights attached to the king's person, as he designates him " his beloved shield- bearer," as will be seen from the following charter, A.D. 1385 : — " Charter by King Robert the Second to his BELOVED SHIELD-BEARER, ROBERT MEIGNERS, of the lands of Cultir, in the shire of Lanark, which had been resigned into the king's hands by John Menzeis, the grantee's father. The witnesses are the same as in No. 11., dated at Cluny, 13th January, 15th year of the king's reign." — 1385; also in Transumpt of 1439, Castle Menzies Charter's, No. 13. This Sir Robert Menzies obtained an arrangement by charter that, in the event of the death of his issue, the lands of Enouch would revert to his father, hence the following : — "1387. Transumpt of a charter by King Robert the Second to Robert Menzeis speciali armigero nostro, whom failing, to John Menzeis of the whole lands of the barony of Wogre, in the shire of Edinburgh ; the whole lands of the barony of Enach, in the shire of Dumfreis ; the half of the barony of Culter, with the gift of the church thereof, in the shire of Lanark ; the whole lands of a third part of Seres, with an annual rent of £6, 11s., out of Lustremote, in the shire of Fife ; all of which lands had been resigned by the said Robert into the king's hands. The lands of Wogre to be held of the king for giving three suits at three head-pleas in the Court of Edinburgh ; the lands of Enach for similarly giving three suits at Dumfreis ; for the half of Culter, &c, the service used and wont ; the third part of Ceres for service used and wont ; and for the annual rent one penny, to be paid at Cupar under the name of blench farm. The frank tenement of the lands, &c, above written, is reserved to John Menzies [mentioned in part of the transumpt which is torn away], dated at Edinburgh, 16th April, 17th year of reign of Robert II. (1387). The witnesses are: Walter, Cardinal of the Apostolic See ; John, Bishop of Dunkeld, the king's Chancellor ; John, his eldest son, Steward of Scotland ; Robert, Earl of Fife and Menteith ; James, Earl [page_92 A.D. 1390] of Douglas, the king's sons ; Archibald de Douglas, Thomas de Erskin, Kinsmen. — Transumpt of 1439 — No. 10, Castle Menzies Qiarter-room. The Menzies lands of Vogry, Seres, and Enouch, have already been described ; the following will also give some idea of the lands of Culter, which, with these others, formed the southern possessions of the Menzies', then held by the eldest son of the chief. Culter is a barony and parish, with a village of the same name, in the south-east of the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire. Its post town is Biggar ; its length to the north is about 8 miles, and in breadth about 4 miles. A lofty watershed of mountains, part of the backbone of the southern Highlands of Scotland, forms most of its boundary with Peeblesshire ; and a stream, fed by many head-rills among these mountains, and bearing the name of " Culter Water," runs through the centre of the parish northward to the Clyde. The northern district varies in character between vale and plain, and presents to the spectator on any of the neighbouring heights a scene of fine, soft beauty. The other districts display great variety of upland. A long range of hills, partly parked and planted with trees, rises from the vale abruptly, and these, as they recede to the south, increase into mountains covered with heath, the highest of which is Culterfell — 2330 feet high. This mountainous country of the Clan Menzies is not without its own peculiar beauty. There is no sweeter glen than that of Culter Water. Beyond Birthwood it narrows between the hills, with little more than space for the stream, which there has its linns and waterfalls, with their accompaniments of dash, rock, and roar, sufficient to captivate the admirer of wild and romantic beauty. The village of Culter stands on the road to Edinburgh from Dumfries, and on the Culter Water 3 miles SW. of Biggar. It is pleasantly situated, embowered among shrubs and trees. The present parish of Culter appears to form the old Menzies barony of the Menzies' of Culter, which Sir Robert Menzies received from his father by the foregoing charters. It would appear that about 1390 additional grants of land were given to Sir Robert Menzies by his father. These were in the native country of the clan in Athole, and this was probably given in consequence of his father purposing going to the Continent, so that his son would be able to look after the interests of the clan in his absence. These lands are named in the following charter, A.D. 1390 : — " Transumpt of a charter by John Illustris Regis Scocie primogenitus (afterwards King Robert III.), Earl of Carrick and Steward of Scotland, to his shield-bearer Robert Menzeis, of the lands of Weme, Abirfallibege, Comnery, and thanage of Cranach, Achmor, Kinknock, with the two Rachrewis and Auchecrosk, in the earldom of Athole and shire of Perth, which lands belonged [page_93 A.D. 1390] to John Menzeis his father, by whom they were resigned into the granter's hands at Perth : To be held by the said John and the heirs male of his body, whom failing, to the heirs male of the foresaid John, of the granter and his heirs for the services used and wont. The frank tenement of the lands is reserved to the said John Menzeis during his lifetime." This charter bears no date, but was granted between 1374 and 1390. The witnesses are : — Robert, Alexander, and David, Earls of Fife, Buchan, and Strathearn, the granter's brothers ; Robert de Erskine, knights ; John Steward, Lord of Innermeth ; Robert de Atholia, Maurice de Drummund, Walter de Moray, Andrew Mercer. — Original Transumpt of 1439, in Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 11. Weem is one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland, about 1 1/2 miles from Aberfeldy, on the north bank of the Tay, both mentioned in the foregoing charter. The village nestles beautifully at the base of the magnificent Rock of Weem. It is the village from which the barony and parish of Weem takes its name, and is situated in the north-west of Perthshire. The parish contains the villages of Weem, Colvalloch, Balnasuin, Balwahanaid, Cragganester, Tombreck, and Craggantoul, all of which are included in the above charter under Weme. As a parish it lies dispersed in separate and far distant portions, over nearly a fourth of Perthshire, from near the head of Glenlochy on the west, including Strathban on the east, and from 3 miles south of Loch Tummel on the north, to the vicinity of Loch-Ear on the south, at a distance of 22 miles from the parish church at Weem. It also stretches to the nearest farm of the Church of Killin, and has other lands and farms at a still greater distance — some of them at a distance of 30 miles away — including Glenlochy and Glenlyon. Aberfeldy — Abirfallibeg — lies on the south bank of the Tay, facing Weem, through which the Moness Burn runs to join the Tay. The scenery in the vicinity of the town is among the most interesting in Scotland, especially up the Moness or " Menzies' Burn," which is celebrated for its wooded ravines, and its three wild roaring cascades, which are characterised by Pennant as the " epitome of everything that can be admired in waterfalls," and made famous by Burns in the lines — " The braes ascend like lofty wa's, The foaming stream deep roaring fa's, O'erhung wi' fragrant spreading shaws, The Birks o' Aberfeldy." From the high parts of the " Birks of Aberfeldy " can be seen the vale of the " Appin na Meinerich " and the turrets and woods of Castle Menzies, backed with the Rock of Weem and the soaring Grampians. All around is one sublime amphitheatre, with a foreground of objects stretched out before the eye ever [page_94 A.D. 1390-1392] beautiful and changing, including verdant meadows, groves in green array, and the broad and limpid river Tay rolling in its cradle of granite toward The white waves of the restless sea." The lordship and barony of Weem was identical with the parish of Weem, which is divided into 8 districts — 1st, Weem; 2nd, Murtly ; 3rd, Sticks; 4th, Auchmore ; 5th, Glenquich ; 6th, Crannich ; 7th, Glenlyon ; 8th, Glenlochy. Comnery, now Comrie, mentioned in the foregoing charter, is in the 4th district. Auchmore is Comrie and Kinknock, which stretches northward about 1 1/2 miles, and extends lengthwise to the southward from the west end of Loch Tay to the boundary of the parish of Comrie, near Loch Earn. In it is Drummond Hill. These all partaking of the wooded and magnificent properties of the general landscape, it is in the finest part of Perthshire's greatest lake. It is here, on the banks of the Lyon, that Comrie Castle stands. The lands of Cranach, mentioned in this charter, is in the 6th district of the parish of Weem, and stretches northward in an oblong of about 3 miles by about 11 1/4 miles from about the middle of the north bank of Loch Tay. The lands of the Two Rachrewis, now Dalrawer, lie on the north bank of the Tay, a few miles west of Castle Menzies. All these lands make up one grand tract of country, stretching about 32 miles in length to about 13 miles in breadth. The chiefs of Menzies, as lords superior of the barony and parish of Weem, are entitled to feu-rents from all those who now hold these lands, and on the succession of heirs they are entitled to be paid at least one year's rental from the heir before he has a right to feu possession of these lands. The same applies to any change or transfer of all lands in the barony of Weem or Menzies, by purchase or otherwise (as has happened several times), the purchaser or heir paying to the Menzies of Menzies, for the time being, one year's rent before he could get full possession in feu-farm. In the reign of King Robert III., who ascended the throne of Scotland in April 1390, Sir Robert the Menzies got in 1392 a charter renewing to him the possession of the lands and barony of Colinton, near Edinburgh. Translated, it is somewhat as follows : — "Anno 1392. Charter of confirmation to the possession of the lands of Coldynghame granted to Sir Robert the Meingnys, Knight, at Edynburgh, the 16th day of March, in the second year of the reign of Robert III., 1392, which by the same charter, gives, concedes, and confirms in everything the whole portions conjointly with the arrangement of its form of division and efficient open spaces free, together as heretofore, the King himself approves and ratifies this present charter under the impress of his seal. Confirmed by himself the King, &c. &c. — Register of the Great Seal, Scot., p. 202-3, v °l- n - [page_95 A.D. 1395-1411 ] In 1395, on the occasion of Sir Robert Menzies receiving the barony of Vogry, he had to give his mother a liferent of the lands of Culter. Nisbet says, p. 244, vol. ii. : — " Betwixt the said John (Menzies, his father) and Robert, his son and heir, anno 1395, whereby Robert became bound to dispose to Christian de Meyners, his mother, the liferent of the lands of Culter." Sir Robert the Menzies, after the death of his kinsman King Robert II., with whom he stood in the greatest friendship, does not appear to have figured so much at Court as previously. After the accession of King Robert III., his cousin, there does not appear to have been the same friendship existing, perhaps through the scheming influence of the Duke of Albany. After his father's death, he evidently maintained the friendship with the Earl of Mar that had existed between the Earl and his father, who, as companions in war, had gained the great victory at Liege, and to whom, mainly for his courage, skill, and valour, may be ascribed the great fame which the Earl of Mar at this time held as a leader, warrior, and general. The earldom of Ross having become vacant by the death of the Wolf of Badenoch, the earldom was claimed by the Regent (the Duke of Albany) for his second son the Earl of Buchan. It was also claimed by Donald, Lord of the Isles, who, to enforce his claim, in 1411, with an army of about 10,000 Islemen and Highlanders, landed on the mainland and carried all before them until they entered Mar, intending to plunder Aberdeen, and ravish the country to the banks of the river Tay. They got as far as the Menzies lands of Garioch, in Aberdeenshire, and encamped at the village of Harlaw. Mar had collected an army of the flower of the Highland gentry of Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, Athole, and the surrounding districts, mostly clad in armour and mounted on steeds ; the chiefs of the central clans, followed by their clans, and a full muster of the citizens of Aberdeen, led by Provost Davidson and Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, his successor, who held these lands of Garioch. It is evident Sir Robert Menzies was also there, with a portion of Clan Menzies, to support his father's friend and companion in arms. On sighting the army of the Lord of the Isles, Mar, although only about a tenth of their numbers, resolved to give them battle, and drew up his army accordingly. On a signal, the Islemen and Highlanders, shouting their war cries, rushed upon Mar's army. They were, however, received with great firmness, both sides fighting with the greatest bravery and determina- tion. Great was the slaughter on both sides, in which Clan Menzies lost their beloved chief. Mar and his followers kept up the fatal struggle till nightfall, when darkness alone put an end to the battle, which was fought on the Eve of St James, 25th July 1411. Practically, neither party gained a victory, but those of the mainland held their ground and the Islemen fell back, so that [page_96 A.D. 1411] in its results it was favourable to the mainland Celts, and productive of the peace of Scotland in general afterwards. A great many of the chiefs of the central Highlands were slain in the conflict. It would appear that Sir Robert the Menzies was also among the slain, or died immediately after from his wounds, as his eldest son David got possession of his vast estates shortly after. Davidson, the Provost of Aberdeen, was another of those slain. Gilbert Menzies, of Pitfodels, survived the conflict, and was the successor of Davidson as Lord Provost of Aberdeen, which honourable office was held almost continuously by the Menzies' of Pitfodels and their descendants from this time (1411) down to about 1634. Chief Sir Robert the Menzies was born about 1353, and on his death at the Battle of Harlaw he would be about 59 years of age. He left two sons — (1st.) David, his successor, who inherited his vast estates, and afterwards by his holy life became the Saint David Menzies of the Appin na Meinerich, or Strath Tay, where his fame for goodness to the poor, and works of charity, piety, and kindness still lingers. (2nd.) Sir William Menzies — one of the Scottish knights who accompanied King James I. — who was compelled to attend Henry V. of England in his wars in France. It may be interesting to give here all that we know of Sir William Menzies, the second son of the chief Sir Robert the Menzies, and brother to Sir David Menzies. To do so it will be necessary to explain that in his time the Prince of Scotland, afterwards James I., was a captive in the hands of Henry V. of England, who at this period had almost conquered France. The French, in their extremity, looked to Scotland for assistance against the English, and it was determined by the Scottish Parliament to send an army under Sir John Stewart to France, when an army of 7000 Scottish troops were safely landed in France, where they distinguished themselves in a signal manner in their operations against the English. Henry V., being alarmed at the success of the strong auxiliary force which the Scots had sent, insisted on his royal captive (James I.) accompanying him in his expedition to renew the war in France, and, according to English- historians, the Scottish King, when requested by Henry to command his subjects to leave the service of France, replied that " as long as he remained a prisoner it neither became him to issue nor them to obey such an order." But, he added, that " to win renown as a private knight, and to be instructed in the art of war under so great a captain, was an opportunity he willingly embraced." An arrangement was come to by which James I. visited Scotland, and got a small body of about 200 knights and esquires to attend him in the French war. One of the knights chosen by James I. was Sir William Menzies, who mustered [page_97 A.D. 1421-1423] 16 esquires of Clan Menzies under his banner of " Red and White," and followed King James' person to France. Thus we find that Sir William Menzies had several payments made to him, which are recorded in the " Callender of Documents " in England " Relating to Scotland." The first entry is dated the 1st October to 8th November 1421, to "Sir William" Menzies [corrupted] " Meryng, knight, and 16 esquires to attend the King of Scots' " (James I.) " person in the French war." From this time his name does not occur again until the following September, when, on his return from France, there is another entry. During the intervening space of time Sir William Menzies was constantly with King James through all the engagements of the campaign in France, and the English records give us considerable details regarding their doings, such as — Oct. i-Nov. 8. Sir William Meryng (Menzies), Knight, and 16 esquires, to attend the King of Scots' (James I.) person in the French war. The following is an entry of payments on account of King James I. and his officers in the war : — 918. " For the expenses of James, K(ing) of Scots, under the K(ing) of England's rule, and various esquires and officers of the late k(ing), continually attending the K(ing) of Scots, for safe custody of his person between said 1st October 1421 and 19th September following — £544, 5s. 8 1/2d." Then following this we find the payments made to the esquires of Clan Menzies and their chieftain, Sir William Menzies, as follows : — " To Sir William Maying (Menzies), Knight, four esquires, two valets of the household, and 10 archers in attendance on the person of the K(ing) of Scots by the K(ing) (of England's) command in the war in France, for 30 days, their pay and regard, by warrant of 29th October 1421 — £20, 16s. 10 1/2d. ; similar pay to Sir William (Menzies) and others ut supra, attending on the K(ing) of Scots at Rouen and elsewhere for 210 days, by warrant of 25th August 1422 —£83, 6s. 10 1/2d.," and "To Sir John Stewart, Knight, for himself, 3 men-at-arms, and 12 archers in the late K(ing's) service in France, a prest on the 18th February 1421-22, for Michaelmas preceding — £39, 9s. 2 1/2d., for which he must answer [and further prest of £19, 9s. 7 1/4d., and £29, 16s. 3d.], London: the said Sir John Stewart answers for the above." We have no information whether Sir William Menzies ever survived the war, but the last entry of payments to his company of esquires by the muster-roll is very much reduced in numbers through the ravages of war; instead of 16 esquires only 4 were left on his list, and it is just possible that he perished in the war before the return of King James to Scotland about May 1423. The latest date connected with the name of Sir William Menzies is 25th August 1422. — Cal. Docs, re Scot., p. 185, vol. iii. [page_98 A.D. 1422] During the war there were many gentlemen and clansmen of Clan Menzies along with the Scottish army fighting on the side of France, some of whom even afterwards entered the French service and joined the Scots Guards in France, where their names are still preserved on the muster-rolls, but are much corrupted from the present spelling. The Menzies lands, town and barony of Ceres, in the time of Chiefs Sir Robert the Menzies and his father Sir John the Menzies, had a church of consider- able note which flourished under them, but after the Chiefs of Menzies feued or let these lands to others the church of Ceres gradually decayed. A relic, however, of their time is the crucifix found in the churchyard of Ceres, and now in the National Museum of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Edinburgh. It is of copper or bronze, enamelled blue and light green, [page_99 A.D. 1409] Chief Sir David the Menyhics, 8th Baron of Menzies Otherwise known as "Saint David Menzies of Weem" SIR DAVID THE MENZIES, Knight, succeeded his father, Sir Robert the Menzies, in the whole lands and estates of Menzies, as already mentioned, the greater bulk of which lay in Athole and Breadalbin. He seems to have got full possession immediately after his father's death, which was at the battle of Harlaw in 1411. For a few months after that conflict Sir David gave " for a salutatioum, or peace-offering, for the repose of the departed spirit of his father and ancestors, an annual payment of six pounds as a solace, from the annual rents of the lands of Luscer-Evioth as an offering from him, his predecessors and his successors, by whose hands Balivi (at that time) was given in fue-rent to Muskilburgh!' This he gave to the Abbacy of Dunfermline in 1412, so that he must have made these grants as soon as he came into possession of the lands and estates of his father. This charter, as given by Nisbet, reads : — "fro salute animae meae, et animarum parentum meorum, &c, unum annuum redditum sex librarum et undicum solidorum, mihi annuatim de terris de Luscer-Evioth, debitum, et per me, et predecessores meos hueusque fer manus Balivi, qui pro tempore fuerit pro Muskilburgh receptum," &c. The lands of " Luscer-Evioth " seem to be part of those which the great-grandmother of Sir David, Margaret de Ouyoth, had brought into the family, and are now known by the name of " Evelick," which forms part of the ancient estates of Evioth of Busey, her ancestors. They are in the parish of Kilspindie, Perthshire, in the Gowrie district adjoining Errol and Kinfauns, and embrace Evelick Hill, 832 feet high — commanding one of the most gorgeous panoramic prospects in Scotland — on the summit of which are the vestiges of an ancient fortification. A little to the south-east are the ruins of the old Menzies' fortalice, Evelick Castle, which Sir David apparently held in right of his great-grandmother. — Nisbet, 244, vol. ii. Sir David the Menzies married about 1409 the Lady Marjory Sinclair, the [page_100 A.D. 1409-1423] daughter of Henry Saint-Clair, the Lord of Roslyn and the Earl of Orkney, and sister to Henry, second Earl of Orkney, who was in charge of the young king, James I., when taken prisoner at sea by the English in 1405. Sir David was by the earl left sole tutor to William Sinclair, his son, afterwards Earl of Orkney, Lord High Chancellor, and Lord High Admiral of Scotland. In his nomination, Henry the earl calls Sir David his brother-in-law. This document was in the charter-room of Castle Menzies about 1750, being referred to by Nisbet, p. 244, vol. ii. ; who also records that Sir David the Menzies was appointed governor of the Orkneys, which then belonged to the King of Denmark. This office Sir David had conferred upon him after his marriage with the Earl of Orkney's daughter about 1409. He continued to govern the islands of Orkney and Shetland up to 1423, when he had to become a hostage for the freedom of King James I. Smibert says that " we find David Menzies of Weem (de Wimo) appointed governor of Orkney and Shetland in 1423, under the most clement Lord and Lady, Eric and Philipa, King and Queen of Denmark, Sweedland, and Norway." It must have been about the end of 1423 that Sir David resigned the active governorship of the Orkneys, as he became a hostage for King James I. on 28th March 1424. It will be remembered that James I., when on his way to France in his 11th year, had been seized by the English during the time of a truce, in 1405, and after having been fourteen years a captive in the Tower of London was at length, through the exertions of the Earl of Douglas, Sir David Menzies, and others, released from his imprisonment on the agreement that, by the law of nations, no ransom could be asked for a prince captured during a time of truce ; but that the Scots would pay the expenses that had been incurred during his residence in England, and his education, which was fixed at £40,000 English money ; and that certain hostages from the noblest families in Scotland should be delivered into the hands of the English, to remain in England at their own expense till the whole sum be paid. A truce for seven years was also concluded. King James thereafter getting married, set out for Scotland accompanied by his Queen and a brilliant cortege of nobility. At Durham he was met by the Earls of Lennox, Crawford, Orkney, and others, with a train of the highest barons, of whom was Sir David the Menzies and other gentry of Scotland, amounting to 300 persons. From these a band of 28 hostages was selected, comprising some of the most noble and opulent persons in the country. One of these hostages was Chief Sir David the Menzies, knight. In the schedule containing their names, the annual rent of their estates is also set down — Sir David's being 200 merks, an enormous sum in those days — which renders it a document of much interest, as illustrating the wealth and comparative affluence of the Scottish aristocracy. From Durham, James, still surrounded by his nobles and a grand [page_101 A.D. 1423-1424] train of English barons, proceeded on his joyful progress, and halted on reaching the Abbey of Melrose, for the purpose of fulfilling the obligation which bound him to confirm the treaty by his royal oath upon the Holy Gospels within four days after his entry into his dominions. In the schedule containing the names of the hostages is the name of Sir David Menzies, who took the oath and affixed his seal to the schedule on the 28th March 1424, and thereafter was conveyed to " Ponterfract " a captive, to be held there for the fulfilment of the debts of his king and country. We herewith give a copy of this document from the English records, and a description of the seals attached to it, which makes it of great interest and value to every Scotsman. It is as follows : — " 28th March 1424. David Meignez delivered hostage for James 1st. — Indenture between James, King of Scots, and 9 English ambassadors, delivering the hostages for his ransom, viz. : — David, son and heir of the Earl of Athol, 1200 marks ; Thomas, Earl of Moray, 1000 marks ; Alexander, Earl of Crawford, 1000 marks ; Duncan, Lord of Argillie, 1500 marks ; William, son and heir of the Lord of Dalkeith, 1500 marks ; Gilbert, son and heir of William, the Constable of Scotland, 800 marks ; Robert, the Mareschal of Scotland, 800 marks ; Robert, Lord of Erskine, 1000 marks ; Walter, Lord of Dirlton, 800 marks ; Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock, 500 marks ; Sir Patrick of Dunbar, Lord of Cammok, 500 marks ; Alexander, Lord of Gordoune, 400 marks. Hostages in the room of others absent : — Sir William of Abernethy, 500 marks ; Andrew Gray of Foulis, 600 marks ; Sir Robert of Livinston, 400 marks ; John Lindesay, 500 marks ; Sir Robert Lille, 300 marks ; James, Lord of Caldor, 400 marks ; James, Lord of Cadizo, 500 marks ; Sir William of Rothvane, 400 marks ; William Olyfaunt, Lord of Aberdalgy ; George, son and heir of Hugh Cambel, 300 marks ; Robert, son and heir of Sir Robert of Mantalent, 400 marks ; David Meignez [Menzies], 200 marks ; David of Ogilby, 200 marks ; Patrick, son and heir of Sir John Lyon, 300 marks ; and the obligations of the four burghs, with his own [the King of Scotland's] oath. — Durham. The Privy Seal of Scotland " [as before] (appended), one-third broken off." — Cal. Doc. re Scot, p. 193-4, vol. iv. 28th March 1424. Oath taken by the hostages for King James — to which is appended 27 very small signets, some much defaced. On two, a hart's head and neck couped appear ; on another, a swan's or heron's ; on three, an eagle's head between plumes, and the letter " K " ; on five, a muzzled bear's head and neck, erased ; on three, a griffin's head and neck, erased ; on two, a portcullis or harrow. Only two are identified — one with a goat's head and a neck bearded and horned, erased, with collar on its neck turned to dexter. Leg., " W. Haliburton " . . . " Foy." The other — a horse's head — may be Sir Patrick Dunbar's. [page_102 A.D. 1424] It will be seen from the foregoing that the annual revenue of the estate of Sir David Menzies was 200 marks — a very large rent roll in those days— and being for only one estate, does not include the other estates of the different branches of the clan. We next find that Sir David is ordered to be taken from " Ponterfract " to the Tower of London, as follows : — "21st May 1424. David Menzies, hostage for James I., sent from Pontefract to the Tower. The K(ing) orders Robert Waterton, Esq., Constable of Pontefract Castle, to deliver David, eldest son and heir of the Earl of Athol ; Alexander, Earl of Crawford ; Alexander of Gordoune, John Lindesay ; Patrick, eldest son and heir of Sir John of Lyon, knight ; Andrew Gray of Foullys ; David of Ogilvy, Sir William of Rothvane, knight ; David MEIGNEZ (Menzies), and William Olyfaunt, Lord of Abirdalgy — hostages under the treaty with the K(ing) of Scots. — To Robert Scot, Lieutenant of the Constable of the Tower of London."— Cal. Docs, re Scot., p, 195, vol. iv. This is the first order given to change the hostages — for what reason cannot now be discovered, but certainly the Tower of London was a more safe place to keep such gentlemen. The English, ever with an eye to the main chance, saw that, in the event of any hitch taking place, they were secure there, in the event of requiring to put them under close supervision. Sir David Menzies and the other captives finding their quarters not so comfortable in the Tower of London, petitioned that they should be permitted to take advantage of the treaty under which they became hostages, and be allowed their servants to attend to their wants. In the safe-conduct granted, we find that Sir David the Menzies had three servants granted to himself personally ; also a priest, who seems to have been attending on him, showing the growing tendency of Sir David to a religious life, which afterwards led him to take holy orders, and eventually becoming one of the saints of the Church. His name as Saint David still lingers in his own native glen of Strath Tay, or Appin na Meinnerich, and is applied to the church of Weem. We here give his request for a safe-conduct to his servants to pass through England with the servants of his fellow-hostages, as follows : — " Under the treaty with the King of Scots, Sir David Menzies (and others) asks for safe conduct for his servants. — July 4. Memoranda for safe conducts for the servants of the Scottish hostages, viz., Be yt remembred to grant a condit to the servants of the Arelle of Muraffe, that is to say, to John Bryandir, Thomas of Raty, Thomas of Lastyk, Richard Mordrowe, and 3 servants with each of hem, with wat thei brenge with hem, be it hors, hawkes, or houndes, duryng a year or ony odir gode. Also to James of Dunbar, Lord of Ferendrat, for John Rogerson, Thomas Foysoth, with 3 servants each, ut supra. For Alisandre Lyndeseye, Earl of Crafford, another for Blare, Master Alisandre Lyndeseye, Master [page_103 A.D. 1424] Ingram Lyndeseye, Nicol Launsman, Geffray Strethaughym [Strachan], Master John Flemynge, and 1 servant each. For Alisandir Seton (Ceton), the Lord of Gordon, another for John Rete and Mathew Ethal, and 2 servants. Davy Ogilby, another for. James of Mankorre, John Fodiheryngham and 3 servants; (for) Davy MENYAS (Menzies), another for Thomas of Tillow, 'prest,' John Hadyngton, John Makke (Mackay), Walter Freselle (Fraser), Andrew Dalowe, and Davy Johnnesson. Davy Stiuard, the Master of Athelle, another for John of the Spense, Mathew Everard, Thomas Bele, and Sir Adam More. Walter Haliburton, another for William Freselle (Fraser), John of Caugilton, John of Ayton, William of Philmore, ut supra. Sir Robert of Lile, another for John of Deny and Gilcrist, Squier, and 3 servants, ut supra. Gilbert de Hay, another for Thomas Toryne, Nicolle Fenton, Nicolle Makkesson, and 2 servants. Sir Robert Erskyn, another for Calbreth and Colston, and 3 servants, ut supra. William of Aburnethe, another for Alisandre of Aburnethe, and Robert of the Spense, and 2 servants, ut supra." — Cat. Docs, re Scot., p 196, vol. iv. The above gives some idea as to the social standing or rank of each of the hostages. The fact that Sir David the Menzies was allowed three servants and a priest shows that he must have been a man of consequence. In their confine- ment, the Scottish hostages appear to have made themselves as comfortable as the English government would allow. After Sir David had undergone about a year's confinement, a warrant was granted for the exchange of hostages, when Sir David the Menzies and others were taken from the Tower of London on the 28th February 1425, to the fortified city of Durham, there to be exchanged for other Scottish hostages of equal importance, who were to take their place. The warrant is thus recorded : — " Sir David Menzies and other prisoners to be taken to Durham from the Tower. — Feb. 28. Warrant to the Chancellor for writs to the Constable of the Tower, to deliver David, eldest son of the Earl of Athol, Alexander, Earl of Craufurd, Duncan Cambel of Argill, David Menzies, Alexander of Setoune, Thomas Boyle, John Lyndsay, Robert Mawtelande, Patrick Lyoune, George Cambel, David of Ogilby, and Sir Robert Lyle — and to the Constable of Knaresburgh Castle to deliver Thomas, Earl of Moray, Sir Robert Kethe, and Walter of Haliburtoune — to the k(ing)'s esquire, Henry Louude, to be taken to Durham, and exchanged for others approved by the wardens of the Marches." — Cat. Docs, re Scot., p. 199, vol. iv. From the Tower the prisoners were lodged in the castle of Durham. Sir David the Menzies and the other hostages from thence were ordered to the castle of Westminster, under the wardenship of the Sheriff of York. They seem to have been kept in confinement at Durham for about four months. This is the first document wherein a Campbell appears with a Menzies. It will be observed [page_104 A.D. 1425] that the spelling of the name is exactly the same as the modern way — " Menzies " — and it is not improbable that, owing to the difficulty of saying " Meingeis " in English, they have here sounded the letter Z, and the spelling has in this way been corrupted. In the following they spell more to the sound of the name, which is the order to send Sir David Menzies to the castle of Westminster, York :— "June 16. Warrant for letters to Henry Lound the k(ing)'s esquire, commanding him to deliver David, son of the Earl of Athol ; Thomas, Earl of Moray, the Earl of Crauford, Robert Kethe, Walter Haliburton, Alexander Seton, Thomas Boyde, John of Lyndesay, Patrick Lyon, George Cambell, David Ogilby, Robert Lylle, Duncan Cambell, and David MEYGNES, hostages for the K(ing) of Scotland, to Sir John Langeton, Sheriff of York, and warden of the castle, Westminster. Similar for Sir Robert Erskin, knight, and James Dunbar, esquire, to be delivered by the Constable of Knaresburgh to the said sheriff, 19th June 1425." — Cal. Docs, re Scot., p. 201, vol. iv. After the delivery of Sir David Menzies at York, 19th of June 1425, he was confined in York Castle, there to await the completion of the arrangements for his exchange, which was exceedingly slow. He was again ordered to be taken from York Castle to Durham on the 16th of July 1425. The King of England sent an order to the Bishop of Winchester, Chancellor of England, intimating that he had granted an order for a number of the hostages to return to Scotland, of whom was Sir David the Menzies. This letter reads as follows : — " July 16, 1425. The K(ing) of England to his cousin the Bishop of Winchester, Chancellor, signifies that under the provisions of the late treaty for the liberation of his cousin, James, King of Scots, he has granted leave to the following hostages to return to Scotland till Martinmas, viz. : — Thomas, Earl of Moray ; Sir Robert Kethe, Marshal of Scotland ; Duncan Campbelle of Argyle, Walter of Haliburton, Alexander of Seton of Gordon, Thomas Boyde, John Lindesay, Sir Robert Lyle, George Cambelle, David Meignes, and David of Ogilby, their place being taken by — Patrick, eldest son of the Earl of March of Scotland ; Sir John Mungumbry of Ardrossan, Robert Stewart of Lorn, Sir Thomas Hay of Yester, Sir William Borthwyk, senior, Sir Adam of Hepburn of Halys, Norman of Lesley, George Lyle, eldest son of said Sir Robert Lyle, and Andrew Kethe of Enyrrugy, who have been accepted by the wardens of the Marches in their room. Commands letters patent under the Great Seal in their favour, not to be delivered to the hostages but to the Keeper of the Privy Seal." The names of George Cambelle and David MEIGNES are erased in the first part, but retained in the permissive clause ; by writ of Privy Seal of same date they were ordered to be taken from York Castle to Durham. — Cal. Docs., re Scot., p. 201, vol. iv. Immediately after this there was issued by the English Government another [page_105 A.D. 142S] document, dated 16th July 1425, in the form of a licence granted to Sir David the Menzies, giving him his freedom, and allowing him to return to Scotland, as he had delivered into the hands of the Bishop of Winchester hostages equal in rank and influence with himself. The record reads thus : — " Licence to George Cambell and David Meignes, Scotch hostages, to return to Scotland, as they have delivered two substitutes. Similar licence for Thomas, Earl of Moray ; Robert, Lord Keith, Marshal of Scotland, and seven others." — From the Syllabus of Rhymer's Fcedera, p. 642, vol. ii., &c. During the confinement of Sir David in the English prisons King James I., out of gratitude for his sufferings on his behalf, and as an acknowledgment of his own and his ancestors' patriotic services to Scotland, gave to Sir David the Menzies, with consent and by Act of the Scottish Parliament, the lands of Dalketh and Kerliglippis, which lie north of the Menzies' lands of Vogry, and may have joined them — the Parliamentary record of which, translated, reads : — "In the Parliament held at Perth, 11th day of March 1425. By an Act of Parliament of James 1st, by the Grace of God, King of Scotland, held at Perth on the 11th day of the month of March 1425 anno, and in the 35th of his age and the 20th of his reign. For holding certain Crown possessions as lord under the king, for these lands gives the king the usual salutes [services], whereby they are bound or joined together, as showen by records in order descending suc- cessively, and represented by the noble Sir David Menyhes of Vogry, granted together as showen by the noble donner, with power of gift by James of Douglas, the gift of Dalketh, with right of future superior of these lands, together with those of Kerlinlippis, to the said David and his heirs legitimately in peacefull possession, for a 12th part yearly, with the other lands of the said David, from his remote ancestors descending, as a recognition of faithfull and patriotic services his large possessions were given." This is followed by another Parliamentary record, which refers to the same : — " Power to borrow is given to Alan of Erskyne, with security as usual, the said lands as under the usual custom entrance is given to said David [Menzies] for a full quantity of good grain, under the which as indeed custom demanded, with full service as understood at the present time, and rehearsed in the records of Parliament, provided he remains undisgraced before God, given by the said donner in the hearing of Parliament to the said David, as far as the root from this time is founded for State business. And given for good reasons merited after consideration of duty, decree the said lands of ' Kerliglippis ' and the said donation of Dalketh given in the usual form declared as a recognition of the debt and interest in that place of the said David, as possessed by him legally untill now. Firmly [confirmed] by my full liberty, given under witness of the Great Seal and donnation of the King, into the possession of the said David, at [page_106 A.D. 1425-1428 ] Edinburgh, 27th day of March, anno 1425." — Acts of Parliament of Scotland, p. 26, vol. ii. The James of Douglas mentioned in the foregoing was married to Lady Beatric Sinclair, the daughter of Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, and brother- in-law of Sir David the Menzies, by which marriage he had a son William, 8th Earl of Douglas. — Scots Nation, p. 44, vol ii. After the return of Sir David the Menzies from his imprisonment in the Tower and other English strongholds, there were some communications between Sir David and his brother-in-law, the Earl of Orkney. One of these documents is mentioned in an old inventory of the muniments of Castle Menzies, dated 1656, No. 14. It is in the form of an " atnorie " by the Earl of Orkney to Sir David Menzies, the Laird of Weymo, dated at Edinburgh, 16th December 1426. From this time he seems to have begun to prepare himself for entering the Church; and in this year (1426) King James I. confirmed the rights of half the barony of Culter, with the patronage of the church of Culter, to John Maynheis, his son, on the resignation of these by his father Sir David Maynheis, in his favour. This charter is in the possession of the Menzies of Menzies. — Upper Ward of 'Lanarkshire, p. 262, vol. i. Sir David is thought to have had a daughter Katherine, who married "Alano of Erskyne." He seems to have been a son of Sir Robert Erskine, one of his companion hostages, who claimed the Earldom of Mar to his son Alano in right of his mother. Sir David in 1428 gave a grant of his lands of Vogry in the shire of Edinburgh, probably as the marriage portion of this daughter, to the family of whom these lands were to return, in the event of there being no issue, or of any of their descendants. This charter is thus recorded : — 17th July 1428, James I. In the records is a charter, the engrossing of which has been left incomplete, and is here inserted in the Register of the Great Seal, p. 21. It is to the following effect: — "The king concedes to Alano of Erskyne and Katherine his spouse, the lands of Vogary in the shire of Edinburgh, which David the Meyhes of Weme resigned as a tenant, the said Alano and Katherine, to be held by them during their life and heritably to males legi- timately procreated between themselves, which failing legitimate, the nearest relation heritably whatsomever of the said Katherine (Menyhes) in full possession on her side to descend." About this time Sir David the Menzies made application to King James I. to confirm him in the patronage of the Kirk of Weem. This he got confirmed by document from the king, the original of which is noted in the old inventory made of the muniments of Castle Menzies in 1656, as — " Confirmation by King James 1st of the patronage of Weyme, to Sir David the Menzies, Edinburgh, 14th February" (no year), but about 1429? Soon after this Sir David, byway [page_107 A.D. 1429-1430] of withdrawing from the cares of the world and the responsible position as chief of Clan Menzies, gave up to his eldest son John, the junior chief, the greater part of his possessions of Loch Tay and neighbourhood, stretching from near Killin all along the north side of Loch Tay up to Glengoulandie. We give the charter from the Charter Room of Castle Menzies : — No. 17. "Charter by King James the First to John Menzies, son of David Menzies, knight, of the lands of Eddiramuky and Morynche in Dessawer, the office of ' Tochacderety " of Kyrkcollony, the lands of Fornachty and Goulentyne, in the ' abthen ' of Dull, and lands of Achilly in the shire of Perth, which lands and office of the said David had surrendered into the king's hands : to be held by the said John and his heirs for ward, relief, marrage, and other services used and wont. The liferent of the above lands and office is reserved for the said David, and her terce for his spouse after his decease. Dated at Edinburgh, 4th September, 25th year of the king's reign" [1430]. The witnesses are — John, Bishop of Glasgow, Chancellor ; John Forestar, the King's Chamberlain ; Walter de Ogilby, Treasurer —knights ; and Mr William Foulis, Keeper of the Privy Seal, and Provost of Bothuill. — Also Transumpt of 1439. The Menzies' lands of Achilly in the shire of Perth, lie near Dunkeld, and are now a part of the parish of Clunie, near Loch Clunie. These lands give their name to the mountain Ben-Achally, which is about 5 miles north-east of Birnam, having an altitude of about 1S00 feet above sea-level, all within the barony of Menzies. In the same year (1430), Sir David got a charter conveying the lands of Enouch to his son Sir John, which is thus recorded : — " At Edinburgh, 4th September 1430. The king concedes to Johanni Meigners, son of David Mengeis, the lands and barony of Enouch in the shire of Dumfreis, which the said David personally resigns to be held by the same John, and heritably to males of his body legitimately begotten and procreated, which failing, to the said David, his father, and heritably to his, &c, as above ; which failing, legitimately descending to the descendants of the same in full possession, disposition, ward, &c, reserving the free holding of the said lands to the same David for the whole period of his life, and the third of the same to his spouse, with continuance." — From the Register of the Great Seal. There is also in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies what appears to be a copy of the foregoing, and is as follows : — No. 16. "Transumpt of a charter of King James the First, under the Great Seal, to John Menzeis, son of David Menzeis, Knight, of all the lands of the barony of Enach in the shire of Dumfreis, which lands had been resigned by the said David into the king's hands, To be held for rendering the king the wards and other customary duties of the lands. The liferent of the lands is reserved to the said David, and a third part thereof to his spouse after his decease. Dated at Edinburgh, 4th September, 25th year of the king's reign [143 1]. The witnesses [page_108 A.D. 1431-1433] are : John, Bishop of Glasgow, Chancellor ; John Forestar, and Mr William Foulis, Keeper of the Privy Seal." — Transumpt of 1439. Sir David the Menzies, becoming more affected towards the Church, gave many gifts to it, by which, unfortunately, much of the lands of his forefathers were lost to his descendants. He made large donations to religious houses, among which he gave the lands of Newhill in Lanarkshire to the monks of Kelso in pure alms, pro salute Domini Regis et Johannae Reginae, et per salute sui which donation was confirmed by King James I. confirmed by the charterly of Kelso. In the same year he also gave to the monastery of Melrose the third part of the lands of Wolfclyde in the barony of Culter and shire of Lanark, pro salute Domini Regis Jacobi, et Johanna: Reginae, et per salute sui, &c, which donation was confirmed by King James I. in July 1431, as is shown by the charterly of Melrose. We give a description of the seal of Sir David Menzies appended to this document, as given in the Book of Scottish Seals, Bannatyne Club, p. 99. " Seal " of Sir David Meneris, Knight. A chief marked with rude lines, dexter and sinister bendwise, crossing each other Sigillum David Meniris, appended to charter by Sir David Meneris of the lands of Wolchide, in the barony of Culter, county of Lanark, to the abbey of Melrose, I431 ' A.D. 143 1. — Melrose Charters. Tradition says the name of Wolfclyde arose from the last wolf slain on the Clyde having been run down there and killed by a Menzies. Wolfclyde is a farm on the north extremity of the parish, or old Menzies' barony of Culter, extending to the small section of Biggar parish, which there touches the Clyde, and contains an area of 1393 acres of arable land, sheltered by trees and plantations. A feature almost invariably found in the old possessions of the Menzies' is the remains of fine old trees planted by them. The river Clyde has few prettier reaches than from Wolfclyde to Medwyn efflux, and is 670 feet above sea-level at the point of the old Menzies' lands at Wolfclyde. These lands, as already stated, were given to the abbey of Melrose. This document reads as follows : — " In 1431 Sir David the Maynheis, lord dominus of half the barony of Culter, gave for the soul's weal of King James and Queen Johanne, their predecessors and successors, and for the granter and his wife, his father, ' Sir John the Menzies,' and his mother, his predecessors and his successors, and all the faithfull departed this life, gave to the abbey of Melrose the whole lands of Wolchclide, with courts and court fees, and the causualties of the vassals." This was accompanied by a letter appointing " Richard Brown of Hartree and John, his son, baillies, to infeft the abbot and convent therein." The grant was confirmed by James I. in the year 1433, in virtue of which the abbey of Melrose possessed the lands of Wolfclyde until the Reformation, when, along with other possessions, instead [page_109 A.D. 1433-1434] of being restored to the Menzies', they passed to the Earls of Haddington as Lords of Erection in 1640. — Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, p. 171, vol. i. Soon after these gifts of Sir David he was made Master of the Hospital of Saint Leonard, which honourable position he held for several years, and in connection with its transactions his name occurs several times in the records of the Scottish Exchequer. About half-a-mile eastward of the town of Lanark there formerly stood this Hospital of Saint Leonard, the date of its erection being uncertain ; but it has been said that it was founded by King Robert the Bruce. It was endowed by Robert III. with an annual sum of 40s. from the dues of the burgh of Lanark, to be paid to the Master of the Hospital ; these fees were allowed to the bailies in their accounts when paid to the Hospital of Saint Leonard, and acknowledged in the Chamberlain Rolls. Thus, in the year 1434, the sum of 40s. was paid to Sir David the Mengheis as Master of the Hospital by the town of Lanark. — Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, p. 283, vol. ii. This was allowed to the burgh by the Lords of Exchequer, and is thus recorded : — " David the Menzies, Master of the Hospital of St Leonard, near Lanark, charge Ferms by fue-charter, £6. The which sum is accounted for in payment to the said David the Menyheis, Magistro of the Hospital of the blessed Leonard, near to the said burgh, as requested, the annual sum of fourty solidos of the dews of the said burgh from the returns to the king, by virtue of old letters patent. The said David received, as heretofore, the accounted 40s., and for free discharge of the said Master, John Wincister received £4 — the which sum is acknowledged and such wise." — Exchequer Rolls, p. 581, vol. iv. Sir David, having entered the Church, soon gained a high name for his piety, gentleness, and charity ; these, with his high position as a Scottish chief, and his handsome gifts, procured for him the Mastership of Saint Leonard's, and in connection with which his name appears in the following records : — " Discharge to David the Menyheis, Master of the Hospital of Saint Leonard, £3 ; and for the discharge of the said John Wincester, Preceptor of Lynclondane, received, as above accounted, £6, of which returns is the sum balanced by £9 in such equal." — Exchequer Rolls, p. 629, vol. iv. Having now become a servant of the Church, he soon allowed his religious impressions to get such a hold of him that he became a monk of the Cistercian order in the monastery of the abbey of Melrose, resigning the chiefship to his son. From about the time of the return of King James I. to Scotland with his queen, part of the lands of the Menzies' had been given up as a jointure to Jean, the queen. These lands consisted of Rawor, Glassy, Terhnore, and Fergyr, all lying near the village of Weem. These, for some reason or another, King James caused to be exchanged for the lands of Vogry in Edinburghshire, for [page_110 A.D. 1434-1435] which, Sir David consenting, he received back his Highland possessions. The king granted him a charter of exchange, which reads thus : — " Charter by King James the First to David Menzies, Knight, of the lands of Rawor, Glassy, Terlmore, and Fergyr, lying in the " Abthnia " of Dull in the shire of Perth, in excambion of the barony of Vogry in the shire of Edinburgh, which belonged to the said David by right of inheritance. Dated at Stirling, 14th April, 30th year of the king's reign," 1435. — From Castle Menzies Charters, No. 19. This was followed up by another instrument from the queen, wherein she gives up any right to the lands of Dull she may have obtained, dated 20th day of April 1435, as follows : — " Charter by Jean, Queen of King James I. — Jehan, be ye grace of God, Qwein of Scotland, to all and sindre to qwas knawlegis thir present letters sal cum greting. Witt ye that nochtwythstanding that my lord ye kyng, wyth the assent of his thre estates, has grantid to vs the landis of the Abthane of Dull, lyand wythin shiredom of Perth, in owr dowery of the qwilkis as ye [knaw] we haf takyn nowther estat no sesing ; wythin the quilk lands my said lord has enfeft owr wel-belufit David Menzeis of Weme, knight, in landis of Trelemor, Fergir, Glassy, Rawer, in fre barony, the quilk enfeftment in als fer as belangis, or may belang vs, we ratefi and aprovis, and will that the said landis wyth thair appertin- entis of the quilk the said David is infeft be nocht comprehendit in owr said dowery, na that the stat no sesine that we sail tak tharof turn the said David no his ayris to ony hurt or preiudice in ony maner in tyme to cum. In witness of the [which] thing to thir presintis we haf made put owr sell, at Perth, the xxth day of the month of Aprill, the yer of grace ane thowsand four hunder thretty and fyf yeris, and of the reing of the said my Lord xxxth yer." — Transumpt of 1439, from Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 20. This act of consideration on the part of the Queen to Sir David Menzies is a proof of the high esteem in which he was held at Court, by the restoration of Dull, with full power of lordship being restored to himself and heirs. The following is also a precept from King James I. to Sir David the Menzies : — " Precept of Sasine under the Great Seal by King James the First, enjoining his bailie, David de Menzies of Weme, knight, to give sasine to Jean, the king's ' most beloved consort,' of the lands of the Abthanage of Dull, excepting the lands of Frelemor, Felegir, Glasse, and Rawer, which he himself held by letters from the king. Dated at Stirling, 24th April, 30th year of the king's reign" [1435]. — Also a Transumpt of 1439, from the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 21. It will be observed that King James designates Sir David as " his bailie." He would thereby act for the king in all matters of justice in the district of the Abthane of Dull, as Abbot and Thane, thereby acknowledging him as the Abthane, thus vesting him with the power of justice in all matters, even to that of life and death. The village of Dull stands in the vale, or Appin na Meinerich, about 4 miles [page_111 A.D. 1435-1440] west from Castle Menzies. In the centre of the village is an ancient stone socket, circular in shape, from the centre of which stands upright the ancient weather-worn Cross of Dull. This is all that remains of the three crosses which belonged to the ancient Menzies' college and church, afterwards, as tradition says, a monastery, which edifice can still be traced by the remains of its foundations in one of the fields there. It was of a peculiar character, called an abthanery — only two others of which existed in Scotland — and conferred on Dull the right of sanctuary similar to that of Holyrood. The ancient church of Dull is thought to be incorporated in the present parish church building, the walls of which are very thick. The ancient edifice stands at the west end of the clachan of Dull, and is surrounded by one of the old burial-places of the Menzies', and was under the supervision of Saint David Menzies as the Abthane or Abbot of Dull and the director of the Kirk o' Weem — under which Presbytery Dull is. In the latter end of his days Sir David gave himself up wholly to a religious life, and in the year 1438 he confirmed a previous charter granted to the Abbey of Dunfermline of the lands of Luscer-Evioth, &c, which was confirmed on the 22nd of May 1438, with consent of John Menzies, his son and heir. His name is spelt in this charter John de Mengues. We also find that King James II. renewed or gave the directorship of the Kirk of Weem to Sir David the Menzies, who was presented to the ministry of the church of Weem on the 23rd October 1440 — a copy of which is thus mentioned in the old inventory: — " Presentation by King James the Second of David Menzeis to the directory of the Kirk of Weyme, 23rd October 1440. — Inventory of 1656. The original is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 22. It is important to know that this " Auld Kirk o' Weem " is still to the fore, and still bears the name of " Saint David's Kirk." It would appear to be much the same as in his time, and is very well built — the walls being about 4 feet thick, of slate whinstone, which is very hard and peculiar to the district : Castle Menzies being built of the same stone, and which time seems to have very little effect upon. The structure has consisted of an aisle running east and west, with an off-set towards the north, where the altar is said to have stood, thus presenting the appearance of a small nave and choir with one pseudo- transept at right angles to them. From east to west the kirk is about 70 feet long by about 40 feet north and south. The choir is about 20 feet wide. The only alteration that seems to have been made on the kirk was on the occasion of the marriage of Sir Alexander the Menzies with Lady Campbell, to com- memorate which the lintel above the door has sculptured upon it a marriage escutcheon or shield of the Menzies', halved with that of Campbell, in token of marriage. In the interior of the kirk there are two square recesses in the wall, which have evidently been used in the time of Saint David Menzies [page_112 A.D. 1440] as " host boxes " or ambries, for the keeping of " The Host," or " the Holy Communion Wafer." These recesses are about 1 foot square, and have at one time had doors — one of them having the • initial letters of Saint David Menzies sculptured out of the stone. On the left upright lintel, in its centre, is the letter (D) cut out with a circular ring around it, and on the right lintel is the letter (M) cut in the same way, clearly indicating that Sir David Menzies had this little press under his own keeping. There is also a very fine altar within the church, which is in a good state of preservation. The Menzies Altar now stands against the north-east wall of " St David Menzies' Kirk " at Weem, although it would seem to have stood against the west gable facing towards the east window. The object in the design of the altar is of the finest possible conception, and may have been part of the altar of the Mensuetus, the 17th Menzies, who flourished about A.D. 62, or of Mainus the 33rd Menzies, who flourished 900, in whose life it is referred to as at Dull, and Saint David himself may have made use of some of the sculptured stones belonging to the altar at Dull. It was about his time, or shortly before, that its college and seat of learning was dismantled and transferred to Saint Andrews, and the altar, in the time of St David, must have been in the first stages of decay. He, therefore, may have taken away the sculptured stones — which had formed part of the ancient altar of his ancestors — to Weem, and there incorporated them with other sculptured works, so as to make the one grand altar as it now stands. By a little careful examination, any one can see that some of its stones are exceedingly old. We should say the two top angles, kneeling figures, cherubims, and the two side supporters, are about the oldest, especially the two large side figures, which are almost life-size, and may have belonged to the church of Titlli (Dull), founded by Saint David's great ancestor Mansuetus about the year A.D. 62-89. The altar is about 16 feet high and about 12 feet broad over all. The slab of the altar is recessed, with a projection beyond the line of the side pillars. It stands about 4 feet from the floor, being supported by four tapering pilasters embellished with a floral design of The Ash in relief. Between the pilasters are three panels, each surrounded by sculptured scrolls in strong relief. Over the altar-slab expands a gracefully curved arch, supported by two stone piers with a pillar to the front of each, the capitals of which are decorated with Scotch thistles ; these support the thrust of the arch, the centre keystone of which has a sculptured figure of an angel, bending out- ward, holding a tablet, upon which is the cross entwined with the monogram A.M.M.C.S. On the right side of the altar stands one of the ancient sculptured figures, almost life-size, representing one of the early Christian fathers or missionaries, probably Mensuetus, the 17th Menzies, who in his left hand holds the open Scriptures ; upon its pages, which are turned outwards, and is carved "The Menzies Altar." Showing Funeral Escutcheons of deceased Lady Menzies. i. Margaret Lindsay, daughter of Lord of Edzel — Showing Lindsay Arms. She died about 1502. 2. Christian Gordon, " Countess, ' daughter of Earl of Huntly, died 1525— Showing Gordon Arms. 3. Barbara Stewart, "Countess," daughter of Earl of Athole, died 1587 — Showing Stewart Arms. 4. Margaret Campbell, daughter of Glenurchy, died 1598 — Showing branch Campbell Arms. 5. Elizabeth Forrester, daughter of Lord of Carden, died 1613— Showing Forrester Arms. 6. Cristian Campbell, daughter of Lord of " lovers," she died about 1633 — Showing branch Campbell Arms. 7. Centre Panel with Inscription to the Memory of Sir Alexander Menzies, 1st Baronet, and his Ancestors. Obiit 1694. [page_113 A.D. 1440-1449] QVID. QVID. FIT. SINE. PINDE. EST. PACC. ATV. M., or, translated, " Verily, verily, faith will bring peace." His left foot is resting upon a human skull ; his right arm leans on an arm of the cross, emblematical of his preaching of life through the death of Christ, by which faith triumphs over death. The figure is clothed with skins, and stands on a pedestal of later date, which has in its centre panel a branch of the mountain ash, the badge of the Clan Menzies. Over the head of the preacher is a richly-carved canopy, upon the top of which is the figure of a rude Highlander kneeling in the attitude of prayer before an altar ; on the other side of which is the figure of an angel blowing a trumpet towards the Highlander, emblematical of the awakening trump of the spirit. This figure is resting upon one of the sides of the pedi- ment, which is surmounted with a tablet half-circular on the top, on the face of which is carved a figure symbolical of the Creator ; it is also thought to be the figure of Saint David. On the left side of the altar there is a figure, almost life-size, of a woman holding a child in her arms with another by her side, emblematical that the woman and children had the goodness of Christ taught them by the ancient Menzies preachers, and also typical of charity. These figures are expressively carved for their time. The pedestal of the woman is similar to that of the companion figure of the preacher. Over her head is also an elegantly-carved canopy, upon the top of which is the figure of a Menzies Culdee, or Christian missionary, kneeling before the altar, in the attitude of prayer, facing towards the Highlander. On the side of the pediment facing the Culdee is another angel sounding a trumpet towards him. From it comes the words VIEV. & VENITE. A.D. IVDI., or, " Have power, and preach of the death of Christ"; also representing the gift from on high of the inspiration of Christ. Under the projecting cornice, which runs horizontally along the whole structure upon which these altars and figures rest, on each side, in the spandrells between the arch and the cornice, is a cherubim, holding in their hands wreaths or crowns of reward for those who follow in the footsteps of Christ. Within the wreath on the left is inscribed— GLORIA DEO PAX HC MINIBUS: "Glory to God and peace to man." Within the wreath on the right is — TRIVNI DEO GLORIA : or, " To the three in one God be glory "• — the whole forming one of the finest balanced works of the kind to be found anywhere. The conception or re-arrangement of such a work could only have been thought out by such a mind as that of Saint David Menzies. The armorial portions of the altar at its back, inside the pediment on the front and on the sides of the arch, are of a later date. The lands of Coulter being transferred into other hands during the time Saint David was in the monastery of Melrose, his son, Sir John, in 1449, applied and had them relieved, as will be seen by the following : — "At Edinburgh, 29th January 1449, James II. The king having received [page_114 A.D. 1449] from the hand of Johannis Menzeis of Enouch, son and heir of ' D. David Menzeis,' Monk of the Royal Monastery of Melrose, the sum of £100 for the redemption of the one-half the lands, with villa or castle, and lands of Cultre in the shire of Lanark, which lands the said David and John disposed in ward to Roberto de Levingstone, burgess of Linlithow, and the said Robert, by letters of reversion, gives back for the same sum, continuously ' and for ever ' surrenders ' these lands,' given under the Seal, which is confirmed against the said Robert in the Parliament held at Edinburgh, 21st January 1449, against whom a mortal sentence for the whole sum the king continues. The which sum, as royal tenant without payment, is completely given to David, his heirs, executors, and assignees as may from him separate, also the same 1/2 part of land of his, and to his heritably descending the said alienated property freed, and themselves, David and John, put in possession under the Crown as a reward." — Reg. Great Seal, p. 72. It was in this year (1449) that Sir David the Menzies died, but the memory of his good life, through the whole of which his piety and kindness to the poor made him the beloved of all classes of the people in the region of Strath Tay, Dull and Weem, where he is known as the good " Saint David." His name is inseparably connected with the Rock of Weem. One of the great attractions to visitors here is the spring of pure water flowing out of a rent high up in the rock, and trickles into a large stone basin or trough hewn out of the solid stone, known as " Saint David's Well." Above this well rises almost vertically ledges of solid rock, against the sides of which leans a rude slab of stone with a cross sculptured in relief upon it, with its lower end resting in the water upon the bottom of the well. From the Holy Well of Saint David a magnificent view of the surrounding country can be had. In after years the well was used by the Romish clergy as one of those ancient " wishing wells," into which the devotees used to drop money or valuables and invoke the blessing of the patron saint, providing a rich mine to the priests of Rome. The position occupied by the well is altogether most romantic, and one which would easily stir up the superstitious feelings of the ignorant devotees. The rent in the rock — from where the water, cool and bright, percolates through into the well — is said to have been the entrance into a large cave capable of accommodating about 50 people, but is now blocked up ; others say that at one time immense rocks overhung the well, thereby forming the cave, wherein Saint David Menzies exercised his devotions. These, however, have evidently given way in course of time, and, rolling down the sides of Weem Rock, have left the well open in front, with a considerable ledge round it. The ground in front of the well was, it is said, dug up about 1870, when a quantity of bones was discovered. The rock, doubtless, got its name from this cave — the meaning of Weem in the Gaelic being " a cave." Till recently the well was considered to have healing and other properties. It may be reached by the pathway leading [page_115 A.D. 1449] off the main road at Saint David's auld kirk, by a climb up a steep but safe path. It is recorded that when the well was cleaned out some half-century ago, coins of various value were found in it, which had escaped the ecclesiastics when they searched for the oblations of the devotees. The priests took good care to instruct, as to the healing virtues likely to be effected, according to the value of the sacred donations dropped into the well. Tradition says that Sir David, our saint, had a chapel on a shelf of the Rock of Weem which is still called Craig-an-t' shapail, or the Chapel Rock, where, it is said, this building stood. There are also traces of Saint David on the opposite side of the river Tay, on what was then his own lands, on which was held Feil Daidh, or Saint David's fair, before it was transferred to Kenmore. There was also a burying-place, which bore his name in Gaelic, Cill Daidh, or " Kildavid," the burial-place of David. The Rock of Weem and hill rises about 1700 feet above sea-level, and about 1300 feet above the " Vale of Menzies," or Strathtay. Sir David the Menzies, at the time of his death in 1449, must have been about 72 years of age, as he is thought to have been born about 1377. He had two sons and one daughter, He left, by his first wife — Lady Marjory Sinclair, sister of Henry, Earl of Orkney — a son. 1st. JOHN THE Menzies, who succeeded him as chief and inherited his possessions. Sir David married secondly a lady whose name was Helen, as is to be seen from his donation to the monastery of Dunfermline. Sir David left another son, " Cudbert," but of which of the marriages is uncertain. 2nd. Cudbert Menzies got a feu-grant of part of the barony of Enach from John, his brother ; and it is reckoned that from him the clan branch of the Menzies' of Enach and others in Dumfriesshire were descended. In 1472 Cudbert Menzies granted a reversion of the lands of Auchintinsel and Drumcrule in the barony of Enach to Sir John the " Megnes," his brother-german. 3rd. Catherine Menzies, who married Alano of Erskyne, and had a grant of the lands of Vogry, of which marriage there seems to have been no issue, as these lands returned to Sir David, and were given to the queen of James I. as part of her dowry. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES'. Chieftain Gilbert Menzies, who held the loch and island of " Kandars," lying at " Colblain," ancestor of the Menzies' of Pitfodels. He fought at the battle of Harlaw, and was afterwards made Lord Provost of Aberdeen, which the records show he held from 1425 to 1439. He also sat in the Scottish Parliaments held by James II. at Edinburgh, 24th January 1449, and also at Stirling on the 4th April 1449 ; in both he represented the city of Aberdeen. David Menzies, also a leading man of Aberdeen : he sat in the Parliament of James I., held at Perth on the 11th March 1425, as the representative of Aberdeen. [page_116 A.D. 1397-1467] Chief Sir John the "Menzhers", the 9th Baron of Menzies. Surnamed, "the Admirable" Armour bearer to King James the First. A.D 1397-1467 SIR JOHN THE MENZIES, on the death of his father Sir David the Menzies, succeeded to all his vast possessions, for which he had received grants from the Crown. A great part of these had been conveyed to him by his father during his lifetime. These lands consisted of the north and west sides of Loch Tay, of which were Eddiramuky, on its north-west side ; the lands of Merynche, a few miles farther west, and marching with those of Edramuckie. He also received the Menzies Castle of Finlarig for his residence, with the lands of Glenlochy, Glenlyon, and the large tract of country known as Mamlorn. He ultimately received the whole of Dissawer, or the entire north bank or " sunny side " of Loch Tay. He also held the office of Touchderety. The Tosisich was the office of judge, first held and exercised by the ancient Scottish kings, and then by such Highland chiefs as the Menzies', who had been made barons of lands by the kings, and held by them in hereditary right and jurisdiction. With the office went the lands of Fornachy, now Fearnan, which lie at the north-east end of Loch Tay, and lead to Glenlyon and For- tingall. Near this was a " mote hill," or hanging mound, called Tom-na-Croich, which could be plainly seen in 1850, near the river end of the house of Mr Alexander Menzies, who called his house after it. A part of the mound was taken away when the house was built, but there still remained a portion, one side being damaged. When the next house was built, it took away what remained completely, and only the name Tom-na-Croich remains, which gives the place its name. It was here that the chief Sir John dispensed justice, as his ancestors had done, to the clansmen and other Highlanders of their country. Joining the foregoing, Sir John got the lands of Goulentyne, in the Abthane of Dull, the Menzies' castle and lands of Grandtully. His father also gave him [page_117 A.D. 1421-1440] in 1431 the lands of Enoch in Dumfriesshire. These, with others in the time of his father, made him a young man of considerable consequence. We find him, on the 14th August 1421, witness to a charter by Malcolm Drummond of Couchrage, on the occasion of the marriage of his sister to Donald, son of Gilbert, &c. To this document his name is appended : " John Menzhers, Esquire." This is in the charter chest of the Duke of Athole. — Hist. M.S., p. 706, vol. vii. ; Book of Garth and Glenlyon, p. 51. On the 14th of April 1435, Sir John Menzies had from his father Sir David a grant of the lands of Culter in Lanarkshire. We here give an extract of this document from the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. "No. 18. Charter by King James the First to John Meignes, his Majesty's armour-bearer, of the lands of half of the barony of Cultyr, with the donation of the church thereof, in the shire of Lanark, which had been resigned by David de Meignes, father of the said John, into the hands of the king at Perth : To be held by him and his heirs for rendering to the king the service used and wont. The liferent of the lands is reserved to the said David and terce to his spouse on his decease. Dated at Streinlyne, 14th April, 30th year of the king's reign [1435]. The witnesses are — John Forrester of Corstorphin, knight, the King's Chamberlain ; Mr William Foulis, Archdeacon of St Andrews, Keeper of the Privy Seal ; William de Crechton, knight, Master of the King's Household ; and Mr John Wincestre, Provost of Lincluden." — Transumpt of 1439. It will be observed that King James I. speaks of Sir John as being his "armour-bearer." This office to the Scottish kings was held for several generations by the eldest sons of the chiefs of Clan Menzies, and consequently they were early knighted as an accompaniment of that honourable post. This is the last charter granted by King James I., to or connected with the Menzies', before his assassination at Perth. It shows the confidential and trusted rela- tionship that existed between Sir John, his father Sir David, and the king. In the year 1440 Sir David, the father of Sir John the Menzies, practically gave over to him the whole estate and the chieftainship, as he had by that time given himself over to the Church altogether, and became a monk, as will be seen from the following : — " Charter by King James the Second to John Menzeis, son and heir of David Menzeis, knight, and monk of the monastery of Melrose, of the lands and barony of Raware, the lands of Weym, the lands of Abirfallibeg, the lands of Cumrey, the lands of the thanage of Crennych in the shire of Perth and Earldom of Athole, which had been personally resigned by the said David into the king's hands at Edinburgh. The liferent of the lands is reserved for the said David during his life. Dated at Edinburgh, 21st January [page_118 A.D. 1440-1448] 1440. The witnesses are : — William, Lord Crechtoun, Chancellor ; Andro de Livingstone of Calelare ; John de . . . , William de Crocistoun, knights ; and Richard Crag, Vicar of Donde, the King's Clerk." The above is in the Charter Room at Castle Menzies, No. 18. By it Sir John the Menzies was now installed in full power as chief of Clan Menzies, with possession of the estates of Menzies, the lands of Weem and Aberfeldy. Some time prior to 1449, the Stewarts received a feu or lease of the lands of Grandtully, through marriage, it is thought, of the Menzies'. The first record we find in this connection is in 1449, where Sir John the Menzies is a witness in an agreement between William, Abbot of Cupar, and Thomas Stewart of Grandtully, concerning the marches of Murtly and Kyntully (Grand- tully), 10th July 1449, to which are the names (as witnesses) subscribed of "Johannes Menyheis de la Wemys, Augusius Menyheis, Johannes Menyheis." — Red Book of Grandtully, pp. 14, 15. Another reason assigned for the loss to the Menzies' of the lands of Grandtully was the relationship which existed between William, Earl of Douglas (then all- powerful in Scotland), and Thomas Stewart, whose father had only received these lands by the Douglases about 1437 ; William, the 8th Earl of Douglas, having, in 1445, by his artifices with King James II., succeeded in driving the Chancellor Crichton from office, with Livingston his colleague, and had their estates forfeited as rebels. In 1446 he was created Lieutenant-General of Scotland, when he became all-powerful. In 1448, with an army of Scots, among whom were Clan Menzies, under Sir John the Menzies, he defeated the English at the battle of Sark, after which the Scots ravished their country as far as Newcastle. The power of Douglas at this time was only equalled by his desire to get more. Through his influence with the king Sir John the Menzies was obliged to resign [page_119 A.D. 1449-1451] his lands near the Church of Culter, the record of which reads thus : — " At Linlithgow, l0th Oct. 1449, James II. The king concedes to William, Earl of Douglas, the lands extending and lying near the church of the parish of Cultre outside the burgh of the same ; in the place of which he gives the patronage of the said church and parish to John the Menzies of Enach by alternate exchange, for which heritable consideration the said John resigned." — Reg. Great Seal, p. 67. Sir John the Menzies had married early in life Janet Carruthers, daughter of Carruthers of Holmains : Nisbet says Mr George Crawford had the voucher of this marriage. Sir John's eldest son (George) appears to have come of age about this time, and had married Elizabeth, daughter of Duncanson, or Robertson of Struan. He received a charter from his father (Sir John) granting him the lands of Morenish at the west end of Loch Tay. This grant was made at Stirling on the 22nd of July 1450 in favour of George Menzies and his wife, proceeding upon Sir John (his father)'s resignation. This charter is thus recorded : — "At Stirling, 22nd July 1450, James II. The king concedes to George Menzeis, son and heir-apparent of Sir John the Menzeis of Weem, and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Roberti Duncani, the lands of Morniche in the shire of Perth, which the said John personally resigns. To be held by the said George and Elizabeth, and the same to either during life, and heritably to those males begotten between them legitimately of their bodies, which failing, to the nearest heirs-male of the said John ' Menzeis,' whatsomever, reserving the free possession of the said lands of David Menzeis, deceased, to the said John ' Menzeis.' " — Reg. Great Seal, p. 87, vol. iv. James II., being under age on the death of his father, the turbulent barons of Scotland, by their feuds and dissensions, brought the country into a state of anarchy, so much so that the authority of the king was defied by many of the nobility. One of these was William, Earl of Douglas, who was Lieutenant- General of Scotland, and from whom the king and country had suffered much. The king, without depriving him of his high office, withdrew from him his countenance, and attached a large number of others to his cause. Douglas, feeling his power on the wane, determined to leave the country on a visit to the Pope, and to make some stay in England, France, and Rome. His train consisted of a number of knights and chiefs, one of whom was Sir John the Menzies. For the purpose of travelling through England they got a safe-conduct granted by Henry VI., King of England, which is as follows: — "23rd April 1451. John Menzeis — safe-conduct for a year with William, Earl of Douglas, and others. Warrant to the chancellor for a safe-conduct for ' on hoole yere ' to William, Earl Douglas, as in a bill enclosed, with 100 persons, certan 'herein,' viz., Sir James of Dowglas, Knight; Archibald of Dowglas of Murrawe, Hewe of Dowglas, Earl of Ormond, Sir [page_120 A.D. 1451] Alexander Hume of that Ilk, Knight ; James, Lord Hamylton, Knight ; Sir William Meldrum, Knight ; William of Lawdre of Halton, Thomas of Cranstone of that Ilk, Andrew Ker of Aldtoneburn, James of Dowglas of Ralston, Knight ; John Rosse, Knight, George of Hoppringill, Alexander of Hoppringill, David Hoppringill, William Balye, George of Haliburton, Marc of Haliburton, Alane of Lawdre, Charles of Murrafe, Thomas Bell, Thomas Grahame, James of Dunbar, Robert Heris, William Grierson, JOHN THE MENZEIS, James Dowglas, John of Haliburton, Maister Adam of Auchinlek, Maister John Clerc, Thomas Ker, James Ker." — Cat. Docs, re Scot., p. 250, vol. iv. Upon the receipt of this passport, Douglas began to make every preparation to display his power with all pomp in the foreign countries through which he would pass to attend the great jubilee at Rome. He also received a grant from King James II. of a safe-conduct, of which there is also a long entry in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, recording the grant of this safe-conduct to Douglas, Sir John the Menzies and others, as follows. Abridged translation : — " Safe- conduct for Earl Douglas and others, 12 May 1451. — The king by these patents grants for one year's duration, subscribed a safe and secure conduct for the protec- tion and defence of his envoys ; " here follows a long list of names, among which is the name of " John Menzies," and a long entry. — Rotuli Scotice, p 346, vol. ii. Sir John the Menzies accompanied the Earl of Douglas to Flanders, from thence to Paris ; and there at the Court of France they were received with great distinction. They then proceeded to visit the Supreme Pontiff during the brilliant season of the jubilee. Their visit appears to have astonished the polite and learned Italians, " as much by its foreign novelty as by its barbaric pomp." — Tytler's Scotland. From this it would seem that the Highland chiefs had appeared in their national garb (the Highland dress). We can imagine Chief Sir John the Menzies in his full dress — red and white tartan — with his pipers and Highland attendants ; Grahame in his dark green with white lines checking ; and Ross with his tartan of red ground with green and dark blue checks. The picturesque " kilt " must have astonished the Romans as much as if some northern Greeks had invaded them. Their return was, however, hastened by disturbances at home. On the return of Sir John the Menzies he had the greater part of his estates created into one large barony under the title of the Barony of Weem. The following is a copy of this document from the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 24 : — " Charter by King James the Second to John Menzies of Ennach of the lands of Weme, Abbirfallybeg, Glassy, the lands of the thanage of Crannyk, &c, in the shire of Perth, in one free barony ; also the office of ' teschondorouship ' of Artholony, which the said John had personally resigned into the king's hands, Edinburgh, to be erected into one free and entire barony, to be called the Barony of Weme. To be held by the said John and his heirs, doing yearly three suits [page_121 A.D. 1451-1464] at Perth, at the three chief courts of the shire of Perth. Dated at Edinburgh, 6th June 1451. The witnesses are: William, Bishop of Glasgow; William, Lord Creichtoune ; William, Lord Somervile ; Alexander, Lord Montgomery ; Patrick, Lord Glammys, Master of the King's Household ; Andrew, Abbot of Melrose, the king's confessor and treasurer ; William de Edmondstoune of Collodin ; John Logane of Lestalryk, George Campbell of Loudoune, Knights ; Masters John Arous, Archdean of Glasgow, and George de Sheriswod, rector of Cultir, the king's clerk." Sir John the Menzies, like his father, was a man with pronounced religious tendencies. He is also said to have been one of the pastors of the Auld Kirk o' Weem, where there is still the stone press in the wall where he kept " The Host," or the Holy Sacrament Wafer, on the sides of which his initials are cut out in the stone " Charter by John, Earl of Athole, to John Menzeis of Weym, of the patronage of the Church of Weym, the presentation to the rectory of the said church, and the glebe thereof: To be held of the Earl and his heirs. Dated at Edinburgh, 24th January 1463. The witnesses are: — Archibald, Abbot of the monastery of the Holy Rood of Edinburgh ; Mr James Lindesay, Provost of the Collegiate Church of Lincluden, Keeper of the Privy Seal ; James Stewart of Vchterhouse, brother of the Earl, and others." — Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 25. Immediately after this was granted, it may be inferred that the Earl was not satisfied, being shifty about the matter, and wanted to have privileges connected with the Auld Kirk o' Weem which he had no right to. Sir John the Menzies, however, stuck to his purpose, maintaining his rights, and obliged the Earl to get confirmation by charter under the Great Seal of Scotland, a copy of which is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, as under : — " No. 26. Transumpt of an obligation by John, Earl of Athole, to John Menzies, to procure a charter of confirmation of the preceding charter of the patronage of Weem, dated the 27th February 1463." This was confirmed by charter, under the Great Seal of King James III., dated last day of February 1453. But the copy as under, in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, is a year later : — " No. 27. Charter of confirmation by King James III., in favour of John Menzies of Weme, of the gift of the patronage of Weme, as in No. 26, dated at Edinburgh, last day of February 1464." The witnesses are : — " James, Bishop of St Andrews ; Archibald, Abbot of the monastery of the Holy Rood ; [page_122 A.D. 1467] Patrick, Lord de Graham ; Gilbert, Lord Kennedy ; Master James Lindesay; Archibald de Quhitelaw, Archdeacon of Moray, the King's Secretary." From the time of Sir John's visit to Rome, he appears to have left the responsibilities of chief to his son Angus Menzies, as his eldest remaining son, George Menzies, appears to have died in early life, leaving no issue. Sir John, therefore, lived a peaceful and religious life as the Rector of the Auld Kirk o' Weem. The last record of Sir John the Menzies we have, is where he appears in connection with the transfer of some lands by the Earl of Athole — the charter of which is in the possession of the present Duke — to which is appended his name as a witness, along with other two of his sons — " John Menzies of Weme, John Menzies of Comrie, Robert Menzies of Innercrean. Dated at Perth, 6th September 1467." — yth M.S.G. Report, p. 709, Sir John the Menzies, surnamed " The Admirable," in old Gaelic Neil Brek, — meaning admirable, majestic, or handsome — died about the end of the year 1467, having been born about 1397, and was therefore about 70 years old. He had by his wife Janet Carruthers four sons and a daughter — 1st. George Menzies, who married the daughter of the chief of the Robertsons, but died in early life without issue. 2nd. Angus Menzies, who acted as chief on his father's resignation for the Church. 3rd. Robert Menzies, who got the lands of Innercrean and afterwards became Chief. 4th. John Menzies, who got the lands of Comrie, from whom descend one of the Comrie branches of the clan. Nisbet says he was also the ancestor of the Menzies' of Culterallers, and got a grant of Culterallers from Sir Robert Menzies, his brother, in 1510. 1st. Mariote Menzies, who married Cuthbert Murry of Cockpool, 11th Earl of Annandale, who had a charter granted him, along with Mariote Menzies, his wife, of the lands of Wachquhat in Annandale. By Mariote Menzies he had two sons — 1st. Sir John, who died early ; and 2nd. Mungo Murry, served heir 1st March 1459-60, and who died 1493. — Douglas Peerage, p. 67. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' OF NOTE. ANDREW Menzeis, who sat in the Parliament of James II., held at Edinburgh, 6th March 1457, as the representative of Inverness. ALEXANDER MENZIES, who sat as the representative of the city of Aberdeen [page_123 A.D. 14S4-1483] in the Parliament of James III., held at Edinburgh, 12th January 1468. He was also chosen as " Auditor of Complaint" in 1482 and 1483. — Acts of Par., Scot. ANDREW MENZIES, who was Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1454 to 1461, and who was a witness to a charter granted by James Murray to the Parish of Fyve, 1458. CHIEFTIAN ALEXANDER MENZIES, Baron of Fortingal. He was the son of Sir Alexander, the brother of John the 43rd — see p. 88 ; Within. His barony of Fortingall was the afterwards sub-baronies of Garth, Rannoch, Struan, Strath- tummel, and Bolfracks, with the lands of Lassintullich, Tullcroskie or Crossmount, Kynachan, and the town of Lynnoch. — Robertson's Earldom of Athole. Also in his barony was the ancient church of the ecclesiastical Menzies' of Fortingall. A relic of them, and their early Celtic Christian church still remains which was in use in his time. It is the Celtic Menzies Bell of Fortingall, given under. He had an only daughter Janet, who married Duncan Stewart — see p. 138. — Tran. Soc. Antiq. Scot., p. 105, vol. 14. [page_124 A.D. 1430-1498] Chief Sir Angus the " Menyeis," the l0th Baron of Menzies. A.D. 1430-1498. CHIEF SIR ANGUS THE MENZIES, the second son of Sir John the Menzies, became the heir of Menzies on the death of his elder brother George, who died in early life, shortly after his marriage with the daughter of the chief of the Robertsons, of which marriage he left no issue. Angus, therefore, as the heir, received from his father in his lifetime, on his withdrawing from the chiefship to become Rector of the Kirk o' Weem, the grant of the castle and lands of Comrie and barony of the same ; also the Isle of Loch Tay, with the ancient Menzies castle and stronghold on that island, together with the small keep of " Belloch," including all the lands on the east end of Loch Tay. Likewise he got back the lands of Grandtully, which his father had been dispossessed of through the influence of the then all-powerful Douglas, about 1449, the settlement of the boundaries of which he had been a witness to on the 10th July 1449. With the recovery of these lands he took repossession of the old Menzies Castle of Grandtully. As time went on, and his father became more absorbed in Church life, the young chief got possession of the whole of Loch Tay, with its surrounding lands called Decheir and Twyere Discher ; in Gaelic, Deas-fhaire, looking south — and applied to the north side of Loch Tay — also meaning the sunny side, or looking towards the sun ; and Toyer — in Gaelic, Tuathfhaire — looking north, or the shady side, therefore applied to the south side of Loch Tay, which is shaded by its hills from the sun at certain hours of the day. He also got the large territory of Glenlyon, the lands and lordship of " Apnadul," now represented by the boundaries of the parish of Dull ; likewise the lands of Fortingall, with the markets of the same ; and " Strathbrawn," with its lands and markets. These, with others, made him a man of great power, even in the time of his father. On the 2 1st August 1451 the young chief Angus the Menzies gave to his son, Robert Menzies, the lands of Emerereane — now thought to be Edinample ? — and Croftytarane, now Glen Turret ? These lands lie in Strath Earn, and [page_125 A.D. 1451-1452] were a continuation of the lands of the Menzies' extending south from Loch Tay, and Strath Tay, or the Appin of the Menzies', thus giving them the possession of the whole country between Loch and Strath Tay, and Loch and Strath Earn. These lands were apparently held by them for an indefinite period before, and embodied in their ancient charters, only being mentioned when they came to be separated from the main estates, as was this portion to Robert Menzies, the record of which is as follows : — "Charter to Robert Menzies, son and heir-apparent of Angusii Meinzies of Cumre, and to his heirs male, the whole lands of Emerereane and of Croftytarane, with buildings, pertinents thereon adjacent in the earldom of Stratherne in the shire of Perth, upon the resignation of Mariote of Galmolawath, the tenant of the king, &c, as a reward for a ' deed of true service, owned and acknowledged.' Witnesses are, with others : — ¦ David de Murray of Tullibardin, Simone de Glendynivyn of the same, William de Cranstoun of Crosby — at Edinburgh, 21st August 1451." — Oliphant's of Scot. This Mariote was doubtless Mariote Menzies, sister to Angus Menzies, who married the Earl of Annandale, but gave up these lands to her nephew on coming of age. This charter was arranged and signed at the Menzies Castle on the island of Loch Tay, then the residence of Chief Angus Menzies, as his father, Sir John, occupied Castle Menzies at that time. That it was arranged at the Menzies Castle of Loch Tay island is confirmed by the records of the Great Seal, which states: — "At Edinburgh, 21st August 1451, James II. The king confers on Robert Menzies, son and heir-apparent of Angus Menzies of Comre, and his heirs male the lands of Emerc, and of Croftyntarane in the earldom of Stratherne in the shire of Perth, which Mariote of Galmolawach at Loch Tay personally resigned." Alexander Stewart of Banchory, a relative of the Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland during the non-age and imprisonment of King James I., had a son Thomas who, says Nisbet, received a feu-grant of the lands of Grandtully from Angus Menzies about 1452 ; and immediately thereafter, possibly as the reward of the good services referred to in the charter of 21st August 145 1, the lands and castle of Grandtully were handed back to the young Chief Angus Menzies by this Thomas Stewart. This restoration was confirmed by King James II., as is thus recorded : — "At 24th May 1452, James II. The king confirms a charter by Thome Stewart of Granetuly, who conveys to Angusio Menzeis of Cumre the said lands and house (castle) of Granetuly, together with the lands of Bordland in the shire of Perth." — Reg. Great Seal, p. 26, vol. vii. The lands of Grandtully had up to this date been embodied in the Menzies district of Dull, or the abthanage of Dull, and only on their changing hands [page_126 A.D. 1452-1455] was the name brought into record. It is a compact district in the south-east part of the then Menzies lordship of Dull, measuring about 6 1/2 miles extreme length by about 5 miles extreme breadth, with an area of about 32 1/2 miles. The old church of Grandtully is conjectured to have been built by Saint David Menzies, so that when residing at Castle Grandtully he could perform the office of pastor to the people. It was subordinate to Dull, which in turn was subordinate to the Church of Weem. This old church is built up against the old castle of Grandtully, and stands near the present road, about 3 miles east of Aberfeldy. About the year 1455 the young chief, as lord of Disher and Towir, evidently let a portion of these lands to Colin Campbell of Glenurchy, who, as the tenant of Angus Menzies, had to pay to him the crown fees then levied on such men. Sir Angus in turn paid these into the king's exchequer, in which records we find the following payment by him : — " Angus Menyeis, his fees, &c, paid by the same in money as accounted by settlement with Thome Olyfant, Constable of the Castle of Edinburgh, by the mandate of the lord the king, by letters patent under the Seal, above accounted, and himself acknowledges receiving such account in full discharge of the fee of such yearly sum of £13, 6s. 8d. And for the discharge of Colin Cambell, Knight, who was commanded to pay yearly to the lord of ' Deschyr' and ' Towyr' (Sir Angus the Menzies) in full discharge of his fee the yearly rent of £26, 13s. 4d. 14S5-" Connected with the foregoing is a list of the other Menzies lands and markets for which the young chief of the Menzies' paid dues to the Crown, but which he held in his own hands unlet to outsiders. This Colin " Cambell " is the first of the Campbells who came as tenant vassals to the Menzies', and it is much to be regretted that they were ever allowed to have lands let to them, as with them came all the internal troubles in the large possessions of Clan Menzies, which has resulted in the Campbells getting possession of the greater part of them by various artifices. Nearly all the lands of Bredalbin were up to this time the possessions of the Menzies'. The fees to the Crown for the other Menzies lands, paid by Chief Sir Angus the Menzies, are thus recorded : — " And Angusis of Menyeis has given in full payment his annual fee, amounting to £6, 13s. 4d., from the markets of the said lands of ' Deschir and Towyr,' and in full discharge of the annual fee from them, amounting to £1l, 6s. 8d., and from the markets of ' Glenlyoun,' his fees from the same annually of 26s. 8d., and from his markets of Forthirgill, ' Fortingall,' the annual fee from the same of 20s., and the markets of ' Apnadul,' his fee from the same of lis., and the markets of Strathbraune, his fee from the same for each year of 11s., and allocates the accounts of the free lands of 'Cassochy,' which was collected at this time by Roberto Watsoune, to which nickil hebabet, in good manner, as [page_127 A.D. 1455-1456] also the king assesses the annual amount at £4, and allocates the amounts as per settlement hereupon. Albany heralds," &c. — Exchequer Rolls, p. 51, vol. vi. Although part of Glenlyon is in the district comprehended under the name Fortingall, yet it had at this time a market of its own. Glenlyon is a long, narrow vale extending from Loch Lyon, lying near the western boundary of Perthshire running towards the Tay, to near Comery Castle — a distance of about 28 miles. The Glen is traversed through its whole length by the river Lyon ; its breadth is very inconsiderable — seldom in the level part exceeding a furlong — and in some places so hemmed in by the mountains as to only contain a space of 8 or 10 yards for the passage of the river. Its flanking heights on both sides, but specially on the southern, come down upon it with such steep declivity as to ward off the sunbeams and render it a vale of light and shade during the entire days of the winter months, and a considerable portion of every other day during the year ; but it is remarkable that the sides of the glen up to the very summits of the hills are in general green with herbage, and dotted over with sheep. Down the sides of the glen rush innumerable burns, careering over every impediment coming in their way, forming cataracts and cascades of every variety, on their impetuous way to join the river Lyon — many of them coming from a distance of four miles inland — presenting many pictures of mingled beauty and romantic grandeur ; the finishing effects of the landscape being completed by the many singular careerings, falls, spates, and" deep, dark pools, with other natural and impressive beauties of the river Lyon. Near the head of the glen stands the old Menzies' fortalice, Meggernie Castle, probably built by Chief Lord Robert " Meggneris," 1328 — retaining almost the same spelling — the old square tower of which is conjectured to have been altered by Sir Angus the Menzies. It has in its ancient doorway an iron-grated door very like the one at Castle Menzies. There must have been a large population with a considerable trade in Glenlyon at this time, as his returns are very good as compared with the others. The following year (1456) we find the young chief making payment to the Crown Exchequer of his fees from his possessions, in which record we have the Menzies Castle and island of Loch Tay mentioned, which was the principal place of residence of Sir Angus the Menzies. In his time it was at this Menzies Castle, on the island of Loch Tay, that most of the documents were dated from : these, with the fees from his tenant, Colin Campbell, and his other possessions, reads thus : — "Angus Meigners, his fee, &c, 1456, from Sir Colino Cambel, Knight, who for beseching and for service with the annual rent of 40 merks to the lord of Descheir and Toyere, ' Sir Angus the Menzies,' in full payment of his annual fees, hereby received £26, 13s. 4d." — Exchequer Rolls. This shows how the Glenurchy Campbells came as the followers of the [page_128 A.D. 1456] Menzies', who, for becoming their vassal, allowed him to become a tenant, paying an annual rent of £6, 13s. 4d., of which Sir Angus the Menzies, as lord of Loch Tay, gave as his fees to the Crown 40 merks. The record of the fees for the other Menzies lands and their markets given along with the above are : — " And Agusis Meigneris for his annual fees as the Lord Commissioner of the king paid £6, 13s. 4d. from his markets and lordship Descheir and Toyere ; and as the possessor and custidonian of the castle and island of Loch Tay, the annual fee amounting to 17s. 8d. ; and from his markets of Glenlyoun the annual fee amounting to 26s. 8d. ; and the markets of Apnadul, from them the annual fee of 11s.; and his markets of Strathbrawn the annual fee from the same of 11s.; and also for the superfluous burdens of the lands of Tibbyrmellock (Tibbermore), which fuerant at the feast of Penticost, with annual payment of 20 merks allowed for burdens of same, with 16 lib., of which one term is discharged by the said 20 merks paid at Penticost, the which payment of fees, contained with the remaining ballance of merks, together at the term of the blessed Martini, about which date in future the annual payment ' is to be made,' amounting to £9, 6s. 8d." — Exchequer Rolls, p. 246, vol. vi. Strathbran takes its name from the river Bran, which issues from Loch Freuchie in Glenquich, both being in Sir Angus the Menzies' lordship of Dull. The Bran flows eastwards along Strathbran, past Amulree, through Little Dunkeld to the junction of the river Tay. Above Dunkeld Bridge, its length, measured from Loch Freuchie, is about 10 miles. The Bran is a turbulent and impetuous stream, its bed being composed of rocks or large loose stones, through which it forces its way. The lands of Strath Bran, adjoining to those of Grandtully, formed the east boundary of Sir Angus Menzies' possessions. The markets of Strath Bran were held at Amulree — standing on the Bran, encompassed amid wild Highland scenery. They are still continued as fairs, one on the first Wednesday of May and the day before ; the other on the Friday before the first Wednesday of November. Loch Tay, with its island, on which is the ancient castle of the Menzies', lies in the midst of a mountainous country, which up to the time of Sir Angus the Menzies was known by the name of Descheir and Towyer. This magnificent sheet of water commences at the foot of Glendochart and Glenlochy, where it receives the united streams of these glens, and flows north-eastward to the vicinity of Kenmore — then Bellech — where it discharges its superfluous waters, forming the river Tay. The length of Loch Tay is 15 miles, and its average breadth is about a mile, and from 15 to 100 fathoms deep: it is strictly a Highland lake. The mountains on the north side form a bulky chain, with lofty, finely-outlined heads, the most conspicuous being Ben Lawers, the lands of which were first let by Sir Angus the Menzies to " Colin Cambel " as a vassal, and [page_129 A.D. 1457] for the foregoing payments of rent, fees, &c. Ben Lawers is the highest ground in Perthshire ; the heights on the south side are much less lofty and more regular, but both are well-clad with heath and verdure. The view of the loch from the high part of the road on the side of Drummond Hill is simply charming. About the south centre of the loch at Ardeonaig, stands Dall, the ruins of one of Sir Angus the Menzies' old castles, called Castle Mains. The isle of Loch Tay is at the east end of the loch, upon which are the remains of a priory, together with the ruins of the ancient castle of the Menzies', similar to Comrie Castle. The firm and systematic government of James II. had brought the Highlands into an acknowledgment of the right of the Crown to impose fees or taxes on the lands held by the chiefs of clans ; and we find the records of the King's Exchequer giving the details, places, and sums paid in from them up to the year 1457-8, in which year King James II. was killed at the siege of Roxburgh by the bursting of a gun. After his death disorder ensued, and the record of these fees stopped with the ensuing national confusion. Each successive record, however, gives increased details, as will be seen from the last we can find relating to Sir Angus the Menzies, which is as follows : — " Angus Menyeis, his fees, &c. And Angusis Menyeis for his fees from the term of St Martin the same has paid, amounting to £3, 6s. 8d., and of the said free lands of Inver, with the fishing of the same, conceded by the Church of Dunkeld ; for the lord the king at the term of Pentecost, which amounts to 20s. ; and also from the free lands of Dawmarnok (Dowally), conceded by the said Church in like manner, by decree of the lord the king, at the same term, 33s. 4d. ; and the same from the free and extensive lands of Dawmarnok at the term of St Martin, his amount paid, 33s. 4d. ; and also from the lands of Kynclevin (Kinclaven), assigned by the church of St Andrew for the custodia of castle of Edinburgh, at the term of St Martin, of his payment of £36 ; And from his markets and lordship of ' Descheyr and Tweyer ; ' And from his possession and custodia of the castle and island of ' Lochtay ' the annual amount paid of 46s. 8d. And from his markets of ' Glenlyoun ' the fees of the annual amount of 26s. 8d. And from his markets of 'Apnadul' the annual fees amounting to 11s. And from the markets of ' Strathbraune ' his fees from the same annually of 11s. And the same from the second ward of ' Grantuly' the annual amount of us., payable to the abbey of Scona ; And from the markets of Kynclevin the fees at the term of Pentecost, at that time the sum of 20s. ; and the same from the free lands of Dowschinloch in the barony of ' Apnadul,' as deputy lord under the king over the forests, with uncultivated and pasture (lands), the annual sum amounting to 26s. 8d. And likewise other fees, expenses from his foresaid, in final settlement, from districts accessible on foot to the same, the sum of £38, 13s. id. And the same fees from his free lands and forest of ' Manlorn,' as deputy for the lord [page_130 A.D. 1457] the king over the uncultivated pasture, at the term of Pentecost the same, which amounts to 13s. 4d." — Exchequer Rolls, p. 366, vol. vi. The district of Mamlorn, mentioned in the foregoing, is a large tract of Highland country which then stretched from Loch Tay at its west and north- west end, and extended right across country till it is thought to have reached Loch Etive, including Glen Falloch, Glen Dochart, Glen Lochy, Glen Lyon, and part of Glen Orchy. All this vast tract of land Sir Angus the Menzies was lord superior of under the king, which he inherited from his ancestors, who are said to have held from the Tay at Logierait and Grandtully right across to Loch Crean and other lochs, touching Loch Etive and Loch Fyne, which lead to the Atlantic Ocean. Tradition says the ancestors of the Menzies' were the first who raised smoke or boiled water in the central Highlands of Athole, Breadalbin, and Mamlorn. The special reference to the forests of the Menzies' country in the foregoing record was brought about by King James II.; and his Parliament, becoming alarmed at the great clearances of the Scottish forests, then causing considerable anxiety to Parliament, who in a report declared : — " Regarding the plantation of woods and hedges, the lords thought it advisable that the king advise his freeholders to make it a provision in their Whitsunday's leases that all their tenants should plant trees, woods, make hedges, &c." — Tytler's Scotland, p. 53, vol. ii. This order was at once carried out by the Menzies', as they have always been favourable to the planting and maintaining of forests and arboriculture generally — many of the trees then planted now being the finest in Britain. It is recorded that in 1457 Sir Angus the Menzies paid to the Crown the sum of 20s., as fees for the lands and village of Inver. The lands and village of Inver — for which Sir Angus the Menzies, as recorded in the foregoing, paid to the Crown in 1457 the sum of 20s. as fees — were in former records included in the title of Strathbran, but here mentioned on account of this payment. The village of Inver stands between the Tay and the Bran, on a woody island surrounded by these rivers, having a mill and a bridge of two arches stretching over the Bran, the whole forming a very picturesque landscape. Joining to these lands, on the east bank of the Tay above Dunkeld, are the lands of Dowally, called in the records Daumarnok, for which Sir Angus the Menzies in 1457 paid into the Royal Scottish Exchequer the fee of 33s. 4d. These lands stretch along the east bank of the Tay, from the Pleyburn, about a mile from Dunkeld, northwards for about 6 miles, having the village of Daumarnok, now called Dowally, lying near the river Tay, about 4 1/2 miles above Dunkeld. The main part consists of a narrow band of low ground lying along the Tay, with a grand forest-clad range of overhanging heights, abundantly stocked with deer and other game, which terminates at its lower boundary in the rocky hills [page_131 A.D. 1457-1498] of Craigiebarns and Craigiebenean, presenting a very precipitous and picturesque appearance. There are two lakes, called the lochs of Rotmel, from which flows the Dowally or Daumarnok burn, driving mills as it runs into the Tay. The village stands on this burn near the Tay. Kynclevin, now Kinclaven, a village and parish for which Chief Sir Angus the Menzies paid fees to the Crown in 1457 amounting to £36, the lands of which joined to those of Inver and stretched along the west bank of the river Tay, extending southward for about 5 miles. The Tay circles round more than one- half of its whole frontier, along which boundary, including windings, it runs a distance of 10 or 11 miles, almost everywhere bearing marks of its destructive impetuosity. At one point it forms a cascade, which falls into the deep Linn of Campie. The ruins of Kinclaven Castle are still to be seen. It was held by Sir Angus the Menzies, and stands on the banks of the river Tay, opposite the mouth of the river Isla, which runs into the Tay. The castle is said to have been originally built by King Malcolm Canmore, and was in the time of Wallace captured by him, assisted by the Menzies'. Tibbyrmelloch, now Tubbermore Parish. From these lands Sir Angus the Menzies in 1457 paid to the Scottish Exchequer fees to the amount of £16. Joined on to these were the lands of Kinclaven, through which runs the river Almond for about 4 miles, forming the north boundary of Tibbermore, and the south of Kinclaven, with the stream Pow for about 2 miles, measuring 6 miles in length by about 1 to 3 miles in breadth. Within its boundaries are the villages of Ruthven and Hillyland. The other detached portions of its lands were held by branches of Clan Menzies, afterwards known by their lands, as the Menzies' of Ferntower and Monzie. The general surface of Tibbermore, without being hilly, is diversified in the eastern parts ; it in general rises somewhat high above the level of the river Almond, then going down with a deep descent, forming a delightful plain along the margin of the stream ; it is to a large extent beautified with wood. These lands of Tibbermore were originally held by Oyth, afterwards Eviot of Busey. By the marriage of Margaret de Ouyoth about 1343 with Sir Alexander the Menzies, they came to be held by the Menzies'. Chief Sir Angus the Menzies also held the lands of Inner-erchan in Strathearn ; and as the greater part of the lordship of Strathearn belonged to him, we find him giving a feu-grant of the lands of " Inner-erchan " to William Stewart of Ballendoran and Mariote Campbell, his spouse, for their lifetime. This grant was made in October 1498, at the Menzies Castle on the island of Loch Tay, which was the favourite place of residence of this chief of Clan Menzies. — Nisbet, p. 212, vol. ii. During his life Sir Angus the Menzies appears to have allowed his brother Robert the other tracts of the Menzies' country, which, being free, are not recorded as paying fees. Sir Angus was born about 1430, and died about 1498. [page_132 A.D. 1433- 1523 ] Chief Sir Robert the Menzeis, the 11th Baron of Menzies Surnamed "The Venerable" A.D> 1433-1523 CHIEF SIR ROBERT THE MENZIES, who, during the lifetime of his father, "The Admirable" Sir John the Menzies, surnamed in old Gaelic Neile brek, received as his first possessions the lands of Innercrean, from which he derived his designation, as appended to the charter of 1467, now in the possession of the Duke of Athole, which he signed as " Robert Menzies of Innercrean." These lands form what is now called Loch Crean, which is a branch of Loch Linnhe running inland, opposite to the Isle of Lismore. Into Loch Crean flows the stream or burn of Crean, which traverses the mountainous valley of Glen Crean in its course. In Glen Crean there are the remains of copper mines, which tradition says were wrought by the Menzies' when they were the lords over the mines of Scota, under the ancient race of Scottish kings descending from their ancestor King Maynus. The confluence or mouth of the Crean is what his estate took its name from — Inner-crean — meaning confluence of the Crean. These lands are said to have included the Isle of Lismore and the Black Forest, then under the lordship of his brother Sir Angus the Menzies, being included with the forest of Mamlorn, thus giving possession to the Menzies' of the whole stretch of country from Crean — an arm of the sea — to Castle Menzies. Sir Robert the Menzies married in 1478 Margaret Lindsay, the third daughter of Sir David Lindsay of Edzell and Bewfort. — Douglas Peerage, p. 164, vol. i. After the death of Chief Sir John the Menzies, Duncan Campbell, second of Glenorchy, who was one of the tenants on the Menzies' estates, saw by marrying the widow of the deceased chief a grand opportunity for making a claim upon the splendid possessions of the Menzies. His second wife, Margaret Stewart of Lorn, having died, he therefore married Lady Menzies in all haste, and lost no time in bringing an action against the young chief, and had Sir Robert the Menzies summoned before the Lords of Council to compel him to give him a thrice of the [page_133 A.D. 1479-1484] rental of the lands of Cranich as the widow's portion. This is recorded in the Acts of the Lords of Council, which reads thus : — " 5th November, 1479. In the occasion and cause of persuit by Duncan Campbell and Elizabeth, Patrick's dochtir — his spouse, and sometime the spouse of deceased Neile Brek, on the one part, against Robert Mezeis, son and heir of deceased Johne Mezeis of Ennoch, on the other part, for the warrant of the said Duncan Campbell and Elizabeth, for the fee of 18 merk land by Marrion, the spouse of deceased, the said John for her third trice of the land of Crannich, by reason of a band and contract made betwixt deceased, the said John the Menzies, Neile, and the said Elizabeth. The said Robert Menzies being lawfully and peremtorilly summoned and often called, and not appearing, the evidence, right, reasons, and allegations of the said Duncan Campbell and Elizabeth, at length being heard and understood, the Lords of Council decree and delivers that the said Robert Menzies is to pay his full warrant, and keep scatheless and relieve the said Duncan Campbell and Elizabeth of the said 18 merks of the said trice, after the form of the said letter of contract made by said deceased John the Menzies, as is said before." — Acts of the Lords of Council, Civil Cases, p. 40. This decision was a source of great joy to the wily Campbell, for by it he gained a footing on the north side of Loch Tay — at least during the lifetime of Lady Menzies, whom he had married. The dowager lands of Crannich at this time represented the greater portion of the north side of Loch Tay ; and included what is now known as the lands of Lawers, Balnahanaid, Craggantoll, and the Tombrecks, &c, from which he was to get a third part of the rents. In the reign of King James III. — owing to the continual conspiracies by one faction and another, and the want of money by the king to defend the Crown and defray the expenses incurred in raising an army to keep his nobles in check — it became necessary to demand the payment of " mails " from the tenants on the estates of barons. We find, therefore, the following abridged order against Sir Robert Menzies' tenants to compel payment of these taxes : — ¦ " 26th October 1484. The Lords decree and deliver that Johne Stewart, Robert Menzeis, Robert M'Nare, Alexr. Finlawsoun M'Gillomartin, Donald M'Giltairr, Johne Rede Mengies, Finlaw Croy, Finlaw M'Amdy, Finlaw M'Nare, Robert Rede, Finlaw M'Antalzor, Fand Millar, Andro Finlysoun, Duncan Campbell, Marion Campbell, Gregor Duncanson, Duncan Charlisson, and the remnant or rest of the tenants and inhabitants of the land of Aberfeldy and Dalrawer, shall consent and pay to William of Rothune of that Ilk, Knight, the malts of the third of the two part of the lands of the Lordship of Weyme of the Whitsunday term gone past, and also that the said persons, with the tenants foresaid, shall content and pay to the said Sir William the ' malis ' and dewties [page_134 A.D. 1484-1488 ] of the two part of the land of the said lordship of ' Weyme ' of the said Whitsunday term, pertaining to him by reason of assignation of a Rev. father, William, Bishop of Aberdeen, Sir Mungo ' Lokert,' Mr 'Dauid' Cuperdale, and Mr Alex. Tower, Archdean of Dunkeld ; and ordains that the bailies there to distrain said persons and tenants their lands and goods for the said malis, and they were lawfully summoned to personally appear, and having been oftimes called and did not compeer." — Acts of the Lords of Council, Civil Cases. From the foregoing, it will be observed that Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy and his wife, Marion Campbell — the widow of the late Sir John the Menzies — are among those against whom decree was given as only tenants on the Menzies estates. From this time Duncan Campbell began to ingratiate himself into the favour of Sir Robert Menzies, and proffered his services as a follower under bands of manrent. After the lapse of a few years, owing to the disturbed state of the country, we have Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy becoming a vassal of Sir Robert the Menzies, and giving himself as such under the most servile conditions, as will be seen from the following band of manrent from the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, whereby the Campbells of Glenurchy became the followers of Clan Menzies : — " Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy to Robert Menzies of Ennochque : Edinburgh, 21st October 1488. Be it kend till all men be thir present letters, me, Duncane Campbell of Glenrchquha, to be bundin and oblist, and be thir present letteris and the faithe and truthe in my body stratly bindis and oblissis me to a worchipfull man, Robert Menzeis of Ennochque : Forasmekle as the ' said ' Robert has gevin to me for all the days of my liff all and hale the landis of Auchinmoir with their pertinentis, likas his letter maid to me of lifrent heireapoun proportis ; that herfor I bind and oblissis me and becummis in manteinance, supple, help, and trew consale to the said Robert, and sal tak ane awfald lele and trew parte with him in all and sindry his actions, causis, querellis, and pleyis, movit or to be movit, lefull and honest ; ande sal nocht wit his harme, hurt, scaith, heirschip, deid nor disherising to his person, landis, takkis, nor gudis, bot I sal warne him thairof in dew tyme, and lat it at my possable power ; and I sal gif him the best consal I can, and I sail conseill and consele at the schanis to me ; and I sal ryd and gang with him quhen I am requirit befor all thaim that leff or dee may expet my allegans to our souerain lord the king and to the lordis to quham I am bundin to of before : and thir my letteris of manteinnas, help, and supple, till endure for al the dais of my liff, but fraud or gile. Ande altour the said Duncan byndis and oblissis him as said is, that he sal nocht opres the tenandis of the lands of Cranoch, Morinche, Auchinmoir ....... Al vther his lands liand on the watter of Lyoun, of the quhilkis the said Duncan is bailie of vnder me (Sir Robert Menzeis), likas my letter of balzery maid to the said [page_135 A.D. 1488-1489] Duncan heirapoun proportis, vtheris wais than will ; and in likewis the said Duncan Campbell mak the said Robert and his assignais, assignay to the said Duncane in and to the tak and asedatioun of the [Kirk] of the Weme for als mony yeris as said Duncane has the samyn of Maister Johne Fressale ; the said Robert and his assignais pay and thairfor als mekil proffitis as the said Duncan pait, and to be enterit thairto at the next crop, all fraud and gile away excludit. In witnes of the quhilk thing to thir present letteris I have sett to my sele : at Edinburgh, the xxi day of October, the yere of God MCCCCLXXXVIIII yeris." (1489) — Charier Room, Castle Menzies, No. 177. By this humbling, crawling submissiveness, Duncan Campbell managed to get the lands of Auchmore for his lifetime as tenant, and was made deputy- bailie of Cranoch, Morenish, Auchmore, &c, under Sir Robert the Menzies, with restrictions not to injure the other tenants nor oppress them in his capacity as Sir Robert's bailie over those parts of the Menzies country allotted to him as such. Another reason which may have induced Sir Robert the Menzies to accept the services of Duncan Campbell would be to enable him to bring as large a force into the field as possible to support King James III., who was opposed by his son. The Campbells, therefore, followed the Menzies, with other Highlanders, to the battle near Stirling, where James III. was defeated and assassinated, on being thrown from his horse, by a conspirator in the guise of a priest. In 1489 — Sir Robert the Menzies still having possession of Enouch and other parts of the Dumfries estates — was by his relation Cuthbert Menzies brought before the Lords of Council, who petitioned that the lands of " Achinfell " and " Drumcrule " be given him, being the property of his branch. This Sir Robert disputed, and Cuthbert, to enforce his rights, summoned him before the Lords of Council. The record is as follows : — " 1st March 1489. The action and cause presented by Cuthbert Menzies of ' Achinfell ' against Robert Menzies of the Enouch, nevo and heir of deceased Johne Menzies of the Ennoch, of warrant acquit and desend to the said Cuthbert and his heirs the lands of ' Achinfell ' and Drumcrule free of all annuals, as is contained in the summons, is by the Lords of Council continued to the 15th day of June next, to come with contraction of days in the same form and effect as it now is, but without prejudice of parties, and ordains the said Cuthbert Menzies to bring to the same day, with contraction of days, the principal charter that he alleges to have of these lands, both the parties are summoned by themselves, and their procurators appeared." — Acts of the Lords of Council, Civil Cases, p. 133, vol. vi. It would appear that Cuthbert Menzies established his claim, as no more was heard of this dispute. He was, however, one of the progenitors of a branch of the Menzies of Dumfriesshire. [page_136 A.D. 1489-1494] The Menzies' still held the lands of Ceres as lords superior, and as such were in receipt of one-third its annual rental as feu-duties ; this they had received from the feuars of Ceres without any trouble until about 1490, when one of the feu-holders named Andrew Kinmount of Craighall, the lands of which he and his fathers held in feu from the chiefs of Menzies for payment of one-third its annual rental valuation — this Kinmont refused to pay, and ultimately Sir Robert summoned him before the Lords of Council, in the records of which we find the case thus recorded : — "23 Junii 1494. Annent the actioun and cause persewit be Robert Mezes of Innoch agains Androv Kinynmond of Cragihall for the wrangeris intrometting and withalding fra him of the third part of the ' rent from ' the land and barony of Cerese, with the pertenants liand in the sherfdome of Fiff, and for divuris other causes contained in the summond. Both said partiis beand present, the said Andrew Kynnymond allegiit that ane carnecorse suld werrand him pe said landis, and, therefore, the Lords of Counsale assignis to the said Andrew, the viii day of October nixt to cum without contracion of dais, to call his said werrand, and contenewis the said matter in the meyntym, in the samyn form and effect as it now is, but prejudice of party, and the parties are summoned to appear in October." Nothing more being heard of the case, Kinmount evidently agreed to pay his feu-duties regularly to Sir Robert and his successors. Sir Robert the Menzies, like many other lords of landed property, suffered much from thieves during the troubles — both before and after the death of James III. — with which Scotland was afflicted. The young king, James IV., determined to put down all acts of theft, robbery, and other crimes. We therefore find, by the following decree, Sir Robert receiving restitution for the theft of a mare taken from his lands by an accomplice of Sir David Lindsay's, who was ordained to refund its value : — "October 11th. The Lords of Council decree and deliver that John Curro, ' burgis ' of Edinburgh shall content and pay to Robert Menzeis of Enoch the sum of 33 merks, 6s. 8d., usual money of Scotland, for the 'reft of a mare from audit to ' him by the said Johne, like as he was bound by his obligation, showen and produced before the Lords. And because the said John Curro alleged that Sir David Lindsay of Bewfurd, Knight, should warrant him, the Lords therefore ordain that he has no business to call his a warrant, and that by distraining of the said Johne by default for 30 dais next to come after the date hereof, the which 30 days being bypast, that there be written to distrain the said Johne, his lands and goods, for the said sum and for us. to his expenses and costs." — Acts of the Lords of Council, Civil Cases, p. 145. One of the tenants of Sir Robert the Menzies, Duncan Charlisson, who was on [page_137 A.D. 1494] the list of those who had not paid their " mails" in 1484, was again, in 1492, for some offence not mentioned, brought before the Lords of Council by virtue of a summons from Sir Robert, who, not appearing, the case was allowed to drop, as follows : — " June 22. Before the Lords of Council appeared Duncan Charlisson, and pleaded that because Robert Menzies of the Enoch gert summons him at his instance for certain actions contained in the summons, and would not compere to 'folow' him there before the Council." — Acts of the Lords of Council, Civil Cases, There is every reason to believe in the old traditions that the Campbells were solely at the bottom of many of these acts of theft and other troubles with the neighbours of the chiefs of Menzies, their object evidently being to harass and weaken both parties by underhand work, and make themselves necessary. In 1488 Neil Stewart of Garth — a descendant on the female side of Sir Alexander Menzies by his daughter, Janet Menzies, Neil's mother, by which marriage the Stewarts had got Garth Castle — made an indenture with Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy of mutual support, &c, and from that time a bitter feeling was shown by Stewart towards Sir Robert the Menzies. All the time Duncan Campbell was inciting Stewart against Sir Robert, while vowing friendship towards him as his bond leal man and follower. Campbell was, in fact, a cunning, scheming fox, making his own use of Neil Stewart, who was headstrong and passionate, and could not see the use Campbell was making of him. In this way the deadly feud between Neil Stewart and Sir Robert the Menzies began. Stewart suddenly and forcibly took possession of the lands of Dailray and Caudois Croft ; Sir Robert Menzies resented, and with a wisdom not always found among the Highland chiefs in those days, had Neil Stewart summoned before the Lords of Council, 19th June 1494, who decreed as follows : — " The Lords of Council decree and deliver that Neil Stewart of Fortingall does wrong in the occupation and intromitting with the lands of Dailry, and of the ' toft ' and croft called Caudois Croft, with the pertinents ; and therefore Ordains him to desist and cese therefrom and until he ' be lauchfully entrit,' there to be broken and manured by ' Robert Menzeis of Ennoch ' untill the entry of the lawful heir thereto. And also decree and deliver that the said Neil shall consent and pay to the said Robert Menzeis the sum of three lib (pounds), a boll of beer, and a wedder yearly, of vii years' males and possession of the said land, and vi lib (pounds) of grassum of the said land by the said space of vii years, taking up and intromitted with by the said Neil, as was sufficiently proven before the Lords ; and ordains that letters be ' written to devoid ' and ' red ' the said lands, and to distrain for the said summons ; and the said ' Neil ' was present at this action." — Acts of the Lords of Council, Civil Cases, p, 329. [page_138 A.D. 1494-1497] This decision at once defeated Stewart and his crafty adviser's schemes, but it was also at considerable loss to Sir Robert, being only a foretaste of the insatiable revenge which smouldered within the heart of his enemy, who lay in wait, wolf-like, for an opportunity to pounce upon him. Neil Stewart was supposed to be acting in secret with the broken men and cattle-lifters of the surrounding country, in connection with whom another circumstance occurred which hastened Stewart into open acts of lawlessness. Sir Robert the Menzies had captured some Rannoch cattle-lifters, and Neil Stewart with a band of caterans attempted to rescue them, but was defeated in his bold attempt with considerable loss by Sir Robert, who held his prisoners with a strong hand and brought them to Castle Menzies. He dispatched a messenger to the government of James IV. at Edinburgh, who sent officials to bring them there to trial, of which we find the following recorded in the " Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland," dated 23rd October, 1497 : — " Item to Richard Wallas to pas to the Lard of Weym ' Sir Robert Menzies,' with ane letter to fech theives." The Menzies, having captured another gang of these Highland robbers, they were sent for from Edinburgh, as we find again on the 5th of November 1497 there is recorded another payment as follows : — "Item to Richard Wallas, messenger-' at-arms ' to pas to the Lard of Weym 'Sir Robert Menzies,' 'to fech thevis.'" — Exchequer Rolls, p. 365. This shows that two batches of prisoners had been dispatched by Sir Robert to the government at Edinburgh, there to be dealt with. This firm and courageous action of Sir Robert seems to have damped the action of his enemies and pacified the district for a time. In 1497 Sir Robert the Menzies had the bailiary of Slios-Min or Loch Rannoch restored to him as Chief of Clan Menzies after the capture of the thieves. He is described as " an excellent, order-loving gentleman, who deserved the king's respect, and who was very much honoured by the industrious and well-behaved inhabitants of his own district ; but the cattle-lifters defied him to catch them in the Moss of Rannoch." — Book of Garth, p. 176. The branch of the Clan Menzies of Garth — whose estates Neil Stewart had claimed to be heir to from his mother — were thus descended from Chief Sir Robert, the 42nd Menzies, Viscount of Edinburgh, who gave his second son, Sir Alexander Menzies, the lands of Fortingall, then represented by the present parish of that name. Sir Alexander married Janet, daughter of Robert Stewart, the Earl of Athole, about 1370. Of this marriage there were two sons ; the elder, Sir Alexander Menzies, inherited the estates of his father and mother. He had an only child called Jean, or Janet, Menzies, named after his mother. She married Duncan Stewart, fifth natural son of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, fourth son of King Robert II., by his first wife, Elizabeth More. The Earl is better [page_139 A.D. 1497-1500] known as the " Wolf of Badenoch " from his savageness. By the marriage of Janet Menzies of Garth with Duncan the fifth son of the Wolf, there was a son named Neil Stewart, who, on the death of his father, claimed the estates of Garth, Rannoch, &c, all in Fortingall, in right of his mother, Janet Menzies. On the other hand, Sir Robert the Menzies claimed the return of the whole barony of Fortingall, now parish of Fortingall, as heir male and lord superior over the lands in right of their return to male heirs of the main line of the Menzies' of Menzies, from whom they came, and at the same time the lordship of Dull. The latter was first acknowledged on the 16th of January 1500, when Sir Robert the Menzies got a renewal of the old charters of his ancestors to the lands and barony of Camsernay and other lands of the Menzies'. The charter reads as follows : — "At Stirling, 16th January 1500, James IV. The king grants for good services and for possession the property under the Crown conceded to ' Robert Menzeis' the Menzies, and heritably to his heirs and assignees, the 20s. lands of Edderroull, the 4 merk lands of Cammysarnay, the 1 merk lands of Toticro, and surrounding parts of said lands of Cammysarnay ; the 20s. lands of Nethir-Newane, which ' Donald Makqueil ' inhabited ; the 5 merk lands of Tigermach, 2 merk lands of Tomtheogle, extending to the annual rental of £10 ; lands of old extent in his lordship of Apnadull and shire of ' Perth,' united and incorporated into the free barony of Cammysarnay, confirmed by threefold possession of the said lands, viz., £30, named in full possession." — Register of the Great Seal, p. 544-2566. The renewal to Sir Robert of charters for the ancient possessions of the Menzies' seemed to stir up the jealousy of the young Neil Stewart, who had claimed on the death of his father (31st January 1499) the old estates of the Menzies' of Garth. His precept of entry is dated 3rd November 1500. Stewart seems to have inherited the fierce nature of his grandfather the Wolf of Badenoch, and he has often been confounded with him, receiving the appellation of Cuilean Curta, or, The Wolf, by the Highlanders. He inherited from his father the spirit of revenge, which was fanned by Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy. Following on this charter Sir Robert the Menzies soon afterwards regained, and had confirmed by charter, possession of a large part of the district of Fortingall, which had been his ancestors' by lordship ever since the country had been divided by Malcolm Canmore, 1061. These were the lands of the Rannoch, and the grant of this latter charter brought the feud to a height. Prior to this time the north side of Loch Rannoch was inhabited by some of the most peaceful inhabitants of Scotland, and the region had given no trouble to the Crown under the lordship of the Menzies' until many of the broken men, driven out of other parts of the Highlands, became followers under Neil Stewart, " The Young Wolf." At this time King James IV., investigating into the condition of the country, visited [page_140 A.D. 1500-1502] Kinloch-Rannoch and other parts, when, according to tradition, in returning from Rannoch he halted at Castle Menzies, and being convinced of the claims of Sir Robert Menzies as the lineal descendant of the oldest and truest clan in that part of his dominions, and the rightful inheritor of Rannoch, which had always been included under the Menzies' lordship of Fortingall, just as it is now within that parish, James IV. therefore granted unto Chief Sir Robert and his heirs male a new charter to the Rannoch, with the loch and surrounding country, under the title of the " Barony of Rannoch," which reads as follows : — "At Stirling, 1st September 1502, King James IV. The king, for services done at great risk and for possession of the property under the Crown in full possession, concedes to ' Robert Menzeis ' of Menzies and his heirs male the lands of 'Rannoch,' viz., Dowane, Kinclauchter, the two Cammysirochtis, Ardlarach, Kilquhonane Larane,. Ardlair, Laragane, island of Lochrannoch, the lochs of Rannach and Irochty, with everything in the district, and islands connected with these lands, extending in rental to £20 lands, with the keeping of the forests in the same ' Rannoch ' in shire of Perth, and the same is erected into the free barony of ' Rannach ' : Discharged £30 annually in full possession." — Reg. Great Seal, Scot., 2664, p. 566. This charter confirmed to Sir Robert Menzies the vast stretch of country of Loch Rannoch which Neil Stewart of Garth was anxious to have himself. It is related that, on discovering Sir Robert had got this charter, his rage knew no bounds, and his maddening impetuosity hurled him with all the relentless ferocity of his grandfather, the redoubtable " Wolf of Badenoch," to wreak his vengeance on Sir Robert. The more to make his vengeance a success he planned an attack under darkness of night on Castle Menzies, to be carried out in the most treacherous manner possible, at the same time keeping up a show of unaltered relations to Sir Robert. Neil Stewart gathered with the utmost secrecy all the thieves he could muster from the surrounding districts, for he well knew he could not take Castle Menzies by open warfare, or if the slightest suspicion of his intention became known. He therefore got his followers and accomplices to creep through the woods to Weem under cover of night, led by Niall Gointe himself, and in the darkness watch their opportunity. It is not known how Stewart and his followers surprised the unsuspecting guard of the castle, but the surprise was so complete that the invaders were in full possession of the fortalice before Sir Robert or his household were aware of any danger. There was little or no resistance, as it was impossible, the whole garrison and household being unaware of the treachery, and consequently there was little or no bloodshed. The chief, Sir Robert, was taken and bound prisoner by Stewart, who then turned the other members of the household and retainers out of doors, when he proceeded to plunder the castle and then set it on fire. [page_141 A.D. 1502-1503] The outhouses and other buildings were given to the flames by the raiders. Tradition says that they also burned, among other buildings, a small keep which stood at the present east gate to Castle Menzies, at the village of Weem. Castle Menzies itself was too strong to be affected much by the fire ; the vaulted stone floors resisted its force, and only part of the woodwork was burned. This outrage and robbery was committed, some say, the same month on which the charter was granted — in the month of September 1502; the Dean of Fortingall even says the day after the grant, the 2nd September 1502, but this is simply impossible. The event was one of great local importance ; the laird of Garth being the law-breaker, and his cousin, the rightful laird (Sir Robert Menzies), who had the oldest and most honourable connection with Fortingall, to whom it rightly belonged, was the man assailed. It has also been inferred, from incidental notices in the Lord Treasurer's accounts, that the outrage took place at the beginning of October ; but the only authentic date given is in a decree against Neil Stewart, which says it was in the year 1503. After burning what would burn of Castle Menzies and outbuildings, Neil Stewart and his band of robbers then proceeded to lay waste the surrounding country, and to lift the cattle and horses, and carried off at the same time whatever articles of furniture was handy for them to take with them. The Wolf in this affair is said to have had many of the cattle-lifters who inhabited the Braes of Rannoch assisting him to take Weem Castle, and then to ravish the houses and lands of Sir Robert Menzies ; Neil's great prize, however, was Sir Robert the knight of Weem, whom he brought as his captive to Garth Castle and cast him into its vaulted dungeon, and threatened to starve him to death unless he resigned to him his rights to Slios-min and the Abthania of Dull. When the victim was reduced to the yielding point by cold and hunger in the dungeon of Garth, there was a hitch in the fiendish proceedings on the part of Neil Stewart himself — he had overlooked to provide himself with the necessary resignation deeds before- hand, and now, through his barbarous actions, he could not for love nor money get a limb of the law for fear of him to write them out. It is said that the want of these deeds obliged Neil to give his captive food enough to keep him alive until his signature could be obtained. Meanwhile, Sir Robert's friends were not idle, but from some cause or other a little delay occurred before information of the atrocity reached King James IV. When he heard of these outrages a wrathful man was James. He lost no time in sending out a peremptory summons to the delinquent to set his captive free, and at once deliver himself and possessions into the king's hands. — Book of Garth, pp. 171-177. The king called out the array of armed men of most of the district between the Forth and the Grampians to proceed against the rebel with fire, sword, and engines of siege, should he not instantly surrender up his captive, Sir Robert, Garth [page_142 A.D. 1503-1504] Castle, and himself unconditionally. Record authority is said to have been discovered by Dugal Gregory, which proves that King James in person proceeded with a strong force to Kinloch-Rannoch to punish the raider and the squatting caterans who had been his men in the Weem raid. Neil, however, although much of a madman, was sane enough to understand that it was impossible ' to hold Garth Castle — strong as it was considered to be before the days of gunpowder — ¦ against King James at the head of the feudal array of such an army. He, therefore, forced his captive to sign a general remission of claims for damages, &c, and then released him. In the civil action which was subsequently raised by Sir Robert Menzies, Neil Stewart put in his extorted remission as his reply, but the Lords of Council set it aside. His portion of the barony of Fortingall was therefore burdened with a total sum of damages and expenses for his burning and destroying of the castle and lands of Sir Robert the Menzies. Stewart's barony might have redeemed itself, but under Neil's mismanagement it never did redeem itself. It is rather surprising that such a strong repressor of wrong- doers as King James IV. was should have allowed Neil Stewart to escape with life and liberty ; but it is thought that his father-in-law, the Earl of Athole, who was grand-uncle of the king, had to strain his influence to the uttermost to save Neil from the gallows. Neil, however, found a friend in the Earl of Huntly, who helped to satisfy the claims of Sir Robert the Menzies. Neil is said to have resigned his part of the barony of Fortingall into the hands of the Earl of Huntly in 1509, and became that nobleman's tenant and vassal ever afterwards. — Book of Garth, p. 177. Sir Robert the Menzies procured a decree from the Lords of Council against Neil Stewart of Garth, on the 16th March 1504. This document is most valuable, as it gives a list of the contents of Menzies' baronial Castle of Menzies, which may be taken as a most interesting specimen of a Highland baronial castle at the end of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth centuries. It certainly is the most valuable of the kind we have extant, and throws much light on the arms, armour, artillery, clothing, cooking, and other utensils in the castle of the chief of such a clan. We here give the decree, which is still retained in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and illustrates the contents or furnishing of a Highland castle in 1500: — " Extract decreet by the Lords of Council in favour of Robert Menzies of that Ilk, Knight, against Neil Stewart of Forthirgill ' for the wrangivis distructioun and downecastin of his mansioun place and fortilice of the Weme, and for the birning and destructioun of divers insicht guids and other guids,' committed by Stewart in the year 1503. Dated Edinburgh, 16th March 1504. In the valuation of the articles stolen or destroyed there are enumerated the following : — " 200 lib. for the destruction of the house ; 30 lib. for the ' beddin of [page_143 A.D. 1504] the said place and certane clathis ;' 10 lib. for three ' stand ' of harness ; 20 lib. for twelve ' jakkis ;' 8 lib. for certain ' splentis ;' 14s. for a breast ' splent ;' 28s. for two ' sellatis ' and ' gorgeatis ;' 20s. for a howmond ; 40s. for certain steel bonnets ; 48s. for 24 spears ; 40s. for 4 culverins ; 8 merks for certain bous and arrows ; 12 merks for certain swords, bucklers, and ' gluvis of plate;' 3 lib. for certain ' burdeclaithis ' and towels." There follow : pewter vessels, chandeliers, pots, cauldrons, pans, "girdillis," spits. The grain is thus valued: 12 merks for 12 bolls of meal and malt ; 32s. for 2 bolls of wheat ; the chalder of oats with the "fodder" is valued at 8 merks, the chalder of bere at 16 merks. The above is somewhat abridged, but the following is extended as far as recorded :— " £200 for the destruction of the house (destruction of woodwork, &c). £30 for the beddin of the said place and certain claiths. £10 for three stand of harness (complete suits of knight's armour for man and horse). £20 for twelve ' jakkis ' (coats of steel mail worn by horsemen). £8 for certain ' splentis ' (steel armour-plates for shoulders, legs, or arms ; those for the legs were called ' leg-splentis '). 14s. for a breast splent (steel armour-plate for the breast, or breastplate). 28s. for twa ' sellatis ' (sellatis were the head-pieces of steel worn by the foot clansmen), and ' gorgeatis ' (gorgets, the pieces of armour to protect the neck or throat). 20s. for ane howmond (knight's helmet of steel for tournaments). 40s. for certain stele bonettis (steel helmets worn by leading elansmen, of which, according to the sum, there must have been a considerable number). 48s. for 24 spears. 40s. for four culverins (culverins— 4 pieces of artillery, 18-pounders) ; a demi-culverin being a 9-pounder cannon. 8 merkis for certain bowis and arrowis. 12 merkis for certain suerdis (two-handed swords or claymores), bucklaris (targes or shields), and ' gloves of plate ' (steel gauntlets or wrist armour). £3 for certane burdeclaithis and towels (tartan and woollen cloths, linen towels, &c). £3 for a pewder wescell. £5 for pottis. 10s. for chandillaris. 20s. for pannis. 20s. for gurdellis. 8 merks for caldronis. 6s. 8d. for spetis. £10 for the clothing of the said Robert and his servants. [page_144 A.D. 1504] £10 for butter and cheese. 12 merkis for 12 bollis of mele and malt. 32s. for 2 bollis of wheat. 54s. for 3 martis. 40 merks for uthir victuale and gear pertaining to said Robert and his servandis. £40 for oxen. 400 merks for 50 chalders of aittis with the fodder, 12 bollis of beir with the fodder, and 16 merks the chalder. All byrnt, destroyit, spulzeit, and takin away by the said Nele and his accomplices, A.D. 1502." To the foregoing were added large sums of money as compensation for the loss accruing to Sir Robert Menzies for the lands of Weem, Cambusarney, Apnadull, &c, being laid waste, and also as the value of a number of horses, mares, &c, with their furniture, carried off at the same time. The whole amount was therefore declared to be a real burden upon Stewart's barony of Garth. The old castle of Weem, or rather Castle Menzies, for it was known by both names before the burning of it by Neil Stewart — in the same way the chiefs of the Menzies' were known as " Menzies of Menzies of Castle Menzies," or " Menzies of Weem of Weem Castle," which titles were both synonymous. There is not the slightest doubt but that the present old portion of Castle Menzies is the same which was burned by Neil Stewart, as only the wooden parts of it could burn, such as the roof and part of the floors, most of these being arched over from below in solid stonework, and then covered with a wooden floor on the upper side. Any one who will carefully examine this grand old baronial pile, which is one of the finest Scotch baronial structures in Scotland, will come to the conclusion that the walls and general building could not have been much injured by the fire, and are of much older date than 1500. The outer walls of Castle Menzies are from 6 feet to 7 feet thick ; some of the inner walls being from 4 to 8 feet thick, and have small secret rooms within them where valuables could be kept safely. The many documents in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, which belong to various periods before the fire, were never affected by it ; although, no doubt, any loose papers, documents, or titles not in the secret place for such, perished in the flames. The reader will have observed that the charters given in this work, and still in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, date as far back as the reign of King Alexander III. and Robert the Bruce, as also in the reign of King David, his son, from about 1332 to 1350, and with many transumpts of other charters prior to 1439, when there was a duplicate set compiled for reference. This set of transumpts, which is very complete, is still preserved in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, being untouched by the fire ; this, therefore, confirms what has [page_145 A.D. 1510] been said, that only part of the woodwork of the castle was burned. It is further confirmed by the charter granted by King James IV. to Sir Robert Menzies erecting his whole possessions into the one free Barony of Menzies, which charter says " the temporary or partial burning of Weem." We give a translation of this charter, which was granted 2nd October 1510, and is as follows : — "At Edinburgh, 2nd October 1510, James IV. The king grants to Robert Menzies of Menzies, Knight, the whole lands and barony of Ennoch, with the fishings of its waters, castle, buildings, &c, with the patronage of the chapel and the altar of the blessed Virgin Mary, with the ecclesiastical church and parish of Durrisdere in the shire of Dumfreis, with the whole moore, pasture lands and game, &c, with the right of patronage to gift and donations of the Church of Culter in the shire of Lanark. Also the whole lands and barony of Weme, viz., the whole lands of Weme, Abirfaldybeg, Ardferelemore, Ferlegar, Rawire, Dalrawyre, Glassy, Kynnaldy, Glengolantyne, Cumrie, Achillus, Fernachti, Merynche, Edromuk ; and the whole lands and thanage of Crannyk and Court of Crannych, Auchmore, Duncrosk, Candknok, with the Roras, and Glenlyoun, with the whole fishings of that river. The patronage to call and donations of the Church of Weme, and the office of Toschochdereaschipe of Artholony in the shire of Perth. The whole lands and court of Menzeiscroft, with (castle or) house in shire of Kinros, which barony of Ennoch and half the barony of Cultir possessed by the said Robert and his heirs, the king recognises his right to feu, let or alienate considerable parts of the same without his consent ; and these, with others, the said Robert personally resigns. And the whole of which the king, for good services and many other meritorious reasons, gives himself by this charter and indenture for the temporary and partial burning of the Weme and surrounding district, which was by evil malefactors destroyed, grants the whole possessions, and incorporates them into the one free baronia of Menzies, and castle and mansion of Weme as the Castle of Menzeis. Fortification and holding to be held and possessed by said Robert, and heritably to heirs male of the surname and arms of Menzeis related by blood, which failing, legitimately descending to the nearest heirs of the surname — ratified. For Ennoch three parts of the eighth peacefully at the capital of Dumfriesshire ; for Cultir as is general in the shire of Lanark ; for the others the third part of a third peacefully at the capital of the shire of Perth, second ward, &c, with all surroundings, with free and full possession conveyed before witnesses." — Register of the Great Seal, p. 753, 1507. The shock which Lady Menzies received that night when Castle Menzies was sacked, from the effects of the alarm caused by Neil Stewart and his wild caterans rushing into her bed-chamber during the night with burning brands, and claymores in their hands, who dragged her out of bed in a brutal way to see their victim, her husband, Sir Robert the Menzies, half-dressed and bound with ropes, guarded [page_146 A.D. 1502-1508] by a number of brawny robbers, who, after insulting him before her, they marched off towards Garth — they then turned Lady Menzies and her maids out of doors into that dark and stormy night, where, half-clad, and fainting with excitement, she was so overpowered that she almost succumbed on the spot. Her maids and the few clansmen who happened to be in the castle gave her all the support and help they could, and had her conveyed to a place of safety, where she lingered in sore distress until the time when Sir Robert regained his freedom. She did not long survive the shock, as she died a short time after. Sir Robert had her remains interred with all honours near the high altar of the Auld Kirk o' Weem, into the back of which was inserted a beautiful sculptured panel, with a Latin inscription to her memory, under which there is a sculptured escutcheon of the arms of her house: 1st and 4th, a fesse chequy ; 2nd and 3rd, a lion rampant, debruised of a ribbon in bend. The inscription reads : — |
| " MARGARETA . LINDSEY . FILIA DOMINI EDGEL . SPOUSA . ROBERTI MEZE . DE . VEYM . MILTIVS . ATAVIA . DICTI . CONDITORIS." |
MARGARET LINDSAY, DAUGHTER OF THE LORD OF EDZELL, WIFE OF SIR ROBERT MEINGEIS, LORD OF WEEM, KNIGHT, ALAS HER DEATH IS CHRONICLED. |
|
Notwithstanding what has been said and written about Sir Robert's capture and imprisonment, it is also traditional that he was liberated a few days after by his eldest son Robert, who, with his two brothers and all the force of the clan that could be got together under the circumstances of such a surprise, attacked Garth Castle with such irresistible fury that they soon battered a breach in its north wall — which is still to be seen — and thereby gained an entrance. Neil, the Wolf, escaped by a small door at the other side, and slipped down the rocks into the river and, under cover, got off. The Menzies' gave what would burn of Garth Castle to the flames, and left it a dismantled and ruined structure, which it still remains. King James IV. — having marched into the Highlands at the head of an army to liberate Sir Robert the Menzies from the dungeon of Garth and the jaws of death — must have made himself familiar with Highland life and character ; indeed, it is stated that he delighted in Highland songs and music, which made him popular among the people. As a Highlander, he is said to have talked the Gaelic almost continuously. Between 1502 and 1508, we find recorded in the Exchequer Rolls the fees paid by Sir Robert Menzies to the Crown from his lands, &c. In the following record we have considerable detail, not given in former records, and which translated reads : — " By letters under the Privy Seal, 1st September 1502. Rental of the lordship of Apnadule, £12, 13s. 4d., balanced and accounted for and paid by Roberto Menzeis of Menzies, in full possession by Royal Letters under the Great Seal, [page_147 A.D. 1502-1508] paying yearly from these lands 32s. From Auchnavaid Candlouche 7s., and estimated from the outward dwellings of Drummond ' Hill,' and Ruvane, Glencoich, 4s. 4d. Five other dwellings belong to Duntandlauch in the earldom of Athole, as the said balance and returns show thirty dwellings in number belonging to Robert Menzies of that Ilk at the end of the annual feast of Penthecostes, about which time in future, every 5th year, payments are to be made of £9 for the number of lands entered, and other lands, payments to commence on the present date, and a second payment at the feast of Sancti Martini after the feast of Penthecostes, and for the said payment of half-dues of every land, as in the Register Letters of the Privy Seal, 1st September 1502; and the proceeds of the lands possessed by ' Robertus Menzeis,' with bailieship over his possessions and tenants, and over all the people inhabiting as under his free letters Rannaucht, namely, Dawne, Kinclanchir, the Twa Camurysyrochtis, Ardlaroch, Kilquhonane, Larayne, Ardlar, Laragan, Islands of Lochranach, the Lochs of Rannach, Frechy ; also over the lochs and islands of the same possessions, £20, with full possession conceded to Roberto Menzeis by charter from the king, and a payment yearly of £30. Entry to the same lands commence at this date, and the first payment at Penthecostez, and timely payments on 15th, and this regularly and in succession, as stated, in the month of September yearly. 1502 to 1508." — Exchequer Rolls, p. 612, vol. xii. The prompt and regular payment of their fees by the Menzies' for their far- stretching lands to the government of King James IV., was bound to gain for Sir Robert Menzies the favour of his king ; likewise the way in which he endeavoured to keep the country in peace, gained for him the approbation of all true Highlanders. " Drummond," or Drummond Hill — the lands and dwellings of which are referred to in the foregoing returns of fees paid to the Crown from them by Sir Robert the Menzies, in 1502 to 1508 — is the magnificent hill standing at the west end of the Appin of the Menzies', and is one of the features of beauty in the landscape. It stands right above Comrie Castle like a guard, and, at a distance, appears as if it meant to prevent any passage from Strath Tay. On its north side runs the river Lyon, sweeping past Comrie Castle at the base of the mountain, and joining the river Tay a short distance east as it flows from Loch Tay past its southern side. On the north-east shoulder of Drummond Hill are the remains of a large and strong fortress. It had been a parallelogram in form ; its walls are of prodigious thickness, and were constructed without lime or mortar, but the stones have been regularly coursed and banded. The precipitousness of the lofty part of the rock on which its remains stand made it all but inaccessible on the south and east sides, on which the walls have been built at the edge of the rock. The north and west sides had been defended by trenches and other outworks, [page_148 A.D. 1502-1508 ] which may yet be traced. The walls are 9 feet thick at their base standing at C D, and must have been 12 or 15 feet high, and are remarkable for the huge dimensions of the stones they are constructed with. These have been built in such a way that their dead weight, from their great size, has kept them immovable for over a thousand years at least. On the west side of the fort there is a hollow, at the bottom of which is a spring of water 25 feet deep, from which its ancient Meinerich defenders drew their supply. — Transactions, Society of Antiquaries of Scot., p. 360-1, vol. 1888-9. It is thought to have been erected and used by the ancient Menzies' when they held the mines under the Crown ; although there are other traditions, that a certain son of the Abbot of Dunkeld named MacTual — whose name is of frequent occurrence in Celtic legends and songs — lived there about 865. This abbot may have been one of the scholastic Menzies' of that time. Be that as it may, this stronghold was of great importance to Clan Menzies during the troublous times of Wallace and Bruce, as it stood in the centre of the [page_149 A.D. 1502-1508] Menzies' possessions, and from it, looking east, a view of the whole Appin or strath, as well as Grandtully Castle, Aberfeldy, Castle Menzies, Weem, the Appin-na-Dhu ; as also Garth Castle and Carnban Castle to the north and north- west ; the castle of the Isle of Loch Tay, and Castle Mains at Ardeonaig to the south-west — all these, with Castle Comrie, could, by a beacon-fire on Drummond Hill, be alarmed, and the whole force of Clan Menzies, cadets and followers, could be brought out in a few hours. In the time of Wallace and Bruce this is believed to have greatly assisted them when a force was wanted for any sudden attack or urgent service, the whole country within signal of Drummond Hill being held by the Siol na Meinerich. This old fortress is known by the Gaelic name of Tun-auch-Thual. The hill of Drummond being one of the finest for outline in the whole region, it has been an object of admiration to the artist and poet ; " The district of Rannoch, for which the ancient charters of the Menzies' were renewed in 1502-10, formed at this time the south-west section of the Caledonian Forest, which extended from Glencoe to Braemar, and from Glenlyon to Spey in Inverness-shire, covering a tract of upwards of 2100 square miles. A remnant of it still remains in hoary pines, which have weathered the storms of countless winters, and are scattered at wide intervals over the region ; there are also patches of native Rannoch fir, with a stretch of about 10 miles of birch along the north side of the loch. Under ground are trunks of giant oak, and many roots of birch and fir keeping possession of their old seats. Sir Robert Menzies had also in his list of possessions Loch Errochd, around which were many broken men of the Clan Gregor ; but, unless when led out by men like Neil Stewart of Garth, they were always at peace with Clan Menzies, whom they considered kinsmen. Concerning Loch Errochd — which is in the north- west of the barony (now parish) of Fortingall, and stretches into Laggan, Inverness-shire — there is a curious tradition, which says that the space which the [page_150 A.D. 1502-1508] loch covers was once dry land, and formed a parish called Feadail. In a single night the parish subsided many feet in consequence of some terrible subterranean convulsion ; and that the whole population, with their cattle, houses, and fields, were engulfed in the lake which was thus created. It further states, that for a long period the church of Feadail, and other such remarkable objects might be seen, on a clear summer day, at the bottom of the lake. Under protection of the Menzies, after Culloden, Prince Charlie hid for a time in the wilds around Loch Errochd, where there is a cave called Prince Charlie's Cave." — Historical Scenes of Perthshire, pp. 434-5. " Innerlochy " — mentioned in the following, but now known as Inverlochy — is an estate in the parish of Kilmonivaig, on the left influx of the river Lochy, 2 miles north-east of Fort William ; for these lands Sir Robert paid a Crown fee of 4s. These lands seem to have been connected to those of Loch Rannoch ; in that case the Menzies' lands would extend to the arm of the sea, Loch Linnhe : this fee, with others, was paid. On the 21st day of July 1503, Sir Robert is recorded as paying his fees into the Royal Exchequer, as the following translation shows : — "Edinburgh, 21st July 1503 — from August 1502. The amount of rent, half of £72, and 100 salmons, for continual possession of the lordship of Kindevin, of the yearly value of £2, 12s. 3d., of the possessions of the lordship of Apnadull and the lands of Commisarnot, and such number of lands conveyed with full possession to Roberto Menzeis of Weyme, by letters under the Great Seal, paying yearly thirty pounds from the said lands, and such reckonings with payments in future of twenty pounds, with further sums of a similar thirty pounds of the said lands of Apnadull, as agreed to by Robert Menzies, and for five pounds yearly after the feast of Penthecostez, which amounts are to be paid yearly — double former — namely, sixty pounds over the agreed burdens ; other similar amounts as reckoned half, further, and of £96, 16s. of Stukmartis of Desschier and Toyer, with both sides, and outer parts of Loch of Taya on this side the twenty-merk land, both his, with buildings, prioris (priory), and conventus (convent), Cartusie, within the shire of Perth, and of £9, 6s. 8d. of Glenlioun, and the £18 of Forthirgill, and the £20 of Rannach, and fee of said lands of Rannach belonging to Robert Menzies, for thirty pounds yearly, in full possession, and such reckonings to be burdened yearly with tithes libis, and a further sum, with other parts of rental, and the £5 of Drumfin and Drumquhassill in Apnadull, including burdens stated, and the £13, 6s. 8d. of the holdings of Cluny — meadows, buildings, and surrounding lands — the same occupied by Jacobum Hering, and the l1s. yearly returns of Kinblathmount, and the 22s. of Trosoppy, and the 5s. 4d. yearly returns of Monorgund, and the 4s. of Innerlochy, for giving eight broad arrows, and the 5s. for giving one pound of peper, the high-lying lands of Rait, both the said free [page_151 A.D. 1502-1508] debts, by the feast of Penthecostez, with the humble people's payments ; and the £95, 6s. 8d. of the holdings and lands in Strathbrawn, the twelve houses or buildings of which the reckoned sum of such burden IIIF, £18, 7s. 8d., ioo salmones, 16 stukmarte, and in further reckoning with burden over sixty pounds, further sums with the other accessible superiorities. The sum total payable from the cultivated or arable lands, £49, 3s. 8d. v M xii marte, vii salmones." — Exchequer Rolls, p, 124, vol. xii. This even gives a greater list than any previous entries of the possessions of the Menzies', and is almost similar to the returns which showed the extensive lands held by them under Chief Sir Angus the Menzies. A short description of a few of these places will convey some idea as to their position, extent, &c : — Drumfin — from the lands of which a fee or tax of £5 was paid to the Crown by Sir Robert the Menzies — is now called " Fincastle," which was a district in his lordship of Dull, and still within its parish. It stretches along the northern banks of Loch Tummel and the river Tummel. It is said to take its name from the great number of ancient castles with which it abounds ; or, probably, from The Fein, or Mein, which were a body of trained soldiers in the time of Fingal, thus explaining them to be the castles of the Fein or Mein, from whom the military race of Clan Mein-erich, or Mein-gies, are said to descend. One of the meanings given to the name Menzies by Smybert and others is, " A body of armed men." Drumfin, or Fincastle, has also a river of the same name running through the district ; the braes undulating downwards on each side form the Glen of Fincastle — this glen formed the north-eastern boundary of the Menzies' country. Drumquhassill. The fees from these lands to the Crown are included in the foregoing £5, and are in the Menzies' lordship of Dull, and are now called " Derculich ;" they lie about 2 miles east of Weem — in Strath Tay — the Appin of Menzies. They take their name from Loch Dercluich, from which flows Dercluich burn, forming a small glen as it flows towards the river Tay, which is its southern boundary. These lands extend northward till they join those of Fincastle at the Tummel. Cluny. These lands are on the west march with those of Derculich — also in the Menzies' lordship of Dull, and take in from the river Tay to Loch Tay. They march jointly with Derculich to the Tummel, and are traversed by the burn of Cluny, which rises in the brae of Cluny, and in its passage down the braes presents many picturesque features. Rait, the lands of which are now called " Logierait," and form that parish, march with the foregoing, now forming some peculiar intersections through the dividing up of these lands ; but at this time the lands of Rait, with those of Derculich, Cluny, and Glassy, formed the whole north bank of the river Tay, from Ballinluig to about a mile east from Weem, and then stretched over to Loch [page_152 A.D. 1504 ] Tummel, which, with it and the river Tummel for their boundary, gave the Menzies' possession of the whole country from the Tummel on the east, to Inverlochy on the west of Loch Rannoch, Loch Laidon and Loch Tay, Glenlyon, Glen Lochay, and Glendochart — a distance, in a straight line from the point of Rait to their border at Tyndrum, of about 43 miles. As a parish district, it is now intermixed with Fortingall and Dull parishes ; in the latter it has a detached section, 11 1/2 miles to the east, surrounded on all sides by Dull parish. Its landmarks soften into amenity and beauty towards the river Tay, but elsewhere it is wildly pastoral. Towards the Tay, however, it presents a cultivated and ornamental aspect, foiled by lofty grounds at its centre. On the other side of the Tummel it is joined by the Menzies' lands of Dowally, for which Chief Angus the Menzies paid fees. Along the Tay is a beautiful, broad belt of arable land, forming Strath Tay, and finely adorned with wood. The area, with that on the Tummel, is about 3000 acres. Sir Robert the Menzies, on the 23rd July 1504, paid to King James IV. at Stirling the fees due the government from his vast tracts of land, which we find recorded by the following translation : — "Stirling, 23rd July 1504, from 21st July 1503. Also the sums paid of half the £22, and 100 salmon for possessing fully the lordship of Kinclevin at the two terms such reckoned. And the £13, 13s. 3d. from his possessions and lordship of Apnadull, the good lands of Cammisamot. And of £30 from such and the same free lands of Apnadull conceded to Roberto Menzeis of Weme, in his full possession, by letter of our lord the king under the Great Seal, for the sum fixed. And also £30 from the possessions and aforesaid lands of Apnadull, the terms reckoned and continued to said Roberto Menzeis for duplicate holding as chief in rental. Also the £30 possessions of Rannach, belonging to said Roberto Menzies of Menzies, for same sum. Also the £5 of Drumfin and Drumquhassill in Apnadull, and others, with burdens aforesaid. Also the £96, 16s. from the markets of Desschier and Toyer, with surrounding parts and districts of Taya, and others, with fairs, markets, and lands of the island, with buildings, priory, and convent and lordship of Cartusie within Perth. Also the £11, 6s. 8d. of Glenlioun. Also the 18s. of Forthirgill And the £13, 6s. 8d. of the estates of Cluny, and meadows, holdings, and surrounding lands of the same, once occupied by the church of Dunkeldensem. Also the 12s. yearly sum of Kinblathmont. And the 20s. of Torsoppy. And the 5s. 3d. annual discharge of Monorgund. And the 3s. of Drumlochy for giving eight broad arrows. Also 5s., and giving one pound of piperis, for all and full possession of lands of Rait, with the said free land's fees, by the feast of Penthecostes, from tenant people, accounted and reckoned, not responsible for the £95, 6s. 8d. from his holdings and lands of Strathbrazvn, the annual amount out of these said lands, bound closely within one lordship. The [page_153 A.D. 1504] king confirms at castle of Stirling by charter under the Great Seal, the 23rd September 1503," &c. &c. — Exchequer Rolls, pp. 231-2, vol. xii. It may be well to explain that " the surrounding parts and districts of the Taya," mentioned in the foregoing list, meant all the surrounding country, including the Menzies castle on the island of Loch Tay, the site of the village of Ken more, with Balloch — now the grounds of Taymouth Castle, where the Menzies' had, at this time, a small tower, which got the name of Bellycht. We give a short description of some of the other lands in this record : — KlNBLATHMONT — now Kinblythmount — for the lands of which Sir Robert the Menzies paid fees, or feus, to the Crown, amounting to 12s. annually. They stretch from the coast of Forfar, a few miles south of Montrose, inland towards the lands of Cluny, with which they might have been linked in the chain of Menzies possessions. On these lands stood the once royal castle of " Red Castle," said to have been built by William the Lion, and used by the Scottish kings as a hunting seat — from which these lands and others in the district take their name — Kinblythmount being the " king's-blyth-mount." MONORGUND — now Monorgan — also recorded on the list of the Menzies possessions, the feu to the Crown being 5s. 3d., the lands of which stand to the east of Cluny and Kinclaven, stretching a little south of Cupar-Angus, and to the east, apparently forming another link seaward with the above and others of the Menzies lands. There are still the remains at Monorgan of one of their fine orchards, being even now reckoned one of the best in the Carse of Gowrie : it has been long famous for its fruit. There are also the vestiges of an old Menzies cemetery. TORSOPPY is another of the districts, for which Sir Robert the Menzies paid an annual fee of 20s. to the Crown. These lands are now represented by Glen Turret and the district of Monivaird, which is the Gaelic for the " high-lands-of- Menzies" — Mayns', Mains', Meins', Menis', Monis', being different Gaelic spellings of the singular for Menzies. The district of Torsoppy — now Monivard and Glen Turret — at the time they were held by the Menzies', were noted for the rugged turret-like heights and rocks of Glen Turret, and the high and fertile grounds stretching from its mouth towards Comrie, Crieff, and Methven, from which large quantities of grain were raised, giving an abundant supply of straw, for which these lands were called Torsoppy — in Gaelic tor meaning the tower-like heights of the glen, and soppy, the straw or grain raised around Monzievard. This whole district bristles with the name of its old owners, which has been given to the village of Menzies — ¦ now " Monzie," the falls of Menzies — now the falls of Monzie ; the Brae of Menzies — now called the Brae of Monzie — and Monzie Castle. The letter O may have been inserted by Angus or Sir Robert the Menzies to make a distinction between Castle Menzies and Monzie Castle. The whole district was before and [page_154 A.D. 1504-1505] at this time included in the Menzies' lordships of Weem and Dull. The length of the district, as now divided under Monzie, is 9 miles long by about 8 miles broad, with an area of about 48 miles. Its southern boundary is the skirt or lower declivities of the Grampians, from which it runs northwards to the river Tay. The district of Torsoppy formed the south-western boundary of the Menzies country, including Glen Turret, which is about 7 miles long, and is traversed by the rivulet Turret, flowing from Loch Turret, as part of the district of Torsoppy : all this, with Glen Almound, was taxed to Sir Alexander the Menzies. Drumlochy, given in these returns of the chief of the Menzies', comprehended what is now called Glen Lochy, and its surrounding heights and district, which commenced at Finlarig, the old castle of the Menzies' ; its glen being a narrow vale along the course of the Lochy, extending for about 12 miles in the form of the arc of a circle from west to east, with its concave side to the north. Under the title Drumlochy was included all the surrounding high country which descends towards Tyndrum, from whence again commences West Glenlochy, stretching 7 miles farther westward to Glenurchy — the fees for the whole to the Crown being 3s. Cluny — now Clunie parish — is a stretch of land east of Dunkeld, 9 miles long by about 4 miles broad. The surface is very much diversified, comprising part of the lower Grampians and a small part of Strathmore. There is a romantic mass of trap-rock, about 600 feet high, called " the Craig of Clunie ; " another feature is Loch Clunie, from which flows the river Lunan for about 12 miles, somewhat like the shape of a bended bow. This stretch of land would seem to have joined to the other Menzies possessions of Dowally above Dunkeld at Inver, for which Chief Angus the Menzies' possessed and paid Crown fees. The fees upon "Cluny" at this time were £13, 6s. 8d., and included the lands which had been held by the church of Dunkeld. King James IV., in order to sustain the magnificence of his court, and defray the expenses of his tournaments, and other splendid military exhibitions, on the occasion of his marriage with Margaret, daughter of Henry III. of England, in 1503, imposed these fees upon the lands which were held of the Crown. His doing so has thus given us the details of what the Menzies' possessions were, which we otherwise might never have had. It was also during this time that Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy was secretly inciting Neil Stewart — who had been driven out of Garth — and the other outlawed members of his cateran followers, to acts of robbery on the Menzies' possessions of Rannoch, with the purpose of embarrassing the collecting of the Crown fees, and bringing Sir Robert the Menzies into such difficulties that he would be forced to sell him a portion of his estates of Loch Tay to raise these dues, and which lands he saw he could not take by force of arms, or yet by his misrepresentations to King James, with whom Sir Robert the [page_155 A.D. 1505-1510] Menzies was a great favourite. Under these circumstances " the Venerable " Sir Robert found it difficult to collect sufficient money to pay his fees for his Rannoch possessions : this he represented to King James personally, who at once made him a remission, which is thus recorded : — A translation. " And of the said holdings and lands of ' Rannach,' extending to thirty pounds in yearly payment, of Roberto Menzeis of Menzies are remitted to said Roberto, the yearly reckoning of them discharged before any payment be made to Johanne Strievelin, accountant of Rolls, by the wish and witness of the king, above accounted £16. Also the duplicate holdings of Apnadull, assigned to the said Roberto, extending to £30, and less the market deductions to said Roberto Menzies the yearly amount of the duplicate holding of Cammisarnot, extending to £20 per year, similarly remitted to the same Roberto off yearly account as annually before this account, £70, 6s. 8d. Also for discharge to said Johanni Strivelin, accountant of Rolls, in thirty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence ; for the said Robertum Menzies in thirty pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence of the estates belonging to ' Roberti Menzeis.' Said Rolls show them also discharged as above reckoned, £1, 6s. 8d. for same received, &c. &c, 1504." — Exchequer Rolls, p. 234, vol. xii. Again this consideration of James IV. to Sir Robert is extended to him, as recorded in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland the following year, giving him a continued remission and discharge from payments of fees or dues to the Crown, owing to the lawless state of the Highlands, a translation of which we give as follows : — ¦ " 1505. And for discharge made to said James, accountant of Rolls, for Robertum Menzeis of Weyme, of his holdings and lands as agreed to at the final reckoning, exactly entered in Rolls, of a fixed discharge of forty pounds, as above accounted for, £11, for reasons agreed. Also, by discharge made to Johanni Strivelin, then accountant of Rolls, in twenty-three shillings and four pence, for the same Robertum Menzies, of said holdings as stated by letters as in money, such writings showing above accounted £20, 13s. 3d. And the same off the other lands of Appnadull, Cammisarnot, and Rannach, as agreement made by Roberto Menzeis, extending to sixty pounds, three shillings and four pence, remitted by the lord the king to said Roberto Menzies — Lord Bishop of Aberdeen and the Abbot of Dunfermlin, witnesses. Remitted above account of the yearly payment, £60, 3s. 3d., &c. &c." — Exchequer Rolls, p. 301, vol. xii. It was during the tournaments held at the court of King James IV. that the chief of Clan Menzies first had the right conferred on him to use supporters to his arms, then first introduced into Scotland ; these were two savages, girded round the head and loins with ash or laurel — tradition says this was as a reward for the capture of some savages by Clan Menzies in their ancient Caledonian forests. [page_156 A.D. 1510-1511] It is traditional that Sir Robert Menzies, for the purpose of getting a larger population settled on his Rannoch estates, and also to strengthen his tenants against the continued attacks of the lawless Highlanders or caterans in the district, came to an agreement with the Earl of Huntly — whose daughter his son and heir had married — to the effect that he would let to the Earl of Huntly for a period of years certain of his lands in Rannoch, during which time the earl bound himself to people the district with the best and most obedient tenants that could be found. — Book of Glenlyon, p. 158. This is borne out by a letter from the king to Sir Robert the Menzies, still in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and is to this effect : — " Letter by King James the Fourth, under the Privy Seal, granting liberty to Robert Menzes of that Ilk, Knight, to alienate or wadset ten pounds worth of land of old extent without danger of damage or recognition, to be held of himself or of the Crown. Edinburgh, 23rd February 1508." — Contemporary Copy, Castle Menzies Charter Room, No. 30. Then, following his letting part of the Rannoch lands to Earl of Huntly, he further grants, in 1510, in liferent, the lands of Drumcrosk, as follows : — "At Edinburgh, 24th August 15 10. James IV., the king, confirms a charter by Robert Menzeis of Menzies, Knight, Lord Baron of Weyme, which, for a certain sum of money rendered, conveys and alienates, with consent of the king, the old dwelling of Jacob Redeheuch of Tulichedill, heirs excepted, and assigns the lands of Dromcrosk, extending annually as an 8-merk land of old extent, with river, fishings of same in his lordship of Glenlochane and barony of Weyme, county of Perth, which the same James holds off the said Robert (Menzeis) — its hereditary possessor and holder of the Crown — in full possession. Witnesses : Robert Menzeis, Knight, son to and heir-apparent ; And. Wardrapar, Walt. Lichtone of Ullishavin, Walt. Chepman, burgess of Edinburgh ; Wil. Menzeis, &c, and others." — Reg. Great Seal, p. 752, vol. xviii. This William Menzies is the second son of Sir Robert the Menzies, who signs this document as one of the witnesses. The principal residence of " The Venerable " Sir Robert the Menzies, after the partial burning of Castle Menzies, was at the Menzies castle on the island of Loch Tay, which was a place of great strength at this time. The old Menzies tower of Belloch was simply a place to land at safely, under its protection ; this island home was also the favourite residence of Chief Sir Angus the Menzies, Sir Robert's predecessor. It was here that Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy made such profuse declarations of friendship on his many visits to the chief of Clan Menzies, with whom he did everything possible to ingratiate himself into his favour, with the object of renting the lands of Crannoch, and also with the hope that Sir Robert might appoint him his bailie of the same — -Campbell's secret [page_157 A.D. 1511-1512] purpose being to get a long lease, and thereby obtain firm hold of these lands, and then to drive out his enemies, the Clan Gregor, who had been the kindly tenants of the Menzies' from the very start of their race, and were considered to be descended from the same royal line and house of Fergus. During all the ages which had passed before this time, there is no record or tradition of there ever being any difficulty between the MacGregors and their kinsmen the Menzies' ; and it was not until the crafty Campbells had a footing on the banks of Loch Tay, as the vassals and bondsmen followers of the chief of the Menzies', that they showed what they wanted. Their motto to the Menzies' was, at this time, " We will follow thee." Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, by his duplicity, succeeded in disarming Sir Robert's suspicions, who did not expect any treachery from this source. Sir Robert, however, was prevailed upon to grant him a life-lease of Crannoch, the chief reserving all his prior rights, fees, and annuals as lord superior of Crannoch and the whole surrounding country. This he granted at the Menzies castle on the isle of Loch Tay, on the 18th September 1511 , which reads thus : — "At Edinburgh, 19th September 1511, James IV. The king confirms a charter of Robert Menzeis of Menzeis, Knight, who, for the quarter sum (4th) of its money rental regularly paid, conveys and lets to Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhy, Knight, heirs excepted, and assigns the lands of Crandyncht, with river fishings, lying within the baronia of Menzeis in the shire of Perth, to same Duncan. Priority and superiority reserved to the said Robert over these tenements for alienating the same, by which this is concluded by him as the holder of the Crown in full possession," before witnesses : " Dugallo Johneson and James MacGregour, notro publicos " (the latter was afterwards the famous Dean of Lismore). "At the island of Loch Tay, 18th September 1511." — Reg. Great Seal, p. 788, vol. vii. Only two years before this event, while the Menzies' were assembled, on the call of their chief, to hold high holiday at the Menzies castle on the island of Loch Tay, it being Palm Sunday, and the festivities at their height, when the whole company were alarmed by the cries of fire ! It was found that, owing to the carelessness of the servants, the castle had taken fire. This event is thus recorded in the chronicle of Fortingall : — " The island of Lochtay was burned down through the negligence of servants on Palm Sunday, 1509." The damage to the castle could not have been great, as we see from the foregoing that it was then inhabited by Sir Robert in 1511, when letting the lands of Crannoch to Campbell. On the occasion of the marriage of the young chief of Clan Menzies with the daughter of the Earl of Huntly — Lady Christian Gordon — his father, the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, on the 31st October 1512, granted to him the large extent of lands lying at the west end of Loch Tay — then known as Kynnaldy, now called Kinnell — which embraced Killin at this time, and also the lands of Moreynche — [page_158 A.D. 1512-1513] now called Morenish. Under these two names were included the whole west end of Loch Tay and the places now known as Achmore, Finlarig and its castle, Cloichern, and other places in the surrounding district, including Glendochart, and with these lands went the fishings, &c. We give a translation of the charter as under : — "At Edinburgh, 1st September, 1512, James IV. The king confirms a charter of Robert Menzeis of Menzies, Knight, who concedes to his son and heir, Roberto Menzeis, Knight, and Cristine Gurdun, his wife, the lands of Kynnaldy ; with water fishings, extending to 20 merks, of old extent, and 10 merks of Moreynche, with river fishings, valued at 10 merks, of old extent ; 3 merks of Westir Beltoquhan, value 3 merks, of old extent, in the barony of ' Menzeis ' in the shire of ' Perth,' belonging to said Robert's son and Cristian, and the same to either of the said during life, thus conjointly in possession, and their heirs male of one another, legitimately born them descending, which failing, heirs male of said Robert's father nearest from him of surname and arms of ' Menzeis,' related by blood, de rege in feodo. Witnesses : Wil. Ruthven of Ruthven, Knight, Sheriff of ' Perth.' ; Joh. Menzeis of Castlehill, Cuthberto Menzeis of Achonsel, Joh. Menzeis of Gardnarland, Joh. Menzeis of Cunry, Joh. Menzeis of Drumcrile, Wil. Menzeis, D. Joh. Mwry, chaplain ; and D. Wil. Ramsay, presbetir and notarie public, with signatures given personally. At Perth, 31st October 1511." — Reg. Great Seal, p. 819, 3768. This document is valuable to the Menzies', as it shows the amount of branch chieftain representatives which could be brought together as occasion required, and also the good Celtic feeling of kin which existed among them. The first of these, John Menzies of Castle Hill, who owned the estates of Durrisdeer in the Dumfriesshire Highlands, but took his title from the castle or fortalice on the hill above Durrisdeer. The second, Cuthbert Menzies of Auchonsel, owned the estates of " Achlyne," as now called, in Glendochart, and which marched with those being granted by Sir Robert. The third, John Menzies of Gardnarland; his lands are thought to have been part of those of Clunie, afterwards called Rotmel. The fourth, John Menzies of Cumry — now Comrie — who had just taken possession of the lands and castle of Comrie on the death of his father, Robert Menzies of Comrie, who is recorded in the chronicle of Fortingall to have died on 12th May 1508. Fifth, John Menzies of Drumcrile, probably Drumcharry in Glenlyon, and his lands would adjoin the lands of Comrie. Sixth, William Menzies, who was the second son of Sir Robert, and brother to the receiver of the lands — in all, seven Menzies', including the chief. The object for which the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies brought so many of the chieftains or heads of branches of Clan Menzies together, was not simply to be witnesses to the foregoing charter, and acknowledging his eldest son as receiving a portion of his lands, to be enjoyed by him during his father's lifetime, but was [page_159 A.D. 1513-1518] mainly for two purposes. First, to concert measures to respond to the call of King James IV. to prepare for a campaign against their old enemies the English, on receiving which the chief had called these chieftains together at Perth, on the 31st October 1512, when they agreed to call out all their branches of the clan and followers, and join the king and the Scottish army at the time and place to be appointed by James IV., and from that date to make every preparation for the conflict. The second object was to have his eldest son Robert acknowledged as his successor as chief, in the event of his being killed in the coming war. By this timely arrangement Clan Menzies mustered a large force under their " red and white " banner, and joined the Royal Scottish army on the links near Edinburgh, a few days before it marched for the English border. From their large tracts of land the Menzies' must have mustered not less than 3000 men, among whom, in fulfilment of his bond of manrent and a vassal to the chief of Clan Menzies', was Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, with his clan or followers, which was not very numerous. On crossing the border, the Scottish army besieged Norham Castle for some days, and, on being apprised of the advance of the English army, they advanced to meet it, but found that the English had got on to the Scottish side of the river Till ; James IV., therefore, drew up his army on the field of Flodden, on the 9th September 1513, in a strong position, where he gave Clan Menzies a position on his right wing, along with other Highland clans. The Scottish army were well posted, and on the English attempting to cross the river Till to attack them, if James had only allowed the commander of his artillery (the Seven Sisters, which were the first field-guns brought into battle on carriages) to have opened fire on the English, the day would have went otherwise, but, owing to a mistaken notion of honour, he allowed the English to cross, form in order, and charge, which the Menzies' and other Highlanders received and drove back with such force that the left wing of the English were cut to pieces by the Menzies', Camerons, MacDonalds, Rosses, MacGregors, Robertsons, and other clans ; who, however, carried away by their impetuosity, left the centre unsupported, and on their return found the English masters of the field. Sir Robert and his sons, with the greater part of their followers, are said to have returned in good order from the field, along with other Highland clans, who lost very few men, the loss falling principally on the Lowlanders and Border men. On Campbell of Glenurchy receiving all he could from Sir Robert in connection with his life-rent of the lands of Crannoch, which gave him a footing on Loch Tayside, he then, for the purpose of forcing the Menzies' to sell these lands, secretly, by misrepresentations and other influences, stirred up the MacGregors and other unsophisticated kindly tenants of the Menzies' to violate the laws of the land, and thereby embroiling Sir Robert into difficulties with the Crown for the acts of his tenants. These lawless men were not all MacGregors, [page_160 A.D. 1523] but they were saddled with these crimes by their would-be friend Campbell. These acts were principally enacted in the Rannoch possessions of the Menzies', and had been carried on to such an extent as to cause Sir Robert a great deal of expense and annoyance. He, therefore, on giving his son William a grant of Rannoch, bound him down not to let these lands in life-rents or long leases. This obligation is still preserved at Castle Menzies, and reads thus : — " William Menzeis of Rawar to his father, Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk, Knight, binding himself and his 'airis male of the Rannoch' in the wonted form, and als not to analy nor tyne the saidis lands,' under the pain of paying the said Sir Robert or his heirs 300 lib. Scots within 20 days after such failie was known at Edinburgh. Edinburgh, 8th March 1516." — Castle Menzies Charter Room, No. 178. The reason given for this obligation is that his father had given him the lands of Rannoch without any expense, and in defence of them had himself sustained great labour, scaith, and expense. It had been made clear to Sir Robert that the Campbells had in secret made use of the MacGregors to ravish his lands, so that he would get disgusted with such a state of affairs, and would therefore let or sell the lands on easy terms to the Campbells. This is quite obvious, as there never was any difference between the Menzies' and the MacGregors, who were their "kindly tenants" and kinsmen, until the crafty Campbells came, as evil spirits, among these peaceful Celts. Sir Robert, therefore, procured a second obligation from his son, William Menzies, not to let his lands of Roro, in Glenlyon, to the Campbells, or to the Chief MacGregor. Here is the document, which reads as follows : — " Obligation not to set Rorow to Campbells, nor the chief of Clan Gregor. Perth, 22nd February 1518. We — Williame Menzeis and Jonat Campbel, my spouse — binds and oblissis vs, and the langar levand of vs tua to ane honorable man Schir Robert Menzeis of that Ilk, Knycht, that we sal gif na takkis nor set in assedatioun the tuelf merkisland of Rorowis, with the pertinentis, liand in the barony of Menzeis and schirefdom of Perth, quhilkis we haif of the said Robert, to nane berand surname of Campbell, nor to the cheif of the Clan Gregor, vndir pane of ane hundreth pundis, to be payt to the said Robert for costis, scathis, and expenses Indorsed : ' The oblygatioun that Rorow sail nocht be set to the Campbells na Scheyff of Clangregour." — Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 188. The MacGregor referred to in the foregoing obligation was not the real chief of Clan Gregor, but was one of the lawless MacGregors who had usurped that position. He was called Duncan Ladosach MacGregor, and had been elected to that position as leader of the Rannoch caterans, which consisted of all the lawless and broken men of the Highlands belonging to almost all the clans, who were called MacGregors from their self-elected chief and leader. The real chief of Clan Gregor was on the most friendly terms with the chief of Clan Menzies, and had [page_161 A.D. 1523] married a daughter of the Chief Sir Robert, who had also set or let to him a portion of his lands. — Lairds of Glenlyon, p. 158. Chief Sir Robert the Menzies was born about 1433, and after a long and honourable life, according to the Cronickle of Fortingall, died in 'the year 1523. He was surnamed " The Venerable." The record of his death in the Chronicle reads thus : — " Death of a venerable man, Sir Roberti Menzeis, Knight, of Menzeis, at Weym, 12th day of August 1523 ; and he was buried in a sepulcar within the church of Weym." During his lifetime he was much honoured and beloved by the Highlanders, with whom he was held in great veneration. He was much respected by James IV., who appears to have added greatly to his possessions in the districts of Strathearn, Dunkeld, as well as other parts of Perthshire, Forfarshire, and Argyleshire. He held lands under the Crown from sea to sea, stretching from the German Ocean at Kingsblythmount in an irregular chain across country to Loch Crean, near the Isle of Lismore. By his wife — the Lady Margaret Lindsay, daughter of Sir David Lindsay of Edziell, ancestor of the Earls of Crawford — he had three sons and two daughters : — 1st. Sir Robert Menzies — his successor. 2nd. William Menzies of Roro, ancestor of the sept branch of Clan Menzies of Shian and Glenquich. 3rd. Alexander Menzies, who had a son John, who afterwards got a charter of Tegramuch from his uncle, Sir Robert the Menzies, 7th July 1546. — Nisbet, p. 246. 1st. Margaret, married to William Robertson of Struan ; the contract of this marriage is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies — he was chief of Clan Robertson. The 2nd daughter is said to have married the chief of the MacGregors. — Lairds of Glenlyon, p. 158. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' OF NOTE IN THE TIME OF CHIEF SIR ROBERT THE MENZIES THE 48th. Chieftain Alexander Menzeis of Pitfodels, who was Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1475 to i486, and sat in the Scottish Parliament of King James III. at Edinburgh, 12th January 1468, representing Aberdeen. He died without issue, and his lands passed to his brother, David Menzeis. Chieftain David Menzeis of Pitfodels, on the death of his brother, was elected Lord Provost of Aberdeen in 1487, and appears to have held it to 1494. [page_162 A.D. 1523] He sat in the Scottish Parliament of King James III. at Edinburgh, 4th October 1479. BARON Alexander Menzies of Findon, who held the lands and village of Findon — now so famous for its fish. He was a member of the Pitfodels branch, and Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1501 to 1504. He also sat in the Scottish Parliaments of James III. at Edinburgh, 18th March 1481, when he was appointed a Parliamentary commissioner ; and also sat in the Parliaments of 1st March 1483 ; and of James IV., 11th March 1503, as Baron of Findon. Chieftain Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels represented Aberdeen in the Scottish Parliaments of James V., held at Perth, 26th November 1513 ; and at Edinburgh, 12th June 1526; also 12th November 1526, and 13th May 1532. He was also Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1505 to 1525. Chieftain Edward Menzies of Castlehill held part of the lands of Durrisdeer. The Douglases tried hard to force these lands from him ; he, however, was able to defeat all their attempts, and the feud between the Douglases and the Menzies' continued for some years, until the Douglases, unable to drive him out, and trusting to their power over the Lords of Council, had Edward Menzies summoned before them on the 9th October 1478, where the feud dragged on until 1491. He, however, gained his case and rightful possession. He died about 1492. Chieftain John Menzies of Dalvene, the son of the preceding, on the death of whom he became possessor of Castlehill and Durrisdeer. He was one of the Menzies' at the council of war held at Perth by the chiefs of Clan Menzies before Flodden. Chieftain Cuthbert Menzies of Ackonsel, or Achlyne, in Glendochart. This branch of Clan Menzies he led to Flodden, and was one of the chieftains at the Clan Menzies council of war before that disaster. Chieftain John Menzies of Gardnerland, also at Flodden, who apparently led out the clan from the district of Cluny and Dunkeld. Chieftain John Menzies of Comrie, also at Flodden. He — from the lands of Comrie and the east end of Loch Tay, " Bellech," now Kenmore — must have brought a considerable force into the field. [page_163 A.D. 1523 ] Chieftain John Menzies of Drumcrile, likewise at the Flodden council of war as a representative'of a branch of Clan Menzies, which he led on that much- regretted field. Chieftain William Menzies of Roro and Glenlyon — evidently a brave man, as he was the progenitor of the brave and military branch of Clan Menzies of Shian and Glenquich, who so distinguished themselves afterwards in the cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie. He led out a branch of Clan Menzies at Flodden. On his lands in Glenlyon is the farm now called Balnahanat or Balnahanid, which at one time appear, from the meaning of the name, to have been occupied by some of the ancient Celtic ecclesiastic Menzies', who, as part of their sacred office, held one of the ancient Celtic Menzies bells, forming the group of bells of the same character found within the bounds and preserved from the Menzies Abthania of Dull. The ecclesiastical establishment of Balnahanat has now disappeared, but its ancient bell was found in August 1870 on the present farm of Balnahanat. It is, however, much decayed, but appears similar to the other bells found within the ancient possessions of the Menzies', viz., St Fillans, Fortingall, Struan, Balnahanat-Glenlyon bells, and the Glenlyon bell given in Dr Joseph Anderson's Scotland in Early Christian Times, pp. 179-180. [page_164 A.D. 1475-1557] Chief Sir Robert the " Menzeis," Knight, 12th Baron of Menzies. CHIEF SIR ROBERT THE MENZIES during the lifetime of his father, on the 22nd November 1503, married Lady Christina Gordon, eldest daughter of Alexander Gordon, third Earl of Huntly, by Jean Stewart, daughter of John, Earl of Athole, uterine brother of James II. There is a contract of marriage by way of indenture, between Sir Robert Menzies, Knight, on behalf of Robert his son, and the Earl of Huntly on behalf of his daughter. Sir Robert shared in all the troubles brought about by the surprise and capture of Castle Menzies by Neil Stewart of Garth ; and it is said that it was he who sent round the Fiery Cross and assembled Clan Menzies, at the head of whom he stormed Garth Castle, and liberated his father from its dungeons and then gave Garth to the flames, leaving it a ruin, in which condition it stands to the present day. On 1st September 1512, his father gave to him and his spouse the whole lands of the west end of Loch Tay, consisting of Morenish, which included Finlarig Castle as a residence ; the lands of Kinnell, which included what is now known as Achmore, and part of Glendochart. To the charter of this gift are the names of no less than six chieftains of Clan Menzies as witnesses. It was granted at the council of the clan, held at Perth, where it was arranged to call out the clan to support King James IV. against England, which resulted in the battle of Flodden. Sir Robert the Menzies is said by Nisbet to have been served heir to his father in the estates of Menzies in 1520; the document is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. He got possession of his father's estates after his death, which took place in August 1523. The Menzies lands at that time extended from sea to sea. According to the chronicle of Fortingall, Lady Menzies died 22nd February 1525. A translation is as follows : — " 1525, February 22 — Death of Christina Gordon, Lady of Weym ; and she was buried in a sepulcar within the church at Weym." There is an inscription to her [page_165 A.D. 1525-1528] memory at the back of the Menzies Altar, with the Gordon escutcheon, as follows : — |
| " CRISTINA . GORDNO . COMTESSII NTLIE . SPONSA . ROBRT . I . MENZ ES . VEYM . MILITIS . ATAVIA DIGITI . CONDITORIS . OBIT" |
CHRISTINA GORDON, COUNTESS, LLUSTRIOUS WIFE OF SIR ROBERT MENZES, KNIGHT OF WEYM. ALAS THIS CHRONICLES HER DEATH. 1525 |
|
The Gordon Arms represented at the back of the altar are : — Quarterly — 1st, three boars' heads, cuped ; 2nd, three lions' heads, erased, langued ; 3rd, three crescents within a double tresure, flory counter-flory ; 4th, three cinquefoils, surmounted by an earl's coronet. After her death Sir Robert Menzies married Marion Campbell, daughter of Archibald, Earl of Argyle. The contract of this marriage is dated 8th December 1526 ; and the burden-takers for the bride's tocher were Janet, Countess of Athol, Sir John Campbell of Calder, and Archibald Campbell of Stepnoch, who took an obligation to pay 600 merks of tocher. This document is also in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, After the battle of Flodden James IV. left an infant son, James V., and during his long minority Scotland fell into great distress through the dissensions among its nobles and governors, who were each trying to get possession of the person of the young king, and thereby hold the reins of power. The house of Douglas were the great disturbers of the peace, and set the whole of Scotland in a flame from time to time as their power came and went. The Highlanders, remote from the seat of the Government, had been left to themselves since the defeat of Flodden, and had gradually relapsed into a state of almost irretrievable disorganization. Owing to this state of matters, little can be found recorded in Government records of what was being transacted at this period in the country of the Menzies'. If the Highlands were in such a bad state, the Lowlands were worse, particularly the southern Highlands of Dumfriesshire and the Borders, where the Douglases used their power for the worst purposes of rapine and injustice, and perpetrated crimes with impunity. Douglas, Earl of Angus, and his set, who had the power by keeping the young king their prisoner, neglected these outrages, which they found it lucrative to countenance. James V., however, made his escape from Falkland in June 1528, and joined the friends of Scotland at Stirling. He was then only 17 years of age ; he, however, showed great energy, and at once summoned Parliament. After several conflicts, in which the Menzies' fought on the side of the king against the Douglas faction, he, on the 2nd of September 1528, by an Act passed an attainder against the Douglases. [page_166 A.D. 1528] Immediately after the Douglases were expelled from Scotland King James V., for the services Chief Sir Robert the Menzies had rendered him in aiding him to procure his freedom, granted him a considerable stretch of their lands which marched with those of his lordship of Enouch, of which he was still superior. These lands consisted of Dalpeddir, Glendyne, Glencarrok, and Drumlanrig, &c, and for which Sir Robert also paid a considerable sum of money. This is shown by the charter, which reads : — "At Edinburgh, 10th Nov. 1528, James V. The king concedes to Robert Menzeis, Knight, of Menzies, and his heirs heritably, and assigns the 10 merk land of old extent of Dalpeddir and Glennym (in consideration for 2000 merks). The 2 merk land of old extent of Dawgonare (for 200 merks). The 10 merk land of old extent and the sheep of Glencarrok (for 1000 merks) in the shire of Dumfries, which were held in feu rent by James Douglas of Drumlanrig of the king, and now denounced rebell and confiscated. The lands of Dalpeddir, Glennym, Drumlangrig ; the 33 merk land of Glencarrock and the sheep of Glencorse. The 18 merk lands with superiority over the water of Skar in the shire of Dumfries, and the lands of Hawik in the shire of Roxburgh." — Reg. Gt. Seal, p. 153. The assistance rendered James V. by the Chief of the Menzies' and Clan Menzies must have been very considerable to have merited such a large restoration of their property. The principal part of these lands lay within the ancient territory of the Menzies', under the title of Barony of Durrisdeer, which was given them after Bannockburn, then somewhat more extensive than the present parish of Durrisdeer. The position of the lands given in this charter are as follows : — Dalpeddir, now DALBEATTIE, the lands of which are granted in the foregoing charter, lie about 5 1/4 miles south-east of Castle Douglas. These lands stand in a pleasant country, and now have as a centre the town of Dalbeattie. Glennym, now GLENDYNE ; these lands stand to the south-east of Sanquhar, and march with the district of Durrisdeer. The rivulet which flows through Glendyne empties itself into the river Nith. Between this burn and the other Menzies lands of Durrisdeer runs the rivulet " Menock," and at its junction with the river Nith stands the village of Menock ; these are included in this charter under the name of " Glennym," and doubtless received the name of Menock after their old Menzies proprietors, "Menock" being quite the Dumfriesshire way of saying Menzies. There is also a rivulet of the name of Menock or Minnick, which rises in the high mountains, from which it runs for 13 miles until it joins the Nith at the village of Menock ; through part of its course it traverses the parish of " Minniegaff." Dawgonare, now DALWHAT, the lands of which stretch from the south-west boundary of Drumlanrig and Durrisdeer, and are traversed by a burn of the same name, which flows through the town of Moniave or Minniehive (Menzieshive), the [page_167 A.D. 1528-1530] name of which indicates another relic of its ancient owners. It is 7 miles south-west of Thornhill. Glencarrock, now Glencarrick:, the lands of which lie somewhat south of Durrisdeer, through which flows the Duncow rivulet. In this glen there is a fine cascade called " Glencarrick Leap." The glen itself extends to within 7 miles of Dumfries. DRUMLANGRIG. — These lands were originally within the Menzies barony under the name of Durrisdeer, when they were given the Menzies' by King Robert the Bruce, but, during the many changes, had been laid hold of by the Douglases in the time of their power, and now restored to the Menzies' by James V. They lie immediately on the west bank of the river Nith, and take their name from a high knoll or rising ground upon which stands Drumlanrig Castle, evidently on the site of one of the Menzies fortalices. It forms an interesting feature for several miles in the rich and remarkably varied landscape which traverses the vale of the Nith. From the opposite bank stretches away the rich fields of Enouch, rising with gradual slopes until they become pretty steep in the vicinity of Durrisdeer, above which again rises the Alpine range of mountains, dividing Dumfries from Roxburgh. Glencorse or CORSOCK is a stretch of country stretching south from the village of Moniave, in which lies Loch Corsock, and the village of Corsock standing on the water of Urr, 10 miles north of Castle Douglas. Here there was an old castle, now in ruins, called Corsock Castle. This is a splendid district for sheep. Skar Water, now called the " SCARR," is a rivulet which rises within half-a-mile at a point where the counties of Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, and Ayr meet. It flows south-eastward to the river Nith, and runs between the lands of Drumlanrig and Dalwhat, already mentioned, making one large tract of land running south-west from Durrisdeer to Moniave, extending to about 15 miles in length by about 8 to 10 miles broad, with two wings stretching southwards, — Glen Carrick on the east of the river Nith, and Glen Corsock on the west. The Scar is super-toped by hill- screens over a great part of its course, which are steep and high, tufted with copses below, and dotted over with sheep in the ascents. Its bed is narrow and rocky, rapid in gradient, and so embellished with trees and cultivation as to make it replete with picturesqueness and romance. The last on the list of lands at this time conveyed to Sir Robert the Menzies are the lands of " Hawik," now Hawick, in Roxburghshire, which are said to be 8 miles long by 3 broad, and were computed to contain 24 square miles. For some time the caterans and outlawed MacGregors had been giving Sir Robert Menzies great trouble in Rannoch, and, as many of that clan were his tenants, for every theft or violation of the law done by them, the Government held him responsible as lord of Rannoch. To get rid of this responsibility he petitioned the Government to be relieved from this burden. This he urged in 1530 by "asking [page_168 A.D. 1530-1533] instruments that without some good rule be found for the Clan Gregor, he may not be to answer for them on his lands, nor the burden for good rule in the same." — Chambers's Miscellany, vols. 13, 14. Not only did these depredations affect himself, but also his other tenants, as the fame of the celebrated " Black Cattle of the Menzies " made their country of Rannoch and their other lands the favourite field for predatory inroads — " A fat mart from the herds of the Menzies " being proverbially offered as a tempting reward for the adventurous freebooter ; and many of the young Highlanders of surrounding clans often emulated each other in their proffers of marriage to the bonnie lassies of the Clan Menzies, knowing that according to their station they would receive as a tocher a share of the " Fat herds of the Menzies." The Clan Menzies had been long noted for their attention to the rearing of cattle, to which the position of their lands was favourable. Tradition says that they often had posts of armed clansmen watching their herds, and to give the alarm on the approach of any enemy or band of caterans. These positions were chosen so as to give the signal from place to place, right round their lands ; and even at night, if these caterans got within their lines, the alarm being given at once roused the whole country. As the MacGregors were certainly not without fault, still many of the outrages done at this time were not committed by them, but by broken and outlawed men from all parts of the country, who had taken refuge in the Highlands on the king exercising the strong hand of Government ; but it was to the interest of certain others, such as the Campbells, to lay every crime that happened at the door of Clan Gregor. In 1533, the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies granted to his eldest son, Alexander Menzies, with consent of King James V., the large tract of Menzies country known as Rannoch, in which he was installed as Baron of Rannoch ; and from this time we have Alexander Menzies signing his name, and otherwise designated as Alexander Menzies of Rannoch. The lands conveyed to him are shown in the charter as follows : — "At Edinburgh, 1st May 1533. King James concedes to Alexander Mengeis, son and heir apparent of Robert Menzeis of Menzies, Knight, the lands and baronie of Rannoch, namely, Dowane, Kinchlauchir, the two Cammyserachtis, Ardlaroche, Kilquhonane, Lairne, Ardlair, Largan, Islands of Lochranoche, with the districts of Rannoche and Irochty, with everything otherwise in the surrounding district, and the Islands of the same said lands, extending to said 20 pound lands, with the custidoia of the forests of the same in the baronia of Rannoch, within the shire of Perth, which the said Robert Menzies, Knight, resigned, conveyed to said Alexander and heirs male begotten of his body, legitimately descending, which failing, to the said Robert and heirs of the name male whatsomever, rightly by birth of old, or pure descent to the said reserved . test." — Register of Gt. Seal, p. 279-1280. Part of Sir Robert's lordship of Apnadul was held by the monks of Dull or [page_169 A.D. 1533-1537] Dow, whose lands lay near the village. At this time Protestantism had taken hold of a number of Sir Robert's tenants ; even Sir Robert himself was considered to favour the new religion. The monks and priests, wishing to crush out the growing feeling in favour of the Reformation, incited those who remained firm Romanists to destroy the crops of the Reformers. This destruction being represented to the king, he gave the following letter (signed by his own hand) to Sir Robert, who submitted it to the Lord Chancellor : — " Letter— King James V. to the Chancellor, President, and Lords of Council and Session, charging them to proceed with the summons raised at his instance and the instance of the ' power tenentis and occupiris ' of the king's lands of Appindull, against the tenants and inhabitants of the Kirkland of Dow for ' the wrangous spoliatioun, distructioun, birnying, away-takin and withaldin be thaim selffis and vtheris in thair names, etc., of certane turvis, peittis, hadder, be and woun,' gathered in the month of August 1537, in the time of ' vacans,' by the said tenants, and for their wrongful occupation of the lands. Falkland, 6th December 1537. — Subscribed by King James V." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 31. From the foregoing incidents the Kirk of Dow or Dull appears to have had a considerable number of people who were willing to run great risks to carry out the wishes of the Romish clergy. Although the College of Dull had been removed to found St Andrews University about 400 years before, the Auld Kirk of Dull still remained, and had considerable importance down to this time. The influence of the Church of Rome was the cause of the decay of this once great seat of learning under the Celtic Christian Menzies fathers. Here, under such teachers, in the early centuries, many a Menzies had the true spirit of Christianity kindled within his heart, from whence he went forth preaching the Gospel to the southern Picts, Britons, and even to the continent of Europe. The pure Christian religion of their Celtic forefathers being replaced by the Church of Rome, the days of the then famous Dull were numbered ; and now, with the Reformation, the Church of Rome in turn was doomed to be cast out with the last remaining vestiges of the ancient grandeur, which, although corrupted, had still kept some of the dignity of former times. In comparison of the changes through which Dull had passed, [page_170 A.D. 1537-1546] In 1541 Henry VIII. of England sent an embassy to James V. asking him to follow his example and throw off the authority of the Pope and the Church of Rome ; this James declined to do at the dictation of any other king. The embassy then pressed James to have an interview with Henry, and that he should meet him in a conference to be held on the Borders. This was received with less opposition, and he appears to have given a reluctant assent. It however happened that the English borderers, with the approval of the wardens, invaded the Scottish territory ; and King James V., disgusted with such duplicity, remonstrated, and demanding redress declined the promised interview till this should be done. Meanwhile, in the autumn of 1541, Henry VIII. proceeded to York, and held court there for six days, hourly expecting his nephew, but in vain. His disappointment was such, that from that instant war with Scotland was resolved upon, and a levy of soldiers called. James V. likewise prepared to defend the interests of his kingdom, and issued charges to all the leading nobles and chiefs. The charge to Chief Sir Robert the Menzies and the clan is signed by the king's own hand, and is still preserved at Castle Menzies. It reads as follows : — " Charge by King James the Fifth to the tenants of the barony of Menzeis, summoning them, when required by Robert Menzeis of that Ilk, Knight, to make themselves ' reddy bodin in feir of weir,' and pass forth with him in defence of the realm. Edinburgh, 1 September 1541. Subscribed by the King." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 32. Great was the preparation from the receipt of this order until Clan Menzies mustered at the call of the Fiery Cross, and marched to meet King James on the " Borough Muir," near Edinburgh. From there they proceeded to meet the enemy, but, on the retreat of the English, part of them were disbanded ; the other part followed Lord Maxwell to the western borders, where they were defeated at the Battle of Solway. The effects of this reverse broke the heart of the king. He died 13th December 1542, and plunged Scotland into all the horrors of the minority of Queen Mary. In 1546 Henry VIII. was urging forward his preparations for another invasion of Scotland ; and, as Sir Robert Menzies was now a very old man, a license was granted exempting him from service as Chief of the Clan in the coming war and also for the remainder of his life. He had been throughout his lifetime a faithful and true supporter and patriot of Scotland, having led out Clan Menzies personally in all the wars of James V., and also at the siege of the Castle of St Andrews in 1546 ; and now that he was old and in failing health, it was provided that the junior chief, his eldest son, Alexander Menzies of Rannoch, should fill his place in the coming war. This document is preserved in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and reads as follows : — - " 82. Licence by James, Earl of Arran, Governor of Scotland, to Robert [page_171 A.D. 1546-1547] Menzeis of that Ilk, to remain at home from all ' oists, armyis, raids, assemblings and gadderings quhatsumeuir during all the days of his lifetime ' ; the said Robert Menzeis having ' at all tymes during the tyme of our gouerment bene GUDE AND TREW unto ws, and with ws in owre seruice, and als hes remainit with ws in the cietie of Sanctandris this quarter with the Angus men ' ; and that he was ' agit and seiklie, and may not indure travell without danger to his lif It is provided that his son and servants should attend ' honestlie furnist ' in all the wars at all times when required. Dated at St Andrews, 2d Oct. 1546." This shows the esteem and high reputation in which Sir Robert Menzies was held, and had maintained throughout his life, also that he had seen much military service for his country ; in all he had conducted himself with credit and honour. As Lord Superior of Culter, Sir Robert Menzies possessed the lands of Wolf Clyde, and some difficulty arising with his tenants there, it became necessary to use extreme measures. Having warned them to remove from the lands, they refused to do so ; Sir Robert, therefore, obtained letters to the sheriff to have them compelled to leave these lands. One of these letters, as a specimen, is as follows : — " Letters in name of Queen Mary, given under the signet at Edinburgh, 1553, to the Sherif of Lanark, narrating that Robert Menzeis of that Ilk, heritable proprietor of the lands Wolf Clyde, within the barony of Culter, had, before Whit Sunday 1552, warned his tenants to flitt and remove, which they had neglected and refused to do ; therefore, ordering the Sheriff to take cognition of the matter, and compell them to remove, if the allegations were found correct, and refound such profits as might have accrued from that term." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 202. During the minority of Queen Mary and the regency of James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, who was the lineal descendant from Annabella Menzies, who, by her marriage with his ancestor, Sir David Hamilton, about 1346, brought into his family the lands and barony of Kinneil and Bo'ness, since which time the relationship had been kept strong between the two families, Sir Robert became Protestant. This caused the Menzies' to give the Regent Arran their strenuous support during the wars of Queen Mary. Henry VIII., to force the Scots to agree to the marriage of their queen with his son, sent an army to invade Scotland, which landed at Leith and proceeded to attack Edinburgh. Arran, who had called out all the armed men and clans available — among which were a body of Menzies' — marched to the relief of Edinburgh. On his approach the English, after burning and wasting all within their power, made a rapid and disorderly retreat. Next year Clan Menzies, led by their Chief, Sir Robert, formed a part of the earl's army which defeated the English forces, with great slaughter, under Lord Evers at Penielhaugh, near Jedburgh, 17th February 1545. In 1547 an English army of [page_172 A.D. 1547-1553] 18,000 men invaded Scotland, and encountered the Scots under Arran at Pinkie, where in their eagerness to attack the English, they abandoned a most favourable position and were defeated with great loss, in which the Menzies' also suffered. The regent, however, by his prudence, prevented it from being of any advantage to England. Owing to these conflicts, the regent determined to arm those patriotic Scottish nobles and chiefs, who had so ably and nobly assisted to drive the English from Scotland, with the latest and best make of artillery. Accordingly, in 1553, he had a number of bronze guns cast off a pattern, light and handy, which, when mounted on light carriages, could be pulled along by three or four clansmen and brought into action as rapidly as the clansmen or foot soldiers could manoeuvre. These cannon he entrusted to his most tried friends, among whom was Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, and his son, Sir Alexander Menzies of Rannoch, to whom he gave several of these guns. Tradition says that, when not away with Clan Menzies engaged in the wars, they were mounted on each of the flanking towers of Castle Menzies and from the gun ports protecting its ancient doorway, in which case Clan Menzies must have got at least seven bronze cannon. One of these guns was discovered at Castle Menzies, in July 1893, by the author, but without its carriage. Herewith is a description of this fine piece of ordnance, now known as " The Menzies Gun " : — THE Menzies Gun measures 4 feet long, is octagon in shape, with a beautiful moulding round the muzzle and breech, showing each about 7 lines in their formation. The bore is about 1 1/4 inches diameter. Across the extreme breech it measures 4 1/2 inches, in which it has a hole to act as a socket for a lever to steady the gun when firing ; this is formed by a diaphragm about 3 inches from the end. The muzzle measures 3 3/4 inches over all, and has a sighting notch cut in the mouldings at muzzle and breech. The flash-pan is to the right side of the gun, and is somewhat ornamental ; it has been much used, as part of the bronze is eaten away by the action of the powder. It has a carriage socket 2 feet from the muzzle, with a hole to bolt to carriage. On the top is a shield with three cirquefoils, the arms of Hamilton, and on either side H I, the initials of James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, Regent of Scotland ; underneath is the date 1553- The gun weighs 1/2 cwt. without carriage. As a bronze casting it is a very fine specimen, and would tax our present tradesmen to produce its equal ; altogether it is beautifully proportioned, and indeed a work of art. The question of damages for the burning of Castle Menzies came up again in the year 1553, which had not been made good, notwithstanding the decrees issued in the favour of the venerable Sir Robert Menzies. In 1504 Neil Stewart, in order to evade the action of the law against him, fraudulently resigned his Barony of Garth into the hands of the Earl of Athole, seeking him as his [page_173 A.D. 1553-1557] protector, and becoming that nobleman's vassal and tenant ever afterwards. This was the last of " Neil " Stewart after the sacking of Castle Menzies, but on his son coming into the property, the following action was taken : — " 1553- Summons of reduction in the name of Queen Mary, given under the signet, at Edinburgh, the 18th of September 1553, at the instance of Robert Menzeis of that Ilk, Knight, son and heir to the deceased Robert Menzeis of that Ilk, Knight, against John, Earl of Athole, grandson and heir to the deceased John, Earl of Athole, and Stewart, eldest son and heir to the deceased Neill Stewart of Forthergill, for reducing and annulling the infeftments of lands of the barony of Forthirgill granted by the deceased Neill Stewart to the said deceased John, Earl of Athole, and in fraud, hurt, and prejudice of the said late Robert Menzeis, and the said Sir Robert, his son and his heir, because the late Sir Robert had, on the 15th of Mar. 1504, or thereabout, obtained a decreet of the Lords of Council against the said Neill Stewart for 200 lib. Scots, ' for byrining and destroying of his ' Castle and ' place of Weyme,' and divers other sums ' for spoliatioun, away-taking and withholding of his insicht, victualis, and vtheris, his geir,' extending in all to 3000 merks ; which decreet had been transferred to the said Sir Robert ' Meingeis,' as heir to his father, in March 1533 ; and because the said infeftments had been granted fraudulently, to prevent apprysing of the lands belonging to Stewart, at the instance of Sir Robert Menzeis, and thus frustrate him in payment of his claims." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 201. This shows that the Earls of Athole were also in league with the Stewarts, by which they had for so many years escaped the action of the law, owing to the minorities of James V. and Mary. Sir Robert, by right of male inheritance, was the rightful owner of Garth and the whole of the barony and parish of Fortingall ; and also by decree of damages for 3000 merks, which the Stewarts had failed to pay, he was entitled to possess these lands as the value of that sum. The Earl of Athole, however, by his fraudulent dealing, held them up to this time. Sir Robert the Menzies, Knight of Menzies, after a long and honourable life, through times almost the worst in which the Highlands of Scotland had ever passed, seems to have died about the year 1557. By his first wife, Lady Christian Gordon, daughter of the Earl of Huntly, he had Sir Alexander the Menzies, his successor. By his second wife, Lady Marion Campbell, daughter of the Earl of Argyle, he is thought to have had a second son, Fergus Menzies. Sir Robert must have been born about 1475, and on his death in 1557 he would therefore be about 82 years of age. He left — 1st. Sir Alexander the Menzies, Knight, his successor, who, during his father's lifetime, was surnamed " The Baron of Rannoch." [page_174 A.D. 1557] 2nd. Fergus Menzies, who is mentioned as being present at " an inquest and conjunction before a commission and jury, on the 5th July 1529, inquiring into the lands of Petterquhuarne, Caltnlyth, and Aberfeldy, as pertinents of the lands of Grantullie, to which his name is appended ' Fergus Menzies.' " — Red Book of Grantly, p. 69, vol. i. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' OF NOTE. Chieftain Thomas Menzies of Pitfodels, was Lord Provost of Aberdeen in the years 1525-1526, 1533-1537 to 1545. He also sat in the Scottish Parliaments held by James V. at Edinburgh, 11th March 1538; and of Queen Mary, held at Edinburgh, 13th March 1542 and 7th November 1544, where his name is given as Thomas Menses, representing Aberdeen. Chieftain Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1526 to 1533, and then in 1536. He sat in the Parliament of James V. at Edinburgh, 7th June 1535, representing the city of Aberdeen. Alexander Menzies was one of the judges on the disputed lands of the Abbot of " Deir," in July 1544, at Aberdeen. Lord Rector Robert Menzies, who, during the reign of James V., was Lord Chamberlain and Lord Rector of Glasgow University. — Muniments Universitatis Glasgow, No. i., p. 151 ; No. ii., pp. 149-154. Rev. David Menzies, Chaplain to Saint Dutheis Altar in the Cathedral Kirk of Aberdeen. It was in his time that the Bailies and Council of the city and seaport of Aberdeen put an impost of ii. s. on all goods being shipped to " France, Flanders, Dunskyne, Denmark, or any part of the realm, to pay for the work to be done on Saint Nicholes Kirk," &c, under the charge of " David Menzies, Presbitro in sacris bachalaris, &c." dated 20th Oct. 1520. [page_175 A.D. 1504-1563] Chief Sir Alexander the Menzes," Knight, 13th Baron of Menzies, SURNAMED "THE RENOUNCER OF THE MASS." A.D. 1504-1563 KING JAMES V. confirmed to the young Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, Knight, the gift by his father, Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, during his lifetime, of part of the (old) Menzies barony of Fortingall, divided into and consisting of the lands and sub-barony of Rannoch, 1st May 1533. These lands consisted of "Dowane, Kinchlauchir, Cammyserachtis, Ardlaroch, Kilquhonane, Lairne, Ardlair, Largan," with the islands of Loch Rannoch and the whole neighbouring country of Rannoch and Loch Ericht with its surrounding lands, and the keepership of the forests of Rannoch and adjacent country. From this, and during his father's life- time, Sir Alexander had his title from these Rannoch estates, as Sir "Alexander Menzies of Rannoch;" thus his name is attached to many of the bonds of manrent, as a witness, in the Cronikil of Fothergill and other documents of that period. He early became a Protestant, and is thought to have changed the sett of the Menzies tartan to the present setting of the ' Red and White ' Menzies tartan, having seven lines. Sir Alexander, on the death of his father, was retoured heir and got possession of the extensive estates of the Menzies'. This service is preserved in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. Sir Alexander married first, Janet Campbell, daughter of Sir James Campbell of Lawers, whose representative is the present Earl of Loudoun. The contract of this marriage is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, by which marriage he had a son, James Menzies, his heir and successor. He resided at the Menzies Castle on the island of Loch Tay, where many deeds were signed by him as Alexander Menzies of Rannoch. According to Foster he likewise had an only daughter, Miss Menzies of Menzies, [page_176 A.D. 1536] who married William Robertson of Strowan, in 1546. Robertson seems to have through this marriage received a feu-charter or a lease of the lands and barony of Strowan, in his barony of Rannoch, from Sir Alexander Menzies, his father-in-law ; but it was afterwards a subject of dispute, as the Robertsons wanted it to be a free barony of their own. The Menzies, however, claimed their right to it as superiors, being part of their barony of Fortingall, and the Robertsons as their tenants. — Foster's Commoners, p. 420, vol. iv. Sir Alexander Menzies of Rannoch, by his connection with the Campbells, had not acted up to the precepts and principles of his grandfather, which was not to trust the Campbells in any way. His marriage with the daughter of Lawers brought him into close relationship with them ; and the Campbells at this time seem to have been ready to do almost anything for Sir Alexander, so as to have the thin edge of the wedge inserted to gain their own ends ; and as he had the vast and extensive estates of Rannoch in his keeping as heir to his father, there was some chance of the Campbells making some land capital out of a mutual arrangement with the young Laird of Rannoch. The brother-in-law of Alexander was, therefore, the man most fitted to approach the young Laird ; and, representing to him his willingness to help him against the caterans on his estates, arranged a mutual bond of manrent, which is as follows: — "Bond of manrent and maintenance betwixt Alexander Menzeis of the Rannoch, son and heir-apparent of Robert Menzeis of the Weme, Knight, and John Campbell of Lawers, whereby they mutually bind themselves in speciale for the defence, keping, iosing, and bruking of the landis of the Rannoch, woddis and forestis of the saym, and aythir of thame sail be traist and trew to vtheris at all tyme, and supple and defend vtheris, baith with thair bodeis, landis, gudis, placis, stedingis, and sail give vtheris the best counsall thai can ; and rychtsua that tha sail ane conuenient man, chosin with baith thair avis, to the keping of the haill woddis and forestis of the Rannoch, quhilk the said Alexander hes of the Kingis grace in few and heretage; and this kepar to answer thame of all and sindry proffitis of the saidis woddis and forestis, quhilkis proffitis and the saidis Alexander and Johne sail equalie divide betuix thame; and gif this kepar pleses thame nocht, tha sail remove the samyn and put in ane vthir in his sted, chosin be baith thair avisis, als oft as tha think expedient. And attour that the Isle and Loch within the landis of the Rannoch, that the Johne hes in liferent of the said Alexander, sal be reddy at all tyme to thame baith, makand the expensis equaly betuix thame for the keping of the said Isle. Dated at Perth, April 1536." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 129. This bond of mutual manrent is from the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, in which Alexander Menzies is the principal, having the whole property in question. Campbell, having no property in Rannoch, had everything to gain and nothing to lose; and as his predecessors had outwitted the confiding Menzies by similar bonds [page_177 A.D. 1536-1548] of manrent, and had got a feu of Lawers; so this Campbell hoped to get a hold in Rannoch. He had even got concessions, as is seen in the foregoing, which he had no right to. As Baron of Rannoch, Sir Alexander Menzies acted as judge of his district, and therefore had all kinds of cases brought up before him. On the 14th February 1540 the case of the slaughter of Angus Mackinlay was brought up, and as he had been killed by George Clerk and John Dougalson, it was necessary that certain assigna- tions should be given. We give the document relating to this : — " Notarial instrument certifying the assignation by Mariot Ne Kinla, Donald Moyr, her spouse, Makvelane Afrik, daughter of the after-mentioned Angus M'Kinla, and others, the nearest of kinsmen to the deceased Angus M'Kinla, to Alexander Menzeis, son and heir apparent of Sir Robert Menzeis of that Ilk, of the assythment to be made for the slaughter of Angus M'Kinla, by George Clerk and John Dougalsoun. Dated at Dull, 14th February 1540." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 199. The MacGregors of Glenstray seem to have been on the best of terms with Sir Alexander Menzies, and for years they held the lands of Archty east and others in Rannoch, where they had power from Sir Alexander Menzies to sublet these lands to any of the Clan Gregor, with one exception. This exception was that which first brought disgrace on this distinguished clan, namely, the notorious Duncan MacGregor and his sons, who were the terror of the whole of Perthshire and the surrounding Central Highlands. Their robberies and outrages had kept the whole country in a state of foment, and gave the Campbells a pretext to charge their misdeeds to the whole clan ; thereby getting influence at court by their affected anxiety for the peace of the Highlands. Here is a lease granted by Sir Alexander to Glenstray, the Chief of the MacGregors. " Lease by Alexander Menzeis of Rannoch to John M'Gregor of Glenstray, of the twenty-merk land of Rannoch, ' fra the watter of Arachty est,' which had been held by the father of the said John for seven years for payment of 20/. yearly, and for the other customary service. The right is given to sublet the lands to any person except 'Duncan M'Gregor M'Phadrik, and his barnis.' Perth, 4th Oct. 1548." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 1 89. The above shows the kindly feeling which existed between the Menzies' and the MacGregors, and also that the MacGregors were the tenants and followers of the Menzies; Glenstray being the Chief of the MacGregors, he and the clan would follow the Menzies' into the field in the event of war as their tenants. Sir Alexander Menzies appears as witness to bonds of manrent at Strathphillane, between Glenurchy and John MacBey and his spouse, as we find on the 3rd of May 1547 his signature is "Alexander Menzes of Rannocht." The next year he is one of the witnesses to a bond of manrent between "Johne Campbell of Glenurchquay, and Johne Menzeis of Rorow." This transaction was completed at the Menzies Castle [page_178 A.D. 1548-1550] on the Isle of Loch Tay, 31st August 1 548 ; where Alexander, as the lord of the place, signs first, "Alexander Menzeis of Rannoch," and is followed by other seven witnesses. On the 24th of July 1549 Alexander Menzies and his cousin Johne Meinzeis of Comry of that Ilk were witnesses to a very peculiar document of the Campbells, where Glenurchy makes sure of the main chance; and as it throws light on the way by which they came to possess some of their lands, we herewith give it : — "I.Kathryn Neyn Angus W'Allestar,the relict of wmquhil Lauchlan M'Olcallum, binds . . . me of my own free motife . . . that I shall abid at the counsall of . . . my maister, Johne Campbell of Glenurquhay, and . . . that I shall nocht mary nor in lamenry tak na man without I get the said Johne Campbellis consent thairto, and sichlike I shall not put nor tennend nor subtenand in my pairt of the landis of Achacha, lying in Benthirlocht, within the Lordschip of Lorne and Shireffdom of Ergile, without that they be brocht in presence of the said Johne Cambell, and thereafter they be admitted by him ; and if so be that I . . . fail in ony point of the premisses . . . oblige's myself to renounce . . . all . . . title . . . that I [may] have heid or may have ... to the Landis of Achaca and Barnamuk ... to the said Johne Campbelle . . . and for the mair security ... by the extensioun of my right hand, has sworn upon the holy evengelist to stand ... to the same, at Glenurquhay, the xxiiii day of July, the year of God ane thousand fyfe hundretht and fourty-nyn yeiris, befor thir witnes — Alexander Menzes of Rannocht, Johne M'Nab of Bourian, Johne 'Meinzeis' of Comry of that Ilk, Duncan M'Ane M'Evyn, Johne M'Douquhy, Roy Duncan M'Gilleura, Sir Malcum M'Gillequhounil, Sir Dowgall M'Kellar, Johne Campbell of Iniyrlevir, Johne Leiche, Johne M'Evyn, Johne M'Lespy, officer of Glenurquhay, and Johne Clerk, Johne Mallcomson . . . Katrin Neyin Anngus W'Allester, with my hand leid at the pen be Johne Clerk M'Ane Wallich, 1549." — Black Book of Taymouth, pp. 184, 186, 187. On the 22nd May 1550, Sir Alexander Menzies was witness to a bond of man- rent between Colin Campbell of Glenurchy, John MacCouche, and his son, at the Castle of Glenurchy — his signature is Alexander "Menyes of Rannocht." At this time the Menzies' had as tenants on their lands of Wester Morenish, at the west end of Loch Tay, a family of MacGregors, who had been there for many years. These lands the covetous Colin Campbell of Glenurchy being anxious to lease, and finding that Sir Alexander the Menzies could not be induced to break the bond of peace and friendship existing between the MacGregors and himself — Campbell was therefore compelled to cover up his designs and make a good face to the MacGregors, so as to induce them to assign to him their rights as tenants of these lands, and transfer possession of the tacks MacGregor held from Sir Alexander Menzies to Colin Campbell. Here is the assignation : — " Alexander M'Patrik V'Condoqhuy is become of his own free will a faithfull servant to Collyne Campbell of Glenurchquay, and his ayris, for all the dais of his [page_179 A.D. 1550-1551] lifetime ... in contrar all persons, the authorite being excpit alanerly by that to rige ang gang on horse and foot in highlan and lowland, upon the said Collyny's expenses . . . and if it hapins any differance between the said Collyne, his heirs, and M'Gregour, his chief . . . the said Alexander shall not stand with ' ane of thame' but he shall be ane ewinly man for baith the parties . . . attour the said Alexander has made the said Collyne and his heirs his . . . ' assingnais ... to his takys ' . . . of any lands, and especially of the ten-merk land of Wester ' Morinche,' now occupied by the said Alexander and his sub-tennants, and also has ' nominat . . . the said Collyne and . . . his ayris . . . his executours and intromettours with all his ' goods moveable and immoveable that he hapins to have the time of his decese, and that in case [may] have any bairns lewand at that time, lawfully gotten . . . for the which the said Collyne and his heirs sail . . . defend the foresaid Alexander in all his just actions . . . the authoritie my Lord of Argyle, and their actions always excepted . . . Acta erant hec apud insulam de Lochthay horam circiter secundam post meredian . . . presentibus ibidem Alexandra Menyes de Rannocht, Joanne M'Emeweyr et Magistro, Willelmo Ramsay, notario-publico, testibus . . . 10 Julii 1550." — Black Book of Taymouth, pp. 189-90. This document of agreement was completed before Alexander Menzies at the Menzies Castle and Isle of Loch Tay, 10th July 1550, it being necessary for the contracting parties to have his consent, he being the over-lord of these lands, by him witnessing them first as consenting to the transfer thereby. Sir Robert and his family, after the partial burning of Castle Menzies, had gone to their Castle of Loch Tay to reside until the old Castle of Weem or Menzies was repaired ; there the Campbells had to bring all their deeds in any way connected with the Menzies lordships, to be assented to by their being witnessed by them. Duncan MacGregor and his company of freebooters, on learning that Alexander M'Patrick MacGregor (who, as we have seen in the bond of manrent just given, became vassal to Colin Campbell of Glenurchy), were so enraged that they set upon him on Sunday, the 22nd November 1551, when he was slain by Duncan MacGregor and his son, Gregor. The slaughter of Alexander MacGregor by his kinsman incensed the Campbells against Duncan MacGregor, for this uncalled for and treacherous murder. In this Colin Campbell was supported by the neighbouring chiefs, who met at the Menzies Castle, on the Island of Loch Tay, and there agreed to pursue the murderers, as MacGregor and his followers had been a pest to the whole district. They also signed a bond of association, to which Alexander Menzies, as over-lord superior, is first witness. The bond is as follows : — "'Be it kend till all men . . . Ws, James Stewart, sone to Walter Stewart of Ballindoran, Alexander Dormond, and Malcome Dormond, younger, to have given our band of manrent to Colline Campbell, of Glennurquhay, and his heirs, Duncan Campbell, son and appearent heir to Archibald Campbell of Glenlioun, and his [page_180 A.D. 1551-1552] heirs, for all the days of our lifetime, in all actiones, and, in speciale, that we shall dispone ourselves at our whole power (and) with our kiyn freyndis and part-takers, to invade and ' persew to the death, Duncan Laudosach M'Gregour, Gregour, his sone, thair servants, part-takers, and complices, in all bundis and contries where ever thay shall happen to make residense,' (for the) reason that they are our deadly enemies, and our soverine ladye's rebellis . . . And likewise shall be ready to serve the said Colline and Duncan, and their heirs, upon their expenses, both in the Highlands and Lowlands, against all manner of persons, the Queen's grace hir authoritie, the Earl of Menteytht, and Lord Drummond, allanerlie exceptit ... In witness of the which thing, because we could not subscribe our selfes, we have for Ws caused the notare underwritten, subscribe the same with our hands touching the pen, at the Isle of Locktay,the ix day of March, the yeir of God MVC " fiftie-ane yeir ( 1551 ), before thir witnes — Allexander Menyeis of Rannocht, Thomas Grahame of Calzemuk, Andro Toscheocht of Mouse, David Toscheocht, Patrik Campbell, Johnn Mawire, and Andro Quhit, notar-publict. James Stewart, with my hand at the pen. Allexander Dormound, with my hand at the pen. Ita est Andreas Quhit, notarius-publicus." — Black Book of Taymouth, p. 192. Sir Alexander Menzies also witnessed a deed of bonds and manrent between Colin Campbell and Duncan MacGregor, on the 2nd May 1552, at the Isle of Loch Tay, within its Menzies Castle. Following up the bond of the 9th March 1551, every effort was put forth to capture the murderers, and this seems to have been an arduous undertaking, and one which took the associates longer than had been expected, for they did not capture MacGregor and his sons until the month of June 1552. On the 16th of that month they suffered the last penalty of the law. It is described in the Chronicle of Fortingall, and is the most notable exercise of criminal jurisdiction which is recorded in the Chronicle. The translation runs thus : — " The slaying and beheading of Duncan MacGregour and his sons, namely, Gregour, and Malcolm Roy, for Colin Campbell of Glenurchy, and for Duncan Roy Campbell of Glenlyon, and Alexander Menzies of Rannoch, with their associates, on which day, John Gour MacDuncan, Vc. Alexander Kayr, was slain for Alexander Menzies, at in the month of June, to wit, the 16th day of June, the year of the Lord, 1552." We also give the original, as it appears in the book of the Chronicle of Fortingall, which is as follows : — " Interfcctio et dccptitatio Duncani M'Gregor et filiorum eius, videlicet, Gregorii, et Malcolmi Roy, per Colium Campbell de Glenurquhay, et per Duncanum Roy Campbell of Glenlyon, et Alexandrum Menzheis of Rannoch, cum suis complicibus, quo die, Joannes Gour M' Duncan, Vc. Alexander Kayr, [page_181 A.D. 1552] fuit intcrfectus per Alexanderum Menzeis, apud ..... in mense Junii, videlicet, xvi anno Domini am MVC III. These journals of a baronial court give a very favourable impression of the way in which they were ordinarily conducted, and of the indispensable function they must have discharged throughout the Highlands, in familiarising the Highlanders with the highest sanctions, and with the regular operation of authority and of law, considered merely as a means of enforcing the few and simple rules and usages which a very rude condition of agriculture rendered necessary. By this stroke of law, for which Colin Campbell had got commission from the Crown, it at once brought to him the MacGregors of these districts to arrange terms. Following this, we have a succession of bonds of manrent between Colin Campbell and all the leading MacGregors, brought before and settled by the testation of Alexander Menzies of Rannoch, at his castle on the Isle of Loch Tay. The greater part of these MacGregors were his tenants, but, owing to the power invested in Colin Campbell by the then Government, as its detective and police officer, the bonds were between the MacGregors and Colin Campbell. The MacGregors, so long as they lived peacefully, were the kindly tenants on the Menzies' lands of Belloch, at the east end of Loch Tay, where the village of Kenmore now stands, but Colin Campbell of Glenurchy, armed with his powers from the Government against Clan Gregor, found a pretext against Gregor Dugallson, who occupied these lands, as he had not come forward and registered himself to him as the supervisor and executioner of the Government in those parts. He drove him out of house and home. This act is thus recorded in the Chronicle of Fortingall : — " The expulsion of Gregor Dugallson from Belloch, by Colin Campbell of Glenwrquhay,in the year of our Lord 1552, at Whitsunda." It was this deed of injustice that led to these lands being let to this Campbell, which they still hold in feu-rent. David Duncanson, another of the Menzies tenants, having committed some offence, was so terror-struck by Colin Campbell's execution of Duncan MacGregor and his sons, that he thought it best to surrender himself, and therefore went to Sir Alexander the Menzies at his Castle, on the island of Loch Tay, and there signed the following bond before him as lord superior of the district : — " David Duncansoun, in the Carse of Apnadull, persauand the tyme dangerous, and for the defence of himself, his bairns, his goods and geir, dispones to Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay, and Catherine Ruthven, his spouse, and their heirs, a bairn's part of all his goods ang gear, moveable and immovable, after his decease, binding himself not to put away any of his said goods, except for his own reasonable support, and choosing the said Colyne an Catherine, and their heirs, in proles adoptivas. Dated in the Island of Lochtay, before witnesses — Alexander Menyeis of Rannocht, David Ruthven, Neil M'Avyr, and Mr William Ramsay, notary — 15 July 1552." — Black Book of Taymouth, p. 193. [page_182 A.D. 1552] The above shows how the Campbells of Glenurchy became wealthy, for as soon as their dupes died, their whole goods went to Colin or his heirs. In this Jewish way they amassed money sufficient to purchase lands they as strangers rented. Another bond was concluded before Sir Alexander Menzies in his Island Castle of Loch Tay, which was then his place of residence as eldest son of the chief, who occupied Castle Menzies. This time the Campbells had as their victim one of the Clan Robertson. The bond reads as follows : — " Bond by Malcum Robertsone, Baron of Keirquhoun, to Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay : the said Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay being bound to defend the said Malcum Robertsone in his just quarrels against James Campbell of Laweris and all others, my Lord of Ergyle excepted. Dated at the Isle of Lochtay, before witnesses — Alexander Menzeis of Rannocht, Colin Campbell, son to the deceased Archibald Campbell of Glenlyoun, and Mr William Ramsay, notary — 1 Aug. 1552." The poor MacGregors, being run down in every quarter by Colin Campbell, were in some cases compelled by him to yield up their allegiance to their chiefs. Here is a case brought before Sir Alexander : — "At the Isle of Lochtay, 3 Aug. 1552 — William M'Olcallum in Rannocht, Malcum, his son, and Donald Roy M'Olchallum Glass, binds and obligeds them, their heirs and bairns, and posteritie to be ' afald ' servants to Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay and his heirs male, whome they have elected and chosen for their chief and master, renounced M'Gregor their auld chief and all others in the ' contrar,' the authoritie always excepted, and that, because the said Colyne has delivered to them his letter of maintainance. And also the said persons, for themselves, and heirs, and successors, gives their calpis to the said Colyne, and his heirs conforme to the use thereof, and if it happins the said William, Malcum, or Donald to faill in the premissis, to pay to the said Colyne and his heirs, the sum of one hundred pounds money within 15 days after the same be tried and made manifist, and hereto the foresaid persons are bound and sworne upon the holy evangellis : presentibus — Alexandra Menyeis de Rannocht, Colino Campbell, filio Archibaldi Campbell de Glenlyoun, Patricio Campbell, et Joanne Leche, testibus vocatis. Villelmus Ramsye, notarius." The next day, 4th August 1552, Colane Campbell had up before Sir Alexander Menzies at his Island Castle of Loch Tay another victim, whom he compelled by a bond to take the name of Campbell, and acknowledge him as his chief. This bond reads : — "Jhone Leche alias Campbell, binds himself to Collin Campbell of Glenurchquay and his heirs, choosing them to be his chiefs, to serve them in (the) Highlands and Lowlands on horse and foot, upon the said Collysis and his heirs' expenses, whenever he be required, and also binds himself and his heirs their calpts ; [page_183 A.D. 1552] both parties being bound to each other under the penalty of 100 merks Scots. Signed at the Isle of Lochtay, before witnesses — Alexander Menyeis of Rannocht, Gibbon M'Allester, William Rothwen, Martin M'Indonyn, and Mr William Ramsay, notary — 4th August 1552." — Black Book of Taymouth, pp. 1 92-4. Other five MacGregors, whom Colin Campbell had struck with terror in case they should lose their heads by this headsman, were brought before the young chief of the Menzies' that he might be a witness to their submission to Colin Campbell, and their renunciation of their own chief. Their submission reads : — "Malcum M'Aynmallycht, Donald, his brother, Duncan M'Neill V'Kewin, Willam and Malcum M'Neill V'Ewin, brothers to the said Duncan, renouncing M'Gregour their chief, bind themselves to Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay, giveing him their calps ; the said Colyne being bound, either to defend them in their possessions, or to give them others within his own bounds ; both sides being bound under the penalty of £100 Scots. Signed at the Isle of Lochtay, before witnesses — Alexander Menyes of Rannocht, Patrick Campbell, Martin M'Indene, and Mr William Ramsay, notary — 4th August 1552." Sir James MacGregor, the dean of Lismore, having died in 1551, Colin Campbell made an easy victim of his son, Gregor MacGregor, who was induced to renounce his chief, and acknowledge him as such. Accordingly he gave his bond to Campbell of Glenurchy, and for that purpose came before Sir Alexander Menzies. The bond reads : — " Gregour M'Gregour, son of the deceased Sir James M'Gregour, dean of Lesmoir, binds himself to Collin Campbell of Glenurchquay and his heirs, takeing them for his chiefs in place of the Laird of M'Gregour, and giveing them his calp, and binds his heirs to do the like ; both parties being bound under the penalty of £100. Signed at the Isle of Lochtay, before witnesses — Alexander Menyes of Rannocht, John Leche, John M'Emoweyr, and Mr William Ramsay, notary — 21st August 1552." Colin Campbell, anxious to change the following of Clan Gregor to himself, under power of letters held by him from Government, pounced upon three MacGregors, tenants of Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk, the aged chief who was then alive. Campbell, by his threats of the probable fate which awaited them, compelled them to become Campbells and renounce their chief. They tenanted part of the braes of Weem, and were brought before Sir Alexander Menzies, at his Island Castle, to sign the bond, as follows : — " Donald Beg M'Acrom, Duncane, and William his brother, dewelling in the Bray of Weyme, bind themselves to Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay, having overgiven the Laird of M'Gregour their chief, his heirs and successors, and oblige themselves and their heirs to serve the said Colyne and his heirs in the Lowlands upon the expenses of the said Colyne, and in the Highlands [page_184 A.D. 1552-1555] upon their own expenses, as the gentlemen of the country do, and to leave the said Colyne and his heirs their calps ; both sides being bound under the penalty of £100 Scots. Signed at the Isle of Lochtay, before witnesses — Alexander Menyeis of Rannocht, Malcum, Baron of Carquhonie, Patrick Campbell, James M'Ynstalker, and Andro Quhit, notary — 9th Sept. 1552." — Black Book of Taymouth, pp. 195, 6. Sir Alexander Menzies witnessed a similar bond of manrent between Campbell of Glenurchy and Donald M'Gelleqhoan and others, on the 4th November 1552; also to like bonds of manrent on the 21st December 1552, his name is appended as a witness, "Alexander Menyzeis of Rannocht." During the troubles of the minority of Queen Mary, the Highlands of Scotland were kept in a state of anarchy and disorder, being overrun by broken men, who plundered the peaceful and contented Highland farmers and gentlemen, which led to reprisals for each act of robbery. It was this state of things, along with the age and infirmity of his father, Sir Robert, which kept Sir Alexander Menzies so much at home at his castle on the island of Loch Tay. The influence of the venerable old chief must have had a pacifying effect on the MacGregors, as he got them to come and meet Colin Campbell, their old enemy, at the castle on the island in Loch Tay, and there a long list of bonds were signed, to which his son, Sir Alexander Menzies, as the superior, was witness. After these bonds were signed, it seems to have ended the visit of Colin Campbell to that part of the country, as Sir Alexander does not witness any until 1555, when a bond between Colin Campbell of Glenurchy and James Campbell of Laweris was made at Edinburgh, on the 6th May 1555 ; he, as witness, signing Alexander Menzeis of Rannocht. On 24th May 1555, he is again witness to a contract between "Colyne Campbell of Glenurchy and Ewir of Strachquhar, signing Alexander Menyes of Rannocht ; and again, 4th June 1555, he was a witness to a bond between Coloyne Campbell of Glenurchy and several others at Glenurchy Castle, where his name is also attached as Alexander Menzes of Rannocht, all three being different in spelling, then considered a mark of learning." It was about this time, while a better feeling had sprung up between the Regent Queen of Scotland and Mary of England, that Sir Alexander Menzies was sent to France as one of the Scottish ambassadors to arrange a matrimonial alliance. Several commissions were also sent from Scotland to England for the maintenance of peace and friendship between the two countries. This good state of matters, however, was soon altered by reports of war between France and England. The embassy from Scotland to France — of which Sir Alexander Menzies was one, to arrange the marriage between Queen Mary and the Dauphin — when on their way back from France, were by the command of Queen Elizabeth detained by the English, and examined by the Council of State as to the truth of [page_185 A.D. 1555-1559] these reports. One of those examined was Sir Alexander Menzies, who being from the court of France was likely to know the intentions of the French, and from whom the English expected to get information. We give the entry from the English State papers, which reads : — " The examination or statements of two Scotchmen, James Fraser and Alexander Menzies, concerning their knowledge of certain reports as to the King of France's intention to make war against England — dated 1555." It is not recorded that they gave any information, being allowed to return home. In the year 1557, on the death of his father, Chief Sir Robert the Menzies of that Ilk, Sir Alexander Menzies of Rannoch came into possession of the whole of his father's estates, and from that date he dropped his title " of Rannoch " for that of the chief of the clan as " Menzies of Menzies." From the prudent manner in which Sir Alexander had conducted himself when apprehended by the English on his return from France, he seems to have gained the favour of the Queen Regent. At this time the caterans or MacGregors of Rannoch were a great source of annoyance by their robberies on the surrounding country and people. He therefore represented to the Queen Regent that he could not be responsible for the actions of these robbers called MacGregors, and received the following exemption : — " Letter by Mary of Guise, Queen Regent of Scotland, exempting Alexander Menzes of that Ilk from finding caution for MacGregors, his tenants in Rannoch, for seven years. 7th February 1559. " Regina. — We, understanding that it is (not) within the power of Alexander Menzes of that Ilk to ansuer for the gud reule of the Clangregour inhabitantis of the Rannoch, and that our chozing the Earl of Ergyle and Coline Campbell of Glenvrquhay hes the seruice of that clann, and that thai will do thare deligens to caus gud reule [be] kepit be the said clann, and for diuers vther resonable causis and considerationis moving ws, grantis and gevis licence to the said Alexander to set intak and assedatioun all and haill his tuenty-pund land of Rannock hand within the sherefdome of Perth, to the auld tenentis and inhabitantis thairof of the Clangregour for the space of sevin yeris ; and will and grantis that he nor his airis sail nocht be haldyn to our derrest dochter, nor ws, to ansuer for thair gud reule during the said seven yeirs, nor to enter tham to our lawes, our iustice airis, nor justice courtis for thair demeritis, nochtwithstanding the generall band maid be the [lord]is and landit men of the said S our said derrest dochter and ws thereupoun : Anent the quhilkis we dispens with hym be thir presentis, and panis contenit thairin. Gevin vnder signet. Subscriuit with our hand, at Edinburgh, vii day of Fabruar, the zeir of God. " MARIE R." This letter is from the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 33. While it relieved Sir Alexander the Menzies from the responsibility of answering for [page_186 A.D. 1561] the conduct of the MacGregors, his powers being sought by the Campbells was handed to them by the Government, as the police and executors of the law, who had no compunction for them, but used their power to further their own ends. Sir Alexander the Menzies had, on the death of his father, become heir to the lands of " Carnelopis," now Carlops, in the barony of Linton ; but, although served heir, had not yet got possession. He, therefore, applied to the Queen Regent, and received the following letter and order : — " Letter in name of Queen Mary, and given under the signet at Edinburgh, 30 March 1558 — Narrating that a complaint had been made by Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, that he had raised a breef of the regality of James, Earl of Morton, superior, whereupon he had been served and retoured to the other quarter parts of the lands of Carnelopis, in the barony of Lyntoun ; but though the inquest served affirmatively, and Sir John Rannald, Clerk of Court, had made a retour thereon, yet he defers to close the said retour, with the brief enclosed, and deliver it to the said Alexander, causing him to ' tyne the Witsonday maillis of his said lands ' : Charging, therefore, John Menzeis, sheriff in that part, to enquire the said Sir John to close - the retour, and deliver it to the said Alexander Menzeis within six days after being required, ' under the pain of rebellion.' " — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 203. These lands were possessed for many generations by the Menzies', and are now known by the village of Carlops, in the parish of Linton, in Peeblesshire. These lands stand on its northern verge, on the right bank of the North Esk, on the road from Edinburgh to Dumfries, about 14 miles from Edinburgh. On its lands there is a lonely glen, where, at a place called the Howe, is a beautiful linn, which seems to have inspired the poet to sing that it was they " That taught the Doric Muse Her sweetest song. The hills, the woods, the streams, Where beauteous Peggy stray'd, list'ning the while Her gentle shepherd's tender tale of love." These lands and district have long been famous for their Cheviot breed of sheep, also for white freestone. Coal is mined at Carlops, at Coalyburn, and Whitefield, and lime is also burned in the district. The Menzies' possessed one quarter of the parish, which is 10 1/4 miles by about 7 1/2 miles. The North Esk runs through its north - eastern boundary, into which the rivulet Carlops empties itself. Sir Alexander the Menzies, anxious to help the MacGregors who would live quietly, granted unto John MacGregor a lease in his lordship of Apnadull, which were held in feu-farm by the monks of Dull. This lease of the farms was renewed from time to time, and runs thus : — [page_187 A.D. 1561-1562] " No. 28. Charter of few-farm of the lands of Dull by David Guthrie, vicar of Dull, and John Wyram, usufructuary thereof, with consent of the Lord James, commendator of St Andrews and of the convent (13 in number) in favour of John McGrigar. St Andrews, 14 Februaray 1561." — From Inventory 0/1656. There is also with the above papers in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies — " No. 29. The Instrument of Sasine, following on the Precept granted in terms of the above charter, dated 15 March 1561." Queen Mary landed at Leith from France on the 19th of August 1561. She was dressed in black, trimmed with ermine round the neck. A portrait, painted as she then appeared, has been in the possession of the branch family of Menzies to which the writer belongs, for generations, and is said to have been given as a present to an ancestor by one of the Earls of Home, and has been handed down as an heirloom to the author. In the autumn of the following year, after the arrival of the queen in Scotland, she made a visit to the Highlands and northern portions of the kingdom. It was on her way northwards that she visited the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies at Castle Menzies. The chief was now an old man, and his venerable appearance and kindly Highland hospitality gained for him and his son James, afterwards chief, the favour of the queen, who ever afterwards, in her visits to the Highlands, made Castle Menzies her home. As an acknowledgment of her friendship and goodwill to Sir Alexander the Menzies, she sent him a present of a beautiful cabinet and settee, both richly carved in dark oak. "The QUEEN MARY CABINET" at Castle Menzies stands about 7 feet high by about 4 feet broad It is surmounted by a beautiful carved cornice of some 7 members. Under the cornice is a convex frieze richly carved. Below the projecting cornice and frieze is a large front panel forming a door, which folds down so as to form an escritoire or desk. On the front panel are the full Scottish arms carved out in relief, with the cipher of Queen Mary M.R. under them. Round the border of the panel are entwined Scotch thistles, forming a continuous chain round the Scottish arms, with several mouldings on either side. These portions form the top part of the cabinet, all " richly dite " with carving. The under half of the cabinet projects about 3 inches all round from the upper. The projection forms on its top an elegantly carved ogee moulding, under which are three drawers, each of different depths. The fronts of each of the drawers form a panel, upon which are carved festoons of Scotch thistles hanging from the knobs or handles, each being different in design. At the base is a broad projecting moulding, showing about 10 lines. Altogether, it is a charming bit of old Scottish art. In the old drawing-room of Castle Menzies there are still two pieces of [page_188 A.D. 1563] tapestry, which were there when Queen Mary resided in the castle. The room is now known by the name of " Queen Mary's drawing-room." The larger piece of tapestry is about 17 feet long by about 8 feet high, and is in very good preservation. It represents one of the classic allegorical subjects. From the right enters a procession of children or cupids with a goat, upon which one of them is riding, supported by another, to the sound of music and cymbal, with dancing fauns going before. One of the children is carrying a Roman or Grecian standard. On the other side of the tapestry picture is a large spreading tree, into which a fair child has climbed to see what is passing below, and holds in its hand a large branch covered with roses, while one of the fauns is also trying to climb the tree. In the background stands a classic mansion or palace ; the whole forming a beautiful picture, well-balanced, and in harmony with the surroundings. The second piece of tapestry in the " Queen Mary drawing-room " represents somewhat the same class of subject, having four children, one of which is in the act of being flung from a goat, which is rearing with fright at a mask which one of the children holds in front of his face to scare him, while another of the children is running to catch the goat. In the background stands a classic mansion. This piece of tapestry forms an upright panel at the south wall of the room, being about 8 feet high by about 7 feet broad In the same room stands the " Queen Mary " cabinet. The ceiling of the room is a most effective piece of plaster-work, having a drooping centre, from which spreads out at right angles from its square ornamental centre the figures of the thistle, rose, harp, and fleur-de-lis. After the partial burning of the castle by Neil Stewart, and on Sir Alexander learning that Mary Queen of Scots was going to make Castle Menzies her home for some time during her visits to the Highlands, he had it repaired, and the emblems of the countries over which she reigned as queen moulded in relief upon the ceiling. The Queen Mary drawing-room appears to be much the same as when she dwelt in this Highland castle. By her residence at Castle Menzies the queen got to understand somewhat of Highland life, with the condition of the "old tenants of the Menzies." She also learned from Sir Alexander about the persecuted MacGregors, how they had been forced from their dwellings by the Campbells ; on learning which " a bright gleam came over Queen Mary," who for a moment applied her sound political judgment to the situation. She then wrote to her friend, in the year 1563, Sir Alexander the Menzies, on behalf of the Clan Gregor, who had been ejected for their misdeeds, and Queen Mary thus pleads for the poor MacGregors : — " As they cannot live without some roumes, we pray yow to permit them to occupy the same lands they had of yow before, and make them reasonable takkis thereupon usual terms, as ye will do us thankfull pleasure. Marie R." — Nisbets Plates, by Andrew Ross, S.S.C, & F.SA. Scot, p. 156. [page_189 A.D. 1563] Sir Alexander at the time of his death was about 62 years of age, being born about 1501. His death must have happened in the discharge of some duty when in Perth, as we find that Sir Alexander the Menzies of that Ilk died on the 7th March 1563 at Perth. He was one of the first Highland chiefs to become Protestant, for which he was surnamed the " Renouncer of the Mass." His death is thus recorded in the Cronykil of Fortingall : — " Obiit Allexander Menses de eodem apnd Perth et sepultus abidem septimo die Mertii anno Domini MV C sexta tre yeris. Abremuntianit nissam et sacramentum altaris." Translation : — 7th March 1563. Alexander Menzies of that Ilk died at Perth, and was buried away at " Weem," on the 7th day of March 1563. He Renounced the MASS and Sacrament of the Altar. Sir Alexander Menzies married, first, Janet Campbell, of whom he had a son and heir and a daughter. 1st. James Menzies, afterwards Chief, born about the year 1523. He married, secondly, Catherine MacGhie — the contract of marriage is in Castle Menzies Charter Room — by whom he had three sons, who are — 2nd. James Menzies, the ancestor of the branch family of Culdares, who is mentioned in the latter will and testament of Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, in the possession of the Menzies' of Culdares. 3rd. George Menzies. 4th. Thomas Menzies of " Drone," who is mentioned in the latter will and testament of Sir Alexander, in the possession of Menzies of Culdares, who got a feu-charter from John, Archbishop of St Andrews-, of the lands of Kyrkhill to him and his wife, Margaret Ogilvey, dated 1563. 5th. Alexander Menzies of " Carmloxis." The lands of his estate lay in Glenlyon, and took their name from the mountain now called " Carn-a-Marice," which stands 3390 feet above sea-level. He appears as cautioner to a bond for 300 merks, 24th August 1594. 1st. Daughter by Janet Campbell, his first wife. Miss Menzies, who married William Robertson of Struan in 1546, through which marriage Robertson got the lands of Struan in liferent from the Menzies', their lords superior. [page_190 A.D. 1563] CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' OF NOTE. Chieftain Robert Menzies of Comry, Captain of Clan Menzies, who figures as a witness to documents of the times of 1560-61, 1563-85, and 1586, connected with bonds of manrent. John Menzies, brother to the above, who is also a frequent witness to deeds of manrent, as in 1559-60, &c. John Menzies, who was Sheriff of Peeblesshire, and was ordained to see Sir Alexander installed in his possessions of Linton, 1558. Chieftain Thomas Menzies of Pitfodels, Lord Provost of Aberdeen, 1558-67; also sat in the Parliament of Queen Mary at Edinburgh, 29th November 1558. Chieftain Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, Provost of Aberdeen, 1567; also sat in the Parliament of Queen Mary, 16th April 1567. " Patrik MENZEIS," Bailie of Aberdeen, sat in the Convention of Royal Burghs at Edinburgh, 17th April 1567, also at Dundee, 1st July 1575. Rev. Edward Menzies, Chaplain of the Altar of the Haly-ruid in Saint Nicholes Church of Aberdeen. To this office he was elected on the 11th June 1542 by "the hail Counsell, who gave and granted to their lovet servitour Maister Eward Menses their chaplanael and alter of the haly ruid in the organ loft," &c. This honourable position he held up to about 1577 ; in the intervening time many notices of great interest relating to him are recorded. [page_191 A.D. 1523-1585] Chief Jamea the "Meinyeis" 14th Baron of Menzies ; SURNAMED "THE HONOURABLE" AND THE " TRAIST FREIND " OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. A.D. 1523-1585 CHIEF JAMES THE MENZIES, during the lifetime of his father, married the Hon. Barbara Stewart, eldest daughter of John, fourth Earl of Athole, by his second wife, who was the youngest daughter of John, sixth Lord Forbes. — Nisbet, p. 244, vol. ii. The young chief married this lady in 1540, the contract of which marriage is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. On the death of his father, Sir Alexander, the young Chief James succeeded to the whole possessions and estates of Menzies, on the 7th of March 1563. He was born about the year 1523, and was therefore of such an age as to fit him for combating with the stirring times through which he lived. He figured during his father's lifetime under him at the first siege of the Castle of St Andrews, and in connection with several other important incidents. He was in attendance on Queen Mary on her first visit to Castle Menzies, and the remembrance of her many visits to the country of the Menzies' seems never to have been forgotten by Mary, who afterwards called Chief James her " Traist Freind" — true friend. On the resumption of the siege of the Castle of St Andrews in June 1547, he appears to have commanded a portion of the clan ; and, on its capture, the clan returned home. Towards the end of October 1547, the " Fiery Cross " was again sent round the vale of the Menzies', Lochs Tay, Rannoch, and Tummel, with other parts of the Menzies country, at the call of the Chief and the Regent Arran to defend Scotland against the English. The clan and their young Chief James mustered with the Scottish army at Musselburgh. They appear to have formed part of the Earl of Angus' column, which stood like a wall at the battle of Pinkie. They withstood the charge of the whole force of the English horse, and drove them off without losing a man. Angus not being supported by Campbell of Argyle nor Huntly's columns, his square was forced to retreat ; Argyle and [page_192 A.D. 1560-1563] Huntly's divisions then fled in disorder. The English pursued till near Edinburgh. In this conflict the Scots and Clan Menzies suffered great loss. Chief James the Menzies was one of the Highland Chiefs who sat in the Parliaments of Queen Mary as Baron Menzies and Lord of Rannoch. We find his name recorded in the Parliamentary Rolls, as being present at a Parliament of Mary Queen of Scots, held at Edinburgh, on the 17th of August 1560. " Sederant James Meinyeis of that Ilk." Some time before 1563, Colin Campbell of Glenurchy had let to him in life- rent from the Menzies', a lease of part of the Loch Rannoch lands, procured by Campbell under his powers of police supervision of the Clan Gregor, but finding that the MacGregors made it rather hot for him, he entered into a bond of agreement with Ranald MacDonald, the chieftain of the Keppoch sept of the clan MacDonald, that he might aid him. He, therefore, sublet to him part of these lands, so that the MacDonalds should support him in his quarrels with the MacGregors and other tenants on the Menzies' lands, whom he had power to plunder of all their goods as being " our soverane Lady's rebells" The bond reads, as follows : — "At Balloch, the 25 April 1563. It is agreed between Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay on the one part, and Rannald M'Ranneld M'Couilglas of Cappycht ' Keppoch ' on the other part, in manner following, the said Colyne haveing of our soverane Lady the gift of escheit of the Clangregour, now being our soverane Lady's rebels, of their takes, rowmis, stedings, guids and geir ; and also haveing off James Menyeis, the Laird of Weyme, in liferent the twelve merk land of Rannocht, on the west side of the watter of Erachtie to haif set in assedatioun to the said Rannald, his heirs male, and subtenents of no higher degree nor himself, the twenty pound land of Rannocht auld extent, with their pertenants, with the loch Isle and fishings of the same, for all the days that the said Colyne or his heirs has entres to the foresaid lands, with corns, crops, plenishing upon the said lands, except the goods and gear within Glenco and my Lord of Ergile bundis pertaining to the said Coline by the escheit, with power to set the said lands to subtennants of lower degree nor himself, of any surname (the Clangregour alwas excepted), paying yearlie for the foresaid twelve merk land of Rannocht ten pundis maill to the said Coline dureing his liferent, and also for the lands on the east side of Erachtie dureing the gift of the takis of the said Colyne's escheit mailis and dewties use and want conforme to the payment that M'Gregour should have made James Meingeis, the Laird of Weyme. And after the furthering of the said Colyne liferent and takis, he and his heirs shall do their exact diligens in obtening of new takis or liferent upon all the foresaid lands, and thereafter make the said Rannald and his heirs tytill thereof to be held of the said Colyne and his heirs for such malis and other dewties as they shall obtain the same, and the said [page_193 A.D. 1563-1564] Colyne and his heirs shall defend the said Rannald and his heirs and subtennants in the foresaid lands, so long as the said Colyne and his heirs has richt to the same, and also in all their honest querrellis against all . . . the Queen's Majestie and the Erie of Ergile excepted, for the which the said Rannald obliges him, his heirs, friends, servants, and part-takers to be leill trew servants to the said Colyne and his heirs in all their just quarrels against all, the Queen's Majestie, hir authority excepted, and the said Rannald shall labour and manure the foresaid lands of Rannocht, and make his principal residence thereupon, ay, and untill he may bring the same to quietnes for the common weill of the Countrie, and shall not suffer any of the Clangregour to have entries or intromission of the foresaid lands, and also shall keep the forrests and woods of the said lands, and keep the said Colyne and his heirs scaythtles thereof at all hands, quhom efferis and inhabitants of the said lands of Rannocht to serve the said Colyne and his heirs AS THEY SHALL BE REQUIRED 'BY THE Laird OF Weem,' and no other under the authorite, and that at the command of the said Rannald and his heirs. Atour the said Rannald and his heirs foresaid obliges them to persew at their uttermost power so many of the Clangregour as are now our soverane Lady's rebellis, and apprehend and bring them to the said Colyne and his heirs, to be puneist according the laws, and in case they may not be tane, to be slane conform to our soverane Lady's commission, given thereupon, for stauching of such malefactors, and the said Rannald and his heirs shall not tak the foresaid lands of Rannocht at the hands of any others except the said Colyne and his heirs, or at the leist without licence, in witness of the which thing both the said parties subscribed this present contract before thir witness — Robert Menyes of Cumry, James Menyes, his brother-german, Oliver Murray, James Ruthven, Dugal M'Roy M'Lauchlin, Alexander M'Ane V'Angus, and Andro Quhit, notar-public — Colin Campbell of Glenarquhay. Rananal M'Rannald M'Couilglas of Cappycht, with my hand at the pen." — Black Book of Taymouth, p. 206. Immediately after the arrangement was concluded, the MacDonalds of Kep- poch (acting under the crafty guidance of Campbell of Glenurchy) commenced to rebuild the dismantled Menzies Fort or Castle of the Isle of Loch Rannoch (which, by an order of James V., had been demolished, as it was always a source of consider- able disturbance to the neighbourhood), the aim being to drive the MacGregors from the lands of Rannoch and hold their goods under Glenurchy's warrant. Queen Mary again visited Castle Menzies and the Vale of the Menzies' in Athole, in the month of August 1564. The Chief James the Menzies received the queen with loyal Highland hospitality, as only Highland chiefs in those days could do. She had in this visit the pleasure of using the magnificent cabinet she had presented to his father. She also used the settee she had given him, which is thought to have been reserved for her use when attending religious worship in [page_194 A.D. 1563-1564] St David Menzies' Auld Kirk o' Weem. A description of this grand old relic will be of interest : — " The Queen Mary Settee " at Castle Menzies is made of black oak. It is about 7 feet long by about 5 feet high over all at the back. The " haffits," or end posts, have a gracefully curved projection to the front above the seat, forming an arm-rest at each end. The exterior of the haffits gradually taper concavely from the arm-rests upwards for about 24 inches, when they curve outward, inward, and upward, with a half fleur-de-lis terminal at the top of each. The carving on the haffits' exterior is a rich diaper of Celtic design, each of the diamond shapes being similar, but still different. The greater number of the diper sections are so designed that, on close examination, a distinct cross is found. Round the inner and outer edge of the haffits run a border (following the curves of its outline) of a beautiful, chaste design of " The Ash" — the badge of Clan Menzies. The back is formed of 3 horizontal " rails," each richly carved. The carving on the top rail is a running pattern, which forms in its centre the fleur-de-lis, erect and suspended. The centre and bottom rails are also carved with a running waved design (both different) of a floral Celtic character. The bottom and centre rails are connected by 6 intermediate upright " styles," each carved to show a branch of " The Ash." Between the styles are 7 exquisitely carved panels, forming a diamond in the centre, of Celtic design, emblematical of the 7 branches of the clan. Between the top and centre rails are 3 vertical styles (carved to represent branches of " The Ash "), forming between them 4 elongated panels, also carved with floral Celtic designs. On the top rail stand 3 vertical terminals, representing carved fleur-de-lis. There are also 2 half styles attached to the hafflts, richly carved, with 2 half fleur-de-lis terminals to each, balancing the design, and leaving 3 spaces between the terminals. The spaces are filled in with 4 richly carved creatures of the Celtic imagination, representing something between a dragon, lizard, and a dolphin. The seat rail is carved of a continuous design which displays fleur-de-lis entertwined with each other, the whole being a grand example of harmony in Celtic art. As a mark of her residence in Castle Menzies, Queen Mary had granted them the right to have a panel with the royal arms of Scotland sculptured out on the front of Castle Menzies, the same as on her cabinet. This, it is thought, was done immediately after her first visit, and is still in splendid preservation. The panel is above the windows of the old banqueting hall, about the centre of the front elevation of the castle. On examination, it can be seen where the panel has been fitted in, as there are several small stones put in to fill up the spaces around the outer edges of the panel. In addition to the Queen Mary drawing-room, already referred to, there is connected to it by a narrow passage what must have been " Queen Mary's Boudoir " ; and here is another piece of what is called the " Queen Mary Tapestry," from her [page_195 A.D. 1564] having had this room set apart for herself. The subject of the tapestry seems to be a connecting picture to the others already described, and is classic, representing on its left side a fountain, where the chief figure is a nude cupid pouring water out of a jug into a vase held by another cupid. Round the basin are four children, one of whom has been knocked over, and another is pouring water over him. The whole is artistic, and at the same time humorous. The colour has been exquisite, although now faded. It measures about 7 feet broad by about 8 feet high. " Queen Mary's Bed Chamber " is still one of the venerated apartments of Castle Menzies ; it is right above the east end of the old banqueting hall, and in commemoration of her having used it, the ceiling has been ornamented with decorative plaster work. In the centre are 2 circular mouldings, from which branch 4 mouldings, dividing the ceiling into 4 quarters. Round the outer ring of the centre and within each quarter are moulded out in strong relief, the THISTLE, ROSE, HARP, and FLEUR-DE-LIS, twice repeated, and are also intersected at 4 points by an ornamental vase with flowers. Within the double ring of the centre circles are 4 pairs of reclining nude figures. Within this again, in the centre of all, is a marriage escutcheon (fitted in afterwards) showing the marriage of a Menzies on the right (male), with a Campbell on the left (female), dated 1660. The 4 dividing bars stretching out from this main centre connect it with 4 smaller circles, and within these are 4 winged angelic heads. In the centre of each is a monogram consisting of the letters D. M. It was while Queen Mary was on this visit to the chief of Clan Menzies that he informed Her Majesty of the action of Colin Campbell of Glenurchy, who had far exceeded his licence against Clan Gregor, and pointed out that all these old tenants of his and his forefathers were being driven off his lands ; and instead of the MacGregors, was bringing in strangers to Rannoch, causing many families of the MacGregors (who were his peaceful tenants) to be destitute and starving. The queen was so much affected by these representations that she determined to put a stop to the actions of ' the greedy Campbells ' of Glenurchy, in their acts of spoliation on the MacGregors, and also to stop them in erecting the fortress on the Menzies Isle of Rannoch. Accordingly, she had a letter drawn out while at Castle Menzies. She was at the time preparing to attend a royal stag-hunt, then being organised as a part of her entertainment while in the Highlands. On arriving at the hunting-ground (where a booth was erected for her) the queen signed her letter, and appears to have handed it to Chief James the Menzies, who had an official copy made of it, which is as follows : — Letter by Mary Queen of Scots to Colin Campbell of [Glenurchy], in reference to the MacGregors in Rannoch, &c, and dated at Glentilt (in Athole), 3rd August 1 564 : — " Traist freind, we greit yow wele. We remember we disponit to yow the [page_196 A.D. 1564] escheitis of certaine personis of the Clangregour, duelland in the Rannoch, and be that way sute ye the entres to thair stedingis ; and we ar informit that ye have plasit Makrannald in the samin rowmes quhairof the heretage pertenis to ' James Meingeis,' the Laird of Weym, and thairof Mackgregour had neuir takkis of him. We are suirlie informit that the said Mackrannald is alreddy to big ane hous and strenth within the Ile of Lochrannoch, and to laubour the grind of the lands adicent ; quhilk hous wes castin doun and distroyit at command of our fader of guid memory, as your self hes laithe done sen syne. And sen it hes allwayis bene a receptacle and refuge to offendouris, we waitt nocht to quhat effect the biging of it or any strenth in the Heland suld serve without our speciall command, and that the causis wer of befoir considerit be ws and our counsale. For to output the Glengregour and impute vther brokin men of the like condition, all wayis sic as of any continewance wer neuir permanent in our obedience, we jugeit nocht mete nor expedient to be done. And, thairfoir, our plesour is, that ye causs the werk begun in the Ile within the said loch to ceiss ; and not that onlie, bot all vther innouatioun quhairof your nychbouris may justelie complene, especiallie the inbringing of strangeris of vther clannis and cuntres. Bot lat all thingis rest without alteratioun our returning, and than mete was other at Sanct Johnstoun or Dunde, as ye heir of our dyett, quhair we sail tak sik ordour in this behalf as apertenis to your ressonable contentment. Subscriuit with our hand, at the Lunkartis in Glentilth, the third day of August 1564. Marie R." — Contemporary Official Copy, in Charter Room of Castle Menzies. On Her Majesty appending her name to the foregoing, she then proceeded to attend the stag-hunt, accompanied by the Chief of the Menzies and other Highland chiefs, the Highlanders having built for Queen Mary the hunting-house. This building, on the conclusion of the hunt, was set on fire and burnt to the ground. No trace of it can now be found within Glentilt. Following up the letter of remonstrance to Colin Campbell, a summons was issued by Queen Mary, in which she refers to her visit to the Chief " James Menzeis of that Ilk ;" a contemporary copy of which is in Castle Menzies Charter Room, and reads thus : — " Summons in the name of Queen Mary and under the signet at Edinburgh, 29th September 1564, on the narrative that a complaint had been made by James Menzeis of that Ilk, and that whereas he had the lands of Rannoch and forestry thereof in few farm heritably ; and because Coline Campbell of Glenurquhay, and Ranald M'Ranald M'Couilglas, under pretext of a gift of escheat to the said Colin of the goods of the Laird M'Grigor, the Queen's rebel, and at the horn had intruded themselves wrongously in the Isle of Lochrannoch, and the said James's lands of Rannoch 'be-est the vatter of Erachtie,' and were bigging and [page_197 A.D. 1564] fortifying the said isle to the trouble of the whole country ; the said Ranald and his complices being of the Clanrannald and Clanchamroun and 'vtheris of the maist broken clanns within oure realm.' That the said James MEINGEIS had complained of this to the Queen at her late being in Atholle in the Lunkairtis ' ; where being in her progress she could not take order for reformation thereof, but wrote to the said Coline to cease from building in the said isle, and bringing in of strangers of other clans and countries, and to meet the Queen on her return, either at St Johnstoun or Dundie, where she would take such order as might appertain to his reasonable contentment : Nevertheless, they had still continued to fortify the said isle : And that when the Queen had given the said Coline, gratis, the gift of the escheat, it was for the expulsion of the Clan Gregour, and not under pretence of it to fortifie the said isle, which strenth had been demolished in her father's time, and again at her command by the said Coline ; nor had ever command been given to repair it or occupy the said James Meingeis lands, to which the Clangregour had no right ; far less would it be allowed to place in the said James's lands the Clanrannald and Clanchamroun, who, if once permitted to get possession, would ever after claim kindness thereto : That the said Coline had met the Queen at her home-coming at Perth, and was commanded by our bruther James, Earl of Murray, to come to Edinburgh, to answer the said complaint, which he had failed to do. Summoning the said Coline, therefore, to appear before the Queen and the Lords of her Council within 10 days after warning." — No. 204. These letters of Queen Mary show that, during this part of her reign at least, she had a sympathetic ear to the wrongs of her subjects. The memory of her friendly visits to the Chief James the Menzies make his descendants highly prize the many relics of the unfortunate Queen. A portrait of Queen Mary, painted in oil by Sir John Medina, is still preserved in the old Queen Mary drawing-room at Castle Menzies. It was exhibited in the International Exhibition of Glasgow in 1887, in the Royal Stewart collection of the Bishop's Palace, along with the Queen Mary Cabinet already described. Colin Campbell, not having complied with the injunctions of the foregoing letter, was summoned before the Privy Council, The following is the record given of the case before the Lords of Queen Mary's Council : — "Reign of Queen Mary. " Complaint — Menzies of tat Ilk, against Campbell of Glenurchy and M'Rannald of Keppoch, for wrongous intrusion on his isle in Loch Rannoch and its fortification, parties cited, and charged to remove from the isle, unless cause be showen for posses- sion. Fortification and placeing of broken men and Highlanders therein prohibited." James Menzies of that Ilk recovers the isle of Loch Rannoch, seized from him, at Edinburgh, 19th October 1564. [page_198 A.D. 1564] " The quilk day, anent our Soverane Ladiis letters, purchest be James Menzeis of that Ilk agains Coline Campbell of Glenurquhy, for the wrangus intrusion of himself, and of Rannald M'Rannald M'Couilglas of Keppoch, and utheris in his name, in the isle within the Loch of Rannoch, pertening heretabillie to said James, and fortification thairof, the Ouenis Magesteis inhibitioun maid in the contrair, and anent the charge gevin to the said Coline to haif comperit befoir hir Hienes and Lordis of Secreit Counsall at ane certane day bigane, to haif ansuerit to the said James' complaint, with certificatioun, and he failyeit hir Majestie, and the saidis Lordis wald proceid and tak ane ordour anent the samyn complaint, as appertenit of ressoun, lyke as at mair lenth is contenit in the saidis lettres. The said James Menzeis comperand personalie, and the said Coline being callet, nowther comperit personalie himself, nor any in his name, fully instructed with his mynd and havand his power ; thairfor the Lordis of Secreit Counsall ordanis lettres to be direct to officiaris of the Quenis Shereffis in that part, chargeing thame to pas command, and charge the said Coline Campbell to compeir befoir the Ouenis Majestie and thair Lordschipis at Edinburgh, or quhair it sal happin thame to be for the tyme, upoun the secund day November nix-to-cum, to heir him be decernit to remove himself, the said Rannald M'Rannald, and all utheris, his partakaris and servandis, furth of the said Ile in the said Loch Rannoch, and deliver the samyn to the said James Menzeis, to be usit be him at his plesour thaireftir as his heretage, or ellis to allege ane ressonabill caus quhy the samyn sould nocht be done ; with certificatioun to him, and he failye, that lettres salbe direct to charge him simpliciter thairto, and als the said Coline to ansure upoun his contempt in dissobeying the Quenis Majesteis writting send to him, inhibitand all fortificatioun of the said He, and placeing of brokin men of far Hielandis and clannis thairin ; and for the wrangus fortificatioun and bigging of the said Ile, eftir the presenting of the said writting to him, with certificatioun to him, and he failye, ordour sal be takin thairanent for dew punisement of the said Coline, as appertenis of ressoun." — Reg. Prv. Co/., Scot., pp. 289, 290, vol. i. Decree having been given in absence against Colin Campbell, an opportunity was allowed him to defend his actions on the 3rd November following, when he was represented by an advocate, who made the following defence : — "Reign of Queen Mary. "At Edinburgh, 3rd November 1564. " The quilk day, anent oure Soverane Ladiis lettres, purchest be James Menzeis of that Ilk, aganis Coline Campbell of Glenurquhy, for the wrangus incursioun of himself and of Rannald M'Rannald M'Couilglas of Keppach, and uthers in his name, in the Ile within the Loch of Rannoch, pertening heretabilie to the said James (Menzeis), and fortificatioun thairof, sen the Ouenis Majesteis [page_199 A.D. 1564] inhibitioun maid in the contrair. And anent the charge gevin to the said Coline to haif comperit befoir hir Hienes and Lordis of hir Secreit Counsall at ane certane day begane, to heir him decernit to remove himself, the said Rannald M'Rannald, and all utheris his servindis and partakaris, furth of the said Ile in the said Lochrannoch. And to deliver the samyn to the said James (Menzeis), to be usit be him at his plesour, thairftir as his heretage, as at mair lenth is contenit in the saidis lettres. The said James Menzeis comperand personalie, and the said Coline comperand be Maister Johnne Scharp, his procuratour, quha proponit peremptourlie ane exceptioun, lerand that the said Coline Campbell aucht noucht to be decernit to have instrusit himself in the Ile callit the Ile of Rannoch, nor yit sauld be decernit to remove thairfra at the instance of the said James Menzeis, nor fra the landis of Rannoch, as is desyrit in the said summondis, for the ressonis and caussis contenit in the said exceptioun, as the samyn mair fullelie proportis. Quhilk being fundin relivant be the Lordis of Secreit Counsall, thay have continewit the mater in the samyn forme, force, and effect, as it is now, but prejudice of party, unto the xxv day of November instant ; and thairfoir ordanis the said Coline (Campbell) to have letters to summond sic witnessis as he will use for preving of the said exceptioun agane the said day, undir the pane of rebellioun of thame to the home ; and to produce sic writtis, ressions, and dcumentis as he will use for preving of the exceptioun forsaid agane the said day. The partiis and thair procuratouris ar warnit heirimto apud acta. " The quhilk day, the said James Menzeis on the ane part, and the said Maister Johnne Scharp, procuratour for the said Coline, on that uther part, ar content and consentis that the Lordis of Secreit Counsall be jugeis to this mater, and submittis the samyn to thair jugement. " The quhilk day, in presence of the Lordis of Secreit Counsall, comperit James Menzeis of that Ilk, Johnne Stewart in Lorne, Maister Johnne Abircrumby, Cuthbert Ramsay, Maister Johnne Spence in freir Wynd, burgessis of Edinburgh, and ane nobill and mychty lord, Johnne Erie of Atholl, Lord of Balvany, as souertie to releve thame ; and gaif in this obligatioun, subscrivit with thair handis, quhilk thai desyrit to be actit and registrat in the bukis of Secret Councall, to have the strenth of ane act and decreit of the Quenis Majestie and Lordis thairof. Quhilk desyre the sadis Lordis thocht ressonabill, and thairfoir ordanis the samyn obligatioun to be actit and registrat in the sadis bukis of Counsall, to have the strenth of ane act and decreit of hir Majestie and Lordis foirsaidis ; and lettres and excutorallis to be direct thairupon gif neid be, in forme as efferis, of the quhilk obligatioun the tennour ; — Be it kend till all men be thir present lettres, us, James Menzeis of that Ilk, Johnne Stewart in Lorne, Maister Johnne Abircumby, Cuthbert Ramsay, and Maister Johnne Spens in Freir Wynd, [page_200 A.D. 1564-1565] burgessis of Edinburgh, to be bundin and obleist, and be the tennour heirof bindis and obleissis us, conjunctlie and severalie, a cautionaris for Donald Dow M'Conill M'Ewin, capitane of Clanchamroun, that he sail remane in fre ward within the burgh of Edinburgh, and on na wayis depart furth of the samyn, ay, and quhill the said Ewin find Johne Grant of Frewchy, or sic uther sufficent souertie as oure Soverane Lady and Lordis of hir Secreit Counsall salbe content with all, that the said Donald sail entir and compeir befoir hir Hienes, at sic day and place as thai sail appoint, to ansuer, upoun sic thingis as salbe laid to his Charge, upon xxx dayis warning, owther to be maid to the said Donald or to his souertie, undir the pane of twa thousand merkis, according to the obligatioun maid thairupon, undir the samyn pane of twa thowsand merkis, to be payit to hir Majestie or hir Hienes Thesurare, in caise the said Donald eschaip or eschew befoir the finding of the said caution, and for releif of the saidis cautionaris, we, Johnne Erl of Atholl, bindis and obleissis us, oure airis and excutouris, and als for payment of quhatsumevir coistis, skayth, entres or dampnage thai or ony of thame sal happin to sustene throw the premissis ; and for the mair securite, we ar content and consentis that this oure obligatioun be actit and registrat in the bukis of Secreit Counsall, to haif the strenth of ane act and decreit of the Quenis Majestie and Lordis thairof, and letters and executoriallis to be direct thairupon gif neid be, in forme as efferis, in witnes of the quilk thing we haif oure lettres obligatouris with oure handis, ad Edinburgh, the third day of November, the yeir of God MVC thre scoir and four yeris, befoir witnessis : Johnne Fentoun, Comptrollar Clerk, Williame Brysoun, Williame Foulis, Kepar of the Chekker Hous dur, and Menzeis of Cumry, with utheris diverse." This prompt action of Chief James the Menzies against Colin Campbell saved the Clan Gregor from destruction in north-west Perthshire. Had Campbell been permitted to go on in fortifying the Isle of Rannoch, the MacGregors would eventually have been exterminated ; but by the energy of the Menzies' they were saved, and the commission which Campbell had obtained against them was taken from him. The following is the record of his discharge : — " Henry and Mary. "Discharge of Glenurchy's Commission at Edinburgh, 26th August 1565. " The King and Quenis Majesteis, undirstanding that thair wes ane commissioun gevin be hir Hienes of befoir to Colene Campbell of Glenurquhy, gevand and committand to him full power to pas, serche, and seik all manner of personis, dwelland in quhatsumevir partis or places of this realme, quhilkis in any tyme sould happin to sesset ony rebellis and surname of Clangregour, or thair complices, or to furneis thame — oppinlie, quietlie, or be quhatsumevir [page_201 A.D. 1564-1565 ] uther cullour — meit, drink, claythis, armour, or "utheris necessaris ; and apprehend and tak thame and send thame to the Justice or his Deputtis to undirly the law thairfoir, as the said commissioun, of the dait at Edinburgh, the vii day of Januare, the yeir of God MVC lxiii yeris mair fullelie proportis. Quhilk commissioun the said Colene hes nocht onlie allutrlie abusit, bot als under cullour thairof hes, be himself and utheris wickit personis his complices in his name, of his causing command, assistance and ratihabitioun committit sensyne diverse and sundry sorningis, oppressionis, herschippis, spulyeis, yea, and crewell slauchteris, upoun diverse our saidis Soveranis liegis, nocht being rebellis ; and thairthrow the said commissioun is worthie to be dischargeit and annullit. Quhairfoir, oure saidis Soveranis, be thir presentis thairof, and decernis the samyn to expyre and haif na forder strenth in tymes cuming for the caussis foirsaidis ; and ordanis lettres to be direct heirupoun to mak publicatioun heirof in forme efferis, swa that nane of thair Graces' leigis pretend ignorance heirof." — Reg. Prv. Col. Scot., pp. 293, 4. After the recall of the commission of Colin Campbell, and the success of Chief James the Menzies of that Ilk over him, the condition of the Rannoch Highlands settled down to quiet once more. The Government, to make the country of the Menzies' safe with their tenants the MacGregors, compelled Colin Campbell of Glenurchy, to give "bandis and obligationis" for the peace of the Highlands, under a penalty. This bond was signed by Colin Campbell, 13th November 1564. We also find, by the following note regarding the annulling of Colin Campbell's commission, that it speaks strongly of the savage, unscrupulous nature of the man : — " Campbell of Glenurchy, having got a commission against the abbetors of the rebels, has used his power for oppressing, spoiling, and slaughtering the faithful leiges. The Commission Revoked. 24th Aug. 1564." — Reg. Prv. Col., p. 294, vol. i. The kindly feeling and friendship which had sprung up between Queen Mary and the Chief of Clan Menzies, during Her Majesty's various visits to Castle Menzies — where she, by her keen perception, saw in the chief a man whom she could trust, and one who would faithfully carry out her instructions in all matters — she, therefore, entrusted him with confidential messages to Queen Elizabeth, who, on application being made to her, granted a safe-conduct through England to the Court in favour of Chief James the Menzies, as ambassador or envoy special to Queen Mary. The record of this grant from the English State Papers reads thus : — "7th July 1565. Drury to Cecil. Has heard that the ambassador, John Hay, has made some stay in Yorkshire." " Elizabeth has given a safe-conduct to Jambes Meneyze to pass to the Court." — Foreign State Papers, 1 292, p. 406. It appears that the chief was obliged to stay some time at the Court of Queen Elizabeth, as during a great part of the reign of Queen Mary the embassies had many details to enter into, on account of the religious and political condition of the country. In any case, his mission seems to have been of a private and important [page_202 A.D. 1566] nature, and was discharged by him to the entire satisfaction of his Queen, as it is after this that she calls him her " Traist freind "¦ — True Friend. Not long after the return of Chief James from the Court of Queen Elizabeth he received the following letter from Queen Mary in favour of his old tenants the Clan Gregor, who had been driven from his lands by Colin Campbell. Here is the letter : — Mary Queen of Scots to the Laird of Weym, relative to the Clan Gregor in Rannoch. Dated at Drymen in (Menteith), 31st August 1566. " Traist Freind, we greit yow weill. We vnderstand that diuerss personis of the Clangregour occupiit and inhabit your landis of the Rannoch, fra the quhilk thay wer eiectit the tyme of thair rebellioun. Now, as ye knaw, we have ressanit thame in our peax, and sen thai can not leif without sum rowmes and possesionis, we pray and effectuuslie desire you to permitt thaim to occupie and manure the same landis and stedingis quhilkis thai had and broukit of you of before, and mak thame ressonable takkis thairvpoun for payment of males and dewiteis, vsit and wont, as ye will do ws thankfull plesour. And further, quhair as ye may feir to be constrenit to ansuer for the saidis personis and thair doyngis, as duelland vpoun your land, be vertew of the generall band, we be thair presentis, exoneris, relevis, and dischargis yow of your said band in that behalf, sa fer as the samyn may extend towert ony personis of the said Clangregour or vtheris imputt in your landis be thame ; and will and grantis that ye sail na wis be callit, accusit, or in ony wys persewit thairfoir, nochtwithstanding the said generall band thairfoir, nochtwith- standing the said generall band or ony clause thairin conteni or vther lawis or ordinances quhatsumeuir, anent the quhilkis we dispens be thir presentis. Gevin vnder our signet and subscriuit our signet and subscriuit with our hand, at Drymmen, the last day of August 1566." " To our Traist Freynd (True Friend), the Laird of Weym. MARIE R." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 35. From this letter it is evident that Queen Mary took a kindly interest in her Highland subjects, and she seems to have talked the matter over with the chief as to the condition of the country and the MacGregors, with the causes of their rebellion and persecution by Glenurchy. Acting on his advice, she withdrew the Acts against them granted by James V., her father, and also relieved him from the responsibility of their conduct. The chief was willing to give them every chance, as he had got the power of the Campbells taken from Glenurchy. He thereby, although at much expense and the enmity of the Campbells, saved the MacGregors from extermination, and laid them under a great obligation to the Menzies. The MacGregors, therefore, went on well for about three years. The Campbells, always on the alert for something against the MacGregors, and [page_203 A.D. 1569] an opportunity occurring, they proceeded to form a confederacy against them. They had a bond drawn out, in which they, without his knowledge, inserted the name of Chief James the Menzies of that Ilk, as one of the party ; but he, on learning its nature, refused to be a party or to sign his name to such a deed. We here give this bond of agreement, showing where they had inserted his name in the body of the bond ; but it stands to show that his name is not attached to it : — " At Ballocht, 6 May 1569. It is finalie endit between Johnne, Earle of Atholl, Lord Balvany for himself, and takeing the burden upon him for James Menzes of that Ilk, William Stewart of Grantullie, and the rest of his kin, friends, servants, defenderis, upon the one part ; and Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay, for himself and takeing the burden upon him for Johne Campbell of Laweris, Duncan Campbell of Glenlyoun, and the rest of his kin, friends, dependeris, upon the other part, in manner after following, both the said parties movit for the zele of God, and having respect to the tranquilitie and quietness of the inhabitants of this realme, and specially of their own bounds, and for suppressing and stanching of murtheraris, thevis, robaris, oppressors, sornaris revesaris of women, and raisaris of fire, and also for being commandit thereto be our Soverane Lords authoritie, conforme to the generall band made by our umquhile Soverane Lord, King James Fyft, and approved now laitlie by our Soverane Lord and his hienes regent. Therefore to be bundin that they shall plain leill trew and afald part in presewing, invadeing, and suppressing of all such wicket and evil persons, and specially the CLANGREGOUR, which daily uses themselves most horribly in the foresaid crimes, intollerable to the leigis of thir bounds lying next to them, and that nether one of the said parties sail appoint with any of the said Clangregour in any time comeing by the advise of others, ay, and untill they be broucht under obediens to our Soverane Lord, or else banished the realme, or wrecked within the same ; and likewise the said James Menzes of that Ilk, William Stewart of Grantullie, Johne Campbell of Laweris, and Duncan Campbell of Glenlyoun ratifies this present contract in all things. In witness of the which thing by the said parties and persons above written has subscribed this Present Contract — Johne, Erll of Atholl. Collin Campbell of Glenwrquhay. W. Stewart off Grantullye. Jhone Campbell off Lawiris. Duncan Campbell of Glenlyoun." — Black Book of Taymouth, p. 213. Chief James the Menzies (from his action towards the confederacy of the Campbells and the Earl of Athole) would not form one of the plotting party against the MacGregors. The Earl of Athole and the Campbells (for political purposes on the other hand) dissembled their intentions towards him, and (owing to the [page_204 A.D. 1569-1572] condition of the country) they found it necessary to keep up a show of friendship. A large meeting was arranged to meet on the Menzies estates, at an old hall of the Menzies' called Tomethogill or Ton-an-t-Sogail. This old castellic hall stood above the present large residential house called " Tirinie," near the ford of the river Lyon, not far from Castle Comerie, which is on the south bank of the river, Tomethogill being on the opposite and north side of the Lyon. This old hall has now disappeared, not a vestige of it remains ; there is no house even on its site to mark the spot. The projected meeting took place on the 2nd September 1570. We give the record of it, from the Chronicle of Fortingall : — " 1570, September 2d. The secund day of September the year forsaid, the Erll of Hummylton, the Ald Duke of Scotland, the Erll of Argyll, the Erll of Awtholl, the Bissop of Sanctandros, the Abbot of Kylmounyn, the Lord Secutor, the Lord Catnes, and many vderis lordis and men of gud conwenyt tegyddar, at the furd of Lyon, and ther they sat ane consal in the hall of Tomethogill ; I can nocht tell quhat vas concludyt ther." At this famous council " every man accused another," and there was great variance ; its political purpose was to hinder the Convention of States. — Calderwood's History of the Kirk of Scotland, p. 13, vol. iii. It was in 1571 that the marriage escutcheon was put above the ancient entrance to Castle Menzies. On the right half of the shield is the Menzies arms, as the male ; on the left is the Stewart, as the female. The square is finished by a moulding round it, upon which is cut 1571. The whole is beautifully carved, and as sharp to-day as when it was sculptured out of the stone. This date has been often mistaken as indicating the erection of the castle, but it only records the year when this memorial was inserted into the wall, to commemorate the marriage of Chief James the Menzies with the Hon. Barbara Stewart, eldest daughter of the Earl of Athole — their initials, J.M., B.S., entwined with cord representing love-knots, being also carved out of the stone. Over all is the Menzies motto, "VlL God I Zal." The iron-grated door is of great strength, having a strengthening bar going right across the door, with a socket cut in each lintel to receive its ends. The entrance is defended by two gunholes. At some distance to the left from the door is a round aperture (which is shown on the illustration), cut through the wall to the interior. This was used as a kind of punishment " branks " ; the arm of a culprit was put through it and secured by a bracket and chain in the inside, leaving him standing outside in the weather. Above each of the loop-holes on the ground floor are windows defended by strong iron grilles, constructed on the same principle as the door. In 1572 reference is made to Castle Menzies in a grant of the life-rent of the lands of Weem, made by the chief to Lady Menzies, in which it appears a portion was to be reserved for the restoration of part of the old castle, still unrepaired. The following is a translation of this grant : — [page_205 A.D. 1572] "James VI., at Leith, 24th July 1572. The king confirms a grant by James Meingeis of Menzies, who concedes to Barbara Stewart, his spouse, during her life, the rents of the lands and houses and manis of Weme, with castle, fortalice, and lands of the same, by which to renew altogether the old castle, edifice, gardens, parks, and fruit-trees of the barony of Meingeis, shire of Perth, reserving said James one-tenth part and possession, witnesses — Thomas Lyndesay of Logeis, John Mengeis, rector of Weme, John Banerman, junr., D. Duncanson, notaro. At Menzies, 27th September 1571. Superior said lands, &c, whatsomever." — Register of Great Seal, 2082. Scotland being much divided and torn by religious troubles during the minority of James VI., the nobles formed themselves into parties, with frequent consultations, such as took place at the Menzies Hall of Tomethogill. The Earl of Athole, Argyle, and others represented the extreme Protestant party. The Earl of Huntly, the Menzies' of Aberdeenshire, and others still adhered to the Romish Church; and as Huntly was related to "The Menzies," he looked to him for support. Having to meet the Earl of Athole at Dunkeld, Huntly thus writes to the Chief James Menzies as follows : — "The Earl of Huntly to his treist cusing 'James Menzeis off that Ilk.' Huntlie, 19th October 1572. The Earl intimates his intention to meet the Earl of Athole on the 1st or 2nd of the next month, either at Dunkeld or Blair, ' and giff it be in Dunkell, I treist my L. Atholl will be circumspect, be resone off mony falsattis and desnitis now visit in this varild.' He may visit James Menzeis at his ' awin ' house, and ' omitt langer ' letter till then." In a postscript, he adds — " This same tyme ther beis ane contentioun in Perth betwix sum off owrs and off the vther perties, as I am assurit ye haiff hard." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 83. This letter gives us some idea of the condition in which Scotland was placed, politically and religiously ; and from the tone of the letter, the Chief James Menzies seems to have a leaning to the side of Huntly. But not only was the chief sought for advice on political matters, but was looked to as a friend in matrimonial affairs, &c, as the following letter will show : — " R. Creightoun of Clunie, to James Meingeis, the laird of Weem. That as the writer (for the upbringing of his daughters) has contracte a marrage with a daughter of Burnbugalls, on 9th November next, he wishes the laird of Weem to provide for him some wild fowls and aquavite, and to send the same to Burnbugal, to the care of the lady thereof, and he will requite him of a greater matter. Dated at Clunie, the 12th October 1572. He has to prepare himself for his marriage, and as he gets no great tocher, he will not hurt his bairns in giving of any great dowry, and wishing one yoke of drawing oxen to his ploughs, &c. He doubts not Weem salbe contentit of the woman that I haif chosen to be my wiyf, for sche hes mony [page_206 A.D. 1573] gud qualities in wewing, schewing, and vther handie craftis, quherin sche may be helplie to our dochteris and myne." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 93. This letter of Chrichton's is invaluable as giving us some idea of the home life and qualities of a wife of the 16th century, and also of the good feeling existing between Highland chiefs and lairds at this period. The Menzies' of that Ilk have always been famous for the rearing of all kinds of cattle, and also for the herds of deer on their estates. They likewise possessed till lately a fine old breed of stag or deer-hounds. The fame of these dogs had extended to Sweden and other parts of the world even in the 16th century, owing to which the Chief James the Menzies had a request sent him by the " Lewetennant " of the King of Sweden for a leich of stag-hounds for His Majesty. This letter is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and is as follows : — "Sir Archibald Ruthven of Forteviot, Knychte, Lewetennant vnto the King's M[aiestie] of Suadin, to James Mingeis, the laird of Weem. Edinburgh, 1 July 1573. He intends to embark about the 8th instant, and desires Menzeis to obtain for him a leish of good deer-hounds as a present to the King of Sweden."— No. 84. This breed of deer-hounds seems to have been carried on by the Cadet branch, the Menzies' of Chesthill, and are now known by the name of the " Menzies' of Chesthill breed," and are reckoned the highest class of stag-hounds by the " Deer-Hound Club." Sir Alexander having neglected to procure from the Crown a renewal of his charters on his succeeding to the estates of his father, Sir Robert, for the lands of Loch Tay and the surrounding country, the usual form being to get a retour, or be served heir immediately on the death of a predecessor, this being an acknowledg- ment of the Crown by charter under the Great Seal of the King. Sir Alexander apparently neglected to do this, and no question was raised in his time nor that of his son, until 1574, when by some unknown means, Colin Campbell of Glenurchy discovered that the Menzies' had by " reason of nonentres " since the death of the late Chief, Sir Robert, the grandfather of this James. He, therefore, thought this a fitting opportunity of raising a question of the right of this Menzies to these lands. He set to work to get the favour of the then powerful Regent Morton to his scheme, and in this he succeeded, as the Regent, himself avaricious, wanted his hands strengthened, no matter how ; and such an unscrupulous character as Colin Campbell the Regent might use for his own ends by granting these lands to him, and weaken the hands of his enemy, Chief Menzies, who was for the young king. On Campbell making his representations apparently in the usual form, he thereby got a disposition of the whole lands of " Conry, Roro, Morinche [page_207 A.D. 1574-157] Eistir, Morinche Middle, Morinche Wester, Drumcrosk, Candknock, and Achmoir." This, however, was subject to reversal. Here is the disposition :- — "James VI. — Morton, Regent, 1574-5. " Menzies Barony, late Robert Menzies of that Ilk, non-entry of certain lands possed by him, granted to Campbell of Glenurchy. " Be it kend till all men be thair present letters, me, Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhy, that for samekill as our Soverane Lord, with avise and consend of his rycht traist cousing, Mortoun, Lord of Dalkeith, Regent to his Majestie, his realme and liegis, hes gevin and disponit to me, my airis and assignayis, the nonentres, males, fermis, proffeitis, and dewiteis of all and haill the of Corny, Roro, Morinche Eistir, Morinche Middill, and Morinche Westir, Duncrosk, Candknock, and Achmoir, with all cottages, outseittis, partis, pendicles, and pertinentis thairof, liand in the barony of Mengeis, within the sherefdome of Perth, of all yeris or termis bigane that the same hes bene in his hienes or his predecessouris hands as superiouris thairof be ressoun of nonentres, sen the deceis of umquhile Robert Mengeis of that Ilk, or ony uther last lauchfull possessour thairof, immediat tenent to oure Soverane Lord or his predecessouris of the samyn ; and siclyke of all yeris and termis to cum, ay, and quhill the lauchfull entre the richtuous air or airs thairto being of lauchfull aige, with the releif quhen it sal happin, as the letters of gift under the Prevy Seill maid to me thairupoun at mair lenth beirs, of the dait at Dalkeith, the seveint day of Januare, the yeir of God MVC lxxiiii yeris. Nevirtheles to be bundin and obleist, and be the tennour heirof bindis and obleissis me, my airis and assignayis, to oure Soverane Lord and his Regent, that we sail na wayis use the said gift of nonentres, bot be avise and contentment of his hienes and his Regent ; and in caise we do in the contrair, grantis and consentis that the said gift salbe of nane avale, force or effect, with all that may follow thairupon, in witnes of the quhilk thing I have subscrivit this obligatioun with my hand, at Edinburgh, the aucht day of Januare, the yeir of God MVC: lxxiiii yeris, befoir thir witnessis — David Craufurd of Blackcraig, Gawin Hammiltoun, and Johnne Andro, with utheris diverse. Sic subscribitur : Colin Campbell of Glenurquhy." — Reg. Pr. Col. Scot, pp. 426, 7, vol. ii. " Colin Campbell of Glenurchy, having been invested by grant from the Crown in the feudal due and casualties of certain domains in the barony of Menzies within the sheriffdom of Perth ; obligation that he shall not use the gift of the casualty of non-entries, otherwise than by the advice of the Sovereign and the Regent." Colin Campbell, by taking advantage of the divided state of the country and through the power of Morton, his friend, had got the foregoing entry to [page_208 A.D. 1575-1576] those lands. Yet, as the possession was got by dishonest means, it was subject to be overturned at any time. Chief James Menzies of Menzies was not allowed to defend his rights, nor ever had any notice of the claim ; and he was also the man in possession, and hereditary heir of the lands. The chief seems to have taken considerable pride in the Auld Kirk o' Weem. Among the papers in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies is a receipt for £5, paid for a bible by the chief. It reads thus : — " Receipt and discharge by William Craigy for five pounds to buy a bible for the Kirk o' Weem, 27 June 1575. " I, William Craigy, redar at the kirk at Weyme, granttis me to haif resantt fra the handis of ane honorabill man, James Menzeis of that Ilk, the sowme of fyive pundis money to by ane bible to the kirk of Weyme, eftir the tenour off our soverane lordis letteris derect thairupone ; of the quhilk sowme of fyive pundis, I, the said William Craigy, healdis me veill content and payit, quitclames and dischargis the said James Menzeis thairof, and all utheris to whom it efferris, for now and ever, be this my aquittance. Subscriutt with my hand, at Weyme, the xxvii day of Junii, the yeir of God j"V thre scoir fyften yers, befoir thir witnes — Johne Menzeis, Persone of Weyme, Johne Lindsay, and Robert M'Nair, with vtheris sindry. Villiam Cragy, with my hand." The bonds which the Menzies' had were not many, but here is a note of one from Charter Room of Castle Menzies : — " 180. Bond by John M'Ewnedoy to James Menzeis of that Ilk, to serve him and none others, the king and the Earl of Argyll excepted. Menzeis, 12 November 1575." — No. 205. As indicated by the bond of 1569, the Earl of Athole and the Campbells had formed a confederacy to reduce the MacGregors and the Chief James Menzies. The Earl of Athole had got a commission of justiciary for his lifetime over the whole of the lands in Athole and others, of which were the lands of Weme, Rannoch, &c. His justiciary the chief refused to acknowledge, but preferred that of Argyle, the result being that the Earl's followers and Clan Menzies were at constant feud, as also were Athole and Argyle. In this state of affairs some stealing had been committed ; the Regent Morton, therefore, wrote as follows to the Chief of the Menzies' : — "James, Earl of Morton, Regent of Scotland, to James Menzeis of that Ilk, Edinburgh, 28 January 1576. " Rich traist freind, efter our hertlie commendationes : We and the Previe Counsale, having taken travell at this tyme to vnderstand the occasiones of the contrauersiis betuix my lordis of Ergile and Atholl, and to put order therevnto [page_209 A.D. 1576] for the Kingis Maiesties obedience and quietnes of the cuntrie, haue seene amang other thingis, quhat charge the noblemen quhilkis travellit in the mater of before thoucht neitt to burdyn yow and your nychbour the baron of Faudowy withall. And we now, having the like confidence in your vprichtnes and ernest desyre to have thair things put to poynt, and that ye will willinglie accept on yow panis and travellis to further the same, will therefoir desyre and pray yow effectuuslie that ye, with the baron of Faudowy, will accept on yow the cognition and jugement how mony ky and horss quhat of avale of insycht wer taken fra Johnne Campbell and his tenentis, as alsua quhat quantitie of siluer wes takin fra Erll of Athollis men, and how many of the ky and hors past quik ower Lay at the furd of Lyoun ; and that ye declane and estimat the valu betuix the deid and the quik ky that wes taken away, and of thame that sail now be deliuerit ; and that ye (of siluer to be put in your hands wes tane fra the Erll of Athollis men, as said is) deliuer samekle to the said Johnne Campbell as the valew betuix the quik and the deid ky, or the insycht of the houss, or the ky or horss beis fundin, wer mor quhen thay wer taken extends to, at the sicht of yow and the baroun of Faudowy ; and that ye your self deliuer the remanent or superlus of the said siluer to the Erll of Atholl, or to quhome he shall nominat and direct to ressaue the same the said day ; and that ye gif warning to my lord of Atholl betuix the xx day of Februare nixtocum quhat nowmer of ky and horss he sail caus send to be deliuerit to the said Johnne Campbell the said xv day of Marche. " In cais the ky that salbe now brocht to the furde of Lyoun to be deliuerit be found be yow young and sufficient ky, thay salbe ressauit be Johnne Campbell or his seruandis, altho thay be not sa fatt as in the tyme that thay wer taken away, and that thair salbe nathing allowit because they are not now sa gude, etc. (Signed) James, Regent." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 85. Immediately after this letter the Chief James the Menzies brought his objections against the Earl of Athole before the Lords of Privy Council, asking to be exempted from him as Justice-General. The record is as follows : — "James VI. — Morton, Regent. "James Menzies claims exemption from the jurisdiction of the Earl of Athole, and re deadly feud between their forbears. 3rd April 1576. " Anent oure Soverane Lordis letters raisit at the instance of James Menzeis of that Ilk, makand mentioun — That quhair albeit the Erllis of Atholl a certane space bigane, hes had commissionis of Justiciarie and Lieutenendrie within the boundis of Atholl and partis ajacent thairto ; nevirtheles, he and his foirbearis, baronis of the barony of Menzeis, thair boundis, landis, rowmes and possessions, [page_210 A.D. 1576] hes bene in all tymes begane be oure Soverane Lordis maist nobill progenitouris and governouris of the realme of gude memory for the tyme, exemit frome the saidis Erllis of Atholl, thair deputtis, jurisdictioun and jugement ; in justice airis and uthenvayis criminlie to answer befoir our Justice-Generall and his deputtis, and in civile actionis befoir the Lordis of the Sessioun and the Sheref of Perth and his deputtis, within quhais boundis the said James Menzeis landis and rowmes for the maist part lyis. And althocht be his allya with the hous of Atholl the deidlie feid of befoir standing betuix thair foirbearis — quhairupoun the saidis exemptionis were grantit — wes reconcilit, yit wes it then condiscendit be Johnne, now Erll of Atholl, contractar that nane of thame sould procure or tak utheris rowmes, fredomis or libereteis, bot ayther of thame to enjoy the same with als greit libertie as thay did of befoir ; and thair by the said Erll willit and declarit the saidis formar exemptionis to stand in effect, as may weill than appeir to have bene the verie meaning of baith the partiis ; nevirtheles, the said Johnne, Erll of Atholl, be himself, his duputtis and servandis in his name, callis, troublis, presewis, takkis and impresonis the said James Menzeis tenentis and servandis, intending partiallie under cullour of justice to put thame to deith, and to introment with thair gudis on pretens of escheit, to the havy hurt of the said James (Menzeis), without haistie remeid be providit. And anent the charge given to the said Erll of Atholl, to have comperit befoir my Lord Regentis Grace and Lordis of Secreit Counsall at ane certane day bipast, bringand with him his Commissioun — quhairby he clamit to have power of Justiciarie ower the said James Menzeis, his saidis tenentis and servandis, to have bene sene and considerit ; and to have hard and sene the said James (Menzeis), his kin, freindis, tenentis, servandis and inhabitantis — of his landis and barony of Menzeis foirsaid, with the townis, pendicles, annexis and pertinentis thairof; the landis of Apndull, the landis of Cambusarnay, Pelleiray, Tillidowill, Polfawliche, Mewane, Delmany and Tullecroy, and landis of Rannoch, laind within the lordship of Appin and sherefdome of Perth, exemit be decreit of the said Lord Regent and Prevy Counsale fra the said Johnne, now Erll of Atholl, his collegis quhatsumevir, justices or lieutenentis within the boundis of Atholl and partis adjacent thairto, thair deputtis, officiaris, offices and jurisdictioun of justiciarie and lieutenendrie, or utheris thair prevelegis and liberteis quhatsumevir ; and fra all compering and answering befoir thame or ony of thame in quhatsumevir justice airis actionis and caussis criminall and civile, courtis of justiciarie or lieutenendrie, or utheris quhatsumevir in all tyme cuming, exemand and dischargeand or utheris quhatsumevir in all tyme cuming, exemand and dischargeand thame thairfra for evir ; and dischargeand the said Erll and his collegis, justices and lieutenentis in that part within the boundis foirsaidis, thair deputtis and officiaris of all calling, persewing, unlawing, troubling or proceeding aganis the said James (Menzeis), [page_211 A.D. 1576-1577] his kin, freindis, tenentis, servandis, and inhabitantis of his propir landis, rowmes, and possessionis foirsaidis, for non-answering and obeying of thame in thair saidis jurisdictionis of Justiciarie or Lieutendrie, or ony thingis concerning the samyn, and of thair offices in that part for evir for the caussis foirsaidis, lyke as at mair lenth is contenit in the saidis letters, executioun and indorsatioun thairof. Quhilkis being callit, the said James Menzeis comperand personalie, with Maisteris David Makgill and Henry Kinross, his prelocutouris ; and the said Johnne, Errll of Atholl, comperand be Maisteris Johnne Scharp, Alexander Sym, and Alexander Skene, his procuratouris ; it wes allegeit in the name of the said Erll the said actioun was altogidder civile ; and in respect of the Act of Parliament maid be King James the Fift anent the institutioun of the College of Justice, be the quhilk all civile materis is remittit to the Lordis of Counsall and Sessioun ; that thairfoir my Lord Regentis Grace and Lordis of Secreit Counsall can not be jugeis competent to decyde in the said caus ; quhairunto it wes objectit and answerit be the saidis persewaris and Maister David Borthuik, advocat to oure Soverane Lord in his Majesteis name, that in Act of Parliament maid be King James the Third it is declarit that it sould be lesum to his Majestie or his successouris to decyde in quhatsumevir caussis at thair pleasure, nochtuithstanding ony privilege grantit to ony uther jugeis, and that the last Act on na wayis annillis nor dirogattis the formar Act ; that thairfoir my Lord Regentis Grace and Prevy Counsale ar jugeis competent and auch to proceid in said caus. Quhilkis allegeance and answer, with diverse utheris the ressonis and allegations of bayth the saidis partiis, being hard and considerit be my Lord Regentis Grace and Lordis of Secreit Counsall : and thay replie avisit thairwith, my Lord Regentis Grace, with avise of the saidis Lordis, findis thay ar jugeis competent to the said caus, notwithstanding the said allegenace." — Reg. Prv. Col., pp. 515-7. The confederacy formed by the Earl of Athole, Campbell of Glenurchy, and others, still continued their oppressions. Owing to the powers vested in Athole by the Regent Morton — he seems to have been in sympathy with Athole in his attempt to have jurisdiction over the lands of the Menzies' — and between Athole on the one hand, the Campbells on the other, and the chief not being a robust man, he had to suffer much. In this condition of things he wrote to the Regent Morton, but from his answer it can be seen that he was also in the plot to deprive him of his ancient rights. The answer runs thus : — "James, Earl of Morton, Regent of Scotland, to James Menzies of that Ilk, Dalkeith, 5 January 1577. " Acknowledges receipt of a letter from the Laird of Weem, ' shawing that ye are evill handillit betuix the Campbelles and the Erll of Athole diuers wyse, [page_212 A.D. 1577-1578] and that now ye are maid to understand that the erll of Athole is content that freindis sicht the maters questionable betwix him and yow, and not to seik the circumstance of the law.' Advises him to accept such a settlement. Favours his intention to ' mak warnigis ' on the Clan Gregor for their removal from his lands, as he receives from them neither ' profit nor obedience ' ; states that the Regent had given order for the acceptance of Menzies' composition for the raid made at Dumfries." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 86." In the summer of 1577, notwithstanding these feuds, "The Honourable," as the chief was surnamed, succeeded in making considerable alterations on Castle Menzies. Before this time it is thought to have had a flat parapet running round the top of its walls, connecting its flanking turrets, from which its bronze guns could be fired, and missiles hurled upon an enemy. These alterations consisted in constructing the present attic windows, pitching the roof higher, and covering the turrets with their conical tops. The dormer windows are beautifully designed, and ornamented with sculpture of a very unique character. On the cap of the second from the east turret is sculptured out of the stone under its apex, a hand pointing downwards to the inscription, which is : — |
| 1577 J. M. B. S. IN . OW . RTY . ME PRYSIT . BE . GOD . FOR . EVER |
|
These alterations were considered of so much importance at the time, that they were recorded in the Chronicle of Fortingall, which describes them thus : — " 1577. Item. — That symmyr the Castle of Weym was byggyth and ended." Such was the state into which the chief's health had fallen, that in 1578 he had to petition for liberty to eat flesh meat. He received this licence, notwith- standing the Acts of Parliament against eating butcher meat, owing to the famine in Scotland. This licence reads : — " License by King James the Sixth, subscribed by the King, the Earl of Mortoun, Lord Ruthven, and others, to James Menzes of the Weym, ' being subject to seikness and dyuerss diseasis of body,' and to his spouse, to eat flesh from the 8th March to the 19th April of that year, notwithstanding Acts of Parliament or Proclamations against it. Dated at Stirling Castle, March 1578." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 36. The Campbells, taking advantage of the chief's illness, made many inroads into the lands of Menzies'. These attacks seem to have all been directed by Colin Campbell himself. Notwithstanding the disturbed state of the Highlands and Scotland generally, [page_213A.D. 1578-1579 ] there are pleasant glimpses into the domestic affairs of the family of the chief — thus we have a letter regarding an intended visit to Lady Weem, quaintly making reference to the Highland dress, as follows : — "'Marie, Countas of Atholl,' to her 'laifing sister' the Lady Weem, Cupper [Cupar], xiiii November 1578." The writer was Lady Mary Ruthven, second daughter of William, Earl of Gowrie. The second daughter of this Countess of Athole, Lady Mary Stewart, married James, Earl of Athole, who was the stepson of her own mother. " Desires Lady Weem to come over to Cupar to show her the fashion of the country where she is to 'gang' to, as there was none there 'weil aquentit with it.' " — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 87. Another action of the chief of the Menzies', which showed him to be a man ready to help a friend in time of need, was his becoming caution in a £1000 for Jarden of Apilgirth. As recorded, it reads : — " 1579. Caution in £1000 by James Menzies of that Ilk, for Alexander Jarden of Apilgirth, that he will remain in Edinburgh, ' ay and quhill he be fred be the Kingis Majestie'" — Reg. Prv. Col., p. 231, vol. xxxi. These little bits of information, appearing through these dark and troublous times, show the friendly and generous spirit which the chief had ; and as seen by other instances in his life, he wished to be on friendly terms with all around him. Indeed, his desire to help and befriend the MacGregors especially, cost him much trouble and expense. James Menzies the Chief, from his position in the Highlands, had considerable correspondence with other parts of Scotland regarding current events of national interest. Here is a letter from another Highland chief to him, giving him the latest news : — ¦ " Alexander Maknachtan of Dundaraw on Loch Fyne, Argyllshire, to his 'speciall freind' James Mingeis, the Laird of Weem, 1579." Chiefly with reference to the state of the isles, the men of which, he says, " are agreit." " The Kings grace hes send to my lord Ergile ane wryttin that come to his Magistie from the Duik of Obeine [Aubigny] out of France, menand that the said Duik wes on the seie cumane to Scotland. It is reportit that he desyris to be Earl of Lennox, becaus that he is nerrest lynale dissendit." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 88. Another of these letters is from Lord Ruthven to the chief, in reference to a settlement of the Border difficulties of the time and other national matters. It is as follows : — "William, fourth Lord Ruthven, created in 1581 Earl of Gowerie, 'to his weilbelowitt gossop' James Meingeis, 'the Laird of Weym.' Holyroodhous, 14th December 1S79-" Chiefly concerning a proposed marriage, to which the king has given his consent, and that it shall be in Perth. The writer says : " The Counsall hes bene occupeit all this tyme bygane vpoun the bordour effars, [page_214 A.D. 1579-1580] quhilk hes bene the occasioun of langer tayrie here." This Lord Ruthven was the eldest surviving son and successor of Patrick, the third lord, who took such a prominent part in the murder of Rizzio. William, Lord Ruthven, was created Earl of Gowrie, and he was the hero of the famous conspiracy at Perth which bears his name. — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, Nos. 88, 89. The actions of the Campbells having become worse and worse as time went on, the Chief James the Menzies was again compelled to take action against Colin Campbell of Glenurchy. About 1576 Campbell sent his son with about 40 men, under cover of dark, on to the Menzies' lands of " Kinaldie," and stole from there 24 head of cattle, with a number of sheep and goats. Colin also laid hold of a defenceless tenant of the Menzies' in Morenish, and imprisoned him until he found caution to pay £40. Some of the messengers sent to deliver a summons of the king upon Glenurchy were received with great fury — he went on shouting and boasting, and, having had their arms snatched from them by his men, then menaced them with death. Another act of Glenurchy's was to offer money and land to a John Stewart to go on to the lands of the Menzies' and kill some of the cattle, but this he manfully declined. Campbell seems to have taxed his crafty brain to find cowardly ways and means to injure the Menzies'. He also got some servants of Stewart of Grantully to steal 4 horses from the poor crofters at " Tullichdoule," and these Glenurchy resetted and put in his own stable. Not content with this mean theft, he got three different bands of men to go to three places on the Menzies' estates, under cover of night, and there killed over 20 head of cattle. But worse still, a defenceless tailor from the Menzies' having fallen into his clutches, he imprisoned him for several days. When the chief heard of this he despatched a message to the king, asking him to order Glenurchy to release him. On the arrival of the king's message, Glenurchy had him secretly hanged. The chief, therefore, made application to the Crown for redress and " compensation for the iniquitous " deeds. The following is the petition narrating the facts lodged by Chief James the Menzies against Campbell of Glenurchy : — " The iniures (injurious) oppressionis and wrangis committit be (on) the larde of Weme and his tenentis, of the quhilkis the Larde of Weme humelie complenis to the Kingis Maiestie and Counsale." [Circa, 1580.] There are seven distinct charges : — 1. That, four years previous to the date of this memorial, Glenurchy had sent his son, Colin Campbell, with 40 men to Menzies' lands of Kinaldie, and that they had stolen 24 " heid of nolt," with a number of sheep and goats. 2. That Glenurchy had seized and imprisoned a tenant of Menzies' in Morinche, and refused to release him till he had found caution to pay £40 to Glenurchy, who for this sum caused the " pure mans four pleuch hors " to be taken from him. [page_215 A.D. 1579-1580] 3. That when Menzies, in January 1578, sent some of his men to execute the king's letters at Balloch, Glenurchy wrested their weapons from them, and "bostit and schorit" to have slain them. 4. That Glenurchy having had sent to him John Stewart, natural son to John Stewart of Appin, his servant in Lorne, to be his servant, had offered him land and money to pass to the laird of Weme's bounds, "quhair the guidis caitlie was slane, and to slaa the same," which he refused. 5. That he had caused some of Stewart's men to make away four horses from the poor tenants in Tullichdoule, and had put them in Glenurchy's stable. 6. That, on the 20th July preceding the date of this memorial, Glenurchy had sent men to three different parts of Menzies' lands, Glengowlandie, Tometewgle, and Tullichdowle, and that they there " bee manifest oppressioun, slew to the number of twentie heid of nolt," &c, taking others away. 7. That, on the 22nd July, Glenurchy had taken a Menzies man, " ane tailyeour, ane commoun man, readie to wirk to evirrie person for his leving, he passed throw the countrie to seek his craft," and had imprisoned him for seven days in Balloch ; and when Menzies had obtained letters from the king and Council charging Glenurchy to find caution to set the tailor at liberty, " efter the geving of the charge, the said Lairde Glenurchy, in contempt of the Kingis Maiesties authority, maist cruellie hangit the pure man quietlie, being the Kings Maiesteis lege and trew craftisman." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 207. The outrages set forth in this accusation afford an idea of the lawless state of the Highlands during the minority of James VI. It is evident that owing to the kindness of Chief James the Menzies, surnamed " The Honourable," for his actions to the Clan Gregor, they scorned to do the shady work of Colin Campbell, who was now in the position of a common robber and resetter. If there had been any means of justly enforcing the law, he would have been punished for such deeds, but the law was administered by one of his own party, the Regent Morton, who afterwards expiated his offences against the nation on the scaffold. Just before the cause came on for hearing between Glenurchy and Chief James Menzies, the latter received the following letter : — " King James the Sixth to the Earl of Athole, Holyrood House, 2 January 1580 — Narrates that the day appointed for the 'taking up of the debate and controversy,' between the lairds of Glenurchy and Weem was near, and the Earl of Argyll, whose ' presence to the handling of sic wechtie materis as laitlie hes occurrit in counsall could not convenientlie be sparit to that meting,' would remain at the diet in Edinburgh. The king earnestly desires the Earl of Athole to persuade the two sides to fix on another day, not in January, when the arbitrators on both sides could conveniently assemble." Subscribed by the king. — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 37. This delayed still further the hand of justice, if such could be had in those [page_216 A.D. 1580] days. Colin Campbell, seeing that he was on the verge of trouble with the Government, fell upon another plan whereby to annoy and injure Chief James the Menzies. His plan was to draw some of the Menzies tenants into his plot, which was not to take their lands or farms from the chief of the Menzies' until he came to terms with Glenurchy. This plot, however, brings out one fact, namely, that although Campbell had obtained from the Regent Morton, in 1574-5, a grant of the Menzies lands of Kayndnok or Cudnock, and others on Loch Tay side, on the plea of non-entry of heirs, yet his grant had been overturned on the true heir Chief James Menzies reporting himself to the Keeper of the Great Seal. Colin Campbell's envious, grasping scheme having failed, his next plan was to harass " The Honourable " James through his own tenants, on the lands which he and his fathers had set their greedy eyes upon for over a hundred years. Campbell was successful in bringing only two of these tenants over to his plot. These were two brothers named " Makewin " — the one held as kindly tenant the Menzies lands of " Kayndnok," and the other, those of Edramucky, on the north side of Loch Tay. These men Colin Campbell so terrified by his threats and offers of bribes that he got them to sign a bond of arrangement. The undernoted bond clearly shows by what nefarious and unscrupulous means Glenurchy sought to tear from the Chief of the Menzies' concessions through his tenants. Here is the bond : — " Mutual bond between Coleine Campbell of Glenurquhay and Duncane Campbell fiar (heir) thereof, his son, on the one part, and Johne Makewin in Ediramuikie, and James Makewin in Kayndknok, his brother, on the other part, whereby the said Coleine and Duncane Campbell, understanding the said Johne and James to be kindly tennants of the said lands with the pertinents, bind themselves noways by themselves or others to take the said lands, or any part thereof, over the heads of the said Johne and James, but to maintain them in the possession thereof, and in all their just and honest causes ; and further bind themselves at no time thereafter to agree with James Meingeis of that Ilk anent any of their own actions, without reservation of the said John and James' possession of the said lands of Eddieramnkie and Kaindknok, for payment of the usual mails therefor, such as were paid by their father ; and the said Coleine receives the said Johne and James in service, promising to them horses and man's meat as they shall happen to be charged by him with service, together with the sum of ten pounds money yearly fee to either of them, provideing, that when by the advise of the said Coleine and Duncane they obtain the said lands, the yearly fee shall be discharged, and the promise thereof shall cease, the said Johne and James being still bound to serve the said Coleine and Duncane ; and, on the other hand, the said Johne and James bind themselves to perform the true service to the said Coleine and Duncane and their heirs on their expenses [page_217 A.D. 1580] both in the Highlands and Lowlands, and especially in housting and hunting, as they shall be required ; and also bind themselves and their heirs, never to take or crave the said lands from the said James Meinzeis of that Ilk without the speciall consent of the said Coleine and Duncane and their heirs ; and the said Johne and James to possess the teinds of the said lands so long as they perform the true service above written. Gregour Makeane, constable of Glenurquhay, Alane Baxter, and Gavine Hammiltoun, notary-public, servants of the said Coleine Campbell, witnessers. Dated at Perth, 6 January 1580." — Black Book of T ay month, p. 224, 5. The case came up before the Lords of Council on the 29th July, when Colin Campbell, dreading lest he should be made a prisoner for the murder of the Menzies " taylor," sent his son with the excuse that he was too aged. The following is the record of the proceedings : — "St Andrews, 29th July 1580. Regarding the feud between the Campbells of Glenurchy and the Menzieses of that Ilk — For the arranging of a recent quarrel, ' betwix Coline Campbell of Glenurquhy, and certane of his freindis and servandis, on the [one] part, and James Menzeis of that Ilk, and divers his freindis and servandis, on the uther part.' " Both parties had been charged to appear this day before the Council, under pain of rebellion and horning. Menzies does appear personally ; but Campbell of Glenurchy appears only by his son Colene, " quha excusit his fatheris absence be ressoun of his aige, schortnes of tyme sen the giving of the said charge, his ignorance of the tyme of the geving thairof, and the necessitie craving his remaning in the cuntrie, specialie at this tyme, quhen as, throw occasioun of the said contraversie, the maist part of the inhabitantis of the same cuntrie ar and hes bene movit to insurrectioun and disordour.' The Lords, being maist desirous to have sum mid and indifferent way tane betwix the saidis partiis, but juging the personal presence of both principals necessary to that end, renew the charge for the personal appearance of both, under the same penalty, fixing the 20th of August as the date. Thay require, moreover, both parties, under the same pain, within 24 hours after being charged, ' to subscrive be thame selffis, and caus be scubscrivit be tua or thrie,' sufficient responsall personis, thair souirteis, sic formes of bandis and obligations as salbe directit unto thame, notit be the Clerk of Counsale, to induir unto xx day of Januar nixt to cum." — Reg. Prv. Col., p. 297, No. 3. At the same sitting of the Council, the minister of the Menzies Auld Kirk o' Weem became relief of cautioner, as follows : — " Caution in £500 by Williame Ruthvene of Ballindane for the appearance of Patrik Wobstar, son of Patrik Wobstar in Belthomas, before the justice when warned — Johnne Menzeis, parson of Weme, relieving the cautioner." Chief James Menzies, before going to the Council meeting (which, as we have [page_218 A.D. 1580] seen, was to take place on the 20th August), wrote to Sir James Douglas, asking him to meet him there in support of his cause, to which he replied : — " [Sir James Douglas of] Drumlangrig to the Laird of Weyme. Edinburgh, 16 August 1580. Intimates his inability to accompany Weem to the meeting of Secret Council, to be held in Stirling on the 20th of the current month ; and praying to be excused as the country was ' gretumlie broken.'" — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 90. Following on the Council (causing Glenurchy and Chief Menzies to find caution and bonds for their peace), it was agreed through their friends to submit the whole cause of quarrel to arbitration, as follows : — " Submission by Coline Campbell of Glenurquhairt and James Menzeis of that Ilk, to abide by the decreet arbitral, to be pronounced by Colin, Earl of Argyle, Justice-General and Chancellor of Scotland ; Jame, Earl of Glencairn ; and six others, as arbitrators in behalf the Laird of Glenurchy ; and by John, Earl of Athole ; John, Earl of Montrose ; and six others, on behalf of the Laird of Menzies, anent the contested right to the lands of Crannycht, the alledged possession aclaimed by the Laird of Glenurchy to the teinds of Achmore, &c, and the alledged slaughter and destruction of certain kine pertaining to Glenurchy and his tenants, alledged illegal execution of one of Menzeis tenants, and spoiling of their goods, and all other quarrels depending between the two Lairds. — Stirling, 25 August 1580." To this compromit is added a further agreement between Glenurchy and Menzeis to continue the above compromit (at the request of the Earl of Argyll) to the 4th January 1581, when the arbitrators should meet at Perth. Dated at Balloch, same year. — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 206. Some time after this arrangement, Chief Menzies received (as showing the interest he had in his cause) a letter from : — " William, fourth Lord Ruthven, afterwards Earl of Gowrie, to his ' weillbelowitt em,' Janes Mengeis, the Laird of Weym. Holyrood House, 21 October 1580. Concerning the proposed arbitration by the Earl of Argyll of matters between the Lairds of Ween and Glenurchy. Ruthven signs ' Your loving and assuring em.'" — Charter Room, Castle Mensies, No. 91. Another letter referring to Lord Ruthven, shows that the friendship of Chief Menzies was sought by him and the Earl of Athole, and is as follows : — " John Stewart, fifth Earl of Athole, to Janes Meingeis, the Laird of Weem. ' Cowpar,' 25 November 1580. Intimates that Lord Ruthven, Atholl's father-in-law, had desired Atholl to be present (with some friends in peaceable manner, without armour or weapons), at a meeting of the Secret Council to be held on the penult of the month, when Ruthven was required to appear with Lord Oliphant, and wishing Weem to meet him in Perth on Sunday at 1 r, or otherwise to be with some friends, [page_219 A.D. 1580-1583] Cupar, ' this Settruday 'at 11, to accompany him." — Charter Room, Castle Mensies, No. 92. The Earl of Athole had been at feud with the Chief of Clan Menzies for many years. The Menzies refused to acknowledge that he had any justiciary powers over him, his country, or the clan, and gained his point over Athole. The Earl then made peace, and had to ask his presence and help afterwards. Argyll and Athole also having made peace, a banquet was held between them in reconciliation, after which Athole died suddenly. His son, succeeding him, commenced the old outrages ; his men committed acts of robbery, fire-raising, and plunder. The Menzies wrote to Earl Gowrie (narrating these events), who sent him the following reply : — " William, first Earl of Gowrye, to James Meingeis, the laird of Weem, Holyroodhouse, 1 June 1582. Relative to the Earl of Athole's position. He refers to ' the reparation of the invasioun intendit for removing of certane of my Lord of Athole's best tenandis,' in whom no change had been made since his father's decease. Gowrie mentions that he had written to Athole himself on this and on ' vther thingis that ar done within the bounds of Athoill, that tendis mekle to his dishonour, for laik of dew puneischement and tryell in convenient tyme, sic as the steilling away of frie personis vnder silence of nycht, and incertane quhither they be murdreist or not, and rasing fyir in vther pertis of his boundis, quhilkis things are sua put in heid to the king that vnfreindis makes ther advantage heirypoun, sayand that gif Grantully and vthers of his assosisation had bene in my lordis favouris, sic thingis durst not haive bene attempit, albeit they be lytill abilitie, other to resist or remedy sic things.' He hopes shortly to be at Perth, when he trusts to meet with Weem." — Charter Room, Castle Mensies, No. 94. The feud between Colin Campbell and the Menzies not having been settled, the chief received another letter from the Earl of Gowrie (seeking to meet him at Stirling, to make up the differences with Glenurchy), as follows : — " William, first Earl of Gowrie, to James Meingeis, the laird of Weem, Holyrood House, 29 April 1583. Asking the Laird of Weem to appoint a day to meet the Earl of Argyll at Stirling, for arrangement (in a friendly manner) of the difference between the lairds of Weem and Glenurchy." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 95. The same day another letter was sent to Chief Menzies, pressing a settlement, as follows : — " Letter — William, first Earl of Gowrie, to James Meingeis, the Laird of Weem, 29 April 1583, Erne. — Efter my verra heartlie commendation. This is till mak yow foirseine that I have beine in terms with the Earl of Argyll, anent matters debatabill betwix you and my cousing of Glenurquhey, quhom I find maist willing to see the samen in friendlie maner composit, and for this effect wes desirous till have ane [page_220 A.D. 1583-1584] appointment tryst thair anent afoir his passing till Argyll. The place theairto metest for his eis, is thocht to be Stirling, becaus it is ewast to Castell Campbell, quhair presentlie the said Earl remains, that thairfore he may be foirwairnit in dew tyme of the day of meting ; I thocht meitt heirby to desire that betwix and the xvi of May nixt, ye mak me aduertisit quhat day thairabout ye find maist convenient till keip tryist with your freindis in Stirling, according to my Lord Argyllis desire, that in the menetyme I may baith latt his lordship be foirsene thairof, as als my cousing, quhair I sail nocht spair my awin trawaill to help to put the samen to ane point. Thus resting on your ansuir, committis yow to the protection of God, frou Halyrudhous, the penult of Aprile 1583. Your richt loving erne, Gowrye." " To his richt loving erne, The Laird of Weim — giwe this." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 96. Notwithstanding all the efforts by plots, outrages, and confederacies put forth by Campbell of Glenurchy, to wrest the lands of Moreinch from " The Honourable " old Chief James Menzies, the arbitrators decided against Campbell as having no right to the land, but allowed him a lease for 13 years, which is as follows : — " Decreet-Arbitral by John, Earl of Athole, anent the lands of Wester Morinche, contested between Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, and James Menzies of that Ilk ; decerning the latter on the date of this decreet to set these lands in tack and assedation for 13 years, to the Laird of Glenurchy ; the latter engaging to permit none of the MacGregours, or any others in their name, to ' labour, use, or manure' the lands thus awarded him. Dated at Perth, 15 November 1583." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies. There are also a number of other papers connected with this feud in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, but they may all be summed up thus : — Ten papers (1575-1694) relating to quarrels between the lairds of Glenurchy and Weem, as to the right to the lands of Cranach, the Rannoch, Auchmore, &c. ; and to acts of spoliation committed by the Laird of Glenurchy and his vassals on the Laird of Weem and his tenants, by a contract, dated at Perth, 14 November 1583, and to which the Earl of Athole and George Drummond of Blair were witnesses. The long-continued and serious quarrel as to the lands just mentioned was settled, and all other disputes were referred to the arbitration of John Campbell of Lawers. Shortly after these events, Chief Menzies received notice to appear before the Lords of Privy Council : — " Holyrood, 20th January 1584. (Re) Raids of Highland robbers in Lennox, Stirlingshire, &c. The king and his Council being informed (' that his gude and peciable subjectis, inhabiting the cuntreis of the Lennox, Menteyth, Striviling- [page_221 A.D. 1584] schyne, and Stratherne, ar havelie opprest be reif, stouth, sorning, and utheris crymes dalie and nychtlie upoun thame be certane thevis, lymmaris, and sornaris, laitlie brokin lowis upoun thame, furth of the brayis of the cuntreis nixt adjacent '; charge is given to the following persons to attend the Council on the 28th of January, under pain of rebellion, to give information as to the means of repressing these outrages : — George Buquhannane of that Ilk, Andro M'Farlan of the Arroquhair, Colquhoun of Lus, James, Earl of Glencairne, Johnne Cunninghame of Drumquhassill, M'Cawlay of Ardincapill, George Grahame, tutor of Menteyth, James, Lord of Doun, Steward of Menteyth, Duncane Campbell of Glenurquhy, Coline Campbell of Ardbeth, Lord Methven, Edwin M'Gregour, tutor of Glenstra, JAMES Mengeis OF that Ilk, Johnne Murray of Tullibardin, James Galbrayth of Kilcreuch, James Edmonstoun of Duntreyth, James Schaw of Strathquhir, Edward Reidhewch of Cultebragane, Johnne Murray of Strawane, Alexander Stewart of Glennis, William Stewart of Grantuly, Coline Campbell of Glenlyoun, Jonnie Campbell of Lawaris, James Chisholme of Cromlix, Sir Archibald Naper of Edinbillie, Mr Johnne Halden of Gleneges." — Reg. Pr. CI., p. 718, vol. iii. The age and infirmities of the old chief of the Menzies' having been represented to James VI., he granted an exemption from attending this meeting of the Council, as follows : — " Licence by King James the Sixth to James Menzeis of that Ilk, to pass homeward without skaith, notwithstanding the charge given to him to compear personally before the King and Lords of Secret Council, on the 18th of January immediately preceding, to answer to such inquiries as should have been made of him touching the order taken with the ' brokin men of the Hielandis.' Holyrood- house, 12 February 1584." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 40. In April the same year James VI. — to besiege Stirling Castle — called out the old chief and Clan Menzies, with other clans. They marched towards Edinburgh and joined the main army, then to Linlithgow and Falkirk ; thence they invested Stirling, which surrendered 27th April. Clan Menzies was retained as his guard until after the execution of the Earl Gowrie, Douglas, and Forbes. After the capture of Stirling Castle, he and his clansmen received the following discharge : — " Licence by King James the Sixth to James Menzeis of that Ilk, his men tenentis, seruandis, and dependaris, to depart hame, from the oist, raid, and army, assembled for pursuit of the rebels, who had shortly before seized the castle and town of Stirling. Dated at Stirling, 5 May 1584." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 38. As the "Honourable" old chief grew older, he became more enfeebled. He therefore got an exemption from the King to act only on duty within his own shire. This order is as follows : — [page_222 A.D. 1584-1585] "Licence by King James the Sixth to James Menzeis of that Ilk, on account of his being vexit almaist containeally with ane nomber of paneful diseases and infirmiteis, to remain at home from all oistis, raides, weires, wapinschawingis, gatheringis, or assembleis, and dispensing with his attendance at inquests or assises, in actions civil or criminal, except in his own shire. Falkland, 17 June 1584." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 39. The Robertsons for many generations resided as feuars or tenants, and followers of the Menzies' within their ancient barony of Fortingall on the lands of Strowan, which they held in feu-farm under the lordship of " The Menzies." Through several marriages with the daughters of the chiefs of the Clan Menzies, they considered they had some claim on these lands, and although they had no charters, and had not come to any definite understanding regarding them, until the aged chief in his infirmity was surrounded by enemies, each seeking to take advantage of his old age to wrest some of his property from him. At this juncture, Donald Robertson, Strowan, induced the chief to submit the matter in dispute to the arbitration of the Earl of Huntly, to whom he gave his bond to follow Huntly next to the Menzies', for Huntly using his influence with the aged chief of the Menzies' to procure him feu-titles. In this bond Robertson still acknowledges his dependence on the Chief Menzies of Menzies, and Clan Menzies, kin, and friends. The bond between the Earl of Huntly and Robertson of Strowan, is as follows : — " Be it kend till all men by thir presents, me, Donald Robertson, apperant Heir of Strowane, and brother-german to William Robertson of Strowane, for me, my heirs, kin, freindis, partakaris, alys, servants, and assistants, to be bound and become trew, thrall and aufald man, to a noble and potent erle, George, erle of Huntly, Lord Gordon and Badsenocht, etc., as by the tennor of thir presents, binds and obliges me faithfully, by the faith and Truth of my body, Clele and Truly, to serve the said nobil lord by myself, m heirs, kin, friends, partakaris, alys, servants, and assistants, against all whatemsover persons, the Kings majestie only excepted, etc. ; AND IN SPECIALL, In THE MAINTENANCE AND DEFENCE OF THE LAIRD AND HOUSS OF WEYME, ALIAS MENZES, kin, frendis, and servants thereof, etc. ; And that for sundry good deeds done by the said Earl of Huntly to me, and in special, for procuring at the hands of umquhill James Menzes of that Ilk, of sic TITILLIS AND RICHTIS AS THE SAID umquhill 'JAMES MENZES OF THAT ILK,' hed in and TO THE LANDIS OF STROWANE, to be giffin and disponit, and put in the hands of the said nobil and mychty Earle, and by his Lordship to be disponit and giffin to me and my heirs ; and also that the said noble Lord has given his bond of maintenance to me and my foirsaidis — this my band of manrent subscribed with my hand, at Elgin, 6th Mar. 1585, before thir witnesses — Jhon Gordonn of Petlurg, Thomas Gordoun, apperant of Clunye, George Farcharson in Descorge, [page_223 A.D. 1585] and maister Frances Cheyne. Donald Robertsone, aperand of Strowan." — Spal. Club Misy., Gordon Papers, p. 235. A relic of the ancient Menzies Church of Struan — in the ages when the chiefs of Menzies flourished, the lords of the whole barony of Fortingall, confirmed by King Robert the Bruce by charter, of which the barony of Struan was afterwards a sub-barony, held in feu-farm by the Robertsons from the Menzies', as is shown by the foregoing — is the Celtic Menzies Bell of Struan, given under. It is of iron, coated with bronze, part of which is now oxydized. It is one of several Celtic bells belonging to the ancient country of the Menzies', — Trans, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, p. 346, 1878-9. Chief James the Menzies, by honourable and upright actions and his desire for the peace of the Highlands, gained for him the respect of the king, the attempts made to get jurisdiction over him by Athole having failed. The actions of the Campbells against the MacGregors having been exposed to the king by him, showing them to be the actual robbers, while they put the blame on the MacGregors, and that they could not be relied upon. King James VI., therefore, saw in Chief James the Menzies the most reliable and just man in the district, and appointed him as his justice in that part of the Highlands. His letter of Commission as Justice signed by the king himself, is still preserved in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and is as follows : — " Letter of Justiciary, under the Signet, by King James the Sixth to James Menzeis of that Ilk, narrating that whereas it was known to the King and Council [page_224 A.D. 1585] what great crimes, opressions, and wrongs had been committed on his ' louit faithfull Subject and Seruitour, James Menzeis of that Ilk,' and his friends and tenants of Rannoch and his other lands, by ' sundrie theves, murtherarris, sornerris and oppressouris of vickit and perversit clannis of the Hielands, and others adiacent to his lands and rowmes ' ; and lately by the ' slauchteris of sum of his tenentis and seruandis, casting doune of his mylins, houssis, and biggings thairoff, reveing and spuilseing of his tenentis guiddis and geir, hoicheing and slaying of mony and sindrie cattle and guiddis ' ; and specially committed by Donald Makewin, VcGilloch Clych, Donald Roy MacKcarquhar, Neil Leiche, James Makconell, VcCranneld, and Gregour Gow, with thair complicis, appointing the said James Menzies of that Ilk, his justice in that part, to take the persons named, and their complices, to put them to an assise and punish to the death, or otherwise, as their crimes deserved, or to imprison them till justice could be ministered, with the same power as the King's Justice-General had in such cases ; commanding all the leiges in the bounds adjacent, if required, to ' ryse, ryde, gang, assist, fortifie and convene with our said justice in that part or his deputtis, and, if neid be, with power to mak oppin durris, asseige houssis and strenthis, rais fyre and vse vther rigour to that effect, in cais thay will not be takin.' Dated at Holyroodhouse, 23 April 1585. Subscribed by the King and Lords of Secret Council." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 43. The old Menzies Castle or Fortress of Moynes (Moness), on the hill above Aberfeldy having been captured by a band of broken men or caterans, Chief James the Menzies (as justice of the district, and holding the king's commission), ordered Stewart of Grandtully to assist in besieging the fort, and also to find caution. It reads as follows : — " Extract entry from the books of the Privy Council respecting the acting and obligation of Merser of Mekillour, and James Scrymgeour of the Myres, as cautioners for Thomas Stewart of Grantullie, that the said Thomas should assist (with his whole forces) those under James ' Menzies of that Ilk,' His Majesty's commissioner, for the asieging of the place and fortalice of the Moynes, and pursuit of its detainers, and all other rebelles, fugitives, and broken ' men, troublares of the common quietness of the countrie,' under the penalty of two thousand pounds. Edinburgh, 1st May 1585." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 208. Having thus to enforce the law as empowered by his commission, we find Chief James the Menzies granting bond of manrent to young Campbell, Murthly, which is as follows : — " Bond by John Campbell, son to the deceased John Campbell of Murthlie, to James Menzeis of that Ilk, to serve him and no others, the king and the Earl of Argyll excepted. Weem, 3 June 1585." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 181. It appears that the Earl of Athole and Stewart of Grandtully were not giving [page_225 A.D. 1585] the necessary assistance to the King's Justiciary in putting down the broken men, which being reported by the Chief, the King summoned them, as follows, before him : — " Letter under the Signet, and subscribed by King James the Sixth, to John, Earl of Athol, and Thomas Stewart of Grandtully, to appear before the King and Council at Holyrood, or elsewhere, to answer such inquiries as shall be made touching ' gude rule and ordour-keping in the cuntre,' under pain of rebellion. Holyroodhouse, 4 June 1585." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 41. Notwithstanding the firm hand with which King James VI. administered justice over Scotland, particularly in the Highlands, he seemed to be aware that several of the chiefs, such as Black Duncan Campbell, Athole, Grandtully, and others in Lochaber were acting a double part, and secretly in league with the caterans and robbers. He therefore wrote Athole and others the following letter, a copy of which he sent to the chief : — Letter of King James the Sixth, in reference to the broken men of Lochaber and Athole. Dunfermline, June 1585 [address wanting]. "Traist freind, we greet yow weill. Forsamekle as we, understanding that our loving and obedient subiect, James Menzies of that Ilk, the Laird of Weyme, his tennentis and servandis ar oftymes invadit and hurte be certane brokin men, sornaris of Lochquhaber and Athole, be the stering up and hunding oute of certane evil affecionat personis, his nychbouris, to the graite contempt of us and our auctoritie and to the disquieting of the estate of the countrey. Thairfore we desire yow effectuouslie to assist and fortifie the said Laird of Weyme and his freindis in the taking, persewing, and apprehending of the saidis brokin men and sornaris, for presenting thame befoir our iustice Justice James Menzies and his deputis, to be pvnist for thair demereitis, and that ye fortifee him in all his iust caussis, quhairanent ye will us acceptable plesour. At Dunfermline, the . . . day of Junii 1585." — Contemporary Copy, Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 42. The sentence in the king's letter about certain evil affected persons, his neighbours, clearly points to Black Duncan Campbell, who was carrying on an underhand system of robbery by proxy. To this King James evidently refers in this letter. Notwithstanding the settlement of the feuds between Glenurchy and Menzies, Duncan Campbell still acted a double part. We give it as described by a Campbell : — " Black Duncan with the cowl," who succeeded his father Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, in 1583. The Macgregors in [at] Roro renewed the old bonds of man- rent to "Black Duncan" at Balloch, 5th July 1585. " Bond of Gregour Makconaquhie V'Gregour in Roro, Alester M'Ewin V'Conquhie there, Gregour Makolchallum in Innerbar in Glenlyon, Duncan [page_226 A.D. 1585] Makgregour his son in Kildie, and William Mackgregour, son to the said Gregour there, to Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhay, showing that their forbears had granted the like bond to the deceased Colline Campbell of Glenurquhay, and obliging themselves, if it should happen that Mackgregour, by himself or accomplices, should break upon the said Duncan or his heirs, their lands, tenants, and possessions, to renounce him as their chief, and to take part with the said Duncan against him." But the experience of the last feud had convinced Glenorchy of the evanescent effect of these bonds when a question affecting the honour of the Clan Gregour or the prerogatives of their chief was the matter in debate, and he was therefore anxious to add to the assurance of voluntary submission, the better recognised title and right of lord-superior. As formerly mentioned, the superiority of the lands occupied on " middleman " tenure by the house of Roro, was vested in the family of " Chief James the Menzies." The substance of the bond given below shows by what unscrupulous means Glenorchy sought to wrest from the Laird of Weem the right which he held of him already as a tenant : — ¦ " Johne, Earl of Athole, binds himself not to appoint nor agree with James Menzies of that Ilk, in regard to any controversy, until Glenurquhay should first obtain in feu or long tacks from James Menzies, his lands lying on the west side of the water of Lyoun, holden of him, James Menzies, by the said Duncane ; and that he would not reset, nor allow to be resetted within his bounds, any goods belonging to James Menzies or his tenants, or show them any favour ; that if the said James Menzies should pursue the said Duncane, or be pursued by him, he would assist the said Duncan with all his forces, and that he should give the like assistance against the Clangregour if they should render aid to said James Menzies. At Dunkeld, 25 June 1585." — The Lairds of Glen/yon, by D. Campbell; and Black Book of Toy mouth. So much did King James trust Chief James Menzies, that he granted him power to use " Hagbuttis " guns and pistols. The grant runs thus : — " Warrant by King James the Sixth under the Signet in favour of James Menzies of that Ilk, his tenants, &c, to use ' hagbuttis, pistolettis, and all vther ingynis of fyir werk ' in pursuit of certain lymmaris and brokin men of the Hielands, who had committed against them ' gret sornings, depredationis and enormiteis.' Dated 1585." — ante July 29, Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 44. As we have seen, the Earl of Huntly on arranging the bonds between Robertson of Strowan and himself, came under an obligation to use his friendship with his relative Chief James the Menzies, to get for him better terms of the lands of Strowan. This he at length almost obtained on the deathbed of the chief, as the following excerpt will show : — "31 August 1585. — Excerpt from minute of heads contracted between George, [page_227 A.D. 1585 ] Earl of Huntly, and James Menzies of that Ilk. The Earl becomes bound to maintain and defend James Menzies against all deadly, the King only excepted, and James Menzies is to make his whole dependence with his friends upon the Earl. The said James Menzies shall submit to the Earl of Huntly the right and title he pretends to in the lands of Strowan, and shall stand and abide by the same." Annexed to that agreement, and made at " Ruthven, in Badenoch, the fyft of September 1585, the latter will of James Menzies of that Ilk, being sick in body and haill in spirit, whereby at the sight of the Earl of Huntly he makes over in favour of his wife and bairns, his goods and geir to be distributed to them, and the Inventory of his goods to be given up justly by his friends, chamberlains, and intromitters therewith. And appoints the said Earl to be tutor to his eldest son, and ordains the title and right made to him of the lands of Strowan by William Robertson of Strowan, to be put in his Lordship's hands, to be given by him to Donald Robertson, brother of said William, he giving bond to the said Earl." Not signed. — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 182. The above shows that at that date Chief James the Menzies was nearing his latter end. But as this document was never signed, so far therefore as we can discover, he, Chief James the Menzies, surnamed "The Honourable," died about the 5th September 1585. Chief Sir James the Menzies by his wife, the Hon. Barbara Stewart, who survived him, left two sons and two daughters : — 1st. Sir Alexander the Menzies, his successor as Chief of Clan Menzies and estates of Menzies. 2nd. Duncan Menzies of Comrie. A charter was granted to this Duncan of the lands and barony of Comrie, which is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies ; and from this Duncan and branch of the Comrie Menzies' was lineally descended Captain John Menzies, who figured in the 1745, and end of 18th century, and of whom are others of the name and clan of Menzies descended at the present time. 1st. Daughter — Helen Menzies, married James Beaton of Megum, of which marriage there is a discharge of tocher in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. 2nd. Grizel Menzies, married James Grant of Ardmilly, brother-german to John Grant of Freuchie, ancestor of the chief and laird of Grant. The lairds of Grant until comparatively lately were called the Grants of Frechy. The contract of this marriage is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. [page_228 A.D. 1585] CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' WHO HELD LANDS AND OF NOTE, REIGNS OF QUEEN MARY AND JAMES VI. Chieftain Thomas Menzies of Pitfodels, who sat in the Parliaments of Queen Mary, and was Provost of Aberdeen from 1547 to 1576. Chieftain Gilbert Meingeis, Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1576 to 1588, and sat in the Scottish Parliaments of James VI., held at Edinburgh 15th July 1578, also 20th October 1579 to November 1579, and 24th October 1581 to November 1581. He was baron of and held the estates of Pitfodels. William Meinzies, brother of the above. Sat in the Convention of Royal Burghs held at Edinburgh, October 1579, and at Glasgow, 24th February 1579 ; also at Stirling, in March 1579, as the representative of Aberdeen, and again at Edin- burgh, 17th April 1581. " Andro" Menzies, who represented the City of Aberdeen at the Convention of Royal Burghs, held at Aberdeen, 25th March 1541. Chieftain Gilbert Menzeis, Baron of Cowlie, who possessed these lands near Aberdeen. His name is attached to an instrument of Sasine, 1560. CHIEFTAIN ROBERT MEINZEIS of " Comry," and his brother John " Menzes," appear in connection with bonds of manrent, 1559. Robert's name is attached to others, 8th June 1585, and 28th May 1586. From him descend branches of the Comrie Menzies'. Chieftain Patrick " Menzeis " of Comrie, son of the above Robert, is a witness to bonds of manrent, 15th July 1585. JAMES MENZES, brother of Robert Menzies of Comrie, is also a witness to bonds, 14th October 1560. Cheftain John MENZEIS, surnamed Barroun, The Baron, also brother to Chieftain Robert, is a witness to bonds, 9th March 1559, and in 1561. From him descend Menzies' to the present day. Rev. John MENZEIS, who was Protestant minister of the Auld Kirk o' Weem, and chaplain to the Chief James the Menzies of Menzies. Chieftain James Mengeis of Foird or Forrdie, afterwards called Lawers in Strathearn near Comrie, a portion of the ancient territory of the Menzies', inherited by his branch. [page_229 A.D. 1566-1644] Chief Sir Alexander the "Meingzies," Knight, 15th Baron of Menzies. THE POET LAUREATE. A.D. 1566-1644 CHIEF SIR ALEXANDER THE MENZ1ES on the death of his father, Chief James the Menzies, surnamed " the Honourable," being under age, did not therefore get possession of the estates of Menzies for some years. He was a student in the University of Glasgow at the time of his father's death, where his classic genius and great ability as a scholar made him one of the students of distinction at the University. He excelled in the composition of Latin verse, for which poetic excellence he was made the Laureate of his time. This honour was conferred on him in the year 1582, the event being recorded in the " Registrant Glasguense" as follows: — " Univirsity Glasguensis Fati Qui Laurea exorrnati sunt in Glaseugna, anno noto Laureati anno 1582, Alexander Meinzeis" Translation: — "The University of Glasgow adds and confers as a Poet, adorned with laurel by Glasgow, the wreath or mark of Poet Laureate upon Alexander Meinzeis, in the year 1585." We also find him before this in connection with a " Decreit Arbitrall" of the University of Glasgow, A.D. 1584, to which his name is appended Alexander Meinzeis, witness. Again, to a charter of King James VI., connected with the University of Glasgow, in 1584, is attached the name of Alexander Meinzeis as a witness. On the death of his father he was obliged to withdraw from his career at the University, where he had made so noble a mark. From thence we find him engaging in all the troubles with which the Highlands of Scotland were afflicted. From this time, through life, we find him a chief, honourable, upright, and considerate, being much respected and looked up to as a man of learning. Owing to the nonage of Sir Alexander Menzies, we find Lady Menzies trying to fortify her position by a bond of service, as follows : — " Bond by John Campbell in Droumfallante to serve and obey Barbara [page_230 A.D. 1585] Stewart, Lady Weem, as a true servant ought to do, till the time that her eldest son, Alexander Menzes, should come to perfect age, and to ' ken na wther in deuring hes menoratie,' &c, at Menzes, 12 September 1585." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 183. This was a necessary step, as, on the death of the Chief James the Menzies, his old enemies, who could not get the better of him during his life, now sought to take advantage of the minority of the young chief and his mother. For this purpose a confederacy was formed, consisting of the Campbells, the Earl of Athole, Stewart of Grandtully, Macintosh, Lord Drummond, Graham of Menteith, Murray of Tullibardine, and others, all of whom, immediately after the death of " The Honourable " chief, set their followers to rob and plunder the lands of Menzies'. Under these circumstances Lady Menzies enlisted the Earl of Huntly in her favour. The earl was all-powerful at this time in the north, being known as the " Cock of the North," and well knew the condition of the Highlands. Her ladyship, therefore, had him appointed ward of the young chief, as follows : — ¦ " Office Copy from the Register of Privy Seal of a letter of Gift to George, Earl of Huntly, of the ward and nonentry of the barouny of Menzeis and other lands belonging to the deceased James Menzeis of that Ilk ; with releif of the same, and marriage of Alexander Menzeis, his heir. Stirling, 27 September 1585." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 209. The appointment of Huntly as ward of Menzies was all the more urgent as the Earl of Athole especially was making great inroads into the Menzies country. Clan Menzies, although without a chief, seems to have given stroke for stroke ; and owing to this state of matters the young chief was exempted from joining the royal army then mustering, as is shown by the following : — " Licence under the signet by King James the Sixth to Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, and his tenants and servants, to remain at home from the army summoned to convene at Castle of Craufurde, for the purpose of proceeding towards the borders against 'our rebellis and disobedient subiectis.' The reason assigned for the letters of licence is that between the kin, tenants, and servants of John, Earl of Athole, and those of Alexander the Menzies, there had been ' sindrie slauchteris, depradationis, and reiffs committed on ather syde,' and the latter party could not pass from their lands without ' forther inconvenient to follow.' Dated at Stirling, 28 October 1585." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 45. On the 23rd September 1586 Lady Menzies made a further confirmation of the ward of her son to the Earl of Huntly, which is set forth in the form of an obligation, as follows : — [page_231 A.D. 1586] "The Lady Weimes Obligatioun, 1586. " Be it kend till all men by thir present letters, me, Barbara Stewart, ladye Weyme, relict of umquhill James Menzies of that Ilk, to be boundin and oblist, as be the tenor heirof, binds and obleges me faithfully to ane nobill and potent lord, George, Earl of Huntly, lord Gordoun and Badzenocht, etc., in maner as follows : that forsameikill as it has pleased the said nobill lord freilie to give and dispon to me all and sindrie the lands perteining to the hous of Weyme, that presently wairdis in his lordschips hands, as donatour to our soverane lords Gift of the Ward, and nonentrie of Alexander Menzes, my sonne, with all profeittis and commoditeis whatsomever pertaining thereto, and that to the weill and commoditie of the barnis procreat betuix the said umquhill James Menzeis and me, etc. ; nevertheles, I will and grantis, and alswa, be the faytht and trewtht in my bodie, binds and obliges me, that in case it shall happin me directly or indirectly, cullorablie or plainlie, to appoint with my Lord of Atholl anent the questionis standand or recounsalit betuix him and the said house of Weyme, or to contract friendship, or if my dependance upon any other person by the said noble Lord, Earl of Huntlie, or that I onthankfullie, ingraitlie, or ontrewlie behaiffis myself towards his lordship in all sords, and make not just compt and reckning of the profeittis and commoditeis that shall happen to be oblessit, etc. ; in that caice the said nobill Lord, Earl of Huntly, shall have full, free, and plane ingres, regres, entres, and access, agane in and to the said ward lands, etc. In faytht and witness of the which, I have subscribed this present obligation, in forme of regres, with my lands as follows, and for the mair suirtie affixit my signett, at Menzeis, 23d Sept. 1586, before thir witnesses — Alexander Menzeis, sone to Jhon Menzeis, Robert Menzies in Snype, and Patrik Menzeis, son to Jhon Menzeis of Morinche. "Barbara Stewart, Lady Weyme, " with my hand led at the pen. " Ita est Walterus Robertson, notarius-publicus, etc." — Gordon Papers, Spalding Club Miscellany, p. 237. Lady Menzies trusted Huntly all the more, because the Menzies' of Pitfodels and other branch cadets of the Clan Menzies in Aberdeenshire were the fast friends of the Earl of Huntly, and continued so. The confederacy of the Campbells, Athole, and others having plundered and robbed the tenants on the Menzies' country, Lady Menzies was determined that, if she could not handle the claymore, dirk, and targe, she would not let her son's lands and people be down-trodden and robbed. She therefore applied to King James VI., and got the following precept : — " Precept under the signet of King James VI. and the Lords of Privy [page_232 A.D. 1586] Council, at the instance of Barbara Stewart, Lady Weme, narrating that ' quhair it is notour . . . quhat masterfull reffis, herschippis, stouthis, and depredationis scho hes sustenit and dalie sustenis be thevis, broken men, and sornaris of Clannis duelland upoun the landis, rowmis, and possessionis of Archibald Erll of Ergyle, Johnne Erll of Athoill, Thomas Stewart of Grantullie, Angus M'Kintoshe of Dunnauchtane, Allaster M'Krannaldin, Patrik Lord Drummond, Erll of Menteith, John Grahame, tutor of Menteith, Williame Murray of Tullibardine, and M'Farlane of that Ilk ... be quhome not onlie are hir guidis and geir maist theftuuslie and masterfullie reft, stollin, and awaytane ; bot be the oft frequenting, resorting and repairing of the saidis thevis and brokin men to hir landis and rowmes, they swee, oppress and persewthe pure tenentis and labouraris thairof for thair bodilie harme and slaughter in defence and recoverie of thair awne guidis, that thai ar constranit to leave rowmis, and swa thairby the maist parte of the said complenaris boundis and possessionis ar layed waist, not only to her hurte, but to the utter wrak and heirschip of mony honnest houshaldaris, tennantis and labouraris of the same.' . . . " The persons named above are charged to find responsible securities that Lady Weem sustain no further injuries from them or by their causing, each of the earls under the pain of 5000/., Lord Drummond under the pain of 4000/. ; the others above named under the pain of 2000/. Holyroodhouse, 3 December 1586." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 210. Thus the Earl of Athole was brought to justice, and had to find security in £5000 that no further acts of robbery, &c, would be done on the Menzies' lands and people ; the Earl of Argyle also in £5000, the Earl of Menteith in £5000, and the others as above noted. But although a precept had been got from the king against Athole, it was another thing to enforce or get Athole and his confederates to comply with its stipulations. It appears that Athole had given assurance that none of his men or any of the clan septs on his lands should do any more depredations on the lands of the Menzies'. Still the feud went on, apparently without ceasing. The double-dealing of Athole being laid before the king, the result was that the earl was cited to appear before the king and council at Edinburgh, 27th December 1586, the record of which is as follows : — "Edinburgh, 27th December 1586. The King and Council declare that, if Johnne, Earl of Athoill, after granting the assurance to George, Earl of Huntley, lieutenant in the North, Alexander Menzeis of Weyme, George Drummond of Blair, and others comprehended therein, shall either by himself or by others for whom he is bound, assist in any way the Heland and broken men or othiris quhatsumevir, in invading the lands of the said Alexander Menzies and George Drummond or their tenants, be way of maisterfull reiff and depredatioun, or suffer them to remain within his bounds for 24 hours eftir the committing of the saidis [page_233 A.D. 1587] crymes, with his knawlege and writting, in that case the enorme deidis and. crymes of the said depredators salbe estemit as brek of the same assurance, and he salbe haldin to answer for thame, as assistaris and parttakaris with him and his in the actioun questionable betwix him and the said George, Erll of Huntley. Intimation of this is to be made to the Earl of Athoill, and a list of the special names of the saidis Hieland men and broken men generalie mentionat of befoir, is to be delivered to him. " George, Earl of Huntley, on the one part, and Johnne, Earl of Athoill, on the other part, were lately required by his Highness to subscribe an assurance to each other. Athoill has subscribed the said assurance to Huntley, but refuses, or at least delays to assure George Drummond of Blair. Huntley being movit be his Hienes, has refused to subscrib altogether. Hence forder trouble and inconvenient is liklie to fall oute umangis thame, to baith their displeasure and disquieting of the present estate of the cuntrey. Accordingly, Huntley is charged to subscribe the said assurance for his part, and Athoill to subscribe the assurance in favour of George Drummond, while both are to dissolve their forces, gif ony be alreddy assemblit be thame, and to desist and ceis fra all making of convocatioun of his Hienes liegis in armes, and fra persute and invasioun of uthiris boundis, rowmis, and possessionis, be way of hostilite and depredatioun, bot to observe his Hienes peace, quietness, and gude reule in the cuntrey." — Reg. Pr. Col., Scot., p. 131, vol. iv. In the reign of King James VI. there was laid before the Scottish Parliament, 29th July 1587, a list of the Highland Clans, on which Roll are mentioned the " Meingies in Athoill, and Apnadull." A cadet branch of the Menzies' who had got as their portion the lands of Foird, afterwards Fordie, in Strathearn, near Comrie, on the old lands of the Menzies' called Monzievaird, and now called Lawers, which had been their inheritance for many generations, for which they, on the 29th July 1587, had by King James VI. passed an Act of the Scottish Parliament of favours to James Menzies of Foird or Foirdie, and John Menzies his son. The cause of the application by these Menzies', which we give here as an illustration of the state of Scotland, was that some of " the greedy Campbells," jealous of their lands, lodged false accusations against them to the king and council. As they got no notice of such, and being a long distance from Edinburgh, they knew nothing of what had happened until they were denounced as rebels and their lands forfeited. On learning the cause, they at once took steps to get this reversed. We give the Act of Parliament granting these favours, and restoring them to their lands and possessions, which is as follows : — "Act in favour of James and Johnne Menyeiss. — Anent the application presented and given in to our Souverane Lord, and Lords of Articles, by James Menyeis of Foird (Fordie), and Johnne Menyies his son, makeing mention, That they were [page_234 A.D. 1587] denounced as our Soverane Lords rebells, and put to his hienes home at the instance of some persons, who upon pretence whereof, Intends to exclude thame from all compearance in jugment in persuite and defence of differant actions presently pending befoir the lordis of Session and other juges, which are of great weight and consequence, To the recovery of which, the which actions, releiff of the said horneing and satisfaction of their creditors, seeing it is necessary that they be heard in jugment by themselves and their procurators, and therefore desiring our said Soverane Lord with advise of his said estaits, To dispense with all and what- somever hornings or whatever Acts of Parliament made in the contrairy, led against the said James and Johnne Menyeiss, at the instance of whatsomever person or persons for any cause or occasion in the past, preceding the date hereof, unto the . . . day of . . . next to come, To the effect that they by themselves or their procurators may persue and defend in their ' inst ' actions, and thereby recover the said horneings, and in the meantime that they may legitimately resorte within the realm in doing of their lawfull business. Ordaining herefor the Lords of Council and Session to suffer and permitt the said persons by themselves and their procurator, to do and defend in their said actions, Notwithstanding of the said horning or anything therein contained, made in the contrairy. Anent the which it will please his highness and the three estatites, to dispense as at more lenth is contained in the said supplication, Which being heard, 'sene,' and considered by his Majestie and lords of articles, and therewith rightly addressed. Our said Soverane Lord, with advice and consent of the said estates of Parliament, dispenses with all whatsomever Hornings or Acts of Parliament made in the contrary, led against the said James and Johnne Menyeiss, at the instance of whatsomever person or persons, for any cause or occasion, past preceding the date hereof, 'sa far' and in the same manner as the lordis of Counsall and Session has despenced already with the foresaid hornings, To the effect the said James and Johnne Menyeiss by themselves and their procurators, may perseu and defend in their iust actions, and thereby recover releif of the hornings, and in the meantime, that they may ' lesumilie ' resort within the realm, in doing of their lawful buisness, as amply and freely in all sortes, as the said lords of Counsall and Session has granted the same to them before." — Acts Par. Scot., James VI, p. 496, vol. iii. Chieftain James Menzies of Fordie defeated the Campbells, and their accusers. Their descendants held their lands for over another 120 years, and from them descend the Menzies' of Crieff and neighbourhood. At last the Campbells of Lawers by some art got these lands, and changed the name to Lawers, about 1690 or 1700. On a part of these old Menzies' lands of Fordie (now Lawers), near Comrie, in Strathearn, there was found in a cist an urn, possibly the work of some of the ancient Celtic race of Menzies. It is quite artistic in shape, displaying a freedom [page_235 A.D. 1587-1588] of handling by the Celtic potter, only equalled by the pencil sketch of a first-rate artist of to-day. — Trans. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. xvi., p. 307. On the 29th of August 1587 Dowager Lady Menzies died and was buried in the Auld Kirk o' Weem, where there is an inscription on the back of the Menzies Altar to her memory, in Latin, as follows : — |
| " Barbaara Steveri . Comites Atholle Sponsa . Jacobi . Mezes . Mater . Conditoris . Nvis . Sepvic Hri . Obit . 29 . Av . 1587." |
Barbara Stewart, the Earl. of Athole's Daughter, Wife of Sir James Menzies. chronicling her death, 29th August 1587, and this place, her Sepulchre. |
|
The inscription is somewhat ornamental, with one projecting member on the tops and three on the under side, having a border all round. Below is the escutcheon of the Stewarts, with an earl's coronet above. This is beautifully cut out of the hard stone, every line of the quartering being as fine as when cut. The arms are, — 1st and 4th, a fesse chequy ; 2nd and 3rd, paly of six. Some time before the death of his mother the young chief married Margaret Campbell, daughter of Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, of which marriage there was no issue. She predeceased her husband. Sir Alexander the Menzies was in 1588 retoured, served heir to his father, the good Chief James the Menzies, in the estates of Menzies, &c, the document of which retour is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. For some time there had not been so much trouble between Glenurchy and the Menzies', doubtless on account of matrimonial alliances. This was followed by Duncan Campbell becoming the follower of Sir Alexander the Menzies, to whom he gave his bond, which reads :— " Bond of ' freindschip and amitie ' between Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy and Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, who excepts the service of Duncan Campbell to the Earl of Argyle, and of Alexander Menzeis to the Earl of Huntly. Perth, 11th August 1588." — -Abridged from Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 184. Close on the peace with Glenurchy, Sir Alexander the Menzies made a similar arrangement with the Earl of Huntly, as follows : — [page_236 A.D. 1588-1589] "Bond by Menzies of that Ilk, 1588. " Be it kend till all men be thir present letters, me, Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, to be bound and oblyed, and by the tennor hereof, the faith and truth of my body, lelelie and truly binds and obliges me in faithfull and treu band of service to ane noble and michtie lord, George, Earl of Huntlie, Lord Gordoun and Badzenocht, etc., prometing and obliging me to fortifie, menteine, and defend the said michtie lord, in all his actions, caussis, and quarrels, honest and just, and that I shall take ane treu, unfewseit, and afald pairt with him therein, against whatsomever person or persons (my lawtie and allegeance to our souerane lord the king's majestie being always excepted), etc. ; in witness of the which I have subscribed thir presents with my hand, at Edinburgh, the 10th December 1588, befoir thir witnessis — Johne Campbell of Laweris, Alexander Drummound of Midhoip, and Gavine Hammiltoun, notar. Alexander Menzes of that Ilk." Spal. Club Misy., Gorn. Prs., p. 241. The Earl of Huntly had for his design by this bond the hope of getting Sir Alexander the Menzies to desert the king, in the event of him and the Romish party coming to blows with the Royal power. Huntly during the fitting out of the Armada corresponded with Spain for help, considering himself in danger from the Protestants. Huntly and the Romish party raised the standard of rebellion in the North, early in 1589. In this he was assisted by the Earl of Errol, the Menzies' of Pitfodels, Findon, Durne, and others in Aberdeenshire. James VI. summoned Sir Alexander the Menzies and clan to join him against the rebels. The fiery cross was sent round the Menzies' country, and Clan Menzies joined the army of the king as he marched North. Huntly and his forces were dispersed, himself and confederates being captured by the Protestant army. After the insurrection was suppressed, Clan Menzies was encamped at Aberdeen in guard of King James ; and there we find them on the 29th April 1589, headed by Sir Alexander the Menzies, who, apparently having received information that his presence was required at home, procured leave of absence, which was granted by the king as follows : — " Licence by King James VI., under the Signet, in favour of Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, to pass home or elsewhere on business from the service of the king. Dated at Aberdeen, 29th April 1589." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies. The late Chief James the Menzies and Stewart of Grandtully, although related by marriage — it did not count much in their time — but we find in the time of their sons that " blood was thicker than water." The two young chiefs were cousins, and this at least for a time had a friendly effect and stopped the feud. This friendship is shown by the following letter : — " Sir Alexander Menzes of that Ilk to (Sir Thomas Stewart of Grandtully), [page_237 A.D. 1590] 8th June c. 1590. Rycht Honerabell and sister barnes, efter maist hartie commendationes : For samekell as ye shall wet that my men off Tolledonel hes not mosses bot within you : Wuharfor I man desyr you eifectusle to grant tham moss lef, and thai shall satefe tenendis, that ye sail nocht her thair complant, as I sail be rede to do you the lyk plesour, as I awcht of dewte. These I belef ye well do for my request, and sua well commet you to God. From Weeme, the viii of June, be your assurit sester barnes — To the rycht honorabell and sesster barnes, the Laird of Grantelle." Sir Thomas Stewart of Grandtully, to whom this letter was addressed, was the son of William Stewart of Grandtully, and the Lady Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of John, third Earl of Athole. The writer of the letter, ' Sir Alexander Menzes of that Ilk,' was the son of Lady Barbara Stewart, sister of Lady Elizabeth. Sir Alexander Menzes and the Laird of Grandtully were thus sisters' bairns. — Red Book of Grandtully, p. 135, vol. 2. The general Commission of 1589 against the MacGregors was to endure for the space of three years ; but as the Commissioners had not all the same interest in the extinction of the Clan Gregor as Glenorchy, they exhibited apparent back- wardness in the matter. A particular Commission was sought and granted to Sir Duncan Campbell, July 1591 , in which the Clan Gregor as a whole are described as rebels, and at the horn for diverse horrible offences. Fire and sword were denounced against the harbourers of the clan. Power was given to convocate the lieges of Breadalbane and the neighbouring districts to follow up the pursuit, and the surrounding noblemen and barons were commanded, under penalties, to aid Sir Duncan. It had been twice experienced by the Campbells that the expedient of making the MacGregors forswear and upgive their chief by bonds completely failed to gain their fidelity, or to make them true vassals of the Campbells. In this Commission, therefore, the system was condemned by the supreme authority. The bonds of maintenance subsisting between Sir Duncan Campbell and the principals of the Clan Gregor were cancelled, and all such engagements forbidden for the future. With such ample powers Glenorchy was yet far from being master of Clan Alpin's fate. He and his truculent cousin, the Laird of Lawers, chased the MacGregors, it is true, from Breadalbane, surprised and slew some, and made others prisoners ; but the great body escaped into [page_238 A.D. 1590] districts where, notwithstanding the royal authority, he did not dare follow them. Moved by relationship and hereditary fosterage, Sir Alexander Menzies connived at the flight of the fugitives to Rannoch. Argyle also, who found the Clan Gregor very useful in prosecuting, with safety to himself, his bloody feuds against his enemies, did not wish such hearty success to his kinsman Glenorchy, as to shut up absolutely the passes of the West against their escape. — Lairds of Glenlyon, by M. Campbell, p. 198. The scheme for the extermination of the MacGregors by the Campbells of Glenorchy was, however, defeated by the action of the Menzies' and other powerful clans, who, out of sympathy for them, gave them whatever protection they possibly could, particularly Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, who was a blood-relation of the MacGregors, who had been his ancestors' kindly tenants in Belloch, Roro, Glenlyon, and Rannoch. Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, finding that his bloodthirsty endeavours to root out the MacGregors was thus defeated, applied to the King and Privy Council, in which two of the Clan Menzies (James Menzies and Alexander Menzies, brothers-in-law to Robertson of Fasclay) were charged with protecting the MacGregors. Here is the charge : — "James VI. "1590, Nov. 2nd. Holyroodhouse. Complaint by Sir Duncane Campbell of Glenurquhy, as follows : — The execution of the commission granted to him for pursuit and punishment of the Clan Gregour (ante, p. 509) is greatly retarded by the reset of the said rebels at all times within the countries of Ergyle and Athoill, 'be the oversicht, allowance, and permissioun of the curatouris of the Erll of Ergyle, and of the speciall baronis and gentilemen of the cuntrey of Athoill, quhairupoun the saidis Clan Geregour ar encourageit to committ all kynd of mischeiff and slauchter upoun the said complenair, and his freindis, assistaris with him in the executioun of the said commissioun.' There had been such reset of them in the country of Ergyle, where they were pursued by the complainer, in July last, ' and now laitlie, in the moneth of Augest, they have shamefullie murdreist and slane ane man of the Laird of Laweris, three men of the Laird of Glenlyoun, and ane boy of the said complenaris aune, besydis the barbarous hocheing of ky and oxin, sorning and wracking of the landis of Auchnafree, pertening to the said Laird of Laweris. Efter the quhilk murthour, the said complenar, having directit ane cumpany of his speciall freindis and uthers, in the begynning of August last, to the bounds of Rannoch, for apprehensioun of ane noumer of the said Clan Gregour, denuncit rebellis and at the home, the said Clan Gregour, being advertissit of their cuming, fled, with their wyffis, bairniss, and guidis, to the cuntrey of Athoill and to the place of the Blair, being the said Erllis princepall duellinghouse, quhair they were nocht onlie ressett be the baronis and [page_239 A.D. 1590] gentilemen of the cuntrey, bot the same baronis and gentilmen, assisted with xxiiii personis of the said Clan Gregour, maist cruellie invadit and perseuit the said complenaris saidis freindis with all kynd of extremitie, and as yit fortifeis, inter- tenyis and sufferis the said Clan Gregour to remane within the said cuntrey, quhairthrow the executioun of the said commission is altogidder frustrat.' Charge had been duly given, under pain of rebellion, to Johnne Stewart Neilsoun in the Fos, Johnne Stewart M'Andro there, George Leslie, bailie of Athole, Stewart of Bonscuib, Robert Stewart in Fascastell, Alexander M'Intoshe in Terreny, Duncane Robertsoun, Robert Stewart M'Andro in Fos, Johnne Stewart and Neil Stewart, Johnne Stewart M'Andrais son, Alexander Robertsoun, apperent of Fascalye, Johnne and Alexander Menzeissis, his brothers-in-law, to appear personally, and also to represent the following rebels before the Council, that order might be taken with them according to the general band — viz. (here follows a list of MacGregors and others), these not appearing the Lordis ordain them to be denounced." — Acts Par., Scot., p. 541, vol. iv. Black Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, by his action of the 2nd November 1590, brought all who had assisted or sheltered the MacGregors under penalties, for which they were to find caution. By an Act of Parliament, 16th Dec. 1590, for protecting the MacGregors, we find Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies of that Ilk bound in £5000, and Chieftain Robert Menzies of Comrie (Baron Comerye) bound in £2000, with a roll of other Highland chiefs. We give the record of this Act, which reads : — " Holyroodhouse, 16th Dec. 1590. James VI. By the Act of Parliament passed in July 1587 (Acts iii., 461-467) all landlords and bailies on the Borders and in the Highlands, on whose lands broken men dwell, are required to find sufficient sureties, within 15 days after being charged, under pain of rebellion, that they, and all for whom they are bound to answer by the general band, shall keep good rule in the country, and also that they shall make themselves and their men answerable to justice. Accordingly, the following persons are ordered to find caution to the effect foresaid, in the sums aftermentioned, within 15 days after the charge, under pain of rebellion, viz. : — Lauchlane M'Yntosche of Dunnachten, in £10,000; Colene M'Kenzie of Kintale, in 20,000 merks ; Mr Hector Monro, of Fowles, in 10,000 merks; Alexander Ros of Balnagowne, in £10,000; Torquile M'Cloyd of the Lewis, in £10,000 ; Alexander Chesholme of Cummer, in £2000; James MakConile Glas, in 5000 merks ; Angus Williamssoun, in 5000 merks ; Thomas Stewart of Grantully, in £5000 ; Donald Robertson of Strowane, in £5000 ; Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, in £5000 ; Johnne Tarlochsoune, in £2000 ; George Robertsoun of Fastcalzie, in £3000 ; Baron Fergusoun, in £3000 ; Baron Comerye (Robert Menzies) in £2000 ; " and many others. — Acts Par., Scot., p. 802, vol. iii. [page_240 A.D. 1590-1591] Following on the Act causing the Highland Chiefs to find caution in certain sums of money for the peace of the Highlands, a general roll of the clans was made up. In this Parliament Roll the Menzies' are mentioned as of Athole and Apnadull. The complete Roll from the Parliamentary records reads : — "Roll of Clans (Highlands and Isles), 1590. " Buchannanis ; Makfarlanis of Arroquhar ; Maknabbis ; Gramhames of Menteith ; Stewartis of Buquhidder ; Clan Gregour ; Clan Lauren ; Campbellis of Lochnell ; Campbellis of Innerraw ; Clan Douill of Lorne ; Stewartis of Lorne or of the Appin ; Clan M'Kayne (of) Abricht ; Stewartis of Athole and adjacent ; Clan Donoquhy in Athole and parts adjacent ; Menyeissis IN Athole and APNADULL ; Clan M'Thomas in Glensche ; Fergussonis ; Spaldingis ; M'Yntosches in Athole ; Clan Chamroun ; Clan Rannald in Lochaber ; Clan Rannald of Knoydert, Moydert, and Glengarey ; Clan Lewd of Lewis ; Clan Lewd of Harrey ; Clan Neill ; Clan Kynnoun ; Clan Ieane ; Clan Chattan ; Fraseris ; Clan Kauye ; Clan Andreis ; Monrois ; Murris in Sutherland." — Acts of Parliament, p. 782, vol. iii. Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, with Chieftain Robert Menzies of Comrie, the following year, appeared before Parliament and found caution in £1000. This bond was signed by parties at Castle Menzies, 25th September 1591, presented and registered at Edinburgh, 25th November 1591, and is thus recorded in the Parliamentary records : — " 1591, 25th Nov., Edinburgh — By Alexander Menzies of that Ilk for himself, and James Betoun, fiar of Melgund, and Robert Menzies of Cunrye, as sureties for him, in £1000, that he shall not only ' hald hand that no maner of sornar, oppressoure, committers of ony cruell attemptis,' shall pass through any bounds which he has power over, but shall pursue the said malefactors to the uttermost of his power, conform to the Act of Secret Council ordaining all inhabitants within the bounds of Athole, Straardill, Glensche, etc. to find caution before the 27th instant that none of them should reset the said offenders, or suffer them to resort through their lands (Adam Menzeis, servitor to George, Earl of Huntly, as procurator for the parties, presenting for registration the band, which is subiscribed at Menzeis, 25 Sept. before the said procurator, Robert Menzeis of Snaip, Johnne Menzeis, parson of Weyme, — Johnne Menzeis, notary - public, subscribing for Robert Menzeis of Comrie)." — Acts of Parliament, 1591, vol. iii. This was only one of the items which the Menzies' had to suffer for sheltering Clan Gregor on their lands, and but for such sacrifices they must eventually have been exterminated by the Campbells. Sir Alexander the Menzies, in 1591, got a new charter to the Menzies barony and lands of Rannoch ; the islands and lochs of Rannoch, Errocht, and the surrounding country ; the forests and woods of the Rannoch country ; the salmon- [page_241 A.D. 1591-1592] fishings and every class of fish ; the castles and forts of the surrounding district. Specially, the charter refers to the erudition of Sir Alexander, and gives him power of justiciary over the whole country of Rannoch and Menzies. The patronship of the parish of Rannoch empowered him to appoint a Protestant minister or vicar to preach the Evangelistic Christian religion to the people, and refers to his own services in the furthering of the cause of the Reformed religion. It also refers to " The Honourable " life of his " lamented " father, the good Chief James the Menzies, and in a word restores the whole barony of Menzies to him, including the whole lands of Loch Tay, which the then late Colin Campbell had set up a claim for on the plea of nonentries of heirs, showing the Campbells to be still feu-farm tenants, paying a rental of one-twelfth. The charter reads : — " A.D. 1591. King James VI. confirms to ' Alexander Menzeis ' of Menzies, and heritably to heirs-male, whatsomever of the surname and arms of ' Menzeis ' by blood, the lands and barony of ' Rannoch,' viz., the lands of ' Downane, Kinlauchte,' the two ' Cammysirochtis, Ardlarach, Kilquhonane, Larane, Ardlair, Laragane ' ; the islands of Loch Rannoch ; the lochs of Rannoch and ' Trochtie ' ; and all other lochs and islands of the said lands, with the woods and forests in those parts, and fishings both of salmon and every kind of fish living therein, &c, extending in all to 20 lib. land, with castles and fortifications within the same lands and district, in the shire of ' Perth ' ; which the same Alexander resigned unto the king. And now regiven wholly to said Alexander, for knowledge and the good affection to his lamented predecessor and himself, a propagator of the Gospel, and for to plant supreme worship and expounding within the said barony, the calling or appointing of the rector and vicar to the church of the parish of Rannoch, of which said Alexander is constituted patron. And for his good learning, said Alexander has power of justiciary, &c, all incorporated in the free barony of Rannoch ; and spreading thereby the cultivation in ' Kilquhonnane ' of grain, chiefly to be cultivated on same : — Discharged 30 lib. in full possession ; and also the king gives hereby, with good reason, the country and barony of Menzies." — Reg. Great Seal, 1587. Sir Alexander the Menzies, having got hold of one of the caterans who had been making so much trouble in the country, sent word to King James VI., who forwarded the following order : — " Order from King James the Sixth to Alexander Menzies of that Ilk and his baillie to stay proceedings against Donald Schairpe for crimes of theft. Dated at Tullybardin, 1 January 1592." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 47. On 16th January 1592, owing to some apprehensions that harm was intended by the Lindsays on the person of Sir Alexander Menzies, they were bound in £2000 each to keep the peace towards him by the Lords of the Privy Council. Here is the record : — [page_242 A.D. 1592] " 1592, Edinburgh, 16th Jan. Johnne Lindsay of Dunrod and James Lokhart, elder of Ley, for Johnne Lindsay of Covingtoun and Johnne Lindsay, his son and apparent heir, £2000 each, not to harm Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk." — Reg. Prv. Col., p. 579, vol. v. Sir Alexander Menzies and Clan Menzies were out with the army of King James VI. at the beginning of the year 1592, when the king was obliged to call out the army to crush the plots of Earl Bothwell and his confederates. The disturbed state of the Highlands demanding his presence at home, he received the following permit to return home, which reads as follows : — "Licence by King James Sixth to Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk to depart home from the host passing north for persuit of certane of our rebellis con- spiratouris agains God's trew religioun, our persoun, Croun, and this our realme. Dated February 1592." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 48. The power of the Earl of Bothwell having become very strong, he made a third attempt to get hold of the king at Dalkeith Palace. Although abortive, it re-animated the king and council in their prosecuting of the daring outlaw ; and to prevent a general insurrection in his name, all the leading nobles, barons, and chiefs were obliged to find caution not to assist him ; among whom was Sir Alexander the Menzies, as the following record relates : — " 1592, Perth, 22nd April. Caution by Sir Johnne Murray of Tullibardin for Sir Thomas Stewart of Grantullie in 5000 merks, and for Johnne Reid of Straloch, Walter Reid of Douny, Johnne Fergussoun of Derculie, Allaster Stewart of Cultylany, and George Cunnysoun, younger of that Ilk, and by Alexander Menzeis of Weyme for Johnne Stewart of Tullypoureis, all in 500 merks each, that they shall not reset or intercommune with Francis, sometime Earl Bothuile, or his accomplices, or his resetters ; and that they shall not reset or suffer to pass through their lands any thieves, sorners, or broken men of the Highlands, or reset within their bounds such goods as shall be stolen by such ; and also that they shall assist the King's good subjects in following and rescue of goods reft or stolen, and for apprehending the malefactors, according to the general band." — Reg. Prv. Col, Scot., p. 743, vol. iv. After the assassination of the Regent Murray, the Protestant party of Scotland were much disgusted at there being no attempt to bring the conspirators and the assassin to justice, and their indignation and revenge took the following form : — " The Lord Ochiltrie, seeing how these matters were handeled, and how the revenge of the murder of the regent Murray by law was neglected, whereupon he had stayd all this time, and His Majestie had promised unto him to further that matter by law in all rigour. He, seeing no appearance thereof, passes over the water to the Earl of Atholl, the Earl of Montrose, M'Kuntofche (Macintosh), Grant, Sir Alexander ' Meingeis,' the laird of Weymis of that Ilk, with the haill barronis [page_243 A.D. 1592-1593 ] apperteaning upon the house of Atholl, and caused set doun a band in writeing, oblegeing them to concur and go forward on all occasions when they should be required, or that occasion should offer, for the revenge of that murder ; likewise he rode through all his friends on the south side of the Forth, and caused them to subscribe the same bond. Wereof, the King hearing, by information of the Chanceller Maitland, and at his instigation, moved his Majestie to send for Lord Ochiltrie. The King wished to know the reason of the bond, and he was told that there seemed no other way to have the murder revenged. This was about the 20th April 1592." — Moyzies' Memoirs, p. 92. It will be remembered that Murray, as Regent, and Huntly, as " Cock of the North" — each anxious for power and office — had been at feud for some time. Lord Ochiltree endeavoured to bring both of them together, and so end their feud by a reconciliation, had not Huntly enacted the terrible nocturnal tragedy on Murray's house of Donibristle, near Aberdour, on the coast of the Firth of Forth, where Huntly surrounded the house and set it on fire. The Earl of Moray succeeded in bursting through the flames, and escaped to the sea-beach, where he was killed by some of Huntly's Romish party. He was much lamented, and his cowardly murder made many nobles, chiefs, and barons sign the above bond along with Sir Alexander the Menzies. These stirring events, and the joining in one band together of Athole, Menzies, and others for the revenge of the Regent Murray's death, drew Athole and Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies together. Old feuds were ended, and a mutual agreement then come to, which is as follows : — "Obligation by Alexander Menzies of that Ilk in respect and his predecessors Lairds of Weymes of auld have depended upon the Earls of Atholl, whereby he binds himself in all time coming from the date thereof to depend on the said Earl and his house to fortify and assist by himself, his kin, friends, tenants, and others the said Earl, his kin, friends, tenants, &c, in all their actions, causes, quarrels, &c, whatsoever. Dated 16 January 1593." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 185. In the following year we find the uncle of Sir Alexander Menzies, also named Alexander Menzies, being bound along with others in the sum of 500 merks each to prevent any harm to Patrick Scott by Gavin Dalzel, who were at feud and had applied to the Lords of Privy Council, who ordered them to sign a bond of caution, as follows : — [page_244 A.D. 1594] "'1594, Edinburgh, 24 August. Registration, by Mr Oliver Colte as procurator, of band by Alexander Meinzeis of Carmloxis, brother of the late James Meinzeis of that Ilk, for Gawin Dalzell of Drumboy,' and list of others, all bound in ' 500 merks each, not to harm Patrik Scott of Cambusmicheall, Oliver Young, bailie of Perth,' and others." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot., p. 633, vol. v. Owing to the continued and threatening activity of Bothwell and his followers, against whom was issued a proclamation forbidding them to approach within 10 miles of His Majesty under pain of treason, the king called out a number of his loyal Highland clans, of whom was Clan Meinerich, who were guard to the king during his stay at Stirling, Linlithgow, and other places, during this proclamation. For this service, Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies got exemption from the next call of the army, in the following terms : — " Licence to Alexander Menzies to remain at home for a month from the army summoned to convene on the 28 October instant, stating that he had attended upon the King during the whole time of the proclamation. Dated at Ferrysoule, October 1594." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 49. During this service it appears that Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies and Clan Menzies were at the battle of Glenlivat, fought between the forces of the Protestant party, generalled by Argyle, against Huntly and Errol, representing the Romish party. Argyle was defeated, with a loss of 700 men, 3rd October 1594; and it appears that the chief of the Menzies' having kept his clan in good discipline during the retreat, he then secured the licence to go home to prevent disorders by enemies on the lands of the Menzies'. Sir Alexander, owing to a feud between the Menzies' of Foccartoun with the Bannatynes, became caution for his clansmen in £1000. The record is as follows : — " 1594, Edinburgh, 21st December. Johnne Menzeis of Foccartoun, and Williame Menzeis, his son, principals, £1000 each, and Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, surety, not to harm William Bannatyne of Corhous, James Weir of Blaikwood, William Weir of Stanebyres, George Weir of Grenerig, Johnne Bannatyne of Kirkfeild." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot., p. 641, vol. v. In 1594 James VI. passed the Act of Parliament against the Highlanders, in which Clan Menzies, " Meinerich," is named. It was brought into force principally to suppress the MacGregors, who are therefore mentioned first. It reads : — " For punishment of theft, reif, oppression, and sorning. — Our Soverane Lord and his estaits in Parliament Consider that notwithstanding the sundrie Acts made by his hienes and his most noble progenetorrs for punishment of the authoris of thift, reif, oppression, and sorning, and masteris and sustenaris of theives, yet such has been and partly is the barbarous cruelties and daily [page_245 A.D. I595] hardships of the wicked theives and lymmaris of the Clannis and Surnames following inhabiting the hielands and Isles. Thay ar to say Clangregor ; Clan Farlane ; Clanlawren ; Clandowill ; Clandonochie ; Clanchattane ; Clanchevvill ; Clanchamron ; Clanronald in lochaber ; Clanranald in Knoydert, Modert, and Glengarie ; Clanleyid of the lewis ; Clanlewid of harriche ; Clandonald, south & north ; Clangillane ; Clanayroun ; Clankinnoun ; Clankenzie ; Clanandries ; Clanmorgun ; Clangun ; Cheilphale ; and as many broken men of the Surnames of Stewartis in Atholl, and Lorne, and Balquhidder ; Champbellis ; Grahames in Menteith ; Buchannanis ; M'Cawlis ; Galbraithis ; M'Nabbis ; M'nabriches ; MENGEIS ; ' fonis,' Fergusons ; Spadingis ; M'intosches in athoill ; M'thomas in glensche ; ferquharsonis in bra of Mar ; M'inphersonis ; grantis ; rossis ; fraseris ; monrois ; neilsonis ; and others inhabiting the sherfdomes of erygle, bute, dumbartane, Striuiling, Perth, Forfar, aberdene, bamf, elgin, forres, name, Inverness, and cromartie, Stewarties of Stratherne and menteith, &c. &c. " And understanding that this mischeif and shamefull disorder increases, and is nurced by the oursight, hounding out, resett, mentainence, and non-punischment of the thieves, limmers, and vagabonds, partly by the landlords, masters, and baillies of the lands and bounds wher they dewell and resort, and partly through the counsells, directions, ressett, and partaking of the Chiftanis, principallis of the branches, and householders of the said surnames and ' Clansis ' which beris quarrell and seeiks revenge for the leist hurting or slaughter of any of their unhappie racess, altho it was by the order of justice or in resquie and following of trew mens goods, geir, solten or reft. So that the said Chiftanis, principallis of the branches, and householders, worthelie may be estiemated the very authors, fosterars, and maintainers of the wicked deeds of the ' Vagabundis ' of thair Clannis and Surnames." — Acts of Par., Scot., p. 71, vol. iv. Some quarrel or feud between the Laird of Methven Castle and Sir Alexander having arisen, he had to find surety for the peace, as follows : — " 1595, Edinburgh, 25 March. Alexander Menzeis of Weyme, principal, and Williame King of Barrauch, surety, £1000, not to harm Henry Glook at Methven Castle."— Reg. Prv. Col, Scot., p. 648, vol. v. The above surety was in compliance to a demand by the Lords of Privy Council, who were very prompt to put down the quarrels and feuds with which Scotland was disturbed. In June, Sir Alexander had to get surety from his kinsman, Chieftain John Menzies of Castlehill, near whom he had a feud with some of the lairds. We therefore find that he was obliged by the Lords of Privy Council to find caution for the peace, which is thus recorded : — " 159S, Edinburgh, 12th June. Caution in 5000 merks by Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, as principal, and Johnne Menzeis of Castelhill, Archbald Mackkie of Merktoun, Johnne Broun of Cultermanis, as sureties for him, that he and his [page_246 A.D. 1596-1597] men shall observe the King's peace, and redress all skaith committed or to be committed by them." — Reg. Pro. Col., Scot., p. 737, vol. iii. We find the registration of a bond on behalf of Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies by Coline Eviot, 15th March 1596, whereby he is bound in 2000 merks not to harm a clansman named Adam Menzies, which is thus recorded : — " 1596, Edinburgh, 15 Mar. Registeration, by Archibald Boyd as procurator, of band by Coline Eviot of Balhoussie for Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, 2000 merks, not to harm Adame Menzeis in Boltarhane. Subscribed at Tullibeltane, 12 March, before William Ros, servitor to the said Coline, Johnne Coult, his servant also, Johnne Menzeis, notary-public, Hew Campbell in Murthill, and Archibald Campbell." — Reg. Pro. Col., Scot., p. 6yj, vol. v. The marriage of Sir Alexander Menzies with the daughter of Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy had one good effect, so far that it had put a stop to the feud which had gone on so long between the Campbells and the Menzies'. The recent defeat of the Earl of Argyle at Glenlivat made the Campbells all the more anxious to become friends with Sir Alexander the Menzies. Glenurchy, therefore, again submitted to become the follower of Sir Alexander, and we find Campbell of Glenurchy subscribing a bond to this effect, as follows : — " Bond between Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, with consent of Colin Campbell, his son and heir-apparent," who promises to serve, &c, " Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, his son-in-law, who — Excepts the service of Duncan Campbell to the Earl of Argyll. Stirling, 20 July 1596." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 186. Sir Alexander the Menzies, 17th April 1591, as lord superior, granted a charter to his kinsman, John Menzies of Fuird, of the lands of Culter-Mains in Lanarkshire, and to heirs descending male of his lawful marriage, for the usual Sasine or dues from these lands. We give a translation of this charter : — "At Holyrood House, 26 April 1597, James VI. The King confirms a charter by Alexander Menzies of Menzies, Lord Weyme, by virtue of letters superior, and the right and power of conveying through blood relationship with John Menzies, son legitimate by birth, younger of the late James Menzies of Fuird, and Jeanne Young, his spouse, the lands with the dewelling-house of Culter-Maynis, extending to 50 s. lands in the barony of Culter, shire of Lanark, tenanted by said John Menzies and Jean, in conjoint feu-possession, and heritably to males between them, lawfully begotten, which failing, to heirs male of said John Menzies, and allotment whatsomever of the King, with portion of sasine going to James Menzies of Hesbelhill — Witnesses, Walter Stewart, servitore commendatarii of Blantyre, John Young, burgess of Edinburgh, Alex. Sympon, notary-public, Pat. Diksoun, servant to subscriber, John Menzeis. — Charter subscribed for Samuel Bruce, Robert Gardner, scribe, Edinburgh, 17 April 1597." — Reg. Gt. Seal, p. 183. [page_247 A.D. 1598] In 1598 the first wife of Sir Alexander Menzies died. Her death is com- memorated by a sculptured tablet at the back of the Menzies altar, in the Auld Kirk o' Weem, with the escutcheon of the Campbells surrounded with a ribbon on three sides, with the inscription : — |
| " MARGARETA . CAMPBEL . ILIA . DOMINI . GLENVRY DOMINI . VEYM. OBIT. 28. SEPT. I598. |
MARGARET CAMPBELL, DAUGHTER OF GLENORCHY WIFE OF THE LORD OF WEEM, DIED 28TH SEPTEMBER 1598. |
|
The arms are: — 1st and 4th, grouny of eight pieces; 2nd, a fesse chequy ; 3rd, a galley, sails furled, oars in action. Sir Alexander also had inserted under the facade of the pediment of the Menzies altar the marriage arms of Menzies and Campbell marshalled, each having their separate supporters and the initials A.M. and M.C. In the time of Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, there was one of the clan who was the terror of the whole surrounding country. Many of the bonds of caution that Sir Alexander had to find for the good behaviour of his clan were due to this one man Donald Menzies, and a band of MacGregors, of which he seems to have been the chief or leading spirit. Not only did he commit acts against the enemies of the clan, but he even had a tilt at them, as circumstances occurred. In many of those daring adventures he had many narrow escapes. On one occasion he was hotly pursued up Glenlyon, and when those in close pursuit had almost got hold of him, he dashed to the verge of a sharp, jutting precipice overhanging the river Lyon, over which he jumped, landing on a rock in the chasm below like a cat, and defying his pursuers to follow. This is now called " MacGregor's Leap," from he being the chieftain of a band of MacGregors. For a raid perpetrated on Sir David Lindsay by him, Sir Alexander Menzies had to appear before the king and council, the charge being as follows : — " Holyrood House, 25th Jan. Complaint by Sir David Lindesay of Edzell, one of the Senators of the College of Justice, that Donald Menzies in the Appin of Dow, Donald Darrich Menzies, Alester M'Alester, and his son, tenants and servants of Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, chief of that clan, and their accomplices, had, in May 1597, stolen from the complainer, furth of his lands of Glenesk, sixteen nolt, price of each £24, and in July following other sixteen nolt at £24 each, and also in July last sixteen oxen at £24 each, furth of that part of the lands called Glenesk. The said persons will nither make restitution to the complainer of the said goods, or payment of the prices thereof; nor will they forbear to commit the like theft and oppression in time coming, unless remedy be provided, — Charge has been given to the said Alexander (Menzeis), master and landlord of the said men, as principal — who is obliged to make them answerable — and to Johnne Menzeis of Castlehill, Arthure Makie of Mertoun, and Johnne Menzies [page_248 A.D. 1595] Broun of Cultermanis, cautioners for him to that effect, to enter them before the King and Council, that order might be taken with them ; and now the complainer appearing personally, and Alexander Menzeis being also present, but not entering the said offenders, the Lords decern him to be denounced rebel." — Reg. Prv. Col. Scot., p. 747, 8, vol. v. To this decision Sir Alexander the Menzies made the following explanation, in the form of a complaint, as follows : — "Holyrood House, 25th Jan. 1599. Complaint by Alexander Menzeis of Weyme, as follows : — In the month . . . last Donald Menzies, a ' commoun and notorious theiff and lymner, and a declarit rebell and fugitive,' had been apprehended by complainer in the actual committing of theft, and warded within his place of Weyme, ' quhill the commoditie of his tryale had bene offerit.' In these circum- stances, Johnne Dow M'Williame, alias M'Gregour, a ' compartiner with him in all his thifteous deidis, being informed of the danger quhairin he was,' had ' for preventing and disapointing of his tryale,' come at night, ' accompanied with a nowmer of his rebellious compliceis, all thevis, sornaris, and lymmeris,' to the said place of Weyme, and 'be some secreit practize and policie, he surprisit and tuke the place, dang up the durris of the prisone quhairin the said Donald lay for the tyme, and fred him oute of warde.' Both of them had passed to Sir Johnne Murray of Tullibardin, knight, ' be quhome thay wer ressett, and his bene intertenyit sensyne, as thai ar yit, with him as his houshald, men and servandis, and are specialie acknawlegeit be him as twa ordinaris of his houshald and familie.' Morover, the said Donald having committed sundro stouths upon the Laird of Edzell, the complainer, as alleged Chief and Chieftain of the Clan, is called upon to enter him before the King and Council. Wherefor it is necessary that letters be executed against the Laird of Tullibardin, as well for the entry of the said Donald as for that of Johnne, to underlie trial for their demerits : — The complainer and Murray appearing personally, the King, with advice of the Council, assoilzie the defender from the entry of the said Donald simpliciter in time coming, but ordains him to enter the said Johnne Dow before the Council, upon 22nd February next, under pain of horning, because Sir Jonne has confessed that the said Johnne Dow was in his house after the day of the Charge given to him for his entry, viz. : 17th January instant, and had remained with him a certain time thereafter, and sua it lay in his poware and possibilitie to have enterit him as required." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot., p. 518, vol. viii. The danger in allowing such a daring outlaw as Donald Menzies, and his band of MacGregors to be free, and the prison-house in the village of Weem not being strong enough to hold him, the King gave power of Justiciary to Sir Alexander to enable him to give instant judgment against such. The chiefs power is given by the following : — [page_249 A.D. 1599-1600] " Letter of Justiciary by King James the Sixth, under the signet, to Alexander Menzeis of Weyme, for the trial of sundry theives, to wit, Donald Menzeis and Finla M'Robert, who had been already apprehended, and Alester Clerksoun, after he had been apprehended ; all crimes of theft, open reif, hership and oppression, and to punish them as their crimes deserved. Falkland, 31 July 1599."- — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 50. The King's Commission of Justiciary with power of life and death, thus conferred on Sir Alexander the Menzies, forced upon him duties rather unpleasant to such a refined and sensitive nature. He therefore appears to have written the king describing his feelings, in answer to which he received a letter from King James VI. remitting all the slaughter, &c, necessary through pursuing the caterans that had so defied the law. This letter is as follows : — " Letter by King James the Sixth, for a remission under the privy seal to Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk and others, narrating that 'the wicked and insolent behaviour of the disordourit and brokin men of the Hielandis, quha delytis in na thing bot in murthor, slauchter, reif, thift, soirning, and oppressioun, hes mowit and sterit vp certane baronis and weill affected gentilmen, luifaris of peace and quietnes, to resist be force the invasionis of the said brokin men, quhairupone slauchteris, imprisoning, reliving of prisonaris and mony vtheris thingis hes happynit and fallin out fra tyme to tyme,' remitting all slaughters, &c, com- mitted by the persons named in the King's letter, in resisting the said broken men. Dated 1600." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 51. Sir Alexander the Menzies being a Latin scholar had, in the year 1600, sculptured on the lintel over the door of St David Menzies' Auld Kirk o' Weem, the following Latin inscription : — |
| " " CONTENDITE INTRARE PER AUGUSTAM PORTAM SANTIS MORS IANUA VITAE EST MEMENTO MORI." |
' STRIVE TO ENTER BY THE STRAIGHT GATE. A SAINTLY DEATH LIVES IN LIVING MEMORY OF THE DEAD. |
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Dividing the Latin inscription in two is sculptured a marriage heraldic shield, on which is blazoned the arms of Menzies on the right side (male) ; on the left Campbell (female), and the initial letters A.M. (Sir Alexander Menzies), and M.C. (Margaret Campbell, his spouse), and the date 1600, commemorating the birth of his second son Duncan, afterwards chief. This ancient door, with its beautifully carved lintel, is now shut up and almost hid by ivy. A raid made by Clan Cameron upon the lands of Glen Almond, where they swept the whole district of its cattle, was followed by the Government and those who had lost their herds tracing their stock to where they had been sold. In one case of this kind Sir Alexander was induced to become cautioner. This led to him being summoned before the Privy Council, which is thus recorded : — " 1600, Holyroodhouse, 11 March. Action at the instance of Margaret Scott, [page_250 A.D. 1600] Lady Carnoch, .... Grahame of Inchebrakie, now her spouse, for his intrest, and Andro Malloch of Cairneis, as follows: — Upon the 13th July 1595, Allane M'Intuatour Camroun, and Johnne M'intuatour Cameron, ' with a graite nowmer of thair compliceis, all thevis, broken men, and sornaris of the Clan Chamroun,' came to the lands of Glenalmond and stole furth thereof from the said Margaret 44 kye, and from the said Andro 36 kye. And, because the said could get no restitution of the same goods by order of justice, they, therefore, according to the power granted by the Act of Parliament to subjects sustaining loss by the ' disordourit theivs and lymmaris of the Hielandis and Bordouris ' (1587 c. 16, iii. 218) to intromit with the goods of any others of the same clan, arrested in the hands of the persons underwritten the sums and goods following, belonging to certan of the Clan Chamroun : — (1) They arrested in the hands of Alexander Leitch the sum of £80, for the price of five kye pertaining to the said Clan Chamroun, for payment of which to the complainers Patrick Drummond of Milnnab became cautioner. (2) They arrested in the hands of Duncan Dow M'Nab and Donald M' Naves twelve ' grite ky ' belonging to the same clan, which were sold for 200 merks — ¦ James Campbell, apparent of Laweris, becoming surety upon 28th Oct. last for making the same forthcoming to the said complainers. (3) Upon 30th November last they arrested, by David Drummond, messenger, in the hands of Patrik Levage, the sum of £160, as the price of certain kye belonging to the said clan, Sir Alexander Menzies of Weyme, upon the day foresaid, becoming surety to the same effect. (4) Upon 1 8th August last, the said David Drummond, by virtue of His Majesty's letters, arrested in the hands of Johnne Ventoun, skinner, in Perth, 13 horse-load of White Plaids and yarn, and 13 horses and mares, estimated at 20 merks each, belonging to the said clan, especially to ... . Camroun, Laird of Glenevais, whose servants were at the taking of the said complainer's gear. But, although none of the said clan has offered to make to the complainers any redress for their said goods stolen by them in manner foresaid, and therefore the sums of money and goods abovewritten, arrested as said is, pertain to the complainers according to the said Act of Parliament, yet the aforesaid principals and cautioners refuse to deliver the same to them unless compelled. The pursuers appearing by Charles Grahame, their procurator ; but the defenders, — viz., Sir Alexander Menzies, Campbell, Ventoun, and the Laird of Minab, failing to appear, the King and Council decern and ordain the said defenders to pay and deliver to the pursuers the sums and goods abovewritten, arrested in their hands." — Reg. Prv. Col, Scot., p. 92, 3, vol. vi. The Earl of Athole having got into difficuties with the Government, who had put him to the " Horn," from which he could not be relaxed unless he found sureties for 3000 merks, under these circumstances he approached Sir Alexander, and we thus find it recorded that the chief became security for him, as follows : — [page_251 A.D. 1601-1602] " 1601. Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk and William Stewart of Kynnaird for Johnne, Earl of Athoill, 3000 merks, to obtain himself relaxed by Whitsunday next from all hornings under which he presently lies, or else by that term enter inward in Edinburgh Castle." — Reg. Prv. Col. Scot., p. 705, vol. vi. The above, therefore, relieved the Earl of Athole for the time being. These bounds and the offences for which he was at the horn were to be relieved by Whitsunday of the same year, or, if he could not satisfy the Government, he was to present himself to be put in ward in the castle of Edinburgh. But instead of doing as stipulated, like an honourable man, the Earl of Athole ignored every bond and promise. A decree was therefore issued against him and Sir Alexander Menzies, with others who had befriended him ; the record of which is : — "Edinburgh, 8th July, 1601. Decree against the Earl of Atholl and his sureties Alexander Menzies and others. Action at the instance of Sir George Home of Spot, treasurer, for His Majesty's interest, as follows : — Although Johne, Earl of Athoill, as principal, and Sir Alexander Meinzies of Weyme, and William Stewart of Kynnaird, as sureties for him, became bound in £2000 that the said Earl should by Whitsunday last obtain relaxation from all the hornings under which he lay, or enter in ward in Edinburgh Castle, yet the said Earl remains still at the horn, — (1) at the instance of Hary Stewart of Craigyhall, David Herring, apparent of Glescluny, Sir Williame Ruthven of Bandane, and Williame Ruthven, fiar thereof, for not relieving them at the hands of Anthonie Bruce, burgess of Striviling, and James Curie, burgess of Edinburgh, of the sum of 500 merks, for which they became sureties for him ; (2) at the instance of Patrik Grant of Rothiemurcus, for not paying him 5000 merks as principal and £60 for expenses, as by a decree obtained by the said Patrik's late father against the said Earl ; (3) at the instance of Williame Durhame, son and heir of the late Robert Durhame of Grange, for not paying him 3500 merks, as by a contract between them. Charge had been given to the principal and his shureties to answer ; and now, the Treasurer appearing personally, and the defenders by Williame Stewart and Williame Banerman, their procurator, the Lords find that the Earl has contravened the said Act, and that he and his sureties have therefore incurred the said penalty ; for payment of which to the Treasurer letters are to be directed." — Reg. Prv. Col., p. 410, vol. vi. Sir James Crichton of Ruthven and tenants having had four kye with calf stolen by a party of caterans, they traced part of the kye to one of the clan and tenant of Sir Alexander the Menzies, and as he refused to deliver up his kye or to give any information where he had got them, the Ruthvens had the chief of the Menzies' summoned before the King and Privy Council, recorded as follows : — " 1602. Complaint by Sir James Crychtoun of Ruthvenis, and Alexander Crychtoun, his tenant, as follows : — Four years ago, certain thieves and broken men came to the complainer's lands and reft from his said tenant four kye with [page_252 A.D. 1602] calf. Those goods, or at least part of them, complainer had apprehended in the possession of Johne Meinzeis, brother of , and tenant of Sir Alexander Meinzeis of Weyme ; and, as the said Johne would neither restore them nor declare from whom he had bought them, ' it is very evident that the said Johne is the steillar.' As, however, he is a ' brokin hieland man,' complainer can have no redress, unless his master, the Laird of Weyme, present him. — The Laird of Ruthvenis appearing personally, and the Laird of Weyme by his brother Duncane Meinzeis, the Lords ordain the Laird of Weyme to retain so much of the said Johne's goods upon his lands as will satisfy this complaint, and to make the same forthcoming to the complainer for his payment." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot., p. 448, vol. vi. This order of the Council appears to have been carried out by the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies. In revenge, those who had stolen the cattle from the Ruthvens threatened them with personal violence. This resulted in bringing the chief into more trouble with the Government, who, when these threats were represented to them, ordered Sir Alexander Menzies to find caution that they should not be harmed. Here is the document, which also shows how clannish the Menzies' were, six names of the clan being embodied in it : — " Edinburgh, 31st May 1602. James Campbell, fiar of Laweris, and Duncane Meinzeis of Enoch, for Sir Alexander Meinzeis of that Ilk, 2000 merks, not to harm James Crychtoun of Ruthvenis. The band registered by Mr Olipher Colt, advocate, is subscribed at Weme, 18th May, before Johne Meinzeis, Parson of Weme, James Meinzeis and Alexander Meinzeis, servitors to the principal, and John Meinzeis, notary." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot., p. 730, vol. vi. It would seem, from a letter of the Earl of Argyle, that the chief was very kind to the persecuted family of John Menzies, which being looked upon by Argyle as a good action, he wrote him somewhat as follows : — " 1602, Letter, — Archibald, seventh Earl of Argyle, to Alexander Menzies of that Ilk. Inverary, penult June 1602. Referring to the honest duty of the laird toward John Menzies and his bairns, and craving him to continue in the like form towards them in time coming." — Charter Room, Castle Mensies, 72. The confusion arising from the feudal law in the Highlands, by which a chief or baron of land was responsible for the actions, not only of his clan, but also the sub-tenants under them, or others residing on their lands for a short time, was the cause of much hardship to the chiefs, chieftains, tacksmen, and better- class clansmen. It enabled the Highland robbers to evade the chance of capture by simply changing from one chief's land to that of another, as the one could not pursue upon the lands of the other to catch them. This state of law in the reign of James VI. was at its worst. Owing to it we have a long series of cases, in which the chief and chieftains of Clan Menzies were involved, while they show the Chief [page_253 A.D. 1602] Sir Alexander the Menzies anxious for the peace of the Highlands, and particularly of his own country ; nevertheless, he is constantly defeated in his aims by the bad working of this law, which did far more harm than good to the Highlands and Highlanders. In this way Sir Alexander got involved with Shaw of" Petmurthlie," and others, who raised an action against Sir Alexander Menzies. Some of the MacGregor tenants on his lands had carried off " 18 oxen, 26 kye, 10 stirks, and 120 sheep," from the lands of Shaw. Sir Alexander being summoned to appear before the King and Council, sent his brother Duncan Menzies to act for him. Here is the record of the proceedings : — " 1602, Edinburgh, 13th July. Complaint given in by Mr William Schaw of Petmurthlie against Duncan M'llleachallum, V'Ewin, M'Steme, widow, Alester Gar and Ewin M'lllevie, tenants and servants of Alexander Menzies of that Ilk ; and against Johne Moir M'Inkeir, in Finyart, in Rannoch, Johne Org M'Inkeir there, Alester M'Kinlay M'Robert, James M'Ewin Verich, in Canveron, Donochy Dow M'Inreoch, tenants of Robert Robertson of Strowane ; and against Duncan Duff, brother of David M'Duff, Baron Fandowy, bearing that the said persons, by the convoy of the said Duncan Duff, came to the lands of Pitmurthlie in 1596, and spuilyied eighteen oxen, price of each £16, twenty-six kye, price of each 20 merks, ten stirks at 10 merks each, and six score sheep at 53s. 4d. each. Charge had been given to the said landlords to enter their men complained of, and also to Baron Muling ' of his awin consent ' ; and now, the pursuer appearing by Johne Schaw, his son, and ' Sir Alexander ' Menzeis appearing by Duncan Menzeis, his brother, but Baron Muling, Baron Fandowy, and Robertstoun, neither appearing nor having entered their accused men, the Lords ordain the defenders to deliver to the complainer the said goods or their value." — Reg. Prv. Col. Scot., p. 414, vol. vi. Sir Alexander Menzies met this complaint by a counter-charge, which in its essence showed up the unfair working of the law. The chief's brother, Chieftain Duncan Menzies, who appeared personally, thus put the matter to the Council : — " 1602, Edinburgh, 13th July. Complaint of Duncan Meinzeis, brother of Sir Alexander Meinzeis of Weyme, as follows : — He had been ordained by the King and Council to enter before them upon 13th June last certan of the Clan Gregour and others dwelling in Rora, alleged to be his men. Now, the said persons are not complainer's men, but are sub-tacksmen to ... , son of the late Geir M'Condochy, his tenant, and were placed on the said lands without complainer's knowledge by M'Neill in Farnoll, Duncane M'Allaster there, Johne Dow M'Allaster there, and Duncane M'Eane Cam, in Fothirgill, tutors to the said .... As the complainer is not able to make these persons answerable, he ought to have his relief against the said son of the late M'Condochy and his tutors. Charge has been given to Robert Robertsoun of Strowane, as master and landlord of the first three of the said tutors, to enter them this day to answer ; and now, the pursuer appearing, but Robertsoun [page_254 A.D. 1602] neither appearing nor having entered the said persons, the order is to denounce Robertsoun ' rebel' " Then, simultaneous with the foregoing charge, another was lodged before the King and Council against the Chief of the Menzies'. A MacGregor, said to be a servant on his lands, for stealing 5 ' kye ' with calf, and the theft of five mares with foal. The details of the charge against The Menzies' for this MacGregor's acts of theft and cattle-lifting are thus set forth : — " 1602, July 13th. — Complaint (1) by William M'Illemull in Glenberaine, and Patrik M'Colekane there, that, four years go, Johnne M'lllechallum M'Eane MacGregour, servitor to Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, spuilyied from them five kye with calf, worth £20 each ; (2) by the said William, that Duncane M'Ewin Wane, servitor to Robert Robertsoun of Strowane, spuilyied from him five years ago five mares with foal, worth £20 each. Charge had been given to Menzeis to enter his said servator, and now, the pursuers appearing personally, and Sir Alexander Menzeis by his brother Duncan Menzeis, the Lords descern the Laird of Menzeis to restore the goods above written, or else pay their value." Along with the above another charge was brought against the captain of Clan Menzies, Duncan Menzies, the chief's brother, as follows : — " 1602, July 13th. — Complaint by William Dow in Little Tullybeltane, that in June 1596 Duncan M'Ewin in Culdarie, had reft from him three mares worth 20 merks each, an ox worth 20 merks, and two kye worth 20 merks each. Charge had been given to Duncan Menzeis, brother of Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, to enter M'Ewin this day ; and now, the pursuer appearing by Johnne Douglas in Logayalmonth, and Duncan Menzeis appearing for himself, the Lords discern Duncan Menzeis to make redress for his said goods, having his relief against M'Ewin. — Reg. Prv. Col., p. 413-15-16, vol. vi. From the foregoing it will be seen that there was gross injustice in the working of the law, and this was at the root of all the troubles of the Highlands. By this we see Duncan Menzies — who as next brother to the chief, was captain of Clan Menzies — made to pay the penalty which should have been put upon M'Ewin MacGregor direct by the Government. The lands of Rorow had for tenants for many generations a sept of MacGregors, connected to the Menzies'. These MacGregors again and again got into trouble for lifting cattle. Their Menzies benefactors had to answer for these, as in the following case : — " Action against Duncan Menzeis for Spuilyie by the MacGregors. " 1602. Complaint by Duncan Oig M'Arthure and Johnne Dow M'Arthure in Dertullich, that there were stolen from them out of Dartullich, upon 28th June 1599, three kye with calf and ox, worth £80, by the Clan Gregour in Rorow, dwelling there under Duncan Menzeis, brother of Alexander Meynzlis of Weme." [page_255 A.D. 1602] The same band with some others had also gone to the Strathurd, and there attacked John Leilman, whom they almost killed, and carried off a large quantity of linen and money amounting to £183. Part of it being traced as resetted to a tenant of Sir Alexander Menzies, he was summoned, as follows, before the King and Council : — " 1602. Complaint by Johne Leilman in Strathurd, and Jonet Watsoun, his spouse, that, in August 1600, certain broken men, having wounded Leilman and left him for dead, stole from them linen and woollen cloth, with their habiliments, the whole insight of their house, and £40 in money, worth in all £183. The said goods were resetted by Makkeis, ' browster,' dwelling under Alexander Menzeis of Weyme. — The pursuer appearing personally, and Menzeis of that Ilk, by Duncan his brother, the Lords decern Menzeis to satisfy pursuer, he having his relief as effeirs." Thus we see that for every misdeed of a tenant the chief had to suffer. Another of the MacGregors, John M'Gibbon, having stolen 3 kye with calf and 3 oxen, Sir Alexander was again summoned before the Council, with the following unjust judgment recorded against him : — " 1602. Alexander Meinzeis of Weyme, had been charged to enter Johne M'Gibboun, his man, to answer a complaint by Robert Hendersoun in Byres of Murthlie, touching the reiving from him of three kye with calf, and three oxen, worth £20 each. The complainer appearing personally, and the Laird of Weyme by his brother Duncan Meinzeis, who has not presented the said Johne, the Lords ordain the said Alexander to restore the said goods, or else pay £20 for each of them." Sir Alexander the Menzies was again summoned before the King and Council, and on producing the delinquent — a Campbell — the Council, strange to say, discharged the offender on his swearing that he was innocent. The record is as follows : — " 1602. Charge had been given to Alexander Meinzeis of Weyme, to enter Johne Campbell, his man, to answer a complaint by Allester M'Duffy in Berryhill, touching the reif from him of two mares with their followers, worth £10 each. The pursuer appears personally, Meinzeis by his brother Duncane, who enters Campbell. The Lords assoilzie Campbell on his great oath that the charge is not true." — Reg. Prv. Col., p. 417-447-463, vol. vi. It cannot be a matter of much surprise, after reading these examples of injustice and misrule, that the Highlands were in such a state of disorder, and that it was a matter of impossibility to punish these broken men as they deserved, on the one hand ; and, on the other, it was enough to foster the spirit of rebellion among the chiefs. Donald Menzies, the leader and chief of the MacGregor band of freebooters, got the chief into great difficulties with the King and Council, who bound Sir [page_256 A.D. 1602-1603] Alexander Menzies to capture Donald, or to restore, among others, the six oxen and five kye lifted from Chalmer of Colquhet. Sir Alexander having failed in every effort to capture Donald Roy Meinerich of the Highland caterans, had recourse to the only way left of making good what had been lifted. That was by getting the brother of the daring Donald, James Menzies, who was a most respectable farmer at Dalguis, to relieve the chief from the decree and warrant obtained by the Chalmers against him. This James Menzies agreed to, and became caution for the chief. The case came up for final settlement at Dunkeld, the extract record of which is as follows : — "Edinburgh, 15 Nov. Mr James Stewart, commissary of Dunkeld, for James Meinzeis in Dalguis, to warrant and relieve Alexander Meinzeis of Weme of a decree obtained against him at the instance of William Chalmer of Colquhat for restitution of six oxen and five kye, alleged to have been stolen by Donald Meinzeis, brother to the said James, and for whom the said James is alleged to have become cautioner to the said Laird, in case after trial of the verity it be found that he ought to do so." — Reg. Prv. Col. Scot, p. 766, vol. vi. The twelfth part of the annual rent value due by the Breadalbin Campbells from the Menzies' lands on Loch Tay, of Morenish, Caranich, and Handknok, to the Chiefs Menzies of Menzies not having been paid for a long period, they had been allowed to accumulate to 28,000 merks. These arrears were paid by Glenurchy in one sum, according to the Black Book of Taymouth, which has this entry : — " Item given for the tuelf markland of Cranniche. The twentie-pund land of Moirinche. The ten markland of Auchmoir, and the tua markland of Handknok, to the Laird of Weme, eight and twentie thousand marks — anno 1602." This feu-rent had been allowed to stand from the time when Campbell had raised the claim of non-entries of heirs, it having been kept back owing to the disturbed state of the Highlands, and now paid under the firm laws of King James VI. ; thereafter to pay to the Menzies' of Menzies their feu-rents as before, of one-twelfth of the yearly income, produce, and rental from these lands. One of the near relations of Sir Alexander the Menzies was Adam Menzies of Ballechin, an old portion of the Menzies' estates, joining Logierait near Ballinluig, to whom the chief, as lord-superior of the Menzies' lands in Dumfries- shire and Lanarkshire, also gave by feu-charter a considerable portion of the lands and Menzies castle of Enouch, with a large stretch of the mains or meadows of Enouch, in the valley lying at the base of the Durrisdeer Hills, and also part of the barony of Coulter. We herewith give a translation of this charter : — " At Edinburgh, 8 Sept. 1603, James VI. The King concedes to Adam Meinzeis of Balloquhane, and heritably to his heirs and successors whatsoever, the 7-merk land of Ennoch, the 2-merk land of Holstane, 2-merk land of Clawfurtis, and the 3-merk land of the mains of Enoche, with fortress, mansion, forrests, [page_257 A.D. 1603] rivers, trees, fishings, and dwelling-houses, &c, within the barony of Menzeis, for annexation, shire of Dumfries, with half the lands of Culter, within the same barony, for annexation, in shire of Lanerk, with feu-rent to Alexander Meinzeis of Menzeis, the royal holder, for service, ward, and royal obedience, therefore to alienate the principal part of said barony without licence of the King, discharge service of ward, &c." — Reg. Gt. Seal, 37. Not long after the death of Sir Alexander the Menzies' first wife, in 1598, the chief married a second time, Elizabeth Forrester, daughter of Sir John Forrester of Garden, by his spouse Margaret, daughter of John, Earl of Wigton. The marriage must have taken place about December 1599. Of this marriage he had a son, John Menzies. This son, along with his father, Sir Alexander, had a renewal of the charters of the Menzies' estates, in which this John Menzies is constituted the heir, and to the heirs of whom whatsoever of the name and surname of Menzies lineally descending, the estates of Menzies are to go. In it are renewed the possession of the lands of Kynnaldy, now KlNNELL, forming part of Glen- dochart, at the west end of Loch Tay, in which was included the lands of Auchmore. Likewise, the lands of Auchillis, the name then given to the lands of DRUMMOND Hill, the whole of which hill is within the boundary of the lands of Comrie and Auchillis. On Drummond Hill and lands of Comrie have been found many articles of much antiquarian interest, one of which is the polished axe of jardete, represented by the accompanying illustration. — See Trans. Soc. Antiq., Scot., vols, xxiii.-ix., p. 276. Also the lands of Fernawchtie, now called Fearnan, which form the western portion of Drummond Hill, with the whole of the north-east end of Loch Tay, stretching to the Lawers from Belloch : — The lands of Duncrosk, which included the whole of GLENLOCHY ; the lands of Roak, now Roras, in Glen Lyon, which included the whole glen from near Fearnan and Fort- ingall, and included the present lands of Culdares, Chesthill, and Meggernie — these lands were again held of the chief by Duncan Menzies, his brother, captain of the clan, who held Meggernie Castle as a place of strength during these turbulent times—the lands of Aberfelcymore, now the town of ABERFELDY, and which stretch east to Grandtully ; the lands of Aberfeldybeg— these lie south and west of the present town, and marched with Bolfrax and [page_258 A.D. 1603] Stix, also stretching over the hills to Strathbran and Glenquich. These, with a list of other lands still held by the chief, are named in the charter of 1603, of which we herewith give a translation : — "At Holyrood, 28 Feb. 1603, James VI. The King, with consent, &c, concedes, and for services given as by his predecessors together of great renown, also to constitute as composing a reward, do renew unto Alexander Menzeis of Menzies in free possession, and John Menzeis, son, lawfully born, between him and Elizabeth Forrester, his wife, begotten and to heirs-male of John, and surname and arms of Meinzeis, lineally descending and assigned : — Whatsoemever the possession of the lands and barony of Weyme, viz., lands of Weyme, Abirfaldybeg, Ardferlemoir, Ferlegar, Rawir, Dalrawir, Glassy, Kynnaldy, Glengolantyne, Comrie, Auchillis, Fernawchtie, Duncrosk, with lands of Roak (or Roras), in Glenlyoun, with the whole fish, &c, in their rivers and waters ; the patronage of the church of Weyme, shire of Perth ; lands adjoining and of Meinzeis-croft in village of Kinross, shire of Kinross, of old, with fees, also incorporated into one barony of Meinzeis, whose principal residence is the fortress castle and mansion of Weyme, or Castell of Meingeis, better named ; and the 20 shilling lands of Eddirrowll, 4 merk land of Cammyssarny, the markets of Tolichro, and surrounding lands of the carse, the 20 shilling land of Nether Newane Colim, for whom Donald M'Queill occupied ; the 5 merk land of Tiggermach, 2 merk land of Thometheogle, extending in all to £10 of old extent, in the Lordship of Apnadull, shire of Perth ; united as of old in one barony of Cammyssarnay, and with the 20 shilling lands of Pettene, the 20 shilling from the Sheep of Mewane, the 20 shilling (lands) of Dalmane ; the Markets of Sheep at Tolicro ; the 4 merk land of Tullichdullis, before included in the said lordship and Sheriffship, with the office of hereditary bailie of said lordship of Apnadull, and with possession of the lands of the church and parish of Dull, namely, the lands of Croftchlachane, Drumdewane, Kynnetle, with the whole rivers and waters of Dull, with his many other privileges renewed to Dull, as before, with the whole extent of the mountains of Craigdull, and lands of Auchtavie, with the tenth portion of everything within the regality of Saint Andrews, shire of Perth, formerly held by the vicars of Dull, limiting the manse and vicar of Dull, with houses, tofts, and crofts adjacent, occupied for Menzies by Duncan M'Glagane, with possession of buildings of M'Kiltis house, and possession of the late Clerkis house, with pasture ; also the 6 high summits and mountains, part of said lands, and CHURCH WITH TOMBS, ALTAR, CROSS, REFUGES, PILLAR, and endowments of the same, which same Alexander resigned, reserving the free holding, buildings, and lands of Schennachar, Ferlegar, Eddirrowl, Cammissarnay, with water of same, markets of Tolichro ; the lands of Nether Mewane, Pettene, Sheep of Mewane, Dalmane, and Sheep of Tolichro, to said Elizabeth (in liferent), complete conveyance and conjoint possession, as con- tained by virtue of contract of marriage before, otherwise, and failing said Elizabeth [page_259 A.D. 1603] his spouse, to said Alexander for arbitration, the which the King ratifies free and full possession to said Alexander as to his predecessors in the above rights, and ' infeo- famenta ' for the said Alexander, rights of the lands of Roras, all which surroundings thereof, and whatsomever are also his lands (in feu by) Duncan Menzies, his brother- german, all as subscribed, incorporated into the free barony of Meinzeis, with free forests, through all the bounds of the same : — Providing that no liberty to said John during life of Alexander, to estrange or take from said barony in whole or in part, and no letting in leases nor pieces or conceding such agreements, said Alexander shall not allow such contravention, nor his wife draw out such agreements. To said Alexander returns Such possessions discharged, for payment of £6 into church and parish burgh of Perth, where on high altar, of such place as written, under penalty of 40d. there, authenticate said high nobleness by exhibiting such to the deacons' guild of the burgh of Perth, discharged for said barony of Cammyassarnay £30, in full possession, and full possession to continue heritably and assigned, for Pettene, and over all said office of bailie, £12, 18s. 6d., full possession and duplicate, &c, as understood and keeping up castle, mansion, with parks to correspond for said lands and church, £6, 13s. 4d., viz., 9/16 „ royal, and 1/10 to vicar of Dull, and duplicate as understood for certain wards, &c, with 3 parts for 3 places in the capital of shire of Perth, tax ward at not more than 140 lib. yearly payment to 140 lib. 'maritagin,' or 1000 merks." — Reg. Gt. Seal, vol. vii., p. 506. The services of Sir Alexander were required on many occasions to sit on the criminal trials of the times ; thus we find him on the jury for the trial of several Highlanders who had "attacked the Laird of Luss whilst armed with a Royal Commission to resist the 'cruel enterprises' of the Clan Gregor." Among the jurors mentioned on this trial were the Laird of Grandtully, the Chief of the Menzies', and Donnach Dhu of Glenurchy. The accused were Patrick Aldoche MacGregor, William Macneill, Duncan Pudrache MacGregor, Allaster MacGregor Macean. They were found guilty on the 13th Feb. 1604. — Chiefs of the Colquhouns, p. 209. From the above it will be seen that Campbell of Glenurchy was often thrown in the way of Sir Alexander Menzies through the state of the Highlands. Black Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy — having paid up the arrears of feu-rent, bailie's fees, &c, due to the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, for the lands of Morenish, Edramucky, Cranich, Achmore, and Kandknock, representing about a half of Loch Tay — thus regained the favour of Sir Alexander Menzies. This friendliness, forced by the troubled condition of the Highlands, Black Duncan of Glenurchy lost no time in taking advantage of, and thus got a new feu-charter of these Menzies' lands in liferent and bailieship, under Sir Alexander Menzies, over Cranich and Ardeonaig, of which he was to pay as rental one-twelfth of the annual produce from these lands. Here is the grant : — [page_260 A.D. 1604] "At Edinburgh, 22 Feb. 1604. Confirming charter of Alexander Meinzeis of that Ilk, who forced contracts to let for the present, and conveys to D. Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhy, knight, in liferent, and to Colin Campbell, his son, generally and heritably to his males of the arms and surname of Campbell begotten, and the same assigns whatsomever in feu, all (the Menzies') rights undiminished by letting the lands of Morinche Edremuke, lands and thanage of Crannyke, also of Crannyke, Auckmoir, and Kandknock, with office of Toscheochdoraschip of Artholony, and with manorial fishings in burns, trees of same, in the barony of Weyme, shire of Perth. For returning again service of warde, &c, with precept of sasine : — Witnesses : James Campbell, feuar of Laweris ; Colin Campbell of Abirurquhill, his brother ; M. Olivero Colt, advocate ; James Leslie, his servant ; Thomas Caw, notary, burgess of Perth ; M. James Caw, his son. (Signed Chart) at Perth, 15th Apr. 1602. Menzies, as superior of said lands, can either renew OR DISPOSSESS, AND FROM THEM HE RECEIVES ONE-TWELFTH SASINE of every- thing as rental from the lands. Witness as in other charters. — Reg. Gt. Seal, P- 553, Jas. vi. The descendants of Black Duncan are the Earls of Breadalbane, who still feu- farm these lands, and are apparently entitled to pay the same feu-dues to the Menzies' of Menzies — who are still their lords superior — of one-twelfth their annual rental. There has always existed the best of friendship between the Macintoshes and the Menzies', and this is well exemplified in the time of Sir Alexander Menzies by a document in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, No. 187, "of a bond of friend- ship between Lauchlan Mackintosh of Dunnachtan and Alexander Menzies of that Ilk — Dunkeld, 8th December 1604." This document for mutual and friendly protection, with another of an earlier date, are referred to in the book of The Macintoshes and Clan Chattan, in the following terms : — " The bonds and indentures entered into by Lauchlan during his chief- ship are numerous and interesting, amoung which is one from Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, 8th Dec. 1604, and another, 30th May 1587." These alliances seem to be " offensive and defensive." The MacGregors had made the enmity of the Colquhouns of Luss, who having captured a few of Clan MacGregor after the battle of Glenfruin, had them tried criminally before a jury, of whom Sir Alexander was one. The offence of which they were guilty was the slaughter of the Colquhouns, at the battle of Glenfruin, near Luss, where the MacGregors killed over 200 Colquhouns. Most of these MacGregors were the tenants of Sir Alexander the Menzies on his Rannoch estates, from which they had marched all the way to Luss to settle old differences. The Laird of Luss, after the battle, sent notice to King James VI. at London, and showed His Majesty eleven score bloody shirts belonging to the Colquhouns, who [page_261 A.D. 1607 ] had been slain by the MacGregors. King James grew exceedingly incensed at the doings of Clan Gregor. They were proclaimed rebels, and all lieges interdicted from harbouring or having any communication with them. This, therefore, put Sir Alexander Menzies in the worst possible position between the King and his MacGregor tenants, and was the cause of him being commanded to suppress them, as this letter shows : — "Alexander [Earl of Dumfermline], Chancellor, and the Earl of Dunbar, to 'Sir Alexander Meinzeis,' the Laird of Weyme. Edinburgh, 16th August 1607. — This letter narrates : — This proude rebellioun and dissobedyence of the barbarous and detestable lymmaris callit the Clangregour, who so long hes contineuit in committing of bloode, thift, reiff and oppressioun upon the King's Majesties peciable and good subiectis, having most iustlie procurit his Maiesties havie wraith and displeasour againe thame, insofar as suche a handfull of miserable catine dar presome to continew rebellious, whereas the haill remanent clannis, alsweele of the Heylandis as of the Yllis, are become ansuerable and obedyent, &c. The expresses his Majesty's resolve to supress the rebels, giveing orders to the Laird of Weem, as had also given to the Laird of Glenurchy, Lawers, and others, to assist the Sheriff of Perth in its execution." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 97. Duncan Menzies of Comrie, captain of Clan Menzies, and brother of the chief, being at feud with Alexander Robertson of Inchmagrnoch, Sir J. Stewart of Ballachan, John Robertson of Stralochie, with others, all of whom seem to have formed a plot to injure Captain Duncan Menzies of Comrie, who, as a law-abiding subject, had them summoned before the Lords of Privy Council, who saw fit to bind them down in caution to keep the peace towards Duncan Menzies of Comrie. The record is as follows : — " Edinburgh, 24 July 1607. Johne of Granich for Alexander Robertsone of Inchemagranoch and Sir James Stewart of Ballachan, and the said Alexander for the said Johne Stewart and Johne Robertsone of Straloche, 2000 merks each, not to harm Duncane Menzeis of Comrie"; and also the following Highland gentlemen were bound in like manner — "James Nasmith of Invar, for (Baron) Johne Fergusone of Darcullych, 2000 merks, not to harm Duncane Menzeis of Comrie." The Robertsons, not confining their inroads and feuds to the Menzies', got into trouble with the commendator of Couper, and were again brought before the Council and bound to keep the peace — Duncan Menzies of Comrie appearing as a witness. It is thus recorded : — "Edinburgh, 17th August 1607. Alexander Robertsoun of Fascalyie, for Robert Robertsoun of Strouane, 5000 merks, not to harm the commendator of Couper. The band — registered by Mr. Alexander Cuming, advocate, and written by Hew Mitchell, writer in Perth — is subscribed at Perth, 15th August, before Mr James Merser, minister at Logebyrd ; Duncane Menzeis of Conrie ; Patrik [page_262 A.D. 1608-1609] Halden, burgess of Perth ; W. Robertsoun, notary, burgess there, and said writer hereof." A quarrel having arisen between Stewart of Grantully and Sir William Stewart of Strathbran, the former offered to sell back the old Menzies lands of Strathbran to the descendant of their former owners, Alexander the Menzies. This state of matters being represented to King James VI., he, anxious for the peace of the country, wrote to Sir Alexander Menzies the following letter : — " Letter by King James Sixth to Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, White- hall, 14th Nov. 1608. James R. Trustie and weilbeloved, we greit you weill. Vunderstanding that the laird of Garnetully vppon no necessity, but vpon some late conceaved grudge against Sir William Stewart of Strathbrane, Knight, our servitour, and his appearnd heire, intends to make some sale and disposition of parte of his lands vnto yow ; as we know that tyme will worke out the cause of that discontentment conceaved by him against our servant, so we would desyre yow in the meanewhyle to forbeare anye blockeing or buying of any parte of these lands perteyning to the said laird of Garnetully ; wherein yow shall doe vs accept- able service. And so we bid yow farewell. From our Pallace of Whitehalle, the xiiiith of November 1608." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 52. Sir Alexander Menzies was called upon by the Council to turn out part of Clan Menzies armed to capture a section of the Clan Graham. The cause is thus narrated in the following from the records : — " i609,Edinburgh, 14th March. Commission of justiciary against George Graham and others. As George Grahame of Rednik, Dougall Grahame, his son and apparent heir, and others of the Clan Graham, remain unrelaxed from a horning of 1st instant, raised against theme by Coline Campbell of Blairnarne, for not answering before the Council touching their coming to his house in King's Boquhapple while he was absent in Edinburgh, assaulting his wife, and Marjorie Campbell, his daughter natural, and for abducting Margret Campbell, his only lawful daughter (anent p. 249), commission under the signet, subscribed by the Chancellor, (the Earls) Mar, Caithes, Linlithqw, and Kinghorne, is granted to Archibald, Earl of Ergyle, Steward of Menteith, and to his deputes, Coline Campbell of Lundy, . . . Campbell of Laweris, Sir Johne Hammiltoun of Lettrik, and (Sir Alexander) Menzeis of Weyme, to convocate the lieges in arms, apprehend said persons, and enter them before the Council." — R eg. Prv. Col., Scot., vol. viii., p. 261. The foregoing gives us a great deal of light as to the lawless condition of the country at this period, showing how comparatively helpless the Government was to redress wrongs. A feud having broke out between Alex. Fleming of Manes, and Sir Alexander Menzies of Menzies, and Robert Menzies of Overfaulds, they were summoned before the Lords of Secret Council, who, after hearing the cause of the feud, caused [page_263 A.D. 1609-1611] Sir Alexander Menzies to find caution for 2000 merks, as recorded in the fol- lowing extract : — " 1609, Edinburgh, 22nd Sept. Duncane Menzeis of Conrie for Alexander Menzeis of Weyme, 2000 merks ; and for Robert Menzeis of Overafulds, £500, not to harm Alexander Fleming of Manes. The band, registered by Mr David Prymrois, advocate, and written by Robert Marshall, writer in Dunkeld, is subscribed at Dunkeld, 19 Sept., before Mr James Menzeis, minister of Dull, Johnne M'Neill, his servitor, said writer hereof, and Thomas Marshall, notary-public." The Council, on the other hand, bound Fleming down by cautioners in £1000 to keep the peace on his part, as follows : — " 1609, Edinburgh, 25 Nov. Alexander Flemyng of (Beron) Mones, as princi- pal, and Alexander Stewart of Boneskeid, as surety, £1000, not to harm Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, Robert Innes in Abirfaldy, Duncan Menzeis of Combrie, Mr William Menzeis in Dentoun, James Menzeis in Drumdewne, Allaster Menzeis in Baliehomes, or Donald Leitche in Donafoull. — Reg. Prv. Col., vol. viii., pp. 709-13. Notwithstanding the measures taken by the Council to stop the feud between the Menzies and Fleming, Sir Alexander had to get Allaster Menzies and James Menzies, tenants and clansmen, who could not be stayed until they were brought before the Privy Council, and had to find caution, as the following record shows : — " 1610, Edinburgh, 2d Mar. Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, for Allaster Menzeis in Belliehomas, and James Menzeis in Drumdewan, 400 merks each, not to harm Alexander Fleming of Monesse." A mason, who had been in the employment of Sir Alexander Menzies, having committed murder, Sir Alexander applied to the Privy Council for a warrant for his apprehension. They put him to the horn, but the mason failing to appear before the Council, he was denounced a rebel, which is thus recorded : — " 1610, Edinburgh, April. As Johne Stanneris, mason, remains unrelaxed from a horning used against him by Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, as master, and by the kin and friends of the late Robert Couper, mason, as well as by Sir Thomas Hammiltoun of Bynnie, for his Majesty's intrest, for not finding caution to answer before the justice for the cruel slaughter ' with a knyff ' of the said Robert (Couper), ' thay being in ane hoistler house for the tyme.' Commission — signed by the Chan- cellor (Earls) Perth, Linlythqu, Lotheane, Blantyre, Klsyth, and Sir R. Cokburne — is given to the sheriffs-principal of Perth and Forfair to apprehend the said rebel, and put him to the knowledge of assize and minister justice accordingly." — Reg. Prv. Col., vol. viii., p. 721. Clan Gregor, through the Campbells, continuing to be a source of great trouble to the country, keeping the Highlands in a continual state of excitement, commission was issued (14th August 1610) to Sir Alexander Menzies, with others to take action against them, and again at Stirling, 31st January 1611. These acts against [page_264 A.D. 1611] the MacGregors only led them to reprisals against their pursuers, and Clan Gregor, in 1611, having again committed great outrages and devastation on the Campbells of Glenurchy and Lawers, these were represented to James VI. in all the high colours which only a Campbell could give such events, and resulted in James VI. sending Sir Alexander Menzies the following letter : — " King James the Sixth to Sir Alexander Menzies, the Laird of Weem. Greenwich, 29 April 1611. James R. Richt traist friend we greit you hartlie weill. We haue gevin power and commissioun to the Erll of Ergile to pursew that barbarous race of the name of M'Gregour with fire and swerd : and because the benefite of thair ouerthraw will redound to yow and suche otheris as ar thair landis- lords, who in reasoun ought and sould bear a part of the burdene of this service, we haue directit the bearar, the Laird of Lawers, to speil with yow heiranent, and to let yow know what cours we wold haue followed heirin : and will thairwithall desire yow to be a furtherar of our deseynes in this point, as yow will do ws good seruice and report our speciall thanks. And so we bid you hairtlie fairweill. From our Court at Greenwitche, the xxix. of April 1611." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 53. Sir Alexander the Menzies acted in the most lenient manner towards the per- secuted MacGregors, and as far as he dared saved them. On the other hand, the Campbells of Argyle, Glenurchy, Lawers, Glenlyon, and others pursued them with merciless severity, and after they had ousted them from their holdings, " a most pitiable scramble for the spoil entangled " the Campbells among themselves. — Lairds of Glenlyon, by D. Campbell, p. 222. The love of adventure engendered within the hearts of the Highlanders made the lifting of cattle one of the things which they often did for the sake of the exploit, and not from want as may generally be supposed, as the following case of Allaster Mengeis indicates : — " 1611, Edinburgh, 11th July. Complaint by William Rattray of Rynnagullane, Johnne Tailyeor in Corb, and Johne Beg there, that Allaster Menzeis in Assundow remains unrelaxed from a horning of 10th February, for not finding caution to answer before the justice for stealing from the land of Corb two horses belonging to the said William, a mare belonging to Tailyeour, and another mare belonging to Beg. — As thay are Alexander Menzeis of Weymes' tenants, charge had been given to their said landlord to enter them ; and now, Rattray appearing for himself and the other pursuers, Menzeis, for neither appearing himself nor entering the said Allaster, is to be denounced rebel." — Reg. Prv. Col, Scot., vol. ix., p. 213. It would appear that Sir Alexander Menzies had not got the summons in time to be before the Lords of Council on the 11th, but we find that Duncan Menzies of Comrie appeared next day for him, thus recorded : — "1611, 12th July-. Duncane Menzeis of Comrie for Alexander Menzeis of [page_265 A.D. 1611] Weyme, 1000 merks, to appear before the Council and bring with him Allaster Menzeis in Appnadow, in case it be found that he ought to do so, conform to the letters raised against him by William Rottray of Rynnagullane, Johne Tailyeour in Corb, and Johnne Beg there." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot., vol. ix., p. 683. After the caution being given for the bringing of Alaster Menzies to justice, the chief discovered that Alaster was in the service of the Earl of Argyle in pursuit of the Clan Gregor. No doubt Argyle thought the best way to capture the MacGregors was " to set a thief to catch a thief." Therefore, Sir Alexander lodged the following petition to suspend the horning against him : — "Edinburgh, 16th August. Complaint by Sir Alexander Menzeis of Weyme as follows : — The Lords of Secret Council have, at the instance of William Rottray of Rynnagullane, Johne Tailyeour in Corb, and Johnne Beg there, decerned horning against Complainer for not entering before the Council, Allaster Menzeis in Apnadow, rebel, as being his man. Now, Archibald, Earl of Argyle, having been employed by his Highness in the pursuit of the Clan Gregour, and having the haill cuntrey people of the Hielands undir his chairge in that present service, complainer and all his men are, and must continue during that service on the fields, under the said Earl, so that he cannot without great prejudice to that service compear to the effect foresaid : Further, by an Act of Council it is ordained that, during the time of that service, the persons therein shall be free from all compearing before any judicatory of this kingdom. If the complainer had not been burdened with this service, he would have willingly compeared, and shown that the said Allaster is not his man, but is servant to the Earl of Ergyle, and at present with the Earl in the fields against the Clan Gregour. Still, complainer has found caution in 100 merks to enter the said Allaster if it be found that he ought to do so. On these grounds the said horning ought to be suspended. — Pursuer appearing personally, and the defenders by . . . Rattray, eldest son of the said William, the Lords do suspend the letters of horning, because the said Allaster is in his Majesty's service against the Clan Gregour, as has been verified by a letter sent to the complainer from the Earl of Ergyle." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot., vol. x., pp. 242, 3. The Earl of Argyle had seen in Allaster Menzies, the type of a daring Highlander, who was equal in bravery to the enduring MacGregors, and therefore had induced him to leave his own peaceful chief, offering him a good recompense for his services. Afterwards, his services were taken up by Glenurchy, who seems to have bought from him a sheiling which he had, as the following from the Black Book of Taymouth records : — " Item — Gevin for the Pendicle and Scheilling of Easter Ledchrosk to Allaster Meinzies, four hundreth pundis, anno (between 1611 and 1617)." — Black Book of Taymouth, p. £3' [page_266 A.D. 1611-1613] The Earl of Athole having got into trouble with the Government, James VI., to prevent the earl making up a band of friends to defeat the purposes of the king, ordained Sir Alexander the Menzies and his brother Duncan to find caution not to hold intercourse with Athole, as follows : — "1611. Edinburgh, 2nd October. Duncan Menzeis of Comrie for Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, £500 not to reset or intercommune with the Earl of Athoill, conform to the charge to him at the instance of Sir Thomas Hammiltoun, Advocate. The bond, registered by Mr Oliver Colt, elder, Advocate, and written by Johne Menzeis, Notary, is subscribed at Weme, 30th September, before Mr William Menzeis, portioner of Pittinteane, Robert Menzeis in Abirfaldie, James Naismyth to the principal, and the said writer hereof." And then in turn Sir Alexander becomes surety for his brother, thus : — " Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, for Duncan Menzeis of Comries, 400 merks, no to reset James, Earl of Atholl, comform to the charge given by Sir Thomas Hammiltoun, Advocate. The band is registered, &c, as above." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot., vol. ix., p. 688. "Edinburgh, 21st November 1611." Again we find in a list of "commissioners appointed in certain shires and districts for the trial of persons accused of resetting, sheltering the Clan Gregor," appears along with a long list of others, the name of" Duncane Menzeis of Comrie." — Reg. Prv. Col., Scot, vol. ix., p. 285. The Government, having succeeded so far in crushing Clan Gregor, wanted to make some capital out of the lands which they had occupied, by levying a charge of £60 for every merk-land they had occupied. This is shown by the following : — " 1613. Edinburgh, 29 July. In an action against the Earl of Argyle and twenty other landlords of the Clan Gregor, for the recovery of £60 for every merkland of the MacGregor lands, possessed by them at Whitsunday 1610 — said fines alleged to be due to the Crown by voluntary agreement to that effect." Defenders (among whom appear the names of " Sir Alexander Menzees of Weyme," and " Duncane Menzes, brother to the laird of Weyme "), are assoilzied — " and thairfoir the saidis Lordis assoilyees simpliciter the saidis landislordis fra this persute and fra the contentis of thir letteris, and decernis thame quyte thairfra in tyme comeing." — Reg. Prv. Col, Scot., vol. x., pp. 1 14, 1 15. 1613. Edinburgh, 24 August. Again, the above are charged to answer for a certain contribution out of the MacGregor lands towards his Majesty's expenses in suppressing the Clan Gregor, In this list of names appears the name of " Sir Alexander Menzees of Weyme, Duncane Menzes, his bruther," and others. — Reg. Prv. Col, Scot, vol. x., p. 133. To shelter Clan Gregor in those days became a serious offence against the Government of James VI.; to give or supply them with anything wherewith to sustain life was also an offence of great magnitude, which was punished with heavy fines. For this humane offence we find ten of the Clan Menzies, who had shown [page_267 A.D. 1613] sympathy with the poor MacGregors by giving them shelter and food, condemned to pay from ten to one hundred merks, and from £50 to £100 each. Clan Menzies suffered most of any clan for the MacGregors, which is shown in the following : — " 1613. Edinburgh, 15th September. Forsamekle as resettis, shelters, and supplie whiche the infamous thevis and lyammairis of the Clangregour hes had in divers partis of the cuntrey, being the cheif and principall caus whiche, according quhairunto the commissionaris within the schirefdome of Perth, in the courtis of tryall haldin be thame within the tolbuith of the burgh of Perth, upoun the twelft, threttene, fourtene, fyftene, and sextene dayis of Marche, the yeir of God '"vj c and twelf yeiris (1612), And thairfore the saids Lordis hes decernit, adjudgeit, and fynit the personis particularlie undirwrittin, and everie ane of thame, in the soumes of money following," viz. : — with others, " Alexander Menzeis, sumtyme M'Gregour, in the soume of ane hundreth merkis ; Donald Menzeis, brouster in Doule, in the soume of ten merkis ; James Menzeis in Drumdevan, in the soume of fiftie poundis ; Johnne Dow Menzeis in Tolborie, in the soume of fifty merkis ; Duncane Menzeis, maltman, in the soume of ane hundreth poundis ; Johnne Menzeis in Togarniche, in the soume of fiftie merkis ; Alexander M'William Menzeis, in the soume of ane hundreth merkis." Further on — on the same list — are the names of " Robert Menzeis, in the soume of fiftie merkis ; Patrik M'Kinlay Menzeis, in the soume of fiftie merkis ; Johnne Menzeis in Wester Comere, in the soume of ane hundreth poundis." — Reg. Pro. Co/., Scot., vol. x., pp. 148-50. In this the Menzies' suffered more for Clan Gregor than any other clan, between them being the ties of kin, both having descended from the royal race of Fergus. 1613. 12 November. On the Commission of the Peace for Perthshire and the Stewartry of Menteith and Strathern, we find the name of " Sir Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk;" and in 1616 he is specially mentioned on the commission for the trial of two Highlanders. The second wife of Sir Alexander the Menzies died on the 10th of November 1613. She was the daughter of Sir John Forrester of Carden, a descendant of Sir Duncan Forrester of Carden, King's Comptroller, connected officially with the burgh of Stirling. She was buried in the Auld Kirk o' Weem, where her death is com- memorated by a sculptured escutcheon at the back of the Menzies Altar, on which the Forrester Arms are beautifully sculptured, as sharp in line as when they were cut. They are a chevron between three bugles. The shield is surrounded on the top and two sides by a riband, with the following Latin inscription cut into it : — |
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"ELIZABETH FOSTER FILIA DOMINI CARDEN . SPONSA" SEDA . DOMI NE VVM OBIT 10 NOVM 1613" |
ELIZABETH FORRESTER, DAUGHTER OF THE LORD OF CARDEN, SECOND WIFE OF THE HONOURABLE LORD OF WEEM. DIED 10TH NOVEMBER 1613. |
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[page_268 A.D. 1613] To ornament the circular top of the back of the Menzies Altar, under its arched roof, Sir Alexander the Menzies had sculptured a circular moulding. In the centre of this moulded circle is a cranium ; radiating from it are cross-bones, mattocks, spades, scythes, swords, coffins, &c. On the top of the cranium stands a sand-glass, and under all are two hands ringing "death bells," with the date — 1613 — of the death of Elizabeth Forrester, his second spouse. By this marriage Sir Alexander the Menzies had two sons — John Menzies, who is included in the charter of 1603, and Duncan Menzies, his brother, who succeeded to the chiefdom and estates of Menzies. After the death of his second wife Sir Alexander married a third time, about 1614, Marjory Campbell, daughter of Alexander Campbell, Bishop of Brechin. The contract of this marriage is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. Of this last marriage he had seven sons — namely, Alexander, William, Thomas, Robert, George, David, and Archibald ; also four daughters, Helen, Grissel, Margaret, and Jean. The Campbells, having so far built up their possessions, power, and position on the ruin of Clan Gregor, Campbell of Lawers wanted to fill his coffers from the pockets of the other chiefs and lairds whom he pretended had been benefited by his attempt to exterminate the Clan Gregor. He therefore proposed a contribu- tion, with authority from the Crown, from a number of chiefs, of whom was Sir Alexander the Menzies. The details are thus recorded, showing how the Campbells quarrelled among themselves, in the Black Book of Taymouth : — " Item — In the month of October, anno 1615, the Lawers passt up to Londoun, and desyrit of his Majestie that he would wreit (write) the Counsall desyiring the Counsall to send for the Landlords of the Clangregor that they would grant ane contribution of fiftie pund out of the merkland, and his Majestie wald find ane way that naine of the Clangregor sould trobill aney of thair landis nor posses thame, bot that the Landlords sould bruik thame paceablie ; for Lawers luit his Majestie to to understand that, if his highness wald grant him that contrabution, that he sould gett all theis turnis satled : wherein trewlie Laweris had nather power nor money to do it. The Councill wreit for the Landlords, sic as the Erie of Linlithgow, Sir Alexander Meinzeis, the Laird of Weyme, Alexander Schaw of Cambusmoir and Knokhill. The rest of the Landlords came not. The Chancellare inquyrit of thame that was present, if ' they wald grant to the contrabution,' and likewise all yeildit to unless Glenurquhay, who 'said he would not grant thairto, seing his Majestie had burdint him to concur with the Earl of Argyle in persewing of the Clangregor, because he knew he would get mair skathe be the Clangregor nor all the Landlords wald.' Herefter the Counsall merit for the Landlords, and desyrit them to pay the contrabution, and his Majestie's will was that it should be givin to the Laird of Laweris. Glenurquhay refusit be reassoun that he nevir yeildit to the [page_269 A.D. 1615-1619] contributioun, and the rest of the Landlords that wes absent the first Counsall day that the contribution was granted refusit the contrabutioun in lyk maner. Sua the Laird of Lavvers was disapointit of the contrabutioun. Glenurquhay quarrelit the Laird of Laweris and his breithreine that he sould have tain the enterpryses in hand by his adbyse, for to perturb the Laird of Glenurquhies lands, seeing that (he) wes the Laird of Glenurquhies vassell and kinsman cum of his hous, and also his sister's sone, and that, when Lawers hous would have wraikitt in Lawers fatheris tyme, the Laird of Glenurquhay tuik in his mother, his breithrein, and sisters in his hous, and saved the hous of Laweris fra rowein and wraik. — Black Book of Taymouth, pp. 476-9. In the year 1616 a Commission was granted to Sir Alexander Menzies, of justiciary to try, pass judgment, and punish thieves which had been captured by his men. The Commission runs thus : — "For theft. 28 August 1616. Commission under the Signet, signed by Chancellor Bining, Sir J. Murray, and Sir [A.] Drummond, is given to Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, heritable bailie of the Lordship of Apnadall ; David, Lord of Scone ; and Sir William Stewart of Granetully ; or any two of them, the said Laird of Weyme being one, to try Patrik Dow M'Kepna(?) in Apnadaill, and Finla M'Can Dowy V'Coneill M'Innes there, tenant of the said Alexander Menzeis, who are now in his custody for theft, — the said Patrik having stolen a gray horse and a black mare from Johne Archer in Cairco, a brown mare from William Stratgaith in Strathurd, and two horses from Strabrane, belonging to the tenants of Sir Williame Stewart of Grantullie ; and the said Finla having stolen four horses from the lands of Tullibagillis, a brown hackney horse belonging to the Lord of Scone, and three sheep belonging to James Mathisoun." — Reg. Pro. Col., vol. x., p. 637. In 1617 Sir Alexander the Menzies having married again, it is recorded in the Register of Sasines for Perthshire, that he and his spouse, Marjory Campbell, obtained a charter from William Murray, second Earl of Tullibardine, of " the Mains of Garth, with the castle thereof," in conjunct fee to themselves and their heirs. This must have been given up in his right as superior belonging to Sir Alexander, and for a discharge of his claims against Garth for the destruction done to Castle Menzies, in 1502, by Neil Stewart, for which he held a decree. This also included the lands and village of Fortingall. The Marquis of Huntly, having had some of his goods stolen by Clan Stewart and MacGregor, despatched some of his men after them, who, traced them to the lands of Sir Alexander Menzies, and the Marquis sent the chief a letter, the substance of which is somewhat as follows : — " The Marquis of Huntly to 'his richt speciall cousing' Sir Alexander Meingeis, the Laird of Weem, Aboyne, 9 November 1619, requesting him to assist Huntly's servant, Norman Leslie, in recovering the 'geire' which had been taken out of [page_270 A.D. 1619-1638] Huntly's land of Strathavin by the Stewarts and some of the ' Glengregorie." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 98. Not only did Clan Gregor have severe laws passed against them, but even the Gipsies, or, as then called, " Egyptians," were also under similar enactments, as the following will show : — " Discharge by Alexander Forbes, servitor to the Duke of Lennox, in favour of Sir Alexander Menzies of Weem, for resetting of the Egyptians, threatening, that in case the like danger should occur again, his whole goods should be confis- cated, without any favour to be granted to the King's treasurer or treasurer-depute. 30 March 1620." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 213. The chief was member of Convention for Perthshire in 1625. Age and other ailments having begun to tell on Sir Alexander Menzies, he had granted to him a permit to eat flesh meat, which grant is as follows : — " Licence by the Privy Council to Sir Alexander Menzeis of Weem, his Lady, and such persons as might be at table with them, to eat flesh during Lent and on the forbidden days of the week, for the space of a year. — Holyroodhous, 11 March 1628." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 99. The troubles brought on the country by the Reformation, setting clan against clan, allowing the Highland caterans to plunder where they would ; and from the numerous writs issued for the apprehension of horse-thieves, sheep-stealers, &c, in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, we select the following : — " Warrant of justicary under the signet, by King Charles and Lords of Council, to Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk and Sir James Campbell of Lawers, for the trial of and other legal action against Muildonache M'lldoune, then a prisoner in the hands of Sir Alexander Menzies, and ' a common notorious theefe, who,' it is said, ' hes lived this long tyme byaane upon thift, resset of thift, pylkerie and oppression.' Edinburgh, 4 February 1636." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 214. In consequence of the inflexible determination of Charles I. to force Episcopacy upon the Scottish people, against which the great majority of the Scottish nation declared their determination to stand " by the great name of the Lord God " — for the purpose of enforcing this he sent the Marquis of Hamilton into Scotland as his commissioner, who arrived at Edinburgh, 10th June 1638. It was on this account that the Earl of Argyle, the leader of the Covenanting party, hearing of the intention of Charles I. to send a commissioner to Scotland, thought it the best policy to call a meeting of friends to consider the best course to take. He therefore wrote the following letter to Lawers, who, in turn, wrote asking Sir Alexander the Menzies to meet him, the substance of the correspondence being as follows : — Letter of Archibald, Lord Lorne and Earl and Marquis of Argyll. " Kendloch, 21 July 1638. Lord Lorne desires the Laird of Lawers to be [page_271 A.D. 1638-1639] present at the meeting of his friends, which Lord Lorne had appointed to be held at Inverary on the 1st of August. " [Doroso] A note from James Campbell of Lawers to [the Laird of Weem], asking him to come to Lawers to consider whether they should go to this meeting. " Lawers had seen letters to the same effect addressed to the Lairds of Glenlyoun and Glenurchy." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies. This meeting was followed by the assembly at Glasgow in November 163S, where Argyle placed himself at the head of the Covenanters, after which both parties prepared for war. Argyle convened a meeting at Perth, under the guise of putting down the Highland robbers, and wrote Sir Alexander Menzies, the substance being is as follows : — " Inverary, 13th February 1639. The Earl of Argyle desires Sir Alex. Menzies, the Laird of Weem, to meet Argyle and other nobles and gentlemen at Perth, on the 14th March, to consult as to means for suppressing the ' Lymmeris and brokine men ' of the Highlands. The earl addresses the laird as his ' loveing freind.' " — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, Nos. 73, 74, It was shortly after this meeting that the king advanced towards the Scottish Border to force the Covenanters to submission. But, instead of Charles I., the Covenanters commenced hostilities, and about the 19th of March General Leslie, with a few men, surprised and without difficulty occupied the Castle of Edinburgh. Dumbarton and other castles falling into their hands shortly afterwards, gave them a strong hold on the Lowlands. The Marquis of Huntly, however, stood out as the champion of Charles in the north, against whom Montrose advanced and took possession of Aberdeen, from which he sent a note to Huntly, asking him to come to Aberdeen to further a settlement of the disturbances, to which Huntly complied, and took up his quarters in the house of his friend, Sir Thomas Menzies of Pitfodels. There Huntly was made captive by Montrose and taken to Edinburgh. Many skirmishes followed. The whole of Scotland was then arming for a religious war. Argyle, anxious to strengthen the cause of the Covenant, and gain over as many of the Highland chiefs as possible to his party, urged Sir Alexander the Menzies very hard to arm and call out Clan Menzies, and cast his lot on the side of the Covenanters. Sir Alexander the Menzies had always been opposed to civil strife ; although a Protestant, he declined to imbrue his hands in his country's blood. Argyle therefore wrote him in the following terms : — " Stirling, 10th June 1639. The Earl of Argyll. The Earl of Argyll again urges his ' Loveing freind,' as he addresses Sir Alexander Menzies, the Laird of Weem, not to make any delay, but with all diligence to send out his ' folks,' according to the order already received." — Letter in Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. j6. The answer to this letter not being satisfactory, Argyle became all the more anxious to have Sir Alexander Menzies on his side. He therefore tried another [page_272 A.D. 1639] course to get the venerable old chief unguardedly to declare himself for his party. By what insinuations he sought this is shown in his letter, as follows : — "Stirling, June 4, 1639. The Earl of Argyll in this letter alludes to the ' mis-reports ' concerning the Laird's unwillingness to stand up for the defence of the religioun, crown, and countrie, stating his assurance that he would never suffer himself to be ' brandit with such foule aspersiouns,' and earnestly requests him to give an example of obedience to the general and Estates of the kingdom." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 75. Sir Alexander the Menzies, who was then a very old man, " had learned from experience " not to act on the advice of a Campbell without considering the " pros and cons " before he acted ; and, being a man of experience, was not to be so easily led into the net. Argyle, having been commissioned by the Estates to secure the West and Central Highlands, in executing this task appears to have been actuated more by feelings of private revenge than by an honest desire to carry out the spirit of his commission. Montrose, then in command of the Covenanting army operating against the Royalists and the Marquis of Huntly in Aberdeenshire, was also most anxious to secure the services of Clan Menzies and their Chief Sir Alexander, as he calculated that if he was successful the powerful branches of Clan Menzies in Aberdeenshire — of which there were at this time the Menzies' of Pitfodels, of which Sir Thomas Menzies was the chieftain ; the Menzies' of Kinmundie, the Menzies' of Durn, the Menzies' of Balgownie, the Menzies' of Findon, the Menzies' of Cults, and others, all of whom gave their united support to King Charles and the Marquis of Huntly — it being obvious to Montrose that if he could get the old Chief, Sir Alexander the Menzies, to the Covenanting side, his influence might be brought to bear upon these powerful Aberdeenshire branches of the clan. Montrose had shortly before this received a commission from the tables to raise a body of troops for the service of the Covenanters. These he proceeded to call out, and had embodied a considerable part of this army with extraordinary promptitude, so much so that within a month he had raised a force of about 3000 men. Being joined by the forces under General Leslie, he marched towards Aberdeen. On his arrival at the Castle of Dunnottar, 7th June 1639, he wrote to Sir Alexander the Menzies and his son Duncan Menzies, the young chief, trying to induce them to follow him. Here is Montrose's letter : — " The Earl [afterwards Marquis] of Montrose to the Lairds of Weem, Donnottar, 7th June, 1639. " Honorabill and loving friends, — Having desyred the Earl of Atholl to bring with him all the Highland men he can gett for this expedition, these are to desyre [page_273 A.D. 1639] yow to accompany him with all the people you can possibly make to come alongst under his command. " As for those that are refractarye and unwilling, he hade warrand to take such order with them as he shal think expedient. So hoping you will be most carefull and diligent to send all your peopl, and that they come willingly rather than be compeled, am, Your most affectionate freind, MONTROSE. "From Dunnottar, the 7 of June 1639. " For my honarabill and lowing freindis, the lairdis of Weme, these." — Charter Room, Castle Mensies, No. 100. To all these bids for the services of the Clan Menzies and their chief, Sir Alexander considered it the most prudent course not to launch Clan Menzies and himself into the awful consequences of civil war. But, on the other hand, his son Duncan Menzies, the young chief, showed considerable favour to the drooping cause of Charles I. His ardent Highland temper seems to have displayed this to such an extent that, Argyle hearing of it, he sent the following letter to the aged chief: — ¦ " Edinburgh, 30th May 1640. The Earl of Argyle states in this letter that the General and Committee in Edinburgh were suspicious of the conduct of the Laird's son. Advises him, if he was not able to travel himself, to send some of his men to Edinburgh to declare themselves in time ; to avoid the ' hard course ' which maay be taken with the refractory." In a holograph postscript the Earl adds, " your wyf and yow to may think it straing, as I doe, that [I] should be forced to be ane enimie to any of your children. ARGYLL." — Charter Room, Castle Mensies, No. 77. The actions of the Covenanters towards Montrose not being in accordance with his mind, he abandoned them as being a self-seeking set, and returned with all his heart to the cause of King Charles I., who commissioned the Marquis of Newcastle to furnish Montrose with a party of horse to enter the south of Scotland, but all he could procure was 800 militia and 200 horse, which consisted of noble- men and gentlemen. With this force he entered Scotland, 13th April 1644. He had not proceeded far when revolt broke out among the English, who immediately returned. He, however, took Dumfries, but not receiving additions he was compelled to disguise himself as groom to his friend Sibbald. In this way he reached the Highlands and the house of Patrick Graham, near the Tay, lying among the hills. While coadjutating on the best course he should pursue, some Highland shepherds brought him news that Irish troops had landed and had been joined by the MacDonalds, led by Alexander MacDonald of Coll, to whom he at once sent word to come to Athole. In fixing upon Athole as the place of rendezvous, Montrose was actuated by implicit reliance on the fidelity of the Menzies', Stewarts, [page_274 A.D. 1640-1644] Robertsons, MacGregors, and other Athole men. On receipt of instructions MacDonald promptly marched into Athole and fixed his headquarters at Blair. All along his march he had been threatened by Argyle, but new life was put into the Highlanders by the arrival of Montrose at Blair, to which he had travelled 70 miles on foot in the Highland dress. His appearance was hailed with great joy by the Highlanders, who spontaneously offered him their services. At this juncture Montrose, knowing that the cautious old chief of the Menzies' did not want to be disturbed in the sunset of his days with the strife of parties, and also knowing from what he had heard that the young Chief Duncan Menzies was most anxious to come out for King Charles, but was kept in check by the Chief Sir Alexander, his father, who, although old, still maintained his right as chief that the clan should not imbrue its hands in war without his sanction, Montrose wrote him a letter, in which he endeavoured to persuade him by many promises and offers to call out Clan Menzies. To this the aged chief returned such a reply that Montrose thought the only way to bring him to bay was to threaten him with severe measures, which meant the invasion of the lands of the Menzies'. This letter is still preserved in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and is as follows : — " James, Marquis of Montrose, to ' Sir Alexander Meinzes,' the Laird of Weem. [No date, circa 1644]. — Sir, I must admire of your answer which I could heave wery littell expected. Aluayes yow will beleaue that as I am loth to be seuere, so I will not be dallied. This is the tyme when there can be no lurking nor indeferency, bot all must syde on way or ane other. Iff feare keipe any from serueing ther Prince, shall it not much more from serueing rebells against him ? Iff they would be cruell in the one will not we be just in the other? So there ar bot on chose : to hazard all for your natiue and kyndly Prince (which danger I hope will not be great) or wentor all contrary to the laues of God and man against him. The last, I hope (with the assistance of God) shall be found the greattest danger. Wherefor, Sir, lett me againe requyre, in his Maiesties (name) to keipe the forme dyett with your self and all you can eather desyre or command, or say that you declyne your Prince, and his commandements by "MONTROS. " For the Laird of Weime and all belonging to him." This letter is holograph of Montrose. — Charter Rooin, Castle Menzies, No. 101. This letter had the effect of making Sir Alexander take the opposite course from what Montrose wanted. Like a sensitive Highlander, he would not be forced to follow any man, and therefore determined so far as old age would carry him, to resist Montrose if he attempted to carry out his threat. On the other side, Montrose now resolved to open the campaign at once by a descent on the Lowlands. In pursuance of this determination, Montrose put his army in motion and marched up the Appin-na-Meinerich, the vale of Menzies, now Strath Tay ; [page_275 A.D. 1644] in passing through which he expected to be joined by the inhabitants of the adjoining country, all of whom then followed the Menzies'. At the same time he sent a trumpeter or messenger with, it is said, a " friendly notice to the Menzies' " of his intention to pass through their country. But instead of taking this in good part, the Menzies' are said to have " maltreated the messenger," and attacked and harassed the rear of his army. These daring acts of a single clan against the whole army of Montrose, which, if the Campbells of Glenurchy, as followers of Clan Menzies, had been courageous enough to have joined in, might have proved disastrous to Montrose and his army. The attack of the Menzies' being well directed, so provoked and exasperated Montrose, that he ordered his men when passing through the Menzies village of Weem to set it on fire, to plunder and lay waste the lands of Clan Menzies, and burn their houses with the crops on the fertile plains of their vale lying near Castle Menzies, that it might be an example of summary vengeance, which would serve as a useful lesson to deter other Highland clans who might be disposed to imitate the high-spirited and daring conduct of the Clan Menzies. Montrose, however, was forced to limit himself to this course of seeking his vengeance, as he was without artillery and quite unable to take Castle Menzies, his attacks on the castle being repulsed with considerable loss, from the turrets and parapets of which a raking fire was kept up upon his men who attempted to come within range of the bronze guns of Castle Menzies. The fire of these guns, from their high position, swept the whole parks and fields near the castle ; then, from the low-level gun-ports the iron doors were so well protected by their position, the fire from which prevented Montrose from having any chance of bursting the iron doors by using a battering-ram. He was therefore beaten off at all points, and forced to raise the siege. It was at this point, when Montrose's men were withdrawing after their last fruitless attack on Castle Menzies, that a portion of Clan Menzies, led on by their brave old chief, made a sortie after the retreating Montrose, and fell upon the rear of his army with so much fury that the whole army was obliged to face about to withstand the onslaught of the Chief Sir Alexander and Clan Menzies. The little band of Menzies' were soon surrounded on all sides, but still they fought hard to save their old chief, whom they surrounded to defend, but all was of no avail. The clansmen were over- powered by numbers, cut down, and their old chief wounded and taken a prisoner by Montrose. He was marched in triumph by his army, as the first important prisoner and victory gained by Montrose, in his then newly-espoused cause of King Charles. The news of this achievement spread like wildfire, and in a few days it reached the city of Aberdeen, the effect of which was then described by Spalding, who thus writes : — " 1644. Ye see Montroses march into Athole. He took the Laird of Meingzies captive, and others, outstanding rebellis. He goes to the Laird of [page_276 A.D. 1644] Glenurcheis lands, burns, wastes, and distroyis his counntries, being one of Argyle's speciall kinsmen." In this conflict the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies was severely wounded before he was captured. From this cause, and the treatment given to the brave old chief — his wounds not being properly attended to after being cast into prison — he does not appear to have ever returned alive. His eldest surviving son, Duncan, seems to have been permitted to bring his dead body home and lay it within the Auld Kirk o' Weem, where the principal panel in the back of the Menzies Altar is to his memory. The main panel of the Menzies Altar in the Auld Kirk o' Weem extends fully half-way across the back and on a level with the stone slab of the altar. It was evidently inserted in the wall between 1588 and 1616, between which dates the altar appears to have been repaired and put in such a state as to make it withstand the hand of time in a wonderfully perfect state of preservation down to the present. The Latin inscription on this ornamental panel is all in capital letters ; the latter half being to the memory of the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, as follows : — |
| "REGIA . ME , PEPERIT . FGENETRIX . STRIPSALTA . BRITANVI . ATHOLLAE . AT . LAWERS . EST . MJHI . AVITADOMVS . ATOVE . ABAVAM . SPECTANS . HVNTUEI . EILA . POLCHRA . EST . ATTAVIAE . EST . EDZELL . GENS . ORIVNDAMEAE . D . O. M . S MANIBIVS . ET . MENORLE . ILLVSTRIS . JENE . ROSISS . IMI . QVEI . EROIS . ALEXANDRI . MEUNZEIS . A . VEYME . ET . ME . RORIAE . CAMPBLL . SVAE . SPONS/E . QUI . MARISRUM . BONI . NOMINIS . ET . POSTERITATIS . ERCO . MONV . MENTVM . HOC . EXSTRVI . CVRARVNT . " |
Royal in perpetuity by descent from the Royal Family of Britain, Likewise of Athole, related to Lawers by ancestral family, By his great-great-grandmother noble Huntly's daughter to Huntly, and From the illustrious family of Edzell descended by birth. LORDLY House and lineage of Menzies, illustrious in its descent, Of which is the learned Alexander Menzies of Weem, and also Agnes Campbell, his spouse, whose great and good name to posterity is restored. In Memorial mention here to stand for a brave and temperate man. |
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The greater part of the Latin inscriptions on the Menzies Altar are the composition of Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, who, for his attainments as a [page_277 A.D. 1644] composer of Latin verse in his youth, at the University of Glasgow, was created Poet Laureate. Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies at the time of his death would be about 87 or 88 years of age. During his life he married (1st) Margaret Campbell, daughter of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, of which marriage there was no issue ; thereafter he married (2ndly) Elizabeth Forrester, daughter of Sir John Forrester of Carden, by whom he had two sons :— 1st. John Menzies, to whom in 1603, as eldest son and heir, was provided the free estates of Menzies, but he predeceased his father without issue, before 1623. 2nd. Duncan Menzies, who afterwards became chief, and succeeded his father. Sir Alexander the Menzies married (3rdly) Marjory Campbell, daughter of the Bishop of Brechin, by whom he had seven sons : — 1st. Alexander Menzies of Rotmell, of whom there are descendants still alive, or were in the time of Nisbet, 1790. The lands of Rotmell are between Dunkeld and Ballinluig, and lie on the slopes of the Grampian range. They were formerly incorporated in the Menzies Charters under their district of Dowally, held by the Menzies' by charter under the Crown prior to and in 1457, for which they then paid a fee of 33s. 4d. The various lakes in the district are known as the Lochs of Rotmell. 2nd. William Menzies of Carse, of whom there were descendants still alive about 1790. The lands of Carse are in the vale of the Menzies', about four miles west from Castle Menzies, their name being derived from the flat stretch of fields surrounding the old house of Carse. These lands, however, have returned to the main line, and are in possession of the present chief. 3rd. Thomas Menzies of " Inchaffray." He got as his portion the lands of Inchaffray in Strathearn, between Crieff and Methven. These were formerly held under the Crown by his ancestors from the days of Bruce, with the ancient church. [page_278 A.D. 1644] The Menzies abbot of Inchaffray or canon walked before the Scottish army at the battle of Bannockburn — see p. 52. A matrix of the seal of this Canon Menzies is now preserved in the Museum of the Scottish Society of Antiquaries, Edinburgh. 4th. Robert Menzies of Glassie. The lands and house are about two miles east of Weem in the vale of Menzies or Strathtay, and included Loch Glassie ; also the old house of Glassie, still standing. 5th. George Menzies of Dalrawer. These lands form part of the fertile and beautiful carse of the Appin-na-Meinerich, and are now held by the present chief. 6th. David Menzies of Murthly — the lands of which stretch away along the southern slope of the Menzies vale eastward from Aberfeldy. The old house of Murthly still stands there, and has been held and inhabited by successive sons and grandsons of the chief. 7th. Archibald Menzies, W.S., who, having studied at the University of Edinburgh, became a Writer to the Signet. Sir Alexander had likewise of this marriage four daughters : — 1. Helen Menzies, who was married to Sir James Campbell of Lawers. 2. Grizzel Menzies, who was married to Sir Thomas Stewart of Grandtully, Knight (born 1608, died 1688). 3. Margaret Menzies {ob. 1670), married Colin Campbell of Bowhaste or Mochaster {ob. 1669), second son of the Laird of Glenorchy, ancestor of the Earl of Breadalbane. 4. Jean Menzies, who was married to Alexander Robertson of Lude. The contracts of all these marriages are in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies. Regarding this second daughter — Grizzel Menzies — the Laird of Grandtully considered that he had made a splendid connection for his family by having his son connected to the house and clan of Menzies. This is apparent by the following : — The wife of Sir Thomas Stewart of Grandtully was Grizzel Menzies, by whom he had a family of one son, John, and eight daughters. The daughters were — 1st, Jean, who married Sir James Mercer of Aldie, 22nd November 1648 ; 2nd, Marjory, married David Fotheringhame of Pourie, 20th November 1656 ; 3rd, Grizzel, married Hon. John Drummond of Burnbank ; 4th, Cecil, married John Stewart of Arntully ; 5th, Anna, married James Seton of Touch ; 6th, Helen, married James Crichton of Ruthvens ; 7th, Elizabeth, married David Leslie of Newark ; 8th, no record. For the purpose of keeping up the dignity of the houses of Stewart and Menzies we find that — [page_279 A.D. 1644] " Sir William Stewart of Grandtully, on the occasion of the marriage of his eldest son, Thomas Stewart, with Grizel Menzies, in the year 1627, became bound to resign the barony of Kercow in favour of his son, Thomas, and his spouse, Grizel Menzies, and his heirs-male of their marriage. Resignation was made in the year 1644, when King Charles the First granted a charter of novo- damus, erection, and annexation, under the Great Seal, in favour of Sir Thomas Stewart and his spouse, Grizel Menzies." — Red Book of Grandtully, pp. 78, 88, vol. i. Grizzel Menzies must have been a lady of considerable attractions, for after the death of her first husband, she was married to the Laird of Moncrieff, as we find from the following : — "Sir John Moncrieff of that Ilk was born 1608, and knighted by Charles I. at the coronation in Holyrood in 1633. He married Grizel Menzies, daughter of Sir Alexander Menzies of Weem. She died about 1688." — Burgesses of Dundee. p 171. Regarding the marriage of Margaret Menzies, Douglas says — " (Breadalbion) Colin Campbell of Mochaster, 2nd son of Sir Robert Campbell of Glenurchy, married, 6th April . . . Margaret, third daughter of Sir Alexander Menzies of Castle Menzies, and had five sons." — Douglas Peerage, vol. i., p. 241. The marriage is more fully detailed in respect to the lands which were to go as a portion to Glenurchy's son, to whom his father gave lands sufficient to keep up the dignity with which Margaret Menzies had been brought up, as will be seen by the following : — " Item, 1640. The Laird, Sir Robert, gave to Coline, his secound sone (who was married upon Margaret Menzeis, dauchter of Sir Alexander Menzeis, the Laird of Weymes) the whole landis in Strathgartney (except the Letter, which is holdine waird), and these are the lands following, viz., Corrichrombie, Mochastyre, Tarndoune, Ester Dullettir, Portnellan, with the yll of Lochbauchar and the loch, Carndeor, Milntoune, Lenrick, Drippen, Coischchambie, Ofference of Lenerick, Duncreggan, Ardkeanknokan, Larg, Brauchylzie, Edderalekich, Strongarrowald, Ardmak- monyane ; The said Coline reserveing his motheris of hir lifrent of hir conjunt tie lands conforme to the long band which ar holdine in few of the house of Glenurquhy." — Black Book of Taymouth, p. 97. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' WHO HELD LANDS AND OF NOTE, REIGNS OF JAMES VI. AND CHARLES I. Chieftain John Menzies of Moreinch. He held the lands of Morenish, with part of Glendochart, at the west end of Loch Tay, of the chief, and is mentioned in the obligation of Lady Weem in 1586. Chieftain Robert Menzies of Comrie, which lands he held of the chief, is a frequent witness to documents of his time ; also to one given in 1587. [page_280 A.D. 1644] CHIEFTAIN JOHN Menzies of Foird, Fordie, already mentioned in 1587. His lands are now called Lawers, and lie in Strathearn, near Comrie. Chieftain Robert Menzies of Snaip. He also is mentioned in the trans- actions of Sir Alexander in 1591. Loch Snipe is in the parish of Dalrymple, Ayrshire. The Rev. John Menzies, chaplain to Sir Alexander the chief, and parson of Weem, likewise mentioned in his time. Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Cramloxis, who was uncle to the Chief Sir Alexander, and figures in the transactions of his life, as in 1594. SIR THOMAS Meingyeis, Knight, Chieftain of the Menzies' of Durne, Lord Provost of Aberdeen. He sat in the Scottish Parliaments of King James VI., representing Aberdeen at Edinburgh, 10th July 1593, and again, 27th May 1617, 13th and 15th June, and September 1617. It was this Sir Thomas Meingyeis who discovered the great Scottish pearl in the Ythan, or Yeatn, in Aberdeenshire, the size and beauty of which surpassed all others. This pearl he brought to Edinburgh and presented it to King James VI., who was so charmed and delighted with its great size and beautiful sheen that he had it put on the Scottish crown, where, being the largest known pearl, it was made the topmost of all. It now forms the apex of the Scottish crown. For this gift King James VI. knighted him. ROBERT "Menzeis," who sat in the Scottish Parliament held at Perth, January 1594, by James VI., representing Aberdeen. Chieftain David Menzies, Elder of Durne. He was Lord Provost of Aberdeen in 1604, and was Baron of the lands of Durn in Aberdeenshire. Chieftain Thomas Menzies, Baron of Cults. He was Lord Provost of Aberdeen from the year 1615 to 1620. From him descend the Aberdeen Menzies' of Cults or Culter, whose names are now corrupted to Mennie and other local spellings of the name. Sir Paul Menzies, Knight, Chieftain and Baron of Kinmundy, Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1623 to 1634. He was a man of great learning, and the greatest patron of art of his time. It is to his kindness, support, and help that we are indebted for our " Scottish Vandyke," Jamesone. Sir Paul Menzies, seeing merit in the young artist, assisted him by commissions, and after he had become proficient [page_281 A.D. 1644] in his art, took Jamesone to Edinburgh, and there introduced him to King Charles the First, who, on the recommendation of Sir Paul, gave Jamesone his first royal commission to paint his portrait, for which Charles I. sat to him. Sir Paul Menzies was a great favourite with Charles I., who knighted him. He sat in the Scottish Parliaments, representing Aberdeen from 1625 to 1633. SIR GILBERT MENZIES, Knight, Chieftain and Baron of Pitfodels, head of the Aberdeenshire Menzies'. He, with the whole of his branch of Clan Menzies, were devoted royalists in the wars of King Charles I. He had the Aberdeen Menzies' out under Montrose in all his battles. Sir Gilbert sat in the Scottish Parliaments of Charles I. at Edinburgh, 15th August 1643 and 26th August 1643. Chieftain James Menzies of Enouch. He held the lands and ancient castle of Enouch, and in the year 1627 had a charter granted him of the Barony of Enouch. Included in it was the Altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church of Durrisdeer. Chieftain John Menzeis of Castlehill, who, in 1628, got a grant by charter of the lands of " Folkerton," in the barony of Lesmahagow. Chieftain John Menzies of Culterawis, who held these lands in 1640, being part of the old Menzies barony of Culter, in Lanarkshire. Chieftain Robert Menzies of Overfaulds, who had a feud with Fleming of Moness, as related in 1609. Chieftain Duncan Menzies of Roro, Captain of Clan Menzies, brother of Sir Alexander the Menzies. He held the whole of Glenlyon, or nearly so, for a great part of his life, but in 1603 he feu-farmed large portions to the Campbells. He held the old fortress of the Menzies' in Glenlyon — Meggernie Castle. [page_282 A.D. 1644] Chief Sir Duncan the "Meanezeis, 16th Baron of Menzies . THE "TRUSTY" CHIEF. BORN 1600. DIED 1656. KING JAMES VI. confirmed the grant to Chief Duncan the Menzies of the estates and possessions of his father, Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, his elder brother John having predeceased his father without issue. Duncan, the second son, was therefore retoured heir to his brother John the Menzies in such parts of the estates of Menzies as he held in fee at the time of his death. At the birth of Duncan, in the year 1600, his father, Sir Alexander, being related to and on the most cordial and friendly terms with Lord Drummond, who in that year was having several bells cast in Edinburgh, — he, on learning of the birth of Duncan, presented a bell to Sir Alexander the Menzies, who erected it above the north gate or entrance to Castle Menzies to commemorate his birth, where it now stands. Around the top of the bell is cast this inscription on the first band : — " 1600 x + x x' . - ROBERTUS MAXUELL, and on the second band "THE FECITEDINEURCH " (I was founded at Edinburgh), FOR ¦ MY ¦ LORD ¦ DRUMMOND." The young Chief Duncan figured through a great portion of the troubles of Scotland in the time of his father, in the transactions of whom his name appears frequently. He married Lady Jean Leslie, only daughter of James, master of Rothes, and sister to John, fifth Earl of Rothes, by Katharine, daughter of Patrick, Lord Drummond. The marriage was celebrated about the year 1622. On the death of John, the eldest son of Alexander the Menzies, which must have taken place about the year 1622, Duncan, the second son, got possession of his estates ; the full possession of which is confirmed by the following charter : — "July 17, 1622. Duncan Meanezeis, heir male to Joannis Meanezeis, son [page_283 A.D. 1622] legitimate born second to Lord Alexander Meanezeis of Menzies, knight, between him and Elizabeth Forrester, his wife. Born his son, in the lands and barony of Weyme — viz., the lands of Weyme, Aberfaldybeg, Ardferlemoir, Ferlegar, Rairr, Dalravir, Glassy, Kynnaldie, Glengolantine, Comrie, Auchilles, Fernachtie, and Dancrosk (or Duniscroft), with the lands of Roras in Glenlyoun, and the patronage of the Church of Weyme. The lands and patronage of Meanezeis Croft in shire of Kinross, A.E. £35., N.E. £140. Together with the numerous other lands in the barony of Meanezies. The 20s. lands of Edderowll, the 4 merk lands of Cambusarnay, the market of Tollichro, near to the said lands of Cambusarnay, the 20s. lands of Nether Mewan, the 5 merk lands of Tigyermath, and the 2 merk lands of Thometheogill, extending in whole to 10s. lands of old extent in the Lordship of Apnadull, A.E. £10., N.E. £30., joined to the barony of Cambusarnay. The 20s. lands of Petten, the 20s. lands of Over Mewan, the 20s. lands of Dal- moyne (or Dalman), the merk land of Overtollichra, the 4 merk lands of Tullichdullis, in the said Lordship of Apnadull, with the office of hereditary bailie of the said Lordship of Apnadull, E. £12. 18s. 6d. The small lands of the church's and the church and parish of Dull — viz., the lands of Croftelauchan, Drumdewan, Kynnettle, with the fishings of rivers of Dull, and numerous other lands of Dull. The many hills and other parts of Craigdull, the many parts of the lands of Auchtravie, and a tenth of the produce from the said lands of the church within the regality of ' Saint Andrews.' With the free forests in surrounding bounds of the lands aforesaid, E. 9M. Altogether united into the barony of Meanezeis." — J.C. D.R. retours, Edderowell, the lands of which are mentioned in the foregoing, is a district of the Menzies country, on the south-east side of Loch Tay, and stretches from Stix on the east of the present Taymouth Castle, westward to the ancient fortalice of the Menzies' " Mains," Maynus Castle, at Ardeonaig, about the south centre of Loch Tay. Within this district are the present lands of Stuix, Taymouth Castle, Acharn, Achianich, Callelochan, Ardradnaig, Skiag, Ardtalonaig, Claggan, Easter and Wester Tullich, Marymore, and Maynus Castle or Dall, with other places along the shore, and stretching over the hills towards Glenquich. The whole scenery from these lands within view belonged to Clan Menzies, which, looking northwards, is grand and imposing. From the sides of Loch Tay rise hill upon hill towards the sky, until they culminate in the lofty Ben Lawers. " TULLCHDULLIS," now " Tullichuil," also included in the charter — the lands of which stretch from Stix eastward along the south side of the Appin of the Menzies' to Bolfracks, and from the shores of the River Tay they extend over the gentle slopes of the vale southwards, including Craig Hill, 1845 feet high. From the high slopes of these lands a splendid view can be had of the ancient scholastic Menzies' village of Dull, Farleyer, Castle Menzies, Weem, and Weem Rock, with [page_284 A.D. 1631] many other places nestling charmingly among the hills on the north side of the Vale of Menzies. FERNACHTIE, now Fearnan or Fernan, also recorded in this charter, are lands on the western slopes of Drummond Hill, stretching westward along the shores of Loch Tay to near Lawers, and northwards to the River Lyon. The Clachan of Fearnan nestles charmingly on the slopes of the shores of Loch Tay, and at this date was a well-populated district of the Menzies'. There was a church here dedicated to St Ciaran: its site is still visible on the farm of Boreland. There is at Fearnan another relic of those times remaining, in the Clach-na-Cruick, or "Stone of the Measles." It has on its upper side a cavity which contained rain water — this, on being drank by the patient, was considered a sovereign remedy for that disease. At one time it had a wide reputation, and persons came from all parts to drink the water. On the upper surface of the stone are seven cup-shaped holes, which evidently formed part of the charm. Fearnan means Aldery, or the place of the Alders. On the 1st April 1631 the young chief, on the death of his mother, came into possession of her estates, and was retoured her heir, which is thus recorded : — " 1st April 1631. Duncan Menzies, younger of Menzies, heir of Elizabeth Forrester, Lady Weem, his mother. The Cadet Menzies of Comrie held from the young chief, Duncan Menzies, the lands of Roro in Glenlyon, and others. On the death of his uncle, also Duncan, these lands passed to his cousin, Alexander Menzies of Comrie. The following is the retour of Alexander Menzies of Comrie, in which he had included the lands of Roro in Glenlyon, belonging to the junior chief Duncan Menzies, without his knowledge, or acknowledging him as superior : — " Extract retour of service expede in the Tolbooth of the Burgh of Perth on the 12 February 1631, before Sir John Moncrieff of Kynmounth, knight, master [page_285 A.D. 1631-1633] William Murry of Achtertyre, and master Andrew Moncreiff, son of the said Sir John Moncreiff, Sheriffs-depute of Sir William Stewart of Grantullie, Knight, Sheriff-principal of the Sheriffdom of Perth, by the following persons of inquest : Sir William Murray of Abercairney, Knight, Sir James Campbell of Laweris, Knight, Mungo Campbell, fear of Laweris, Patrick Inglis of Byres, James Drummond of Mylnab, master John Malloche of Cairneyis, William Grahame of Calender, John Nairne, Chamberlain of Kynfownes, Adam Grant, bailie, burgess of Perth, William Hall, burgess there, Robert Marschell of Pitcairnes, Andrew Grant of Blahagillis, William Moncreiff of Ardetie, John Robertsoun of Eister Fornocht, and Thomas Barclay in Wallastoun ; Of Alexander Menzies of Comrie, as heir to the late DUNCAN MENZIES OF Comrie, his father, in the lands of Balnagarde and Balnavert in the Sheriffdom of Perth, and the lands of Rorak or Roras in Glenlyoun, and Eister and Wester Comries, Auchloy and Logane, with Towers, &c, in the Barony of Menzies and Shire of Perth, the lands of Balnagrade and Balnavert, to be held of the King in Chief; Eister Drumcarss, &c, of Allexander, Bishop of Dunkeld, and his successors, for payment of 40s, yearly ; Rorak or Roras, in Glenlyoun, Eister and Wester Comries, Auchloy, and Logane, to be held in chief of the Crown for ward and relief." — The Duke of Athole's Historical MS S., 7th Rept, p. 14. In the foregoing retour were the lands of Roro and others in Glenlyon, part of the lands included in the charter of 1622, belonging to junior Chief Duncan Menzies. Information of this coming to the ears of the young laird, there at once arose a difficulty about these lands of Comrie and Glenlyon, between the chieftain of the Comrie branch and the junior chief. This state of matters between the kinsmen lasted for several years, and was fomented by the Campbells, who had a longing eye after the lands of Comrie. These lie pleasantly between the rivers Tay and Lyon. They consist of a large fertile plain at the foot of the beautiful Drummond Hill, right under the shadow of which stands Comrie Castle, on the south bank of the river Lyon. The settlement of these matters lasted till 1633, when a letter was sent to the junior Chief Duncan Menzies, showing that an attempt was being made to settle the matter in dispute between him and Alexander Menzies of Comrie. This letter is as follows : — " Mr Thomas Murray to the Laird of Weyme. Edinburgh, 25 Nov. 1633. — Baron Comrie has been with him showing that things are not yet concluded between Co[usin] Meingeis of Comrie and Weem, that Comrie professes to have great willingness to have all things ended, which can only be done by legal documents, which if once settled there might be a more constant and cordial amity amoung them, and stating that ' yesterday my Lord St Andrews and Bishop of Aberdein went to Court. Your cusin, my Lord Rothes, is verry kyndly and favorably accepted be the King at his coming to Court, and the nixt day was [page_286 A.D. 1633-1636] made a Privie Counsallour of England, and to be one of the Garter.'" — -Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 113. The whole difficulty regarding the lands of Glenlyon, Comrie, &c, seems ultimately to have been settled in a friendly manner, that they should return to the eldest sons of the chiefs. The Menzies' country of Glenlyon has long been famous for its Celtic towers or forts, the works of the early Menzies' under Maynus; and for its remains of religious houses of the early Christian Menzies', on their sites, with the bells of their Celtic religious establishments ; also for its mote hills, cairns, and cists. In one of the latter some years ago, on it being opened, a very fine urn was found, ornamented with diaper-entwining, zig-zag, and other Celtic ornamentation. It has a very free, artistic outline, and its whole feeling is that of a work of art just from the hand (not the machine) of the artistic Menzies potter. — Proc. Soc. Antiq., Scot., vol. xix,, p. 40. INCHADNEY, not far from Comrie Castle, the lands of which were held partly as church lands of the Chiefs of Menzies, of which the vicars had their glebe. The vicarage stood at the angle formed by the bend of the river Tay, overlooking Loch Tay. A little east of it stood the church and churchyard of Inchadney. In 1636 the vicarship of Inchadney was held by the Rev. William Menzies, thought to be the son of Thomas Menzies of Inchaffray. The patronage of the church of Inchadney up to about this time was held by the Chiefs of Menzies. It was a privilege which, like other rights of the Menzies', was coveted by the Campbells. Taking advantage of the disturbed state of the country and the powerful' position to which Argyle had raised the Campbells, through going over to the Covenanters, who had then got the mastery, Glenurchy sought the patronage [page_287 A.D. 1636-1642] of Inchadney, and this he is said to have ultimately acquired by purchase, in " tak " or lease, which is thus given in the Black Book of Taymouth : — " The Laird Sir Coline finding ane defect in his right of the laich patronage of the Kirk of Inchaddin, through want of the bishop and dean of Dunkeld thair subscriptioun thairto, he movit the dean and bishop to subscrybe the same, and also obtenit thair ratification thairof, and gott ane new tak from Mr William Menyeis, then the parsone and vicar of Inchaddin, of the teindis of the said parochin, for the which he gave them the sum of ane thousand merkis." — Black Book of Taymouth, p. 78. Inchadney and its auld kirk stood on the north bank of the Tay, not far from where the village of Kenmore now stands. It was at this date the church of the district. After Glenurchy had got possession of the patronage of the church confirmed by the Rev. Vicar William Menzies, the Campbells never rested until they had, like vandals, effaced the old church. Its ancient Menzies high altar and other relics of the Menzies' are now no more, having been destroyed to make a pleasure ground for the Breadalbanes. In 1638 the chief of the Menzies' had letters from the Earl of Argyle and the great Marquis of Montrose, each soliciting his help, and urging him to call out for their army the Clan Menzies. About this time Campbell of Glenurchy called out his men, among whom we have record of several Menzies' who appear on his lists. These Menzies' at least had been allowed to retain their own name, which is rather surprising, as many of the Menzies' and other clans who were on the lands when they were got in feu by the Campbells were forced to change their names to that of Campbell. This was the general policy of the Campbells wherever they went. The following describes the weapons of a Highlander of the Menzies', who evidently were well armed : — In the lists of " able men meit to bear armes within the parochin of Inchaddin, with their weapones, perteining to the Laird of Glenurquhay, ' Morinch,' is the name of Johne Menzeis — 1 sword, target, bow, arrowes, 1 hakbut ;" and in "Wester Stuik is the name of Johne Menzeis — 1 sword, target, 1 hakbut. 1638." These Menzies', it appears, were out in all the warfare of the succeeding years. There is another entry which seems to refer to the wife of one of the above John Menzies', in whose absence his wife and daughter were ill-treated by one of the other tenants of Campbell of Glenurchy, who thus dealt with him : — "27 Dec. 1642. The laird persewis Donald Gressich, Millar in Balloch, for troubling of Johnne Menzeis' wyfe at the Milne, and bastin of hir, offering to stryk hir, and giving hir ill language and to hir daughter, convicts him in troblance and in the wrong, and ordains him to goe and remaine in the brankis half ane hour eftir sermon on Sunday nixt for his fault, or ellis xx lib. of unlaw to the laird." — Black Book of Taymouth, pp. 390-9, 401. [page_288 A.D. 1644-1645] As already recorded, in 1644, the brave old chief, Sir Alexander the Menzies, was captured by the great Marquis of Montrose while defending himself against overpowering numbers, and died of his wounds in their prison. After that event the junior chief became chief, and possessed the whole lands and estates of his father. Chief Duncan the Menzies, to avenge the death of his father, the destruc- tion of his and his tenants' crops and other goods, armed a considerable body of Clan Menzies, who joined the Earl of Argyle's army which was raised to oppose that of Montrose, who defeated the Covenanting army on the old lands of the Menzies' near Perth, called Tippermuir ; and thereafter Perth surrendered to Montrose. Argyle then marched with a much superior army to relieve Perth, when Montrose withdrew and marched northward. He encountered and defeated the Covenanters under Lord Lewis Gordon, son of the Marquis of Huntly, at the battle of the Bridge of Dee ; after which he took Pitfodels and Aberdeen, and was joined by the Menzies' of Aberdeenshire. On the approach of Argyle he marched into Badenoch, where his army broke up, but were again mustered in Athole, but did not attempt to approach Castle Menzies. Ultimately he invaded Angus, where, being pursued by Argyle, he repassed the Grampians into Aberdeenshire, and at Fyvie, 27th October 1644, he was nearly surprised by Argyle, but maintained his position against the repeated attacks of a superior army under Argyle. With Montrose was the Aberdeen section of Clan Menzies under Pitfodels, until at length the darkness of night enabled him to retire into Badenoch, where, being joined by some other clans, he now marched into Argyleshire and laid waste the estates of Argyle, who, collecting a large force, went in pursuit. Argyle was joined as he marched northward by a band of Clan Menzies under Chieftain Major Menzies, brother of the " Prior of Auchattenis Parbrekis," the army of Argyle having got as far north as Inverlochy. On the 2nd of February 1645, at sunrise, the army of Montrose formed in battle array. Argyle, after forming his army for the fight, betook himself to his galley, from which he could see the conflict with safety. The left wing of Montrose's Highlanders commenced the attack by charging the enemy's right. This was followed by a furious assault upon the centre and left wing of Argyle's army by the right and centre of Montrose's Highlanders. Argyle's right wing not being able to resist the vigour of the Highland charge, turned and fled, leaving the rest of the army. A brave attempt was made by Major Menzies and others to rally the flying Covenanters, but without avail. Major Menzies, however, refused to fly with the Campbells, and, with his band of clansmen, defended himself against the mighty torrent of Montrose's Highlanders until, completely overpowered, his clansmen were cut down to a man, and he himself met death like a soldier. Montrose gained a great victory. Over 1500 of Argyle's army were slain. The death of Chieftain Major Menzies is recorded by Spalding in the following : — [page_289 A.D. 1645-1646] " 1645. At the battle of Inverlochie ' Thair was killet of all as was thoucht 1500, whereof there was of chief men,' with others, 'Major Meingzeis, brother to the prior of Achattenis Parbrekis.' " In this battle sections of Clan Menzies fought on both sides, the Aberdeen- shire Menzies', under Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels, being on the side of Montrose. After the victory of Inverlochy Montrose marched upon and plundered Cullen, Banff, Stonehaven, and other towns. On the 4th April 1645 he took by storm the town of Dundee, which he was obliged to leave by the advance of two armies under Hurry and Baillie, whom he evaded by a rapid and masterly march and regained the mountains. From there he descended and defeated General Hurry at the battle of Auldearn, 4th May 1645. In his army were the Aberdeenshire Menzies'. The army of Hurry lost 2000 men and fled to Inverness. Montrose then turned upon Baillie and defeated him at the battle of Alford. After this victory Montrose descended into the Lowlands and defeated the army of the Estates under Baillie at Kilsyth, where they lost over 5000 men on 15th August 1645. After this victory, there being no army of any numbers to oppose, many of the clans returned home. Montrose proceeded southward and encamped at Philiphaugh, but was surprised by General David Leslie before he could form his men in line, and totally defeated there, 13th September 1645. Having again raised an army of Highlanders, he attacked Inverness, but had to raise the siege on the approach of a large force under Middleton. After the surrender of King Charles I., the king sent him notice to disband his army, which he did, 22nd July 1646. He then left Scotland. Through the whole of his campaign a considerable number of Clan Menzies followed him, but specially the Menzies' of Aberdeenshire, who were led by Chieftain Sir Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, and Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Kilmundie. During the successes of Montrose the Chief Duncan the Menzies had an arduous task in maintaining order and defending his own lands. As soon as Montrose had his army dispersed the Estates lost no time in sending a garrison under General Monk, who at once took possession of Castle Menzies. The knowledge of the repulse which Montrose received before its walls of six or seven feet of solid stone made General Monk fix upon it as a fortalice of great importance, from which the sur- rounding clans could be kept in subjection. After General Monk had put Castle Menzies into a proper state of defence, and appointed Captain Beke as governor, he marched his detachment to Coshiville, near Garth, from which he wrote to the governor of Castle Menzies on the 15th June 1646. This letter is still preserved in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and is somewhat to this effect : — " General George Monck to Captain Henry Beke, or the Governor of Weems for the time being, the Camp near Garth, 15th June 1646, giving orders as to the liberties and treatment to be affoarded to ' Chief Duncan Meingeis,' the Laird of [page_290 A.D. 1646] Weem, and his familay and tenants, while ' Castle Menzies ' was held as a garrison." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 103. During the foregoing events Chieftain Lieutenant Robert Menzies of Menzies, son of the chief, led out a portion of Clan Menzies for the service of the Estates. He was appointed lieutenant over the Earl of Tullibardine's men, and was stationed in the vicinity of Methven, where they preserved the whole surrounding country from plunder. After Montrose had defeated Generals Baillie and Hurry in the north, he then marched upon Perth and attacked Chieftain Robert Menzies near Methven, who, unable to withstand the great Montrose, retired into the Castle of " Logy," where he and Captain Stewart defied the efforts of Montrose to dislodge them ; but everything which they possessed within reach of Montrose was plundered and carried off. Some of their clansmen who had not been able to get into the castle were induced to follow Montrose. After the defeat of Montrose at Philip- haugh, Stewart and Chieftain Robert Menzies petitioned the Estates to make good their losses, as follows : — " The humble supplication of Captane James Stewart of Arditie, and Robert Menzies, my Lovetenent ovir the Erie of Tullibardine's men of Glenalmond, to the lordis and wthers of the honorabill committee of Estaite. That quher in the moneth of May last, 1645, pleisit the Estaties of this kingdome and my Lord Tullibardine to appoynt me captane ovir his lordship's landis and men of Glenalmond, and wpone the 30 of Maii we mustart 100 men in North Inch of Perth, and for the spaice of thrie monethis therefter I watchit and keipit the cuntrie so that there was nothing stollin nor reft therout of the enemie, and tuik sundrie of the personers ; wntill the bodie of the enemei's armie cam down to the Wood of Methven, quhais strenth I was not able to resist, that I and sum of my men with me tuik ws to the Castle of Logy and held it out againest the enemie ; and the rest of my men that was in the cauntrie, sum of theme being misled by euil counsell, did joyne thameselffs with the enemie by my knawledge to my greiff ; and in the meantyme all that belangit to me without the castle, both hors, mears, oxin, ky, scheip, houshold gear, and all that belangit to me and my tenentis they tuik with thame, and brunt our peat stakis ; the skaith sustenit be ws therthrow exceidis 4000 merkis. Lyk as since my entrie in the publickis seruice. I only ressauit thrie monethis mentenance in maill, and ane monthis pay in money, the remanent thereof is all restand me ; quhilk your Lordships will be pleisit to cus satisfie. " Farder, without any caus on our part, we are denudit of our chairge, and our wyffis and bairnis put of the house of Logy, exposit to the enemie, quhilk your Lordships wald also tak to your considderatioun, and do therein quhat seruis best to your Lordships, for we are content to serue the publick to our wttermoist poweir. Your Lordships gratious ansuer humblie we beseik. Indorsed 'My humble Supplication.'" — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 102. [page_291 A.D. 1646-1648] The garrison at Castle Menzies was kept there from 1645 till a short time before the martyrdom of Charles I., when an order was issued for their withdrawal by the Scottish Parliament, which is thus recorded : — " Item— The estates of Parliament, according to the former orders of the Committiee of Estates, ordains that the 180 men of the garrisons within Glenurquhies, Lawers, and ' Chief Duncan Menzeis,' the Laird of Weymis' bounds, to be forthwith removed from those garrisons, and commands them to go in with their arms to Lodovik Leslie's Regiment, and reccommends to the Committiee of 33, dureing the sitting of Parliament, and thereafter to the Committiee of Estates, to secure the Braes of the Sherifdomes of Perth and Angus," 1648. — Acts Par., Scot. In the two last Parliaments of King Charles I. Chief Duncan the Menzies sat, and we have his presence thus recorded in the Acts of Parliament : — " In the Scottish Parliament held at Edinburgh, in the Reign of Charles I., 16th April 1648, sat Duncan Meinzeis of Weyms, as commissioner for the Sherffdom of Perth." And again the Parliamentary records show that he was also present and sat in the Scottish Parliament held at Edinburgh, 18th of April 1648, in the reign of King Charles I., "Duncan Meingzeis of Weymis, as commissioner for the Sherffdom of Perth." Of other Menzies' who sat in the Scottish Parliaments about this time, the Parliamentary records show the following : — Alexander Meinzies, Baron of Culterallers, sat in the Parliaments of Charles I., held at Edinburgh, 2nd Feb. 1646, as commissioner for the shire of Lanark, and at the above Parliament of the iSth April 1648, also as a commissioner for Lanarkshire. Thomas Menzies, Baron of " Fergarmoch," sat in the Parliament of Charles I., held at Edinburgh, 25th July 1644, as commissioner for Perthshire; and also at the Parliament held at Edinburgh, 26th March 1647, also as commissioner for Perth. William Menzies, Baron of Carse, sat in the Parliament of Charles I. held at Edinburgh, 18th April 1648, as commissioner for the shire of Forfar. Sir Gilbert Menzies, Baron of Pitfodels, sat in the Parliaments of Charles I. held at Edinburgh, on the 15th Aug. 1643 and 26th Aug. 1643, and also in 1648, as commissioner for Aberdeenshire. Alexander Menzies, Baron of Kilmundie, sat in the Parliament of Charles I., held at Edinburgh, 18th April 1648, as commissioner for Aberdeenshire. After the Marquis of Montrose had left Scotland at the request of King Charles I., a few of the king's friends still held out for the king, the principal being the Marquis of Huntly, for whom the Estates had offered a reward of £1000 to anyone who should bring him in a prisoner. General Leslie did everything that his military genius could plan to capture him but failed, although he had destroyed three of the strongholds of the Gordons in his attempt. General [page_292 A.D. 1649 ] Middleton then took up the pursuit, but without success. HuntLy was, however, at length captured by Chieftain Lieutenant-Colonel James Menzies of Culdares, in December 1647. Having received intelligence of the hiding-place of the Marquis of Huntly, Chieftain James Menzies with a select body of horse, consisting of three troops, came to Dalnabo, in Strathdon, after midnight, and immediately entered the house just as the Marquis of Huntly was going to bed. Huntly had ten gentlemen and servants as a sort of bodyguard, who, notwithstanding the great disparity of numbers, made a brave resistance to protect the marquis ; but Colonel James Menzies being a splendid swordsman, six of Huntly 's men were soon killed and the rest mortally wounded, among whom was the landlord of the house, John Grant. The marquis was therefore forced to surrender to Colonel James Menzies. On news of the capture becoming known, the whole surrounding neighbourhood to the number of 400 or 500, with Grant of Carron at their head, flew to arms to rescue Huntly from Chieftain James Menzies, who, notwithstanding that he was surrounded on all sides, carried his prisoner to the Castle of Blairfindie in Glenlivet, some four miles from Dalnabo. Here Colonel James Menzies received notice intended for Huntly, by the wife of Gordon of Munmore, that Grant and his followers had sworn solemnly either to rescue the marquis or die to a man, and asking Huntly to give orders for the execution of the plan, but Huntly dissuaded them from the attempt. He knew that such a soldier and general as Menzies was could not be defeated in his purpose by those who proposed his rescue. Colonel James Menzies had attained considerable reputation under Gustavus Adolphus for acts of resolute bravery, daring, and strategy. He was considered an invincible soldier and as brave as a lion. Besides the gentlemen and clansmen about Huntly's person there were some Irish about Dalnabo; these were all carried prisoners by Colonel James Menzies to Strathbogie, where General Middleton then was, who ordered them all to be shot, by his instructions from the Estates. In con- sequence of an order from the Estates Colonel James Menzies carried the marquis under a strong escort of horse to Leith, where, after being kept a few days, he was delivered up to the magistrates, and thereafter by them incarcerated in the jail. What was suffered during these troubles by the daughter of the chief is shown by the following favours granted to Margaret Menzies by the Scottish Parliament : — "The Act in favours of Margaret Menzies, 1649. The Estates of Parliament having heard and considered the supplication of Margaret Meinzies, showing That the notorritete of the loss and sufferings these three years by-gone are sufficientlie knowing, whereby the poor tenants haveing been so de-papured, having their houses burnt and their goods and geir taken from them, That they caud hardly get their own maintinence, yet notwithstanding the supplicants are daily threatened with horneing And all other extreemities that can be used against them for non- [page_293 A.D. 1649-1650] payment of some bygone years of his Majesties few dewities owing to the Excheaquer, Which few dewities though they be but very small, yet in respect of the present supplicants' condition they are not able to make payment of them unless it wer to their utter ruion : Therefore the supplicants humbly desyre That the said Estates would by their act fairly examine the supplicant and the tennants of the lands belonging to hir in liferent off all his Majesties bygone few detuies at the hands of the lords of the Excheaquer, and for perfect effict To command and ordain William Murray ' of Keillo,' collector of the said few detuies in Perthshire, and all other collectors that has been or shall be Imployed for perfect effect, not to exact the same off the supplicant and the said tennants for bygones ; Nor to trouble them in any manner of way in time comeing for the said bygone few dewties. As at mair lenth is contained in the said supplication, Which being taken into consideration, the said Estates of Parliament, They have reccomended and earnestly recomends the said Margaret Meinzeis to the Lords Commissioners of Treasurery and to the Lords and others of the Excheaquer to examin the supplicant and hir tennants from payment of any of any of his Majesties few dewties from any lands belonging to hir in time bygone since the trobles begane, And in time comeing durind the devastation of the foresaid lands, and for that effect to dis- charge the collector or sub-collector of his Majesties few dewties within the Shirefdome of Perth : To exact the same from hir or hir said tennants for the foresaid years in time goneby and to come." — Acts of Par., vol.. vi., p. 470. This Margaret Menzies was a daughter of Chief Duncan the Menzies. She evidently conducted herself very courageously during these troublesome times. She married Alexander Stewart and got the lands of Foss. After the martyrdom of King Charles I., 30th January 1649, his eldest son Charles was proclaimed king, 5th February 1649, at the cross of Edinburgh. He was then at the Hague, where he refused to comply with the conditions of the Estates for his accession to the crown, after which Montrose was once more in Scotland for the cause of Charles II. Having landed at Orkney early in March 1650, and collected an army of about 1500, he crossed the Pentland Firth in a number of boats. On landing near John o' Groat's House he displayed three banners. The first was black, with a representation of the bleeding head of the king, as struck off from the body, with the inscriptions, " JUDJE AND AVENGE MY CAUSE, O Lord, ! " and " Deo et Victricibus Armis" This standard was borne by Chieftain Gilbert Menzies, younger of Pitfodels, who led a section of Clan Menzies. The second was also a royal standard, the third that of Montrose. He soon took possession of a considerable part of the North, and was joined by the Clans Mackay, Gunn, Fraser, and part of the Sinclairs. With these he pushed southwards till he reached Carbisdale, where he encamped. There he was attacked and surprised by the Covenanting army. At the first charge the Orcadians threw down [page_294 A.D. 1650-1652 ] their arms in terror. Montrose for some time made an unavailing effort to rally some of his men, righting with great bravery — having his horse several times shot under him — until all hope was gone. The most conspicuous that day for bravery was the Chieftain Gilbert Menzies, younger of Pitfodels, the bearer of the royal black standard. He fought to the last, being surrounded by the enemy. Being a splendid swordsman, he cut them down right and left, and although often offered quarter, he as often spurned it ; neither would he give up the royal standard nor yield until death closed the struggle. He was the last man on the field of battle to fall. A large stone still marks the place where Chieftain Gilbert Menzies, younger of Pitfodels, fell dead with the royal standard in his grasp, which even in death he held fast. Shortly after this Montrose was captured, taken prisoner to Edinburgh, and executed, to the great joy of Argyle. After the crowning of Charles II. as King of Scots, 1st January 1651, at Scone, it will be remembered that the greater part of Scotland, both Covenanting and otherwise, joined his standard to expel Cromwell after the battle of Dunbar. Among the Athole Highlanders who followed Charles II. into England, was a large portion of Clan Menzies, led by Chieftain William Menzies, the younger son of the Chief Duncan the Menzies. The royal army at length reached Worcester, where their forces numbered about 14,000 men. The Parliamentary army, on the other side, numbered over 30,000. King Charles II. himself fought at the head of the Highlanders, who, animated by his bravery, fought with the utmost daring and courage. Chieftain William Menzies at the head of his clansmen of Clan Menzies made a furious charge on the English, giving the slogan of Clan Menzies, " Geal 'S Dearg Gu Brath," — " The Red and White for ever." They for a time drove Cromwell's Ironsides before them, but suffered severely, there being only one clansman to three English, and in the fury of their charge Clan Menzies lost their young chieftain, who fell in the thick of the fight and was killed. His kinsmen, furious at the loss of their chieftain, threw themselves upon the invincible ironclad Cromwellians with cries of " Revenge ! Revenge ! " but were overpowered by numbers and cut down to a man, rather than return home without their beloved young chieftain. The whole Royal army was ultimately defeated. The battle of Worcester was fought on 3rd September 1651, and King Charles II. obliged to flee the country. The patriotic conduct of the Chief Duncan the Menzies, in sending his son into England with a considerable portion of Clan Menzies to assist the royal cause, greatly excited the suspicions of the Council of State : they laid heavy burdens on the Chief of the Menzies' and other Highland chiefs, without giving them the chance of an examination. They therefore petitioned the Council of State to be examined, and we find among the State Papers that their petition was referred to the Com- mittee for Examinations on the 16th of November 1652, and is thus recorded : — [page_295 A.D. 1652-1653] " 1652, Nov. 16. Council of State. The petition of Wm. Ross, Robert Scott, Duncan Menzis, Capt. Hen Shaw, Alex. Forbes, Thomas Twiddie, Alex. Strathan, Gilbert Campbell, and Wm. Stewart referred to the Committiee for Examinations, to examin and dispose according to former directions." — State Papers. Another reason why the Council of State was so severe on the Chief of Clan Menzies was that during the time Charles II. was at Perth, he visited the old chief of the Menzies' at Castle Menzies, and thereby won over the Chief Duncan the Menzies, who, to commemorate the visit of King Charles to Castle Menzies, had a fine slab modelled out with the cypher of the king, C . . R II., with a crown over each letter, erected above the old gate under the belfry, on the north side of Castle Menzies — doubtless the gate by which King Charles entered — where the slab still remains in a fair state of preservation. In the month of August 1653 a meeting of Royalists was held at Loch Earn, which was attended by Glencairn, Athole, Lorne, and other Highland chiefs. It was arranged to again come out for Charles II. ; after which a body of 300 Highlanders under Glencairn defeated Colonel Kidd. This raised the hearts of the Royalists, and many from the Menzies' country joined the earl's army. As Chief Sir Duncan the Menzies was infirm he could not come out himself, and having also to watch the Campbells, he was therefore forced to stay at home. As Charles was anxious to have his assistance, he wrote Chief Sir Duncan the Menzies the following letter, in which he calls him his " trusty and well-beloved." This letter is still preserved in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and is as follows : — " King Charles the Second to Sir Duncan Menzeis, the Laird of Weimes. " Chantilly, 2 November 1653. CHARLES R. Trusty and welbeloued, we greet yow well. Since the affection of our good subiects in our Highlandis is now soe notorious that the rebells themselves begin to confesse some appre- hension of their power, and the mischeiue would be irreparable if after so gallant an attempt to redeeme their country from the slavery and dishonour it groanes under, they should for want of concurrence in the whole nacion be reduced to extreamity, and made a prey to the bloody and mercyless English rebells, who intend an utter extirpation of the nobility and ancient gentry of [page_296 A.D. 1653-1655] that kingdome ; we have thought fitt in an espetiall manner to recommend so important a consideration to yow, and to desire that if upon any private and particular reasons you have hitherto forborne to engage your self with those who are intrusted in arms by vs, that yow will (as soon as they who are intrusted by vs shall desire yow) ioyne with them, and use your utmost intrest and power to advance our service, by drawing all your friends and dependants to a conjunction with them ; and as we are endeavouring all we can to procure armes, ammunicion, and other supplyes, to be sent unto yow by degrees, and in such a manner as we finde most conuenient, soe we have directed Lieutenant-Generall Middleton to repayre speedily to yow as soone as he can obteyne such a supply as we hope will not requyre much more time ; and we doubt not but God Almighty will blesse yow in this enterprize, and we shall never forgett the seruice yow shall doe vs, and the * alacrity yow shall expresse therein. And so we bid yow farewell. Given at Chantilly, the 2d day of November 1653, in the fifth year of our reigne. To our trusty and well-beloued, the Laird of Weimes." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 71. Notwithstanding the spirited start made by the Royalists, they first suffered from the desertion of Lord Lorne, son of Argyle, and the Campbells, who went over to the enemy. . These and other dissensions, coupled with the powerful army of General Monk, with whom all the leaders at length came to terms, and whose Government once more restored tranquillity. We then find bonds being taken to keep the peace towards the Government by Chief Sir Duncan the Menzies from his MacGregor tenants, under obligation, as follows : — " Obligation by John M'Greigour in Bohespick, to become responsible for any damage the Laird of Weyme might sustain through his having engaged himself, under a penalty of £50 sterling as surety, to Captain James Denis, governor of Balloch, that John M'Grigar in Leragane had neither done nor would do anything prejudical to the Commonwealth of England. Weem, 22 May 1655." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 190. General Monk, in procuring the submission of the leaders of the Royalist party, had them bound in caution to keep the peace, particularly Lord Lorne, the first to desert the Royal cause, who had considerable difficulty in getting cautioners ; and in his hour of need he wrote to the Chief Sir Duncan the Menzies the following letter :— " Archibald, Lord Lorne, afterwards ninth Earl of Argyll, to ' Sir Duncan the Menzeis,' the Laird of Weem : Roseneath, 6th June 1655. Requests the Laird to allow him to put the Laird's name in the list of persons willing to become sureties in a bond of £5000., Lowland money, security, under which Lorne was placed for his peaceable deportment." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 81. The chief seemed always ready to do a good turn to one in need, as in the case [page_297 A.D. 1655-1656] of Lord Lorne, who, for his cowardly desertion of the Royal forces, was detested ; while his other acts of double-dealing had made it a matter of great difficulty for him to get a sufficient number of cautioners. He, however, induced Chief Sir Duncan the Menzies to sign the bond. The list of those who became sureties for Lord Lorne we find attached to the deed, as under : — " Be it knowen to all men be these present letters, me, Archibald, Lord Lorn, forsameikle as att my earnest requeist and desire Charles, Earle of Dumfermling ; Williume, Earle of Selkirk ; James, Maister of Rolloe ; Sir James Dawglas, brother to the deceast Earle off Mortoune ; Duncan Menzies off Wemes, Allexander Bruce, brother to my Lord Kincairdein ; and Sir Johne Colquhoune off Lus, Knycht, are become bound and obliged, eiveryone of thame severallie, in each of thair pro- portiounes of the soume of five thowsand pounds sterling," &c. &c. — Chiefs of the Colquhouns, p. 269, vol. i. This act of Chief Sir Duncan the Menzies was about the last of his life of which there is any record. He died the following year, in the month of August 1656, having seen much service in the affairs of his country, and lived amid all the struggles of the Royal Charles'. Being born about A.D. 1600, he was therefore about 56 years of age on his death. In his lifetime he made several alterations on Queen Mary's bedroom at Castle Menzies. On the ceiling are four monograms, within circular mouldings, consisting of his initial letters D. M. Chief Duncan the Menzies, by his wife Jean Leslie, only daughter of James, Master of Rothes, had three sons — 1st. Alexander Menzies, his successor, and afterwards the first Baronet. 2nd. Lieutenant Robert Menzies of Menzies, who led a portion of Clan Menzies against Montrose. 3rd. Chieftain William Menzies, who, on the invasion of England by Charles II., led Clan Menzies at the battle of Worcester, where he was killed with the greater portion of the clan, resisting every inch of ground against Cromwell during the space of about five hours, when the Scottish army fought about three English to one Scot. The chief had also of this marriage five daughters — ¦ 1st. Marjory Menzies of Menzies, who married Mr Trotter, a merchant of Portugal, where several Menzies' went with her, and are now said to be represented by several noble families of similar name, such as the Marquess de Meingues, &c. 2nd. Jean Menzies, who married Robert Campbell of Finnab. [page_298 A.D. 1656] 3rd. Elizabeth Menzies, who married the chief of the MacNabs, Alexander Macnab of that Ilk, through which marriage the Macnabs got the lands of Kinnel, at the west end of Loch Tay, in feu-farm from The Menzies of Menzies. 4th. Margaret Menzies. She was married to Alexander Stewart, and got the lands of Foss from the Menzies' in feu-farm. 5th. Helen Menzies, who died unmarried. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' OF NOTE. Chieftain Colonel James Menzies, Baron of Culdares, who figured greatly in the time of Montrose. He received the Menzies lands of Culdares, with Meggernie Castle and the greater part of Glenlyon. In the early part of his life he saw much military service under Gustavus Adolphus. His life history would make a book itself, which may be taken up with his branch of Clan Menzies. Chieftain Alexander Menzies, Baron of Culterawis. These lands were served to him as heir of his father, also Alexander, on the 31st July 1649. He sat in the Parliament of Charles I., 18th April 1648. Chieftain James Menzies, Baron of Enouch, was served heir to his father John in the lands of Auchinsew, 19th July 1656. Chieftain William Menzies of Castlehill, as heir of his father John got the lands of " Fokartoun " in Lesmahagow, with fishings, &c, served to him on the 19th Feb. 1650. Chieftain James Menzies, Baron of " Schian," who held Shian in Glenquich, and a stretch of other lands in Strathearn, which were served to him in 1659. Chieftain William Menzies of Aberfeldy or Murthly, succeeded his father Robert in those lands in the year 1627. Chieftain Alexander Menzies, Baron of Comrie, who sat in the Parliaments of Charles I., held at Edinburgh, 15th Aug. 1643-1644-1648, and also in the Parliaments of Charles II., 1649 to 1659, in all of which he was a representative of Perthshire, and was appointed a Commissioner of War in 1648, and also one of the Commission appointed for the re-valuation of the shires of East Lothian, Aberdeen, and Angus in 1649. [page_299 A.D. 1656] Chieftain Gilbert Menzies, Baron of Pitfodels, son of Sir Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, already mentioned, who carried the black standard of King Charles, and fell so nobly in his cause. Chieftain Alexander Menzies, Baron of Kinmundie in Aberdeenshire. He sat in the Scottish Parliaments of Charles II. as a representative of the City of Aberdeen. Chieftain Major Menzies, who led a portion of Clan Menzies at the battle of Inverlochy, and who, by his courageous resistance, when deserted by the Campbells, and death at that fight, has now become famous. Chieftain Alexander Menzies, Baron of Rotmell, brother of Chief Sir Duncan the Menzies, got the estates of Rotmell, and married Ann Stewart, whose genealogy is as follows : — The fifth son of Sir William Stewart of Grandtully was John Stewart, who was provided with part of the lands of Fungorth and the lands of Balleed in Perthshire, by his wife, Isabel Stewart, daughter of James Stewart of Ladywell. He had two sons and two daughters. The daughters were Margaret, and Anne, who married Alexander Menzies of Rotmell, brother to Chief Duncan Menzies of Weem. William Stewart, who succeeded his father as laird of Balleed, married Marjory Menzies, daughter of Colonel James Menzies of Kildares, by whom he had four sons — John, advocate ; Archibald, doctor of medicine ; Patrick, a merchant in Edinburgh ; and William, who also died without surviving issue ; and three daughters. — Red Book of Grandtully, p. 35. vol. i. The wife of Alexander Menzies having died with child, which outlived the mother, he made the following petition to Parliament : — " March 16th, 1649. Supplication by Alexander Menzeis, showing that his wife deceased lately in travelling with child, and that the chyld being borne alive did outlive the mother a certan space, and that (in case) the witnesses may die they can prove the child haveing been born alive, and therefore desiring commission to examine the witnesses to be kept in retentis ( retention ). ' It is the opinnion of the committie that commission be granted to the Commissioners of Dunkeld to ciet and examine witnesses thereanent ( ), and to keep their depositions in retention, and to summond the nearst of kin on the mother's side to the child, and to hear and see the witeness receavit (examined), and that this be without prejudice of any partie to their just defenss.' " — Acts Par., Scot., p. 2, vol. vi. Chieftain Alexander Menzies after this apparently married again, and had a daughter. This Miss Menzies married John Stewart of Urrard about 1660, whose eldest son James afterwards married Miss Menzies, daughter of Chief Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, but had no issue. — Burke, His. Com., p. 401, vol. iv. [page_300 A.D. 1623] Chief Sir Alerander the " Meingies," Knight, Baronet, the 17th Baron of that ilk, and the first Baronet of Menzies. BORN 1623. DIED 1694. CHIEF SIR ALEXANDER THE MENZIES, Knight, Baronet of that ilk, on the death of his father Chief Sir Duncan the Menzies, succeeded him in the whole estates and lands of Menzies. He was born in the year 1623, and on coming to the years of manhood, engaged in the arduous military services of his country. He also sat in the Scottish Parliaments as one of the representative Barons of Perthshire. On the 25th December 1650, it is recorded in the Acts of the Scottish Parliament, that an Act was passed "anent serving of Alexander Meingies of Weem heir to his vmq" deceased grandfather," which confirmed him also as heir to his father. He married Agnes Campbell, only daughter of Sir John Campbell of Glenurchy, by Mary, daughter of William, Earl of Airth and Menteith. She was the sister of the first Earl of Breadalbane. On 27th August 1656 Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies was served heir to his deceased father in the lands and estates of Menzies, which is thus recorded : — " Aug. 27, 1656. Alexander Meinzies of that Ilk, heir mail of Duncan Meinzies of that Ilk, his father, in the lands and baronie of Weime, comprehending the lands of Weime, Aberfaldybeg, Ardfarliemore, Ferlegar, Rawer, Dalrawer, Glassie, Kinnaldie, Glengorlantyne, Comrie, Auchilles, Fernchie, Dunchrock (or Duncroft), with the roras (Rorras) in Glenlyon,. with advocatioun of the paroch kirk of Weime, and the lands callit Meinzies-Croft within the town of Kinros, united into the baronie of Meinzies : — O.E. £35. N.E. £140. The 20 shilling lands of Edderoull : — the 4 merk land of Camsserny ; — the merk land of Tullithro ; — the 20 shilling land of Nethermewane ; — the 5 merk land of Tiggermauch, and 2 merk land of Thomthogill, extending to one 10 pound land of old extent within the lordship of Apnadull, united into the barony of Camsserny : — E. £30. — The 20 shilling land of Pellan ; — the 20 shilling land of Overmewan ; — the 20 shilling of Dalmane ;— the merk land of Over Tulli (or Tullich), and 5 merk land of Tullich- [page_301 A.D. 1656] dulles, with the office of baillyrarie of the lordship of Apnadull, within the lordship of Apnadull : — E. £12. 18s. 6d. — The halfe kirklands of the parochine of Dull, viz., the land of Croft-Clauchland, Drumdewane, Kinnellie, with the mylne of Dull ; — half the lands of Craigdull ; — half of Auchtawie, and the personage teynds of the said ecclesiestick lands, within the regalitie of Saint Androis, and erected into the barony of Menzies. — E. £6. 13s. £d., xxiv., 90." — 643 J. C. D. R. Retours. Kinnellie, now Kynachan or Foss, among the lands recorded in the foregoing charter, stretch from Loch Tummel, west, along the River Tummel, past Tummel Bridge to Crossmount. These lands gracefully slope up to the south from the Tummel to Coille Kynachan and the lofty Craig Kynachan, 1358 feet high. From this part of the Menzies country a splendid view of Loch Tummel and part of Loch Rannoch can be had. It was here that a consider- able number of ancient Menzies brooches was found near Tummel bridge, at the roots of trees which had been blown down in 1875-8; in all, three Celtic brooches of silver, and other ornaments. These were doubtless the works of the ancient Menzies', who were miners and workers in gold and silver under the Crown before Bruce, when they held the whole baronies of Fortingall, Dull, Weem, Glendochart, Glenurchy, now partly represented by these five parishes, [page_302 A.D. 1657] with part of Badenoch, &c. &c. These brooches were used by the Highlanders to fasten their tartan plaids, and are works of Celtic art. We give an illustration of the most perfect, now in the National Museum of the Society of Antiquaries, Edinburgh. " PELLAN " otherwise KlLLlN, mentioned in the foregoing, the lands and village of which are at the west end of Loch Tay ; adjoining them are the lands of " Kinnaldie," now Kinnell, on the south-west corner of Loch Tay. These lands extended eastward along Loch Tay to the above lands of " Tullithro," now Tullochean, these again joined the lands of " Overmevvan," stretching to " Maynus " Castle, otherwise Dall or Mains Castle, at Ardeonaig. This stretch of property, was on the east side of Maynus Castle, joined by the above Menzies lands of " Over Tulli " or Tullich East and West. TULLICH in turn joined these lands, and was included within the above-mentioned district of " Edderoull " or Eddergoll, which extended along the south-east half of Loch Tay side, past where Kenmore now stands, until they joined the lands of " Tullichdulles," now Tullichuil, also mentioned in the above charter, which then included the lands of Stix or Stuiceanan ; all these lands at this date formed the complete southern half of Loch Tay in one line, a distance of 18 to 20 miles. The lands on the north side of Loch Tay are represented by the names " Achilles " and " Freuchie," which meant the whole of Drummond Hill and surrounding lands. During the wars of Montrose the MacGregors, tenants of the Menzies' on their Rannoch lands, had been kept so fully occupied by the distracted state of the country, that they were kept from acts of plunder on the surrounding country. They, after the flight of Charles II., once more began to lift cattle, with other acts which brought Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies into collision with the Government. He therefore threatened to turn them off his lands if they did not keep the peace. Representations having been made to General Monk, he wrote regarding them to Sir Alexander. Here is Monk's letter : — " General George Monck to Sir Alexander Meingeis, the Laird of Weems. Vunderstanding that the Lairds of McGriggour have bin ancient tenants and possessors of the lands of Ranough belonging to yourself, and have untill this time paid their duty for the same, and are yett content to give all due satisfaction and securitie for to pay all duties for the time to come, I desire you therefore, that neither yourself nor any appointed by you for the management of your affaires will give them any interruption in their possession of the said lands of Ranough, and I shall take itt as a favour done to, " Your very loving friend and servand, " George Monck. "Edinburgh, 30th March 1657." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 104. [page_303 A.D. 1657-1658] The letter of General Monck clearly shows that only one side of the state of affairs had been represented to him. Captain Daniell, who commanded the garrison at Perth, followed up General Monk's letter by another on the 16th of May. In it he reasons with Sir Alexander on behalf of Clan Gregor, as follows : — " Captain William Daniell to Sir Alexander Meingeis, the Laird of Weem. St Johnston, 16 May 1657 : — Urges on the Laird of Weem to allow the Clan Gregor to remain on his lands of Rannoch, from which he had resolved to remove them." The writer uses various arguments to this end : " that it was a matter of moment to the quietness of the Highlands, especially when there were some appearances of troubles, and this very act of the Laird had almost turned some of the clan desperate, as they would not suddenly be received as tenants by other gentlemen, and would be forced to maintain themselves by violence, a result which would draw upon the Laird greater inconvenience than he might be able to apprehend, that, should he deal rashly with the MacGregours, he might cast his land waste, and in all probability all Scotland not afford him tenantry to remain on them." He also presses him to consider " the blood and violence " that might follow this occasion, and to have the quarrel settled by the laws of the nation, and by the approbation of the Lord General, " and not by seeking to build his own house to sett his neighbour's house on fire." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 105. This last letter shows the whole object of the General was for Sir Alexander Menzies to keep the MacGregors sweet at all cost, in case they should be the first to rise in favour of the exiled king. The many plots for Charles's return then kept the Roundhead Government in a continual fry. The old Menzies tower or fortalice of Balloch was held in feu with other lands on Loch Tay, from the Menzies', by Campbell of Glenurchy. It had been occupied by General Monk, where he left a garrison for some time, which was afterwards withdrawn in 1658. Glenurchy was suspected by the Government of the old practices of his family, " duplicity and double-dealing." He was ordered by General Monk to find cautioners for his good conduct in £2000. Glenurchy, after considerable persuasion, was suc- cessful in getting Sir Alexander the Menzies, as lord superior of Balloch, Cranach, and other lands occupied by him, as one of the cautioners. The document is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, and is as follows : — " Bond by Robert Andrews of Parckley, accepting his share of the liability of £2000., which had been accepted conjointly by himself, Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, and Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, as cautioners in a bond made by the Laird of Glenurchy, younger, to Lord General Moncke, that the house of Balloch should be kept safe and secure by the said Glenurchy from all enemies of the Common- wealth, and should be re-delivered to the Lord-General or the Commander-in-Chief in Scotland for the time, on seven days' demand ; or, in case of inability to defend [page_304 A.D. 1658-1661] it, should be offered to the Lord-General or Commander-in-Chief, and kept for 14 days. Perth, 24 July 1658." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 116. Castle Menzies had a garrison of soldiers put into it by the Roundhead Government, under General Monk, to overawe Clan Menzies and surrounding Highlanders. Castle Menzies was the largest, strongest, and most central fortalice in Strath Tay, or central Perthshire. It was carefully guarded by the garrison for the Commonwealth. Indeed, it being on the road to Inverness, was the key of the Highlands, and commanded not only Strath Tay but Loch Tay and Glen- lyon. The great thickness of its walls made it a place that could resist the artillery shot of the time. If not surprised it could hardly be taken. Sir Alexander the Menzies and his family were, however, closely watched, owing to the part Clan Menzies had taken at the battle of Worcester, where his gallant brother, William Menzies, was killed. This is shown by the following pass granted by General Monk to Sir Alexander the Menzies : — "Pass from General George Monk, dated at Dalkeith, 25 August 1659, to allow Sir Alexander Menzies, Laird of Weem, to pass and repass about his occasions in Perthshire, with his servants and horses ('one exceiding the value in the proclamation '), hee engaging vnder his hand, to the officer commanding at Weems, to pay treble the value in case the said horse shall be taken from him by any of the enemy and employed against the Commonwealth of England." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 106. In 1660 a son and heir was born to Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, who was named Robert. In the same year the restoration of the royal Stewarts was accomplished by the landing of Charles II. at Dover, 29th May 1660. Sir Alexander the Menzies suffered much with Clan Menzies for the royal cause, and, having now got rid of the supervision of the Commonwealth garrison, he, to commemorate the two joyous events, had the ceiling of the old room, in which Queen Mary slept during her visits to Castle Menzies, decorated with an ornamental centre panel, with the marriage escutcheon of the Menzies' with that of Campbell, his wife, and the year of the restoration of the royal Stewarts, 1660. Round the shield is a double moulding, and outside of it are the ROSE, THISTLE, Harp, and Fleur-de-lis, which were there on the last visit of Queen Mary to Castle Menzies. There is another relic of that year in Castle Menzies Charter Room (No. 217), in the shape of a copy of the libel against Archibald, Marquis of Argyle, containing fourteen separate charges. He was beheaded 26th May 1661, his head being stuck on the same spike as was Montrose's. There is also a collection of remarkable letters from King Charles II. to the Marquis of Argyle. Without these letters the Government report on the Argyle correspondence would have been incomplete. In the first Parliament of King Charles II., held at Edinburgh, 5th Jan. 1661, it is recorded in the Parliamentary Rolls that Sir Alexander the Menzies sat as [page_305 A.D. 1661] commissioner for Perthshire. Also Baron Thomas Menzies of Inchaffray and Baron Robert Menzies of Glassie were appointed commissioners for Perthshire. For the shire of Lanark, Baron Alexander Menzies of Culterallers. On the 29th March 1661 Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk again sat in the Scottish Parliament held at Edinburgh in the reign of Charles II. as commissioner for the sheriffdom of Perth, Alexander Menzies of Culterawes for Lanarkshire. Thomas Menzies of Inchaffray, and Robert Menzies of Glassie, commissioners for Perthshire, sat in the same Parliament. The tutor of Clan Gregor, having got a tack of lands in Loch Rannoch from Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, proceeded to negotiate sub-letting these lands against the conditions of his tack, to the prejudice of Sir Alexander. The chief thereupon had them served with the letters, not to interfere with his rights, as follows :— " Letters of Inhibition at the instance of Alexander Menzeis of that Ilk, against Malcolm Douglas, alias MacGregor, tutor to James Murray, alias MacGregor of that Ilk, in his name as principal, with James, Earl of Tullibardine, and Mr John Murray of Coldown as cautioners, forbidding them to alienate the lands of the barony of Rannoch, or contract debts whereby the right of any of these lands, etc., might be apprysed from them, to the prejudice of the complainer, in violation of a contract made at Perth, on 6th August 1657, between the said Alexander Menzies, on the one part, and the said tutor and the said James MacGregor, as principal, on the other ; with James, Earl of Tullibardine, and Mr John Murray, as cautioners : in which contract it was stipulated, amoung other things, that an assedation should be made for a term of three years, to be followed by similar assedations for the same period, at the will of the granter, to the tuttor of M'Gregor, in name of his pupil, and to his heirs-male ; and to his sub-tenants ' of no heir, degree, nor conditione, being then honest countrie tennants, excluding all assignayes quhatsomewer ' of the lands of Rannoch, for yearly payment of 640 merks, with twenty stone of cheese and ten stone of ' sufficient ' butter, &c. Dated at Edinburgh, 4 June 1661." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 191. Notwithstanding this prohibition the MacGregors disregarded all arrange- ments honourable and otherwise. In these acts they are said to have been secretly incited by Sir John Campbell of Glenurchy, with the view of embroiling Sir Alexander in such difficulties as would force him to dispose to him the lands he held in feu-farm from The Menzies. These were the district of Crainch on the north side of Loch Tay, and the small patch with fortalice of Belloch at its east end. Just then a mutual friend interposed between Clan Gregor's tutor and The Menzies, who received a letter speaking in the following terms : — " The Earl of Glencairn to Sir Alexander Menzies of Weem. Edinburgh, 14 November 1661. — Advises Sir Alexander to defer the process against the tutor [page_306 A.D. 1662] of MacGregor and cautioner, concerning some lands in the ' Rynoch,' till the Duke of Athole return home, at which time they should endevour to give Sir Alexander all satisfaction." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 109. The ordinary endurance of human nature has a limit — the MacGregors had brought Sir Alexander to such a point that he saw only sharp measures would do with them. He therefore was proceeding against them, when his uncle, the Earl of Rothes, wrote him asking him to stay proceedings in the following terms : — " John, Earl of Rothes, afterwards Duke, to the Earl of Athole. Leslie, October 16th, 1662. Rothes, from his relation to the Laird of Weem, is pressed to write to the Earl of Athole, and request him, should he have an opportunity of meeting with the tutor of M'Grigore, who, with his cautioners, are tied by bond to the Laird of Weem, for a sum of money, and ' is registrat at the home,' for the same to signify to the tutor it would be ' best to take course for so just a debt.' " — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. no. The troublesome MacGregors had now almost accomplished what John Campbell of Glenurchy wanted, to put Sir Alexander past endurance point, but friends of both clans were doing all in their power to prevent a rupture, as will be seen from the following letter to The Chief: — "J. Malcolm of Balbedie to Sir Alexander Menzies, the Laird of Weem. Balbedie, 18 October 1662. — I am just now come from Edinburgh. My Lord took jorney yeasterday. Iff my Lord Athol had come to Edinburgh, he had bein spoken to by my Lord. Reseaw heir inclosed a letter to my Lord Athol, ane other to my Lord Aduocate. Efter ye hau read them ye may close them with the seall ye seall your own letteris, for it is only fancie. Efter ye hau delivered my Lord Athol's letter, iff ye find nott the effects which yea wold, latt me hear from yow ; and as I wreat vp weicklie to my Lord Roths, I vill acquent his Lordship thairof, quho, I know, will find out a way for your satisfaction." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 111, Notwithstanding the endeavours of such magnates as the Earl of Rothes and the Duke of Athole, it seemed almost impossible to get a peaceful settlement of the issue. The secret spring of trouble was Sir John Campbell of Glenurchy. He was the Campbell so notorious for his low crafty doings, whereby he for a time deprived the Sinclairs of their ancient title of Earl of Caithness, which led to a great deal of bloodshed. The Sinclairs proving their right, the Commissioners ' as a sop ' recom- mend him for the peace of the Highlands to get the title of Earl Breadalbane, which he afterwards got. Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies having discovered the crafty double-dealing of Glenurchy against him with the MacGregors, treated him with the utmost contempt, spurning his hypocritical overtures of friendship. Sir John Campbell, finding that he could not get any advantage over The Chief by [page_307 A.D. 1663-1664] oily protestations of innocence or friendship, resolved to try and turn his own spouse against Sir Alexander. By what mean, lying, and misrepresentation he planned this is shown by his letter to Lady Menzies, who, being a Campbell and his sister, he hoped thereby easily to sow the seeds of strife in the very home of The Menzies. His letter reads to the following effect : — " Sir John Campbell of Glenurchye, afterwards Earl of Breadalbane, to his sister, Lady Weem [Agnes Campbell]. Edinburgh, 1 August 1663." A long but generous complaint of the position his brother-in-law, Sir Alexander Menzies, the Laird of Weem, had taken against him. " I never expected to have so sadd ane occasion to wreatt to yow, which should give any grounds of prejudice betuixt your husband's familie and ours, who has lived these so many scoar of years in so near and intimatt nighbourhood, and that in your tym and myne (when the tye is strangest and the obligation greatest) there should be any prejudice is my great trouble. " Sister, it would taike vp mor paper then I can wreatt to express my resent- ments for so baise, so vnworthie, and so vnhappie ane accident as hes at this tyme occasiond and been the rease of this which I abhorre from my soul, and would to God it could have been prevented, and I wish it may be remidied." He then speaks of his endeavours to reconcile Menzies, having sent to him to speak with him, but received but slights and reproaches, and all this he suffered for her cause, and after urging upon his sister to use her influence, adds — " Yow have but the halfe of the work to doe, for although I have traduced with accession, reproached with ignominious expressions, yitt all these I pass as effects of passion, from uich I bliss God I am free, and assurs yow that I am as inclinable and disposed as yow would wish me." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 112. All this had but one motive in view — self — that Glenurchy might get taks of the lands of Rannoch, as soon as the MacGregors, for not paying their rents at his instigation, were put out of them. The disdain with which Sir Alexander treated his sneaking advances was richly deserved. Sir Alexander, notwithstanding the overtures on behalf of the MacGregors, had a mind of his own. He kept the MacGregors in their own place with a firm hand. He saw they were being made the tools of the Campbells again, as they had been before, to the great loss of lands to the Menzies', and the persecuting of the MacGregors, who might have been exterminated had it not been for Clan Menzies giving them shelter. No sooner did they find themselves in possession of their liberties than they allowed themselves to become the willing instruments of the enemies of both clans, for no friendship of a Campbell ever brought good to a Menzies or a MacGregor. It was in these circumstances that Sir Alexander received the following letter : — " The Earl of Tullibardine to Sir Alexander Menzeis, the Laird of Weyme. [page_308 A.D. 1665] Tullibardine, 28 April 1664. Promises to meet with the Tutor of M'Gregor in a few days, and seek to further the payment of the duties of Rannoch." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 114. The firmness of Sir Alexander had so far had a good effect, but almost with each other came the news of more depredations by the MacGregors, who were " Menzies men," as this request from his kinsman shows : — " The Earl of Rothes to the Laird of Weyme. Lesly, April 28th, 1664. Desiring him to assist in the recovery of 24 oxen and 16 'keyne' that had been stolen by night from the Laird of Cushnie, a vassal of Rothes, especially as some of those connected with the crime were Menzies men." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 1 1 5. On the 2nd of September 1665 Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies was created a Knight Baronet. The words of the patent are : — " hi memoriam revocantes multa prceclara nobis, nostrisque illustrissmis progenitoribus, per dilectum nostrum Dominum Alexandrian Menzies de eodem, equitem auratum, ejusque pra?decessores, prcetita & peracta, et gravia damna lis illata. Quinetiam, eum esse philarchum and principem Clarce families cognomine Menzies, in hoc regno nostro Scotics" &c. Translation : — In memorable consideration of the losses of life and property so nobly sacrificed for our illustrious ancestors, by those of our beloved Lord Alexander Menzies of Menzies, truly, certainly splendid, and in the same manner as his praiseworthy forefathers, and to continue the dignity they attained. He is placed in the fifth gracious position, and is adorned with the badge and Chief of Knight Baronet of the distinguished family (and race) of the surname of Menzies, descending in future as Lords of our native Scotia. On the patent of Baronetcy being granted it was brought to Scotland by the Earl of Rothes, who sent the following notice to The Chief: — " Henry Macky (endorsed as ' Secretray to the Earl of Rothes ') to Sir Alexander Menzies. October 4th, 1665. Honored Sir, — Thes are only to give yow the troble as to let you know that I brought doune your patent, to be Knight Barranate, under his Maiestie's hand, and it is in my Lord's custodie, who, for a word of yourselff, will order it to passe the Great Seale ; and it is only proper that his Grace give it you out in his own hand." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 116. Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies had, since the stay of Charles II. at Castle Menzies, kept upon friendly correspondence with the king, who wrote to him the following letter, giving him an outline of the latest news, in 1665 : — " His Majesty to Sir Alexander Meingeis, Bart., the Laird of Weem. Oxford, 17 October [and Holyroodhouse, 23 October] 1665 : — States that the Bishop of Munster's envoy would receive supply for the prosecution of the war, as his Majesty had promised, and that ' the Stats of Holland are advysed to take caire of ther [page_309 A.D. 1666-1668] prisoners 20 days hereafter, in respecte some of them hes misrepresented the civilities done to their prisoners, ther being now in custodie 3000. His Majesty approved of the Earl of Sandwich taking some goods out of two East India prizes, and the whole council of war was very well satisfied with his conduct. The Dutch were off the English coast." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 117. The difficulties of the MacGregors having calmed down, a meeting was arranged between Sir Alexander Menzies and MacGregor, with Lord Tullibardine as mediator. The note of the appointment sent to Sir Alexander runs thus : — " The Earl of Athol to Sir Alexander Meingeis, Bart., the Laird of Weyme. Dunkeld, 11th April 1666. Intimates that Lord Tullibardine would be at Dunkeld on the morrow, being ' Thuirsday, the twelft instant,' for settling ' that business ' betwixt ' Sir Alexander ' Menzies and M'Gregor, and asks him to be present, and to ' bring doune my hound with yow when yow cume.' " — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 118. It is interesting to note the reference to the deer-hound. This would be one of the old Menzies breed of stag-hounds promised as a present. The deer and game of Rannoch and surrounding country being often killed and taken away by the MacGregors, the following bond gives a great deal of light on the habits and life of the tenants of the Menzies' in Rannoch : — " Bond by a number of MacGregors, Camerons, and others, indewellers in the barony of Rannoch, narrating that it was complained that many of the Rannoch people were ' killers and daily destroyers ' of deer, roes, and wild fowl, and expressing the obligation of the subscribers that from that date they would not kill any deer or wild fowl in the forests or hills belonging to the Marquis of Huntly, the Earl of Athole, or Sir Alexander Menzies, their master, under a penalty of 100 merks toties quoties, Arharich 6, and Awillich 7. August 1667." Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. . It would appear that as often as the MacGregors promised peace they as often broke their pledges. Having again done so, they got Chieftain Colonel James Menzies of Culdares to use his influence with Sir Alexander, to whom he wrote the following : — + " Colonel James Menzies to Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, Knight and Baronet. Burntisland, 5th Mar. 1668. With reference to the meeting with MacGregor to be held at Falkland on the 13th instant, the writer urges on Sir Alexander not to exact too much of the MacGregors for their land ; and intimates that the Earls of Athole and Tullibardin might become security."— Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 121. At this meeting, through the good services of Colonel James Menzies of Culdares, who was a great friend of the MacGregors, a satisfactory understanding was come to, as will be seen from what the Earl of Athole writes : — ¦ [page_310 A.D. 1669-1671] " The Earl of Athole to Mr Robert Campbell. Falkland, 22 April 1668. Expresses his pleasure that there is so right an understanding between Sir Alexander Menzies, the Laird of Weem, and MacGregor, and wishing Campbell to meet him at Dunkeld on 1 May to speak about it." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 122. The Highlands still continuing to be disturbed, the Government-, anxious to get at the root of the troubles, ordered Sir Alexander's presence, who, as chief of the Clan Menzies and lord of other tribes on his lands, was summoned to appear before the Government, who granted him the following protection : — " Extract protection by the Lords of the Privy Council, in favour of Sir Alexander Menzies of Weyme, to enable, in order to the settleing of the peace of the Highlands, to compear before them on the third of Mar. 1669, to find caution, conform to the laws of the Acts of Parliament made anent landlords and chieftains of clans. Said protection to endure till the 18th March of that year. Dated at Edinburgh, 18 February 1669." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 123. Sir Alexander the Menzies was again brought under the scrutiny of the Government through the MacGregors, the chief of whom did not face up when called upon, which is thus recorded : — "Thomas Hay [Secretary to the Privy Council] to Sir Alexander Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk. Edinburgh, 19th June 1669. A committee had been appointed to hear Athole, Perth, and Tullibardine anent the M'Gregor bond. The last affirmed he was bound only for the rents of the Rannoch, and there was nothing extant on record to make it out against him. M'Gregor had been acquainted with the meeting, but had not appeared, and was not to be found." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 124. On the Moor of Rannoch there was found some years ago a relic of the ancient Celtic Menzies' metal workers. It was a gold armlet of beautiful spiral form, gradually tapering from its broadest part at its centre towards each end of the circle, which terminate in two hooks, made so as to clasp. It may have been dropped on the moor by some of the caterans in their flight from the hand of justice, either at the time when Castle Menzies was sacked, or during the intense troubles narrated in the foregoing. A cast of it is preserved in the Scottish National Museum of the Society of Antiquaries, Edinburgh. The illustration is a full-sized engraving of the Menzies' gold armlet of Rannoch. One evening in the spring of 1671 a number of gentlemen, including the Lairds of Lochnell and Lochbuie and Chieftain Colonel James Meingeis of Culdares and Meggernie Castle in Glenlyon, were assembled in the house of John Rowat in Inveraray, conversing about certain private concerns, when, some difficulty arising, and the candle having gone out, some one fired a shot, whereby the Laird of Lochnell was killed. This could not but be a fact of considerable importance at Inveraray, as Lochnell was the nearest relative of the Earl of Argyle after [page_311 A.D. 1671] his brother, Lord Neil. It was soon ascertained, by the confession of one Duncan MacGregor, who was present on the occasion, that he had fired the fatal shot ; yet the Earl thought proper to detain Colonel James Menzies of Culdares in durance vile, notwithstanding his protestations of innocence and his being in reality grieved as a friend for the death of the murdered gentleman. This case is perhaps chiefly worthy of notice on account of the traits of clan feeling which it brought out. Colonel Meingeis of Culdares represented his case to the Privy Council as one of the greatest hardship. Here he was a prisoner in a strange country — inaccessible to his friends, remote from the advice of lawyers — about to be subjected to a tribunal, the head of which was a near relative of the deceased, and where no assize of barons, his own compeers, could be had. The defunct, moreover, was so related to all the gentlemen of that country, and so generally beloved, that an impartial verdict was evidently not to be hoped for. Indeed, " he finds it very unsafe for him to pass to the knowledge of ane assize in these places." He was, however, most willing to abide a severe and legal trial at Edinburgh, where he may have the opportunity of lawyers, and a fair and impartial proceeding. On the case being represented at proper quarters, the Council ordered the Earl of Argyle before them, to show cause why Colonel James Meingeis of Culdares should not be sent to Edinburgh for trial. [page_312 A.D. 1671] The first that Sir Alexander heard of the imprisonment of Colonel James Menzies was by the receipt of the following letter : — " Alexander MacNaughtan of Dundaraw [address wanting] to Sir Alexander Menzies, Bart. Dunduraw, April 1, 1671, " Much honored, " I find it my deutie to advertyse youe of ane sad accident that is latlie falline out at Inverary. Your coussine, Collonell Meinzies, was yesternight drinking with the Laird of Lochineall and yung Lochbuy. Being eftir cups, Lochbuy offered to beat the Collonell. The candill went out, ther was ane pistoll discharged, and Lochineall was shott deid through the heide. When the candill was lighted, Lochbuy and Inchonnell, being Lochineall's sons-in-laue, thought to have killed the Collonell, but Inerliver and other gentellmen who were present did not permitt theme. My lord was advertysed, who cam presentlie and apprehended all the company. Collonell Menzies denyes the fact, but it is geiuen out that he is the actor. The most pairt of the name of Campbell ar to be utt Inveraray this night. I feire the Collonell will gett harde measure if ther be not ane tymlie preventione. I sent tuyce this morning to try if might have accesse to hime, but all to noe purpose. I wish you wold presentlie obtaine ane ordour from the Lord Chanclor to bring Collonell Meinzies to Edinburgh to his tryall ; for if he suffer ane jury att Inverary youe may conclude him lost, and in the meane tyme it wer goode that sume advocatt wer sent hither in all heast to see faire play ; possibile, my lord may not prove wiolent, yeite I feire the worst. I beg ane thousand pardones for presuming to prescryve rueles to your Lordship ; my intrest makes me comitt such impertinences. I have not advertysed his Lady, but I wish youe cause sume freinde doe it. I shall add noe more, but that I ame, much honoured, " Your most humble Servant, " A. McNachtane." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 125. MacNaughtan proved a real friend to Colonel Menzies, and carefully watched the course of events, ready to take advantage of the first news to send it to Sir Alexander Menzies. It was indeed a terrible fix he was in. MacNaughtan thus writes the chief: — "Dundaraw, April 1, 'att ten acloak at night.' " Much honored, " Since the wryting of my last I have, I thank God, receaved good newis. Ane servant of Collonell Meinzies called McGrigar is found to be the acter. He hes confest the slaughter, and declares that he did it without the advyce of any persone ; but being drunk, as they wer all, and seeing Lochbuy offering to abuse his master, he shot att hime with ane littill short peice he caryed [page_313 A.D. 1671] loadined with draps. He missed Lochbuy and killed Lochineall. The yung mane, being informed that his master was accused for the slaughter, did most ingenouslie, without examinatioune, acknowledg the guilt, wherupon he was taken out of the Tolbuith, wher he was prissoner to the Castell and putt in irones. Howevir I wish Collonell Meinzies wer gottine out vpon bale, leist he be wronged ; but I hop, being my Lord's prissoner, he will protect hime. I will as yeit indeavor to fyng out sume way to heire frome the Collonell, and will advertise yowe of all he desyres ; but it is requisit youe send down sume vnderstanding mane who may have accesse to hime. I shall add noe mor, but that I ame, " Your most humble Servant, " A. MacNachtane." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 1 26. Through the influence of Sir Alexander the Menzies and other friends, the colonel was set free again, and the matter cleared up. The MacGregors, joined by the MacDonalds of Glencoe and Kippoch, took forcible possession of a part of Rannoch, and "squatted" on these lands, driving out the other peaceable tenants and committing all kinds of outrage, against whom Sir Alexander had the following commission granted him to proceed against them : — " Commission of fire and sword under the signet by King Charles the Second and Lourds of Council [Rothes as Chancellor, Caithness, Douglas, Argyll, Airlie, Teweeddale, Annandale, Kincardin, and Halcartoune], to Sir Alexander Menzees of Weyme, John Campbell, younger of Glenurchy, Sir James Campbell of Lawers, and Campbell of Glenlyon, to apprehend and proceed with fire and sword against [Ronald] M'Donald of Fersett, Alexander and Archibald M'Donald, his brethren, Donald M'Donald, alias ' the Halkit-Stirk,' Angus M'Olaig and Donald his brother, M'Donald, sons of ' Halkit-Stirk,' the Laird of M'Gregor, Duncan Roy M'Osham. They had been declaired rebells for not having compeared before the Lords on the 27th July immediately preceding, to ' answer for their assistants and complices, endering the lands of Ranach, and by force and violence taken possession of a part of the said Sir Alexander Menzees his lands, and manteaning of the same by force of armes, and committing of divers other outrages,' and, notwithstanding letters of denouniation, the narrative relates, they not only continued in this violent possession of the lands of Ranach, but openly repaired to kirk and market, as if they were 'free leidges.' Dated Edinburgh, 1 August 1671. " The letters of denounciation of the 27th July show that the MacDonalds and MacGregors had entered Menzies' lands in June, driven out his tenants, settled their goods, sent forth scouts and posted sentinels ; and in this same month of June a party of sixteen or eighteen had attacked some merchants belonging to the Laird of Ardgower and places adjacent, seized and broken their swords, and taken the more desirable portion of their goods." — -Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 219. [page_314 A.D. 1672] The MacGregors, notwithstanding the endeavours of friends, could not be brought to live peaceable lives, to cultivate the land or to pay rent. They, to strengthen their hands, called in the aid of the Glencoe and Keppoch MacDonalds, at this time among the most noted of Highland caterans, and with their aid forced out the peace-abiding natives of Rannoch. All these acts of lawlessness on the part of the MacGregors were just what the Campbells wanted, who readily accepted a commission from the Government of fire and sword against them. The friendship existing between Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies and the Earl of Athole at this time is indicated by what happened. A party of the Menzies' had to pass through the country of the Stewarts on some business, when, for some unknown reason, the Stewarts suddenly sprang upon and surrounded them, and having surprised and overpowered the Menzies', took their arms and cast them into prison. The Earl of Athole having received notice of this, at once wrote the following letter to Stewart at Ballachen, ordering him to set them free and return their arms : — " Letter — John Murray, second Earl (afterwards Marquis) of Athol, to Patrick Stewart of Ballaquhan. Edinburgh, 23 Jan. 1672. Very much dissatisfied with a riot committed by the Stewarts, therefore desires Stewart of Ballaquhan to send a party of men to apprehend and imprison them till they find caution. Not only Thomas Menzies, whom they keep prisoner, and all his friends shall be harmless and skeathless of them, but they and all who were with them shall compear at the Earl's court whenever they shall be required, and return the arms to Thomas Menzies and his brother, which were taken from them." — Contemporary Copy, Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 1 27. Stewart at once had the offenders apprehended and others of them summoned to appear and stand their trial at Dunkeld. He also wrote Sir Alexander Menzies to send the pursuers to prosecute, at the same time asking the loan of some money for the Royal forces, &c. His letter runs thus : — " Patrick Stewart to Sir Alexander Meingeis, the Laird of Weem. Logierait, 19 April 1672. With reference to the riot referred to in preceding letter, and that his lordship has desired an officer to summon the two young men referred to, to be at Dunkeld on Monday, 22nd April 1672, and the Laird of Weem to send the pursuers, and his lordship will bind them to keep the peace, and as he has a party quartering on him, wishes 20 dollars to be sent him, and to collect the excise, as he has 82 soldiers to deliver at Leith, and requires all the money he can get to remove them." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 128. In the year 1672 Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies was by the Earl of Athole deputed to receive the king's commissioner, in his progress through Perthshire, and to meet him at the Bridge of Earn, near the southern bounds of his lands — the notice of which runs : — "John, Earl of Athole to Sir Alexander Meingeis, the Laird of Weem. [page_315 A.D. 1672-1685] Canongate, 24 July 1672. Giving him notice to wait on the Lord Commissioner at the Bridge of Earn, on Saturday, 3rd August next, on his progress to the shire of Perth."- — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 1 30. The MacGregors having kept quiet for several years, again committed some robberies, regarding which Sir Alexander received the following from the Marquis of Huntly : — " George, fourth Marquis of Huntly [created Duke of Gordon] to Sir Alexander Meingeis, the Laird of Weem. Boog, 18 May 1677. Desires an amicable settlement of the quarrel that had arisen from the stealing of horses from some of Huntly's friends by the tenents of the Laird of Weem." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 131. Sir Alexander the Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk, sat in the Scottish Parliament, held at Edinburgh on the 11th July 167S, as a commissioner for the Sheriffdom of Perth. Reign of Charles II. On the accession of King James II. of Britain to the Crown of his brother in 1685, that event seemed favourable to the plans of Argyle and other banished noblemen to make a descent on the Scottish coast and raise the standard of rebellion. Argyle had never ceased to keep up a correspondence with his friends and leading followers in Argyleshire. On the Government discovering the inten- tion of Argyle to land in his own bounds, preparations were made to resist any attempt to raise the flag of revolt. The assistance of Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies and his son, Captain Robert, with about 100 picked Highlanders of the Clan Menzies, was solicited by the King's Lieutenant by the following letter : — " John, first Marquis of Athole, to the Lairds of Weem, elder and younger. Tullib[ardine], 8 Aug. 1684. The Marquis intimates that he had received from his Majesty a Commission of Lieutenancy, and desires the Lairds of Weem to have fourscore of their best and ablest men armed with guns and swords, to be in readieness on twenty-four hours notice to follow him into Argyle with eight days provision, of which he shall have due notice." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 132. This force joined Athole's brigade and marched into Argyle, and as declared in the proclamation forced Argyle's friends to give sureties, but on returning were again called out in the month of March, by the following letter : — " The Marquis of Athole to the Lairds of Weem, elder and younger. Dunkeld, 31 Mar. 1685. Desires them to furnish one man out of every 40s. land belonging to them, well armed with guns, swords, and four days loan, under the command of some discreet ' pretty man,' and to meet his men at the ford of Lyon, on the 7th April next, where he has a general rendezvous, whence they were to march to the shire of Argyle and Tarbet, under the command of the Laird of Ballechan." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 133. [page_316 A.D. 1685-1689] News having arrived that Argyle had entered his own country, a further request for more men was made on Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies and Captain Robert, his son. This was made by a letter from the Marquis of Athole, as follows : — "Marquess of Athole to the Lairds of Weem. Dunkeld, 21 May 1685. Warrant for the Laird to call all the fencible men between sixty and sixteen to meet at the ' fuird ' of Lyon, on 25th instant, with arms and twenty days ' loan,' to march into the shire of Argyll on his Majesties service." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 134. The chief and junior chief called out about 500 of Clan Menzies and joined Athole at the ford of Lyon ; they then marched toward Dumbarton. Argyle, who had received money from a rich widow of Amsterdam, bought a ship, arms, and ammunition. He then sailed for Scotland, where he landed. After finding his way into Argyleshire he was joined by about 800 Campbells, who with other portions brought up his force to 2500 men. He then attempted to get to the Lowlands, but the forces under the Duke of Gordon in the north, and those on the east under the Marquis of Athole, consisting of Clan Menzies and other Perthshire clans, so pressed upon him that on passing Dumbarton his army was compelled to keep the hills and march by night. Argyle's position now became desperate — the Campbells, his own clan, deserted him, and he was left with less than 500 men, and like a Campbell he in turn deserted his friends who had stuck to him. He made his escape disguised as a beggar, but was captured, brought to Edinburgh and beheaded, his head being stuck on the same pike as was the great Montrose's. After the flight of King James II. of Great Britain, the royal standard of the exiled king was raised by the chivalrous Viscount Dundee, who on leaving Edinburgh to send the firey cross round the Highland clans, said to a friend in answer to the question, Where was he going? " Wherever the spirit of Montrose shall direct." Dundee soon found himself at the head of a considerable army, with which after many marches, sometimes pursuing, sometimes retreating against General Mackay, the first stage of the war was concluded without a decisive battle. Immediately after Dundee's call to the royal clans to arm and come out, he was joined by the Aberdeenshire Menzies', under Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels, and also by Chieftain Major Duncan Menzies, each with a body of followers. These Menzies' stuck to the last to Dundee and the royal cause. On the other hand, the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies and his son, Junior Chief Captain Robert Menzies, took the side of General Mackay and the Protestants. On the 26th of July 1689 General Mackay left Perth at the head of an army of 4500 veteran soldiers and a fair force of cavalry. With this force he proceeded to renew the war, and just before starting he despatched a messenger to Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, and specially to his son Captain Robert Menzies, asking him to procure scouts for him. Here is General Mackay's letter: — [page_317 A.D. 1689] "St Johnston, 26 July 1689. General Hugh Mackay for the Laird of Weems, younger. I recieved yours of last night at ten the cloak. I doe not beleeve that Dundie is neare, though I wish he were, let his forces be what they will. I forgot to speak to you to send out men of inteligence, which I pray you to doe. I would take on 9 or 10 persons in pay during this expedition at such a rate as they may be content, for guides and inteligence, which I pray you to look out for, and that they be men who know the country perfectly well ; but faile not vpon recepte hereof to send towards the enemy for sure inteligence and where they are. The persons I shall pay as you shall juge raisonable. I shall dispach my march as much as possible. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, " H. Mackay. " I march just now." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 138. Mackay pushed on to Dunkeld, where at midnight he received notice of the approach of Dundee from Sir Alexander. Next morning, 27th July 1689, at daybreak, he proceeded in the direction of the Pass of Killiecrankie. During his march Mackay was joined by the young chief, Captain Robert Menzies, at the head of over 100 Highlanders of the Clan Menzies. The old chief, Sir Alexander the Menzies, was too old to take the field, and therefore remained at Castle Menzies to make preparations in case the doings of Montrose should be repeated by Dundee. His sons, Captain Robert and Captain James Menzies of Comrie, with the clan, fought at the battle of Killiecrankie, where General Mackay's English and Dutch army was totally defeated. But Mackay with a few of his men saved themselves in the descending darkness, by flight over the mountain bye-paths to Castle Menzies, where they knew the old chief, Sir Alexander the Menzies, would do all in his power to save them from being cut off. When retreating after the battle of Killiecrankie, says John Mackay, in the general's memoirs : — " The general's first concern was how to conduct his handful of men thus preserved, and lead them in such a direction as should best secure their ultimate safety; for ' sauve qui peut' was not his maxim. He felt that should they now be suffered to fall into the hands of the enemy through any neglect or injudicious orders on his part, it would at once lower his professional character and injure the great cause entrusted to his care. His officers recommended, and even urged his immediate return to Perth by way of Dunkeld ; but this route he without hesitation rejected, as it would expose him to the insults of his inveterate enemies, the Athole men', and to what, in his present defenceless state, he dreaded still more — the attacks of Dundee and his horse ; for he knew not yet that his noble opponent had fallen in the battle. He resolved, therefore, to quit this part of the country, and turning to the right strike across the mountains to Strathtay, through the [page_318 A.D. 1689] country of the Menzies', and from thence towards Stirling, by way of Castle Menzies and Drummond Castle, where he had a garrison. The road to Strathtay (if road it might be called) he was aware was difficult, if not dangerous to cavalry, but he hoped the few horse he had with him would be able singly to extricate themselves from the bogs and marshes with which it was obstructed, while, to such a large body as Dundee's comparatively was, these presented an insuperable barrier. " They had not advanced above two miles from the river when they overtook Ramsay, with 150 of his runaways (as the general calls them), almost without arms, and in utter dismay, not knowing well where they were, or whither going. Joining this little party to his own he proceeded towards a hut in which he espied a light, and requested information from the inmates as to the nearest way to Castle Menzies and localities of the country. They were at first thrown into consternation at the appearance of men in arms, but this soon subsided when Mackay, softly addressing them in their native (Gaelic) language, assured them he meant no harm, and should depart as soon as he received the information he requested. This being given, and compared with his pocket map, he was enabled to form a correct idea of the country, and proceeded on his march. He then directed his course to Weem Castle, or Castle Menzies, the seat of Sir Alexander Menzies, the Laird of Weem, a friendly chief, whose son, with 100 of his clan, had joined him the preceding day. "Before the morning began to dawn they approached Strathtay, and here the appearance of men in hostile array caused fresh alarm. The people of the district taking them for the opposite party, of whose habitual depredations they stood in great awe, ran to and fro as if in danger of their lives, as well as in fear of their property. Ramsay's men, being unarmed and broken in spirit, were in their turn thrown into consternation, and, dispersing, would have escaped to the hills had not the general and his officers, with their pistols in their hands, threatened and driven them back, after in vain trying to convince them that their safety con- sisted in keeping together. Notwithstanding these exertions of their officers, 100 or more made good their escape, and, as it was afterwards discovered, were knocked on the head and stripped by the men of Strathtay. " Before morning the general reached Castle Menzies, or, as it was often called, ' Weem Castle,' where he and his men were hospitably entertained by the good old laird, ' Sir Alexander the Menzies, the first Baronet,' who furnished them with such an hasty repast as their numbers and the shortness of the time permitted. He pro- ceeded from thence to Drummond Castle, through a country in confusion and uproar ; and after a short halt, prosecuted his march to Stirling, where he arrived on the evening of Monday, 29th July 1689." — Life of Lieut.-General Mackay. The young Chief Captain Robert Menzies acted with great bravery at the [page_319 A.D. 1689 ] battle of Killiecrankie, where he won the admiration of General Hugh Mackay, with whom he was ever afterwards a firm friend. General Mackay himself says of his retreat, after the battle of Killiecrankie : — " Marching them off, as he had concluded, he met in the obscurity, about two miles off the field of battle, with Colonel Ramsay, who had kept up the matter of 150 runaways altogether almost without arms, and knew not in the world how he should best get them off, whom the General having joyn'd into his party, continued his way up a little river, which fell into that which he had crossed before, till he came to some little houses where he saw a light, and having got the man of the house, enquired of him concerning the ground and the way to Strath Tay and the Laird of Weem's lands (the chief of the Menzies' and the Menzies country), who was our friend, his eldest son having been in the action with a company of IOO Highlanders, which he levied for their Majesties' service. The countryman, having sufficiently informed him of all his demands, and guessing himself at the situation of the country by the map so far that he could not carry him far out of the way, he crossed the second river, and passed ill ground over hills and bogs ' to Weem.' " — Life of Lieut.-General Mackay. Major Duncan Menzies of Fornoth was another Menzies chieftain who fought hard in the royal cause on the side of Dundee. He is thus spoken of in conjunction with "John Clelland of Faskin, as 'ready of hand.' He was early in the field, and took part in the raid on Perth and Dundee. Colt saw him at Perth when he was taken prisoner ; and when Lieut. Nisbet was made prisoner at Killiecrankie by Major Grahame of Balwhapple, Clelland and Duncan Menzies were at his elbow. Colt saw him after the failure at Dunkeld conversing with the Laird of MacNaughtan at Duart, and he was wearing his sword. His name occurs in the proclamation by William and Mary, 18th July 1689." — Scottish Hist. Soc, vol. iii., p. 161. Shortly after the battle of Killiecrankie General Mackay ordered that Castle [page_320 A.D. 1689-1694] Menzies, which was a strong baronial fortress right in the heart of the Highlands — the old heart or centre of Scotland being visible from its windows — should be garrisoned. To this effect the Duke of Hamilton wrote the young Chief Robert Menzies : — " William, Duke of Hamilton, to the Laird of Weem, younger. Edinburgh, 19 August 1689. The Lords of his Majestie's private Counsill aveing thought fitt to ordour Major-General Laneir to march into Athole, and to garisone your house, and to attack the Castle of Blair, and thereafter to march to Findlayrig, and to put garisones in these places, yow are desired to goe alongest and concur with him : And they have write him to intrust yow with the command of that garisone to be put in the Weeme." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 136. This letter from the Duke of Hamilton was followed by an official commission to the young Chief Robert Menzies to be captain of the independent company of a hundred Highlanders of Clan Menzies which he had raised and which was with him at the battle of Killiecrankie. There they appear to have conducted themselves so much to the satisfaction of General Mackay that, on his informing his Majesty William III. of the undaunted coolness and bravery of the young chief, he ordered a commission to be sent to him, which is dated 23 August 1689, only about twenty- three days after Killiecrankie, and is the first commission given for an independent company of Highlanders. Shortly after Killiecrankie and as soon as could be arranged, General Mackay selected Castle Menzies to be one of a number to be garrisoned to keep the Highlanders in check, under Cannon, Dundee's successor. As soon, "therefore, and as the rains having somewhat abated soon after his (General Mackay's) return to Perth, he detached Lord Cardross with 200 men, to the head of Loch Tay, and his lordship without opposition established himself in garrison at Finlarig, then let to Campbell of Glenurchy. Drummond Castle had been already secured, and other garrisons having now been planted at Castle Menzies, Cumbusmore, Cardross, and Drumnakill, the chain of communication was completed, from the remotest extremities of Perthshire to the town of Inverness." — Life of Lieut. -Gen. Mackay. It appears that after the accession of William and Mary several of the old clergy were deposed as early as possible. Among those was the chaplain of the Auld Kirk o' Weem, regarding which the first entry in the old register of the parish of Weem is the following : — " 1692. Since Mr James Strachin, minister of Weem, was deprived. For primas collected and counted in the presence of the Laird ' Sir Alexander Menzies, Bart, of Menzies,' before James Campbell, minister of Monyvard, came here to preach at several times, the sum of 5s." — This Register is now in the Register House, Edinburgh. Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies was in the year 1693, reign of William and Mary, one of the commissioners to the Scottish Parliaments for the shire of Perth ; [page_321 A.D. 1694] as such he sat in the Parliaments held at Edinburgh, 18th April 1693, and 2nd June 1693. In both of these Parliamentary Rolls his name is entered thus : — " Sir Alexander Meinzies of that Ilk." He also sat in the Parliament of 5th June 1693. He is then entered "Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk." Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies died in the month of March 1694, born about 1623 ; he was therefore between 71 and 72 years of age. By his wife Agnes Campbell of Glenurchy, he had two sons and three daughters : — ¦ 1st. Captain Robert the Menzies, fiar of Menzies ; for his father Sir Alexander survived him. 2nd. Captain James Menzies of Comrie, who, during the minority of his brother's son, Sir Alexander, the second Baronet, acted as Chief " Tutor." 1st. Susan Menzies, married Lord Neill Campbell, second son of Archibald, Marquis of Argyle ; and after his death she married Colonel Alexander Campbell of Finnab. 2nd. Jean Menzies, who married Mungo Campbell of Netherplace. 3rd. Emilia Menzies ; she married Thomas Fleming of Moness. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' OF NOTE. Chieftain Thomas Menzies of Inchaffray, who sat in the Scottish Parliaments of Charles II. On his lands near Crieff are the remains of Inchaffray Abbey, and a little north of it is the old Menzies Castle of Inchaffray, his residence. Chieftain William Menzies of Carse, as representing the shire of Forfar, sat in the Scottish Parliaments of Charles I., 18th April 1648, when he was appointed one of the Commissioners of War for the defence of the kingdom. Chieftain Thomas Menzies of Fergarmoch was one of the Parliamentary representatives of Perthshire, in the Parliament of Charles I., 22nd July 1644. John Menzies, who as the representative of North Berwick sat in the Scottish Parliament of Charles I. at Perth, 2nd July 1628. [page_322 A.D. 1694] CHIEFTAIN GILBERT MENZIES of Pitfodels, as representing Kincardineshire, sat in the Parliaments of Charles II., July 10th, 1678, and 13th May 1685. CHIEFTAIN THOMAS MENZIES of Kinmundie represented Aberdeenshire in the Scottish Parliaments of William and Mary, 1689 and 1690. Chieftain Major Duncan Menzies of Fornoth, who led a portion of Clan Menzies on the side of Dundee, with whom he fought at the battle of Killiecrankie. He was one of the foremost in the famous charge, where the battle-shout of Clan Menzies might be heard " Geal's Dearg Gu Brath" i.e., " The Red and White for ever." He was one of the marked men of the then Government, who put a price on his capture. On the utter failure of the Jacobites to restore James to the throne, he went to France, and became one of the band of Scottish Highlanders who formed the " Private Sentinels." Sharing in their adventures, he was at the taking of the Island on the Rhine, where the Highlanders formed a chain, holding on by each other to prevent them from being carried away by the current of the river ; thereby crossing the river in the face of a heavy fire from the enemy, whom they soon drove from their stronghold, making themselves masters of the island which had baffled every attempt of the French. This island now bears their name. He, however, never returned from these wars. The grave soon closed over the whole of the band of brave, self-sacrificing Scotchmen, who fought for the glory of Scotland and her ancient kings. As he lost his life in these wars and never returned, his lady applied to the Commissariat of Dunkeld, and was appointed executrix of his estates, consisting of sums of money, debts, &c, a statement of which was given in by his wife, " Agnes Menzies, Lady Carneys, relict of and executrix." Among the sums are 1000 merks Scots from tenements owing him, and £400 bond " granted by Mr George Menzies, Master of the Grammar School, Dundee." The testament was confirmed at Dunkeld, 10th November 1726. James Menzies of Culdares became caution. — Comrt. of Dunkeld, vol. iii., p. 761. [page_323 A.D. 1694] Junior Chief Captain Robert "Meinzies", Knight, as heir of "fiar", 18th Baron of Menzies. LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF INVERLOCHY CASTLE AND FORT WILLIAM ; COMMANDER OF THE GARRISONS OF CASTLE MENZIES AND CASTLE MEGGERNIE ; CAPTAIN OF THE FIRST INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF HIGHLANDERS ; AND FOUNDER OF THE BLACK WATCH. BORN l660. DIED 1692. CHIEF JUNIOR CAPTAIN ROBERT MENZIES, Fiar of Menzies ; for his father, although an old man, survived him. He, during the old age of his father, Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, the first Baronet of Menzies, had all the responsibilities as Chief of Clan Menzies upon his shoulders. The duties of a Highland chief were such at that time as to put to the test the highest qualities of human ability in combating with the troubles which arose in the Highlands, on the throne of Britain being taken possession of by William and Mary. It was during these dark times for the Highlands and Scotland that the young Chief of Clan Menzies, as Nisbet says, " made an early and brilliant appearance in the Revolution through which he figured, he being a gentleman of great parts and influence," and a young man of considerable military ability. He was the first Highland chief to raise and arm an independent company of Highlanders of one hundred picked men of Clan Menzies, for the service, of the Government ; with these he made so good a reputation at Killiecrankie, that his example was after- wards followed by other Highland chiefs and gentlemen in raising such companies for the service of the Crown. The fame and services of these independent companies of Highlanders ultimately led to their being embodied into the Royal 43rd, afterwards the 42nd Royal Highlanders, The Black Watch. Captain Robert Menzies was born in 1660, and married the Hon. Annie Sandilands, born 22nd February 1663, daughter of Walter, 6th Lord Torphichen, by Katharine, daughter of William, Lord Alexander, eldest son of William, Earl of Stirling. There is an old portrait of the young chief in the old banqueting hall of Castle Menzies, upon the back of which is inscribed, " Robert Menzies, eldest [page_324 A.D. 1684-1689] son and heir of Sir Alexander Menzies of Menzies, married to Miss Ann Sandilands, daughter of Walter, Lord Torphichen (grandfather of William, Lord Alexander, his Majesty's Lieutenant of Nova Scotia, and predeceased his father)." This picture is said to have been painted by George Jamesone, the Scottish Vandyke, and represents him in armour, with flowing hair, in the garb of a military commander of the period. There is also a portrait of his lady hanging in the old banqueting hall of Castle Menzies, upon the back of which is inscribed " Mrs Ann Sandilands, daughter of Walter, Lord Torphichen, grand-daughter of William, Lord Alexander, his Majesty's Lieutenant of Nova Scotia, married to Robert Menzies, son and heir of Sir Alexander Menzies of Menzies." This portrait is also conjectured to have been painted by George Jamesone. On the rebellion of the Earl of Argyle, in 1684-5, the Marquis of Athole wrote to his father and himself, as lieutenant of the king, on 8th August 1684, desiring the young chief, in conjunction with his father, to have eighty of their best and ablest Highlanders armed to go into Argyle to crush the rising ; upon which the fiery cross was sent round and the young Chief Robert Menzies led this company of Clan Menzies for the cause of King James VII. Athole again, on the 31st March 1685, desired the young chief and his father to meet him with a certain proportion of Clan Menzies at the ford of Lyon, not far from the fortalice of the Menzies', Comrie Castle. They joined forces and marched against Argyle, who had arrived in his country and was in open rebellion ; which, terrifying his followers, most of whom were Campbells, they like cowards deserted their chief. Argyle was made prisoner and afterwards executed. On the throne of Britain being occupied by William and Mary the young chief sat in their first Parliament, in the Parliamentary Rolls of which he is thus mentioned : — " Robert Menzies, younger of that Ilk, sat in the Parliament of William and Mary, held at Edinburgh, 26th April 1689, as a commissioner for the shire of Perth." It was in the same year, 1689, that Viscount Dundee raised the royal standard in the Highlands, and was soon at the head of a considerable body of the clans, principally consisting of the MacDonalds, MacLeans, Stewarts, MacGregors, Robertsons, Camerons, and sections of Clan Menzies under Chieftain Major Duncan Menzies, the Aberdeenshire Menzies' being under Chieftain Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels. These, with other clans and a small body of Irish, amounted to about 2500 men. Against Dundee the Government sent General Mackay, who hastened north and was joined by the Clans Mackay, Ross, and Rose at Inverness, where Dundee threatened him from Badenoch ; and Mackay, not receiving rein- forcements, retreated south. On receiving reinforcements he retook Inverness, [page_325 A.D. 1689] after which he returned to Edinburgh to push on arrangements. He returned to Perth on the 26th July 1689, where he learned of Dundee's march upon Athole, which he determined to prevent. General Mackay immediately despatched a messenger to the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies and the young chief of the Menzies', asking them to procure nine or ten scouts and to send them out to ascertain the movements of Dundee, the number of his men, their condition and intention, and at the same time telling them that he was now ordering his army to march. The old chief being too aged for active service in the field, the young chief at once despatched his scouts to discover the movements of Dundee, and sent round the Menzies' country the fiery cross, upon which in a few hours he was surrounded by a large body of Clan Menzies at Castle Menzies. From these he selected 100 Menzies' to accompany him. The remainder he left to garrison Castle Menzies, Bolfracks Castle, Castle Comrie, Meggernie Castle, and other strengths, and to protect the country in case of a repetition of the acts of Montrose. On his scouts returning he at once despatched word of the rapid approach of Dundee to General Mackay, who had encamped near Dunkeld, where at midnight Mackay 'received his messengers with considerable alarm. He therefore, at day- break, 27th July 1689, proceeded in the direction of the Pass of Killiecrankie, for possession of which he was most anxious. On his army reaching Ballinluig the general was greatly encouraged by the approach of the young chief of Clan Menzies at the head of 100 selected clansmen, who approached with pipes playing, their "red and white" banner waving in the morning sun, their brilliant full-dress tartan " red and white " making a magnificent contrast against the dark green wooded heights of Logierait above Ballinluig. The flash of light from their drawn claymores as they turned a bend in the road completed the military picture which only a body of full-dressed Highlanders can make. They at once joined the general's army, which, on reaching the entrance to the Pass of Killiecrankie about ten o'clock, halted to allow the men to refresh themselves before plunging into the frightful chasm. Here the Junior Chief Robert Menzies was commissioned captain of his company of Clan Menzies by General Mackay. To support Lauder, who had been despatched to secure the entrance, Mackay despatched 200 men under the lieutenant-colonel of Leven's regiment — 100 of these were the Clan Menzies Highlanders — to lead the way and to show the English and Dutch an example, who now began to fear the awful passage. A short distance from the Pass he met Lord Murray, who informed him that he had left a body of men at the other end of the Pass, but that the greater portion of his men when called upon by him to join Mackay, refused, and, rushing down to the river bank, took some water in their bonnets and drank to the health of King James. Mackay put his army in motion and entered the awful Pass, not without great apprehensions, as a few Highlanders from the overhanging rocks could easily have crushed his whole [page_326 A.D. 1689] army ; as it was, a single Highlander appeared on the other side of the torrent, who, levelling his gun in sight of the whole army, brought down one of Mackay's horsemen, almost causing a panic among the English and Dutch. On clearing the Pass, Mackay called a halt until the baggage was brought up, after which he despatched 200 men under Lauder to discover Dundee's whereabouts. Dundee soon appeared, and took up a position on the hills above the entrance. Mackay immediately took possession of an eminence near, on which he posted Lauder with 200 picked men, forming his left. Mackay in making his dispositions divided every battalion in two parts, leaving a space between each with cavalry in the centre, and on his right a body of men under Hastings. The whole formed in line. Mackay rode along the line, which extended a long way beyond that of Dundee, being about 5000 strong. The young chief and Clan Menzies formed part of the right wing front line with Clan Mackay, Ross and others, as the general considered it best to have as many Highlanders as he had at his command in the front line, to give confidence to his army and set an example of firmness. Whilst Mackay was thus engaged, his gallant opponent was equally busy on the hills above, ranging his men in battle array in one line, consisting only of about 2500 Highlanders and a small body of horse, with which was Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels. As the evening was advancing without any movement to attack by the Highlanders, Mackay, to provoke them to engage, discharged some small field- pieces, but without effect. This was followed by some skirmishing from Dundee's sharpshooters. Dundee, in arranging his line of Highlanders, had them in some- what the following order : — The Clan MacDonald on the left, Clan MacLean on the right ; between these were placed the Camerons, Clanranald and Glengary, MacDonells, Robertsons, MacGregors, Stewarts, Drummonds, M'Neils, a section of Clan Menzies under Chieftain Major Duncan Menzies, Mackenzies, Farquharsons, Grahams, and others, with a body of Irish. Both lines were without reserve force. After skirmishing some time, just about half-an-hour before sundown, at Dundee's word of command, the Highlanders proceeded down the hill to attack the long line of Mackay's regular troops below. The Highlanders, claymore in hand, advanced with their bodies bent forward so as to present as small a surface as possible to the fire of the enemy, the upper part of their bodies being covered with their targets. Upon them Mackay's army kept up a continual fire, but, undismayed, they steadily advanced, when, having come to close range, they halted for a moment, levelled and discharged their pistols, then uttering a loud battle-shout or the war-cry of each clan — amid which might have been distinguished " Geal 's Dearg Gu Brath" the battle-shout of Clan Menzies, i.e., " The Red and White for ever," that moment being the supreme height of Celtic military enthusiasm — the clans rushed, claymore in hand, upon the veteran army of Mackay before they had properly fixed bayonets, with such impetuosity that the troops [page_327 A.D. 1689] of Mackay were cut down and driven into utter confusion. The greater part of the English and Dutch soldiers behaved like the vilest cowards. The only regiments who made any stand were Leven's and Hastings', but these were supported by the friendly Highlanders of Clan Menzies, Mackay, Ross, and others. While the Highlanders were hewing down the English and Dutch, Dundee, at the head of the horse, attacked Mackay's own battalion, breaking through it and scattering the English horsemen like chaff before them. In this charge the Menzies' of Aberdeenshire, under Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels, were among the first. Pitfodels was particularly taken notice of by Mackay's men for his stalwart form, dark complexion, splendid charger and appointments, and his great bravery, by which he distinguished himself so much that afterwards he became one of the marked men for an example of the vengeance of the Government. The courage of the stoutest-hearted of Mackay's men did not avail. Their arms were insufficient to parry the tremendous strokes of the Highland claymores or broad- swords, dirks, and Lochaber axes, which, with a single blow, either felled their opponents to the earth or struck off a member from their bodies and at once disabled them. Mackay was himself surrounded by the Highlanders, but they, probably because he was a Highlander himself, did not attempt to injure him ; on getting clear of whom and being out of danger, he turned round, when to his surprise both armies had disappeared, as he says himself, " in the twinkling of an eye in a manner," his army being driven pell-mell down to the river Garry, where many of them perished. In the conflict Captain Robert Menzies, the young chief, and his hundred Menzies' appear to have acted very coolly, who, being Highlanders themselves in the Highland garb, and having many clansmen on the side of Dundee, were consequently not the subject of so much animosity as were the English and Dutch. The company of Menzies' knowing the country and keeping together in good order when they saw that the day was lost, did all in their power to stay the carnage — they, having many clansmen and friends in Dundee's army, were anxious to save Celtic blood ; but those who did not know the district, or who were English or Dutch in Mackay's army, were cut off. It was with great difficulty that the devoted Mackay himself got to Castle Menzies with the remains of his army, where he was hospitably received by the venerable old chief of Clan Menzies, who extended shelter and refreshment to him and the fragments of his army. After the battle of Killiecrankie, where several of the Clan Menzies had distinguished themselves on the side of the great Dundee, among whom were Chieftain Menzies of the Pitfodels' branch of the clan in Aberdeenshire, and Major Duncan Menzies, who had held a commission in the army of Charles II. and James VII., both of whom, by their great courage and activity that day, did much to gain the victory. One of their company, young Stewart of Ballachen, being captured some time after, became king's evidence, and, when [page_328 A.D. 1689] brought before the judges appointed by the Scottish Parliament, told them all who were at Killiecrankie. In this evidence he describes Menzies of Pitfodels and Major Duncan Menzies in the following manner : — " Charles Stewart, younger of Ballachan, aged 29 years, married, &c, solemnlie sworne, depones that after the Laird of Blair (the Earl of Athol) was taken prisoner at Perth, he saw Viscount of Dundee within a quarter of a myle, with about five or six score of horse in arms, and he marched two miles with them on foot. He saw in the same company, Maister David Graham, the Earl of Dumfermling, in arms ; the Earl of Buchan, Viscount Frendrought, Lord Dunkeld, Col. Cannon ; he saw Mr Colin M'Kenzie, uncle to the Earl of Seaforth, on horseback and in arms with the rebells ; he also saw Sir John Drummond of Mauchanie, James Edmonstoun of Newton of Doun, Sir Ewan Cameron of Lochyell, and his eldest son, in arms with the rebells ; he saw Sir Donald M'Donald, younger of Slait, the Laird of M'Naughton, Major Wm. Graham of Buchaple, Sir John Cleiland of Foscan, Halyburtoun of Pitcurre ; he saw M'llvernock of O'ab, in arms with the rebells ; also M'Neill of Galachalie ; he saw the Laird of Glencoe, elder, in arms, and that he had a buff coat ; he saw Sir John M'Lean, and M'Lean of Lochbuy, and Sir Alex. M'Lean, called Commissar M'Lean ; he also saw M'Lean, younger of Ardgour, all in arms ; he saw John Campbell of Glendeserie, he was called Leit.-Collonel to Lochyell ; he saw the tutor of Clanronald ; he saw M'Donald of Glengarie ; and that he saw Farquharson of Inverey, in arms with the rebells, several places. Depones that he saw MAJOR DUNCAN Menzies, in arms with the rebells, at several places. Depons he saw a tall, stout, lustie, black (dark complexon) man, whom they called MENZIES OF PlTFODDELS, riging on a grey stoned horse in company with the rebelles, with sword and pistolls. Depones he saw Kinloch of Gourdie, Sir William Wallace of Craigie, in company with the rebells. 14th July 1690." — Acts Par., Scot., vol. ix., p. 59. In less than a month after the battle of Killiecrankie the Junior Chief received the official and formal commission as captain of his independent com- pany of Highlanders, which is as follows : — "Extract Commission by King William III. in favour of Robert Menzies, younger of Weem, to be Captain of the Independent Company. Consisting of 100 foot sentinels, raised by himself. Hampton Court, 23 August 1689." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 230. This commission confirmed that granted on the field of battle by General Mackay verbally, and showed the appreciation of the services of the young chief and Clan Menzies at the battle of Killiecrankie by the Government. This was the first commission ever given for an independent company of Highlanders, and it was in reality the first company of The Black Watch. Following this, Mackay [page_329 A.D. 1689] writes him, asking how many men he would require to garrison Castle Menzies. His letter is to this effect : — " General Hugh Mackay to the Laird of Weem, younger. Blair Castle, 2 Sept. 1689. The weather has been so discouraging that the general was obliged to send on the English to St Johnston, and if it continued so, he was resolved to follow immediately. He wishes to know what number of men would be needed for the garrison at Weem, which he thinks should be made stronger, as no garrison could conveniently be placed at Finlarig." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 139. It being difficult to collect the cess and excise at this time owing to the civil war in Scotland, Mackay accordingly sent to the young chief the following, asking him to assist with his men the collecting of such, as follows : — "Perth, 30 September 1689. General Mackay orders the Laird of Weem, younger, to allow men from his garrison of Weem to assist the collectors of Cess and Excise in Perthshire in gathering the dues." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 140. The young chief had his governorship of Castle Menzies granted on the same day. This was on the recommendation of General Mackay, who saw he was well qualified in military tactics. The governor's commission is as follows : — " Commission by Major-General Hugh Mackay in favour of Captain Robert Menzies, younger, to be governor of the garrison in the Castle of Weem. Perth, 30th September 1689." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 221. Following this, he received the additional appointment to be commander of the old Menzies' stronghold, Meggernie Castle in Glenlyon, belonging to the Culdares' branch of Clan Menzies. The substance of the commission reads as follows : — " Perth, 7 October 1689. General Mackay to the Laird of Weem, younger, Captain of an independent company, and Commander of the Castle of Weem. Desires him to establish a sufficient garrison in the house of Miggernie in Glenlyon, should the said house be capable to secure it, for the better protection of the country against the rebels." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 141. It was just about this time that Commander Menzies received a letter from the Duke of Hamilton, requesting him to march with General Mackay to the siege of Blair Castle, which was holding out for King James, and then to march with him to Finlarig to garrison it. With the assistance of the Clan Menzies, under the young chief, Blair Castle was soon reduced. Owing to an expected attack on Castle Menzies, of which Mackay had been apprised by the watchful young chief, he sent a despatch to Lord Bargany, for a company to proceed there at the order of Commander Menzies. This is as follows :— " Perth, 7 October 1689. Order to the Lord Bargany, Colonel of a regiment of foot, or whoever should be in command in his absence, to cause a company of [page_330 A.D. 1689] his regiment of at least 50 men, without picks, to march to the house of Weem, when the Laird of Weem, commander of that house, shall call for them." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 142. Soon after the above letter Castle Menzies had its defences inspected by General Mackay in person, who was making a tour round the different castles inspecting their garrisons and defences. The general, in a letter to the Duke of Hamilton, thus details these garrisons : — "I have been this 10 or 12 days in Perthshire ordering the garrisons: at Blair ther are 500 men ; at Finlarig 200, which is all the house is capable of till convenience of beding be made ; at Weemb (Castle Menzies, there are) 200 men ; and at Camsmore, Cardros, and Drumekill, 6 companies of the Earl of Angus's regiment, which is not above 600 men at present." — Letter of Major-General Mackay to the Duke of Hamilton, Edinburgh, 11th October 1689. The rapid advancement of the young chief of Clan Menzies so chagrined the covetous Campbells that every duplicity was used by them to defeat him in retaining his commandership of Meggernie Castle, of which Campbell of Glenlyon was most anxious to get hold. This is what General Mackay says of them in a letter to Commander Captain Robert Menzies : — "Edinburgh, 12 October 1689. To the Laird of Weem, younger, captain of an independent company and commander of the Castles of Weem and Miggernie. Replies to two letters of the Laird of Weem, General Mackay says — ' Tis no matter what Glenlyon says bout the fitness of the house of Miggernie for a garrison.' He is satisfied with the statement of the Laird of Weem that it was so. Glenlyon grumbled because he was not placed in trust of the house himself. He desires Weem to obtain shure intelligence out of the Highlands, and for that end to dispose of some persons who are not suspected to them, as some of those of Strowen's men had not accepted the act of indemnity. Mackay intends to bring their case before the Council at its next meeting, and wishes Weem to give them some assurance that they should not be troubled. Weem could obtain intelligence from the north earlier than himself, and from Lochaber earlier than those at Inverness. Mackay was to order the commissary to let Weem have what meal he requires, but the less the better, except he transports it himself, for they must furnish the whole garrison of Blair with meal for the winter, that not being able to furnish any. ' That hous of Braid Albin's may be burnt by consent, otherwyse he will resent and shew his dislyk of it, which time will let us see. Ther is no great mater for vs, because wee had no desseyn upon it.' Weem's outlay shall be repaid by the Government. In a postscript, he writes to Weem to inform Captain Rollo that he approves of his 'way of doeing,' and intimates that the Council should issue an order that 'a good kow be sold at 19 merks and a weather at 2£ merks.' He asks Weem to get the prices of meal, barley, malt, [page_331 A.D. 1689] butter, and cheese ' adjusted.' He had also written to the Earl of Breadalbine on these matters." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 143. Notwithstanding that Mackay had given Campbell of Glenlyon to under- stand that he would not be interfered with in his position by any greedy, grasping man like him, Campbell waited till the next meeting of Scottish Parliament, when he made a great row in the house about Meggernie Castle being under the command of Captain Robert Menzies, the young chief of Clan Menzies, of which General Mackay wrote him, giving the following description : — "Edinburgh, 1 November 1689. General Mackay to Meingeis, the Laird of Weem. — Stateing that Weems' news was the same as he had from other quarters, and desiring him to ' name a soume for what you have been out of pours vpon inteligence,' and he shall get it allowed. He had also obliged the master of Forbes to do the same, Government being unwilling to allow sums of itself. He proceeds, ' I wish ther were lesse heats and more true tendernesse for the commun safty of all syds then ther is. I have my full of Scotland, and wish their Majesties' service may require my return hither againe, if it please God I be ons out of it. The President of the session is cum down, and this day they had a full hous. Glenlyon made a great busle here concerning Miggernie, but I dispach'd him with a short answer, that I juged the disposition allready made most contributing to the king's service, and therefor doe not find good to alter. The subject of his jealousie of yow is, that he beleeves yow to favour the Marques of Athol's intrest against him too much. I told him I took no notice of thier familay disputes, but did what I thought best for the forsaid end. Pray let him have no relevant occasion of complaint against the garrison." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 144. General Mackay had also a very low estimate of Campbell of Breadalbane, of whom he said he was " one of the chiefest and cunningest fomenters of the troble of that kingdom, ' Scotland,' not for love of King James but to make himself necessary to the Government." — Memoirs, p. 72. Mackay, thus mistrusting him, sent to the young chief of the Menzies' to send all the necessary utensils to erect a palisade at Finlarig. The general's letter is as follows : — "Edinburgh, 4 Dec. 1689. General Mackay 'orders' Commander Robert Meingeis to send from his house of Weem to Finlarig for planting 'palisados,' one dozen 'speads,' one dozen 'shuffells,' and one dozen mattocks." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 145. As one of the Highland chiefs whom he could trust and rely upon, he asks him to arrange with some one who could be trusted to inform him of the motions of the enemy. Mackay's letter is as follows :— "Edinburgh, 18 Dec. 1689. 'General Mackay' to Commander Robert Meingeis of Menzies, ' Asks the Laird of Weem, younger, to get some person he [page_332 A.D. 1689-1690] can trust belonging to the enemy to furnish timely intellegence of what might be resolved at their meetings. Mackay shall pay for what he shall ingage for, and the King will order his other disbursements."' — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 146. This was brought about by many of those radical and extreme people who had caused the Revolution with the object of personal gain, and who, being disappointed at not having realised their expectations, were now opening negotiations with those who were on the side of King James, upon whom Mackay saw it was necessary to keep a watch. After the old Menzies Castle of Finlarig had been fitted up by Commander Menzies with the palisade and other outworks, to resist any attack on the troops, numbering 200 — these had been stationed there owing to the suspicions and double-dealing of Campbell of Breadalbane, although he had taken the oath and found bail for his allegiance, all of which he broke afterwards — Mackay saw that a troop of horsemen would be of great service to Commander Menzies to scour Strath Tay and keep an eye on the crafty Breadalbane. He thus gives the young chief his instructions as to how he wants him to act with them : — " Edinburgh, 24 December 1689. General Mackay to the Laird of Weem, younger : — Desires him to lodge out of danger of surprisal the corporal and 10 horsemen of Lord Newbotle's troop whom he had ordered to Weem, and also to ' make credit for them,' as all the forces were then living on credit. Which is regular intellegence out of Lochaber from time to time. ' You must not fattigue the hors with guards, neither shall you send them in partys further than the Strath and in plaine ground.'" — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 147. The military duties of Commander Menzies were so well discharged that the Strath was kept in safety from the enemy. We next find the young chief recorded in the Parliamentary Rolls, as having sat in the Scottish Parliament of 18th May 1690. The entry runs thus : — " Robert Meinzies, younger of that Ilk, sat in the Parliament of William and Mary held at Edinburgh, iSth May 1690, commissioner for the shire of Perth." Colonel James Menzies of Culdares, Meggernie Castle, and Glenlyon also sat in this Parliament, and in the Parliament following it, held at Edinburgh, 10th June 1690, as commissioner for Perthshire. It would appear that General Mackay had been instructed by the Government to appoint Captain Menzies, the young chief, to the second command of the garrison and fort of Inverlochy ; but at this time he seems to have been influenced otherwise. His reasons were as follow : — " I confess I am no admirer of a devotion which doth not teach men their relative duty according to their vocation. I leave here also betwixt 4 and 500 men of Grant's regement with some Highlanders. I can not resolve to give the [page_333 A.D. 1690] second command to the Laird of Weemb (Captain Robert Menzies) so long as Fulerton shall be here, though I know he might be very servicable to the Garison, both to his inteligence and credit, and that there is not the least absurditie in the thing, it being very practicable in all countries ; but many men pretend to know that understand very little." Fulerton was the cause of the change of mind in the general, but Mackay soon altered his opinion when he found Captain Menzies unchanged towards him, firmly maintaining his reputation as a man of sterling ability, and highly worthy of the post. Stewart of Appin was John Stewart, the leader of the Clan " Stewart " on the occasion of the rising of 1689. He was a brave and skilful commander. He took the Castle of Eilean Stailkair, and held it for King James against the forces of Argyle till October 1690, when he capitulated on very honourable terms. Colonel Hill, governor of Inverlochy, writing in May 1690 to Governor Robert Menzies, the young laird of Weem, enjoins him " to be strict with the tutor of Appin, as he might be apt to be blowne up with stories, and might think to stand out still." — Scot. Hist. Soc, p. 143, vol. iii. The skirmish which took place between the Highlanders and the Government troops under Livingstone at Cromdale, where the Highlanders were surprised and suffered considerable loss, perfectly elated the friends of the Government. It was the finishing touch which decided the building of Fort William, and brought about the expedition to Inverlochy by General Mackay, who marched from Perth, on the 18th June 1690, at the head of 3000 men, horse and foot ; and on his march northwards he was joined by the young chief, Captain Robert Menzies, and his company of Menzies' Highlanders. The army arrived, 3rd July 1690, at Inverlochy, and commenced work, 5th July 1690, and finished the outer wall at its full height, 20 feet from the bottom of the fosse, and palisaded round, all being completed on the 16th, on which day the young chief was made Lieutenant- Governor, and received the following commission : — "Fort William or Inverlochie, 16 July 1690." From General Mackay. — The commission of Robert Menzies of Weem to be Lieutenant-Governor of Fort William not having yet come down from His Majesty, and the service requiring that he be presently put in exercise of his said office : Therefor Mackay appoints him Lieutenant-Governor of the fort and garrison of Fort William, formerly called the Fort of Inverlochie." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 151. Shortly after the defensive works of Fort William had been put in such a forward state that they were a protection to the army, Mackay received a despatch from the Government calling upon him to return south with as large a portion of his army as possible, as an invasion was threatened by France. The general departed, leaving 1000 men in garrison of the new fort under command of the [page_334 A.D. 1690] young chief, Captain Robert Menzies the Lieutenant-Governor, who, with his 100 Highlanders, had already given great assistance in raising the wall and palisade, and he had instructions to push on the completion of the works in the absence of General Mackay. During the absence of Mackay in the south, the northern parts of the High- lands of Inverness-shire, Ross-shire, and Aberdeenshire were up for King James. As no French invasion took place, Mackay returned and once more took command of the army. He marched to the north, where, after some successful skirmishes in the open field, he began to get the upper hand, with the exception of the Western Islands and Highlands, always difficult of access, where many of the clans were still out and might make a last bold attempt on Inverlochy. The general, therefore, wrote the Lieutenant-Governor, Captain Robert Menzies, instructing him with Clan Menzies to occupy Fort William. The letter reads as follows : — "The camp at Inverlochie, 17th June 1690. To Robert Menzies of Weem, captain of a company of foot, and Lieutenant-Governor of Fort William in Inver- lochie : Orders him on sight hereof to remove with his company from the camp to Fort William [alias of Inverlochy), there to remain in garrison and receive further orders from Colonel John Hill, Governor thereof." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 148. Following this, the apprehensions of General Mackay began to be raised by the action of some of the Highlanders further south. He sent for the young chief and his 100 faithful Highlanders of Clan Menzies to join him at Perth. The substance of this despatch is this : — "Perth, 20 June 1690. General Mackay to the Laird of Weem, captain of an independent company of Highlandmen, ordering him to march with his Highland company from its present garrison in the house of Weem to join the army, according to directions given him." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 149. The young chief and his 100 Menzies' joined Mackay at Perth, and the army was proceeding south when they had to return in all haste against General Buchan and the Earl of Seaforth. Their forces were dispersed by Mackay and Menzies, and the Earl of Seaforth made prisoner. They succeeded by most energetic operations in subduing the northern counties. Many of the chiefs felt disposed to take advantage of the terms offered by the Government, and began to open a correspondence with the young chief, in whom the men of Lochaber had confidence, being a Highlander. He, in sympathy for them, asked the Government for permission to mediate their cause, to which he received the following grant : — "The Camp at Ruthven of Badenoch, 30 June 1690. General Mackay grants liberty to the Laird of Weem to answer any letters received by him from the men [page_335 A.D. 1690] of Lochaber, and to meet and converse with them untill further orders." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 1 50. This power he used with such skill and address that the districts in and around Inverlochy soon became peaceful and quieted down. He was therefore able to return home, and to a letter of his asking how matters went, Colonel Hill returns the following reply : — " Colonel John Hill to the Laird of Weem. Inverlochy, Fortwilliam, 11 Aug. 1690. — States that all was quiet in the district, tho' not easy to keep the Highland soldiers in discipline. The weather was extremely bad with high winds and great rain, and this, combined with the continual desertion of officers and soldiers and the number of sick, caused the progress of the works to be but slow. The soldiers, having no money to buy provisions, were living only on meal and water. Some of the Laird of Weem's soldiers had deserted in his absence, whom he should look after and punish." With reference to the doubtful party, he says : — " Hereabouts are none of his armes except some few broken men and chiefs, which the countrey to take care of. These gentlemen are shortly to have another meeting. What the result of that may be I yet know not. They haue great news of England and other parties which blowes them up, and may possibly put them into a humour of trying their fortune once more, of which I am aware ; but Locheil seems one of the most backward to itt, as beleeuing it will be all like the rest, tho' hee nor any of them is to be trusted. " He must have amongst others, if possible, Captain MacNeil, who is very good in ' phisick and chirurgery,' and a pretty, stout man, and has the language. There were some Lochaber men and others of the district in the Laird of Weem's com- pany, and he desires him to repair his force with men who could speak English or Scotch. Complains of the sickness and the roguery of the carpenters and of the want of deals, so that the buildings go on slowly. Enjoins him to be very strict with the tutor of Appin, as he might be ' apt to be blowne up with storyes and might thinke to stand out still' " — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 153. Colonel Hill asks the young chief to make up the number of men in his company " with men who could speak English or Scotch," which shows that the Gaelic language was the only language of the Highlanders at that time. Altogether Hill was anxious to get the young chief back, who had the advantage over him of being a Gaelic speaker, and thereby had greater command over the Highlanders. General Mackay writes him two days later, telling Lieutenant-Governor Robert Menzies to command all officers and men to return to the fort. This was owing to reports of further gathering of rebels, and runs thus : — "Edinburgh, 13 August 1690. General Mackay to the Laird of Weem, Lieut.- Govemor of Fort William and Captain of a company of foot, to command all officers belonging to the garrison of Fort William in Lochaber, immediately to [page_336 A.D. 1690] repair to the said garrison, under the pain of cashiering them from their respective offices, and such officers as are sent out for recruits to bring with them such men as they have already levied." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 152. The reports proved true about General Buchan. This is referred to in the next letter from Colonel Hill, which reads thus : — "Colonel John Hill to the Laird of Weem. Inverlochy, 28 August 1690. Sir, I lately writ yow at large by the post, and desired you to communicate what I writt to my Lord Commissioner, my Lord Leaven, Lord Tarbat, and the Major- Generall, for that I could not write to them for want of paper, my stocke being run out (tho' prittie considerable), and the ships from Glasgow, wherein I have more, not yet come. The last night came to me some Highland newes, that Buchan had 400 horse and 100 dragoones, that my Lord Aboyn and Lord Fraser of Monghall, my Lord Kintore, and Sir Peter Fraser had joyned him ; that he was come to Colloden's house, and had been there two or three dayes (tis pritty if true), that noebody was within to wellcome him, and that he went that wayes in order to joyne my Lord Seafort, who (as they say), has a thousand foote and 120 dragoones, and is marched down to Rosse, and that the Major-Generall is marched north ; and that all the Church of England is for King James : and that there are still 50,000 men in armes for him in Ireland. But both Lochiel and Glengarry send me word they will not rise to joyne Buchan ; for Lochiel beleeus Buchan's foundation will not stand, for tho' all Scotland were in arms for King James, if England were not for him, or nott divided amoungst themselves, 'twould all signifie nothing — soe that hee resolves to be quiet. He believes MacLean will be hot-headed and not governable, tho' quiet at present, the broken condition of his estate rendering him desparate. The country was quiet. They had ' brave ' weather, and the works were very ' forward ' and well done. Fears a general desertion of the soldiers for want of pay." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 154. The rising of Buchan and others, referred to in this letter, had a damper put upon it by General Mackay having a report circulated through the Western Highlands that he was fitting out a fleet at Glasgow, with men and military stores, to take possession of the Western parts of the Highlands, and strengthen the forts of Inverlochy. This had the effect of preventing many from joining, and waver in their intention of coming out for King James. Among those was Stewart of Appin, of whom Colonel Hill thus writes : — "Colonel John Hill (?) to Commander Robert Meingeis, the Laird of Weem. Circa 1690. The tutor of Appin seemed 'very fair.' Most of the people of Appin and Glencoe had come in and submitted to the Government, except the Lairds of Appin and Glencoe, who were not at hand. The tutor desired only time for delivering Island Stalker, till the writer had acquainted the Government with the tutor's condition, that he had spent 5000 merks in obtaining and maintaining the [page_337 A.D. 1690-1692] house, and had suffered certain specified losses at the hands of the Highlanders." — charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 155- With the defeat of King James at the battle of the Boyne, 1st July 1690, his hopes were almost annihilated in Ireland. Earl Buchan, unable to collect any considerable body of men in the Highlands, after wandering through Lochaber, dismissed the few that still remained. He, with Chieftain Major Duncan Menzies and other officers, took up their abode with Glengarry, while General Cannon and Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels and other officers retired to the isles under the protection of Sir Donald MacDonald. In their retreats these chieftains and officers, who had displayed the most heroic attachment to the cause of the unfortunate king under the most trying circumstances, still continued to cherish the hope of his restoration, being willing to make any sacrifice that might lead to such a consummation. They, however, at length seeing no chance of making a successful effort to restore King James, sent over the Earl of Dunfermline to France, who, after representing the state of matters, got permission for the chiefs to make the best terms they could with the Government, when a meeting was held at Glenurchy, 30th June 1691, attended by Earl Breadalbane for the Govern- ment. He had got a sum of £15,000 or £20,000 from King William to induce the chiefs to submit. This they declined, but agreed to a cessation of hostilities till 1st October, and refused any definite arrangement without the consent of the king, to whom they sent Sir George Barclay and Chieftain Major Duncan Menzies, to obtain sanction to enter into such a treaty with the Government. This King James granted on learning the awful condition to which the Highlands were reduced; accordingly, in terms of a proclamation of 27th August 1691, offering indemnity to all who had been in arms who would take the oath of allegiance before 1st January 1692, all the chiefs, with one unfortunate exception — MacDonald of Glencoe — took the oath within the prescribed time. But Buchan, Cannon, Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels, Chieftain Major Duncan Menzies, and other officers of the name of Menzies, in terms of an agreement with the Government, were transported to France, where, in order that they might not be a burden to King James, they entered the French service and formed themselves into a company of " Private Sentinels," numbering about 150, of which many deeds of military daring are related in various parts of the Continent ; but being gentlemen, unaccustomed to the hard life of common soldiers, in a very short time the earth had closed over the remains of the Highland gentlemen adventurers. The young chief of Clan Menzies, on the side of King William, served all through these conflicts, and after the return of peace to Scotland, still held his appointments as Lieutenant-Commander and Governor of Fort William, Governor of Castle Menzies, Castle Meggernie, and Captain of the first company of [page_338 A.D. 1692] Independent Highlanders, ultimately embodied into The Black Watch, now the 42nd, of which regiment of Highlanders he was the founder. He died in the prime of life, holding these positions, in April 1692, being only 32 years of age. His death being rather sudden, he had no proper will made out, but his lady had his last testament recorded, which abridged is as follows : — " The Testament Detaive and inventory of the goods, gear, and household pleanishing that belonged to (Captain) Robert Menzies, younger of that Ilk, eldest laufull son of the deceased Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, Knight Baronet, who, by his grant, which was in the month of September 1690, made and given up to Dame Anna Sandelands, relict of the said son and heir, which geir belonged to the deceased by the said grant at the Commissariot of Dunkeld, upon the 1 Dec. 1691 years. Likewise, the said Captain Robert Menzies, by his said will and by amount granted by him of this date, 18th April 1690, did begat and dispone to the said Dame Anna Sandelands his whole gear, house, mears, nolt, and sheep, young and old together, with just and equal half of his household planishing to go to his descendant, free of debt, after his deceis, as the said will and testament of the said forsaid at length bears." Here follows a long list of items owing him, among which are several due by the Clan MacGregor, these debts being represented by horses, cattle, sheep, &c. &c. ; also a number of the name of Roy, who appear to be Menzies', who from their reddish hair were simply called " Roy." This was in the first place confirmed at Dunkeld, 26th September 1692. "Thomas Menzies of Carse, Cautioner; Thomas Stewart att Laidguoll became also bound." Captain Robert Menzies, younger of Menzies, by his wife the Hon. Anne Sandilands, had two sons and two daughters. The sons were : — 1st. Alexander Menzies, his heir, afterwards the second baronet, who was very young on his father's death. 2nd. James Menzies, who died in early life. The daughters were : — 1st. Christian Menzies, married to Patrick Stewart of Ballachen, and after- wards to John Ferguson of Invercauld, both without issue. 2nd. Katherine Menzies, married to Dr John Menzies, M.D., of the Menzies' of Culterallers, of whom there is issue (in 18 16). [page_339 A.D. 1692] Chief Sir Alexander the Meinzies, Knight, Baronet, l9th Baron of that ilk, and 2nd Baronet of Menzies. A.D. 1682-1709. CHIEF SIR ALEXANDER THE MENZIES, second Baronet of Menzies, succeeded to the lands of his father the young Chief Captain Robert Menzies, or of such as he was in possession of on his premature death. He was accordingly served heir to his father, the entry in the Retours being thus recorded : — " Apr. 9, 1692. Alexander Meinzies heres Robert Meinzies de Edem Patris." Translated : — 9th April 1692. Alexander Meinzies served heir of Robert Meinzies of Menzies, his father. There is in the old banqueting hall at Castle Menzies a very fine old portrait of Sir Alexander, painted by Sir John B. Medina, in which he is shown encased in armour. It has a landscape with a background, towards which he is pointing with his right hand. The landscape is the country of the Menzies' or the Appin-na- Meinerich, with Drummond Hill as a background and sky-line, and the River Tay meandering through the Vale of Menzies or Strath Tay, all of which belonged to the Menzies' at this time. On the back of the canvas is painted an inscription, evidently by the artist himself: — "Sir Alexander Menzies of Menzies, Baronet, married to Mrs Christian Campbell, Daughter of Lord Neil Campbell. J. B. Medina, pinx. 1702." Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies married his own cousin-german, Christian, daughter of Lord Neil Campbell by Susan Menzies, his second wife, eldest daughter of Sir Alexander Menzies, the first baronet. There is a very fine portrait of Lady Menzies, painted by Sir John B. Medina, hanging in the banqueting hall of Castle Menzies. On the back of the canvas is inscribed — " Mrs Christian Campbell, daughter of Lord Neil Campbell, married to Sir Alexander Menzies of Menzies, Bart. Medina, 1766." On the 15th of March 1694 Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies was again served [page_340 A.D. 1696-1705] heir to his father, Captain Robert Menzies. This was after the death of his grandfather, so that the whole estates then came into his possession. Sir Alexander being under age, Captain James Menzies of Comrie, his uncle, as Captain of Clan Menzies during his minority, represented him in the Scottish Parliament, which is thus recorded : — " Captain James Menzies, tutor to the Laird of Weem, sat in the Parliament of William III., held at Edinburgh, 25 Sept. 1696, as commissioner for the shire of Perth." In 1704 Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, along with several other of the leading gentlemen and chieftains of Clan Menzies, sat in the Scottish Parliament of Queen Anne. They are recorded in the Parliamentary Rolls, as follows : — "Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk sat 'in the Parliament of Queen Ann,' held at 'Edinburgh, on the 4th August 1704, as commissioner for the shire of Perth." There also sat in this Parliament as commissioners for Perthshire, Lanarkshire, and Edinburghshire — " Chieftain ' Archibald Meinzies, Baron of Glenlyon,' commis- sioner for the shire of Perth ; Chieftain ' Alexander Meinzies, Baron of Shian,' commissioner for the shire of Perth ; Chieftain ' Alexander Menzies, Baron of Gairth,' commissioner for the shire of Perth ; Chieftain ' Sir William Meinzies, Baron of Gledstanes,' as 'commissioner for Lanarkshire'; Chieftain 'John Meinzies, Baron of Cambo,' as ' commissioner for Edinburghshire.' " Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, with a view to increase the prosperity of his country, which had suffered much through the civil wars following on the accession of King William — these troubles prevented Highland chiefs and lairds from paying that attention necessary to the development of their country — petitioned Parliament to grant him the privilege of holding two fairs at the Menzies town of Weem, and an annual fair at the town of Dull. This request was granted to Sir Alexander the Menzies by the Scottish Parliament of Queen Anne, in the year 1705, by an act of favours, as follows : — " Act in favours of Sir Alexander Meinzies of that Ilk for three yearly fairs at the Kirktoun of Weem and Toun of Dull. " Our Sovereign Lady and the Estates of Parliament considering that fairs and mercats in convenient places tend much to the good and advantage of the inhabitants thereof and of her Majestie's other leidges dwelling near thereto, and that it is very fit for these ends to authorise two fairs yearly on the days following, at the Kirktoun of Weem in the shire of Perth, belonging to Sir Alexander Meinzies of that Ilk, and another fair yearly on the following day at the Toun of Dull in the said shire, and belonging to the said Sir Alexander Meinzies. Do therefore by thir presents appoint two fairs to be kept yearly in all time comeing — one upon the third Tuesday of January, and the other upon the second Tuesday of October, at the said Kirktoun of Weem ; and another faire [page_341 A.D. 1705-1707] to be holden yearly in all time coming upon the last Tuesday of May, at the said toun of Dull ; and have given and granted and hereby give and grant to the said Sir Alexander Meinzies, his heirs and successors, the right and priviledge of keeping the said fairs for all kinds of merchandise, with all the tolls, customes, and casualities thereof, and all other liberties and advantages used and wont to belong to any haveing the priviledge of keeping fairs and mercats within the kingdom." — Acts of Parliament of Queen Anne, vol. ii., p. 276. This was ratified at Edinburgh, 14th September 1705, as follows : — " Act appointing two fairs to be keept yearly in all time comeing, one upon the third Tuesday of January and the other upon the second Tuesday of October, at the Kirktoun of Weem in the shire of Perth, belonging to Sir Alexander Meinzies of that Ilk ; and another fair to be holden yearly in all time comeing upon the last Tuesday of May at the Toun of Dull in the said shire, and belonging to the said Sir Alexander ' Meinzies,' and granting, &c." — Appendix to Acts of Parliament, vol. ii., p. 96. It was about this time that Breadalbane made proposals to the Government to have the Highlanders armed as a reserve force to act in case of invasion. He gave a list of chiefs and the amount of men they should supply, of which the Chief of the Menzies', " the Laird of Weem," was to muster fifty. The scheme, however, fell through, as the Government were suspicious of Breadalbane, who had already proved too much for them when he got the £15,000 to £20,000 to quiet the Highlands, which went to fill his coffers, as he gave no account of his intromissions. At a market held in Fortingall in August 1707 some of the men of Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies had quarrelled with some of the soldiers there stationed to keep the district quiet. As there were reports of a rising in favour of the young Chevalier, the Duke of Athole therefore wrote Chief Sir Alexander. The points of his letter are as follow : — " John, first Duke of Athole, to ' [Sir Alexander Menzies, Bart.]' Blair Castle, 15 August 1707. Refers to a 'tumult' at Fortingall Market, in which some of Menzies' men, Foualis' soldiers, and some Glenlyon men 'were very much guilty of disorders,' and in which the Athole men did not ' do their duty.' He also mentions a ' little scuffle ' at Logyrate Market, in which one of Menzies' men, called M'Donald, was concerned, who had been sent for examination to the Duke, but who shall be very favourably dealt with." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 156. The Duke of Athole at this time secretly favoured the cause of the Stewarts, and on that account he did not care to be harsh on the men of Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies. He aspired to be the leader of the Jacobites. It was therefore good policy to make and keep up friendship with Sir Alexander, the Chief of Clan [page_342 A.D. 1707-1709] Menzies, who could give great help if a rising took place. The riots at Fortingall were principally brought about by the news reaching the vale of the decision of the Houses of Parliament and Queen Anne that, " in default of issue of the Queen, should remain and continue to the Princess Sophia and her heirs, being Protestants," thus excluding >the royal Stewarts from the throne ; and, with the proposed Union of the two nations, caused great rioting over Scotland. Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies did not live to see the results or outcome of the Union and the exclusion of the male line of the royal Stewarts. He was born about the year 1682, and while in the bloom of youth he was cut down, having died about 1709, being a young man of about twenty-seven years, and his eldest son, Robert, only a child, the care of whom and the interim chiefship of Clan Menzies devolved upon the uncle of Sir Alexander, Captain James Menzies of Comrie, as tutor of Menzies. As Sir Alexander died suddenly and without a will, it was necessary to have a return of the state of his affairs to the Commissariot of Dunkeld, and as it brings out the names of other members of the clan, showing the intimate and friendly feelings fostered between chief and clansmen, we give an extract of this record, which is as follows : — " Sir Alexander Menzies (2d Baronet) of Menzies. " The Testament Dative and inventory of the sums of money and debts which pertained to umq' Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk (II.) Baronet, at the time of his decease, which was in the month of January (1709?) faithfully named and given up by Sir Robert Menzies, now of that Ilk, born only lawfull son of said deceased, and exc' Dative the nearest in kin descended to his said umq1 father, by the Comss. of Dunkeld, upon the day and date of thir presents, as the decreet-dative following on ane eschet duly execute and furnished in itself fully bears. "Imprimis — There is given up resting to said defunct time foresaid of his decease the sum of one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight pounds Scots money, principal, with the sum of £500 interest of legal penalty and cost of said principal sum resting unpaid since the term of Martinmas ; inventory and fee contained in ane bond of corroboration, dated 13th and 31st Dec. 1705, granted by the deceased Mr George Menzies, Merchant in Dundee, as principal ; and of the umq1 Sir Alexander Menzies, the execteris father, Captain James Menzies (of Comrie), second lawfull son of the deceased Alexander Menzies, great-grandfather to the executer ; and Thomas Fleming of Moness, as cautioners. To Mr Patrick Stewart, Merchant in Edinburgh, in corroboration two bils of exchange granted accepted by the said Mr George Menzies ; and of the diligence done upon ednet, to which bond of corroboration the said umq1 Sir Alex. Menzies, father to the said executer, had right by ane discharge and obligation [page_343 A.D. 1709] given and granted by the said Mr Patrick Stewart to him, of date 25 Feb. 1707, by the sum of 250 merks Scots money, contained in ane obligment granted by the deceased Jean Hallyburton, relict of the deceased Thomas Menzies of Carse, to Andrew Barclay, Writer in Edinburgh, dated 4th Aug. 1702 ; and in ane assignment granted by the said Andrew Barclay to the deceased Sir Alexander Menzies, executer's father, of date of 5th Aug. 1702. This statement was con- firmed at Dunkeld by the 2d July 1734. Archibald Menzies of Shian became bound for the exe'r, and he to be bound for his relief." — Comist. of Dunkeld, vol. iii., p. 521, 1725-1735 By his wife, Hon. Christian Campbell, the Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, second Baronet, had three sons and one daughter, as follows : — 1st. Sir Robert Menzies — his heir and successor, born 1704, and third Baronet of Menzies. 2nd. Alexander, as recorded in the Register of Weem : — "June 8th, 1705. Mr Archibald Campbell, minister of Weem, baptised a child to Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, called Alexander." He died in his youth. 3rd. James. Recorded in Weem Register thus: — "June 12th, 1706. Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk had a son baptised called James." He also died in early youth. The daughter (Christian) married William Macintosh of that Ilk, the chief of the Macintoshes, of whom the following is recorded : — " William Macintosh, chief of the Macintoshes, married Christian, daughter of Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk, but had no issue. This lady was greatly and deservedly beloved, and her early death — which took place at Chanonry (Fortrose), — appears to have been a severe blow to her husband, who survived her only a few years. Her beauty and virtues are pathetically described in a Gaelic elegy by the famous warrior-bard, John Roy Stewart. (He died 24 Sept. 1741.)" Lady Menzies survived the Chief Sir Alexander for many years, and figures during the minority of Sir Robert, in conjunction with the Chief-Regent Captain James Menzies of Comrie, the captain of Clan Menzies. CONTEMPORARY MENZIES' OF NOTE. Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares, Glenlyon, and Meggernie, sat in the Parliament of 1704, and held a commission in the army. Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Shian and Glenquich sat in the Scottish Parliament of 1704. [page_344 A.D. 1709] Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Garth. He inherited the estates of Garth, being served heir to his uncle, Alexander Menzies of Garth, 17th July 1703. He sat in the Scottish Parliament of 1704. Chieftain John Menzies of Cambo, in Edinburghshire, succeeded his father in these estates. He sat in the Parliaments from 1690 to 1707. Chieftain Captain James Menzies of Enouch sat in the Scottish Parliament of 1702. Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Culterallers. He succeeded to the estates of parts of Culter, Woodlands, Wolfclyde, &c, Lanarkshire, in 1708. WILLIAM Menzies, bailie of Lochmaben, was representative of Lochmaben in the Scottish Parliaments from 1693 to 1702. He was appointed one of the commissioners for the defence of the kingdom in 1696, and again in 1698 and 1700. His name is given in the last Scottish Parliament before the Union, 1707. Chieftain Sir William Menzies of Gledstanes. These estates lie near Biggar, in the Lower Ward of Lanarkshire, being part of the ancient possessions of the Menzies' of Culter. Sir William Menzies, in the time of Queen Anne, contracted with the Government for the Excise on Malt ; but in the first year he experienced a dreadful famine, which destroyed the whole crops throughout Scotland ; consequently, the revenue was far short of his contract. The Govern- ment treated him and his family in the most tyrannical and unsparing manner, which resulted in his complete ruin and the loss of his whole fortune, and drove him out of Scotland to the Court of St Germain's to the exiled king. His family, who remained, being greatly reduced in circumstances, were forced to take the name of their estate — Gledstanes, afterwards changed to Gladstone. From Sir William and his family traditionally descend Wm. E. Gladstone, ex-Prime Minister of Britain. The records relating to transactions in the life of Sir William would make a volume in itself. [page_345 A.D. 1709 ] Chieftain Captain James Menzies of Comrie, Captain of Clan Menzies, 2nd Son of the 1st Baronet. CHIEF-REGENT AND TUTOR OF MENZIES DURING THE MINORITY OF SIR ROBERT MENZIES THE 3RD BARONET. A.D. 1663-1748. On the death of Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies the second Baronet — his son and heir Sir Robert, being a child of only five years of age — Captain James Menzies of Comrie, the uncle of Sir Alexander, became the Regent OR Tutor of Menzies, as under the ancient Celtic laws of clanship the nearest male relation became captain of the clan so long as the chief remained a minor. Captain James Menzies of Comrie, therefore, during the long minority of the Chief Sir Robert, had all the responsibility, duties, and cares of Chief of Clan Menzies upon him as Chief- Regent, Tutor, and Captain of Clan Menzies. Captain James Menzies of Comrie was with his elder brother, Captain Robert, at the battle of Killiecrankie, where he appears to have been his lieutenant, and served under him during the whole of the civil war so brilliantly commenced by Viscount Dundee. He also rendered considerable service to his country doing garrison duty in Inverlochie Castle, Fort William, Castle Menzies, and Meggernie Castle. His services were such that, on the early death of his illustrious brother, the young Chief Commander Robert Menzies, he was commissioned captain of the first independent company of Clan Menzies Highlanders, in succession to his deceased brother, who had raised them. He thus became the second captain of the first company of The Black Watch. They were both strenuous supporters of General Hugh Mackay, and fought under him throughout the whole civil wars of 1689-1691. There is an old portrait of Captain James Menzies of Comrie hanging in the ancient banqueting hall at Castle Menzies. It represents him in armour as a military officer of his time. On the back of the canvas is inscribed, apparently by the artist's brush — "Captain James Menzies of Comery, second son of Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk [the first] Baronet." The artist appears to have been the successor to Jamesone in Scottish art — John Scougall. Captain James Menzies, as [page_346 A.D. 1704-1712] Baron Comrie, sat in the Scottish Parliament in the reign of Queen Anne, held at Edinburgh on the 14th August 1704, as one of the commissioners for Perthshire. His name is entered in the Parliamentary Rolls as " Captain James Meinzies of Comerie." It was during the minority of Sir Robert, and in the time of the tutorship of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, that the great dispute arose about the right of the Menzies', as patrons of the Kirk o' Dull, to call the minister of Dull. The correspondence, which is in the Charter Room of Castle Menzies, with other papers relating to the disputed settlement of the Rev. Thomas Menzies as the minister of the parish of Dull, in the presbytery of Dunkeld and shire of Perth, 1712-1713, are numerous : — This case occurred about the time of the restoration of lay patronage by the Act of Queen Anne in the year 1712. John, first Duke of Athole, wished to exercise the right of patronage in favour of a nominee of his own, while Christian Campbell, the Dowager Lady Menzies, and Captain James wished the Rev. Thomas Menzies appointed their minister. The principal proprietors in the parish and the parishioners appear to have sided with Lady Menzies. She was a grand-daughter of Archibald, Marquis of Argyll, and she exercised the hereditary right of the Menzies' to take an active part in the settlement of the Presbyterian clergyman in the parish of Dull, in which parish her son, Sir Robert Menzies, Bart, the young Laird of Menzies, was the principal owner of landed property. Of the papers and correspondence, which are still preserved at Castle Menzies, the following excerpts from them will show the keen feeling on the subject between the Duke of Athole, Dowager Lady Menzies, and Captain James Menzies of Comrie : — " The Church of Dull stands within Sir Robert Menzies', the Laird of Weems', intrest, about 4 miles from Castle Menzies, which becoming vacant two years agoe by the death of the late encumbent, the presbytery stirred up all concerned to call a minister. The Tutor of Weem (Captain James Menzies of Comerie), the Laird of Grantullie, and other heritors, who have the greatest intrest in the parish, and twelve elders, petitioned the Presbytery of Dunkeld for one of their number to moderate a call, which the presbytery delayed to do for severall months, in deferance to the Duke of Athole, since he did not concur in the petition, albeit his interest in the parish were not very considerable. " At last the presbytery thought fit to appoint a call to be moderated upon 1st April 1712, which after intimation was accordingly done, wherein at a meeting of all the heritors and elders duly qualified, the Rev. Thomas Menzies was voted to be their minister, nemine contradicente, and on 2nd April the call was presented to the presbytery. " For various reasons the Duke of Athole, though he had no objection against [page_347 A.D. 1712] Mr Menzies, opposed his settlement, to the great grief of the large parish, which is 24 miles long, and contained 4000 souls, and after various appeals from the presbytery to the synod, and back again to the presbytery, they went on ; and on 10th September it was carried nemine contradicente that the call was legal. Upon this the duke by proxy offered a presentation — pretending to the patronage, to which he had no right — on behalf of another minister, who refused to accept. " The presbytery thereafter referred both the presentation and Mr Menzies entering on his trials to the next synod, who approved of the procedure of the presbytery, and ordered Mr Menzies to be sent on trial ; and he having been put on trial and approven of, his grace caused the kirk door to be closed up twice, and made another presentation to the parish. " Mr Menzies having passed his trials with approbation, the affair came before the synod at Stirling in April last, and unanimously ordered the Presbytery of Dunkeld to ordain Mr Menzies minister of Dull. The 7th May following was fixed for his ordination ; but when the presbytery came to go to the church to call the edico, they were met by Neill M'Glashan, a servant to the duke, at the head of 100 armed men, and presented a paper in the form of a letter to Mr Archibald Campbell, minister at Weem, and drawing their swords at the same time, who asked what meant this armed force, and by whose authority ; to which he answered it was by the Assembly's. Not finding it safe to enter the church, they went the length of the stile of the churchyard. The party beat the ministers off with their swords, calling them rascals and traitors, who protested against the opposition as illegal for the reasons therein stated. " The Duke of Athole, by his influence, got the commissioner of Assembly to suspend Mr Menzies from the exercise of the ministry in that parish, and there has been no sermon there ever since." A keen correspondence took place regarding this business. In a letter from Christian Campbell, Lady Menzies, to Colin Campbell of Craquhin, dated Sunday night, she states that she was that morning surprised with Lindsay, a servant of the Duke of Athole, coming to see how she was — it being Sunday. She was more surprised when informed by him that he had come over on a Saturday night to lock the doors of the church, and to take the keys to his grace, to whom they belonged as patron, and went immediately off when the doors were fixed. This step created much alarm ; for if friends will not bestir themselves, the honour and interest of the family (of Weem) might suffer ; and as Bizet was at the duke's, spurring him up to this, which, had Mr Campbell concerned himself, as was expected, he durst not have done so, and left Campbell to extricate them out of those troubles his negligence had brought upon them. The duke states that he walks by the advice of the president and Queen's advocate, and reflects on Mr Campbell for neither acting nor giving advice. Russel was desired to look the [page_348 A.D. 1712] register for the Duke of Athole's charter, so as to ascertain the nature of his right, for the right of patronage is reported to be in his signature. — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 193. In a letter from the Duke of Athole to Lady Menzies of Weem, dated Blair- Athole 2nd (Sept.?), 17 12, the duke expresses his wish to have a minister settled at the Kirk of Dull, he and his vassals having a considerable interest in that parish, and complains of the ill-usage he had received regarding that matter ; and had it not been for Captain James Menzies, who had taken, during the duke's absence in London, unmannerly and illegal methods by giving a call to the Rev. Thomas Menzies to be minister of that place, whom the duke did not know ; and also complains that when the day to moderate in a call was come, " Capt. James Meingeis took upon him to administrat the oaths in Inglish to several of the elders, who did not understand a word of that language, which was a great profanation of an oath ; and also to administrat the oath to one Mener, a proxy for Grantully, which was illegal, since by the law the heritors present ought to take the oaths and not a proxy for them. Notwithstanding, Captain James Meingeis has continued his opposition to the duke ; but the duke, considering that Mr Menzies is related to the family of Weem, and at her ladyship's desire, should he be qualified for the ministry, he would concur in settling him in some other parish, provided there be no more insisting in that call to the parish of Dull. That he would very soon present a Presbyterian minister to the Church of Dull, against whom there could be no objection." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 194. In a letter from Christian Campbell, Lady Menzies, to the Lord Nairn, dated September 13, 1712, she expresses her surprise that the Duke of Athole had sent a presentation to Lord Nairn's minister to the parish of Dull, but was glad to hear of his prudent and civil behaviour in that matter, and trusts that his grace may be inclined more favourably in the matter. — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 195. Also, in a letter from James Stewart, Mouline, to Lady Menzies of Weem, dated Mouline, 25th October 1712, the writer states that he had seen the Duke of Atholl, who wished him to wait on her ladyship regarding " the affaire of Dull parochine," and report to him ; but not being able to be at Weem, he had been requested to write her ladyship stating the duke's inclinations, who gives the names of parties whom he considers suitable for the church. Mr Stewart expresses his concern for the congregation, and is very desirous of a settlement to the satisfaction of all concerned ; and that from her ladyship's concern for " religione " and the weel of souls to be so great that she will fall in with the most proper method to get that " numberous and desolate parochine speedily planted." He humbly proposes that the call to Mr Menzies should be fallen from, so as to keep a good understanding between the two great families — that of his grace and that [page_349 A.D. 1712-1713 ] of Menzies of Weems, and another person agreed upon ; and that the business of patronage be referred to two lawyers, such as the Lord Advocate and the Lord President, and should like her ladyship and his grace to agree on this. — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 196. The whole matter at issue having gone before competent judges, they gave their decision in favour of Captain James Menzies and Lady Menzies, who then wrote to her aunt the Duchess of Argyle of her success, and in reply she thus speaks : — " Elizabeth, Duchess of Argyll, writes on 15th August 1713, to Lady Weem, congratulating her on her success. And for Grace of Atholl's thundering letter, I think with men of sense it should have noe waight, but I find the rest in ther owen opinion thinks disobliging. ... So great men will rvne the risk of over- turning the Church government ; but I fansie depending upon such fellows as the duke and earl may be a means that will not fail of underminding it, for wee doe not see that humain wisdom governs the world. I wish they discover not ther folly to late." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 197. The Commission who adjudged and held the call discussed the matter for two or three days, when it was carried by a considerable majority to sustain the settlement at their meeting in August 1713. The Rev. Thomas Menzies there- after ministered in the church of Dull with great acceptance to all parties. He was much beloved by his clansmen and all ranks of the people. His ministry only lasted for four years, when he died in January 1717. During his time he had considerable repairs made on the church of Dull at his own expense, and his confirmed testament mentioned several sums of money due by the proprietors of Moness, Kynahan, Foss, Duntalich, and Pealifour, which were assigned to Duncan Menzies, Chirgeon, Camiserny ; and according to the inventory of the goods, gear, and debts given in the records of the Commissariot of Dunkeld, the Rev. Thomas Menzies, minister of Dull, 25 February 1719, left a fourth part to each of his two brothers and sister, Alexander, Duncan, and Elizabeth Menzies ; and of those who owed him money at the time of his death was Sir John Stewart of Grandtully, £128, 11s., remaining unpaid of his part of the expenses in repairing the church of Dull, and a further sum of £38, 8s., with meal and other items as arrears of vacand stipend. In this, Stewart of Grandtully acted under the influence of the Duke of Athole, who, having lost his cause, was unable to get revenge in any other way. Athole also got all the other feu-holders of the name of Stewart within the parish of Dull to keep back their payments and follow the example of Grandtully, as will be seen from the following : — " Donald Stewart of Duntanlich, for his proportion towards the repairs on the Kirk o' Dull, £45, 19s., and for vacand stipend, £7, 8s., with meal, &c. John Stewart of Kynahan, his share of the expenses to the kirk repairs being £56, 17s., with other items. Gilbert Stewart of Fincastle, £36, 12s., &c. John Stewart of [page_350 A.D. 1713-1715] Bonsskeid, £12, 6s., with other items. Donald Stewart of Kinarglass, and others of the name of Stewart, with Thomas and Robert Fleming of Moness, against whom are placed the sums of £61, and £42, 10s. for repairs, and further the sums of £83, 18s., and £42, 10s., with meal, &c. &c. By these and other debts due him, the Rev. Thomas Menzies left a considerable amount of money, which were confirmed before the Commissariot at Dunkeld, January 1719. Alexander Menzies, at the Milltown of Camserney, Cautioner for the executir. 25 February 1719." The Rev. Thomas Menzies was the seventh Protestant minister of the kirk of Dull, and the second minister of the name of Menzies who held that charge. He was a great favourite with Captain James Menzies of Comrie, who fought hard for his and the chief's rights. He was much esteemed throughout the whole parish of Dull, and indeed all over Perthshire. Immediately after the death of Queen Anne and the proclamation of George I. as king, the Jacobites set about raising once more the royal banner of the Stewarts. The Earl of Mar was the man selected to lead the enterprise by the rightful heir of the throne of Britain, James III., the Chevalier St George. Mar's first step was to convene a hunting party in the Braes of Mar, which was attended by several of the chieftains of Clan Menzies, representing Culdares, Bolfracks, and Shian, where it was decided by the chiefs to come out for King James. This was followed a few days afterwards by Mar raising the standard in Braemar on the 6th September 1715 ; and on the following day Mar sent a circular letter to the chiefs, chieftains, and gentlemen of Perthshire," as commander of the king's forces in Scotland, requesting them to hold themselves in readiness to join him with their clansmen and vassals. Two days afterwards they were notified to join him at Inver of Mar, where, after collecting a considerable force, he made preparations to march south. During the interval, great preparations were going on among several of the chieftains of branches and cadets of Clan Menzies. Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares and Meggernie sent the "fiery cross" round the Menzies' of Glenlyon and those of the chiefs lands, who, being only a child, could not take part. Menzies of Culdares therefore called out the clan. In his efforts he was seconded by his two stalwart and handsome sons, Alexander Menzies and James Menzies of Culdares, both of whom were most enthusiastic in the cause of the royal Stewarts, and soon drew about them the men of Glenlyon. The Chief of the Bolfracks branch of the Menzies' likewise ordered out his section of the clan, which was headed by Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Bolfracks himself. The claymore which he carried throughout this rising is still preserved in the possession of his descendant, Major James Stewart Menzies, late 74th Highlanders, at Perth. It is one of the finest claymores extant of that period. Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Garth, [page_351 A.D. 1715] and Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Woodend, both on completing preparations came out, with other chieftains and gentlemen of Clan Menzies, of whom were Chieftain Robert Menzies of Glassie, Chieftain John Menzies of Shian, Chieftain William Menzies of Pitfodels. The whole country of the Meinerich must have been on fire at this time. The hopes of the Highlanders were at the highest pitch in expectation of " the king enjoying his own again." " It was also arranged that Clans Menzies, MacGregor, Robertson, and the Menzies' of Glenlyon, should march to Rannoch, and join the Rannoch Menzies' and other Athole men, and be ready to receive intelligence and orders to meet the main body in the Braes of Mar, or any other place that should be most convenient." — Transactions in Scotland, p. 436. Indeed, all Perthshire must have been throbbing with excitement, as the Clans Menzies, Robertson, Stewart, Murray, and others, rose in arms for the royal Stewarts. On the completion of Mar's preparations, he put his army in motion and descended on Perth, which had been taken by the Jacobites. It was about this time that Chieftain Captain Archibald Menzies of Culdares, at the head of Clan Menzies, with sections of Clan Stewart of Athole, and his own branch of Clan Menzies, and followed by all the Jacobite men of Glenlyon, joined Mar's army. Menzies of Culdares had in his uncle's time seen considerable military service during the wars of the Covenant. This uncle was Colonel James Menzies of Culdares, who was called " The Crowner," and took the Earl of Huntly prisoner, for which he received £1000. His nephew, who succeeded him as his heir, having served under him, was therefore a man both of military experience and position and also Chieftain of the Menzies' of Glenlyon, and was well qualified to take a leading part in the cause ; and the young chief being a minor, Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares therefore led out Clan Menzies for the cause of King James in 1715, having the full command of the clan. [page_352 A.D. 1715] Mar put off much unnecessary time at Perth. As commander-in-chief and a strategist, he was by far the superior of Argyle, but he lacked the necessary decision of character to carry his plans into effect, and this defect told against the Jacobites. At length Mar resolved to march against the royal forces, mustering under Argyle at Stirling. Mar's force, when it arrived at Perth, was about 5000 men, composed chiefly of his own followers, the Athole men, under the attainted Marquis of Tullibardine, elder brother of the then Duke of Athole, the Menzies' of Glenquich, the Menzies' of Bolfracks, the Menzies' of Garth and Woodend, with the Stuarts of Athole and Foss, the Robertsons of Struan, the Menzies' of Menzies and of Weem. The Menzies' of Glenlyon were under Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares, the heir of " The Crowner." The rebellion was, in fact, confined mostly to the Highlands of Perthshire. If it could have been kept for a time shut up in its own district, the rebellion would have been crushed in the bud. The taking of Perth was therefore of incalculable benefit to the Jacobite leader. He secured the country behind him, quieting the natural fears of his followers regarding their friends, wives, and children, by holding the entrance to the district on the east and the west. The seizure of Perth also made Mar master of the eastern coast from the Forth to Duncansbay Head. On the 5th October 1715 the brave veteran, Brigadier M'Intosh of Borlum, with 500 men, joined Mar at Perth. Mar conceived the project of extending his columns across the Forth, and of sending thence a strong body over the borders to assist the forces of England. He therefore put under the command of Brigadier M'Intosh of Borlum 2500 men, of which brave band was Clan Menzies, led by their chieftain, Menzies of Culdares, who moved down to the coasts of Fife, determined to break through the barrier of the Forth in spite of the Duke of Argyle and his precautions. That in the face of such difficulties he was able to carry this determination into effect shows of what achievements the Highland army of Mar was capable if led by an energetic general. To Brigadier M'Intosh and his bold band this task was assigned, among whom were Clan Menzies, the Stewarts of Athole, and the men of Glenlyon, all under Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares and Menzies of Woodend, forming a considerable part of the brave expeditionary force, which left Perth on the 9th October 1715, and marched with great expedition and secrecy through Fife, where they divided into two parts, one of which, to deceive the fleet of war-ships stationed in the Firth of Forth, made a diversion as if going to cross at Burntisland, to draw off the fleet. In this they were successful, as the fleet manned their boats and lay to shore to prevent them crossing, both parties exchanging shots ; at which time Brigadier M'Intosh, Chieftain Menzies of Culdares, and Menzies of Woodend, and their clansmen, with the main army, embarked at Crail, Pittenweem, and Elie, three small towns on the mouth of the Firth of Forth. This they did unobserved by the men-of-war, [page_353 A.D. 1715] who were drawn off by the feint of the others at Burntisland. The first division crossed the Forth that night, 12th October 1715 ; the second, following in the morning, was observed when about half-way across the channel, which is from the place of embarkation to the opposite coast about 17 miles broad It was then that the commanders of the men-of-war perceived the deception they were the victims of. Unfortunately both wind and tide were against these brave Highlanders. The fleet, immediately on observing them, sent out their boats fully manned, and captured two boats with 40 men ; part, to save being outnumbered and captured, had to return to Fife, and of those who were safely landed on the other side were Chieftain James Menzies of Culdares, his two sons, Menzies of Woodend, and upwards of 500 of Clan Menzies. Brigadier M'Intosh's army amounted to about 1600 men. After a muster, M'Intosh marched his Highlanders to Haddington, and refreshed his men there that night. Next morning he marched rapidly upon Edinburgh, where they arrived on the evening of the 14th October 1715, and took possession of Leith, which they soon put in a state of defence. Argyle was approaching Edinburgh from the west at the same time, and entered it during the night. Next day he marched his forces on Leith, and summoned them to surrender. An Athole man, the Laird of Kynnachin, returned this resolute answer, that, " as to surrendering, they did not understand the word, which could therefore only excite laughter." This they followed by a discharge of cannon, on which Argyle retired to Edinburgh. The Highlanders, seeing it useless to shut themselves up in Leith, left during the darkness, and next day encamped at Seaton House, where they received instructions from Mar to proceed to the Borders and join the English and southern Scotch Jacobites. They accordingly took possession of Jedburgh, Hawick, and marching by way of Dumfries, entered England, and were first opposed by about 14,000 men, who, on being attacked, broke up like the vilest cowards and decamped in all directions ; after which they marched through Penrith, Kendal, Lancaster, and other towns, and arrived at Preston on the 9th November 1715. They were thereafter confronted in their position by General Willis on the 13th, when the battle of Preston was fought, in which the Highlanders greatly distinguished themselves by their valour ; but being put under the generalship of an inexperienced English gentleman, who without the consent of his officers offered terms of surrender, which was arranged, the whole Jacobite army were made prisoners, among whom were Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares, and many of the clan, and his followers, including Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Woodend. These two were carried off to London and cast into- prison, there to await their trial for high treason and rebellion. The two sons of Menzies of Culdares, Archibald Menzies of Culdares and James Menzies of Culdares, were also taken prisoners and sent to the fortress castle of Carlisle, and there cast into its dungeons until they should be tried for rebellion. [page_354 A.D. 1715] On the other hand, Mar waited at Perth until joined by the Gordons, the Menzies' of Aberdeenshire under Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels, the Mackenzies, and the Northern Highlanders. He then left Perth on the 10th November 1715, and advanced towards Stirling. Argyle, on his part, crossed the Forth and advanced to meet Mar's army. They came in sight of each other at Sheriffmuir near Dunblane, 12th November 1715. On the side of Mar there was a considerable number of gentlemen of Clan Menzies ; these were — Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Garth, Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Shian, Chieftain John Menzies, younger of Shian, Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Bolfrax, Chieftain Robert Menzies of Glassie, Chieftain William Menzies of Pitfodels, each at the head of a body of clansmen. The latter seems to have been on the left wing of Mar's army, who, at their first charge, made the veteran regiments of the right wing of Argyle's army reel. In that charge they did great work with the favourite weapon of the Highlander — the claymore. Argyle, perceiving the dangerous position in which his left wing was thrown by the furious charge of these Highlanders, ordered up his cavalry, who, outflanking Mar's left wing, drove them back and captured several prisoners, but every inch of the ground was disputed by the horse and Highlanders. On the right wing of Mar's army were Chieftains Alexander and John Menzies of Shian, Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Bolfrax, Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Garth, and Chieftain Robert Menzies of Glassie. These men, at the head of their branches of Clan Menzies, charged along with the MacDonalds and other Highlanders the left wing of Argyle's army, upon which they rushed forward until they came within range of the enemy, when they discharged a volley with great effect. A volley being returned by Argyle's army, the gallant Chief of the MacDonalds fell, mortally wounded. This almost broke up the right wing, as his men clustered round him ; he, quieting their grief, requested them to stand firm. At that moment, Chieftain MacDonald of Glengarry sprung forward, and throwing his bonnet in the air, cried aloud, " Revenge ! Revenge ! Revenge to-day, mourning to-morrow ! " No sooner were the words uttered than the Highlanders rushed forward, claymore in hand, with the greatest fury. In this charge the Menzies' joined, headed by Chieftain Menzies of Bolfrax, shouting their war-cry or " cath ghairm " in Gaelic, " Geal 's dearg gu brath" or " The Red and White for ever ! " This mingled with the slogan of the MacDonalds, and, burning for revenge, both clans rushed on the levelled bayonets of Argyle's army, tilted them in the air with their targes, and with their claymores in the right hand, cut the front rank of Argyle's veteran soldiers down. The dirk in the left hand under the targe was reserved for the second line at close quarters. Argyle's trained veteran troops could not withstand the impetuosity of the Highlanders, who, once through their front rank, at every sweep of their claymores brought death and terror among them. They were [page_355 A.D. 1715-1716] utterly routed, and would have been cut off to a man had not timely reinforce- ments come up to cover their retreat. The battle of Sheriffmuir was claimed by both sides, but in the long run the Government succeeded in getting the upper hand. Argyle retired to Stirling, Mar to Perth, where his army remained in quarters, as winter was now setting in. After the arrival of the prince it was decided to abandon the attempted restoration ; accordingly the Jacobite army dispersed, and the prince, Mar, and others left the country ; but of those gentlemen who remained, and had fallen into the hands of the Government, the word was behead, hang, quarter, confiscate without mercy. As the prince was about to embark at Montrose, 11th February 1716, the news had just then reached the length of the " Appin-na-Meinerich" of the retrograde march of the Jacobite army. Consequently, the friends of the prince were in low spirits and preparing to shift for themselves as best they could. As the young Chief Sir Robert the Menzies was very young and lame, it proved good policy on the part of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, the tutor of Menzies, to remain at home with a small section of the clan to preserve the young chief's possessions, and guard against any attack from the enemies of the clan. He therefore relaxed his watchfulness on the news of the break-up of Mar's army, as, hostilities being over, the country would once more settle down to peaceful pursuits. This relaxation on his part was the opportunity of the fox-like Campbell of Glenlyon, who, with 30 or 40 men, sprang upon Castle Menzies, when its garrison had gone home to resume their avocations. He therefore easily surprised and seized the castle, and immediately began to plunder it. News of this being brought to Captain James Menzies, he collected a number of Clan Menzies, and at once blocked up Campbell of Glenlyon in Castle Menzies, and then sent to the Duke of Athole, who acted for the Government, informing him of what had happened. The letter of Captain James runs as follows : — Copy letter — Captain James Menzies of Comrie to the Duke of Athole. Comrie, 5 February, 1716. — States that the Castle of Weem was occupied by Glenlyon, with about 30 men from Fortingall and his mother's jointure lands, who had relieved a detachment of the clans, and as they had little provision (only 10 bolls of meal), he (Captain James Menzies) had ordered the countrymen to block them up. This had been done for two nights, and was to be continued. — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 168. Captain James Menzies maintained the blockade so well with his handful of Menzies' that the notorious Campbell was glad to sue for terms, through fear and hunger, which being arranged, another letter was sent to Athole giving him notice of what had been done. This letter runs as follows : — Copy letter — Captain James Meingeis of Comerie to the Duke of Athole. February 6th 1716. — Glenlyon, finding himself in need of provisions and fireing, [page_356 A.D. 1716] surrendered the house of Weem on condition that he should be allowed to march off with his soldiers and ammunition, which, says the writer, " I presum'd to grant to save further trouble to the Government." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 162. The Duke of Athole could easily have been at Castle Menzies the same day, or at least sent a messenger, stating what he wanted done, but this he neglected ; and Captain Menzies, not having any answer to his dispatch, or instructions from Athole as to what he wanted done with the robbers, let them off on easy terms, at which Athole was annoyed, as will be seen from the following letter : — Copy letter — The Duke of Athole to Captain James Menzies. Huntingtower, 10 February 1716. — The duke states that after the receipt of Captain Menzies' letter of the 5th, he had on Tuesday morning drawn up his men at Logyrait, to march against Weem, when the second letter arrived with the news of the capitulation and escape of the garrison. He proceeds, " I am suprised at your so doing, and that yow did not acquent me befor yow did anything of that nature ; wherefore I desire yow will come here as soon as yow can, and give me your reasons for so doing. James Menzies (his servant) informs me that he told yow on Sunday that I was to send a party to take the House of Weem. John Mackglashan [who had command under Glenlyon at Weem] is one of the greatest rogues in Athole, and has been guilty of forcing and apprehending my men there. He was concerned in making an attemp on my castle and office- houses of Blair whyll I was in it ; therefore I have sent yow an order to apprehend the said Mackglashan and bring him prisoner to me, which if yow do not, yow must be answerable for allowing him his liberty to go off. Yow will no doubt find him in the country, and probably about Tullimett, being formerly Lord James' my brother's servant." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 169. It was Athole's duty, as commander for the Government of the district of Perthshire, to have been more active if he wanted to capture Campbell. As they had done no harm to Castle Menzies, but on the contrary had been caught in their own trap, in which they had got a few days' starvation, until by the pangs of cold and hunger they were glad to sue for terms, Captain James Menzies of Comrie thought he had given them enough so far as he was concerned, and no reply coming from Athole, let them off under certain conditions. The letter from the offended duke he treated with " silent contempt." The duke felt this slight, and evidently wanted to embroil Captain Menzies in difficulties with the Government, as this letter infers. Of his feelings he wrote to an advocate in Edinburgh on the subject, as follows : — "John, first Duke of Atholl, to Mr Neill Campbell, Advocate at Edinburgh. "Huntingtower, Feburary 21st, 1716. " Sir, — I had writ to yow sooner, and sent yow the enclosed copies of letters from Captain James Menzies and my answer, but I was not sure yow was at [page_357 A.D. 1716] Edinburgh untill I saw Duneavus. The Duke of Argyll haveing wrote to me from Arroll as he marcht north, desiring I might put a garrisone in the house of Weem, I immediately sent James Menzies, my servant, to bring me an account what numbers of the rebells were in it, and what circumstances they were in, who returned to me on Sunday with the first letter from Captain James Meingeis, on which I reckon'd I was sure of apprehending all the rebells who were in it. For this end I toke with me about 200 men upon Monday the Sixth to Logierait, where I lay all night, and I dispatched one to Dunkeld with an order to bring meal next day to mentain the men the time they were besieging the house ; which meal being come to Logierait, and my men drawn up just ready to march to Weem, I received the second letter from Captain James, of which I also send you a copy, which both surprised me and disappointed me very much, and in which he has ventured much more then I am shure I would taken upon me to have done. I heare the Duke of Argyll is not to come to Perth, but goes to Edinburgh by Dundie, wherefor I desir yow will show the copies of these letters, that if it be thought proper to keep a garrisone there, which I must own I think it is, there may be a party sent to it from the regiment lying in Dunkeld commanded by Colonel Clayton, for I did not think it proper for me to send a garrisone of my men to it after it was possesst by Captain James, who is one of the tuttors of the Laird of Weems, untill I should have your and the Lady Weem's oppinion about it. I desire to give you my humble service to her Ladyship, and I am, " Sir, " Your humble servant, "ATHOLL. " I have neither seen nor heard from Captain James since my letter to him, of which you have also a copy. " To Mr Neill Campbell, Advocate, Edinburgh." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 170. After the battle of Sheriffmuir, the prisoners of high birth or rank who fell into the hands of Argyle's army were at once hurried on to Stirling Castle, and cast into its prison cells. Of these we have the following list of gentlemen of Clan Menzies, as given in the records, namely : — " A particular list of the prisoners of Rank brought to the Castle of Stirling on the 14th November 1715, after the Battle of Sheriff-Muir, in which are the names of Robert Menzies, William Menzies, John Menzies, William Menzies." Robert Menzies was the chieftain of the Menzies' of Glassie, whose lands lie in the Vale of Menzies or Strath Tay. William Menzies, younger, chieftain of the Bolfracks branch of Clan Menzies, whose lands are also in the Vale of Menzies, and at this time included a considerable part of the town of Aberfeldy, from which they stretched to near Kenmore. John Menzies, the younger chieftain [page_358 A.D. 1716] of Shian, son of Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Shian and Glenquiech. William Menzies, chieftain of the Menzies' of Pitfodels of Aberdeenshire, who had suffered much through the changes to which the royal Stewarts were subjected, but clung to their cause with unswerving fidelity notwithstanding the loss of lands and fortune ; they were again and again driven out of their native land, and obliged to seek shelter in France, Russia, Spain, and other places, but as often returned when the royal standard was again unfurled to support it. Those who were captured at the battle of Preston, as already mentioned, were conveyed to London and cast into prison, among whom were Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Woodend and Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares. They were kept there until " an Act was passed by Parliament for the trial in London of those persons taken in the late rebellion at Preston on the 6th of March 1716; and next day the new commission for trials in Westminster met, and bills of indictment for high treason were preferred against several, of whom were Alexander Menzies, Archibald Menzies, and others. The court adjourned, allowing them a week to prepare their defences." The court met at Southwark on the 4th April 1716, when Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares was brought up for rebellion and high treason, when he " pled the King's pardon in regard of his extraordinary case," as " those who drew him into the rebellion being about to possess his estate." Notwithstanding this able defence, which pointed to the Earl of Breadalbane, who had done a double part, and who had for his own ends induced him to come out, that he might, as a reward for his private information to the Government, get his lands of Culdares. All was of no avail, for Chieftain Menzies of Culdares was condemned to death. Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Woodend, before his trial, wrote to Lady Menzies, giving her the news. The letter is as follows : — "[Alexander Menzies to Lady Menzies.] London, 11 March 1716: — None in London had petitioned for banishment except five Irish gentlemen, who had attempted to escape, and were afterwards put in irons. They wished to enter the Venetian service, and fight against the Turks. The Scotch and English were both ' fond ' of the Duke of Argyle's arrival in the city, as he was ' above revenge,' and of such a noble and merciful temper that he might do a great deal of good. Lord James Murray had also arrived, and the writer says, ' He will be for sparing the Athole men's lives ; I will not ansur for their purses.' " — Charter Room, Castle Menzies ; No. 171. Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Woodend kept up his spirits as only true Highlanders can. His opinion of the Duke of Argyle is the best ever given, and shows the noble and honest qualities of this chieftain. When his trial came near he sent another letter to Lady Menzies, throwing a great deal of light on the prison-life of the times. It is as follows : — [page_359 A.D. 1716] "[Alexander Menzies to Lady Menzies.] Newgate, 8 May 17 16 : — He was at Westminister, in order to be tried, yesterday, but was not ; but one Mr Gascoyne was tried at Westminster the other day, and was likely to be executed, and has got doble irons and close prison. Colonel Oxburgh, an Irish gentleman, was found guilty, and put in the condemned hole. ' They are very sever after Foster and M'Intosh's braking out of this, with some others that went away. We are all in irons and closs prison in our rooms, but very hearty. The fever again is began, quhich make[s] all afrayd.' The writer has to be tried on Friday, and was the first Highlandman who was to undergo a trial there. " The mobe heir has altered since we came here, that ther is no going out to our tryals for them. My Lord Darenwater's brother and I was in our coatch yesterday to our tryals, but the mob stop'd our coatch, and notwithstanding that our coatch hade 6 sojers, they had almoust drawen us out of our coatch. All the ladyes and mob cryed and weeped, and cryed that the Almighty would preserve us against all our enimies. When we went into our coatch at Westminster, the coatch I was in was a long space after the rest, but we almoust never could come home ; twentie thousand folowed us, and all for Darenwater's brother, and wishing influence to be used on his behalf." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 172. This true-hearted and staunch Highlander was condemned to death, which was to be carried into execution the following day ; but through the efforts of the Duke of Argyle he got a reprieve of two weeks, as the following letter to Lady Menzies shows : — "[Alexander Menzies to Lady Menzies.] Newgate, 16 May 1716: — The following day (17th) had been appointed for the execution of the writer, but a reprieve of a fortnight had been granted through the efforts of Argyll, Islay, Lord James Murray, etc. He was the first commoner who obtained a reprieve, and expressing his gratitude, and to continue her influence." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 123. The sentence of death appears not to have been carried out, but we find his estate was confiscated, the returns of which are thus recorded : — [page_360 A.D. 1719] In 1719 another descent was made upon the Highlands by the exiles, aided by Spain ; and Lord Tullibardine, who now signs himself Duke of Rannoch, the leader of the new attempt, sent to his uncle Lord Nairne several commissions (they are now at Gask) to be dealt out among the Perthshire gentry, such as William Murray the younger of Auchtertyre, John Steuart of Kinauchin, James Steuart of Clewns, Charles Steuart the younger of Ballechin, Alexander Menzies of Woodend, and Duncan Robertson of Drummachin. These commissions were sent, after the failure of the attempt of 1719, while the leader was lurking in the Hebrides. — Jacobite Lairds of Gask, p. 64. Notwithstanding the confiscation of 1716, Menzies of Woodend appears to have recovered a considerable amount of property, as at the time of his death he had a number of sums owing him. Those due by clansmen we give herewith from the testament, abbreviated as follows : — " Alexander Menzies of Woodend, his money, goods, and gear, given up by Elizabeth Wardlaw, relict of said defunct and executrix dative, at Dunkeld." Here follows an inventory of cattle, house furnishings, &c. &c, forming a long list. Then a long list of monies and other debits owing to him, among which was a bill for "£13 10 0, 28 Ap. 1735, accepted by Robert Menzies in Seinmore (Shianmore) ; a bond for £39 16 0, 1 Sept. 1734, granted by James Menzies in Campsie ; a bond for £31 0 0, 1 Feb. 1734, granted by William Menzies in Miltoun of Bollfracks to the defunct." A long list of others follows. " This testament was confirmed att Dunkeld, 23 Dec. 1736, and extended 11 Jan. l737< by Thomas Bisset, commissary, and Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk, Baronet, and Archibald Menzies of Shian becoming cautioners conjointly and severally for the executrix." — Comsr. Dunkeld, 1737. The rising of 1719, although it had not much effect on the rest of Scotland, affected the more remote parts of the Highlands and part of the Menzies lands of Rannoch, where some of the tenants on the chief's lands were seized, evidently by the insurgents, and other damage done. A letter relating these abuses was sent to Lady Menzies by one of her reliable tenants, Aeneas MacDonald, which runs as follows : — "AEneas MacDonell to Lady Weem, Kinchlacher, 2 Nov. 1719: — Informs her ladyship of the seizure of one of her tenants, Ewen Mac Coill Roy, alias Cameron, and refers to the great harm done to the lieges by the Rannoch men during the preceding summer and harvest." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 174. To return to Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Culdares, whom they had condemned to death and who was awaiting his time for execution, it will be remem- bered that along with him at the battle of Preston were his two sons, Archibald Menzies and James Menzies, who were also taken prisoners and were carried to Carlisle and cast into the dungeons of Carlisle Castle. They, after suffering [page_361 A.D. 1719-1729] imprisonment for some months — through the high reputation of their family, influential pressure, and in consideration of their youth and inexperience — were released. They immediately set off to London to visit their father, then under sentence of death. Being handsome young men, with fair complexions, they disguised themselves in women's clothes, and pretending to be the daughters of Menzies of Culdares, were admitted to visit him in prison. On being left with him in the condemned cell, their affection for their father was so great that they proposed that one of them should exchange clothes with their father, and that he should escape in that disguise. But this he nobly and peremptorily refused on the ground that, after the lenity shown them by the Government, it would be most ungrateful to engage in such an affair, which, besides, might be productive of unpleasant consequences to the young man who proposed to remain in prison, particularly as he was so lately under a charge of treason and rebellion. They were therefore obliged, with sorrowing hearts, to take what they believed to be the last farewell of their father, whose firmness of mind and sense of honour the immediate prospect of death could not shake. He, however, soon met with his reward. News of his noble conduct coming to the knowledge of the Government, he received an unconditional pardon, and returned to his native Highlands of Scotland along with his two sons, " and lived sixty years (?) afterwards " in his native Glenlyon — an honourable specimen of a genuine old Highland chieftain and patriarch, beloved by his own clan and people, and respected by all within the range of his acquaintance. He died in 1776. — Stewart's Sketches of the Highlanders, p. 46. In the year 1722 George MacKenzie published his work on Eminent Writers of the Scottish Nation, and among those who subscribed to it were Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels ; William Menzies of Pitfodels ; Charles Menzies of Kinmundie ; Alexander Menzies of Culteraws, advocate ; George Menzies, bailie, Falkirk. All the above Pitfodels' Menzies were out in 1715, but managed to keep clear of being executed, and so far saved themselves. Colin MacLaurin, the celebrated mathematician, was one of those friends who visited at Castle Menzies, and probably may have given some lessons in his high branch of education to the young chief. He seems to have had the confidence of Lady Menzies, but, through some misrepresentations made to her about him, had evidently offended her ; he hearing of it, wrote the following letter to her ladyship : — " Colin MacLaurin, the mathematician, to [Lady Weem] ; Edinburgh, April 19, 1729. " Madam, — If I had not a very particular regard for your ladyship, I had never troubled yow with this letter. Some months ago it was hinted to me that your ladyship had taken something amiss of me ; but being conscious to myself I never had given yow the least reason to take the least offence, and that I had acted [page_362 A.D. 1729] with you in every part with honour, truth, and sincerity, I could not give credit to it. " I have now been told that your ladyship was informed that I was carrying on some private designs in your family unknown to you. Nothing ever was invented by the most flagrant malice and deceit further from truth, and more groundless than this. I do not know the authors of this story, but I have that sincere regard for your ladyship and your family, as to wish such persons may never gain credit with yow as are capable of imagining and repeating such falsehoods. If I knew them, the use I would make of it would be to shun them as- I would shun the plague. I assure yow, madam, it never entered the least into my thoughts to form any such design ; I am not so apt to meddle in private affairs of families, especially such as are of that nature. I never spoke to your son on that subject once while I was at Weem, and never wrote of it to him since. I wonder one of your ladyship's penetration does not see the folly of the story. Your ladyship was the only person concerned I ever spoke to on that subject since March was a year. " I have now been so long known to your ladyship, and I believe I have acted such a part as might give me some title to expect I would have been spoke to before such a story had obtained credit. Your ladyship has formerly expressed a great deal of goodness for me, and I vainly flattered myself that I had more of your ladyship's friendship than it appears I had when you could easlie give credit to those storys. Tho' I never deserved your friendship, I am not afraid to say I deserved it better than your anger. But it is my principle that truth will at length prevail, and I doubt not but your ladyship will sooner or later do me justice to believe me to be with great truth, madam, your ladyship's most faithful, most humble servant, COLIN MacLaurin. " P.S. — If I knew their names who have told these falsehoods to your ladyship, I doubt not that I could make them contradict themselves. I beg leave to add that I never heard your son speak of yow but with great respect, so no person ever heard me insinuate the contrary ; and in whatever yow use myself, I will ever esteem yow for many good qualities, but especially for your love of him." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 175. Dr John Menzies, who flourished in the time of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, having died, the young chief advanced sums of money, &c, to his widow, upon the death of whom the whole effects of Dr Menzies were publicly sold off, and by far the greater part of his effects were bought by Captain James and other Menzies'. We give an abridged extract from the records, which gives an interesting detail of the furnishing of a Highland doctor's house of the period, and the large number of clansmen who attended the sale, as follows : — "The Testament and Inventory of the goods, gear, sums of money, and debts that pertained to the deceased Katrane Menzies, relict of umq1 Doctor John [page_363 A.D. 1729] Menzies in Drumfraill, at the time of his decease, made and given up by David Campbell, factor to Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk, executor dative qua (as) creditor to deceased, by the Commissar, of Dunkeld. In the sum of £224, 17s. 4d., and also of bygane annual rents of the principal sum ; also expenses of funeral extending to £109, 13s. 0d. Scots money." Among the sums paid by the chief for her was " £245, 14s. 0d, to Robert Menzies, late factor to the said Robert Menzies of that Ilk, for vital and otherwise, and due ex himself; and 11 shillings paid to Duncan Menzies, Doctor; and £96, 15s. 8d., to James Menzies, Merchant, Perth, per accompt ; and of £5, 14s. 0d. to John Menzies in Murthly ; and of £$, 15s. 0d. to Alexander Menzies, Glover in Perth ; and of £3, 6s. 8d. to Elizabeth Menzies for two firlots of meal; and of £2, 0s. 0d. to John Menzies in Murthly, all Scots money; also in payment and satisfaction of the said exe'r of the expenses in justifying this present confirmation, as the decret dative," &c. &c. Imp — "There is given up belonging to said defunct at her decease, the goods and gear, ' as they were publicely rouped and sold to the persons underwritten,'" among whom are : — "To Dr Duncan Menzies — a pair of Tonges at (£1,) one pound money. "To Donald Menzies — a Brush at (1/6) one shilling and six pennies money. "To (Menzies of) Duneavs — for three Candle moulds at (£1, 10s.) one pound ten shillings money. " To Donald Menzies, Schoolmaster — a little Crosken Tongues at one shilling money. " To Menzies of Culdairs — two Horse Combs at one shilling money. " To Menzies of Culdairs — two Sweeting Irons att (£2, 5s. 0d.) two pounds five shillings money. " Captain Menzies, his lady — ane old Servit and Keys, att seven shillings and sixpennies money. More to her, a Hand Ribber at nine shillings money. " To Captain Menzies, his lady — a Bassin att twelve shilling six pennies money. " To Captain James Menzies — a big Pan, a little Chair, 6 Pictures, two big pieces of Mackarras, ninteen Servites, and a Table Cloth, all att twenty-six pound twelve shilling money. " To Donald Menzies, Schoolmaster — two Buffet Stools, a little Pot with Bouls, broad, a Cradle and a little Wheel, all at eight pounds nine shillings and eight pennies. " To Robert Menzies, Factor — six Spoons, two Seaks, a pair of old Blankets, seventeen hesps of twidlin yearn, Shcales and Weights, and ane pock with owl (wool), all at twele pound money. " To Elizabeth Menzies — a Cow, a little Cordid Bed, and Pullet with Chest, all att fifteen pound six shilling money. " To William Menzies in Dull — a Horse, att thirty pound three shilling and four pennies money. [page_364 A.D. 1729-1748] " To Robert Menzies, Offsr — two Chists, and three bits of fir Candle, and a Blanket, all att one pound eight shilling money. " To Menzies of Culdairs — two Packs, two Seeks, two pair of Blankets, more, other two pair of Blankets, twenty Table Neapkins, and a Toul, a Table Claith, and thirteen Neapkins, ane other Table Claith, twelve Neapkins, three Pictures, a feder Bed, Bolster, and Billors, two Hens and a Cock, a Soums head, and ane old Beasen, all att eightie-six pound eighteen shilling and five pennies. " To John Menzies in Ballhomosh — a pewter Pleat, att ane pound seven shilling money. " To Duncan Menzies, Doctor — two pewter Trunchirs, a spite Raxes, and five Shiftles, a Bedstead and Curtains, all att twenty-one pound seven shilling money. " To James Menzies in Croftnamuick — ane wrought Plead Web, two pound one shilling and eight pennies money. " To the Lady Menzies — six Chairs covered with green, and three Duks, att fourteen pound six pennies money." After her Ladyship, a Cabinet was sold to Jean Campbell. Among the buyers was Fleming of Moness, younger, and ' Lady Moness.' The Silver Plate brought £224 Scots money. " This Testiment was confirmed att Dunkeld upon the seventh day of January 1729. John Menzies in Lorg became Cauraeted (cautioner) for the Exe'r, and the Exe'r became bound for his Releeff." The Dowager Lady Menzies was born about 1687, and survived Sir Alexander Menzies for many years. She died about 1733. On the coming of age of the young chief in 1734, Captain James Menzies of Comrie resigned his regency or tutorship, with the chief command of Clan Menzies, into the hands of Chief Sir Robert the Menzies the third Baronet. Captain James Menzies of Comrie succeeded his brother Captain Robert in command of the Menzies independent company of Highlanders, afterwards the 42nd. He died, not as recorded on the back of his portrait, A.D. 1740, but in 1748, as in that year he was witness to a baptism, 22nd March 1748. He was born about 1663, and was therefore about 77 years of age on his decease. He was the second son of Sir Alexander the first Baronet. He married Hon. Ann Campbell, daughter of [page_365 A.D. 1748] Lord Neil Campbell, second son of the Marquis of Argyle, and had eight daughters : — (1st) Vere, married General Stewart of Killichassy ; (2nd) Annie, married Patrick Campbell of Edinchip ; (3rd) Sussanna, married Robert Fleming of Moness in 1712; (4th) Agness, born 1694; (5th) Christian, born 27th June 1705, married John Mackenzie of Kincraig ; (6th) Herriot, born 31st July 1706, married Rev. Fergus Fergusson ; (7th) Emilia, married Rev. Adam Fergusson ; (8th) Mary, married John Gorry, Commissary of Ross. Captain James Menzies of Comrie also had seven sons. These were : — I. Captain John Menzies, 42nd Highlanders, of Comrie, afterwards of Ferntower. After marriage he resided in Murthly on the Menzies estates, an old house about a mile south-east of Aberfeldy. He married Ann Campbell, heiress of Lochlane, daughter of Patrick Campbell of Monzie, lord of Session. By her Captain John had three daughters — (1st) Cathrine Menzies, born 12th January 1745. She married Sir George Preston of Valleyfield in the county of Perth, General in the British army, of which marriage there were two daughters ; the elder, Ann, married General Sir David Baird, who afterwards succeeded to the estate of Ferntower. (2nd) Mary Ann Menzies, born 4th April 1747, in Edinburgh ; she married Sir Ralph Abercromby of Tullibody, General in the British army, who so gloriously fell at the moment of victory in the chief command of the British forces at the decisive battle of Alexandria, 28th March 1801. After the death of this gallant officer, when an official account of the triumph and fate of her lamented husband reached Britian, his wife was elevated to the peerage as Baroness Abercromby, 28th May 1801, with remainder to the heirs-male of the deceased General, who left four sons. George, the eldest, succeeded his mother on her death, 1 ith February 1821, as Lord Abercromby; he died in 1843, and was succeeded by George, 3rd baron, who died 1852. He was succeeded by George Ralph, 4th baron, born 23rd September 1838. (3rd) Nell Menzies, baptised in Murthly, 22nd December 1748. Captain John Menzies succeeded his father in command of the 1st company of the Black Watch of Menzies Highlanders. His name is third on the roll of ensigns, on the embodiment near Weem of the regiment, May 1740, where it is given as John Menzies of Comrie, Ensign. This kept the command of the first independent com- pany of Highlanders in the line of Menzies' until the regiment was commissioned. II. The second son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie was James Menzies, who became a merchant in Edinburgh, and married Janet Stevenson, by whom he had two sons and one daughter — (1st) John Menzies, born 22nd June 1739, who, on the death of Sir Robert Menzies the third Baronet, became Sir John Menzies, fourth Baronet of Menzies, but died without issue. (2nd) Captain Robert Menzies of the 42nd Highlanders, the Black Watch, with which regiment he served through the various conflicts of the American War of Independence, in which the Black Watch figures, and also in the conquest of the West Indies, [page_366 A.D. 1748] being mentioned as distinguished in the capture of Martinique, 8th January 1762 ; and the next year at the conquest of Havanna, where, after all the hard fighting was ended, he caught fever and died without issue. (3rd) The only daughter, Jane Campbell, was born 1st June 1744, the witnesses (?) of her baptism being, " My Lord Holyroodhouse and Robert Menzies of Culteralers," by Rev. Allan Webester, one of the ministers of the city of Edinburgh, 17th June 1744. III. The third son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie was Neil Menzies, who became a surgeon in Brigadier Middleton's regiment, and who is said to have ultimately practised as a surgeon in Perth. He married his cousin Mary Bothwell, only child of Henry, Lord Holyroodhouse, by whom he had an only son Robert. She died 24th May 1783. Their only son Robert, on the death of Sir John the fourth Baronet, became Sir Robert Menzies, fifth Baronet. He married Catherine Ochiltree, by whom he had an only son Neil, who became Sir Neil Menzies, sixth Baronet of Menzies, who by his second wife, the Hon. Grace Charlotte Conyers Norton, had two sons — 1st, the present Sir Robert Menzies, the seventh Baronet of Menzies ; and 2nd, Fletcher Norton Menzies of Menzies. Sir Robert had two sons, Neil, who became captain in the Scots Guards, and Robert, who died young. IV. The fourth son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, by his spouse the Hon. Ann Campbell, was Robert Menzies, born in 1699. He became a writer at Coshievill in the parish of Dull, and married Margaret Arnot, and by her had two sons, William and James. (1st.) William Menzies, born 25th July 1732, at Cushavilla (near Comrie Castle), the witnesses being George Small and James Stewart, yr. of Garth. He married Isobel Janet Macdonald Menzies, by whom he had seven sons — John, Alexander, Dr Thomas, Robert, Duncan, William, and Archibald. [(1st.)] John, born 24th June 1770, at " Tomntougal," parish of Dull, but who died young. [(2d.)] Alexander, born 22nd February 1776, but who also died in childhood. [(3rd.)] Thomas, born 11th May 1781. This son was sent to the University of Glasgow, where he became Dr Thomas Menzies, of 8 St Andrew's Square, Glasgow, one of the graduates of the Old College of Glasgow, where he became one of the lecturers on surgery and a leading doctor of that city. He was one of the first medical men to introduce the hydropathic treatment of patients by hot, cold, vapour, and other baths, which were first fitted up in his dispensary in Nelson Street. His name stands in the books of the University of Glasgow as a " CM.," 22nd April 1822, signed " Thomas Menzies Scotus." He was appointed by the Council in 1831 one of the medical staff to take measures against the first attack of cholera, then approaching the city. He married Janet Campbell, cousin to Sir James Campbell of Stracathro, Lord Provost of Glasgow, and William Campbell, Esq. of Tullichewan, and by her he had three sons — Dr John, Thomas Marshall, and David Ferguson ; and also five daughters — Margaret, Isobell-Blair, Ann, Mary, and Jessie. (1ST.) First son of Dr Thomas — John, who afterwards became Dr John Menzies, a [page_367 A.D. 1748] graduate of the University of Glasgow, where he matriculated a "CM.," 25th April 1838. He married Miss Scott, who predeceased him. He went to Australia, where he died without issue. {2ND.) The second son of Dr Thomas was Thomas Marshall, born about October 1822, died 29th March 1875. He was educated for the press, a pupil of David Prentice, proprietor of the Glasgow Chronicle, a great friend of his father. He married Elizabeth Cox, who died 18th August 1872, and by her had three sons — David Prentice, Thomas Chalmers, and John ; and four daughters — Jessie Campbell, Elizabeth, Annie, and Mary. [1st.] David Prentice, born 27th October 1851. As an artist his pictures were exhibited at the Art Exhibi- tions of Forfar 1880, Stirling 1891, Glasgow 1890-1, &c. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland along with the Marquis of Ailsa, 12th Dec. 1892. [2nd.] Thomas Chalmers, agent, London, born 4th July 1864. [3rd.] John, electrician, London, born 12th December 1867. (3RD.) Third son of Dr Thomas Menzies was David Ferguson Menzies. Studied first with a view to the Church, but finding that his lameness would be against him, he entered the service of the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company. He married Miss Sarah Forbes, and had five sons and one daughter — Thomas Porteous, David Ferguson, John Forbes, Arthur Campbell, Harry, and Sarah-Jane — Thomas P., now in the service of the Northern Trust Company, West Superior, Wis., U.S.A.; David F., metal merchant in Glasgow ; the others all died in childhood. The eldest daughter of Dr Thomas was (1st.) Margaret, married Captain Edward Connor of the 15th Hussars. He possessed estates in Kent, Ireland, and the Island of Lake Winder- mere. Of this marriage there was a son and daughter, who died in infancy. (2nd.) Isobel-Blair, died young. (3rd.) Ann Logan, married Alex. Forbes, Esq., sans issue. (4th.) Mary Leslie, born in Glasgow, 13th August 1823, the Rev. Simon M'Gregor and John M'Gregor, witnesses. She married J. Gilchrist, Esq., and had an only daughter Annie, and died 9th December 1879. (5th.) Jessie, died young. Dr Thomas Menzies died on the 14th January 1832, as recorded by the Glasgow Chronicle, Herald, and Courier. He was buried at the south-east corner of Glasgow Cathedral. [(4th.)] Son of William (grandson of Captain James) was Robert, born 20th November 1783. [(5th.)] Duncan, born 1st May 1786. [(6th.)] William, born 1 8th April 1793. [(7th.)] Archibald, born 21st April 1795. The second son of Robert (fourth son of Captain James) was (2nd) James, born 21st January 1735, at Cushavilla ; Captain James Menzies of Comrie and Robert Stewart of Garth, witnesses. This James married Catherine Menzies, and had two daughters — (1st) Margaret, born 31st October 1755 ; and (2nd) Catherine, born 16th March 1758. — Par. Records, Dull and Weem. V. Son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, was Alexander, born about 1700. VI. Son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, by Hon. Ann Campbell, was Duncan, born about 1710. He became a clergyman in holy orders of the Church at Tilston or Ashford, Kent, and married Miss Clugh, and had a son and daughter [page_368 A.D. 1748] — (1st) William Philip Menzies, who matriculated at the University College of Oxford at the age of 17, on 26th November 1774. He became B.A. in 1778, and M.A. 1788. He was a minor canon of Rochester and Chaplain-in- Ordinary to the King, Vicar of Finsbury, with Sutton Vallance Rectory and Chapelry of East Sutton, Kent, annexed 1803. He married Lucy, daughter of Samuel Roberts of Borsell, Sussex. He was the author of a sermon published in 1793 on the proclamation of King George, a copy of which is in the possession of the author. He died in 1819 sans issue. VII. Son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, by Hon. Ann Campbell, was Thomas (?), born about 1711. [page_369 A.D. 1755-1757] We find a very interesting testament in favour of Robert Menzies, writer, the fourth son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, Coshieville, in the records of the Commissariot of Dunkeld, which abridged is as follows :— "James Menzies, wright in Coshivill, test, made and given in by Robert Menzies, writer in Coshivill Easter, nominated by the said defunct by letter, the following money due by him, contained in a bill drawn upon John M'Lea, minister of the gospel at Lochyeylster, 30 May 1755, for £23, lis. 9d.; also 17s. Scots by note; Archd. Messarland, miller at Invervich, £1, 1, 0, and £6, 6, 0 ; (also) £1, 1, 0." Further, he says : — " In the first place, I recommend my soul to God Almighty, my Creator, hopeing to be saved by the merits of Jesus Christ, my only Lord and Redeemer, and I desire my friends, when it pleases God to call me, to cause decently inter my body in the ordinary place of my friends and relations ; and as to my worldly means and affairs, I nominate, constitute, and appoint Robert Menzies, writer in Coshievill, and his heirs to be my only exer. and universal legator and intromitter with my goods, gear, debts, and sums of money," &c. &c. Here follows sums owing — "£21, 12s., by Ahd. Campbell of Dunavish, by his bill, £12, 12s. ; by Andro M'Farlane, miller at Inverouh, £15, 6s, 0; James Stewart, my sister's spouse (leaving to), Janet Stewart, £$ ; to Isobell Menzies, spouse of Robert Menzies, £2 ; to Donald Menzies, in Bolhomas, £2," &c. &c. — A long inventory written by "Colin Campbell, in Cushevill, 23 Mar. 1756. Witness — Mr James Campbell, minister of the gospel at Dull ; Robert Menzies, surgeon at Camserny ; and said Colin Campbell, writer hereof. Signed — James Menzies. Ja. Campbell, witness ; Robert Menzies, witness ; Colin Campbell, witness." — Comr. of Dunkeld, vol. vi., p. 328. Robert Menzies, son of Captain James, appears to have had fiscal powers within the parish of Dull in his time. We find after the battle of Culloden, the Government was greatly incensed at Colonel Ian Menzies of Shian, for the great assistance he had given Bonnie Prince Charlie by raising and maintaining a regiment of Menzies', who fought all through the war. After his death at Cullodon they confiscated his estates in Glenquiech. But finding through the Campbells that he had last resided in Farlayer they hoped to arrest some more of his property there ; an edict was accordingly issued to Robert Menzies, Carse, and others, to witness its execution, as the following shows : — " To Robert Mun, writer, Dunkeld. Sir, — You'll please know that Farleyear, the place where SHIAN resided last, is in the parish of Dull, therefore I charged Duncan Menzies, officer, execute the Edict yesterday at Dull before Robert Menzies in Carse, and John Boid in Aberfeldy, witness present. The officer and witness have signed on the back of the edict, to be filled up by yow. Sir, your most humble ser., Colin Campbell. Coshivill, 23d May 1757." — Comr. Dunkeld (inibooked). [page_370 A.D. 1706-1786] Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, Bart., of that ilk, 20th Baron of Menzies, and 3rd Baronet of Menzies. Born 1706. Died 1786. CHIEF SIR ROBERT THE MENZIES, the third Baronet, was born in 1706, and was a mere child when his father, Sir Alexander the second Baronet, died, when the responsibility of answering for the actions of Clan Menzies devolved upon the " Captain of Clan Menzies," the second son of Sir Alexander the first Baronet, who was Captain James Menzies of Comrie, grand-uncle to the infant chief Sir Robert, during whose minority Captain James managed the estates and affairs of Menzies with great sagacity and prudence through the stirring events attendant on the rebellion and battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715 and 1716 to 17 9. For the share taken by many of the gentlemen of Clan Menzies in these risings they suffered imprisonment and confiscation. Sir Robert was returned heir to his father on the 24th July 1734, the record of which reads : — " Robert Menzies of Menzies served heir to his father, Sir Alexander Menzies of Menzies heir-male of line and provn. genl., 12th July 1734; recorded 24th July 1734." The Chief Sir Robert married the Hon. Lady Mary Stewart, eldest daughter of James, third Earl of Bute. There is an old portrait, painted by Sir John B. Medina, of Sir Robert hanging in the ancient banqueting hall of Castle Menzies. On the back of the canvas is inscribed — " Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, Bart., married Lady Mary Steward, eldest daughter of James, Earl of Bute, sister of the First Lord of the Treasury and the Lord Privy Seal of Scotland. Medina, Pinxd 1766." There is also a companion portrait to Sir Robert's of the Hon. Lady Menzies, on the back of which is inscribed — "Lady Mary Stewart, eldest daughter of James Earl of Bute, sister of the First Lord of the Treasury and the Lord Privy Seal of Scotland, married Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, Baronet. Medina, Pinx d 1766." It was in the time of Sir Robert Menzies that the " Lybell of Mod and Lochality " was drawn up, in which the rental of his Slismin estates of Loch [page_371 A.D. 1727] Rannoch are given, and also that of other chieftains of Clan Menzies, within the parish and old Menzies barony of Fortingall. The following is an extract of Lybell of Mod and Lochality of the heritors of Fortingall and Killiechonan in 1727, and may be taken as a fair description of most Highland parishes at that time : — " George, &c. — Forasmuch as it is humbly meant and shown to us by our lovitt, Mr Fergus Ferguson, minr. of the Gospell at the united paroches of fortingall and Killiechonen, &c, and Mr John Dundas of Philypson, advocate, procurator for the Church of Scotland, that the forsaid united parishes are of a very large extent, the one extreeme part thereof, from the church of ffortingall, where the minr.'s manse is, to the utmost parts of the lands of Balfracks, is five miles due east ; the oyr extreeme is the head of Glenlyon, which from the said kirk is distant ten miles west. The united parish of Killiechoen is distant from that of ffortingall seventeen miles north-west ; and it being customary for people there to goe to the shealls both in simmar and winter at that time, the people of Glenlyon are about twenty miles from the church of ffortingall, and those of Rannoch twelve miles from the kirk of Killiechonen. In the forsaid united parishes there are four places of publick worship — viz., at Breans in Glenlyon, eight miles west of the church of ffortingall, and Kinloch-Rannoch, eight miles and ane-half from the parish church, and Killiechoen, thirteen miles and ane-half from the parish church — which places the minr. supplys by preaching services both summer and winter. Then betwixt the kirk of ffortingall and Killiechoen there is a long tract of hills, and through the parish diverse impetuous rivers — viz., Tay, Lyon, and the river that flows out of Loch Rannoch, besides several outher oyrs burns ; which hills, burns, and waters are often impassable, and, mostly it is so in winter. In the forsaid parishes there are about three thousand examinable persons, all of which occasion great trouble, ffatigue, and charges to the minister in travelling through the vast bounds, preaching, visiting, baptising, and catechising ; and though there be a sufficiencie of fund in the foresaid parishes for stipends to two minrs., the rentall thereof being ten thousand nine hundred fifty- one pound eight shillings, and fourty bolls victual, according to a rentall thereof, which is as follows, viz. — The lands of Struan and oyrs, which pertained to the deceased Alexander Robertson of Struan, £1566 ; the lands of Slismin and oyrs, which pertained to Sir Robert Menzies of Weems, sixteen hundred and sixteen pounds [£1616] ; the lands of Innerhaddin and oyrs, pertaining to his grace James, Duke of Athole, wadsett to Mr Duncan Stewart, £200 Scots ; the two-merk land of Dalichosine in Bunrannoch, pertaining to the foresaid duke, 1OO merks ; the lands of Lassentulloch, Temper, Tullochcrosk, wadsett by the foresaid Duke James Stewart in Donnaphuil, £300), 13s. 4d. ; the lands in Glenlyon and oyrs, pertaining to James Menzies of Cowlairs, two thousand two hundred twenty-five pound one shilling and four pennies; Easter More [page_372 A.D. 1727-1729] and Kenock, belonging to Angus M'Donalds, elder and younger, of Kenknock, 400 merks ; the west end of ffortingall and oyrs, pertaining to John Campbell of Glenlyon, £960, and 6 bolls bear, and for his lands of Glenlyon, 1000 merks ; the lands of and oyrs, pertaining to William Stewart of Drumchary, £500 ; the lands of Easter end of ffortingall, belonging to Lord George Murry of Garth, £777, 13s, 4d.; Duneves, Moncreiff, and oyrs, pertaining to John Campbell of Duneves, £100 ; the lands of Ballfrack and oyrs, pertaining to James Menzies of Ballfracks, one thousand pound [£1000] ; and the lands of Lagancailtie and oyers, belonging to Captain James Menzies of Cernenie ; twenty-eight bolls victuals ; and that by diverse Acts of Parliament it is ordained that minrs. of the Gospell be provided in competent stipends, with a fund for furnishing communion elements ; yet nevertheless the minr. of the foresaid parish hath no decreet for the same, and the use and wont is only about 500 merks yearly, and the payment thereof very uncertain, it being collected from house to house in small quantities," &c. The first independent company of over 100 Highlanders of Clan Menzies (formed by the young Chief Captain Robert Menzies, grandfather of Sir Robert, on the eve of the battle of Killiecrankie, in 1689), was kept in existence by his brother, Captain James of Comrie, who succeeded him in command, and his eldest son, John Menzies, became an ensign under him, and thus kept the first company together for about 33 years. The first movement towards a Highland regiment was the raising of six additional companies of Highlanders about 1729, [page_373 A.D. 1729-1740] on the lines of the original company of Menzies Highlanders formed by the young Chief Captain Robert Menzies. On their formation they existed as separate companies for service in the Highlands down to about 1739. In 1733 some of these companies were encamped near Castle Menzies in the " vale of the Menzies," from which one of the officers of these companies, in writing to the chief of the Grants, thus refers to the hospitality of the young chief Sir Robert the Menzies : — "From Camp near Tay Bridge, 5th August 1733. — Your uncle George and I, with several officers, were merry at Sir Robert Menzies' last night, and this day Captain George with Sir Duncan Campbell and Skepness, are gone to drive with my Lord Breadalbin. We shall be here for nine or ten days, and I'll be going to Edinburgh when you are comeing out," &c. — Chiefs of the Grants, vol. ii., p. 319. In the first of these companies was Captain John Menzies of Comerie, eldest son of Captain James Menzies of Comerie, who after his brother Robert's death, retained command of the original independent company of Clan Menzies High- landers, and on the formation of the six additional companies, put his eldest son Captain John Menzies in command of the original company, formed by his uncle, as an ensign. In this way the continuity of holding the commission for the first company of Highlanders was preserved in the family of Menzies, down to, at, and after the formation of the Black Watch, or Am Freiceadan Dubh. The commissions for the formation of the Black Watch are dated 25th October 1739, but although thus dated the regiment was not embodied till May 1740. The detailed companies of the Am Freiceadan Dubh, or Black Watch, first met at Weem. The whole regiment was thereafter drawn up in a field near Boltachan, between Weem and Taybridge. The large open square of Weem which is at the east gate of Castle Menzies, and at that time the place where the two yearly markets of Weem were held, was where they mustered — a more suitable place there was not in any village in Scotland for the drawing up in regimental order of such a body of men, and, at the same time, one of the most picturesque. The Rock of Weem looking down upon those brave Highlanders, associated as it is with many brave and historical names, completed the picture. They marched from Weem to the level field between it and Taybridge opposite the Clachan of Boltachan, and were there embodied the 43rd regiment. From there they marched over Taybridge to the rising ground on the other side, between it and Aberfeldy, and pitched their camp. They were embodied on Menzies ground, on the north bank of the Tay, possessed by the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, Bart. They then encamped on Menzies ground on the south bank of the Tay, belonging to Chieftain James Menzies of Bolfracks. On the list of officers mentioned as receiving commissions at the embodiment, [page_374 A.D. 1740-1745] (or before it) is " John Menzies of Comrie," eldest son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, as an ensign. The regiment remained in camp at Taybridge for about eighteen months, during which time all their drills were performed on the park where they were embodied, on the north side of the river ; and a splendid field it is for such training. The dress of the Black Watch was scarlet jacket and waistcoat with buff facings and white lace, tartan plaid of twelve yards, pleated round the middle of the body, one end being fixed to the left shoulder, ready to throw loose and wrap over both shoulders and firelock in rainy weather. At night the plaid served the purpose of a blanket. These were called " belted plaids," from being kept tight to the body by a belt, and worn as full dress. On the belt hung pistols and dirk. In barracks the little kilt of "philebeg" was worn. A blue Athole bonnet with a border of red, white, and green, in squares repre- senting fess check in the arms of Stewart, and a tuft of feathers. The hose were of Menzies tartan, " Red and White " check, worn in compliment of the Menzies originators. Their arms were a musket, bayonet, claymore, or basket- hilted broadsword, furnished by the Government. The gentlemen were allowed to supply themselves with pistols, dirk, skein-dubh, and target, to complete the arms of a Highland gentleman, at their own expense. The sword-belt was of black leather, and the cartouche-box was carrried in front, supported by a narrow belt round the middle. The Black Watch are represented as wearing hose of the Menzies full-dress tartan, "Red and White," on their formation in 1739, also in 1742, then in 1770. They are pourtrayed at the battle of Alexandria with the Menzies check hose in 1801, from which time to, and at the battle of Waterloo 1815, they wore the dress Menzies tartan hose; also in 1830 to 1845, and at the Crimea, throughout which war the Menzies tartan still continued to be the tartan of their hose, up to about 1854-5. After which the red and black check was adopted, having worn the " Red and White" Menzies tartan for over 115 years. Prince Charles Edward raised the standard of his royal house, 19th August 1745, at Loch Shiel in Inverness-shire, and in a short time found himself surrounded by a large body of enthusiastic Highlanders. On news of the unfurling of the royal Scottish banner by Prince Charles becoming known, the Government at once dispatched General John Cope. It is singular that Prince Charles and Cope placed themselves at the head of their respective armies on the same day. On 19th of August 1745 General Cope got his commission to command and to march to Inverness, which was at once commenced, going by Crieff, on the 21st August, Amulree on the 22nd. His army arrived and encamped on the parks of Castle Menzies near Taybridge, 23rd and 24th August 1745. General Cope paid a short visit to Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, who [page_375 A.D. 1745] being lame and unable to do service, excused himself from calling out the clan just then, on account of which he was called in Gaelic " Rubercht Spagach" — lame Robert. Cope on his way north was met with reports of the prince's army having taken up a strong position at Corriearrick, and there prepared to give him battle. This so upset Cope and his officers, who were at Dalwhinnie on the 27th August 1745, that they after a council of war fled to Inverness, giving the Highlanders a good laugh at their cowardice. They would have followed but for the prince and chiefs, who considered it better to descend into Athole at once, and then to Edinburgh. Accordingly, the Highland army arrived at Dalwhinnie, 29th August 1745, and at Blair Castle on the 30th. From Blair the prince sent forward 400 men, who captured Dunkeld. The march of Prince Charles into Athole had been so rapid, that his friends in Athole had no time to gather their forces to join him on his march on Perth, which he entered 3rd September 1745. It was at this time that Chief Sir Robert the Menzies having met the prince, decided to give Charles his aid, but he was lame and unfit for service in the field himself. He therefore deputed the command of Clan Menzies to Chieftain John Menzies of Shian and Glenquiech, or, as he was known in Gaelic, Ian Vohr Meinerich, or in Scotch as " Muckle John Menzies." In this command he was seconded by his son, Archibald Menzies, who had the active work to do, and at once set about calling out Clan Menzies for Prince Charlie. It is this young chieftain who is the hero of Sir Walter Scott in his Waverley, where he is called by his Gaelic appellation the " Vich Ian Vohr of Glennaquoich, in the county of Perth, and kingdom of Scotland " — meaning the son of big John Menzies of Glenquiech. Chieftain John Menzies of Shian took part in the rebellion of 1715, but had not been brought under any obligation by the Government. He therefore felt free without dishonour to follow Prince Charlie. Glenquiech was very difficult of access to Government troops. These facts were evidently known to Sir Walter Scott, who must have visited Shian before writing Waverley, for his description of it is very like the glen, which Sir Walter thus describes, with Shian Castle and Shian, both in his time in a state of preservation. Sir Walter says : — When Captain Waverley visited this castle, it was " a high, rude - looking square tower, with the addition of a lofted house — that is, a building of two storeys," and its surroundings were bleak and desolate enough. " An enclosure or two, divided by dry stone walls, were the only part of the domain that was fenced ; as to the rest, the narrow slips of level ground which lay to the west side of the brook exhibited a scanty crop of barley, liable to constant depredation from the herds of wild ponies and black cattle that grazed upon the adjacent hills. These ever and anon made an incursion upon the arable ground, which was [page_376 A.D. 1745] repelled by the loud, uncouth, and dissonant shouts of half-a-dozen Highland swains, all running as if they had been mad, and every one hallooing a half- starved dog to the rescue of the forage." — See Waverley. There is now scarcely a vestige left of this old castle, but part of the avenue of grand old trees still stand and mark the place where stood the stronghold of one of the most devoted of Prince Charlie's followers, created by him Lord Menzies. Chieftain Ian Menzies of Shian lost no time in sending round the "fiery cross" through Glenquiech and other parts of the Menzies country, and raised from his branch of Clan Menzies every available clansman. Chieftain James Menzies of Bolfracks also called out his sept of the clan. Chieftain James Menzies of Culdares and Glenlyon, although he did not head his branch of the clan, gave them orders to join the " Red and White " standard, under Chieftain Menzies of Shian. Culdares, out of gratitude for having the sentence of death commuted which was passed upon him in 1716, being pardoned, and by a sense of honour towards the Government for their clemency, remained at home ; but retaining a predilection for the old cause, he sent a handsome charger to Prince Charles when about to advance through England. The servant who led and delivered the horse was taken prisoner and carried to Carlisle, where he was tried and condemned to death. To extort a discovery of the person who sent the horse, threats of immediate execution in case of refusal, and offers of a pardon on his giving information, were held out ineffectually to the faithful messenger. He knew, he said, what the consequence of a disclosure would be to his master, and his own life was nothing in comparison. When brought out for execution, he was again pressed to inform on his master. He asked if they were serious in supposing him such a villain ; if he did what they desired and forgot his trust, he could not return to his native glen, for Glenlyon would be no home or country for him, as he would be despised and hunted out of the glen. Accordingly he kept steady to his trust, and was executed. Following the Menzies' of Shian and Glenquiech, Bolfracks and Culdares, the clansmen of the chiefs' lands of Menzies, Weem, Dull, Rannoch, and others, rose in arms and joined the regimental standard of Ian Menzies of Shian, who soon found himself at the head of 700 Menzies', and were afterwards formed into "Shian's Regiment." The Menzies' of Aberdeenshire also came out for the royal cause, of whom was Chieftain Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, who held an officer's commission in the French army, John Menzies of Pitfodels, David Menzies of Pitfodels, William Menzies of Pitfodels, James Menzies of Pitfodels, and Gilbert Menzies, junior, of Pitfodels, all of whom were officers in the French army, in which they had served with distinction since the rising of 1715, where they had been on the right wing of Mar's army at the battle of Sheriffmuir. On the breaking up of that campaign they had escaped to France and joined the French [page_377 A.D. 1745] army, where they had seen considerable service, and had only been a few years returned to Scotland when the rising took place. True to the traditions of their branch of the Clan Menzies, they flew to arms and joined Prince Charles on his way south. The prince, on arriving at Perth, sent instructions to all the Athole clans to join him with all despatch. It was here that Charles first worshipped in a Protestant church, joining in the Protestant service at Perth, 8th September 1745. While Charles was at Perth, General Cope marched from Inverness to Aberdeen, from which he was taken by ship to the mouth of the Forth. During these operations of Cope, the citizens of Edinburgh were putting the city in a state of defence. The volunteers were called out, officered, and cannon brought up from Leith and mounted on the walls. The defensive works were under the super- intendence of MacLaurin, the celebrated mathematician, who had furnished the designs. He is the MacLaurin who wrote the long letter to Dowager Lady Menzies regarding the offence she had taken at him. Prince Charles was joined by portions of the clans at Perth, of whom was Clan Menzies, numbering about 700, under the command of Chieftain John Menzies of Shian. They marched upon Stirling, leaving Perth 11th September 1745, and finally crossed the river Forth at the fords of Frew, in face of Gardiner's dragoons, where the Prince was the first to plunge into the water, claymore in hand, which, waving in the air, he pointed to the other side, to which he was followed by the Highlanders. He stood on the bank until all the detachments had passed over, on which Gardiner's dragoons retreated towards Stirling. Next day Charles put his army in motion towards Edinburgh, against which he encamped 16th September 1745. It was taken by the strategy of the Prince, carried out by a body of Highlanders before daybreak, 17th September 1745. The same day the prince took up his quarters in the ancient palace of his forefathers, Holyrood. Meantime Cope had landed at Dunbar on the 16th and 17th, and left on the 19th in the direction of Edinburgh. He encamped on the 20th at Gladsmuir, where he was confronted by the Highland army, under the prince, who lay in arms on the field near Tranent. About three in the morning the Highlanders in silence, during darkness, changed their position to the east side of Cope, upon whom they prepared to advance. They were formed in two lines. The front consisted of Clan MacDonald on the extreme right; Clan Menzies, under Chieftains Ian and Archibald Menzies of Shian, numbering about 700, forming the right centre, and officered by Chieftain James Menzies of Bolfracks and the six Menzies' of Pitfodels ; then came the MacGregors, Drummonds, Murrays, Stewarts, and Camerons, under Lochiel, on the extreme left. The second line consisted of the Athole clans, on the right wing of which was a section of Clan Menzies, and the volunteers under Captain John Menzies of Edinburgh ; then came the Robertsons, [page_378 A.D. 1745] MacLauchlans, and Maclans of Glencoe, on the extreme left. When Cope observed at break of day the Highland army formed in order of battle, he mistook them for bushes ; but the rays of the sun breaking out showed the lines of both armies drawn up, Cope's having a magnificent appearance, their polished arms glittering in the sun. On the word of command, the left wing of the Highland army began to advance, followed by the right and centre. The left first charged Cope's cannon, whose gunners fled from the fire of the advancing Highlanders. A squadron of dragoons then advanced to check their charge, but the Highlanders rushing past the cannon, brought a number down by their fire, and flew upon them claymore in hand. The dragoons when thus attacked were reeling from the effects of the fire of the Highlanders, who, striking the noses of their horses, completed their disorder. In a moment the dragoons wheeled and fled. Immediately on the flight of the horse, the left wing, centre, and right wing, consisting of the Camerons, Stewarts, Murrays, Drummonds, MacGregors, Robertsons, and Clan Menzies, led by their chieftains of Shian, Bolfracks, and Pitfodels, rapidly advanced upon Cope's infantry, who opened a fire from right to left along their line. This the clans received with the loud shouts of their war-cries, that of Clan Menzies being " Geal 's dearg gu brath!" ("the Red and White for ever!") The Highlanders, throwing away their muskets, drew their claymores and rushed upon the foot soldiers before they had time to reload their guns. Confounded by the flight of the dragoons, and the furious onset of the clansmen, the astonished infantry threw down their arms and took to their heels. Hamilton's dragoons, stationed on Cope's left, observing these squadrons giving way, turned their backs and fled. Murray's regiment being left, poured in their fire upon the advancing MacDonalds and Menzies', but fled before their furious charge. Thus, within a few minutes the whole army of General Cope was put to flight. Such was the impetuosity and rapidity with which the Highlanders broke through Cope's ranks, that they left numbers of his men in their rear, who attempted to rally, but on seeing the second line coming up they endeavoured to make their escape, but were either cut down or taken prisoners. In the first onset Colonel Gardiner was wounded at the head of his dragoons, but refused to follow in their flight. He joined a small body of foot which attempted to rally near the wall of his garden, and while fighting at their head was cut down by the broadsword of the servant of Chieftain James Menzies of Culdares, who had brought the present of the charger to the prince, which he rode that day at the battle of Prestonpans. Of Cope's army of between 2500 and 3000 men, only about 170 escaped. The prisoners numbered about 1700, besides the cannon, baggage, and military chest, containing £4000, fell into the hands of the Highlanders, who gained a complete victory, and if they had thereafter pushed up to London, the royal Stewarts would have " had their own again." After the [page_379 A.D. 1745] defeat of Cope's army, the prisoners being very numerous, all those who could not be induced to join the Highland army, were transported as prisoners of war to Perthshire, under a guard of Menzies' commanded by Junior Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Shian, who had been made a colonel for his services in the field. The prisoners were lodged at Logierait and other places. While in command of the detachment of Menzies' who at first guarded the prisoners quartered at Logierait, Junior Chieftain Colonel Archibald Menzies set about raising a number of men from the surrounding district of Athole, who could not go on active service, to guard the prisoners. In this he was successful, and he then turned his attention to raise a still larger number of Clan Menzies and others of their following, for the service of the prince. For this purpose Colonel Menzies of Shian took up his quarters at Farleyer, one of the largest houses in the parish of Dull, about a mile from Castle Menzies, which was originally built as a dowager house for Lady Menzies, the daughter of the Earl of Huntly, about 1530. From Farleyer Shian sent out the Menzies' who had been with him at the battle of Prestonpans, to raise the clan all over their different districts. With his headquarters so near Castle Menzies, and the chief acquiescing in the movement, it gave the Menzies' encouragement to come out in greater numbers, but it took time to marshal them again. It was while recruiting his forces here, that orders arrived for Clan Menzies to rejoin the prince's army in its march into England. As the orders came through the Duke of Athole, as general of the Athole district, the young chieftain returned the following reply to the Duke : — " Arch'd - Menzies of Shian to the Duke of Atholl. " My Lord Duke, — The difficulties arises in conveening the men committed to my care gives me a good deal of uneasiness, as it disappoints my joining your grace, so as to pass the Forth on Munday. " It will be Monday at soonest before I can expect the party or the Glenlyon men back here, and Tuesday or Wednesday before I can march hence. In this tardy way I would know your Grace's orders, as one who has ado with different gentlemen's people, and such as does not incline to appear in a light to facilitate my march. This goes by ane express from Strowan, to notifie to your Grace express orders from his Royal Highness to join the camp w' all expedition, by whom your Grace will please to let me know what I am to do ; and if your Grace has absolutely promised to send a party to Breamarr and thinks it for the benefitt of the service, I'll do in that what your Grace thinks proper. I have return'd a letter addressed to Mr Ferquarson of Monaltry, which should have been deliver'd by Mr Alexander, [who] I presume was to command the party. I shall be impatient for your Grace's orders, tho' I trust to the bearer's quick return, yet sometimes Strowan's expresses have other things ado on the way, and I would likewise [page_380 A.D. 1745] suggest to your Grace, that if a party of my men be sent to Breamarr, more money will be necessary ; if not, I'll do my best ere I join your Grace, which I'll endeavour to do as soon as possible. I am, w' the utmost respect, my Lord Duke, " Your Grace's most obedient and most humble servant, "Arch'd - Menzies. " Farleyear, 19th Oct 1745." — Jacobite Correspondence, p. 107. The Duke of Athole replied next day, telling Shian that money and stores had been landed for the prince's army, exhorting him as colonel of the Clan Menzies regiment, to which Cluny MacPherson and his men were to be attached, to order Cluny to join him at once without further delay. Just as the duke now instructed him, he was in the same way to order Cluny, being his superior officer. Here is Athole's letter : — " Duke of Athole to A. Menzies of Shian. Sir — All I can say in return to your long letter dated the 19th, which I received about 2 o'clock this afternoon is, that two ships haveing arrived at Stonehive with supplies of arms, money, &c, to the prince, the convoy of which, consisting of about 250 cart-loads, not being able to arrive here before to-morrow or next day at furthest, has retarded our march till then from hence. His Royal Highness haveing sent repeated and express orders to me, that all his troops in these parts should march forthwith without loss of time, therefore, this is requiring yow to do the same with Cluny Macpherson, to whom please communicate this, that yow may both directly, without stopping longer, proceed immediately forward in your way to the army, and quarter yourselves at Crieff, Muthil, or anywhere else you can find most con- venient thereabouts, till I come up, or till further orders ; but if we are passed before yow come that lenth, yow are to follow with the utmost diligence and expedition. So, hopeing soon to have the pleasure of seeing you, I am, with perfect esteem, " Sir, your most obedient humble servant, " (Atholl). "Perth, 20 October 1745." — Jacobite Correspondence, p. 116. From this date every nerve was strained to get a large muster of Clan Menzies and their dependants, to follow the " Red and White " standard. The enthusiasm of the young Chieftain Colonel Archibald Menzies of Shian, was so much diffused into the " Siol na Meinerich" that they rallied round their standard at the final call of the " fiery cross," to the number of between 700 and 1000 clans- men and their followers. After repeated orders to MacPherson from Colonel Menzies to join him with all dispatch, and without a moment's further delay, Cluny at length arrived, after a good deal of trouble, joined the forces of Colonel Menzies, which thus brought up the division under his command. The MacPhersons completing his required complement, they at once marched to join the prince's army in the south. [page_381 A.D. 1745] When Prince Charles' resolution to march into England was finally agreed to by his officers, the next thing to be determined was the route to be taken, when, after considerable deliberation, it was decided that the Highland army should march into England by the western road, and to conceal its route to march in two columns, one by Kelso and one by Moffat, and both join at Carlisle. Preparatory to marching, the Highlanders removed their camp to a strong position west of Dalkeith, six miles south of Edinburgh. On 31st October 1745, Colonels Ian and Archibald Menzies of Shian, at the head of the regiment of Clan Menzies Highlanders, arrived at Edinburgh. They in about ten days, by the aid of the " fiery cross " and their own personal energies, got their whole body of men, amounting to over 1000 Highlanders, together, and marched them to Edinburgh, a distance of about 120 miles, all in the remarkably short space of ten days. On the evening of the same day, after the arrival of Menzies of Shian with his regiment, Prince Charles left Holyrood Palace, accompanied by his life-guards and several other clan regiments, with the regiment of Clan Menzies under Colonel Menzies of Shian, and marched to Pinkie House, where the Prince slept that night, and arrived next morning at Dalkeith. The clan regiments, according to custom, were commanded by their respective chiefs, but in some instances in the absence of the chief, as in the case of Clan Menzies, the regiment of the clan was commanded by a brother or son. As the chief of the Menzies' was lame and had no son, the command fell to the nearest chieftain or kinsman. The nearest to the chief at the time, whose age and energy were fitted for the fortunes of war, were The Menzies' of Shian. In these Highland regiments every company had two captains, two lieutenants, and two ensigns, all of whom were generally related by ties of blood to the chief. The pay of a captain in the Highland army was half-a-crown per diem ; a lieutenant, two shillings ; and an ensign, one shilling and sixpence. The front rank of each clan was composed of men who were considered gentlemen by birth, though without fortune. The pay of these was one shilling per diem. The gentlemen Highlanders in the front rank were better armed than their clansmen in the rear rank. When the gentlemen of the front rank were fully armed, as they generally were, they carried a musket, claymore or broadsword, a pair of Highland pistols stuck in the waist or shoulder belt, and a dirk suspended to that belt on the right side of the sporran, so that it could be caught and unsheathed by the left hand. They also in some instances had a " skeen dubh " stuck in the garter of the hose of the right leg, used in cases of emergency ; a target formed of wood and leather, thickly studded with nails, covered the left arm, enabling the Highlander to parry and protect himself from the bayonet-thrusts, shots, or blows of an enemy. Thus armed, in action they advance with rapidity, and when within musket- shot discharge their pieces at the enemy, then throwing down their guns, draw [page_382 A.D. 1745] their claymores with the right hand and the dirk with the left, holding it under the targe, which adheres to the left arm with two straps, and then dart with fury on the enemy through the smoke of their fire. When they reach the enemy's bayonets they bend the left knee. They by this attitude cover their bodies with their targets, which receive the thrusts of the bayonets which they parry, while at the same time they raise their sword arm and cut down their adversary. Having once got within the bayonets and into the ranks of the enemy, the ordinary soldiers have no longer any means to defend themselves, and the fate of the battle is decided in an instant, the Highlanders thus bringing down two men at a time, one with the claymore and another with the dirk. In addition to these weapons the Highlanders carried a powder-horn, usually made out of ordinary horn pressed into a flat shape, ornamented and sometimes jewelled and mounted with silver. Pursuant to the plan of Lord George Murray the first division of the Highland army left Dalkeith on the evening of Friday, 1st November 1745, en route for Peebles, and were followed by the artillery and baggage next day. The second division — consisting of the life-guards and the clan regiments, one of which was the regiment of Clan Menzies — assembled on a large field near the village of Dalkeith, at six o'clock in the morning, 3rd November 1745. After the Menzies regiment and the other Highland regiments had passed muster, the prince put himself at their head, and they marched off in the direction of Kelso ; the Clan Menzies bringing up the rear of the army, the place of honour. We here give the general's orders for the two days' march in which the Menzies' regiment brought up the rear : — "Orders from the 3d to 4th November 1745. Parole — William and Perth. Tweedale, at Peebles, Sejour 3d. — The troops are to pass from their respective quarters early enough to be assembled upon a large feild nigh this village, at six in the morning, there to pass muster and then to march. Atholis, Perthis, Ogilvyis, Glenbucketis, and Menzies of Shian's Regiment are to file off in their rank." During this march Prince Charlie marched on foot at the head of the Highland clans with his target over his shoulder. This he continued through the whole of the expedition, wading through mud and snow, and it was with great difficulty he could be got to mount his horse at all. The example he thus set to his men, joined with his condescension and affability, endeared him to his army. He arrived at Lauder the same night, and next day marched to Kelso. It was while the Highland army were at Kelso that the Prince sent a party of about 40 men across the Tweed to proclaim his father for the first time upon English ground. At the same time he sent orders into England in the direction of Newcastle to prepare quarters for his army, for the purpose of putting Wade off his guard, and draw off his attention [page_383 A.D. 1745] from the movements of the Highland army upon Carlisle. On the morning of 6th November 1745, he crossed the Tweed by a circuitous route towards Moffat ; and on the 7th November 1745 Colonel Menzies, with the Clan Menzies' regiment, was the officer in command and in advance. The following are the orders issued for marching : — "Orders from the 7th to Friday the 8th Nov. 1745. Parole — James and Nairn. At Moffat, Sejour 7th. — Officers of the Day — ' Ian ' Menzies of Shian, COLONEL ; Faskely, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Kinnachin, Major. The Duke of Perthis, Ogilvyis, and Glenbucketis regiments are to part at six in the morning, and to marche on the road to Dumfries to a village six miles off, where they are to wait for the rest of the column." On the 9th November 1745 Prince Charles marched his division to Rowcliff, four miles below Carlisle, quartering his men in the villages on the west side of the city. The other divisions came up in the afternoon. This march was so judiciously planned and executed by the Highland army, that scarcely two hours elapsed between the arrival of the east and west divisions. Wade was deceived so much that although he had 11,000 men he fell back to protect Newcastle. The Highland army having completed the investment of Carlisle, the Prince sent a summons to surrender. This being refused, the Highlanders at once commenced to raise a battery, and for seven days the garrison of Carlisle was kept in constant alarm by the Highlanders, and had scarcely an hour's repose during that time. Colonel Menzies and Clan Menzies took a considerable part in these operations. At length, a white flag was hung out, and after arrangements were made, the capitulation was signed by the Duke of Perth and Colonel Durand, the commander of Carlisle, on the 14th November 1745. On the morning of 15th November 1745 the Duke of Perth entered the city at the head of his regiment, followed by Colonels Ian and Archibald Menzies of Shean and the regiment of Clan Menzies, with other Highland regiments. The garrison were complimented by the Duke of Perth for their brave stand. The mayor went to Brampton with the keys of the city to the prince. The Highland army captured 1000 stand of arms, 200 good horses, and a large amount of valuable effects. When mustered at Carlisle the prince's army amounted to about 4500 men, against which the Government had brought into the field upwards of 60,000 men. But, notwithstanding the great army opposed to him, Prince Charles was so full of his object that he shut his eyes to the great difficulties of the enterprise, relying on the tried valour of his Highlanders, and the junction of a considerable party in England. A council of war was called, and, after considerable discussion, the prince had his wish conceded to press on towards London. In accordance with this plan the first division, commanded by Lord George Murray, left Carlisle, 20th [page_384 A.D. 1745] November. The second division, consisting of the regiment of Clan Menzies, under the command of Colonels Ian and Archibald Menzies of Shian, and the other clan regiments — the whole division being under the command of the prince — left Carlisle on the 21st November 1745, and arrived at Penrith that night, a march of 18 miles, and occupied the quarters the first division had left. It was here that news of Wade's approach from Newcastle reached Charles ; he therefore remained all day at Penrith with the second division, with the exception of the life-guards, Murray's, and the Clan Menzies regiment, who received the following order : — " Orders from 22nd to the 23rd November 1745. Parole — Edward and Penrith. — The troops rest here to-morrow, except the life-guards, Lord George Murrayis, and Menzies of Shian's Regiments, that are to march upon command. It is recommended to all the officers to be lodged with the men, and to be much with them, and to take care they committ no abuses, and pay everything in their quarters or elsewhere." Charles having received information that Wade had again retreated to Newcastle, marched to Kendal, then to Lancaster and Garstang. On the 26th November 1745 the whole army reached Preston, where it halted till the 27th ; here he was received with acclamations and the ringing of bells. On the 28th the Highland army entered Wigan, where they passed the night, and next day the whole army entered Manchester amid the acclamations of the inhabitants. Charles himself, at the head of a select body of Highlanders and the Menzies regiment, entered the city in the afternoon of the 29th November 1745. From Manchester the Highland army proceeded to Macclesfield, on the 1st December 1745. Here he received news of the three English armies in the field against him. After some very clever movements on the part of the Highland army, they got between Cumberland's army and London, and entered Derby, 4th December 1745. The consternation which prevailed in London when the news that the Highland army was only about 120 miles from the metropolis, it is said, struck a terror into it scarce to be credited. Many of the Londoners fled the city, all the shops were shut, and there was a prodigious run on the Bank, which would have been bankrupt but for a stratagem of the authorities, who kept their own interested friends and officials drawing money by one way and going in by another to the bank with the money again, in that way taking up the turns of creditors for days, and only a very few outsiders getting a turn. King George himself ordered his barge to be ready, and put all his precious effects on board, having them at the Tower stairs in readiness to flee at a moment's notice. At Derby a council of war was held, where Prince Charles proposed that they should attack the army of the Duke of Cumberland ; in this he is said to have been strongly supported by Chieftains Ian and Archibald Menzies, who were Prince Charles' most enthusiastic supporters, upon the younger of whom the prince is said to have conferred the [page_385 A.D. 1745] title of " Earl Menzies " privately, and which title was to be publicly acknowledged when his cause was won. Lord Menzies, therefore, was most anxious to cross swords with Cumberland. Lord George Murray and the majority of the council pointed out the fact that, while their army only numbered about 4500, they were now confronted by between 30,000 or 40,000 men, they therefore urged a retreat, which the prince, after a great deal of entreaty, was obliged to agree to ; but later on in the day he called the council again, with no better result than that he would have to return to Scotland, to which he most reluctantly yielded. The Highland army began its retreat, 6th December 1745, before daybreak. When it became known to the Highlanders that they were now retreating, their rage knew no bounds. Their grief was as great as if they had lost a victory. Prince Charles himself partook deeply of the distress of the men, and for a time could not proceed. After the first burst of feeling, the retreat began to be a matter of speculation with the men. In this sullen frame of mind the army arrived at Ashbourne, next day at Leek and Macclesfield, and on the 9th December 1745 re-entered Manchester; next day proceeded to Wigan ; the following day arrived at Preston and halted there on the 12th, then marched to Lancaster on the 13th, which was left on the 15th, arriving at Shap on the 16th and 17th, and left on the 18th, on the afternoon of which the rear-guard had an exploit with a party of the enemy's horse — about 300 strong — which they caused to flee in great haste ; and, capturing some prisoners, were told that Cumberland was near at the head of 4000 horse, they therefore prepared to meet him at Clifton. Lord George Murray at once sent for additional forces, and had only received about 200 men when the enemy appeared in sight, over 500 of whom proceeded to line the enclosures in front of their main body of about 4000. Against this force there were about 900 Highlanders, who, as the gloom of night came on, began to advance. Among this party was young Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Shian with a detachment of Clan Menzies. As the Highlanders were advancing, the English dragoons opened fire upon them. Then Lord George Murray cried out, "Claymore! claymore!" at which the Menzies' and other Highlanders, drawing their claymores, rushed down to the bottom of the ditch of the enclosure, and clearing the hedges by a spring as they went, fell, claymore in hand, on the enemy, of whom they killed a considerable number, amounting to about 200 ; the rest fled across the moor, hotly pursued by the Highlanders. The young Chieftain Colonel Archibald Menzies of Shian — being the first in pursuit of the enemy, when the Highlanders were called back, and he, not hearing the call, continued to pursue — got isolated and surrounded, but fought until overpowered and made a prisoner. He was afterwards carried to Carlisle prison, where he was tried for rebellion and sentenced to death. On the sentence being pronounced by the judge upon the young chieftain, another Menzies, who was his henchman and who had been taken [page_386 A.D. 1745-1746] prisoner with him, entreated the judge to spare the life of his young master, but the judge not acquiescing, he offered to go back to Glenquiech and get six of the best men of Clan Menzies in Glenquiech to lay down their heads, along with his own ! for his young chieftain ; but all was of no avail, the heartless English judge could not appreciate the noble self-sacrifice of the true-hearted Highlander, but regarded it as a sign of barbarism that a man should lay down his life for his friend and chieftain. The young Chieftain Archibald Menzies of Shian was therefore condemned to death and executed at Carlisle, as related traditionally, very much in the same way as described by the prince of novelists, Sir Walter Scott, in his Waverley, who represents him as the Vich Ian Vore, i.e., " The son of big John " Menzies of Shian and Glenquiech. It was in this conflict that Cumberland almost lost his life by a Highlander, who got so near as to level his pistol at his head, but it missed fire : this they were told by a prisoner taken on the field who saw the act. After the engagement was over, the Highland army refreshed themselves at Penrith, and marched to Carlisle, where they halted the whole of the 19th December 1745. They departed next day — one division by way of Ecclefechan, Moffat, Douglas, Hamilton, and Glasgow ; the other division, under Prince Charlie, consisting of the Menzies', under Colonel Ian Menzies, and other clan regiments, by way of Annan, Dumfries, Drumlanrig, Douglas, Hamilton, and Glasgow, where both divisions arrived within a few hours of each other, Lord George Murray's in the forenoon, and in the evening of the same day, 26th of December 1745, Prince Charles on foot at the head of the Menzies' and other clan regiments, marched into the city of Glasgow. As it was the first night that the Highland army were in Glasgow, it was of great importance that a vigilant and reliable officer should have command of the guard. The prince therefore appointed Chieftain Colonel Ian Menzies of Shian — the father of Archibald — to the command of the guard and ports, the Cross of Glasgow being the rendezvous. The order is as follows : — ¦ "Orders of 26th to 27th December 1745, Thursday. Parole — Charles and Edinburgh. — Colonel Ian Menzies of Shian mounts the main-guard with 60 men and 3 officers. Glenbucket furnishes 20 men and an officer to each port. The officers of the respective regiments are to take particular care of their men, and in case of alarm they rendezvous at the Cross." The entry of the prince was on a Christmas day, and he decided to halt and refresh his army after their arduous march, and provide them with clothing. The city had to provide the army with 12,000 shirts, 6000 coats, 6000 pairs of hose, 6000 waistcoats ; and the provost, for his conduct against Charles, had to pay a fine of £500. Having refitted his army, Charles reviewed the Highlanders on Glasgow Green, and had the satisfaction that, exclusive of those men left at Carlisle, he had [page_387 A.D. 1746] not lost 40 men in his whole invasion of England, and that in the face of two powerful armies of over 40,000 men. The Highland army left Glasgow for Stirling, 4th January 1746, to besiege the castle, and invested Stirling on the 6th, the inhabitants of which resolved to withstand them ; but from the first night were kept in such terror by the Highlanders that they ultimately surrendered the town, 8th January 1746. The siege of Stirling Castle was then commenced, during which large reinforcements arrived, bringing the Highland army up to about 9000 men. General Hawley, who was at Edinburgh with about 12,000 men, anxious for military fame, prepared to advance against the Highlanders, the second division of which was at Falkirk under Lord George Murray. He accordingly left Edinburgh, 13th January 1746, having sent stores on to Linlithgow — these the Highlanders captured, and, by the orders of the prince, then fell back to Bannockburn, where Charles expected he would be attacked. Hawley occupied Falkirk, but made no attempt to attack. The prince, therefore, determined to attack him, for which purpose, on the 17th January 1746, he sent one body of men by way of the high-road and ground towards Falkirk to draw off the attention of Hawley, while Charles, with the main body, came round by Torwood Forest. Hawley, considering the small party of little consequence, paid little attention to it, and contented himself with ordering his men to merely put on their accoutrements. In this condition the men sat down to dinner, but before they were finished were summoned to arms, as the main portion of the Highlanders had suddenly come in sight, and immediately crossed the Carron and made for the moor of Falkirk. Hawley and his whole army were thrown into a state of excitement by the sudden appearance of the Highlanders ; he rushed out of the house without his hat, and ordered his men to get possession of the high portion of the moor. After crossing the Carron, the Highlanders stretched along the moor in two parallel lines. The column next the royal army was the clan regiments, with the new Highland recruits — the Farquharsons and Frasers. The next column on its right consisted of the Athole Brigade, of which was the Clan Menzies regiment, under Chieftain Ian Menzies of Shian, MacLauchlan's, Ogilvy's, Gordon and Drummond's regiments. On reaching the foot of the hill the columns faced to the left and began to ascend the ridge. Almost simultaneously with this movement Hawley's dragoons proceeded along the enclosures and rapidly ascended the hill also, followed by the foot with fixed bayonets. At this instant the sky became suddenly overcast, and a storm of wind and rain burst from the south- west and beat directly in the faces of Hawley's soldiers, retarding their march up the hill. A running contest now took place between the dragoons and the advanced divisions of the Highland columns, consisting of the MacDonalds, Menzies', and the rest of the Athole men, to gain the summit of the ridge, both [page_388 A.D. 1746] parties reaching the summit about the same time, and possessing themselves of two eminences within musket-shot of each other. To prevent the dragoons gaining the advantage of wind, the MacDonalds, the Menzies', with the other men forming the Athole Brigade, had advanced with such rapidity that they left the rear columns considerably behind, and on reaching the height they halted to give time for the rear to come up. Meanwhile, Lord George Murray, who commanded the right wing, in forming them for battle caused them to face to the left, thus making the east columns the front line. The order of battle was thus : On the extreme right of the first line stood the MacDonalds, the Farquharsons, MacKenzies, Macintoshes, MacPhersons, Frasers, Stewarts of Appin, and Camerons, who were on the extreme left. The second line consisted of the Athole Brigade, with the Menzies' forming the right wing, close to the MacPhersons, then the Ogilvys and Gordons, with whom were some of the Menzies' of Pitfodels, and some low - country regiments. The prince was stationed in the rear of the centre ; the royal army was also drawn up in two lines, but their superior numbers outflanked the Highland left. The battle commenced by General Hawley ordering his dragoons to attack the Highlanders ; they therefore began by several movements to draw off the fire of the Highlanders, but were anticipated by Lord George Murray, who, claymore in hand, and targe on left arm, took his position at the head of the front line of the right wing, and at his command both lines advanced, Clan Menzies being about the centre of the right wing. The dragoons observing the Highlanders advance began to move forward, and were instantly at full trot, coming up in good order till within pistol-shot of the Highland first line. On the signal from Lord George, the Highlanders discharged a volley with such precision and effect that the dragoons on the extreme right were entirely broken, having many killed and wounded ; the rest instantly wheeled and galloped down the hill, followed by the Highlanders, who, claymore in hand, rushed after them, cutting them down. The horse, in galloping down the hill, carried with them the infantry. Cobham's dragoons, however, charged among the MacPhersons, who, on receiving the shock of these veteran horse, reeled back, and the left of the right wing would have become a total rout had not Chieftain Colonel Ian Menzies of Shian, observing the surprise and dogged retreat of the MacPhersons, came to their rescue. He instantly ordered his regiment of Menzies' to charge the dragoons ; this Clan Menzies executed with such promptitude and rapidity that they drove the dragoons in confusion off the field. Considerable confusion and hand-to-hand fighting ensued at this point of the battle. The MacDonalds and Menzies', in supporting the MacPhersons, fought furiously, using their dirks in close combat with the dragoons, some, seizing the riders by their clothes, dragged them from their horses [page_389 A.D. 1746] and stabbed them with their dirks. Lord George was unable to restrain the Highlanders on the flight of Cobham's dragoons after receiving the charge of Clan Menzies, which turned the tide of battle, and the Highlanders then darted forward, claymore in hand, upon the enemy, who, unable to resist the impetuosity of their attack, the whole of the royal army gave way, with the exception of about two regiments. General Hawley himself was huddled off the field among a confused mass of horse and foot. The Highlanders who pursued them, when they got to the bottom of the hill, received the fire of the regiments who had not been engaged, and were obliged to retire. Meanwhile, Lord George Murray, observing the confusion of Hawley's army, moved down the hill with the Athole Brigade and the Clan Menzies regiment, commanded by Chieftain Menzies of Shian, who had at once re-formed after forcing the dragoons to flee. The Menzies' and other Athole men descended in good order with these and other parties of Highlanders whom they rallied. They entered Falkirk in three detachments — one under Lochiel at the west, the Menzies' and other Athole men, with Lord George Murray, at the centre, the other, under Lord John Drummond, by a lane — in this they captured a number of stragglers. In addition to seven pieces of cannon they captured the baggage and a large quantity of military stores, and almost all their tents, besides other material of the royal army ; several standards and stands of colours also fell into the hands of the victorious Highlanders. The English acknowledged the loss of 280 killed, including a considerable number of officers. The Highlanders only lost about 30 or 40 killed, and about double that number wounded. On the 19th January 1746, the prince returned to Stirling and pressed on the siege, which, after several weeks, was abandoned. On news of great reinforcements being received by the royal army, now under the command of the Duke of Cumberland, the Highland army began their retreat north, and on reaching Crieff were reviewed there, 2nd February 1746. After the review a council of war was held, when it was agreed to retreat north to Inverness. The prince, along with Lord John Drummond, slept that night at Fairnton, or Ferntower, then belonging to Captain John Menzies of the 42nd Highlanders, son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie. The next day Prince Charles left Crieff, being the 4th February 1746, and marched to Dunkeld, and thence to Blair Athole, where he halted the Highland army, and with a detachment of Clan Menzies he went up the Appin-na-Meinerich, or Strath Tay, to Castle Menzies, and was there the guest of the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, who received him with true Highland hospitality. The Chief Sir Robert had been prevented through lameness from joining the prince's army, but did all he could to honour his presence. We have the following minute of this visit of the prince : — [page_390 A.D. 1746] "4 February 1746, Tuesday. The prince at Castleweem, 'Castle Menzies,' Sir Robert Menzies' house." — Jacobite Memoirs, pp. 163-66. The bedroom in which Prince Charlie slept during his stay is still much the same as when he was there. There are still two of the old pieces of tapestry empanelled in the woodwork on its walls. This room has two windows, from which Prince Charlie could see all who came or went from Castle Menzies, and is known by the name of " Prince Charlie's room." In an adjoining room, which he also occupied, is an old, hand-made iron grate, which is known by the name of " Prince Charlie's grate," at which he often sat during his stay at Castle Menzies. The prince spent several days between Blair Athole and Castle Menzies, but he apparently resided most of the time with Chief Sir Robert the Menzies at Castle Menzies, with whom he went deer-stalking, note of which is also entered in his memoirs as follows: — "5th February 1746. The prince 'still' at Castle Weem, and went a-hunting." Lady Menzies was particularly attentive to the prince ; she always set dinner for him and his officers in the most approved style. " The household of the prince consisted of about seventy" persons. There were always ten covers "set" upon the prince's own table, and eight covers upon' another table for his aides-de-camp, in the old banqueting hall at Castle Menzies, where the whole party dined in state. This old hall appears to be much the same as when the prince resided at Castle Menzies, with the exception that at that time the entry was by the old " blue stairs " only, but now by the main stairs also, which are of later date. The hospitality of Lady Menzies to the prince was an example to other Highland ladies, who vied with each other to do the same as Lady Menzies, as the following will show : — " When Prince Charles ' came first to Moy Hall ' after leaving Castle Menzies (Sunday, February 23rd, 1746), Lady Macintosh, junior, resolved to complyment the prince and his household with a supper that night, so that his cooks had play for one night (the household consisted of about seventy at least). There were always ten covers upon the prince's own table, and eight covers upon another table in the same room for the aides-de-camp. Lady Macintosh's supper was exceed- ingly genteel and plentiful. Lady Menzies did the prince the same compliment of a supper to the whole household when at Castle Weem, ' Castle Menzies,' as also the Duchess of Perth did the same at Drummond Castle." — Jacobite Memoirs, pp. 170, 1. On leaving Castle Menzies the prince proceeded towards Inverness. On his way he marched to Ruthven, where the barrack, which was taken by the Highlanders, was blown up. From thence to Moy Hall, where he was entertained by Lady Macintosh on the same lines as he was by Lady Menzies. From thence he took possession of Inverness, where the Highland army halted, and from which they [page_391 A.D. 1746] sent forth many parties, who recovered a considerable number of posts for the prince. When Cumherland reached Perth he sent a considerable force of men forward in two detachments. One took possession of Blair, and the other division, over 200 strong, and which was afterwards increased by a large number of Argyleshire Campbells, took possession of Castle Menzies. These troops, without any notice, took possession, acting in the worst possible manner towards Lady Menzies, who, being one of the Stewarts of the house of the Earl of Bute, had a strong feeling in favour of Prince Charlie. Their conduct towards the lame chief is said to have been extremely harsh. They turned both Lady Menzies and the lame chief out of the castle, who were compelled to leave all their valuable effects at their mercy, which they used so badly that a great deal of the furniture and other goods were ruined. The division garrisoning Castle Menzies, sending out from thence, plundered all those around who had been out for Prince Charlie. Sir Robert Menzies and Lady Menzies, being turned out of Castle Menzies, were obliged to go to Farleyer, which they had to put in a condition to live in, and also a state of defence in case of being attacked. From Perth detachments were sent to the castles of the leading Jacobites, burning them and plundering their lands. One of these parties of Cumberland's army marched up Glenquiech, and in the absence of the Menzies of Shian, plundered their lands and burned down " Shian Castle," belonging to "LORD Menzies." This title seems to have been adopted by the Government, for we find the following recorded : — " LORD Menzies had his house plundered." — Lists of Rebels. During the time this revengeful work was being done, Colonel Ian Menzies of Shian was at the head of a considerable number of Clan Menzies at Inverness, on which account the emissaries of the Government had no opposition in their work of destruction, and left Castle Shian in ruins. At this time the Highlanders held the whole country from Dalnaspidal, near Blair, to Inverness. They guarded the passes so strictly that there was no getting any intelligence about them, during which time there were garrisons of the Government forces at Blair and Castle Menzies, against which Lord George Murray set out at the head of an expedition into Athole. He left Inverness about the middle of March, with about 400 Athole men, a considerable number of whom were Menzies', and planned the capture of several posts so well that they were all captured within a few hours of each other. He then laid siege to Blair, which they withdrew from on the approach of a large force of Cumberland's army, but the Menzies' and other Athole men kept possession of Pitlochry. Many were the skirmishes between them at this time. Blair was on the point of surrendering when, on receipt of a dispatch from the prince, Clan Menzies with the Highland army departed for Inverness on the 1st April 1746, as news of the intended approach of Cumberland had reached him. [page_392 A.D. 1746] When Cumberland and his army had got up to Nairn it was agreed by the Prince and the Highland chiefs to make a night attack on the Duke's army ; but, from want of food and fatigue, after getting within three miles of them, the Highlanders considered it best to retrace their steps to Culloden, where they, after snatching a little rest, prepared to meet Cumberland and his powerful army. The latter soon appeared, and began to take up an advantageous position. The position taken up by the Highland army was chosen by General O'Sullivan, who was utterly unfit for handling Highland troops ; but had the advice of Lord George Murray been taken, another and more suitable site for the action would have been selected. The Highland army was drawn up in three lines. The first line consisted of the Athole Brigade, of which was the Clan Menzies regiment, under the command of Chieftain Colonel Ian Menzies of Shian, with the Robertsons and MacGregors forming the right wing ; next were the Camerons, Stewarts of Appin, Frasers, Macintoshes, MacLachlans, MacLeans, John Roy Stewart's regiment and the Farquharsons united into one regiment, the MacLeods, Chisholms, MacDonalds of Clanranald, Keppoch and Glengarry ; the MacDonalds formed the left. Lord George Murray commanded the right ; Lord John Drummond the centre ; the Duke of Perth the left of the front line. The second line consisted of the Gordons, Menzies' of Pitfodels, French Royal Scots, Irish Picquets, Kilmarnock's Guards, Drummond's and Glenbucket's regiments ; the horse on the left were Elcho's Horse Guards and others. The third line, or reserve, consisted of Perth's and Ogilvy's regiments ; in the rear of the centre was the prince, who from a small eminence could see the whole field of battle. The army of Cumberland came forward in order of battle, also in three lines. The battle was opened by a cannonade on both sides, followed by the counter movements of each army. The Highlanders getting impatient, and galled by the fire of Cumberland's army, the Macintoshes rushed forward just as Lord George Murray was about to give the command, received the fire of the enemy's centre and inclined to the right, but all the regiments to the right, including the Menzies regiment of the Athole Brigade, coming down close after them, the whole moved forward at a pretty quick pace. When within pistol-shot of the enemy they received a murderous fire, both in front and in flank, of grape-shot and small arms. Whole ranks were literally swept away by this terrible fire ; yet notwithstanding the dreadful carnage the Highlanders continued to advance, and after giving their fire close to the enemy's line, which from the smoke was scarcely visible, the right wing, consisting of the Clan Menzies regiment, led by their gallant Chieftain Ian Menzies of Shian, and the rest of the Athole Brigade and Camerons rushed, claymore in hand, breaking through Barrel's and Monroe's regiments, forming the first line on the left of the enemy. These regiments defended themselves bravely with their bayonets, but such was the impetuosity of the onset by the Highland clans, [page_393 A.D. 1746] and the terrible effect of the Highland claymores, that they would have been entirely cut to pieces had they not been immediately supported by two regiments of the second line — having sustained a loss in killed of over 200 men in this charge by the powerful strokes of the claymores of the Highlanders, who from their commander to the humblest clansman fought side by side as if the victory depended on him. In this charge Chieftain Colonel John Menzies of Shian did great havoc with his claymore among the English. He, from his stature, being over six feet and powerfully built, was called by the Highlanders, " Ian Vohr Meinerich" or " Muckle John Menzies." On the Highlanders cutting away the first line, they then rushed upon the second line, who gave them a tremendous fire of grape-shot and musketry, which carried havoc through their ranks, making them waver ; but, maddened by despair and utterly regardless of their lives, they rushed upon the enemy amid a cloud of smoke, and although they cut down many of the second line were unable to break through, as the other lines of the Highlanders had not come up to support them. The same kind of charge was given by the Stewarts of Appin, Frasers, Macintoshes, and the centre regiments, driving back the front lines of the enemy upon their second, which they also attempted to break ; but, finding themselves unsupported and unable to break through, gave up the contest, not, however, until numbers of them were shot down at the cannon's mouth. Unable to break the second line, the right wing, consisting of the Clan Menzies and other Athole clans, turned about and cut their way back with their claymores through those of the enemy who had advanced and formed on the ground they had passed over. In charging back to the front, Chieftain Ian Menzies of Shian was severely wounded, and many of his officers, by the fire of the enemy, which was on all sides. The clan regiments of MacDonald on the left contented themselves by firing at the enemy, and had only drawn their claymores when the clans who had broken the first line of the enemy had to retire. They therefore marched off the field without striking a stroke. All was now lost, and the whole army in full retreat. Cumberland's army was so much cut up and crippled that they could not at once pursue. This was fortunate for the Highlanders. But after dressing their lines they marched forward in a body, and in the most barbarous manner stabbed the wounded Highlanders with their bayonets and swords as they lay wounded on the field. Their cavalry in the same way cut every man down who wore the " kilt." Thus many of the citizens of Inverness — their own friends who had come out to see the battle — were butchered. The carnage of helpless men was appalling. In this retreat Chieftain Ian Menzies of Shian, with several officers and men of Clan Menzies who had been wounded, and unable through loss of blood to proceed further, were obliged to take refuge in a house, where they prepared to defend themselves as best they could with their pistols and guns, having [page_394 A.D. 1746] barricaded the doors and windows. The house was soon surrounded by Cumberland's butchers, who commenced to fire upon the defenders. Chieftain Menzies and those with him kept up a raking fire from the inside with such effect that many were killed of the enemy, who were driven back only to return in greater force, bringing with them straw and every combustible they could procure. Menzies of Shian, seeing that it was impossible for him in his wounded state to make his escape, determined to hold out to the last. He took off his claymore, powder-horn, water-flask, and some papers, and gave them to a young Menzies, a nephew, who, faithful to the last would not leave him, and implored him to take advantage of the darkness and make his escape on the first opportunity, which soon after occurred. Owing to Cumberland's men having been beaten back by the destructive fire of the wounded Highlanders, the nephew of Chieftain Ian Menzies made his escape ; but he had not gone far in the dark when a great blaze was raised about the house where the wounded chieftain was. Cumberland's men, having piled up the straw and other combustibles round the house, set the whole on fire ; and Chieftain Colonel " Ian Vohr" Menzies of Shian perished in the flames, with several other Highland officers and wounded clansmen. The powder-horn and water-flask of Menzies of Shian was presented by his descendant, Robert Menzies, Esq., J. P., Tirinie, to the collection of relics of the Menzies' Clan Society. Of the Menzies' of note who were at the battle of Culloden, and who, with the Clan Menzies regiment are always included in the Athole Brigade — most of whom were afterwards proclaimed outlaws, and had their estates confiscated — as follows : — Chieftain Colonel John Menzies of Shian, otherwise " Earl Menzies," or "LORD Menzies." His whole estates in Glenquiech were confiscated to the Crown, and afterwards got by the Breadalbane Campbells, who hunted every Menzies out of the glen, which was at this time thickly populated by them, as is proven by the parish records, but now not one remains. Chieftain James Menzies of Bolfrax was also at Culloden, but seems to have escaped detection, the Highlanders being above becoming informers. The Bolfrax estates were therefore saved. The claymore which this chieftain used at Culloden is one of the finest in Scotland, and is inscribed " Andrea Ferrara." It is now in the possession of his descendant, Major James Stewart Menzies, late 74th Highlanders, at Perth. Chieftain Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, shire of Aberdeen, parish of Maryculter, " formerly an officer in the French army, had his estates confiscated and proclaimed outlaw for carrying arms during the whole rebellion, being with the army at Prestonpans, ' in England,' and at Clifton, Falkirk, and ' Colloden.' " Captain John Menzies, son of Menzies of Pitfodels, in the county of Kincardine and parish of Maryculter, outlawed for carrying arms through the [page_395 A.D. 1746] whole rebellion and being at the battle of Culloden, had his estates confiscated to the Crown. Captain David Menzies, son of Menzies of Pitfodels ; Captain William Menzies, son of Menzies of Pitfodels ; Captain James Menzies, son of Menzies of Pitfodels ; CHIEFTAIN GILBERT MENZIES, junior, of Pitfodels; all of whom for carrying arms through the whole rebellion, and being at Prestonpans, Clifton, Falkirk, and Culloden, were outlawed and their property confiscated. Captain John MENZIES, gentleman, Edinburgh, who was captain of Prince Charlie's volunteers, had his property confiscated and was outlawed for being in arms through the whole rebellion and at Prestonpans, Clifton, Falkirk, and Culloden. Paymaster "John Menzies, son of Robert Menzies, late innkeeper at St Mirren's, Stirling, paymaster in Menzies of Shian's regiment, for carrying arms through the whole war and being at Culloden, had his property confiscated and was outlawed. Lord President Forbes of Culloden, in detailing the force of every clan after Culloden, speaking of Clan Menzies, says : " Sir Robert Menzies of Weem is the chief; in Gaelic he is called Menairich ; he has a very handsome estate, all holding of the Crown, lying in Rannoch, and Appin Dull in Athole, and can raise 300 men." This did not include the other chieftains of Clan Menzies, who in all, if hard pushed, could have raised 2000 men before Culloden, at which there must have been 700. The chiefs, on the dispersal of the Highland army after Culloden, anticipating the utter ruin which awaited them and their followers, held a meeting, 8th May, at Mortlaig, at which they took their bond to support each other, and again rise on being summoned, and that Lochiel, Glengarry, Clanranald, Stewarts of Appin, Keppoch, Birisdale, MacKinnons, and MacLeods meet on the 15th May at Auchnagarry ; the Frasers and other clans on the north of the Ness join at Glengarry ; the Maclntoshs and MacPhersons to meet in Badenoch. The Menzies' of Menzies, the Menzies' of Glenquiech, the Menzies' of Glenlyon, and others, with the MacGregors, should march to Rannoch and join the Rannoch Menzies' and other Athole men, and be ready to join the main body in the Braes of Mar. The chiefs had been too sanguine in their expectations, as from various causes they were unable to meet as arranged. The Highland army having completely broken up after the battle of Culloden, Cumberland commissioned Colonel Campbell, Glenlyon, to be his instrument to wreak his vengeance upon the individual clansmen of Clan Menzies who had escaped from death at Culloden, and who had returned to their homes in the Vale of Menzies, Appin of Dull, Glenquiech, Glenlyon, Rannoch, and other parts ; this Campbell executed with merciless severity by plundering and burning their houses, driving away their cattle, and taking prisoners the men of Clan Menzies who had [page_396 A.D. 1746-1747] been with Prince Charlie. For these deeds Campbell became the subject of the poetic satire and obloquy of the time. The greatest possible strictness was forced upon the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies. The Government compelled him to make exact returns to them of who and what were his tenants, in case the seeds of Jacobitism might take fresh root among his followers, who had to sign the following form of lease, binding upon him and his, as follows : — "Paper indorsed, Scroll Clause in the Tacks of Rannoch, 1747. — Obliges the tenant to bring his cows and horses — on oath, if required — before any person authorised for their inspection by Sir Robert [Menzies], at two terms in the year, or oftener, if required, and to give a faithful account of whatever cows or horses he received into his possession during these terms, stating how he came by them ; to keep but one cottar betwixt him and the possessor of the adjoining half-merk land, and that cottar to be of ' the Slismein people,' unless liberty for some other person were obtained from Sir Robert ; not to give any traveller whatever a night's quarters without acquainting his neighbour while the stranger was with him, or within two hours after his departure ; not to keep company with or give quarters for two successive nights to a known thief or any person of a bad character, under penalty of £12 ; to hinder cattle-stealing, and to assist other tenants for a certain sum every day, so occupied in the recovery of stolen cattle ; and to watch no other bounds but those of Sir Robert ' Meingeis.' " — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 230. It is traditional that after Culloden, the Duke of Cumberland met Chief Sir Robert Meinzies at the house of the Earl of Breadalbane, who introduced Sir Robert. When the Duke knew who he was he said that he might thank his stars that he had spared him his head and Clan Menzies even as much as he did. The reference in the above tack to the " Slis-mein people " — " Slis-mein " means, The " Braes of Menzies " in Rannoch, and the people of " Slismein" the Rannoch Menzies'. We find one of the Menzies' who had been at Culloden, and who had escaped to France, entered in the list of those who had received assistance from Prince Charlie to the amount of Lrs. 400. "Item — To Mr Menzies, 18th March 1748, 400 Lors." An attempt having been made to deprive Sir Robert Menzies of his rights to the lordship of Dull shortly after Culloden, he appealed to the Lords of Session, and was commented upon in the Annual Register of the time, as follows : — " As to the very ancient title of Abthane, I find Crinan (or Meinan), Abthane of Dull and the Western Isles (who married Beatrix, the eldest daughter of Malcolm the Second), was considered as the most powerfull man in Scotland. It is generally thought that he exercised the office of Chief Justicar over Scotland. He is thought to have been the King's Steward over the Crown lands [page_397 A.D. 1748-1750] in the western isles, as well as a large district in the main land of Scotland called Dull. What was the extent of the Crown's patrimony called Dull, I do not know ; but in the Claim of Sir Robert Menzies for the lordship of Apin 0' Dull, in 1748, the lord advocate, in his reply, says, that the lordship of the Apin O' Dull was anciently a part of the patrimony of the Crown, and it is natural to suppose that it was a part of Crinan's (or Mrinan's) Abthanedom. The lordship of Apin O' Dull, as claimed by Sir Robert Menzies, comprehended the lands situated in the Parishes of Weem and Dull and Logierait. [Mrinan or] Crinan was the last Abthane of Scotland, for his son Duncan the 1st appointed Banco thane of Lochaber as his dapiser or senescallus ; and Malcolm Canmore appointed Walter to the office of dapiser dominis regis!' This abthane was the 34th Menzies of the line. The traditions of the surrounding country and district of Dull say that this great abthane was one of the ancient heads or chiefs of the Menzies', from whom the present chief of the Menzies' lineally descends. In 1750 Sir Robert Menzies, having suffered much at the hands of Cumberland's army, petitioned the Government for compensation. The following is a copy, which runs : — " Memorial for Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, Baronet, sent to the Right Honourable Henry Pelham, Esq., London, indorsed 1750. — Narrates that the Duke of Cumberland, on his arrival at Perth in pursuit of the rebels in February 1745-6, ordered a detachment of 500 men under Lieutenant-Colonel Leighton of Major-General Blackney's regiment, to fix a garrison at the memorialist's house (Castle Meingeis) near Taybridge, and that the garrison of 200 men, besides officers and occasional parties from Argyllshire, levies continued from the 9th February till the 18th August 1746. That the memorialist and his family had to remove from Castle Menzies on an hour's notice, leaving his furniture in the rooms, kitchen, and offices ; and had to repair a house in the neighbourhood for his family ; that owing to the presence of rebels in the neighbourhood, his house had to be put in a state of defence and some of the buildings destroyed ; that, besides the consumption of fuel and meal, the furniture was rendered useless by the outbreak of an epidemical fever among the troops ; and that the entire loss to the memorialist was 1000/. " That the memorialist and his predecessors' attachment to Revolution principles and to the present royal family is evident by the appearance his grandfather made at the revolution, being the only Gentleman in the Highlands of Scotland who join'd General Mackay with above one hundred of his tennants before the battle of Killicranky, and that memorialist's country and house were plundered by the rebels in the year 1715. An account of the opposition made to them by his friends, one of whom stayed in the house [page_398 A.D. 1750-1752] (Castle Meingeis) in order to defend it, but had the misfortune to be taken and carried prisoner to Dundee, where he remained confined till released by his late Majestie's army. And as in the rebellion of 1745, his country was assessed by the rebels in five pound ten shillings sterling upon the plough of land, as he had openly declared against them and did all in his power to keep his tennants from joining. So he humbly hopes that his Majesty will be gratiously pleased to order remede, the memorialist's case being entirely singular, there being no other garrison planted in any subject's house in Scotland except one, and that was attacked and damnifyed by the rebels." — Charter Room, Castle Menzies, No. 176. This sum of money was ultimately admitted, and on the abolition of the hereditary jurisdictions, the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, Bart., got as compensation from the Government for giving up his ancient rights the sum of £12,000. This was less than he would have received had not Clan Menzies taken such a leading share in the rebellion. As it was, his was the tenth largest sum paid to any landlord in Scotland, and the fifth largest to any Highland chief or laird. The Chief Sir Robert, as soon as the country had settled down, began to improve his policies. He laid out the grounds and parks around Castle Menzies. He made picturesque paths through the woods of the Rock of Weem, from which enchanting views may be had. Likewise he planted many fruit trees, forest trees, and other plants and shrubs, whereby he greatly beautified the environs of Castle Menzies and his estates. Following Culloden, the Government prescribed the wearing of the Highland dress, " the kilt," under the most severe penalties. For the first offence they were to be sent to prison for six months without bail ; for the second conviction to be transported for seven years. This was carried out to the last letter by the officers of Cumberland's army. One of these, who was stationed in the country of the " Meinerich" gives a description of the sad state of the country, and also refers to the wearing of the kilt. His letters are as follow : — In Captain Walter Johnstone's report on the state of the Highlands of the Menzies' country, dated 7th June 1752, he says : — " In this country we have such a scarcity of provisions, a great many cattle having died, and what are alive are scarce able to crawl, so that the men (the soldiers) get very little to buy unless milk and a few eggs, and as there is no such thing to be sould as yet as mutton, lamb, veal, butter or cheese, I cannot send prices of provisions ; but I am assured by the Gentlemen of the country that in a fortnight's time everything will be plenty and reasonable, when I shall send them. Sir Robert Menzies has given Orders to his tennants here to bring us in what milk, eggs, etc., they can spare every Friday." He then goes on to speak of the wearing of the kilt, and says : — [page_399 A.D. 1752] " I have heard of none wearing the Highland dress or carrying arms in this country." In another report of the Captain's, dated at Invercomrie, 22nd June 1752, he says: — "The prices of provisions here are — a calf, 4s. 6d. ; a lamb, is. Sd. ; a wether, 5s. ; eggs, 2d. the dozen ; sweet milk, 2d. the Scots pint ; butter, 6d. per lb. ; no cheese as yet." He further goes on to say, or rather repeat, that " Sir Robert Menzies has ordered his tennants to bring us in provisions, which they do; and has given us 112 loads of Peats." — Glasgow, Past and Present, p. 602. This officer, who apparently was going round the posts, wrote another report to an officer in Glasgow. In it he describes the lands held by the Menzies of Glenlyon, their position and condition when he visited them, and the state they had been in before the presence of an armed force among them. His report is as follows : — Report of Captain Walter Johnstone, dated at Invercomry (south side of Loch Rannoch), Perthshire, dated 7th June 1752. Speaking of the quartering of his men, state of the Highlands, and the country of the Menzies', he says : — " The Glens are moory and deep, and keep black cattle and a few sheep, and from Dalnacardoch I went to Kenychan Bridge, where the party of soulders is quartered in a barn, and has firing from the wood which is very near them. This party is of use to keep the country of Foss on both sides of the water of Tumble, Gleneirichy on the one hand, and the mountain Shiekalin and Dunan's Hill on the other. From Kenychan Bridge I went to Invermeison, at the head of Glenlyon. The party here is indifferently quartered in a hut or shealing. They have no firing but roots of fir, which they get with difficulty out of a bog that's near there. This post guards the pass from the south to the Braes of Glenorchy. This Glen is eighteen miles long, is well inhabited, keeps a great many black cattle and sheep on both sides of the River Lyon, and grows more oats and barley than any Glen in this country. The chief proprietors of it are James Menzies of Culders and Meiggernie, Menzies of Chesthill, Menzies of Duneves, and Lord Breadalbane. It lies but six miles over the hills from this place, and used to be much infested with thieves from Loch Rannoch before the commands came here." — Glasgow, Past and Present, p. 601. Many of the Clan Menzies and other Highlanders after Culloden made their escape to France and other places on the Continent. Among these was John Menzies, the paymaster of the Menzies regiment, of whom we get a glimpse, with some of the other officers of Prince Charlie. In a letter from young Oliphant (of Gask), dated Boulogne, 4th December 1752, he says : — " At Lille we stay'd St Andrew's day, and were invited to dinner by so many of ye officers of Lord Ogilvie's regiment, Lord Dundee — Peter Greeme, Mr Fulerton, Chrichton of Abernethy, and ye minister, Riven, our fellow-skulker, John Menzies [page_400 A.D. 1752-1765] ye paymaster, Mr Abernethy, and ye minister, who all desire me to make you many complyments." Of the friends of the Chief Sir Robert and Lady Menzies, was the Duke of Douglas and his sister. Between the latter and Lady Menzies a strong friendship existed, and a considerable confidential correspondence was kept up between them, not without a certain spice of romance ; for it so happened that — " Lady Jane Douglas Stewart, sister of the Duke of Douglas — who had married Col1 John Stewart secretly, and through which her brother refused to see her or be on any terms with her — in a letter to Lady Mary Menzies, sister to the Earl of Bute, and lady of Sir Robert Menzies, Baronet, of that Ilk, dated Hope Park, near Edinburgh, 23rd January 1753, she probably alludes to her brother's feelings against her, when she apologises for not having, immediately on her arrival in Scotland, written her ladyship on the ground that ' various things came in the way (not mighty delightful) which prevented her.' ' My stay here,' sayes she in that letter, ' is uncertain, having thoughts of going to the north of England ; but before I leave these parts, I shall certainly give your ladyship notice.'" — Red Book of Grandtully, The wooded policies of Castle Menzies in the time of Sir Robert Menzies appear to have been one of the sights of Strath Tay, and a source of attraction to visitors, and are the subject of a letter in Pocock's Tours in Scotland, 1760, Letter XLV II.:— " Drummond Castle, August 22nd, 1760. Dear Sister, — On the 22nd I set out and went 3 miles to Tay Bridge, which consists of five arches, and is adorned with 4 obelisks. A little above it is Sir Robert Menges', an old castle, with a fine plantation, and some walks made through them. We had a fine view of the vale in which the Tay runs ; and ascending the hill to the south, passed a large stone set up on end, came over a high hill, and went along the side of another hill, having a rivulet to the east, which falls into the Brand water, which empties itself into the Tay," &c. — His. Society Scot., vol. i. On the 18th of March 1763, Sir Robert Menzies, Bart, of Menzies, is recorded in the State Papers of the time as being appointed one of the Commissioners of Police in Scotland. There was an additional return made of the effects of Captain Robert Menzies in 1765, when Sir Robert, the third Baronet, his grandson, possessed the estates of Menzies, "faithfully made and gavean up by Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk (III) Baronet, grandson of defunct." Abridged it is as follows : — " Imprimis — There is given up resting to the said deceased at the time of his death the sum of 9800 merks Scots money, pertaining with the haill bygane assets thereof, and the sum of 1000 merks of penelty contained in a bond granted by the deceased James Menzies of Culdairs to Sir Alexander Menzies of that Ilk (1st [page_401 A.D. 1765-1786] Baronet), dated 2d Jan. 1674 ; also an obligation granted by Sir Alexander Menzies to and in favour of umqull (Captain) Robert Menzies, his eldest lavvfull son, dated 10 Feb. 1765. 2d Septr. Jas. Meinzies of Culdaris." — Comist. of Dunkeld, vol. iv., pp. 68, 9. In the year 1770, the parish of Weem being without a placed minister, it devolved upon the patron of the parish and kirk o' Weem to present it with a minister; accordingly, "Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk, presented John Calder, A.M. in the ministry of Weem [on the] 26th June" 1770. He is said to have officiated since 1758. On the "30th December 1773 the Honourable Lady Mary Menzies died at Castle Menzies. She was a warm supporter of the royal Stewarts in her time, and a lady much beloved by the whole district and Clan Menzies. She was born about 1713 (?), and was therefore about sixty years of age on her death." — Annual Register, p. 177, vol. xvi., 1773. The ministry of Weem parish again becoming vacant, Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk, being patron of the parish and church of Weem, presented, on the 11th October 1775, the Rev. "John Stuart in the ministry of the church of Weem." In 1778 the parish and kirk o' Weem was again without a minister, and, as patron of Auld St David's Kirk o' Weem, " Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk, presented James M'Diarmid as minister to the church of Weem [on the] 23rd April 1778." After a long life, in which his country passed through all the troubles of the Revolution, while he was a minor the battle of Sheriffmuir and other engagements were fought, then came the incidents of 1745-6, during which he suffered much from Cumberland's troops, the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, born about 1706, died at the ripe old age of eighty, in the year 1786. He, by his wife, the Lady Mary Stewart, eldest daughter of James, third Earl of Bute, had an only daughter, Christian Menzies, who married Farquharson of Invercauld in 1750, and had an only daughter about 1752. There being no male issue, the title and estates of Menzies — Dull, Rannoch, &c. &c. — reverted to his kinsman, John Menzies, grandson of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, through the captain's second son, James. [page_402 A.D. 1786] Chief Sir Jobn the Menzies, 2lst Baron of that ilk, and the 4th Baronet of Menzies. BORN 1739. DIED 1800. ING GEORGE II. was involved in war with the French and in the American War of Independence when Chief Sir John the Menzies comes first before us in any of the records of the time, about which period the most extraordinary efforts were required on the part of the British Government to raise and arm men sufficient to cope with the armies opposed to theirs. The brave and distinguished conduct of the 42nd Highlanders and other Highland regiments was such as to cause his Majesty and the great Mr Pitt to look north to the Highlands of Scotland for reinforcements in the hour of need. They therefore appointed the Hon. Simon Fraser, son of Lord Lovat, to raise another regiment of Highlanders similar to the 42nd. He, by his influence, raised in a few weeks 800 men, 600 more being added by other chiefs of clans and Highland gentlemen ; these were formed into the 78th Fraser's Highlanders. Among those who joined the 78th were a number of Clan Menzies and others from the Menzies country : on the first roll of its commissioned officers we find Ensign Robert Menzies. On being embarked they sailed for Halifax, where they landed, June 1757 ; thereafter Ensign Menzies and other clansmen took part in the capture of Louisbourgh, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Quebec ; but Ensign Menzies was wounded in the defence of Quebec afterwards. It was during this war that we find the then future chief of Clan Menzies, as recorded in the State Papers of the period, appointed "one of his Majesty's (King George II.) trumpeters, dated 1st June 1761." This position he held apparently for a considerable number of years, for we find it recorded in the State Papers on the 22nd January 1772, "John Menzies was appointed one of his Majesty's trumpeters for Scotland." On the resumption of war in America in 1775, the British Government of George III. entrusted Colonel Fraser of Lovat with the formation of another Highland regiment, which was [page_403 A.D. 1775-1787] formed at Stirling as the 71st Highlanders, many of Clan Menzies joining the same. Among the first officers of the 2nd battalion was Major Robert Menzies. His regiment was despatched to America. On the voyage the ships were separated, and the transport containing Major Menzies, on entering Boston harbour — which had been evacuated without their knowledge — was attacked by three privateers full of men ; these they beat off, but their ship being disabled by a shot at its rudder, she grounded under the fire of a fort, where the shot and shell was poured upon them, killing Major Menzies. His death was a great loss, as from his great military experience he was specially qualified to discipline the corps, which had not then been drilled. It was about this time and during these wars that Sir John, getting an appointment under the Government of the British Indies, left Scotland for these colonies. There he was very successful, and amassed a large fortune. Here he remained for some years, during which time he had almost been forgotten at home ; indeed, he was given up for dead by his relatives and might never have been heard of had it not been for a faithful Highland henchman attendant, who kept up a correspondence with home, and, having received news of the death of Sir Robert the third Baronet, told his master of that event, and as he was the next heir urged him not to lose a moment but instantly to return home and have himself declared. He therefore immediately proceeded home, and accordingly, Chief Sir John the Menzies, fourth Baronet of that Ilk, succeeded to the estates of Menzies and the title by the death without male issue of Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, third Baronet of Menzies, surnamed in Gaelic by the Highlanders " Ruibert Spagach" through his being lame. Sir John was third cousin of Sir Robert, being the grandson of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, second son of the first baronet from the captain's second son, James Menzies, who became a merchant in Edinburgh, and married Janet Stevenson, and had two sons — 1st, John Menzies, who became Sir John Menzies, fourth Baronet of that Ilk ; 2nd, Captain Robert Menzies of the 42nd Highlanders, the Black Watch. There is a portrait of Sir John hanging up in the old banqueting-hall of Castle Menzies, on the back of which is inscribed "IV Sir John Menzies, Bart., grandson of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, 2nd son of the first baronet, who married Charlotte, eldest daughter of the 4th Duke of Atholl, but died issueless in 1800, when the title devolved upon his first cousin, Robert, grandson of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, through his 3d son Neil Menzies." Painted by Sir William Allan, P.R.S.A., R.A. (?) Sir John the Menzies married the Lady Charlotte Murray, eldest daughter of the fourth Duke of Athole, on the 4th March 1797. There is a beautiful companion portrait of this Lady Menzies hanging in the old banqueting-hall of Castle Menzies, from which it can be seen that she was one of the finest-looking [page_404 A.D. 1787-1790] ladies of her time. On the back of this portrait there is inscribed, " Lady Charlotte Drummond, painted from a miniature by Mrs Mee, London, Feb. 1839. — 1801." On the death of Sir Robert the third Baronet, Sir John was still abroad, being considered dead ; and therefore the next grandson — Robert Menzies, afterwards the fifth Baronet, descending from the third son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, his grandfather — was the only heir-apparent, and therefore, according to tradition, proceeded to take possession of such of the estates free of debt and not affected by the entail. This took some time, but at last was accomplished, when a grand levee and ball was arranged to be held at Castle Menzies to celebrate the accession of Robert Menzies, grandson of Captain James through his third son Neil, to the baronetcy of Menzies. The day arrived for the rejoicings, which were carried on all day at Castle Menzies. The whole of the clansmen and tenants turned out and congratulated " The Chief," and were well entertained at Castle Menzies with right good Highland cheer. On the approach of darkness bonfires blazed forth all over the Vale of Menzies, Castle Menzies itself was a blaze of light from top to bottom : the figures of the guests could be seen through the windows of its ancient drawing-room and banqueting-hall as they danced a Highland reel to music of the bagpipes and the tune of " Lady Menzies' Reel." The impressions left on the mind by the sight of such a dance can never be forgotten — the manly forms shown to full advantage in the classic Highland dress, particularly at such a time when Clan Menzies wears its full dress tartan of " Red and White," and the ladies also looked so graceful and bright in the " Red and White " tartan of Clan Menzies. The rejoicings had thus proceeded in full swing till the mystic hour of midnight, when a loud ring was heard at the castle bell, on which a servant at once went to the ancient entrance, and on opening the iron door was much surprised to see a horseman, evidently off a long and tiresome journey — his face bronzed with a foreign sun and his clothes covered with dust and travel-worn, his horse perspiring freely, from which he had dismounted, and as he stood beside his steed he had the bearing and figure of a military man. The servant was so taken aback at the appearance of the stranger that he became speechless, and awoke, as it were, when the traveller asked if Sir Robert Menzies was at hand, and if so, to give him his card. The servant went up to the banqueting hall, and signalling to the baronet, gave him the card outside its door. On reading the name he became a death-like colour, and clutching hold of the old rail which runs up along the wall of the " blue stairs " of Castle Menzies, he half- staggered, half-reeled down the stairs. On reaching the bottom he staggered towards the ancient doorway, and there met his cousin Sir John, as if he had risen from the dead, saying, "O ! Cousin, is that you?" Sir John, seeing his agitation, caught him by the hand, and in a reassuring tone of voice of great kindness, requested him not to put himself about, but Sir Robert insisted that he should [page_405 A.D. 1790-1792] come in and take possession on the spot, but this he absolutely refused to do, telling him not to disturb the guests, but to continue the rejoicings to the appointed hour, and he would go east to Weem Hotel and stay there till next day, which he did. On the other hand, Sir Robert and Lady Menzies after the guests had all left Castle Menzies, began and packed up all their valuables and other effects, with the assistance of the servants. This took them the remainder of the night, during which neither Sir Robert or Lady Menzies took any rest. When by dawn of day everything was ready, they took their departure by seven o'clock in the morning from Castle Menzies. When passing Weem Hotel they called for Sir John, and in the heartiest manner possible tendered him their congratulations for his safe return from a foreign clime, and his accession to the baronetcy of Menzies, after which they departed for Perth via Edinburgh. The estates of Menzies having been burdened with considerable debt during the lifetime of " Lady Mary " Menzies, full possession could not be had according to the entail until all the debt was cleared off. This Sir John the Menzies at once discharged from his fortune amassed in the Indies, and entered the estates of Menzies free of debt. He soon after married the Hon. Charlotte Stewart Murray, eldest daughter of the fourth Duke of Athole. Sir John and Lady Menzies, in the year 1790, had a bell erected up in one of the tall oak-trees at the east entrance gate to Castle Menzies at Weem. The tree stands a few yards from the porter's lodge, at its west-end corner. It was suspended on a bar of iron fixed between two of its extending branches, where it was used by the porter at the gate, who rang the bell as a signal to Lady Menzies on the arrival of visitors passing the gate on their way to Castle Menzies. The bell was used in this way for many years, but has now become almost swallowed up by one of the branches which has grown over it, making it impossible to move it. The bell bears the inscription date of " 1790," and is now one of the sights for the visitor to the grounds of Castle Menzies. Sir John Menzies, during his lifetime, did much to promote the improvement of the Menzies estates, particularly in planting. He, like the other old chiefs of the Menzies', did much to cover the barren -moorlands, and make them become a delight to the eye and a habitation for beasts and birds, and a source of revenue to his successors. He planted on the Rannoch estates at Aulich fifteen acres of Scots firs. Sir John Menzies also planted other ten acres of Scots firs of the same variety at Killiechonan. It was during the time of Sir John Menzies that the first Statistical Account of Weem was written, in the year 1792, and as the description and details of this parish of the Menzies' is the first given to the public, we herewith give it as being a picture of part of the country of Clan Menzies in the eighteenth century : — [page_406 A.D. 1792] " Weem ( Wamha, a cave) is said to have taken its name from a remarkable cave in a high rocky bank near the parish church, but of which, from the falling-in of earth or some other accident, no vestige now remains." The cave is said to have held about 60 or 70 people. " This parish is so intermixed with those of Logierait, Dull, Fortingall, Kenmore, and Killin, that it would be of little purpose to attempt a geographical description of it. It would appear that when parishes were first established every proprietor endowed the parish church most contiguous to his place of residence with the tithes of his own lands, at whatever distance they happened to be situated. This seems to be the most probable reason why the very nearest farm to the church of Killin on one side is in the parish of Weem, though at a distance of 22 miles from the church of that parish ; and there are other farms belonging to it at a still greater distance both in Glenlyon and Glenlochtay, some of which are above 30 miles from the parish church of Weem, and parts of several other parishes, and even parish churches, intervene. All these lands still hold off the family of Menzies. Parts of this parish lie along the rivers Tay, Lyon, Lochay, and Dochart. The two last fall into Loch Tay at the south-west end, as the first runs out of it at the east-north-east end, and is joined by the Lyon about two miles below. A district of this parish, called the twelve merk-land of Auch- more, lies at the south-west corner of Loch Tay, and another twelve merk-land, called Crannich, about the middle of it on the north side. " The great military road leading from Stirling to Inverness passes through this parish, and is joined by several other roads at Taybridge, which is about half a mile from the parish church of Weem. " The most remarkable mountains, of which a part belongs to the parish of Weem, are Ben Lawers, on the north side of Loch Tay, and Benteskerny, in Glenlochy. The first of these is recorded the highest in Perthshire, being, according to a measurement, 4015 feet from the level of the sea. "There are in the parish (1792) 1236 head of black cattle and 290 horses. There are about 8000 sheep, besides the usual proportion of lambs and year-olds. "Population, according to Dr Webster's report, was 1295. There are (at this date 1792) 1364 souls in the parish [of Weem], of whom 632 are males, and 720 females. " Rent, &c— The valued rent of the parish is about £1613 sterling. The whole parish, except one farm belonging to Mr (Archibald) Menzies of Culdares, is the property of two heritors — SIR JOHN Menzies and the Earl of Breadalbane ; but at one time the entire parish belonged to the Menzies'. Sir John Menzies is patron of the parish and church of Weem, and his principal residence is at Castle Menzies, in the parish of Weem, where he resides for a part of the year. " Castle Menzies— The grounds around which were greatly adorned by the [page_407 A.D. 1792 ] late Sir Robert Menzies, with gardens, plantations, and beautiful walks. It is situated under a most beautiful bank, Weem Rock, near the summit of which is a summer-house, also built by him, from which a fine view of Castle Menzies can be hA.D. It is covered with trees of various kinds, and is of considerable length and height, having an extensive plain in front towards the south, which is divided into a number of enclosures. Here are likewise two orchards, which yield a great quantity of apples, pears, cherries, and the finest geans, both black and red, now considered the oldest gean-trees in the world. " The church of Weem was built probably about the time or before King Robert the Bruce. According to an inscription above the door, it was altered and repaired in the year 1609 (?), and repaired again in 1752. When it was first built, and for many years afterwards, it was fully sufficient to contain all the congrega- tion that assembled to it, but, since the knowledge and practice of true religion have been more widely diffused, especially in the summer months, when at least a fourth of them are obliged to sit ' outside,' without the windows being thrown open, and a great many old and infirm people obliged to remain at home, who cannot venture to sit in the open air. Two-thirds of the congregation are from the parishes of Dull, Logierait, and Fortingall, their own parish churches being at too great a distance. The funds arise from the Sunday collections and the rents of a few seats in the church. The yearly distributions amount to about £2£. The weekly collections have greatly decreased of late years ; the family of Menzies having resided only a few months in the year." In the year 1792 the Statistical Account of the Parish of Dull 'was also published, the greater part of which marches along with the parish of Weem, and most of it being also the property and part of the estates of the Chief Sir John the Menzies, Bart, of Castle Menzies. The writer of the Statistical Account of the Parish of Dull was the Rev. Archibald Menzies, parish minister. It is considered one of the best written accounts of any parish in Scotland. It is worthy of notice that, with one exception, he is the only writer of these accounts who describes that the kilt or " phellibeg" which means the little kilt, or the kilt as now in use, was worn with a jacket and vest, and that it was worn by the people of the " Appin-na-Meinerich " in the parish of Dull, showing that the laws against the kilt and tartan after 1745 did not extinguish the wearing of the Highland dress and the clan tartans. We give the Rev. Archibald Menzies' description of the parish of Dull, as it was in the year 1793 :— " 'The Parish of Dull,' written by the Rev. Mr Archibald Menzies, 1792. " Dull, or Dail {Tullt) in the Gaelic language, which is uniformly spoken here (in Dull), signifies a haugh or plain, and this name appears to have been assumed to the parish from the local situation of the haugh or Appin-na-Meinerich, in which the church [of Dull] stands. The extent of the parish is very considerable, [page_408 A.D. 1792] and its form is very irregular. Indeed, there is this peculiarity in all the parishes in the braes of Perthshire, that they are intersected with one another in such a manner that one cannot describe their exact form. The length of Dull, south to north is 2>o miles, and its breadth 12 miles. It is divided into five districts — 1, the district of Appin of Dull, which is part of the Appin of Menzies, in which the parish church stands ; 2, the district of Grandtully, which at one time belonged to the Menzies', where there is a chapel, in which the minister preaches occasionally, six miles from this church ; 3, the district of Amulrie, which also once belonged to the Menzies', 12 miles distant from Appin, in which is a missionary supported by the committee for managing the royal bounty ; 4, the district of Foss, formerly and now belonging to the Menzies', eight miles from the church — here is a chapel in which the missionary of Rannoch preaches every third Sunday ; and 5, the district of Fincastle, also an old Menzies possession, 15 miles from Appin, to which the minister travels across very high hills three or four times a year. " There are various kinds of soil, as may be reasonably expected in such an extensive tract of country. The division of Appin is flat ; part of the soil is thick, but by much the greater part is thin and gravellish. It seems that the river Tay had occasionally altered its bed, and consequently carried away the earth and left much sand and gravel. There is a great deal of hill, but the greater part of the parish is a corn country. In the higher tracts the arable ground is exceedingly good, and yields great crops ; although they are seldom fertile, being very late in ripening. In this district the grain is of an excellent quality ; and, in general, harvest here is as early as it is in Midlothian. "Lakes, Rivers, &c. — -There are no less than 15 lakes in the parish. In all of them are to be found pike, trout, and eel. Pike, which weighed upwards of 30 lbs., have frequently been caught in Loch Tummel. There are several rivers, but none of them considerable, except the Tay and the Tummel. The salmon of the former is of an excellent quality, and the little of it which is sold in the country sells at 6d. per lb. during the spring season, and about 3d. in summer. Little, however, is sold in the parish, as the salmon are chiefly sent to Perth, and from thence conveyed to the London market. The banks of the Tay have a great tendency to oakwood. There are also very large birch-trees in the parish. " Horses, Cows, and Sheep. — There are 1500 horses, 5000 cows, and 24,000 sheep in the parish. Little care has been hitherto taken to improve the wool, the particular attention of proprietors and farmers having been directed to increase the size of the sheep ; while wool sells at 7s. 6d., and wool laid with tar at 5s. or 5s. 6d. per stone. " Population and Distempers. — It would seem that this parish was more populous about fifty years ago than it is at present. The return of Dr Webster in 1755 was 4897 souls. According to another report the number in 1755 was 5748 [page_409 A.D. 1792] souls. The number of inhabitants, as appears from an exact list of them recently taken, now amounts to 4676. The reasons for the decrease appear to be that some of the proprietors have extended their own farms, and that it was considered more beneficial for the farmers that there should be no farm less than a ploughgate. In this part of the country it was usual to halve, and even to quarter, a small farm, so that, perhaps, three or four families lived where only one now lives. In the higher parts of the country sheep-farms have also been united. The annual average of births for ten years back amounts to 80 ; but, as many of the children in the more remote parts of the parish are baptised by the itinerant ministers, there is reason to suspect that many names are never inserted in the parochial records. The average number of marriages is 40. Number of burials cannot be ascertained, as there is a burial-place in each district ; no register is kept. There is one surgeon, and one family of Roman Catholics in the parish. Rheumatism and pleurises are the most prevalent distempers. They seem to proceed from the dampness of their houses, which in general is very bA.D. Inoculation for the smallpox has been very common in this district, and its good effects are clearly seen. " Rent, Produce, &c. — The valued rent of the parish is £4898, 3s. Scotch. The real rent is a least £4500 sterling. The rent of lands in the lower part of the parish is from 10s. to 15s. per acre, the hill-grounds in general are given in addition ; but in the higher part of the country, where much attention is paid to sheep, a farm is rented by the lump. There are 17 heritors in the parish, of which number only six constantly reside in it. " The principal crops are oats, Chester-bear, pease, and potatoes. Much attention is paid to the raising of the latter. The inhabitants subsist upon them at least nine months in the year, and not a little is employed in feeding cows, horses, and swine. To this valuable root, and the raising of flax, this country is parti- cularly indebted. In general, all the farmers raise and spin what flax is sufficient to pay their money rents, besides all other smaller accounts. There is probably 3000 stone of flax raised in the parish. Turnips succeed well here, and within these few years considerable progress has been made in using them. With a few exceptions, almost every farmer in the Appin district and parish allots a small portion of his land to them. To this they are chiefly led by finding that grass seeds thrive better after them than any other preparation of the ground. The common way is to sow them in drills, although it has also been found that they answer very well in broad-cast method for feeding sheep. Some experiments have been made in this neighbourhood to pasture lambs on them, during the months of October and November, as a preventative against the disease called the braxy. It is uncertain whether the desired object is obtained by turnips, but this much is certain that great advantage is gained by it. Oats are sown from the 10th April to the beginning of May, and bear from the 15th of May to the 9th of June. [page_410 A.D. 1792] "The price of grain varies — the average conversion is about 15s. the boll, Linlithgow measure. What grain can be spared has a ready market among the inhabitants of the hill-country. " Fuel. — There is a great scarcity of fuel here. Peats are bad, scarce, and at a great distance. No trials for coal have been made in the parish. It is much to be wished that some exertions were used to discover whether coals can be found in this part. If the experiments prove successful, it would be a rich treasure to the proprietors, and a vast advantage to the country at large. " LABOUR. — The price of labour has risen much within these few years. Farm servants eat in the house. The wages allowed to a man who can plough, sow, &c, is £6 sterling, together with shoes and clothes : he is allowed 4 pair single shoes commonly called Brogues, 2 Pair of Hose, 4 Yards of Tartan for a Phellibeg or ' little kilt,' and a short coat and vest of some coarse kind of cloth. A woman receives £3 sterling for the year. " Ecclesiastical State, School, Poor. — The money stipend is £30, 5s. 4d., victual stipend, 67 bolls and 3 sirlots, Linlithgow measure. Of this last 32 bolls are payable half oatmeal, half barley, and the remainder is paid from the priory of St Andrews, 50 miles distant. The glebe consists of 1 1 acres. The king is patron. It would be improper here to pass over in silence the praise that is due to the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge. In this parish four of the schools are established, and here their labour has not been in vain. At three schools about 400 children are taught to read and write and understand the common rules of arithmetic ; much attention is paid to their religious instruction, and every violation of moral rectitude is punished with the utmost severity. By these means good principles are instilled into the minds of the children in their infant years. To this laudable and pious institution the rapid progress of improvement in the Highlands may in a great measure be attributed. There is also a school supported by the heritors at the village of Dull, at which about 100 children are taught : such as choose may there receive the benefit of a classical learning. Hitherto it has been superintended by men who received a liberal education, but as the salary is only £80 Scotch and the perquisites and school fees very low, it is to be feared that young men of this description will not consider it as an object worth their attention. " The number of poor upon the roll in the whole parish is 40. What money is expended for their support is collected in the church on Sundays, which annually amounts to £24, or thereabouts. Particular attention is paid only to the cases of such as are bed-rid. All who are able to go about to ask charity receive very little from the parochial funds. It must be confessed that hitherto this part of our constitution has not been sufficiently attended to ; if this, however, and the neighbouring parishes, were to support their own poor, there is good reason [page_411 A.D. 1793] to think that both parties would be gainers by it, the poor would be better provided for, and the country would not be infested by so many sturdy beggars as pour in upon it from the north during the months of June, July, and August. " Miscellaneous Remarks. — The roads upon the whole are in tolerable good order ; of late a great deal has been done to improve them, and much still remains to perform. The king's road between Stirling and Inverness passes through this parish. There are no turnpikes. The country roads are made and kept in repair by the statute work, exacted in kind ; but it is to be wished that this mode were altered, and that the occupiers of land were assisted in a moderate sum of money. By laying out their money judiciously, the work would be better done, earlier in the season, and to a far greater extent. " The people are sober, regular, and industrious ; they are lively, cheerful, and given to hospitality. Crimes are daily becoming more rare, gross offenders are held in great disgrace. A notorious drunkard is despised in the highest degree ; the people enjoying in a reasonable degree the comforts and conveniences of life, and in general appear happy and contented with their condition. Their condition, however, might be meliorated if proprietors would grant them leases of their farms ; all of them are tenants that may be removed at the proprietor's will. It has been said that they would become indolent if leases were granted to them, but experience shows that this objection is ill-founded. There are many Druidical temples in this parish, and a very great number of old castles, many of them like watch-towers. There is in one glen no less than the ruins of 1 5 of them : it is called Fincastle or Fonnchaisteal, the land of castles. " All the names of places are apparently Celtic. Kynnachan — this place is close by the old forest Schichatlin ; here the gentlemen were in use to assemble for the chase, and to uncouple their hounds, hence the etymology appears to be Coinneamb nan con, ' the meeting of dogs ; ' Shierglass, ' always running clear,' from the rapidity of the river Garrie, which flows close by it ; Duntanlich, ' the castle of Tumble.'" The greater part of the parish of Dull is on the west of the parish of Weem, and on the east of Weem marches the parish of Logierait, as part of it belonged to the Menzies' of that Ilk, and part of it still belongs to branches of the Menzies' of Pitnacree. We herewith give an abridged extract regarding it, as described in 1793. It is the only other parish where the wearing of the kilt is referred to : — "Parish of Logierait.— The general character of the people of this parish is sufficiently respectable. The virtues of humanity, frugality, and industry — the best ornaments of human nature — flourish among them. In the war, which terminated in the beginning of his present Majesty's reign, many became soldiers, and were distinguished for their valour. But military life has no longer the same charms in their eyes. In an inland place such as this there are few temptations [page_412 A.D. 1793-1800] to a seafaring life. In winter the women sit closely at their wheels ; in summer they are employed in field-work. The men labour hard in spring, summer, and harvest ; in winter they enjoy some relaxation. The ordinary stature of the men in this part of the country is five feet and a half, none exceed six feet two inches. The modes of dress and living in general have altered and improved within these last twenty years. No part of the old Highland dress is retained, except the PHILABEG, 'the Kilt', AND THE TARTAN Hose. The coat or 'jacket' has short skirts. Great coats, or ' Highland cloaks ' are now more generally used than plaids. The Sunday vests are commonly striped cotton ; many of the young people wear watches. Many of the young women have printed cotton gowns and dusste cloaks, &c. ' Twenty years since,' the people in this part of the country 'were universally Jacobites; they are now (1793), however, well affected to the present Government. The language spoken here is a corrupted dialect of the Gallic,' and the natives of this part are acute and ingenious ; and it must not be omitted that Dr Adam Ferguson, ' so reputed for his literary talents, his learning and eloquence, was born here, in this part of Perthshire.' " Sir John was born in 1739, as given in the Registrar of Edinburgh, as follows : — "2 July 1739. — To James Menzies, mer' in Ed", and Janet Stevenson, his spouse, was baptised a son named John. Witness, Robert Menzies of Culterraws, and Neil Menzies, Surgeon in Brigader Midelton's Regiment in Canongat. Born 22d June 1739." Chief Sir John the Menzies, Bart, of that Ilk, died in April 1800. The Weem Register records his death thus : — "5 April 1800. — Sir John Menzies, Bart., was buried in the church of Weem of this date." Fortunately the times in which he lived as Chief of Clan Menzies were greatly altered, so that his life being at a period free from civil war, there are not the same stirring events of history to relate regarding this Chief of the Menzies', or of the clan, as was in the times of his predecessors. On his death he must have been about 63 years of age, leaving no issue. After the death of Sir John, Lady Menzies, who seems to have been famous for her beauty, married Vice-Admiral Sir Adam Drummond, K.C.H. She died 31st May 1832. — Burke's Peerage. [page_413 A.D. 1745-1813] Chief Sir IRobert the Menzies, Bart., 22nd Baron of that ilk, and the 5th Baronet of Menzies. BORN 1745. DIED 1813. CHIEF SIR ROBERT THE MENZIES, fifth Baronet of that Ilk, became heir of Menzies. On the death of his cousin Sir John, the fourth Baronet, without issue, the title and estates reverted back again to the descendants of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, the second son of the first Baronet, from whom Sir John descended by his second son, which line ended with him. As his only brother, Captain Robert Menzies of the 42nd Highlanders, had died after seeing much hard service for his country in Canada, U.S. of America, and the West Indies — where he died at Havannah without issue in 1763 — the estates therefore reverted to the descendants of the third son of Captain James, who was Neil Menzies, surgeon in Perth (?), who married his cousin Mary Bothwell, daughter of Lord Holyroodhouse, by whom he had a son Robert, born about the year 1745, and who, on the death of the fourth Baronet, inherited the chiefship, estates and baronetcy of Menzies, to which he was served heir, which is thus recorded : — " Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, Baronet, to his cousin Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies [3rd] Baronet, who died 4 Sept. 1786. — Heir of Tallie and provn.- special in the Barony of Menzies and Rannoch, etc., in the counties of Perth and Kinross. Dated 1st Dec. 1800. Recorded 19th Dec. 1800." There is a very fine portrait of this chief hanging in the ancient banqueting- hall of Castle Menzies, painted by Sir Henry Raeburn. On the back of the canvas the artist has inscribed with his brush : — " Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk, Baronet, one of the Deputy-Lieutenants of the County of Perth. — Raeburn Pinxit, R.S.A." This portrait is one of the masterpieces of power from the brush of Sir Henry Raeburn, /'.R.S.A. The mother of Sir Robert was Mary Bothwell, the only daughter of Lord Holyroodhouse. She died 24th May 1783. The genealogy of the house of Bothwell, connecting it with that of Menzies, is as follows, and clearly shows that the present chief is entitled to the title of Lord Holyroodhouse : — [page_414 A.D. 1800] John Bothwell, second Lord Holyroodhouse, was the son of John Bothwell of Aldhammer, and grandson of Adam Bothwell, bishop of Orkney, the prelate who performed the marriage ceremony between Queen Mary and the Earl of Bothwell, and six months afterwards officiated at the coronation of King James. John Bothwell of Aldhammer had obtained the position of a Lord of Session when his father, the bishop, resigned that post in 1593, and he became a special favourite with the king, whom he accompanied to England in 1603. On the 20th December 1607 he was created a peer, with the title of Lord Holyroodhouse, an honour which he enjoyed for a brief period, as he died in November 1609. He left an only son by his wife Mary, daughter of Sir John Carmichael of that Ilk. He was served heir to his father on 17th January 1629, and died unmarried in 1635. As the title had been devised to the heirs-male of the body of John, first Lord Holyroodhouse, the direct line failed, but as there was a remainder to heirs- male of Adam, bishop of Orkney, the title became dormant, not extinct. No claimant appeared for it till 1735, at which date Henry Bothwell of Glencorse, great-great-grandson of William Bothwell, third son of the bishop, petitioned the Crown for an acknowledgment of his title. No decision was come to regarding this claim, although Henry Bothwell assumed the title during his lifetime. He died in 1755, leaving an only daughter, who became the mother of Sir Robert Menzies, fifth Baronet of Menzies. There is a fine old portrait of the last Lord Holyrood- house, the grandfather of Sir Robert the Menzies, seventh Baronet of Menzies, still in the possession of the present chief, and hangs in the ancient banqueting-hall of Castle Menzies. Sir Robert Menzies married his second cousin, Catherine Ochiltree, daughter of Duncan Ochiltree of Linsaig, Argyleshire. Sir Robert, according to tradition, on the first news of the death of his cousin Sir Robert, the third Baronet, in the absence of the nearer kinsman, John Menzies, who had gone out to the Indies and was reported to be dead, was acknowledged to be the nearest heir-male. Accordingly, he proceeded to take possession of such of the estates as the conditions of the entail permitted, and also assumed the title, and, as already described, was celebrating the joyous event at Castle Menzies when his long-lost cousin appeared. The disinterested, self-sacrificing and noble conduct of Sir Robert in yielding up with such good-will what he had got possession of speaks volumes for the man, and made the cousins fast friends ever afterwards, until the death of Sir John without issue, when Sir Robert re-entered into possession. It was in the time of this Sir Robert that the old Menzies Castle and estates of Garth became the property of Major-General David Stewart of Garth, the author of Sketches of the Highlanders, and who, in speaking of the great number of Menzies' who in his time still inhabited their ancient lands as tenants of the [page_415 A.D. 1800-1809] chief, as their forefathers had done, says : — " On the estates of many noblemen and gentlemen the number of their own surnames is often beyond all proportion greater than any others. On part of the estates of Menzies, running four miles along one side of the valley on the banks of the Tay, there are 502 of the chief's name, ' Robert Menzies,' descendants of his family." Many similar instances are still to be met with, where gentlemen have retained their ancient tenantry ; but no clan, in proportion to the cadets of the chief, can show to greater advantage than this account given of Clan Menzies by General Stewart. His account only gives the Menzies' on part of the chief's estates, from about Weem to Drummond Hill, the north side of which slopes down in gentle gradients, forming the mouth of Glenlyon, on the slopes of which at that time was a very thick population closely packed together, consisting principally of Menzies' ; but Breadalbane afterwards getting possession of Drummond Hill, forced many of the Clan Menzies to leave their native country to seek their fortunes in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and other countries. Sir Henry Raeburn, the President of the Royal Scottish Academy, painted a portrait of Lady Menzies in 1802, upon the back of the canvas of which he inscribed with his brush, " Dame Catherine Ochiltree, Lady Menzies, spouse of Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk, Baronet. — Raeburn Pinxit, 1802." This portrait also hangs in the banqueting-hall of Castle Menzies. Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, like his ancestors, was very fond of trees and forests. He, by planting those beautiful plants on the face of the barren hills of the highland estates and lands of Menzies, did much to alter the aspect of the country and soften the severity of the climate. Sir Robert, during his time, planted much wood in young plantations. In one year (1809), he planted no less than forty acres of Scots fir, larch fir, oak, and ash trees (the badge of Clan Menzies) at Kinaclachair, on Loch Rannoch side. All these plantations have thriven remarkably well, and now contain very fine trees for their age. The wood at Kinaclachair suffered very severely by the Tay Bridge gale, the terrible force of which uprooted hundreds of trees. It is almost impossible to over-estimate the value of such work as this. Through these, and other forests planted since, a great alteration has been made on the face of this part of the country, of which the present generation can have but a very slight conception, and which will become more and more marked in the time to come. Where formerly nothing was to be seen but unproductive moorland, we now have the waving graceful pine-tree, the hardy Scots fir, the graceful ash, and the beautiful birch (the lady of the forest), adding a new beauty to the face of the earth, and which will yield a good return to the planter. Sir Robert Menzies, in his time, made considerable alterations at Rannoch [page_416 A.D. 1809-1813] Lodge, where at the side of the porch, facing towards the Loch is a sculptured stone panel which indicates the date at which these were completed, upon which is carved : — S. R. 1803 M. C. O. Rannoch Lodge is a picturesque building of various dates, having two projecting wings with oriel windows towards the Loch, and a very old style courtyard to the back. It stands at the extreme west end of Loch Rannoch, and was one of the hunting-seats of Sir Robert Menzies, fifth Baronet of Menzies. It stands on a valuable estate — measuring upwards of 80,000 acres — in the parish of Fortingall, and from the Lodge a magnificent view of the Loch can be had ; and the Isle of Loch Rannoch, with its grim castellated tower, forms a distinct feature in the midst of its waters, bringing up to memory the many historical events connected with its history, and recalling the struggles, conflicts, and feuds of centuries which the Menzies' of Menzies and the clan successfully maintained for its possession, and which they now hold in peace. The hall of Rannoch Lodge is very quaint, and has its walls covered with the trophies of the chase, many of the stag's heads being magnificent specimens shot by the present chief. In the western division of the parish is Rannoch Moor, stretching from 16 to 20 miles in length and nearly as much in breadth. It is the largest moor in Scotland and the dreariest. Its aspect is the picture of utter desolation. " A great level," says M'Culloch, " bounded by mountains so distant as scarcely to form an apprehensible boundary ; open, silent, solitary ; an ocean of blackness and bogs ; a world before chaos ; not so good as chaos, since its elements are only rocks and bogs, with a few pools of water — bogs of Styx and waters of Cocytus — with a great, long, sinuous, flat, dreary, black, Acheron-like lake — Loch Lyndoch, near which arose three fir trees, just enough to remind one of the vacuity of all the rest ; not a sheep or a cow ; even the crow shunned it, and wheeled his croaking flight far off to better regions ; if there was a blade of grass anywhere, it was concealed by the dark stems of the black muddy sedges and by the yellow, melancholy rush of the bogs." Sir Robert Menzies held the patronage of the kirk of Fortingall under the ancient rights of his forefathers, and as patron of the parish and church of Fortingall, on the ministry of that church becoming vacant, he presented the new minister to its charge ; which event is thus chronicled in the records of the [page_417 A.D. 1813] Church of Scotland — " Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk, presented Alexander Irvine to the church of Fortingall, 28th Sept. 1804." — Church of Scotland Ministers, vol. 2, p. 820. Sir Robert was always ready to help forward the advance of literature and encourage research into the ancient poetry of the Celt, which was one of the burning questions of his time, owing to MacPherson having been the first to bring to light and publish the poems of Ossian. These poems were denounced by many English people, who thought that it was impossible for the ancient Highlanders to compose such majestic and heroic poems, not even second to the Greek bards. MacPherson's collection was followed by a collection by Hugh and John MacCallum of Ossian's poems and other Celtic bards, some of them not given by MacPherson. To this Sir Robert Menzies was one of the sub- scribers, with other seventeen subscribers of the name and clan of Menzies. Sir Robert Menzies died on the 8th March 181 3. A slab in the Auld Kirk o' Weem commemorates his death, on which is this inscription — "Sir Robert Menzies, Bart, of that Ilk, Died 8th Mar. 1813, aged 68 years." A funeral escutcheon in memory of the departed chief still hangs in the Auld Kirk o' Saint David Menzies at Weem : it is beautifully painted in oil and represents the full arms of the Chief Menzies of Menzies. Lady Menzies, who survived him, died in 1830. A slab also in St David's Auld Kirk o' Weem, records her death, with this inscription — " In memorie of Dame Catherine Ochiltree, Lady Menzies, spouse of Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk, Bart, who died Jan. 1830." By his wife, Sir Robert left — 1st, an only son, his successor, Sir Neil the Menzies, the sixth Baronet of Menzies ; 2nd, an only daughter, Vere Menzies, who married Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Butter of Faskally, and had a son, Archibald Butter, Esq. of Faskally: he married, in 1835, Jemima, youngest sister of Sir John Stewart Richardson, Bart, of Pitfour Castle. [page_418 A.D. 1780-1844] Chief Sir Neil the Menzies, Bart, 23rd Baron of that ilk, and 6th Baronet of Menzies. BORN 1780. DIED 1844. THE CHIEF SIR NEIL THE MENZIES, Bart, of Menzies, succeeded to the chiefship, estates, and baronetcy of Menzies, on the death of his father, Sir Robert. His retoured succession is thus recorded — " Sir Neil Menzies, of Menzies, Baronet, served heir to his father, Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, Baronet, who died 8th Mar. 181 3 — heir of tailzie and provision-special in part of the barony of Menzies, etc. — Perthshire, dated 3rd May 1813, recorded 12th May 1813." Sir Neil was born about the 16th August 1780, before his father had any hopes of the baronetcy, as Sir Robert the third Baronet was then living, with several other heirs who came before him. Sir Neil was educated for the Bar, and was in the year i8cA elected a member of the Faculty of Advocates, of which, on his accession to the title and estates of Menzies he became an honorary member, which he retained during life. He married first, on the 6th June 1808, Emelia Balfour, daughter of the Hon. Francis Balfour of Fernie, county of Fife, the second son of the third Lord Balfour of Burleigh, of which marriage there were two daughters. But Mrs Menzies died 1st Nov. 1 8 10, before Sir Neil succeeded to the baronetcy. From this time he remained single until the year 18 16, in which year he married the Hon. Grace Charlotte Conyers Norton, 3rd Dec. 18 16. She was the eldest daughter of Fletcher Norton, Lord Grantley, Baron of Markenfield, and English Baron of the Court of the Scottish Exchequer. There hangs in the old banqueting-hall of Castle Menzies a full-length portrait of Sir Neil Menzies, painted by Sir John Watson Gordon, P.R.S.A., R.A., Limner to Her Majesty, in which the chief is represented having his little daughter at his right side, with a sporting dog on his other side, and he appears in the ordinary garb of the period, not being able to wear the kilt through a slight lameness got by a kick from a horse some years before, which prevented him from wearing his usual garb, the Highland dress. There is also a companion full-length portrait to this, by the same celebrated artist, of the Hon. Lady Menzies in her marriage-dress, which consisted of a beautiful white material, [page_419 A.D. 1816-1833] with a large silk sash of the full-dress Menzies tartan, " Red and White," entwining round her waist on to the left shoulder, from which it in graceful folds extends to her left hand, over which it hangs, displaying the checks of the tartan and giving brilliancy of colour to the picture. About the year 1816 Sir Neil, following in the footsteps of his ancestors, laid down over a large tract of his Highland moorland, plantations of young forests, and further extended and completed the extensive plantations begun by his father Sir Robert at Kinaclachair, where he expended a large sum of money in adding over 60 acres to these splendid plantations of Scotch fir, larch fir, oak, and ash trees. About the year 1828 the parish church of Weem being left without a minister, it was the duty of Sir Neil, as patron of that church and parish, to call and present a minister. Accordingly, as recorded in the records of the Church of Scotland, we find that : — " Sir Neil Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk, presented Alexander Campbell as minister of the church of Weem, 17th July 1828." The Highland distillers having a grievance, by the proposal before the Government to take away the drawback on malt duty, arranged to hold a meeting at Weem, 12th January 1832, at which Sir Neil Menzies was to preside, having considerable invested interests ; and David Prentice, the proprietor of the Glasgow Chronicle, through the influence of Dr Thomas Menzies of Glasgow, arranged to have a report of the meeting despatched from Weem to Glasgow, in time for immediate publication in the Chronicle (then one of the leading newspapers in Scotland), which was a thing of considerable difficulty in those days of stage coaches, but would be of great benefit to Sir Neil and other friends of the movement. Accordingly, the following appeared in the columns of the Glasgow Chronicle : — " At a meeting of the distillers in the Highland districts of Perthshire, com- prehending Breadalbane, Appin (na-Meinerich), and Strathtay, held at Weem on Thursday, 12th Jan. 1832, it was proposed and unanimously agreed to petition Parliament not to take away the drawback on malt duty. A petition to that effect was accordingly drawn up and signed by the partners of the different distilleries, which they requested Sir Neil Menzies, Bart, who has uniformly interested himself in behalf of the legal distillers in the Highlands, to forward to Sir George Murray, the member for the county, to be presented to the House of Commons." — From Glasgow Ch?-onicle, 18th Jan. 1832. About the year 1833 Earl Breadalbane got a great addition to his rent-roll, through turning the small farms and crofts with their hill-grazing into large farms. Sir Neil was advised by his factor, Mr Campbell, to follow the example, when he employed the man Mr MacGillouvry, who had carried out the scheme for Breadalbane, and who would not proceed unless Sir Neil would give him full power. This Sir Neil ultimately granted, when MacGillouvry immediately ordered a [page_420 A.D. 1833-1840] considerable number of the tenants to leave the Appin-na-Meinerich, on which many of them proceeded to New Zealand, America, and Australia. One of the farmers, meeting MacGillouvry, said it was impossible to do without the hill-pasture, who replied, " Go home and think over it, and when you get used to it you will think nothing of it." This, with the conduct of the factor, was the means of many Menzies' leaving their native country and seeking a foreign clime. Notwithstanding the number of clansmen who had left the Menzies country through the breaking up of the small farms into larger farms, by far the greater number of these large farms were held by clansmen of the name of Menzies. Looking among some old papers in the Menzies estate office one day, by the permission of Sir Robert Menzies, we came across an old rent-roll of the time of Sir Neil Menzies, shortly after the large farms had been made by putting a number of small farms into one. It was divided into three sections. The first section was that on which most of the large farms were, on part of the Appin-na-Meinerich, or, as this part of it is sometimes called, the " Appin of Dull," in which it shows that there were 42 farms, giving the names of each farmer and his farm, of which twenty-six were Menzies, three were MacGregors, three were Camerons, three were MacLaurins, two Livingstones, two Dewars ; the remainder being one each, McDonald, Stewart, Scott, MacLeish, &c. &c, showing an enormous proportion of clansmen of the chief as against any other name on his estates. Most of those MacGregors and others were married on Menzies', and in this respect got a preference from Sir Neil next to " A Menzies," when a farm should become vacant. Several of the old people now alive, who were young in the time of Sir Neil, speak of him with the greatest veneration as a kind-hearted chief, who was every inch a gentleman, and who possessed a generous heart, always ready to assist his clansmen forward. By many ways he found means to keep them in their ancient country, assisting many of them into large farms and others to extend them. This rent-roll is of much interest in other respects, as it shows that the ancient form of paying rent " In Kain," was still in force to some extent in the time of Sir Neil. In it are set down the number of hens each farmer is to give along with his money rental, and also the number of cart-loads of peats, slates, limestone, oak bark. It also shows that drainage was dealt with. The embanking of rivers, burns, lochs, and other works of the kind were carried out at the mutual expense of the farmers and proprietors. The limestone on the estates of Menzies was also made use of for the benefit of the tenants, the coal used in burning the lime being partly paid by the laird and partly by his tenants ; nor was education neglected, for this shows an established system, which was kept up by a proportionate share being paid by each tenant according to his rental. Herewith we give the first section of this rent-roll of Sir Neil Menzies, Bart., from part of the estates of Menzies, which is dated 1839- 1840, and which speaks for itself as a model rent-roll, as follows : — ¦ [page_422 A.D. 1840-1842] In 1840 Sir Neil completed an extension of Castle Menzies to the west, where on the apex of its baronial step-gable is the crest of " The Chief" Menzies of Menzies — a Saracen's head, beautifully sculptured out of the stone. The cap over the centre dormer window has also sculptured on it two branches of the ash (the Menzies badge), crossed with the monograms N.M. and C.C.M., and dated 1840, with the motto, — " O Lord ! WE TRUST IN Thee." Scotland, in the month of August 1842, when quite unexpected, was suddenly startled into a state of joyous excitement by the pleasing intelligence that the youthful and amiable Victoria, Queen of the British Empire, with her royal consort, Prince Albert, was about to visit her ancient kingdom of Scotland. The news circulated rapidly, the knowledge of which seemed to gladden every heart through- out the length and breadth of the land. Nowhere did the news excite greater enthusiasm than in the Appin-na-Meinerich, " The Vale of the Menzies'," when it became known that Her Majesty was going to honour the ancient country of Clan Menzies with a visit extending to several days. This occasion far exceeded in interest anything that had occurred in the Vale of Clan Menzies, otherwise called Strath Tay, since the last visit of royalty in the person of " Bonnie Prince Charlie " to Castle Menzies in 1746 ; or of the other visits of Queen Victoria's royal ancestors, in the persons of Charles II., or the beautiful Mary Queen of Scots, all of whom resided at Castle Menzies. The Queen, however, during her stay, was to reside at the then just completed Taymouth Castle, which stands about five miles west from Castle Menzies, on the south bank of the Tay on the old lands of the Menzies, who even then held the land to within less than half-a-mile of Taymouth ; and as Her Majesty had to pass through at least seven miles of Menzies possessions before the gates of Taymouth could be reached, it was arranged that Clan Menzies, headed by their chief, Sir Neil the Menzies, should give the Queen a true Highland welcome before she entered the grounds of Taymouth at its eastern gate, and thereafter act as Her Majesty's guard of honour. The Chief Sir Neil enthusiastically entered into the spirit of this national event. He, in conjunction with Chieftain Ranald Menzies of Culdares, Chieftain Ian Menzies of Chesthill, and Chieftain Menzies of Bolfracks, raised on their estates about 200 picked men of Clan Menzies, to act as Her Majesty's guard of honour during her stay among them. This fine body of clansmen Sir Neil supplied with the complete full-dress Highland costume of the " Red and White " Menzies tartan, and they were put through a regular course of drill and instruction preparatory to the royal visit, which in this instance was almost exclusively confined to the Highlands of Perthshire. Queen Victoria, with her royal consort, landed in Scotland at Granton, 1st September 1842, and took up their quarters at Dalkeith Palace, from which they visited Edinburgh and other places, making a stay until the morning of the 6th September, when they departed for Perthshire, travelling by way of Queensferry, [page_423 A.D. 1842] Kinross, and Lochleven, from which she surveyed the ruined castle of Lochleven, the old prison of her ancestor, Mary Queen of Scots ; thence she proceeded to Damhead and entered Perthshire ; then passed through Glenfarg to Bridge-of-Earn, and then to Dupplin Castle, where the royal pair made a stay for a short time, from which they visited the Fair City of Perth. Among the guard of high constables there, was clansman Thomas Menzies, one of the burgesses. After passing through Perth, Her Majesty proceeded to Scone Palace, where the royal pair resided till next day. They then proceeded to Dunkeld, where she received a grand Highland reception, from whence after lunch the royal party pro- ceeded on their way for the " Vale of the Menzies " and the newly-built Taymouth Castle, on the afternoon of Wednesday, 7th September 1 842. It was generally known that the royal party would not reach the " Appin-na- Meinerich " (Strath Tay) till late in the afternoon, but such was the enthusiasm of the Menzies' and other Highlanders of the surrounding district for many miles round, that the whole country was astir at an early hour. So little did they think of a long watch for the reward of seeing their young queen, that many had taken up positions of vantage along the route hours before the time that the cavalcade was expected to pass. The scene in the vicinity of Taymouth was one animated picture of bustle and life, made truly picturesque by the stalwart figures of the Highlanders dressed in their native dress — the kilt — as they passed to and fro, their tartans waving in the air, the most prominent of which was the " Red and White " tartan of Clan Menzies. Not only were the brilliant colours of the Menzies tartan exhibited in the Highland costumes of the clansmen of Clan Menzies, but it was also displayed to still greater advantage on the fair and graceful forms of the many ladies of Clan Menzies who were among the guests and spectators, and who were easily distinguishable everywhere by their brightest of all tartans, the " Red and White," which stood out in strong contrast against the low-toned dark green tartan of the Campbells. The companies of Highlanders which had been drilled and equipped for the occasion having taken up their allotted positions, were joined by the company of the gallant 92nd Highlanders, wearing the Menzies tartan hose. They were soon followed by a troop of horse, who also drew up. All being in readiness everything was expectation. Just then the strains of the bagpipes were heard in the distance ; as the sound of the pipes came nearer and nearer, the tune could be distinguished as the " March of Clan Menzies," and soon Clan Menzies emerged from the wood, in their gay " Red and White " tartan, headed by their venerable Chief Sir Neil the Menzies, Bart., mounted on a beautiful white Highland pony, and attended by his two tall and handsome sons, the junior Chief Robert Menzies, and the Captain of Clan Menzies (Fletcher Norton Menzies), the second son. Then followed the long " Red and White " line of Clan Menzies, numbering [page_424 A.D. 1842] two hundred clansmen, officered by Chieftain Ranald Menzies of Culdares, Chieftain Ian Menzies of Chesthill, and Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Bolfracks. They were headed by about seven pipers with streaming banners of" Red and White," behind them came the two standard-bearers, one carrying the " Red and White " standard of Clan Menzies, the other that of the Menzies arms. Then came Sir Neil, with three eagle feathers in his bonnet denoting " The Chief" ; next his elder son Robert, with two eagle feathers in his Athole bonnet, the mark of "Junior Chief"; then his second son Fletcher as "Captain of Clan Menzies," with one feather in his bonnet ; then in their appointed positions came Chieftains Menzies of Culdares, Menzies of Chesthill, and Menzies of Bolfracks, each with a single eagle feather in their bonnets, the mark of "Chieftains." Each of the other clansmen wore in their bonnets a bit of the " Red and White " heath, the full-dress badge of Clan Menzies. The whole clan wore the full Highland dress. Their doublets being dark in colour threw out in greater contrast the " Red and White " tartan of the kilt, the plaid, and hose of Clan Menzies ; the bright and picturesque appearance of whom, when they suddenly appeared and marched into the open space before the gates of Taymouth, brought forth loud and enthusiastic cheers from the Highlanders and the assembled spectators, the cheering being prolonged until they took up their position to receive the Queen and the Prince Consort, before they should enter the gate to Taymouth, thereafter to be Her Majesty's guard of honour. It is said that almost all the Menzies clansmen of the guard were about six feet high, many being over it ; the young chief himself being six feet four inches in height, and his brother Fletcher about six feet one. After the arrival of Clan Menzies, the whole of the Highlanders and troops remained in their respective positions, arranged for the royal reception, namely : — ¦ On either side of the principal entrance to Taymouth, and forming a semicircle, was stationed a single line of Highlanders, armed with targets and bucklers ; these were joined to the right, looking towards the hall door, by a company of the 92nd, whose line was continued by the deer-stalkers, armed with rifles and attired in Highland costume. The line immediately in front of Taymouth was formed by the Royal Breadalbane Highlanders, in which were many of the clansmen of Clan Menzies. This body of troops formed a line to the east avenue, through which the cortege was to pass. On the other side of the avenue the dragoons were drawn up, continuing the line with the Highlanders armed with targe and buckler, from the east avenue and entrance, where Clan Menzies was to receive Her Majesty. There was also an open space in front of the grand entrance lined by boatmen bearing flags, with tartan jackets and white trousers. A military band was stationed behind the Highlanders, while the pipers were drawn up in front. In addition a splendid body of Highlanders armed with Lochaber axes lined the grand entrance — the whole forming a complete cordon, with the exception of [page_425 A.D. 1842] the avenue by which the royal party were to approach, which was lined by Clan Menzies, as the guard of honour to Her Majesty, and who extended to the eastern gate, where the Chief Sir Neil the Menzies, Baronet, the younger chief (afterwards Sir Robert), his brother Fletcher (the captain of the clan), with Chieftains Menzies of Culdares, Menzies of Chesthill, and Menzies of Bolfracks, awaited to receive Her Majesty. About half-past six a signal was received by the Chief Sir Neil that Her Majesty was approaching the east gate where Clan Menzies was drawn up, and immediately thereafter the royal carriage drew up, when the Chief Sir Neil the Menzies welcomed Her Majesty and the Prince Consort to Strathtay. In this he was seconded by Chieftain Ranald Menzies of Culdares, who, in Gaelic, gave the royal pair a hearty welcome, then turning quickly round, he in Gaelic called upon Clan Menzies to give three Highland- cheers for "the Queen!" This was responded to with great enthusiasm by Clan Menzies giving three prolonged cheers in Gaelic and in Highland fashion, in the midst of which the royal carriage moved on down the avenue, which was lined by Clan Menzies, who continued to cheer the Queen as she passed along the " Red and White " line. The cheering was heard at the entrance door of Taymouth, and acted as a signal to those there that Her Majesty had entered the grounds by the east avenue. In that direction every eye was strained, when soon the helmets of the dragoons could be seen through the trees, and in a few seconds more the royal carriage was observed advancing down the avenue, followed by Clan Menzies as guard of honour. On reaching the open space, where there was a large crowd assembled behind a barrier, a loud, far-reaching cheer hailed Her Majesty and Prince Albert. On arriving at the entrance the cheering became deafening, the Highlanders and military giving their respective salutes, the band striking up the National Anthem, the pipers sounding their long and shrill salute, the boatmen waving their colours, and the general spectators vieing in their enthusiasm, amid which the royal carriage drew up before Taymouth. On arriving at the entrance the Marquis of Breadalbane came forward, when Her Majesty cordially took his hand on alighting, and was received by the Marchioness, when, perceiving the Duchess of Sutherland and Lady Gower, Her Majesty embraced them, exclaiming, " How grand this is ! " After surveying the impressive scene for some time, the royal pair entered the castle and saluted the ladies present, among whom was Lady Menzies, who attracted Her Majesty's special attention by her tall, graceful figure, attired in the full-dress Menzies tartan, which being also worn by the other ladies of Clan Menzies present, the brilliant colour of the red and white checks became the subject of Her Majesty's special admiration. The magnificent scenery of the surrounding country and the Vale of Menzies, [page_426 A.D. 1842] the greater part of which could then be seen from Taymouth, belonged to the chief and chieftains of the Menzies'. There to the north of the river Tay ranged the forest-clad heights and craigs of Dull ; stretching eastward and projecting out in bold relief, like a sentinel protecting Castle Menzies, stood Weem Rock, its' rugged heights clad with the ash, the oak, the Scots fir, the graceful birch, and the stately pine, and nestling at its feet was " Bonnie Weem." On the lower levels of these heights, quite near Taymouth, stood Tirinie and Coshiville. All this formed a background to the picture, as Her Majesty proceeded to Taymouth, and was the property of the Chief Sir Neil. Then, farther to the west, could be seen the braes of Culdares at the mouth of Glenlyon, and the lands of Chesthill, as they descended into the north side of Loch Tay west of Fernan. Then on the south-east side of the river Tay, stretching east from the east gate of Taymouth, and rising up in steep gradients from the river, were the lands of Bolfracks, stretching to Aberfeldy burn, through which Her Majesty drove on her way to Taymouth. All these belonged to chieftains of Clan Menzies. Indeed, about nine-tenths of the country which Her Majesty could see around from Taymouth belonged to Menzies'. Altogether, the whole formed one of the finest scenes imaginable. It seemed as if one of the great chiefs of the Menzies', in ancient times, was receiving his sovereign when everything visible around was theirs. \t was princely and romantic. A few moments after the royal pair had entered the castle they came forth on to the balcony, and were received with renewed greetings by the people, Highlanders, and the guard of honour. After viewing the splendid scene for some time with apparent satisfaction they withdrew, when royal salutes were fired and the crowd dispersed for a short time, and the royal party sat down to dinner at eight o'clock. The dinner was followed by a grand fete of extraordinary splendour, and hitherto unequalled in this country. Soon after Her Majesty's arrival, the gem-like lamps were to be seen in all directions, representing various devices, which, being lit on nightfall, sparkled like gems. On a bank to the west shone out " WELCOME, Victoria and Albert," in variegated coloured lamps on the slope, in beautiful relief. On the long line of hills of the Menzies country, stretching north, east, west, and south, blazed forth in the darkness a succession of bonfires, producing an unexpected scene of grandeur and sublimity. A little before ten o'clock a royal salute was fired, which was at once followed by a display of fireworks unequalled at that time ; one of the devices of which was a sudden blaze of light, from which appeared in large characters " LONG LIVE THE CjUEEN." Immediately after the fireworks a long line of torches, borne by the Clan Menzies guard of honour and other Highlanders, advanced and surrounded three large platforms in front of the royal apartments. This was to exhibit to Her Majesty real Highland dancing in all its characteristic and animating variety. The " Reel of Tullachan " was struck up by [page_427 A.D. 1842 ] the pipers, and immediately the Queen appeared on the balcony and sat viewing the Highland dances with evident pleasure. The prince wore the Order of the Thistle, and stood on the right of Her Majesty, and Sir Robert Peel on the left. Beautiful portable lamps placed at the ends of the platforms shed additional light and lustre upon the scene ; when, after several dances by the officers of the Highland corps and clansmen of the guard of honour, Chieftain Ian Menzies of Chesthill, Hon. F. Maule, Clansman Alexander Menzies, and another Highland gentleman stepped on to the platform, all attired in full Highland costume, the Menzies red and white tartan contrasting strongly against the dark tartans worn by the other two gentlemen. On the pipes striking up, they danced a Highland reel with great spirit, grace, and agility, to the delight of the Queen, who shortly after withdrew amid prolonged cheers. The prince returned and remained some time longer to enjoy the dancing, and then ultimately retired amid acclamations. Next day — Thursday, 8th September 1842 — the prince had considerable shooting over the ancient lands of the Menzies' around Taymouth, and in the afternoon the Queen and party drove through the grounds to Kenmore, where from the bridge they surveyed the magnificent scene to the west, where Loch Tay forms a mirror, reflecting the sky and the wooded hills on either side — all the ancient possessions of the Menzies'. On the return of the royal party Her Majesty bestowed on the Chief Sir Neil Menzies, Bart. — who paid his homage to her along with the Honourable Lady Menzies — the honour of forming part of Her Majesty's select dinner-party, of whom were the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn, the Earl and Countess of Kinnoull, the Earls of Morton, Aberdeen, Lauderdale, Liverpool, Sir Robert Peel, Sir James Clarke, General Weems, and others. After dinner Her Majesty was much charmed by Scottish songs, sung at her request, such as " Lochaber no more," "Wae's me for Prince Charlie!" and "Cam' ye by Athole?" Early in the forenoon of next day, Friday, 9th September 1842, Her Majesty walked through the grounds attended by the Duchess of Norfolk. At the same time the Prince was grouse-shooting, and in the afternoon Highland dances were again exhibited ; then in the evening the Chief Sir Neil Menzies and Lady Menzies, by the command of Her Majesty, again formed part of the select royal dinner- party. The dinner was followed by a grand reception and ball, at which Her Majesty wore a scarf of the royal Stewart tartan across her shoulder. The Queen opened the dancing with the Marquis of Breadalbane, and specially enjoyed the Highland reels. Of those who were marked figures during the ball were — the Chief Sir Neil Menzies, Bart, Hon. Lady Menzies, Miss Menzies of Menzies, now Mrs Macintosh of Reigmore, the Junior Chief Robert Menzies, now Sir Robert, his brother, captain of Clan Menzies (Fletcher N. Menzies), Cheftain Ranald Menzies [page_428 A.D. 1842] of Culdares and Meggernie Castle, and Chieftain Ian S. Menzies of Chesthill. The dancing was taken part in by Her Majesty with great spirit, during which the Queen expressed her admiration of the Red and White tartan of Clan Menzies. This being the last evening of the royal party at Taymouth, every effort was put forward to make a grand finish, and with success, as Her Majesty entered into the enjoyment until about half-past twelve, when the royal pair withdrew, smiling and bowing their graceful acknowledgments to the company. Next morning, Saturday 10th September 1842, Her Majesty, all things being ready, stepped into the State barge near Kenmore Bridge. On her way thence she was greeted with loud cheers by Clan Menzies and other Highlanders assembled to have a last look at their beloved Queen, and soon the royal pair were seen gliding into the waters of Loch Tay, the royal barge being followed by three others — first, the " Loch Tay," in which was Chief Sir Neil Menzies ; second, the Admiralty barge; last, the "Galley of Lorne"; the vivid pageant recalling scenes of former times connected with Loch Tay, when the ancient line of Fergus, Kings of Scots, used to pay State visits to the " Meinerich " in those parts. The little squadron proceeded to skim through the mirror-like waters of Loch Tay; as they glided west, ravishing views of the surrounding hills, mountains, glens, and forests were had, until, after three hours' rowing, they landed and proceeded to Auchmore, all the ancient possessions of the Menzies'. Here the royal pair partook of luncheon, then bade a fond adieu to their host, hostess, and others. They then proceeded to Drummond Castle — through Glendochart, also old Menzies country, then by Glen Ogle to Lochearnhead, and along Strathearn to Drummond Castle. In commemoration of the splendid share which Clan Menzies took in the foregoing events, a large picture was painted by MacNabb, representing the March of Clan Menzies along the " Appin," or Vale of Menzies, to take their appointed position at the east gate to Taymouth, there to receive and welcome Her Majesty. The long Red and White line is preceded by seven pipers, then the two standard- bearers, next the Chief Sir Neil Menzies, Bart., on his white Highland pony, then the Junior Chief, now Sir Robert, and the Captain of Clan Menzies, Fletcher N. Menzies, then the long line of clansmen over 200 strong, officered by the chieftains. In the background is Castle Menzies, Weem, Taybridge, Weem Rock, Craig Dull and Mount Fergan, with the river Tay in the intermediate foreground. This picture was painted for Sir Neil Menzies, on whose death, two years after the fore- going events, it became the property of the Hon. Dowager Lady Menzies, in whose possession it remained until her death, when it, with many other articles connected with the history of the Menzies which Lady Menzies had taken possession of as hers, in terms of her will — instead of being left to Sir Robert for preservation in the family — were sold by public roup in Edinburgh, when it was bought by Col. Robert Menzies, O.R.V.B.R.S., Edinburgh, for his mother, Mrs John Menzies. [page_429 A.D. 1842] There is a very good story told of Sir Neil, who had been invited to a grand dinner, at which, with other nobles, was the Marquis and Marchioness of Breadalbane. Alongside the latter Sir Neil was seated at dinner, when the conversation turned on estates, tenants, &c. It so happened that Breadalbane rented from Sir Neil that beautiful stretch of level meadows on the south bank of the Tay, running from about 4 miles from Aberfeldy almost to Taymouth. These fertile parks were left on the south bank by the river Tay changing its bed during some great floods many years ago, and as these parks were going to enhance the other lands of Breadalbane, he rented these from Sir Neil. The conversation preceding, the question of rents arose, when the Marchioness, with an air of consequence, said to Sir Neil, " I wonder which of us has the wealthiest tenants on our estates ? " The question being heard by others of the company, there was silence to hear what Sir Neil would say, and to which he replied, " I have ! " " What ! " said the Marchioness, " You have ? " " Yes, yes ; I have," was the reply. " And who may this wealthy tenant be ? " retorted the Marchioness. " The Marquis of Breadalbane," replied Sir Neil. Needless to say, this splendid answer of the baronet convulsed the company with laughter, while the Marchioness was non plus. On the estates of the Menzies there are many standing stones, circles, and rude stones called Druidical circles, and sometimes also sanctuaries, as affording places of shelter for men and beasts. By the Highland people these sanctuaries are held in such veneration that they consider it an act of desecration to destroy them. An instance of this occurred in the time of the Chief Sir Neil Menzies, Bart., when Mr Campbell, factor to Sir Neil Menzies, wished to destroy one of them on the Menzies estates, that the large stones might be used for pillars to the gate leading to his own house. He ordered the labourers to remove the stones ; but they, disliking the irreverent occupation, indicated their reluctance to Mr Campbell, upon which he himself took a lever and raised the stones out of the sockets where they had been for thousands of years, and levered them into the cart. On his way homewards his horse ran off, and both he and the horse were killed — a very sad and melancholy fate, which the people superstitiously interpreted as a judgment of heaven for his having violated one of the sacred or sanctuary stones on archaeological grounds ; the destruction of such memorials of the past is a vandalism much to be regretted. Sir Neil's factor was not very popular in any case among the Menzies', being the cause of driving many from their native country, and was the man who advised Sir Neil to give full power to MacGillouvry to carry out his system of managing Highland estates, which he used in the most heartless manner to the old tenants and clansmen, being aided by Campbell in the ruthless work. The Chief Sir Neil Menzies, having considerable capacity for military affairs, joined the Royal Highland Perthshire Local Militia, which forms the militia [page_430 A.D. 1844] battalion of the Black Watch, of which regiment he was commissioned the lieutenant-colonel, and this honourable post he held for many years with distinc- tion — in camp, on parade, or on the march he was always at his post, and was a great favourite with the men. Sir Neil was one of the most active members of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, of which he was admitted a member in the year 1802, and continued to be a most enthusiastic supporter in all its departments. He was the honorary secretary of the Society for a consider- able number of years, and was also convener of the second district of the Society, in the Transactions of which his name frequently occurs. Sir Neil was the author of several small papers on agricultural affairs, of which he communicated several to the Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society, in which they have been published — see vol. viii., 1841 ; and vol. xiv., 1843. The Chief Sir Neil the Menzies, Bart., died on the 16th of August 1844, and was buried in the St David Menzies' Auld Kirk o' Weem, where there is a large slab in memory of him, inscribed " Sir Neil Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk, died 16th Aug. 1844." Sir Neil was buried with Highland honours by Clan Menzies, who followed his remains to the kirk dressed in their full-dress tartan, " Red and White," in honour of their beloved chief. He was carried shoulder-high by about seven or eight stalwart clansmen, in full Highland costume. There were several relays of these clansmen to relieve each other, from Castle Menzies to the kirk, a distance of about a mile. The procession was headed by the piper to the deceased chief, assisted by about six others, playing a lament, followed by a long line of mourners in full Highland costume, those of the clan being easily distinguished by the bright colours of their tartan displayed in their plaids, kilts, and hose. In accordance with ancient custom, an armorial escutcheon now hangs within St David's Auld Kirk in memoriam of the departed Baron and Chief of Clan Menzies. It is beautifully painted in oil, and forms one of some six or seven still hanging on the walls of the ancient Kirk o' Weem to the memory of the departed chiefs of Clan Menzies. Sir Neil by his first wife Emelia Balfour, daughter of Francis Balfour of Fernie, county of Fife, had : — 1st. Catherine Menzies, born 1 809, who married Captain J. Hendry Murray, R.N., 23rd January 1845, nephew of George, 5th Earl of Dunmore. 2nd. Amelia Francis Balfour Balbirnie Menzies, born 18 10, and died August 1894. She married Patrick Small Keir, Esq., advocate, J. P., D.L., of Kindrogan, Perthshire, and had a son Wm. A. Keir, who died 1879 ; also two daughters — ist., Catherine Menzies Keir; 2nd. Amelia Keir. Mrs Keir died 30th July 1894, just as her brother, Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., was about to celebrate his 50th year as chief of Clan Menzies and inheritor of the estates of his ancestors. On the news [page_431 A.D. 1844] of her decease reaching Sir Robert, he immediately ordered all rejoicings to be postponed. Sir Neil married, secondly, 3rd December 18 16, the Hon. Grace Charlotte Conyers Norton, eldest daughter of the Hon. Fletcher Norton, Lord Grantley, Baron of Markenfield, and had two sons and two daughters : — 1st. Robert Menzies, afterwards the 7th Baronet, born 26th September 1817. — Burke's Peerage. 2nd. Fletcher Norton Menzies, born 8th March 1819, a Captain in the Royal Perthshire Highland Militia. 1st. Grace Ellen Augusta Valentine Menzies. She married, 12th March 1856, Eneas William Macintosh, Esq. of Raigmore. 2nd. Caroline Elizabeth Wyndford Menzies, who died 17th February 1845. She was much beloved by all classes of the people in the Vale of Menzies, and to her memory there was erected a niche in the Auld Kirk o' Weem next the Menzies altar, which contains a beautiful bust sculptured out in white marble representing her with eyes closed, sleeping the long sleep. The Chief Sir Neil predeceased Lady Menzies by about 33 years, as she survived him until the 3rd January 1877. [page_432 A.D. 1817] Chief Sir Robert the Menzies, Bart, 24th Baron of that ilk, and 7th Baronet of Menzies. BORN 26TH SEPTEMBER 1817. CHIEF SIR ROBERT THE MENZIES, seventh Baronet of that Ilk, was born on the 26th September 1817 at Castle Menzies. He at an early age became a student in the University College of Edinburgh, from which he matriculated to the University of Oxford. In the Allnmni Oxonienses it is recorded regarding him : — " Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., first son of Sir Neil Menzies, Bart, of Edinburgh University College, matric. 23d June 1837; D.C.L. 1842; seventh Baronet, sometime captain Perthshire Rifles." Sir Robert, during his studies at Oxford University, was one of the best athletes of the University and " a celebrated oarsman," as was also his brother Fletcher, " who was President of the O.U.B.C." The fame of the young chief's and his brother's prowess still linger about the old college at Oxford, where they distinguished themselves in many a boat-race contest against the rival University of Cambridge, Fletcher being captain and " stroke " of the Oxford crew, while the young chief was the " bow oar." As Sir Robert himself says, he " was too long to be ' stroke,' therefore they gave him the bow oar." The reason for this was that Sir Robert stands over 6 feet 3 inches high ; it would, therefore, be almost impossible to get a crew who could keep stroke with him. Among their triumphs " they won the University pair-oar match and two others, also the University four-oar match. Their college eight-oar was head of the river for two seasons — they worked it up and left it there. At the Henley and London Regattas Sir Robert was a frequent and successful competitor, and finished off as rowing No. 2 in the Oxford seven-oar that won the Henley Cup from the Cambridge University eight-oar crew. Although over 6 feet 3 inches in height, Sir Robert weighed only 10 stones 12 lbs., which accounts for him being bow oar of the seven-oar, as No. 1 was left out." On the visit of the Queen and Prince Consort to Strath Tay, the Vale of Menzies', Sir Robert took an energetic part in the preparations for the reception of Her Majesty ; and during his attendance with the Clan Menzies guard of honour on the royal pair, his tall handsome figure, in full Highland costume, was [page_433 A.D. 1844] much admired by royalty, and commented upon by many writers when describing the royal visit. On leaving college, the young chief became a captain in the Perthshire Highland Rifle Militia of the Black Watch. There are many instances of Sir Robert the Menzies' endurance in walking fast, and also long distances. On one occasion, finding all the seats taken in the Aberfeldy coach at Perth, there being no room for him, the young chief set off walking across the hills, which is only a few miles shorter than by the road, and arrived at Aberfeldy before the horses were taken out of the coach. He has often walked from Castle Menzies to Rannoch Lodge in six hours, the distance (by road) being almost 30 miles. As a rule Sir Robert prefers to walk, although his horses are standing idle in the stables. In 1844 Sir Robert was appointed convener of the magistrates of the Weem district of Perthshire in succession to his father. He has devoted much of his time and attention to the local interests and improvements of the country. One out of the many examples of his activity as a magistrate was his action when the rinderpest was creating such devastation among the cattle elsewhere. The magistrates had applied for additional police to the authorities at Perth, when they were told that they might have as many as they liked to employ, but that they must pay for them themselves. On this being made known to the bench, Sir Robert suggested that if the men were to be paid by the district they might as well be kept clear of the county authorities, and entirely under the control of the magistrates at Weem. This view was adopted, when twenty men were sworn in as special constables, and appointed to suitable places, under a committee of which Sir Robert had the charge. The great danger was that parties wishing to remove cattle attempted to do so during the darkness of night. These special police were mostly employed in night-patrolling, which the ordinary county police did not do. The result was crowned with success, as no case of rinderpest occurred within the Weem district. In order to see that his men were at their posts during the night, Sir Robert himself (as also some others) used to ride out at 1 1 p.m. and not return till daylight, having visited some of the far-off guard at Foss or Glenquich during the patrol. — S. R. M., 16th January 1894. It was Sir Robert who erected the double battery of guns on the side of Weem rock, consisting of two large cannon (28-pounders), from Lord Nelson's ship the Victory, and six smaller guns, about 18-pounders. The eight guns of the fort are fired on all occasions of national, family, or clan interest. Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk, on the death of his father, succeeded to the baronetcy on the 16th August 1844, and thereafter was served his heir in the estates of Menzies. The record of this service is as follows : — " Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, Bart., to his father, Sir Neil Menzies of Menzies, Bart., heir [page_434 A.D. 1844-1870] general — dated 24th Mar. 1845 ; Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies, to his father, Sir Neil Menzies of Menzies, Bart., who died 16th Aug. 1844 — heir of tailzie and provision-special in Menzies, Weem, etc., Rannoch, Ardfarlimore, Perthshire — dated 18th October 1845 ; recorded 22nd Dec. 1845." As Lady Menzies, the mother of Sir Robert Menzies, was still alive, she had the liferent of part of the lands of Rannoch, Foss, &c, and these Sir Robert did not get possession of until her death. On the 10th of June 1846 Sir Robert Menzies married Annie Balcarres Stewart- Alston, sixth daughter of Major James Stewart-Alston of Urrard. This was celebrated with great rejoicings by the whole inhabitants of Strath Tay, where, on the return home of the chief with his bride, Aberfeldy was en fete, and a large triumphal arch was erected on the north side of Tay Bridge, where the Marquis of Breadalbane stationed his band, who struck up " See the Conquering Hero Comes " as their carriage, from which the horses had been taken out by the clansmen of Clan Menzies, was drawn through the arch on to Sir Robert's estates, in front of which marched a band of pipers playing the Menzies march. Along the whole route to Castle Menzies the chief and his bride were received with enthusiastic greetings. The Rev. James Playfair of Newtyle, afterwards Principal of the United College, St Andrews, when on a tour in the land of the Menzies', and in these parts, must climb Ben Lawers to enjoy the glorious prospect from it. His friend, the incumbent of Weem, was his cicerone. Sir Robert Menzies, the Baronet of Weem, gave the minister the hint that he should conduct Playfair to the mountain-top by the most difficult passes consistent with their safety. He did so, and the ascent taxed the mettle of the tourist to the uttermost. On reaching the summit, and looking back on the rocks which he had climbed, he exclaimed, " Has there ever been a living creature here before?" His guide's answer was, "Oh yes, goats and eagles." — Historic Scenes of 'Perthshire. The chief has always been a keen curler, and as patron of his team he presented them with the Menzies arms, which they wore in their bonnets for many years without any objection on the part of the Excise, until the chief and his team were playing a match at Logierait, on the 21st February 1870, where one of his men, Mr Robert Menzies, was singled out by the Excise and summoned before the justices, where he was acquitted and the case dismissed. But this was appealed to the Quarter Sessions at Perth, 4th August 1870, where Sir Robert, being a J. P., sat on the bench until the case of Robert Menzies came up, when he took the clansman's place at the bar, and addressed the bench in support of the local justices, and stated that he had presented the silver crests, and authorised his club to wear it, as patron. He requested the bench to take a broad view of the matter, and asked them, " If a friend staying at his house, using his paper with the [page_435 A.D. 1870-1872] Menzies arms to write a letter, would be liable ? or the keeper of an inn, who put up above his house the arms of his landlord ? Or again, he held in his hand a lady's fan — (laughter) — used by a lady at a ball held at Dumfries last week in connection with the Highland Society's Show. He did not say he was present at the ball — (loud laughter) — but this fan was ornamented with armorial bearings taken from envelopes. Was this lady then liable in a penalty of £20? Sir Robert handed the fan to the bench amid much laughter. Notwithstanding his able reasoning, the case was reversed, and a modified fine of £5, instead of £20, imposed — this Sir Robert paid for his clansman. The great consideration of Sir Robert Menzies for his tenants has made him one of the greatest favourites of any laird in the Highlands. The chief in his dealings with them is said by themselves to be always ready to help them to make up their arrears, many times by running his pen through whatever balances they could not pay. In this way he is said to have run his pen through many thousands of pounds of arrears of rent. In every way as a landlord Sir Robert is well liked and respected by his tenants. He has greatly improved the property in draining, fencing, clearing out earth-fast stones, and adding to the extent of the arable land by a large area. He has also provided his tenants with stone and lime built houses with slated roofs. Formerly these as a rule were only built of dry stone and thatched.— S. R. M., 16th Jan. 1894. [page_436 A.D. 1877 ] The Honourable Lady Menzies died on the 3rd January 1877. She was born 27th March 1795, thus being about 82 years of age on her death. She was buried with Highland honours. Clan Menzies mustered at Castle Menzies, dressed in their red and white tartan. The procession started from Castle Menzies, headed by a band of pipers playing a " Menzies Lament," followed by the coffin, carried shoulder-high by about seven stalwart clansmen, followed by the chief, Sir Robert the Menzies, and a long line of relatives, friends and clansmen. As the procession wended its way through the avenues of the policies and the village of Weem, it was saluted in Highland fashion by the people uncovering their heads as it passed on to the Auld Kirk o' Weem, where she was laid. A stone commemorates her, on which is inscribed : — " The Hon. Grace Charlotte Conyers Norton, wife of Sir Neil Menzies of that Ilk, b. 27 Mar. 1795 ; d. 3 Jan. 1877." Soon after her death Sir Robert got possession of the remainder of the estates, and was served heir to them, thus recorded : — " Sir Robert Menzies, Bart, of Menzies, served heir to his father, Sir Neil Menzies of Menzies, Bart., who died 16th Aug. 1844 — Heir of tailzie and provision-special in the Lands of Foss, Rannoch and others. Perthshire — Dated 3rd, recorded 4th Dec. 1878." It was in this year that Lady Menzies, the spouse of the chief, died on the 29th April 1878, and was conveyed to the Auld Kirk of St David Menzies at Weem, with all the marks of Highland respect and honour, her funeral being much the same as the Dowager Lady Menzies already mentioned. A slab in the Auld Kirk in her memory is inscribed : — " Annie Balcarres Alston-Stewart, Lady Menzies, wife of Sir Robert Menzies of that Ilk, Bart, born Nov. 10, 1822 ; died April 27, 1878." Sir Robert Menzies, Bart, of Menzies, had by his wife issue — two sons and two daughters, namely : — 1st. Neil James Menzies, born 5th March 1855. He became a captain in the Scots Guards. 2nd. Robert Fletcher Menzies, born 3rd November 1863, but died young. The daughters are : — 1st. Caroline Mary Stuart Menzies. She married, 23rd April 1878, Athole MacGregor, Esq., second son of Sir John A. B. MacGregor, Bart., and had issue. 2nd. Egidia Charlotte Menzies of Menzies. " Sir Robert gained some notoriety during the agitation for the abolition of the pontage on the bridge at Dunkeld, which had been- built by the Duke of Athole under the authority of an Act of Parliament. The pontage was a sore subject to sundry Radicals in the neighbourhood, who had placed a placard at the end of the bridge condemning it, with a collection-box to get funds to raise an action in the Court of Session to have the collection of pontage declared illegal. The wording of the notice being very insulting and odious, as Sir Robert was going along the bridge he read the inscription and then kicked the collection-box (an empty cigar- [page_437 A.D. 1887] box with a slit in the top), into the middle of the roA.D. This was brought under the notice of the then Liberal Government, who prosecuted Sir Robert for malicious mischief. At the trial, when called upon to plead guilty or not guilty, he replied, ' I admit the fact but deny the offence,' which was taken by the Court as a plea of ' not guilty ' ; and as the witness for the prosecution broke down completely in proving that there was money in the box, or that it had suffered any harm by the kicking, Sir Robert was acquitted of having done any mischief. The Tory Baronet thus got the better of the Radicals and the then Liberal Government." — S. R. M., 26th Jan. 1894. In 1887 it was proposed by Major (now Lieut-Colonel) James Menzies of the 5th V.B. of the Black Watch, or "Glasgow Highlanders," that a memorial on the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Victoria's jubilee should be erected to commemorate the great and gallant services rendered by the 42nd Highlanders, " am Freiceadan Dubh " or Black Watch, to the nation, and to be dedicated to Her Majesty on her jubilee. A committee having been formed with Colonel James Menzies as receiver — his two brothers, Colonel Robert Menzies and Major Archibald Menzies (Queen's prizeman) being included in its number — subscriptions soon flowed in, and sufficient funds having been raised to erect a handsome cairn, surmounted by a figure of a Highlander in " The Garb of Old Gaul " at the time of the formation of the regiment, the next thing to be done was to fix upon the spot on which to erect it. This through the influence of Earl Breadalbane was arranged to be on the old lands of the Menzies', only acquired by the predecessor of Breadalbane from the Menzies' of Bolfracks a number of years before. It then was given out that it was the spot where the Black Watch had been embodied into the first regiment of Highlanders — this was done by friends to please the new holder of the land, through his influence with the majority of the committee ; whereas the real field upon which the independent companies met, and were formed into a royal regiment of the line under royal commission, was on the north side of the river, on the fields or level hauglis between Taybridge, Weem, and Boltachan. The Chief Sir Robert the Menzies endeavoured to put the committee right on learning their intention to erect the cairn on the south side of Tay Bridge — a place the situation of which was quite unfitted to review and form in order such a body of men. On the other hand, the fields on the north side of the Tay at Taybridge, in front of Weem and Boltachan, are the finest for such a purpose that could be found anywhere ; indeed, the field in front of Easter Boltachan is still used for the marshalling, drilling, &c, of the Volunteer Battalion of the Black Watch in the district of the " Appin-na-Meinerich" Sir Robert Menzies therefore wrote a letter to the Dundee Advertiser, pointing out the mistake, in which Sir Robert proceeded to say : — " The detailed companies of the Black Watch met at Weem, and the whole regiment was drawn up in the field at Boltachan, [page_438 A.D. 1887] between Weem and Taybridge." Keltie, in his History of the Black Watch, vol ii., p. 326, says : — " It is strange, considering the inscription on the monument, that Sir Robert Menzies was not asked to allow it to be erected in the field in question." This Sir Robert would most gladly have granted if the committee had done him the courtesy of asking ; but other considerations seem to have had more weight with them than having the monument erected on the actual spot of embodiment, and, indeed, the place where — As already given in this work, the first independent company of Highlanders was formed out of Clan Menzies, who assembled in 1689 on the eve of the battle of Killiecrankie, at the call of the " fiery cross " sent round by Chief Sir Alexander the Menzies, the first baronet, when 100 Menzies' were selected to assist General Hugh Mackay, under the command of their young chief, Captain Robert Menzies, who was the first Highland gentleman commissioned over a company of High- landers for the service of the Government — therefore, the first officer of the am Freieeadan Dubh, now the 42nd (Black Watch). After Killiecrankie, where the services of the first independent company of Menzies Highlanders were such as to merit the admiration of all Scotland and the commendation of General Mackay, they were engaged under their young chief during the succeeding conflicts and in the defence of Inverlochy Castle, thereafter in the erection and building of Fort William, also in garrisoning Meggernie Castle in Glenlyon, and Castle Menzies, under Captain Robert Menzies ; the direct connection of Clan Menzies from this first independent company being kept up continuously by Menzies' holding commissions until its formation into a regiment, and afterwards down to the present, either in the army, militia, or volunteer battalions, the succession being as follows : — I. Captain Robert Menzies, younger, of Menzies, who formed the first company before the battle of Killiecrankie in 1689, and on whose death, in 1692, was succeeded in command by his brother : — II. Captain James Menzies of Comrie, brother of Captain Robert, the second commissioned officer of the first independent company of 100 Highlanders of Clan Menzies, which command he held until the formation of his company with the other six into the 43rd Highlanders, the commissions being dated 25th October 1739. But the regiment was not embodied until May 1740, when, as Captain James was then an old man, he was succeeded by his eldest son : — III. Captain John Menzies of Comrie, afterwards of Ferntower, nephew [page_439 A.D. 1887] of Captain Robert, the founder of the Black Watch. He had his commission granted as an ensign on the embodiment of am Freiceadan Dubh, or Black Watch, on the fields of Menzies between Weem and Boltachan ; his name is on the muster- rolls of that day. He was with the regiment at the battle of Fontenoy, 11th May 1745. The Menzies company of the Black Watch was even then known as a clan company, as the following extract from the Dull register shows : — " Alexander, son to John Menzies, soldier in Captain John Menzies' his Independent COMPANY, and Elspie MacGregor ; was baptised March 10th, 1747. Alexander Menzies of Bolfraix, and Robert Stewart, witness." Captain John, not having any male issue, was succeeded in command of the Menzies company by his nephew, the second son of his brother James : — IV. Captain Robert Menzies, second son of James Menzies, who was the second son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie, whose elder son became Chief Sir John Menzies, the fourth baronet, brother of this captain. He figured during the American wars with France, along with Captain Alexander Menzies, who also held a captain's commission on the departure of the Black Watch for the seat of war in June 1757, being present at Louisburgh, Ticonderoga ; then in the West Indies ; also at Guadaloupe, Crown Point, Martinique. After the capture of the latter, Captain Menzies died of disease in 1763, leaving in command his kinsman : — V. Captain Alexander Menzies of Bolfracks, mentioned in the foregoing, who served until the Peninsular War, about which time he was succeeded by : — VI. Captain Robert Menzies of Bolfracks. He served through the Egyptian campaign, being present at the battle of Aboukir Bay, 1st March 1801, where the 42nd by their dashing charge drove the French from the shores. He was at the battle of Alexandria, 21st March 1801, where he and his clansmen fought hand-in-hand against the French cavalry. His name is recorded on the roll of ensigns, and he received a medal for his services. The next Menzies in succession to him was : — VII. Major Archibald Menzies, also of Bolfracks, afterwards served heir to the barony of Bolfracks, known by the Highlanders as the " Major Moore," or the Big Major, as he was about 6 feet 6 inches high, and proportionate in build and strength, being considered a match for any seven ordinary men. He distinguished himself greatly through the Peninsular War ; and at the battle of Salamanca, 22nd July 18 1 2, he was wounded, receiving afterwards a medal-clasp inscribed, " Salamanca," where he was in command of the Grenadier company of the 42nd, all being Highlanders, six feet or over in height. He was also with his regiment at Vittoria, St Sebastian, Toulouse, &c. On the resumption of hostilities in 181 5 the 42nd were quartered in Brussels. When Bonaparte advanced towards it the 42nd were the first ordered out, and encountered the French at Ouatre Bras, where [page_440 A.D. 1887] the 42nd hurled themselves with such impetuous fury upon the French as to scatter them like chaff. The Highlanders were pursuing them hotly, and having got into an unguarded condition, which being observed by Marshal Ney, he despatched a regiment of lancers to bear down upon them. These the 42nd took for Brunswickers coming to cut up the flying French infantry, and halted to let them pursue the flying French, and stood to see the tremendous carnage, when a German dragoon galloped up exclaiming " Franchee ! Franchee !" and wheeling, galloped off. The 42nd were thus surprised, but they instantly formed in rallying squares as well as possible. Captain Archibald Menzies and his grenadiers had been foremost in the charge, and were on the flank near the dragoons, who now came on with a terrific charge. " The feet of their horses seemed to tear up the ground ; the extended skirmishers of the 42nd were first to fall under their lances, then the colonel, when Captain, afterwards Major, Archibald Menzies commanded, but was surrounded by a company of French lancers, against whom he defended himself with his claymore, emptying many a saddle by the power of his swordsmanship, but being surrounded on all sides and overpowered, he fell, covered by about seventeen lance wounds. His Highland grenadiers rushed forward to save him, and ' a momentary conflict took place over him, when the grenadiers, whom he com- manded, pressed round to save or avenge him, but many of them fell beneath the enemy's lances.'" At length they were driven off, and their gallant captain taken to a place of safety. He survived this the first great day of the battle of Waterloo, and afterwards lived for many years in the Appin-na-Meinerich at Farleyer, near Castle Menzies. He was made Major and received two war medals — one for Waterloo, and one for the campaign of 1793, with clasp for Salamanca. He was succeeded as a representative of Clan Menzies in the 42nd by his son : — VIII. Captain Gilbert Innes Menzies, who joined the Black Watch about 1842, and who was also served heir to the barony of Bolfracks. It was in his time that the Chief Sir Neil Menzies was made lieutenant-colonel of the Black Watch Militia, known as the Royal Highland Perthshire Local Militia, thus bringing back the continuous connection of Clan Menzies, its chiefs, and chieftains, with the Black Watch, either by service in the standing army battalion, or in its militia or volunteer battalions. IX. Sir Neil Menzies, Bart., lieutenant-colonel of the Black Watch Militia battalion, was succeeded by his eldest son : — X. Sir Robert Menzies, Bart, who held a commission in the Black Watch Militia, or Royal Highland Perthshire Local Militia, as did also his brother, Captain Fletcher Norton Menzies. Sir Robert, on the formation of the fifth battalion of the Black Watch Royal Highland Volunteers, became their lieutenant- colonel, which honourable post the grand old chief still held in the year of his jubilee, 1894, as chief of Clan Menzies, being then in the 77th year of his age. [page_441 A.D. 1887] Another link in the connecting chain with Clan Menzies and the Black Watch is : — Lieutenant-Colonel James Menzies of the 5th battalion Black Watch Volunteers — "The Glasgow Highlanders" — a descendant of Major Archibald Menzies, so distinguished at Ouatre Bras and Waterloo. He joined his regiment on its formation, and was in 1893 awarded a gold medal for long service, being over 20 years a commissioned officer ; he was also the originator of the Black Watch memorial, its final completion being due to his energy. By the foregoing will be seen the continuous historic connection with the Black Watch from the first independent Highland company, formed by Chieftain Robert Menzies on the eve of the battle of Killiecrankie, down to the present Chief, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Robert the Menzies, Bart.; and also with the unveiling of the Black Watch memorial, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel James Menzies, at Aberfeldy, on Saturday, 12th November 1887, a full account of which appeared in the Dundee Advertiser, 14th November 1887, with an illustration of the monument, which we give here by the kind permission of the proprietors of the People's Friend. The Black Watch memorial stands on the old lands of the Menzies of Bolfracks, and it is rather remarkable that so many officers of the Black Watch should have been from the families springing from the barons and chieftains of the Menzies' of Bolfracks, even to the originator of the memorial, the dimensions of which are : — The cairn is of rough whinstone, and is about 35 feet high. On each of its four sides is a tablet with an inscription. On its apex it is surmounted by the figure of a Highlander (Farquhar Shaw) in the original uniform of the gallant 43rd — now 42nd — with his right hand drawing his claymore, and his flint-lock gun slung over his shoulder, the attitude suggesting him going forth to fight the battles of his country — [page_442 A.D. 1887] " Like firmest rock, in battle shock ! They stood their ground since then ; And onward dash, like lightning flash, Its brave and gallant Highland-men." On the north panel there is a figure of a modern Highland soldier of the Black Watch in the act of recording the various battles taken part in by the Black Watch from its formation to the present time — the first on the list being Fontenoy, regarding which the poet says : — "Witness, disastrous Fontenoy, When all seemed lost, who brought us through ? Who saved defeat, secured retreat ? And bore the brunt ? — the Forty-two ! " — The Black Watch.— Dugald Dhu. On the south side is a medallion of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, with the inscription — "1887. The Year of Jubilee of Queen Victoria," &c. The east panel has a long inscription setting forth the formation of the 42nd, &c. ; the west having a long Gaelic inscription to the regiment of the Gael. The rejoicings on the unveiling of the monument were brought to a close by a grand public banquet, at which Lord Breadalbane, Lieutenant-Colonel James Menzies, Colonel Robert Menzies, Major Archibald Menzies, and others took part. [page_443 A.D. 1887] The ancient Castle of Comrie, with the title of" Baron of Comrie," still belongs to Sir Robert Menzies, indeed, it cannot be sold, but must descend to heirs-male of the Comrie line of Menzies'. Although the lands of Comrie were acquired by the Campbells, it is said, in the early part of this nineteenth century, still the Menzies' have the right to a carriage-road round it on three sides, and a space of three feet from the wall on the north side next the river, respect to which distance has been kept as the present line indicated by the ice-house of Breadalbane shows. A gate on each side of the castle gives access to and from the river bank, and also from the road, which runs close by the boat-house of the ferry. This enclosure is very small, and the castle, prior to 1887, became one mass of ivy, which almost perfectly hid the stones. The Marchioness of Breadalbane, observing this sad condition of things, and meeting Sir Robert Menzies one day, told him of it, and said he ought to send some of his men to Comrie and cut down the ivy of his old castle. This Sir Robert did ; but, owing to the narrow extent of ground around the castle belonging to Sir Robert, the long ladders of his men had to be angled on to the land belonging to the Marquis, who, being told about this, took a walk across to see what was going on. It so happened that the baronet was there himself, and on meeting, the Marquis asked why Sir Robert was cutting off the ivy, and, in a joke, said the ladders of his men were trespassing. To this Sir Robert answered, " You know, I always like to please the ladies ; and this is a favour requested by the Marchioness, that I should clean the ivy off my old castle." Tradition has it that Comrie Castle is one of the oldest in the whole district excepting Castle Menzies. It was for many years the fortalice castle, granted with the lands of Comrie to the eldest sons of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies. Captain James Menzies of Comrie held it till his death in 1748, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Captain John Menzies of Comrie, afterwards of Ferntower, who dying without male issue, it went to the descendants of his other brothers, from whom descends the present chief. The size, plan, and elevations of the castle are similar to Finlarig, also an old keep of the Menzies', and as the hand of the vandal has been heavy upon this ancient ruin, it would be a good thing if such a relic of the past was kept in repair, or that it be restored. " Sir Robert has been able to realise a handsome rental from the shootings on the Menzies' estates. By the erection of shooting lodges which, at the date of their being built, were much superior to those of other proprietors in the district, a foresightedness on his part is shown by his example being followed by others, and even superseded now in the neighbourhood." — S. R. M., 16th Jan. 1894. On the 19th July 1888, a conference was held in Weem Hotel for the purpose of considering the desirability of testifying in some suitable way to the wide- [page_444 A.D. 1888-1890] spread regard entertained towards Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies in the district of Strath Tay — the Appin-na-Meinerich — and throughout the whole county of Perth, and also of expressing recognition of the large share which he had so long and ungrudgingly taken in all public business and public movements. It was suggested that the object might be attained by presenting Sir Robert Menzies with his portrait. This was heartily entertained, and a committee was appointed to carry it out if it should meet with the approval of Sir Robert, which was received with favour by the baronet. On the application for subscriptions, 600 persons of all ranks, from the peer to the peasant, subscribed, and the commission for the portrait was given to Sir George Reid, /\R.S.A., by whom it was executed to the satis- faction of all concerned. The portrait was presented to Sir Robert Menzies at Castle Menzies on the 1 8th of January 1890 by Viscount Stormont, Vice-Lieutenant and Convener of the county of Perth, who undertook to make the presentation on behalf of the subscribers. In doing so, his Lordship, with other remarks, said, " However great might be the intrinsic value of the picture as a work of art, he felt certain they would all agree that it was much less than Sir Robert Menzies deserved at their hands. (Applause.) They had all known him in various positions. They had known him as a large landed proprietor, who attended most minutely to every detail connected with his estate — who took the warmest interest in the prosperity and happiness of every one of his tenants — (applause) — and who, during 45 years that he had held the property, had never once committed a harsh or an oppressive action. (Applause.) They had known him as a Commissioner of Supply, taking an active, and sometimes a most energetic part in county business. They had known him as an efficient colonel of a most admirable battalion of Highland volunteers. (Applause.). They had known him as a keen and successful curler — (applause) — and a pleasant shooting companion, but, above all things, they knew him as a kind, generous friend, who would never hesitate to walk a hundred miles before breakfast and dinner, if by doing so he could aid and assist anyone. (Loud applause.) It was now 43 years since he first had the pleasure of making Sir Robert Menzies' acquaintance. No doubt there were many in the room who had known him much longer, but whether the period of their acquaintance had been short or long they would all agree with him that it had not been long enough — (applause) — and they all hoped it would endure for many years to come." (Applause.) Addressing Sir Robert, Viscount Stormont said : — " Sir Robert Menzies, on behalf of those who are present here to-day, and also on behalf of those who are unavoidably absent, it is my pleasing duty to ask you to accept of this picture as the gift of 600 of your friends and neighbours. (At this stage the portrait, which had been draped with a red cloth, surrounded with the Menzies hunting tartan, was unveiled amid applause.) I wish also to express their hope [page_445 A.D. 1888-1390] that this picture may be handed down to posterity on the walls of this ancient castle, so that future generations may find it in their power to say, Here is a picture of our ancestor, who, during a long life, never did anything that was derogatory to the character of a loyal and true-hearted Highland gentleman. (Loud applause, followed with a hearty cheer for Sir Robert.) The Chief Sir Robert Menzies in returning thanks said it was very difficult for him to attempt to return thanks for the very handsome present that had been given him. There was no doubt that in a family such as his it would have been a blank if there had not been a portrait of himself handed down to future generations. (Applause.) By presenting him with it they had given him that which he could not very well have got himself, as he considered that it arrogated a considerable amount of self-conceit on the part of a man to go and employ an artist to get a portrait of himself. (Laughter.) That present had relieved him of the difficulty. When his late aunt, Mrs Johnstone of Alva, married and went there for her first Christmas, as was customary she presented each of the villagers with a present. None of the villagers went up to return thanks, and when her maid went to scold them for neglect, and told them that often in the Highlands people walked — not as Lord Stormont had given him credit for, a hundred miles, between breakfast and dinner — but a very long distance to return thanks for very small presents, the people of Alva said that " they must be gratefu' bit bodies they Heghland folks." (Laughter.) He was very glad indeed that, at all events, at Alva gratitude was acknowledged as a Highland virtue. As a Highlander he had to thank them for the present they had given him. (Laughter.) As Lord Stormont had said, he had been 45 years in possession of his property. Not long ago he had to examine somewhat financially into the state of the property, and he was sorry to say that, after an outlay in these 45 years of £60,000, he found his rental was £600 a year less than it was in 1844. He did not regret that ; he had made the tenants happier or better lodged — at all events their beasts were better lodged. (Laughter and applause.) It just showed that landed property was not such a paying thing as many imagined. No doubt if that large sum of money had not been spent, probably the rental would have been even less, but still it was rather staggering to find that after such an outlay and such a deal of trouble for 45 years the result was not better. It reminded him of the story of the laird in Argyllshire to whom he was speaking some time ago. He said he considered that it was a very unwise thing to improve land, and that the best improvement was to add another farm. There was one feature, however, that he was glad to say presented a rather more flattering picture — that was the very high value to which shooting rentals had now attained. That was a subject from which rent was derived which was not so great when he succeeded to the property. In fact, his father (Sir Neil Menzies) considered it derogatory of any Highland gentleman to let his shootings. There had been a [page_446 A.D. 1888-1890] considerable difference of opinion as regarded the property, but still shootings were let, and they did represent a very large rental." Sir Robert then went on to say, " The Earl of Mansfield was kind enough to come and preside at the dinner that was given when his son came of age, and, if possible, he would have hoped to have had him on that occasion, but they had in Lord Stormont an excellent representative. (Applause.) He would only say he regretted very much indeed that his son was not there that day. Sir Robert had no doubt his son would be very proud indeed to show his picture when he was not there to show it himself. He believed the artist was pleased with it himself. He could not, of course, tell them what his own opinion was, because no man could tell how he looked sideways. (Laughter.) If it had been a full face, by reference to the mirror he might have been able to tell then ; but with all due deference he would say he thought it was the picture of a gentleman. (Loud applause.) As such he was very much obliged to them for presenting him with it, and hoped it would long remain in Castle Menzies, not only as a memorial of himself but of the kindness of those assembled there, and the many friends not able to come. (Applause.) He again thanked those present for the very handsome present." The portrait bears the following inscription : — " Presented to Sir Robert Menzies, Bart., of that Ilk ; Lieut-Col. 5th V.B.R.H. Black Watch, by a number of friends. 1889." " Some time after Sir Robert had reached his 70th year, he was asked by the Horse Guards' authorities, ' if he considered himself fit to command a regiment ?' he being the lieut.-colonel of the then 2nd battalion Royal Perthshire Highland Volunteers. To this the chief replied, ' that if they would send any soldier in full marching order, he would carry the same equipment, and marching off at 6 A.M., they would find who would be farthest on at 6 P.M.' The soldier was not sent, and Sir Robert remained in command of his regiment of Highlanders, subsequently changed into the 5th V.B. Royal Highlanders, the Black Watch."— S. R. M., 16th Jan. 1894. [page_447 A.D. 1892] For several years a strong desire was evinced among many gentlemen of Clan Menzies, in different parts of the kingdom, that something should be done towards establishing a Menzies Clan Society, but it was not until the year 1892 that any definite steps were taken. The first meeting with that object took place on the 17th May 1892, being convened by D. P. Menzies in the offices of Lieutenant- Colonel James Menzies of the Glasgow Highlanders, 68 Bath Street, Glasgow, where seven gentlemen of Clan Menzies met, and were presided over by Walter Menzies, J. P., then one of the Parliamentary candidates of Glasgow, who strongly recommended the formation of the Society, pointing out the help that such a society could be to deserving clansmen, young and old. Colonel James Menzies strongly supported the motion, and said that the clan had as a head and father a chief of the real old staunch Highland type, and such a chief as there was not another to compare with, Sir Robert being an example to other Highland chiefs and lairds, in that he stayed at home among his people, and always wore the garb of the Highlander — the kilt. Lieutenant David Menzies of Balornock then spoke strongly in its favour, and referred to the fact that he knew there were many clansmen in Australia who would join. Rector Thomas Menzies, J. P., Hutchieson's Grammar Schools, said that such a Society would be of great service in diffusing the spirit of clanship and kindly feeling among the clan. James Menzies and William Menzies of the Phcenix Tube Works, Rutherglen, and D. P. Menzies also spoke: the latter was appointed hon. secretary pro tern. These first seven were all most enthusiastic in their support of a " Menzies Clan Society," and it was agreed to write the chief, when a letter was drawn out and despatched to the Chief Sir Robert Menzies, asking him as chief to give his support, as follows : — "Glasgow, wth May 1892. " Sir ROBERT MENZIES, Bart., of that Ilk, Castle Menzies. " Dear Chief, " You will, we are sure, be glad to know that, at a preliminary meeting held in Glasgow to-night, the following gentlemen were most enthusiastic in their opinion that a Society, to be called the Menzies Clan Society, be formed. " We feel that, with the co-operation and support of the Menzies' assembled, the proposed Society would be a great success. We, of course, decided that our first action must be to ask you, the actual chief of the clan, to become the chief of the proposed Society. " Upon receiving your consent to occupy this position, which we most sincerely trust you will give, we will at once take steps to get the co-operation of the principal people in Scotland of the name, and thus form a Clan Society which will be worthy of the name we bear." [page_448 A.D. 1892 ] This was signed by the above seven Menzies', and after a few days the Chief Sir Robert replied as follows : — " Farleyer, Aberfeldy, 1M1 May 1892. " D. P. Menzies, Esq. " Dear Sir, " I have been absent from home, and now hasten to reply to yours of the 11th inst. Now, I daresay, a Menzies Society would be a good thing if it had some definite object in view, and it may be as well to bring this more prominently forward before going further. We have a very good Clan Bursary for College Education, so that is one motive, and perhaps several others might suggest them- selves to the promoters. I also think that it might be as well, before the Society is actually floated, that Colonel James Menzies might, with his brothers the S.S.C.'s of Edinburgh, get a larger number of Menzies'. If this is done, I shall be ready to assist in the movement. — Yours faithfully, " Sir Robert Menzies. " Of course you will understand that no chief of the Clan Menzies is ever elected " (being hereditary). After the receipt of this letter, on the suggestion of several clansmen, the objects, constitution, rules, &c, were drawn up by D. P. Menzies and printed, and thereafter a general call was given by the modern " Fiery Cross " (a circular) for Clan Menzies to assemble at Weem, near Castle Menzies, to constitute the Menzies Clan Society. The meeting took place at Weem, Thursday, 6th October 1892, at 12 o'clock noon. There was a considerable number of gentlemen of Clan Menzies, many of them being dressed in the Highland dress — the kilt — of Menzies hunting tartan. In their Athole and Glengarry bonnets they wore the badge of Clan Menzies — the mountain ash or rowan tree. The appearance of the square or open space at the east gate to Castle Menzies, in front of Weem Hotel, and, indeed, the whole picturesque village of Weem, was one animated scene for some time before the meeting took place. The contrast between the tall poplar trees of the village, with their dark foliage, and the Menzies tartan of the clansmen attired in Highland dress ; the sounds of the bagpipes ; the overhanging rocks and woods of Weem, all combined to make up a scene never to be forgotten. About 12 o'clock the Chief Sir Robert the Menzies appeared, dressed in his usual garb, the kilt of Menzies hunting tartan (green and red), accompanied by Miss Menzies of Menzies. The chief was received in true Highland fashion by the clansmen, with pipes playing ; and, on the chief coming up, they, with that gallantry peculiar to the Highlanders, doffed their bonnets to the chief, who returned the salutation with Celtic cordiality. After a warm shake of the hand [page_449 A.D. 1892-1893] from the chief, the pipes struck up a Menzies march ; and the clansmen, headed by the chief, preceded by the piper, marched in line into the hotel. On arriving at the large room of the hotel, the clansmen remained standing, Highland fashion, as a mark of honour to the chief. On Sir Robert the Menzies taking the chair, the clansmen thereupon gave the " Cath Ghairm " or war-cry — " The Red and White for ever," in Gaelic, " Geal 's dearg gu brath " — and three ringing cheers for Sir Robert ; who in reply thanked them very much for their kind reception, and said the object of their meeting had his highest approval, expressing the hope that the Society now being formed would do much to foster a kindly and sympathetic feeling between the members of the clan, who were now all over the world. Sir Robert then proceeded to intimate the apologies, which numbered over 70, of which he read 21 letters, on finishing which, he remarked that the strongest feeling of enthusiastic clanship ran through the whole of these letters, which certainly was most gratifying. He then said the first thing to be done was to constitute the Menzies Clan Society by adopting a system of objects, constitution, and rules, and proposed that the printed objects, constitution, and rules, copies of which they had before them on the table for their consideration, and a copy of which he held in his hand, be adopted by the Menzies Clan Society ; this motion being seconded, it was carried unanimously. The meeting then proceeded to elect the first set of office-bearers. They, on the proposal of the secretary, first of all acknowledged Sir Robert the Menzies, Bart, of that Ilk, as their "hereditary chief," to which the clansmen rose to their feet and gave the war cry, " The Red and White for ever," with three ringing cheers for "The Chief." In the same manner they acknowledged Captain Neil James Menzies, Hereditary Junior Chief; Fletcher Norton Menzies, Hereditary Captain of the Clan ; and Captain W. S. Stuart Menzies of Culdares, and Major W. J. B. Stewart Menzies of Chesthill, as Hereditary Chieftains of Septs. Thereafter the meeting proceeded to elect the president, convener, vice- presidents, secretary, treasurer, and the council. After the election and other business was over, several of the clansmen spoke and referred in kindly terms to Sir Robert Menzies, their chief, who still had so many of Clan Menzies on his estates in their native country, in replying to which Sir Robert said that, " Whenever he had a farm or croft to let, he always gave 'a Menzies' the first chance and the preference;" this was received with loud applause. I may here say that, in April the following year 1893, I met at Ballinluig one of the Menzies' who had been at the meeting, and in the course of conversation he told me he was going to Coshieville Inn and Farm, which, on becoming vacant, Sir Robert gave him the first chance, being a Menzies. I, forgetting what Sir Robert had said at the meeting, said " That was very good of the chief," when our clansman answered, " Don't you remember what Sir Robert said at the meeting ? that ' he always gave a Menzies the first chance,' and now [page_450 A.D. 1893] you see, he always keeps his word." I afterwards learnt from Sir Robert's factor that there had been offers sent in offering 20 per cent, higher rent than John Menzies had offered, but because he was a Menzies the chief gave him the preference at a sacrifice. This was the spirit of a true Highland chief. On the chief leaving the meeting, accompanied by Miss Menzies of Menzies, she grace- fully bowing an adieu, he was played out by the piper, who marched in front, with hearty thanks for his services from the clan. The constitution of the Menzies Clan Society was followed by a dinner, and much pleasant comment and best wishes for its success : Major Archibald Menzies in the chair ; Walter Menzies, J. P., Rutherglen, and Major Duncan Menzies, Blarich, croupiers. Sir Robert Menzies has always taken a leading part in the transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society's affairs, of which he has been a member since 1 84 1, and is the chairman and convener of the Forestry Committee, also a director of the Society. By his knowledge of forestry he has made himself invaluable to the Society. His own estates are second to none in Britain for their forestry, which may here be described, commencing with the policies of Castle Menzies, which have long been famed for the magnificent trees which surround its walls. " Indeed," says Thomas Hunter, in his Woods and Forests of Perthsliire, " there is no place in Scotland, far less Perthshire, where so many gigantic specimens of most of the ordinary varieties of trees are to be seen in more luxuriant growth and beauty. All the larger specimens are to be met with in the rich and extensive lawn at the foot of Weem Rock, under whose shelter stands the grand old castle of Na Meinerich. Castle Menzies is a fine old Scottish baronial pile, the structure of which is built of the hard whin-like stone of the district, a class of stone exceedingly hard, which has kept its edge for hundreds of years without being affected by the weather." Many of the grand old trees which adorn the policies of Castle Menzies are thought to have been planted about the time of Chief Sir Alexander Menzies in 1560, who adorned the front of the castle with several sculptured panels, especially that commemorating his marriage with one of the Stewarts. The ancient portion of Castle Menzies was built in 1061 by the first Baron, father of Anketullis Menzies, and added to by Chief Sir Robert Menzies, the Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland, about 12 14, and certainly has undergone considerable alterations since. It is rather remarkable, however, how the trees which surround Castle Menzies have escaped so marvellously total destruction during the distracted periods which have supervened since. Having survived the ravages of war, and eluded the attention of the vandal, they have been able to take advantage of the fine soil and situation in which they luxuriate, living to reach a green old age, and have attained dimensions that provoke the wonder of all who see them. The lawn upon which Castle Menzies stands and its arboreal treasures grow, is about 300 feet above the sea-level. It is finely sheltered on the south by the Rock of Weem, which presents a most [page_451 A.D. 1893 ] magnificent background ; the many tinted woods rising boldly out of its steep slopes, showing huge masses of grey rock peeping out at intervals, and contributing to the embellishment of the sylvan picture. Starting from Castle Menzies, a few yards brings us in contact with the monarchs of the forest. The first tree to which we direct attention is a Grand Old SPANISH CHESTNUT, situated in the washing-green. The tree is much decayed, and carries a good many " growths," but it is noteworthy for its extra- ordinary girth. In 1883, at 6 ins. from the ground, it girthed 26 ft. 6 ins. ; at 2 ft. from the ground, 22 ft. 2 ins. ; at 3 ft. from the ground, 20 ft. 6 ins. ; at 5 ft. from the ground, 19 ft. 2 ins. ; at 7 ft. from the ground, 18 ft. 4 ins. It has a bole of 12 ft., and an entire height of 60 ft. At the top of the bole it breaks into two very large limbs, each of which is equal in size and girth to any ordinary well-developed tree of this species. Behind the garden there is another large Spanish chestnut, girthing 19 ft. 2 ins. at 2 ft. from the ground. It has a good bole of 20 ft., and an entire height of 80 ft. An additional charm is lent to its hoary, massive trunk by one side of the bole being beautifully and completely covered by a profusion of the pretty fern, Polypootium vulare. From a record, dated 1867, we find the size of this tree stated as : — " Height, 74 ft. ; girth at 6 ft. from the ground, 13 ft. 10 ins. ; diameter of branches, 42 ft. ; contents, 297 cubic feet of timber. The soil is a rich, sandy loam, the exposure southern, and the tree is well sheltered by others which surround it. Several branches have been cut off." — Hunter's Woods, Forests and Estates of Perthshire. There is still part of the grand avenue standing, which formed a kind of square round Castle Menzies, a considerable portion of which runs north and south at the west side of the castle. On the east, another side of its square also extended north and south, joining the north avenue on the north, part of which seems to have been cut down about 1747, to allow Sir Robert Menzies, the third Baronet, to build the north wall of the terraced gardens, and to plant fruit trees, which grow against this wall. On the east of this fruit garden, can be traced the remains of this east avenue, running towards the south, where it joined the Long Avenue to the south-east of the castle, as did the west avenue at the south-west. The Long Avenue now runs near the high road, and extends all the way to Taybridge, which spans the river, from which it at one time extended to Aberfeldy. The Menzies' then had the whole of Strath Tay to themselves. The largest of the trees in the grounds of the castle were originally units in these avenues. Some of the trees which formed these avenues are not so large as might be expected from their great age, having been allowed to grow too close, but in some cases, where the trees have had full sway, they have grown into veritable giants. |