Seton-Set on! Hepburn-Bide me fair! There is a square granite stone at the gate, on which is carved Dreid God, which is the motto of the Monro family. There is a favorite Scotch air, called Glenbucket's breeches. Adjoining to the castle is an elegant seat, named Glenbucket Cottage, erected in 1826, by John Grassick, Esq. CHAPTER V. New funds of beauty opens all around, The flowers and foilage with bright diamonds crown'd; Till Dona folds them to maternal breasts. A LITTLE to the east is a small stream called Aldn Dori, i. e. otter burn, and the intersection of the parishes terminate here. I again entered Strathdon, at a place called the cot-town of Glenkindy, now known by that of the farmtown. There are two subterraneous houses; one of them is in an arable field, and is in length 20 feet by 10, and nearly 6 feet high, covered with unhewn flags, pebbles, and earth. About 8 feet from the entrance is an aperture nearly 3 feet square, communicating with another recess. On the opposite side of the Don is a bust or figure rudely cut from stone, of some of the ancient lares or household deities. Here stands the barony of Culquheigh, Cool quhaich, back of the cap, long held by the Ker family. Thomas Ker was knighted at the battle of Glenlivat, in 1594, by the Earl of Huntly. He was succeeded by his son John, who married Margaret, daughter of Duncan Forbes of Campbell, in 1620. Arms-Vert on a chevron, between three unicorns' heads, erased argent, horned and maned or, three mullets sable. Crest, a unicorn's head erased argent, as the former. Motto, Pro Christo et patria dulce periculum, It is sweet to perish for Christ and my country. It afterwards became the property of Patrick Grant, of the house of Ballindalloch, in 1638 and 1644. (h) It then fell (h) Spalding, into the hands of Sir Alexander Innes, who died in 1682, as may be seen by his epitaph: Here is interred Alexander Innes of Towie, who died the 18th of April, 1682, in hope of a blessed resurrection, ætatis 56. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them," Rev. xiv. 13. Arms-azure, three etoiles argent. On the north banks of the Don stands the neat villa of Glenkindy, near where stood the castle of the same name, which was erected by William Strachan, in 1595, as can be seen by several stones fixed in the present villa; on one of them is MVCLXXxxv. and the initials V. S. with a hart standing at gaze, and the name of the proprietor cut at length VELAM STRAQUHEN OF GLENKENDE BEGGIT THIS HOUSE and again the initials V. S. Under this is, in old English characters-Willelmus Straquhen de Glenkende hoc op. fecit in anno dom. 1595. The Strachans held the place for a long period of time, aš appears by a charter in the house of Glenkindy, and among the writs of Mar. Sir Alexander Strachan, Bart. of Glenkindy had the antiquity of the family proved by à charter, which was granted by Thomas Earl of Mar, in 1350, tỏ Adam Strachan, and Margaret his spouse, cousin to the Earl, and to their offspring born of them; and also a charter on the lands of Glenkindy, and part of the lands of Rumor, i. e. Raemore, formerly Glenbowel in the reign of David II. (i) Sir John succeeded, and was present at the ordination or statute made at Scone on the 4th of April, in the third year of Robert II. which is here annexed : "In the name of God. Amen. In the year 1373 years from the incarnation, and on the 4th of April, in the third year of Robert II.'s reign. "In the Parliament held at Scone, for obtaining a regular and full succession to the crown, and for securing a power () Nisbet, vol. i. L should any accident occur in life, and to obviate each future incident. "The Parliament, with unanimous consent of all the Bishops, Earls, Barons, and Gentlemen, and Burgesses, with every other loving and faithful subject in the realm of Scotland, have enacted and ordained this statute, that the son of our Monarch lawfully begotten and born either of his first or second wife, shall succeed as lawful heirs to the crown and kingdom, under the form and oath taken, and by the form and national jure made in the court, that John Seneschall, or Steward of Scotland and Earl of Carrick, and first born of his Majesty, shall succeed in right as his precedency, which is fully cleared and proved by this judicious council, who has asserted that he shall enjoy the sceptre after the demise of his gracious Majesty, and the heirs of his body in succession. "But should he fail of issue, the statute ordains that Robert Earl of Fife, Viscount of Monteith, second son of our sovereign Lord by Elisabeth More, his first wife, shall succeed as real heir; and should he fail, Alexander, Earl of Badenoch, third son by the said Elisabeth More, and his heirs; but should he have no issue, David Earl of Strathern, son of our sovereign Lord and Euphemia Ross, his second wife; and should all these brethren depart without issue, Walter, the son of David, and brother german to his Majesty, shall succeed, and failing, to the nearest collateral branch, as is declared and ordained by the council of Bishops, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons, and subjects, throughout the kingdom; by the convocation, where it is fully ratified for present and future ages. "Written and subscribed by William, Bishop of Saint Andrews, Michael, Bishop of Dunkeld, Alexander, Bishop of Aberdeen, Patrick, Bishop of Brechin, Alexander, Bishop of Moray, Andrew, Bishop of Dunblane, Alexander, Bishop of Ross, Malcolm, Bishop of Caithness, and other prelates, who kissed the book after subscribing to the articles, which afterwards was subscribed by the Lords and Commons, according to seniority and degree: after these followed the sons of his Majesty, Princes John, William, and Alexander: William Earl of Douglas; George Dunbar, Earl of March; John Earl of Moray; Thomas Hay, Lord High Constable of Scotland; Lord William Keith, Marischal of Scotland; Lord James Lindsay, Earl of Crawford; Lord Archibald Douglas of Galloway; Lord James Douglas of Dalkeith; Sir Robert Erskine; Sir Hugh Eglinton; Sir Duncan Wallace; Sir David Graham; Sir Walter Halliburton; Sir William Dishington; Sir Allan Erskine; Sir Allan Stuart; Sir James and Sir Alexander Fraser; Sir Robert Stuart of Innerneath; Sir Roger Mortimer of Craigievar, with his sons, David and Walter; Sir Patrick Graham; Sir Andrew Vallis; Sir John Wallace; Sir John Maxwell; Sir Andrew Campbell; Sir William Cunningham and son; Sir John Strachan of Glenkennedy; John Kennedy; and Alexander Cockburn, &c. "All these, after taking the oath, subscribing the statute, kissed the book, and declared that the declarations and ordinations should be inviolably adhered to and stedfastly observed. "Then the priests and choir of Scone read the oath before the altar, which was approved of by the auditory, who, in una voce, and with uplifted hands, expressed their zeal and assent. "Then the great seal of his Majesty was affixed, and the national seal, that the oath might be perpetuated to after ages. "Given and ratified at Scone, as above.” (k) The old ballad Glenkindy, which is here affixed, is copied from Jameson's ancient ballads, who ascribes the Scone in the country of Wales to Glaschirion, or Kirion the Sallow, and says that the song is sometimes called Glenskeenie, and at other times Glenkirion, &c.; but from a legendary tale well known in the country, the song claims a right to be inserted here. (4) Stuart, vol. ii. App. p. 146. |