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Amelia Volume 1 Chapter 2



Early Ancestry


[page 12}
EXCERPTS from the “Baronage of Scotland,” by Sir Robert Douglas of Glenbervie, Baronet, Edinburgh, 1798 :-

[To paraphrase Martin MacGregor (thesis 1989) - "the Baronage is a sustained work of fiction marred by only the occasional intrusion of fact" - treat the Baronage account of our early ancestry in this chapter with that thought in mind. PJL Ed 2002 and online edition]

“I. Gregor [1]   (third son of King Alpin) was brother to Kenneth, Donald and Achaius MacAlpin; the two former of whom reigned successively, inter annos 834 et 859.

“II. Dongallus or Doun-gheal, [2]   so called from his light brown complexion. Martin (who, by mistake, says he was son to Gregory the Great, [3]   though all historians are agreed that that monarch never had any issue), relates of this Doungheal, ‘that he behaved most gallantly in the wars which King Gregory had in Ireland.’ ‘He married’ (says the same learned antiquarian) ‘Spontana, sister to Duncan, a king in Ireland, [4]   and their posterity got the name of MacGregor, all of them in this kingdom being descended from him.’ [5]   He died about 900, leaving two sons -

1. Constantine.

2. Findanus, of whom the MacFindons, MacFingons, or MacKinnons are descended.

“III. Constatine married his cousin Malvina, daughter to King Donald VI. [6]  

“IV. ‘Gregor na Bratich’ (Bratach), ‘Gregor of the Standard,’ so called from his office of standard-bearer to his uncle, King Malcolm I., son of Donald VI. He married [page 13} ‘Dorviegeldum [7]   filiam hostarii,’ [8]   and was killed in battle with the Danes, 961, with King Malcolm, leaving two sons -

1. Eoin or John.
2. Callum nam feidh, or ‘Malcolm of the Deers,’ keeper of the royal forests of Corrygeig. [9]  

“V. Joannes, vocatus Eoin Mor MacGregor na Bratich (of the Standard), who married Alpina, daughter of Angus, or Eneas, great-grandson of Achaius, brother of Kenneth the Great. Eoin Mor is said to have been ‘a comely man of great stature, [10]   and an excellent bowman.’ He fought under King Malcolm II. against Grimus or Gruamach, so called from his surly looks, and was killed in battle, circiter annum 1004, leaving a son.

“VI. Gregor Garbh, or the Stout, designated of Glenurchy, a man of martial spirit and great renown in Malcolm’s time. He also fought under King Duncan I. against the Normans and Danes, inter 1035 and 1040, and promoted the restoration of his son, Malcolm III. He married a daughter [11]   of the ancient house of Lochow, [12]   by whom he had two sons -

1. Sir John.
2. Gregorious, or Gregor, bred to the church, ‘obit electus episcopus St Andria.’

“VII. Sir John MacGregor, Lord of Glenurchy, a person of very good account in the reign of King Malcolm III., [13]   inter 1057-1093, and because of his warlike achievements, was called ‘Shir Ian borb an Cath,’ ‘Sir John forward in battle.’ He married an English lady of great beauty, who came to Scotland in the retinue of Princess, afterwards Queen Margaret. He died circa 1113, leaving two sons -

1. Malcolm who succeeded him

2. Gregor or Gregory, who having been bred to the Church travelled to foreign parts for improvement, from whence having returned he became Abbot of the [page 14} Monastery of Dunkeld. [14]   Being a person of great piety and learning, and because of his father and grandfather’s services to King Malcolm, St. David the King changed that monastery into a Cathedral Church, anno 1127, and promoted the Abbe or Abbot Gregory to the new see, of which the Bishop obtained an ample ratification from Pope Alexander III. as well as an apostolic protection [15]   to himself. He is witness to several Charters in the reign of King David and of Malcolm IV. From him the McNabs or the ‘Sons of the Abbot’ are undoubtedly descended. He lived to be the oldest Bishop of his time, and died circiter 1169.”

The notice of Bishop Gregory, to which reference is made, is thus given by Myln, who was canon of Dunkeld in the sixteenth century. The work is a Latin MS. of which there are several translations :-

“Gregory, who was at that time Prior of the Convent, and afterwards a Privy Counsellor, was the first Bishop. It was by his interest that the lands of Auchtertoul and thirty prebends were granted to the Bishop and Chapter of Dunkeld, as is contained in King David’s Charter; Gregory procured in the strictest forms, from Pope Alexander III., a protection for himself and his Church, in which writing all the possessions are reckoned which they held at that time. He sat in this see forty-two years, and died in the year 1169, which was the third year of the reign of King William.”

From the “Chartulary” :-

“Gregory, Abbot of Glendochart (where from early in the eighth century there had been a house of Culdees), next Abbot of Dunkeld, and on the erection of Dunkeld into an Episcopal see, the Bishop is said to have been a younger son of Sir John MacGregor of Glenurchay, and to have been progenitor of the MacNabs, whose surname signifies ‘Son of the Abbot,’ [16]   ‘the pale Abbot, MacGregor’s son from Stronuidhme’ (a place in Glenfalloch where he resided at no great distance from St. Phillans Church), [page 15} is still proverbial in the Highlands” (“Baronage,” Keith’s catalogue of the Scottish Bishops, etc.).

The following passages from Celtic Scotland by Mr. Skene are here quoted to show the conclusions to which he has arrived on the subject of the MacNabs :-

“The name of MacNab certainly means the son of the Abbot. In the seventh century St. Fillan founded a monastery in Glendochart the upper part of which took its name of Strathfillan from him, and in the reign of King William we find the Abbot of Glendochart ranking along with the Earls of Atholl and Menteith. As the property possessed by the MacNabs lay in Glendochart, and we find the name of Gillefaelan, or servant of St. Fillan, occurring in their oldest genealogy, we may certainly recognise in them the descendants of the lay Abbots of Glendochart.”

Mr. Skene goes on to say that as the son of Aoidh Urchayidh or Hugh of Glenurchay bore the name of Gillafaelan or servant of St. Fillan, and as the MacGregors also possessed property in Glendochart, they were probably connected with the MacNabs.

“VIII. Sir Malcolm MacGregor of Glenurchy, the eldest son of Sir John, was a man of reputation and authority in St. David’s time. He married Marijoriam, junioriem filiam Williemi hostiarii, domini regis nepotis. ‘Marjory, youngest daughter of William, [17]   Chief of the Army and nephew of our Lord the King.’

“Sir Malcolm was a man of incredible strength of body. Being of the King’s retinue at a certain hunting party, in a forest, his Majesty having attacked a wild boar, or some other animal of prey, was like to be worsted, and in great danger of his life, when Sir Malcolm coming up, demanded his Majesty’s permission to encounter it, the King having hastily answered, ‘in,’ or ‘e’en do, bait spair nocht,’ Sir Malcolm is said to have torn up a young oak by the root, and throwing himself between his Majesty and the fierce assailant, with the oak in one hand, kept the animal at bay till with the other he got an opportunity of running it through the heart. In honour whereof his Majesty was pleased to raise him to the peerage of Lord MacGregor, to him ‘et heredibus masculis’; and in order to perpetuate the remembrance of the brave action, gave him an oak tree eradicate, in place of the fir-tree which the family had formerly carried. We have his arms blazoned by an ancient herald [18]   in these words : [page 16} ‘Lord MacGregor of old. Argent, a sword in bend azure and an oak tree eradicate, in bend sinister proper; in chief a crown gules. Crest, a lyon’s head crowned with an antique crown, with points. - Motto: In do, bait spair nocht. Supporters, on the dexter an unicorn argent crowned, horned or, and on the sinister a deer proper tyn’d azure.’ [19]  

“Sir Malcolm [20]   was called ‘Moreshir Callum nan Caistel,’ ‘Lord of the Castles,’ because of the several castles which he built; as those of Caol-Churn (now Kilchurn), beautifully situated at the north-east end of Lochow, and that of Finlarig, and the chapel which last was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin, and the old Castle of Taymouth, at least to have had their residence their and to have built Castle Caol-Churin.”

The “Chartulary” has the following remarks regarding this Sir Malcolm, styled in Gaelic “Morair” (Lord) :-

“He is asserted to have saved the life of the Sovereign, who must have been either Alexander I., or David I. or Malcolm IV., in the act of hunting, and when attacked by the wild boar, and to have them obtained in reward for his service that armorial bearing which, being emblematical of the exploit, forms, amid the wreck of written documents, one of the muniments of the Family.”

With regard to the Arms the late Mr. Donald Gregory sent to Sir Evan MacGregor a certified paper, signed by himself and his brother, John Gregory, Advocate, after search made in the British Museum (9th June 1825), of which the following is a slightly abridged transcript :-

“The M.S. No. 1371 of the Harleian Collection, [21]   in the British Museum, said to have been written and painted by Scotch, but bearing internal evidence of having been done by English hands, is titled ‘Scotica Nobilitas, 1589.’ The MS. contains :

1. The Atchievements of King James VI., fo. 1.
2. The Atchievements of the Earls of Scotland, twenty-four in number, fo. 2 to 25.
3. The Atchievements of the barons, forty in number, fo. 26 to 67.
4. The Shires of Scotland.
5. The Stewartries of Scotland.
10. Elenchus Baronum, of which the following is a copy.”
[page 17} In this list of forty, unnecessary to be given here, MacGregoyre is placed thirty-eighth, not preceded, like all the others with one exception, by the letter L for Lord, thus -

Harleian MS. continued –

“38. MacGregoyre.
39. MacCloyd Heris.
40. L. of Lorne.”

“The Atchievment of Macgregoyre as painted fo. 64 is Argent a Pine Tree eradicate in bend sinister proper, surmounted of a sword in bend azure, hilted gules : in Chief an antique crown with points of the last; Crest a lyon’s head erased proper, langued gules and crowned or. Supporters in the dexter an unicorn argent crowned and horned or, and on the sinister a deer proper crowned of the last.”

In Mr. Gregory’s letter of the same date he writes :-

“I am inclined to think that Workman may have taken this blazoning of Arms from this very MS., and from the company in which MacGregor is here placed have called him Lord MacGregor of Old.”

This conjecture is not altogether correct. The arms of MacGregor, as “Lord MakGzegour of Ould,” occur also in an illuminated MS. in the Lyon’s office, Edinburgh, compiled about 1565-66 by an unknown hand. It became the property of James Workman, a Herald painter, whose name, with the date, 1623, it bears. This MS. has been reproduced in facsimile in the valuable book entitled “Scottish Arms, being a collection of Armorial bearings, A.D. 1370-1678,” by W.R. Stoddart, published in 1880. The frontispiece of the present volume is taken from a plate in this work, a reproduction of the Arms in Workman’s MS. It is remarkable that the shield in the Harleian Collection bears a pine tree eradicate, whilst in Workman’s MS. (which is the oldest) a young oak tree is represented, also eradicate. The family of the present Chief carry the oak tree. There is a tradition that the pine tree was the original “charge,” but that after the above related prowess of Sir Malcolm it was changed for the oak tree, which consequently pertained specially to his descendants and representatives. The Chiefs of Highland Clans have the right to bear supporters, which right in other countries pertains generally to Peers only.

[page 18}
On the title-page is given the shield, crest and motto to which all gentlemen of the ClanGregor are entitled. [22]  

Although there may be no historical evidence to this Sir Malcolm, the grant of armorial bearings, commemorating some hunting exploit, and the well established tradition of the MacGregor “Morar” (Lord) who built the castles enumerated, affords reasonable probability to the main narrative. The actual date when the Arms were first given or first used is undiscoverable. But it was not till the reign of King William the Lion, 1165-1214, that arms were first borne in Scotland, and that King William chose as his cognizance the red “Lion rampant,” which constitutes the Arms of Scotland.

“Baronage” continued –
“Sir Malcolm died, circiter 1164, [23]   leaving three sons -
1. William, his heir.
2. Gregor, called “Gregoir more graund,” more because of his large stature, and “graund” on account of his being ill-favoured or ugly. Of him all the Grants are said to be descended.
3. Achaius (Hugh), of whom, by the traditions of the family, the Clan Achaius - now corruptly called Maccays or Mackays - are descended.

This theory of the descent of the Mackays is undoubtedly an error. They are now understood to be derived from the old Earldom of Sutherland. (See Skene’s “Highlanders.”) In the old MacGregor genealogy, given in the Dean of Lismore’s MS., to be quoted farther on, one of the ancestors of the main stem of MacGregors bears the name of Hugh, and appears to have flourished in the twelfth century. It is probable that this Achiaus, or Hugh, was more a prominent representative than a third son, as stated in the “Baronage.”

With reference to the derivation of the Grants, a family copy of the “Baronage” has a note, apparently in Mr. MacGregor Stirling’s handwriting.

[page 19}
“In a history of the Family of Grant - in the possession of a respectable Cadet (Grant of Bonhard), composed before 1719, and denying the traditionary account of the descent of the Grants from a younger son of the Laird of MacGregor - there is the following passage regarding the parents of Patrick Grant of Freuchie and Bellachastell, born about 982 :- ‘Anlaw, or Allan, the eldest son and representative of Heming Grandt, a man of desirable accomplishments, is married to Mora, daughter to Neil MacGregor, a man lineally descended of Gregorious Magnus, King of Scotland. This Anlaw (others call him Avelass) got with Mora MacGregorie, in portion or tocher, the barony of Bellachastell and Freuchie in Strathspey.’ The grandson of Patrick (son of Mora MacGregor) was ‘Gregory Grant of Freuchie.’ [24]   The same passage occurs also in the ‘Chartulary’ with the remark : ‘This account, which differs materially from the title Grant of Grant, in Douglas’s Baronage - but is obviously preferable, and is confirmed by the other MS. quoted - may serve to account for, and, at the same time, to correct the extant tradition of the common origin of the MacGregors and the Grants, whose armorial bearing have a strong affinity.”

In consequence of this passage (found, however, only in a modern genealogy), the date of A.D. 980 is assigned as the time when Neil MacGregor flourished; and he is conjectured to have been son of Gregor of the Standard. [25]  

[page 20}
“Baronage” continued -
“IX. William, Lord MacGregor, who flourished in the reign of William the Lyon, and Alexander II. He married filiam domini de Lindsay, and died ad annum 1238, leaving two sons and a daughter -
1. Gregor, his heir.
2. Alpin; who being bred to the Church, was promoted to the Bishoprick of Dunblane; inter annos 1232 and 1290.” [26]  

The “Chartulary” notices –
“From a collation of circumstances, a strong presumption arises that William’s wife was daughter of Lindsay of Bonhill, or Buchnull as it was anciently called. These Lindsays in the thirteenth century were hereditary Toschsadorachs, and Forresters of the Earls of Lennox.”

“Baronage” continued –

“X. Gregor, [27]   Lord [28]   of MacGregor (or, according to the ‘Chartulary,’ Gregor of Glenurquhay) succeeded, and joined King Alexander II. anno 1248 with his followers when that Monarch went upon his expedition for the recovery of the western Isles from Haco, King of Norway. He also flourished in the reign of Alexander III. (inter 1249 et 1296). By his Lady Marion, filiam Gilchrist, he was father of Malcolm XI.”

The “Baronage” adds a note that the writer has been unable to discover who the Gilchrist was, but the “Chartulary” has a remark :-
“Circiter 1286. Died Gregor of Glenurchy, who married a daughter of Gilchrist (4th son as is believed of Aulin, 2nd Earl of Levenax), founding this belief on a Charter by Malduin, 3rd Earl of Lennox, 1238-9, of certain lands which is witnessed, it is to be remarked, by John Glendochir, Amalech my Brother, &c.”

In the “Baronage” the successor to Gregor No. 10 is given as :-
“XI. Malcolm (styled Dominus de MacGregor), a person of great loyalty, strongly attached to Bruce, whom he is said to have relieved from the chief of Lorn at Dalreogh, and to have been mounted on a milk-white steed. [29]   Thereafter the King harboured in a large cave in MacGregor’s lands, near Craig-Chrostan, which is to this day called “Uamh an Riogh” (the King’s cave), from which he crossed over Loch Lomond, and met the Earl of Lennox.

“Malcolm fought at the battle of Bannockburn, and is said to have been the person who brought the relics of St. Fillansarum from the country of that name, then part of his lands, to King Robert’s chaplain, who passed it for a miracle, in consequence of which the Bruce founded a priory in Strathfillan [30]   (anno 1314). This Malcolm [31]   is much celebrated by several bards. He fought under Edward Bruce in Ireland, and having received a wound at the battle of Dundalk, of which he was ever afterwards lame, he retired home, and was known by the name of “Morfhear bachdach,” or the lame lord.

[page 21}
“He died at an advanced age, anno 1374, leaving by his wife Mary, daughter to Malise McAlpin of Finnich, two sons -
1. Gregor, his heir.
2. Gilbert, of whom it is said the Griersons of Lag descended.”

The Griersons of Lag claim this descent, which is quite probable although it may not be susceptible of actual proof.

The existence of this second Malcolm seems to be well established by tradition and Highland poems. It is said that “Malcolm, chief of the family of MacGregor, had a command at the army of King Robert Bruce at Bannockburn,” but the authority for this statement is not conclusive. [32]   There is also mention of a Malcolm of Glendochart doing fealty to Edward of England, 28th August 1296. As Gregor (X.) is said to have flourished in the thirteenth century, it seems improbable that his son should have lived till 1374. Possibly one or two generations have been missed out before or after Malcolm. The MSS. of the Dean of Lismore contains a very interesting genealogy by an old Highland seannachie, giving the Glenstray pedigree. It is difficult to identify the list recorded in the “Baronage” with the names found therein, but in a subsequent chapter this genealogy will be transcribed.

From the unquestionable authority of the Obituary, known as the Chronicle of Fortingal, [33]   the following entries are here given in chronological order :-

“1390, April 19. Died John, son of Gregor of Glenurquhay, and was buried in Dysart, north of the High Altar.

Dysart, q. d. Tigh sart - in English, “House of the Highest” - is the old name of the Church of Glenurquhay, which was annexed to Dalmally. John, son of Gregor, was surnamed Cham, or “blind of an eye,” as appears from the two entries under 1415.

It is believed that he was the latest MacGregor in recognised possession of Glenurquhay, for his son is styled “in,” not “of,” that land; but “there does not seem ground to suppose that they ever had what alone, according to Saxon ideas of landed property, could secure continued possession, a charter of confirmation on their resignation into the King’s hands. (“Chartulary.”)

1415. Died Gregor, son of John Cham, in Glenurquhay, and was buried as first mentioned.

1415. Died John the Black (dhu), son of John Cham, son of Gregor at Stronmelochan, and was buried at Dysart.

Stronmelochan was a fortalice at the north-east extremity of Lochaw, near the entrance of Glenstray.

[page 22}
The above entries, the Bard’s genealogy, and others from “The Black Book of Taymouth,” enable us to define positively that the house of Glenstray descended in direct line from this John Dhu, and as he had a brother, Gregor, who coincides with Gregor, surnamed Aulin, in the “Baronage,” we are led to believe that these two Gregors were identical.

From the “Baronage” :-
“XII. Gregor, called Aulin (Aluinn) - i.e., “perfectly handsome” - succeeded. He married Iric, daughter of his uncle Malcolm McAlpin, son of the said Malise, and died circiter annum, 1413 leaving by his said lady five sons and several daughters -
1. Malcolm, his heir.
2. John, first designed of Breachd-sliabh, who eventually became Laird of MacGregor.
3. Gillespie, or Archibald, who married and had issue.
4. Gregor, of whom the family of Ruath shruth, or Roro (as will be shown later, the name of this son was probably Duncan). [34]  
5. Dugal Ciar.”

In the course of this, the fourteenth, century, the sovereigns had given many lands to those who supported them, and amongst these were territories occupied by the ClanGregor as Crown tenants - i.e. settled on the Crown lands by royal favour, either as a reward for military services, or connected with the royal house, which tradition asserts, or the tribe may have enjoyed allodial occupation, of these localities from time immemorial.

From the “Chartulary” :-
“Before 1340, Alexander Menzies, son and heir of the deceased Alexander Menzies, [35]   gave a grant to, ‘Avunculo meo,’ Yvaro Campbel, of all his lands in the Barony of Glendochart.

“In A.D. 1340, July 30th. Charter by Alexander Menzies, son and heir of Alexander de Menzies, Lord of Glendochart, to Ewar Campbell and his heirs, of 20 merks of land in Glendochart, dated at Kilmarnock, 30th July 1340.

“1368-9, 12th March. Charter by King David II. at Perth to John of Lorn, of the district of Glenlyon, in Atholl. (Robertson’s “Index of Missing Charters,” 80 - 141.)

[page 23}
“1374 April, 20th Charter by King Robert II. to Arthur Campbell, son of Ewar Campbell, of the lands of Strathquhir, resigned by the said Ewar.

“1376, Feb. 9th. Charter by King Robert II., confirming one by his son Robert, Earl of Fife and Menteith, to Arthur Campbell of Strathquhir, of certain lands in the Barony of Glendochart, viz., amongst others, Kyleters, mor, and beg, Innerhardgowrane, with the Lake of Glendochart, and the Island of Garwhelane, and Wester Hardkell (Ardchalzie). “Mag. Sig.,” v. 50.

A pause may here fittingly be made, to clear the ground before proceeding to more historic times.

[1] See Introduction, page 1, as to article on MacGregor. many observations therein not required for the genealogy are omitted in present work. - Ed.

[2] This name, believed to be that of Gregory’s father rather than of his son, shows due search had been made in the ancient chronicles. - Ed.

[3] Mr. MacGregor Stirling derives the family from King Gregory, whose historical existence is acknowledged (see page 1), whilst no Prince Gregor, brother of Kenneth, can be traced. He dispuites the assertion that King Gregory did not marry, as the wives of kings were frequently not mentioned, unless with reference to dynastic corrections. - 4 Martin’s Collections. - Douglas’ Baronage.

[4] Martin’s collection. – Douglas’ Baronage.

[5] Genealogical Collections in a Tree of the Family of Glenurchy or Breadalbane. Title, MacGregor, vol. ii., page 22.” - MacGregor Stirling.

[6] History of the Alpinian family in Latin, recovered from the Scottish College at Paris by David Mallet, Esq. Authentic extract, penes Evan Murray, Esq. - Douglas’ Baronage.

[7] History of the Alpinian family in Latin, recovered from the Scottish College at Paris by David Mallet, Esq. Authentcis extract, penes Evan Murray, Esq. - Doug. Bar.

[8] Professor Gregory writes this “The King’s Hostarius” or “Doorward.”

[9] Mamlorn called (in Gaelic) “The Glen of the Mist,” “Corri-cheathich.” - Doug. Bar.

[10] The Latin History and Songs of the Bards. - Doug. Bar.

[11] Buchanan’s “History of the Clans.” - Doug. Bar.

[12] “I find in the genealogical account of the surname of Campbell that Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow, who had divers great offices from King Malcolm II., had a daughter married to McGregor, Laird of Glenurchy; of this marriage was Sir John, a person of very good account in the reign of King Malcolm III.” (Buchannan). The Chartulary has the following entry:- “He (Gregor Garbh) married a daughter of ‘Paul na Sporan’ or ‘Paul of the Purse,’ treasurer to King Malcolm II., and whose female descendant carried the estate of Lochow, by marriage, into the family of Campbell, now Argyle.” (Comparison of Buchannan with genealogical table prefixed to Campbell of Kirnane’s Life of John, Duke of Argyle and Greenwich.) – MacGregor Stirling.

[13] Buchanan and said heroic poems. Doug.

[14] Dicta historia, Keith’s Bishops. Cart. Scone, Dalrimple’s Collection. - Doug. Bar.

[15] Mill’s MS. ( Lives of the Bishops of Dunkeld). - Doug. Bar.

[16] A note by MacGregor Stirling explains that Abbots in the time of Culdees were allowed to marry; which, however, according to Myln, must have been altered directly afterwards, as he states that the “Good King David changed Dunkeld into a Convent of Seculars, at the same time he got appointed a Bishop and Canons, about 1127.” Dr. Skene’s investigations alter the date, places and persons. “Mylne is however wrong, both in the date and in the name of the Founder” (“Celtic Scotland,” Vol. ii. page 370). Alexander III. created, 1107, two additional Bishoprics for the more remote and Celtic portion of his Kingdom, the first was that of Moray, to which he appointed a Bishop named Gregorius; and the second was that of Dunkeld, which he revived in the person of Cormac.” Note, “ They are first mentioned by name when they confirm the charter of erection of Scone, 1115,” ibid., page 368

[17] The lady’s father, as appears, was William, Earl of Murrayse, son of King Duncan II. Chronicon Cumbrae. - Chartulary.

[18] Workman’s MS., blazoned, p. 37, illuminated, p. 249, penes Mr. Cumming, Herald printer in Edinburgh. - Doug. Bar.

[19] This blazon was copied by Sir John MacGregor Murray, before 1710. The book was, about that time, exposed for sale, “with the late Mr. Goodall’s effects,” and others believed to have belonged to the family of the former librarian of the Advocate’s Library.

[20] In the poem by Duncan MacDougall Maoil, in the Book of Lesmore, reference is made to “Malcolm who his wealth ne’er hid,” and in another poem to “Malcolm of unbending truth,” - see Chapter ix., but his ancestry differs from that given in the “Baronage.”

[21] This MS., and the coloured sketch of arms, has been verified by Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor at the British Museum, Feb. 1897.

[22] Crests are not considered to come under the same fixed rules as other armorial bearings, but the Lion’s head is generally adopted by all MacGregors. - Ed.

[23] Probably the time when he flourished was thirty or forty years later, and it is possible that the two generations of Duncan a Straileadh and his son, Duncan beg, came in between Ian Borb nan Cath and Malcolm of the Castles. - Ed.

[24] The foundation of the Grant story seems merely to be that the earliest Grant known was Gregory le Grant, whose sons Laurence and Robert, called Grant (dicti Grant), witnss an agreement between the Bishop of Moray and John Bisset in 1258.” - “Celtic Scotland,” vol. iii. p. 350.

[25] Chartulary. (See page 6.)

[26] Historia familiae et Keith’s Bishops. - Doug. Bar.

[27] There is ground to suppose that Gregor’s father’s name was John, believed to be William’s second brother, omitted in “Baronage” (See chapter vii.) - Ed.

[28] The writers of the “Chartulary” do not consider that the title “Morer” (equivelant to Lord), by which Sir Malcolm was designated, was hereditary, even if it was ever formally bestowed; but after No. VII., styled Lord of Glenurchy in the “Baronage” the “Chartulary” continues to quote the territorial designation. –Ed.

[29] Collection of ancient heroic poems, penes Mr John Murray. –Doug. Bar.

[30] The ruins of this priory can still be traced near Crianlarig. – Ed.

[31] Said heroic poems. – Doug. Bar.

[32] “Catalogue of Chiefs,” penes Major-General David Stewart of Garth.

[33] Translation of Dean MacGregor’s Chronicle, printed with the Historical Review, 1831.

[35] In 1374-6 Campbell is mentioned as having received it from the Crown, it is supposed on the forfeiture of Malcolm of Glendochart.