history of the mackenzies-第34章

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s　passed　by　which　it　was　ordained　〃that　　in　order　that　there　may　be　a　perfect　distinction；　by　names　and　surnames；　betwixt　those　that　are　and　desire　to　be　esteemed　honest　and　true　men；　and　those　that　are　and　not　ashamed　to　be　esteemed　thieves；　sorners；　and　　resetters　of　them　in　their　wicked　and　odious　crimes　and　deeds；　that　　therefore　a　roll　and　catalogue　be　　made　of　all　persons；　and　the　surnames　therein　mentioned；　suspected　of　slaughter；　etc。〃　　It　was　also　enacted　〃that　　such　evil　disposed　persons　as　take　upon　themselves　to　sell　the　goods　of　　thieves；　and　disobedient　persons　and　clans　that　dare　not　come　to　public　　markets　in　the　Lowlands　themselves；　whereby　the　execution　of　the　Arts　　made　against　somers；　clans；　and　thieves；　is　greatly　impeded；〃　should　be　punished　in　　the　manner　therein　contained。　　Another　Act　provided　〃that　　the　inbringer　of　every　robber　and　　thief；　after　he　is　outlawed；　and　　denounced　fugitive；　shall　have　two　hundred　pounds　Scots　for　every　robber　　and　thief　so　inbrought。〃　＇Antiquarian　Notes。＇

On　the　5th　of　February；　　1595…96；　it　is　complained　against　him　by　Alexander　Bayne　of　Tulloch　that　although　upon　the　7th　of　March；　1594；　　John　　MacGillechallum；　Raasay；　had　been　put　to　the　horn　for　non…appearance　to　a　complaint　by　the　said　Alexander　and　his　son　Alexander；　　Fiar　of　Tulloch；　against　the　Rev。　John　Mackenzie；　minister　of　Urray；　　touching　certain　oppressions　and　depredations　committed　on　him　and　his　　tenants；　he　remained　not　only　unrelaxed　from　the　horn；　but　continues　in　　〃his　wicked　and　accustomed　trade　of　rief　theft；　sorning；　and　oppression；〃　seeking　〃all　indirect　and　shameful　means　to　wreck　and　destroy　him　and　　his　bairns。〃　　A　short　time　before　this；　MacGillechallum　sent　to　the　　complainer　desiring　him　to　give　over　to　him　his　（Bayne's）　old　heritage　　called　Torridon；　〃with　assurance　if　he　do　not　the　same　to　burn　his　whole　　corn　and　goods。〃　　In　these　insolencies　〃he　is　encouraged　and　set　forward　by　the　consort；　reset；　and　supply　which　he　receives　of　Kenneth　Mackenzie　　of　Kintail　and　his　friends；　he　being　near　kinsman　to　the　said　Kenneth；　viz。：　　his　father's　sister's　son；　who；　in　that　respect；　shows　him　all　good　offices　　of　friendship　and　courtesy；　indirectly　assisting　him　with　his　men　and　　moyen　in　all　his　enterprises　against　the　said　complainer　and　his　bairns；　　without　whose　oversight　and　allowance　and　protection　it　were　not　able　to　him　to　have　a　reset　in　any　part　of　the　country。〃　　The　complainer；　Alexander　Bayne；　describes　himself　as　〃a　decrepit　aged　man　past　eighty　　years　of　age　and　being　blind　these　years　he　must　submit　himself　to　his　　Majesty　for　remedy。〃　　Kintail　appeared　personally；　and　Tulloch　by　his　two　sons；　Alexander　and　Ranald；　whereupon　the　King　and　Council　remitted　　the　complaint　to　be　decided　before　the　ordinary　judges。

The　following　account　from　family　MSS。　and　Sir　Robert　Gordon's　Earldom　of　Sutherland；　refers　no　doubt　to　the　same　incidentsJohn　MacCallum；　a　brother　of　the　Laird　of　Raasay；　annoyed　the　people　of　Torridon；　which　place　at　that　time　belonged　to　the　Baynes　of　Tulloch。　　He　　alleged　that　Tulloch；　in　whose　house　he　was　fostered；　had　promised　him　　these　lands　as　a　gift　of　fosterage；　but　Tulloch；　whether　he　had　made　a　　previous　promise　to　MacGillechallum　or　not；　left　the　lands　of　Torridon　to　his　own　second　son；　Alexander　Mor　MacDhonnchaidh　Mhic　Alastair；　　alias　Bayne。　　He　afterwards　obtained　a　decree　against　　MacGillechallum　　for　interfering　with　his　lands　and　molesting　the　people；　and；　on　a　　Candlemas　market；　with　a　large　following　of　armed　men；　made　up　of　most　　of　the　Baynes；　and　a　considerable　number　of　Munros；　he　came　to　the　　market　stance；　at　that　time　held　at　Logie。　　John　MacGillechallum；　ignorant　　of　Tulloch　〃getting　the　laws　against　him〃　and　in　no　fear　of　his　life　or　　liberty；　came　to　the　market　as　usual；　and；　while　standing　buying　some　　article　at　a　chapman's　stall；　Alastair　Mor　and　his　followers　came　up　　behind　him　unperceived；　and；　without　any　warning；　struck　him　on　the　　head　with　a　two…edged　swordinstantly　killing　him。　　A　gentleman　of　the　　Clann　Mhurchaidh　Riabhaich　Mackenzies；　Ian　Mac　Mhurchaidh　Mhic　　Uilleam；　a　very　active　and　powerful　man；　was　at　the　time　standing　beside　　him；　and　he　asked　who　dared　to　have　spilt　Mackenzie　blood　in　that　　dastardly　manner。　　He　had　no　sooner　said　the　words　than　he　was　run　　through　the　body　by　ore　of　the　swords　of　the　enemy；　and　thus；　without　an　　opportunity　of　drawing　their　weapons；　fell　two　of　the　best　swordsmen　in　　the　North　of　Scotland。　The　alarm　and　the　news　of　their　death　immediately　spread　through　the　market。　　〃Tulloch　Ard；〃　the　war　cry　of　the　Mackenzies；　was　instantly　raised；　whereupon　the　Baynes　and　the　Munros　took　to　their　heelsthe　Munros　eastward　to　the　Ferry　of　Fowlis；　and　the　Baynes　northward　to　the　hills；　both　followed　by　a　band　of　the　infuriated　Mackenzies；　who　slaughtered　every　one　they　overtook。　　Iain　Dubh　Mac　Choinnich　Mhic　Mhurchaidh；　of　the　clan　Mhurchaidh　Riabhaich；　and　Iain　　Gallda　Mac　Fhionnla　Dhuibh；　two　gentlemen　of　the　Mackenzies；　the　latter　　of　whom　was　a　Kintail　man；　were　on　their　way　from　Chanonry　to　the　　market；　when　they　met　in　with　a　batch　of　the　Munros　flying　in　confusion　　and；　learning　the　cause　to　be　the　murder　of　their　friends　at　Logie　market；　　they　instantly　pursued　the　fugitives；　killing　no　less　than　thirteen　of　them　　between　Logie　and　the　wood　of　Millechaich。　　All　the　townships　in　the　　neighbourhood　of　the　market　joined　the　Mackenzies　in　the　pursuit；　and　　Alastair　Mor　Bayne　of　Tulloch　only　saved　himself；　after　all　his　men　were　　killed；　by　taking　shelter　and　hiding　for　a　time　in　a　kiln…logie。　　Two　of　his　followers；　who　managed　to　escape　from　the　market　people；　met　with　some　　Lewismen　on　their　way　to　the　fair；　who；　noticing　the　Baynes　flying　half　　naked；　immediately　stopped　them；　and　insisted　upon　their　giving　a　proper　　account　of　themselves。　　This　proving　unsatisfactory　they　came　to　high　　words；　and　from　words　to　blows。　when　the　Lewismen　attacked　and　killed　　them　at　Ach…an…eilich；　near　Contin。

The　Baynes　and　the　Munros　had　good　cause　to　regret　the　cowardly　conduct　of　their　leaders　on　this　occasion　at　Logie　market；　for　they　lost　no　　less　than　fifty　able…bodied　men　in　return　for　the　two　gentlemen　of　the　Clan　　Mackenzie　whom　they　had　so　basely　murdered　at　the　fair。　　One　lady　of　the　　Clan　Munro　lost　her　three　brothers；　on　whom　she　composed　a　lament；　of　　which　the　following　is　all　we　could　obtain：

‘S　olc　a'　fhuair　mi　tus　an　Earraich；　‘S　na　feill　Bride　‘chaidh　thairis；　Chaill　mi　mo　thriuir　bhraithrean　geala；　Taobh　ri　taobh　u'　sileadh　fala。　‘Se　‘n　dithis　a　rinn　mo　sharach'；　Fear　beag　dubh　a　chlaidheamh　Iaidir；　‘S　mac　Fhionnla　Dhuibh　a　Cinntaile　Deadh　mhearlach　nan　adh　‘s　nan　aigeach。

When　night　came　on；　Alastair　Mor　Bayne　escaped　from　the　kiln；　and　went　　to　his　uncle　Lovat；　who　at　once　despatched　James　Fraser　of　Phopachy　　south；　with　all　speed　to　prevent　information　from　the　other　side　reaching　the　King　before　be　had　an　opportunity　of　relating　his　version　of　the　　quarrel。　　His　Majesty　was　at　the　time　at　Falkland；　and　a　messenger　from　　Mackenzie　reached　him　before　Alastair　Mor；　pursuing　for　the　slaughter　of　　Mackenzie's　kinsmen。　　He　got　the　ear　of　his　Majesty　and　would　have　been　　successful　had　not　John　Dubh　Mac　Choinnich　Mhic　Mhurchaidh　　meanwhile　taken　the　law　into　his　own　hands　by　burning；　in　revenge；　all　　Tulloch's　cornyards　and　barns　at　Lemlair；　thus　giving　Bayne　an　　opportunity　of　presenting　another　and　counter　claim　but　the　matter　was　　ultimately　arranged　by　the　King　and　Council　obliging　Kintail　and　Tulloch　　mutually　to　subscribe　a　contract　of　agreement　and　peaceful　behaviour　　towards　each　other。

Under　date　of　18th　February；　1395…96；　there　is　an　entry　in　the　Privy　Council　Records　that　Kenneth　Mackenzie　of　Kintail　〃being　elected　and　　chosen　to　be　one　of　the　ordinary　members〃　of　the　Council；　and　being　　personally　preset；　makes　faith　and　gives　oath　in　the　usual　manner。　　In　a　　complaint　against　him；　on　the　5th　of　August；　1596；　by　Habbakuk　Bisset；　　he　is　assoilzied　in　all　time　coming　by　a　decree　of　their　Lordships　in　his　favour。

Upon　the　death　of　Old　Roderick　of　the　Lewis；　Torquil　Dubh　　succeeded　him；　excluding　Torquil　Cononach　from　the　succession　on　the　　plea　of　his　being　a　bastard。　　The　latter；　however；　held　Coigeach　and　his　other　possessions　on　the　mainland；　with　a　full　recognition　by　the　Government　of　his　rights　to　the　lands　of　his　forefathers　in　the　Lewis。

His　　two　sons　having　been　killed；　and　his　eldest　daughter；　Margaret；　having　　married　Roderick　Mackenzie　of　Coigeach；　progenitor　of　the　Cromarty　　family；　better　known　as　the　Tutor　of　Kintail；　Torquil　Cononach　threw　　himself　into　the　hands　of　Kintail　for　aid　against　the　bastards。　　By　Roderick　　Mackenzie's　marriage　with　Torquil　Cononach's　eldest　daughter；　he　　became　heir　of　line　to　the　ancient　family　of　Macleod；　an　honour　which　　still　remains　to　his　descendants；　the　Cromarty　family。　　Torquil　Dubh　　secured　considerable　support　by　marriage　with　a　daughter　of　Tormod；　XI。；　　and　sister　of　William　Macleod；　XII。　of　Harris　and　Dunvegan；　and；　thus　　strengthened；　made　a　descent　on　Coigeach　and　Lochbroom；　desolating　the　　whole　district；　aiming　at　permanent　occupation。　　Kintail；　following　the　example　of　his　predecessorsalways　prudent；　and　careful　to　keep　within　　the　laws　of　the　realmin　1596　laid　the　following　complaint　before　King　　James　VI。：

Please　your　Majesty；Torquil　Dow　of　the　Lews；　not　contenting　himself　with　the　avowit　misknowledging　of　your　Hieness　authority　wherebe　he　has　violat　the　promises　and　compromit　made　before　your　Majesty；　now　lately　the　25th　day　of　December　last；　has　ta'n　upon　him　　being　accompanied　w　7　or　800　men；　not　only　of　his　own　by　ylands　neist　　adjacent；　to　prosecute　with　fire　and　sword　by　all　kind　of　gud　order；　the　　hail　bounds　of　the　Strath　Coigach　pertaining　to　M'Leod　his　eldest　brother；　　likewise　my　Strath　of　Lochbroom；　quhilks　Straths；　to　your　Majesty's　great　dishonour；　but　any　fear　of　God　ourselves；　hurt　and　skaith　that　he　hath　　wasted　w　fire　and　sword；　in　such　barbarous　and　cruel　manner；　that　neither　man；　wife；　bairn；　horse；　cattle；　corns；　nor　bigging　has　been　spared；　but　all　barbarously　slain；　burnt；　and　destroyit；　quhilk　barbarity　and　cruelty；　seeing　　he　was　not　able　to　perform　it　but　by　the　assistance　and　furderance　of　his　neighbouring　Ylesmen；　therefore　beseeches　your　Majesty　by　advice　of　　Council　to　find　some　sure　remeid　wherebe　sick　cruel　tyrannie　may　be　　resisted　in　the　beginning。　　Otherway　nothing　to　be　expectit　for　but　dailly　　increasing　of　his　malicious　forces　to　our　utter　ruin；　quha　possesses　your　Majesty's　obedience；　the　consideration　quharof　and　inconveniences　quhilk　　may　thereon　ensue。　　I　remit　to　your　Highness　guid　consideration　of　whom　　taking　my　leif　with　maist　humble　commendations　of　service；　I　commit　　your　Majesty　to　the　holy　protection　of　God　eternal。　　At　the　Canonry　of　Ross；　the　3d　day；　Jany。　1596…97。　　Your　Majesty's　most　humble　and　obt。　　subject。　　

KENNETH　　MACKENZIE　of　Kintail。

The　complaint　came　before　the　Privy　Council；　at　Holyrood；　on　the　11th　of　　February；　following；　and　Torquil　Dubh；　failing　to　appear；　was　denounced　　a　rebel。　　Kenneth　thereupon　obtained　a　commission　of　fire　and　sword　　against　him；　as　also　the　forfeiture　of　the　Lewis；　upon　which　Torquil　　Cononach　made　over　his　rights　to　Mackenzie