按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
'
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; h