From the Time of Saint Caldea,
the Founder of Christianity giving an Account of the first discoveries of
Iron and Steel, the two sons of "Mackay of the Law", the Building and
Destruction of Troy, the Returning pf the Royal Salves from the Siege of
Jerusalem, their departure from Trials, Hardships, and Endurances till their
Landing at Montrose.
The great Grampian mountains,
stern and wild,
With proof their lives a true-born Israel child.
The Roman tyrants made them mourn:
Their backs to the foe they never yet did turn,
Tried on many a foreign field
The Clans of Caledonia were never known to yield.
PREFACE
In verification of the
History of Ancient Caledonia, as contained in the following pages, and the
prophecies mentioned therein, the Right Honourable Lord Rollo and Dunning
was the first to discover any tangible proof in connection therewith;
namely, in the discovering of a “tower” on his estate of Duncrub, and as
spoken of in this History. He was also Patron to the First Edition of the
work, and to whom the Author again dedicates these pages. Amongst the
earliest subscribers to the first edition was the highly respected and
deeply regretted minister of the parish of Dunning, the late Rev. John
Wilson, D.D., and the Rev. Henry Stirling, U.P. Church, Dunning; together
with a great many ladies, all of whom took a deep interest n the work, and
in the bringing forward of proofs in connection with same.
An account is given in the work of the First Inventors of Steel — the two
sons of Mackay of the Law — the building of Troy and the destruction of
same, the Return of the Royal Slaves from the Siege of Jerusalem, their
trials, hardships, and endurances until their landing at Montrose. (See
Grote’s History of Egypt.) The Boundaries as mentioned, is proved by the
recent finding of the March Stone at Burrastouness. The Lava of iron,
information as to this can be given and verified by Mr. John Stewart, farmer
(and F.C. elder), Aulddooach, Athole.
The battle of Kilconquhar has been verified by the finding of bones and
skulls in the vicinity of same, and as spoken of.
The prophecies of Saint Maclsaac — a great many of these have already been
fulfilled, namely, the battle of Balgonie, where the first grant was given
to the Douglas of Abernethy for his valour that day on the field; the Humes
of Hume (Home) Castle was, by the marriage of Jane Lindsay, built by the
assistance of both clans; and has been further verified as to the washing of
the “Grey Dougstoun” (Glasgow) by the streams of Glengyle (viz., Loch
Katrine); and more recently by the finding of the image of Saint Maclsaac
near Ross-dhu, Luss, the seat of Sir James Colquhoun.
The Author, after repeated requests and solicitations from all parts of
Scotland (as well as from some parts of England and Ireland), has been
induced to issue a Second Edition (carefully revised), and trusts it may
meet with as great a success as that accorded to the First Edition.
With these few introductory remarks he begs to introduce the reader to the
Ancient History of Caledonia.
The Author,
JOHN MACLAREN,
Born at Lochearnhead, Parish of Balquhidder, August 24th) 1S20.
Dunning, 1879.
INTRODUCTORY
I think it necessary to state
how I became possessed of the original copy of the “Ancient History of
Caledonia.' I was a sailor on board a man-of-war. Returning in 1842, I was
one day sent on Store Duty to the Tower of London. One of my shipmates
calling me by name, a gentleman who heard him came to me and said — “Am I
like Jock at the fair — are there more M'Larens here than me?”. I answered
that I was a M'Laren. We became very intimate. He was Master Gunner at the
Tower, by name David M'Laren. I remained there all night; and the topic of
conversation happening to fall upon nationality, he informed me that he had
seen a book in the shop of a Jew in Petticoat Lane, with the word “Chaldea”
marked upon it. Through curiosity I went along with him to see it. What he
called the book turned out to be a large roll of written skins, not very
well preserved, there being holes here and there, and the writing in many
places injured by damp. An oaken box which had contained the roll, attracted
my attention. It was lined with copper, and had outside on the lid a great
many ornaments in the same metal, including a large lion rampant with a
sword in its paw. I offered him a sum of money for the box, but he would not
part with it until he had first removed the mounting from it. I then offered
him a piece of money for the book, which he refused; but when I left he
followed after me with it, insisting that I should take it at the price
offered, and to avoid being mobbed, I paid the book, got possession of it,
and left. After returning home I tried several clergymen with it, but
received no encouragement, until I met with the Rev. Duncan M‘Gregor, Roman
Catholic Priest, Lochaber. He told me it was the “Ancient History of
Caledonia." He translated it from the ancient Latin, in which it was
written, into the Gaelic language, as I expected from the nature of the book
that it would command a greater sale in that language. From various causes
it never was printed in Gaelic, but from this translation, I have now got it
translated into the English language, the original document being completely
destroyed during the first translation by the means taken to make the
writing legible.
I was in Lord Rollo’s employment, on his estate of Duncrub, near Dunning,
about the year 1862. I told his Lordship of the former existence of a tower
on his estate, which I knew of from the “History.” Becoming interested, he
made inquiries on the subject, but the oldest man in the neighbourhood had
never heard of it. He then ordered a search to be made under my direction,
which was successful in laying bare the foundations of the tower. Several
other statements in this History are proved by recent discoveries — for
example, the sinking of St. Andrews has been verified by the fishermen, who
have discovered walls and other remains three miles out at sea. The
prophecies of St. M‘Isaac are partly fulfilled.
The original writings from which this history is translated are believed to
have been carried away by Edward I., along with the Marble Chair and Jacob’s
Pillow, upon which the Caledonians crowned their kings at Scone Palace.
JOHN MACLAREN.
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