Search just our sites by using our customised search engine

Unique Cottages | Electric Scotland's Classified Directory

Click here to get a Printer Friendly PageSmiley

The Northern Highlands in the Nineteenth Century
No. VI


In this issue is recorded the death of the famous Jane, Duchess of Gordon, who raised the Gordon Highlanders. She was in her sixty-sixth year—not so old as one is apt to imagine from the traditions respecting her social activity and enterprise. Her latter years were passed in disappointment, suffering from estrangement from her husband. At the time of their marriage the Duke and Duchess (Jane Maxwell, "the Flower of Galloway") were a singularly handsome couple. "The Duke was in his twenty-fourth year, the bride in her twenty-first. Reynolds has preserved some memorial of the youthful beauty of the Duchess, and a lovelier profile was never drawn." For many years she was a brilliant leader of society in London, attracting to her assemblies wits, orators, and statesmen. She made great matches for most of her daughters. In 1794 the Duchess raised the Gordon Highlanders for her son, the Marquis of Huntly, the two recruiting at every fair in the countryside. Tradition has it that when other arguments failed, a kiss from the Duchess won the recruit. In the closing years of her life the Duchess spent her summers at Kinrara, in Badenoch, living first in the old farm-house and afterwards in a villa built for her accommodation. Mr Alexander Macpherson, in his interesting volume on Old Church and Social life in the Highlands, says —

"Mr Duncan Macpherson, Kingussie, the venerable ‘Old Banker’—who died in February 1890, at the ripe old age of ninety-one—-vividly described the intense interest excited in Badenoch by the arrival of the remains of the Duchess in a hearse, drawn all the way from London by six jet-black Belgian horses. At Dalwhinnie, the first stage within the Highland territory—then belonging to the family—at which the funeral cortege arrived, the body of the Duchess lay in state for two days. For a similar period it lay at the inn then at Pitmain, within half-a-mile of Kingussie, and was subsequently followed by an immense concourse of Highland people to the final resting-place at her beloved Kinrara. According to her own directions, her remains were interred in a favourite sequestered spot within a short distance from Kinrara House, far away from the noise of the great Babylon in which she died, and within hearing of the plaintive song of our noble Highland river. The spot is marked by a granite monument, erected by her husband."

An advertisement of the forest of Glenfeshie, under date January 17, may attract attention. Scrope, in his ‘Days of Deer-stalking," says that this forest "was let in 1752 to Mr Macpherson of Invereshie, and continued to be rented by that family until 1812, when it was purchased from the Duke of Gordon by Mr Macpherson of Invereshie and Ballindalloch." For many years afterwards it continued to be pastured by cattle and sheep.

The year 1812 was remarkable in the history of the wars with Napoleon. In that year the Duke of Wellington captured Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos, and won the battle of Salamanca. In the same year Napoleon undertook his disastrous campaign to Russia, and in December all Europe was ringing with news of the destruction of the Grand Army. We record little in our Northern Notes except such as relates to the Highlands of Scotland. In October and November a General Election took place, and we give the names of the members returned for constituencies in the Northern Counties. Readers will be interested in paragraphs relating to the appearance of the two Grants, father and son, the one re-elected for the County, the other for the Inverness District of Burghs.

From the "Inverness Journal."
1812.

January 3—Announced that after January 11 the coach will run only once a-week between Inverness and Perth.

January 10.—"The old mansion house of Duncan, which was, for its standing, in excellent repair, and occupied by the overseer of the Mains, took fire en the evening of Saturday last, and was burnt to the ground. Every exertion to stop the progress of the flames proved ineffectual, and it was with the greatest difficulty that any part of the furniture was preserved."

Ibid.- "Died, on the 27th December, at the advanced age of 96 years, David Fraser, late farmer of Barnyards, near Beauly. He served as piper to Simon Lord Lovat, and fought at the battles of Falkirk and Culloden. Notwithstanding his very great age, he retained his faculties entire; he was never heard to complain of indisposition, and it was only for a few days before his death he was obliged, owing to debility, to confine himself to bed. The Hon. A. Fraser of Lovat, desirous to show every mark of respect to the remains of an old and faithful servant, ordered both his pipers to accompany the funeral, on the 13th ult., playing a mournful dirge from Barnyards to the place of interment at Kirkhill; he also generously sent, to the burying-ground, a sufficient supply of good Highland whisky for the refreshment of those who attended the funeral."

January 17. - Advertisement of the forest of Glenfeshie in Badenoch, consisting of 13,706 acres, the property of the Duke of Gordon. "It is adapted either for a summer grazing to black cattle, or for shooting ground to a sportsman who might wish to preserve the tract for deer, moor game, and ptarmigan, all of which abound in the adjoining hills, and with which it would be abundantly stocked in a very short time, if carefully kept for this purpose."

February 7. - Lieut.-General Archibald Campbell, of the late Breadalbane Fencibles, was appointed Lieut.-Governor of Fort-Augustus, in room of the late Colonel Brodie.

Ibid.—Died, at Garvamore, on the 9th January, Mrs Janet Macdonald, relict of Alexander Macdonald, Esq. of Tullochcrombie, and daughter of Macdonald of Keppoch. Mr Alexander Mackenzie, in his History of the Macdonalds, mentions that Keppoch had two daughters, one Katharine, married to John Macdonald of Killichonate. and the other, Jessie, married to Alexander Macdonald of "Tullochcrom." A few years after Culloden one of these ladies danced with General Wolfe at a ball at Inverness.

February 14.—Notice of the retirement of Sir James Mackintosh from the office of Recorder of Bombay.

February 21.—It is stated that 30 to 40 vessels, laden with kelp from the West Coast, enter annually the port of London.

Ibid.—"Died, at Fort-Augustus, the 11th January last., Colonel George Brodie, late Lieut.Governor of that Fort. In the long train of military services, in different climates, his conduct was marked for strict honour, true courage, and warm friendship, which procured him high respect and esteem from his brother officers. His numerous acquaintances and friends will long remember his singular open-ness, honesty, and generosity of heart, equalled by few and surpassed by none. Such was the general regret for and respect shown to this worthy man at Fort-Augustus that after the usual honours were paid to his memory, when his remains were about to be removed to the family burying-place at Dyke, the numerous attendants would not allow the coffin to be put into the hearse, but insisted they should carry it for some miles, as the last token of regard and esteem for their worthy Governor."

February 28.—The Hon. Colonel Fraser of Lovat intimated his contract with the Parliamentary Commissioners of Roads and Bridges for constructing the Lovat Bridge across the river Beauly. He also gave directions for erecting stations on Loch-Nevis, in Morar, for catching and curing herrings.

March 13.—The Easter Ross Farmers’ Club, established about a year previous, held their first ploughing match about this time.

March 27.—"A poor woman in Burghead lately purchased half-a-dozen fresh haddocks, being all that her purse could afford, on opening one of which, to her astonishment, she found a guinea in gold."

April 3.—Died, at Bridgend of Dunbeath, in the County of Caithness, on the 20th of March. Capt. John Sutherland. aged 69. He entered the army in 1759, and served with General Wolfe at Louisburg. and the Siege of Quebec, and under General Murray at Montreal. For nine years be was captain of the Forss Volunteers. He was interred with military honours by his own Company in presence of a vast concourse of people.

Ibid..—Died. at Flowerburn, on the 19th ult. Roderick Mackenzie of Flowerburn, in the 84th year of his age.

April 10.—A correspondent states that the members of the Easter Ross Farmers’ Club and others in that quarter raised a subscription for destroying crows in 1811, in consequence of which 5722 were killed. A subscription of the same kind was entered into in 1812.

Ibid.—The first Fiars' Court ever held in Sutherland, assembled at Dornoch on 19th February, under the presidency of Sheriff-Substitute Mackid, whose address on the occasion was published in this issue. The Sheriff mentioned the singular fact that this was the first Court of the kind held in the County, saying that many reasons might be assigned for the Sheriffs having hitherto overlooked the matter, but he would not trouble the jury with stating them. He dwelt, however, with satisfaction on the fact that juries had rarely to be summoned in Sutherland, as crime was scarcely known in the County except in name.

Ibid.—died, on 27th March, at Grantown, John Grant, in his 92nd year. He had lived under four lairds of Grant, and possessed a remarkable fund of anecdotes and traditions of the County. He conducted fleets of rafts from the fir woods to the sea at Garmouth, and was at one time known as Admiral of the Spey, as he had charge of all the Glenmore Company’s timber. "A few years since his leading raft struck upon a rock near Rothes, as his sight was failing, and went to pieces; he disappeared, but a young man, leading the succeeding raft, seeing a. boat and a boy crossing near them, sprang into it, and getting a view of John’s head above water, brought him out, and he soon recovered. Upon his return home, worthy Sir James Grant took his promise never to go upon the Spey any more, which he sacredly kept. Such as have been at Castle Grant must have observed in the Great Hall a remarkable Highlander’s full picture, with whiskers, and a large crooked sabre. This was his father, Allister Moir Grant, attached to the family as the son was, and much regarded by them. Sir James Grant dressed him lately in his own Inverness-shire Lieutenancy uniform, of which he was very proud, and he, for the last time, went in them to Castle Grant in September last, to pay his duty to the family."

April 24.—"The most noble Jane Duchess of Gordon died on Saturday the 11th curt., in the Pulteney Hotel, London. Her Grace was the eldest daughter of Sir Wm. Maxwell of Monreith, Bart., was born in 1746 and married to the present Duke of Gordon, October 23rd, 1767, by whom she had, now living, one son, the Marquis of Huntly, and five daughters, namely, the Duchess of Richmond, Lady Madelina Palmer, the Duchess of Manchester, the Marchioness of Cornwallis, and the Duchess of Bedford. She had a second son, Alexander, who died about four years ago. The remains of her Grace were removed from the Pulteney Hotel on Friday last, in order to be conveyed to her beautiful seat of Kinrara. The Marquis of Huntly accompanies the mournful procession to witness her Grace’s interment"

May 1.—Foundation stone of the bridge over the Beauly laid by Hon. Colonel Fraser of Lovat on the 27th uIt.

May 8.—There is a short memoir in this issue of Major John Mackenzie Scott, who fell at the battle of Albuera on. 16th May 1811. He was a native of Inverness, eldest son of William Scott of Seabank, and entered the army at the age of 17, being appointed ensign in the 78th by his relative, Lord Seaforth. Major Scott had an active and distinguished career.

May 29.—On Monday, the 11th Inst., the remains of the Duchess of Gordon were interred at Kinrare, in compliance with her own desire, expressed at different times during her life, and more earnestly on her deathbed. Twenty-three days were occupied in the journey from London to Pitmain, where the procession arrived on Saturday the 9th. The most gratifying marks of civility were shown to the attendants in all the places through which they passed. The Marquis of Huntly, who had never left his mother during her last illness, left London with the procession, but came by a different route to Scotland to meet and join it on the borders of his father’s property at Dalnacardoch, in Perthsbire. At an early hour on the 11th the body was moved from Pitmain and consigned to the grave. There was a large attendance of gentlemen and a great concourse of people from the district.

Ibid.—Memorial sketch of Lieut.-Colonel William Campbell, who was mortally wounded in the moment of victory at the head of the 78th Regiment in the attack on Fort Cornelis, Island of Java. He was the third son of John Campbell of Ensay. He was advanced some paces before the 78th and in the act of turning round to cheer them on to the assault when he was struck down by grape shot.

June 5 and 12.—These two numbers contain a biographical account of General Mackenzie Fraser, who was born in 1758, and saw distinguished service with the 2nd Battalion 73rd Highlanders and the 78th Highlanders. He also commanded the expedition to Egypt in 1807, and a division under Sir John Moore in 1809, being present at the battle of Corunna. He served in the Walcheren Expedition, was invalided home, and died on 13th September 1809, at the age of 51. He was M.P. for Cromarty from 1802, and for Ross-shire from 1806 until the date of his death. General Mackenzie Fraser was born at Tore, in the County of Ross. He was a younger son of Colin Mackenzie of Kilcoy, and was born after his father’s death. His mother was Martha Fraser, eldest daughter of Fraser of Inverallochy, in the County of Aberdeen. In 1803 he acquired the estate of Inverallochy by the settlement of his mother, and added the name of Fraser to his paternal surname. A fine portrait of General Mackenzie Fraser appears in Major Davidson’s History of the 78th Regiments, recently published.

June 12.—The contractors for constructing an iron budge across Bonar Ferry had succeeded in laying the foundation of the water abutment, "contrary to the expectation of all those who are acquainted with the obstacles which the depth and strength of the current presented."

July 3.—On Wednesday, 30th June, the Rev. Simon Fraser was ordained by the Presbytery of Inverness.

Ibid.—"On the 24th uIt., died, at Struy, Strathglass, Mr James Rose, officer of Excise, who by a conscientious discharge of every duty, public and private, rendered himself the object of universal regard. His funeral was attended by upwards of 2000 persons, among whom were many of the first rank, who affectionately bore his remains on their shoulders from his house at Struy to the place of interment at Kirkhill, a distance of at least twelve miles." This was a real Highland funeral, and given to an Excise officer.

July 10.—William Raff, son of a merchant in Forres, drowned while bathing in the river Findhorn. He was in his 17th year.

Ibid. - Thomas Telford, the engineer, then residing at Clachnaharry, sends an eulogium on John Leyden, from the pen of General Malcolm—"My respected friend and schoolfellow," as Telford calls him. The tribute originally appeared in the "Bombay Courier."

July 17.—Mr James Robertson announces that, having purchased the grocery business so long carried on by Mackintosh, Inglis, & Wilson, he has assumed as his partners Baillie John Mackenzie, Mr Hugh Innes, and Mr John Ferguson, and that the business will be conducted under the firm of Robertson, Innes, and Co. He mentions at the same time that Mr Ferguson had been long associated with him in the wine trade.

Ibid.—Died, lately, in the parish of Knockando, County of Elgin, an eccentric character known as Red Jean, or Jean Roy. She disliked her own sex, and always pretended to be a man, wearing a kilt, jacket, and blue bonnet. She generally worked as a day labourer.

July 24.—On Tuesday, 21st curt., the majority was celebrated of the Hon. William Mackenzie, Master of Seaforth.

August 7. - Account of a gallant action by "our countryman, Lieut. Warrand," who commanded his Majesty’s schooner Sealark, 10 guns. Being off Start Point on 21st July, Lieut. Warrand learned that a large lugger was chasing and firing at two merchant vessels. He immediately gave chase, and after a sharp action, captured the lugger. The enemy proved to be the Ville de Caen, Captain Cocket, of 16 guns and 75 men, belonging to St Maloes. She had sailed from the Isle of Bas the day before. The Sealark had seven men killed, and twenty-three wounded, among the latter the gallant Lieutenant. The Frenchman had her captain and fourteen men killed, and sixteen wounded. Lieut. Warrand was promoted to the rank of Master and Commander in consideration of his bravery and good conduct.

Ibid.—An English provincial paper contained the following paragraph :—"A cast iron bridge on a new plan is now reared for public inspection by Mr Hazeldine, in front of his foundry at Plaskynaston, where it forms a new object of attraction and wonder to the visitors of Llangollen Vale and the Aqueduct. This stupendous bridge is constructed for the purpose of being erected at Boner Ferry, over the Dornoch Firth, and will connect the counties of Ross and Sutherland. It is a single arch of 150 feet in span, the main ribs are 3 feet wide by 21 feet thick, and the roadway is supported by them in lozenges. The design is by T. Telford, Esq., and the abutments are building by Mr Simpson, of Shrewsbury, and Mr Cargil, of the Caledonian Canal." The bridge was at this date on its way to Bonar.

Ibid.—A fishery officer was placed at Tobermory for the convenience of the boats engaged in the herring fishing.

Ibid—A show of live stock was held at Bridgend of Alness on the 4th by the Wester Ross and Easter Ross Farmer Clubs.

August 14.—The Morayshire Farmer Club held a show (presumably at Elgin] to encourage the improvement of the breeds of black cattle and draught horses. After the show a party of 60 dined at Pearey’s. The Duke of Gordon was present, but his son, the Marquis of Huntly, occupied the chair, with Ballindalloch as croupier. "His lordship gave an excellent turtle, dressed by his own cook in the highest perfection, and some of the finest old cheese and Highland whisky that had ever been tasted by the Club." The Duke of Gordon presented to the Club a silver cup bearing an engraving of a plough, with the motto, "God speed the plough." The prize at the show for the best bull was awarded to Sir William Gordon Cumming, Bart. of Altyre.

August 28.—Gratification is expressed at the prospect of an abundant harvest through the whole country. "Neither blight, smut, mildew, or any other injurious visitation has yet been witnessed."

Ibid.—"Died, on the 8th June last, at his estate in Demerara, Alexander Macrae, Esq., a member of the Court of Policy of that Colony, and chief of the respectable and ancient family of his name in the Highlands of Scotland."

September 4.—"Sabbath last, the Rev. John Macdonell, of Forres, baptised the infant son of the Rev. Dr Brichan, of Dyke, by the name of Wellington."

Ibid.—Lieutenant and Adjutant James Davidson, of the 27th Regiment, killed at the battle of Salamanca, was second son of John Davidson, collector of the Land Tax of the County of Caithness. Another son, Captain Sinclair Davidson, of the 79th Regiment, fell while gallantly leading his company to victory at the battle of Fuentes d’Honore. Both were officers of great promise.

September 18.—At the Circuit Court, held on the 15th, Lord Hermand presiding, a man named Robert Ferguson, a cartwright, was tried for the murder of Captain Charles Munro, of the 42nd Regiment at a smithy in the parish of Resolis, Ross-shire. Captain Munro entered the smithy about five o’clock in the afternoon on the 2nd of June. Ferguson entered shortly afterwards, and began to swear at the Captain, who pushed him out. Returning with an open knife, Ferguson plunged it into the side of Captain Munro, who died the following evening, remarking before he expired that "He wished he had fallen on the field of battle." The accused was convicted, and sentenced to be executed at Inverness on 30th October.

September 25.—"Died, on the 19th ult., at Gibraltar, where he had resided for half a century as an eminent merchant, John Smith, Esq., aged 75, and formerly of Inverness. His remains were followed to the grave by all the chief civil and military authorities of the garrison, who were equally anxious to pay him that compliment which his long respectable life so justly entitled him to."

October 9.—Proclamation dissolving Parliament and calling a new one, the writs made returnable on 24th November. It is announced that Sir James Mackintosh, who was expected to stand for the county of Nairn, could not come forward, as he had not been infefted a sufficient length of time to allow of his being admitted to the roll of Freeholders. Mr Innes of Lochalsh had declined to offer himself again for the County of Ross.

October 16.—Mr J. P. Grant of Rothiemurchus elected one of the representatives for East Grimsby.

Ibid.—Died, at the Manse of Urquhart, Ross-shire, on the 1st October, in the 64th year of his age and 38th of his ministry, the Rev. Charles Calder, minister of Urquhart, a man eminently devoted to his divine Master’s service. A short memoir bears testimony to the piety, talent, kindliness, and ministerial usefulness of Mr Calder. "His correct classical task, refined by early, assiduous study, gave a superior polish to his compositions, which were always distinguished for elegance and ingenuity, and served to commend, to the most fastidious ear, the weighty sentiments which he drew, pure and genuine, from the sacred fountain of truth."

October 23.—The man Robert Ferguson, convicted of murder, was respited for fourteen days, on account of the election of a member for the Burghs on the 30th, and of a member for the County on the Friday following.

lbid.—The ingathering of the crops, which promised to be so plentiful, was greatly delayed by unfavourable weather. Even in the "low country" the crop was far from being secured.

October 30.—Freedom of the burgh conferred on Sir James Mackintosh. It is not stated that Sir James was present.

Ibid.—Colonel Rose of Kilravock elected member of Parliament for the County of Nairn. Sir James Dunbar of Boath, who proposed to come forward, waived his claims in favour of Colonel Rose.

Ibid.—The Northern Meeting was held the previous week, and largely attended "Owing to the unfavourable state of the weather, the sports of the field afforded but little enjoyment; this was, however, fully compensated by the social intercourse of the festive board and the brilliancy of the ball-room. On the last night of this gay scene, the Hon. Colonel A. Fraser of Lovat and his amiable lady entertained a select, though very numerous, party of the ladies and gentlemen who attended the Meeting at their beautiful residence called the Barracks, in the immediate neighbourhood of this place, and from which they reluctantly departed at an advanced hour of the following morning."

Ibid.—On Wednesday, 21st inst., the anniversary of Trafalgar was celebrated at Forres. The Duke of Gordon was in the chair, and the Marquis of Huntly croupier. Sir James Mackintosh was also present. The Duke of Gordon presented a silver cup to the Club, inscribed—"In memory of Lord Nelson’s victories of the Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar." The Rev. Mr Gordon, Banff, also presented a handsome bronze medal, bearing a likeness of Lord Nelson.

November 6.—The election of a member for the Inverness Burghs took place on the previous Friday, when Charles Gant, yr. of Waternish, was unanimously chosen. On his election, Mr Grant addressed his constituents in a speech which runs to three columns of the paper. It was a powerful and eloquent address, rather more ornate than we are accustomed to now-a-days, but animated and lofty in tone, and marked by felicity of phrase. The member strongly defended a vote which he had recently given in favour of Catholic emancipation, or rather in favour of an inquiry to ascertain whether the Catholic claims could be safely conceded. He also spoke in indignant terms of the recent assassination of the Prime Minister, Mr Perceval. The closing sentences of this passage may be quoted as a specimen of the address :—"Who," he asked, "can forget that eloquence, not perhaps of the highest order, yet distinguished by traits of greatness; not, perhaps, measured in its march nor nurtured in the shady spaces of philosophy, yet keen, active, penatrating; admirably fitted for combat, pliable in its movements, invincible in debate, triumphant in reply—that eloquence which, without courting the flowers of fancy, was yet sometimes elevated to a sublime height by the mere force of inward sentiment, by the intense conviction of an inward and high-toned principle? Well do I remember the indignant tones in which, but a few nights before his death, he asserted the cause of the Constitution; when in allusion to the disturbances which have disgraced England, in a speech literally carried along by the acclamations of an admiring audience, he reprobated the opinion of those who recommended delay in the use of coercive measures, when he exclaimed, ‘Shall we await to see who is the next victim of assassination?’ Gentlemen, his murderer was then in the House of Commons. Those words were at that moment ringing in the ears of him who was destined to make them prophetic." After his election, Mr Grant gave a splendid entertainment to the leading inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, upwards of a hundred being present.

Ibid—On October 29th, Colonel Francis William Grant of Grant was unanimously elected member for the County of Elgin, and on the 30th, Patrick Milne of Crimmongate was elected for the Elgin District of Burghs. On the 30th, Hugh Innes of Lochalsh was elected for the Northern Burghs, and on the 28th, James Macdonald (no designation given) was elected for the County of Sutherland. On the 2nd, Robert Abercromby of Birkenbog was elected for the County of Banff.

November 13.—On the previous Friday, Mr Charles Grant of Waternish (father of the burgh member) was unanimously re-elected member for the County of Inverness. Mr Grant’s speech on the occasion is reported at a length of two columns. Though not so eloquent as his sons address, it is compact and well expressed. Mr Grant considered that there was no alternative to the war with France. Any peace with Napoleon would be a false and hollow peace, fatal to us. ‘We alone." said Mr Grant, "stand erect amidst the wreck of nations. The rest of Europe has been compelled to bend to a ruthless despot." The speaker also defended the vote he had given in favour of an inquiry into the Catholic claims. "Into this inquiry he was willing to go, though he confessed the temper which the Catholic body, or at least those delegated by them, had of late shown was not encouraging. They urged their claims in an imperious spirit, which treated even previous inquiry as injurious to them." In his closing speech. Mr Grant said "that during the ten years he has sat in Parliament, he had not asked or received anything for himself or any one belonging to him from any administration. The advantages he had acquired in life flowed from that service to which he had been from his early years attached: his highest honour from the office to which he had that day been nominated. Feeling the employments of active life still easy to him, it had been a gratification to him to renew the tender of his services to the county, and he was still more gratified by the generous manner in which the Freeholders had been pleased to accept them." After the election a dinner was given, at which Colonel Fraser of Lovat presided.

Ibid.—The same issue contains a report of the contested election for the County of Ross, which took place at Tain on the 3rd inst. The candidates were the Hon. William Frederick Mackenzie, eldest son of Lord Seaforth, and Sir Charles Ross of Balnagown. The Hon. Wm. Mackenzie was elected by a majority of 17 votes. 29 freeholders having voted for the successful candidate, and 12 for his opponent.

Ibid.—The dignity of baronet was conferred on Æneas Mackintosh of Mackintosh.

Ibid.—What was called the Nairnshire Meeting, a county association of natives in London, dined on the 5th at the City of London Tavern. The members present drank to the memory of the late Mr Straith, the burgh schoolmaster, by whom most of them had been educated.

Ibid.—"Died, at Bught, on the 4th curt., Duncan Grant of Bught, in the 82nd year of his age. His funeral was attended by every individual member of the six Incorporated Trades of Inverness, who to show their attachment to the remains of their cashier for the long period of 56 years, insisted on carrying his body to the place of interment."

November 20.—Robert Ferguson, the murderer of Captain Munro, was executed on the 13th. The place of execution is not mentioned, though it is stated that there was a great concourse of spectators. The prisoner addressed the multitude in Gaelic, acknowledging the justice of his sentence. "He then made many suitable reflections on his own situation, and stated that till some time after he was confined in the prison of Inverness, he had not access to the Scriptures; that, by the benevolence of well-disposed persons in Inverness, he was soon taught to read, and that ever since the Word of God had been his only comfort." Ferguson had been in prison for about five months. He was attended to the scaffold by the Rev. T. Fraser and the Rev. D. Martin, ministers of Inverness.

Ibid.—The bridge of Bonar is officially declared "finished and complete," and open to travellers.

Ibid.—"On Tuesday last, Mr Charles Grant, M.P. for the burgh, gave a ball and supper to a numerous assemblage of beauty and fashion from this and the neighbouring counties."

Ibid.—Report of a dinner on the election of Mr Canning for Liverpool. The chair on the occasion "was most ably and respectably filled by John Gladstone, Esq," the father of William Ewart Gladstone.

November 27.—"Died, at Ness-side, having nearly attained his 88th year, Phineas Mackintosh of Drummond, many years Provost of Inverness. The kindness and gentleness of his disposition, the urbanity of his manners, and the goodness of his heart, will endear and perpetuate his memory to his numerous acquaintances, while his death must prove a source of sincere regret to all his friends and relations."

December 4.—The weather is again reported as extremely unfavourable, and the harvest not yet over "in the internal parts of the country."

December 11.—"Duncan George Forbes, Esq. of Culloden, has presented the Rev. John Macdonald, minister of the Gaelic Chapel in Edinburgh, to the church and parish of Urquhart, Presovtery of Dingwall, vacant by the death of the last incumbent." This was the beginning of the ministry in Ferrintosh of Dr Macdonald, "the Apostle of the North."

December 25.—The leading article in this issue is headed—"Most Glorious News! Total Defeat of the French Army in Russia." Previous issues contained long accounts of the disastrous campaign of Napoleon in Russia.

Ibid.—"Married, at Edinburgh, on the 16th December, James Gooden, Esq., merchant, London, to Miss Chisholm, daughter of the late Alexander Chisholm of Chisholm, Esq."

The following paragraph appears in James Suter’s Memorabilia :—"1812.—Head. of Church Street widened. Expense, £600, paid by the Burgh. On the site of some old houses, pulled down at this period, the fine structure called Geddes's Building was erected."


Return to Book index


 


This comment system requires you to be logged in through either a Disqus account or an account you already have with Google, Twitter, Facebook or Yahoo. In the event you don't have an account with any of these companies then you can create an account with Disqus. All comments are moderated so they won't display until the moderator has approved your comment.

comments powered by Disqus

Quantcast