|
The mansion-house of Auchentroig stands in one of the
most pleasant situations in the county of Stirling—placed, as it is, on
the banks of the pretty little glen of Arnfaichloch, famous in “Border
Tales,” watered by the meandering stream that flows around it, and
adorned with some of the grandest old trees in the country. The present
esteemed proprietor has done much for the improvement of the estate and
the benefit of his tenantry. The house and grounds, having been built
and laid out under his direction, give ample proof of his taste, and of
the deep interest he takes in matters agricultural.
The family of Auchentroig have long been distinguished
for their liberal spirit, disinterestedness, and noble hospitality;
while they have always taken a deep interest in everything tending to
promote the good of the district in which their estate is situated. The
family is generally allowed to be one of the very oldest, in a direct
line from father to son, in the county of Stirling. I have heard an old
friend of mine, long since gathered to his fathers, who was well versed
in all the traditions of the family, say that “fourteen Johns succeeded
each other in direct succession!” Certain it is, at least, that they
have held the property from a very early period.
According to Welsh, the Irish historian, the ancestor of
the M£Lachlans was O’Lauchlan, King of the province of Meath, and one of
the Milesian stem, or race of the ancient Kings of Ireland, who reigned
from the second century till about the time of the English Conquest,
when they were among the first to plant Argyleshire. An important branch
of the clan held the Auchentroig estate as far back as the twelfth or
thirteenth century. The chief of this branch led a company of spearmen
from his estate, and swelled the renowned Randolph’s division at the
battle of Bannockburn. Charters, granted by King Robert Bruce after the
battle, and still preserved among the Auchentroig papers, are proofs
that he had rendered to his King and country, on that important day,
valuable services. In the year 1394, Duncan, Earl of Lennox, confirms a
charter to Celestin M'Lachlan of Auchentroig, granted to one of his
ancestors by Eugen M‘Kessan of Garchel.*
The late Captain M‘Lachlan of Auchentroig, the
grandfather of the present proprietor, was a gentleman of very many
accomplishments. In early life he was allowed to be one of the best
swordsmen in the British army, and was endowed with a singularly daring
spirit. On one occasion, and when only a subaltern, he commanded a
picket party, while, on the opposite side of a ravine, lay a detachment
of the enemy. During the early part of the evening, the officer in
charge of the enemy’s party cried, “We’ll sort you lousy Scots
to-morrow.” “If ye’ll see to-morrow!” whispered the young subaltern.
During the night, M‘Lachlan led his men quietly across the glen, and
next morning the sun rose on the corpses of the entire party of the
enemy. For this exploit he was tried next day by court-martial, and
admonished; but on the following day he had the satisfaction of being
raised to the rank of Captain. On a subsequent occasion he engaged a
French officer single-handed, when the Frenchman kept backing his horse,
till its progress was arrested by a wall; “and then,” said the veteran,
“I soon laid his head upon' his shoulders.” Another feat is recorded of
his taking a French officer from the very front of his regiment, and
carrying him a prisoner to the British lines amid the plaudits of the
soldiery. At the battle of Minden, he distinguished himself by carrying
off the enemy’s colours; but in this gallant act he was unhorsed and
severely wounded. On being asked, in afterlife, how he managed to escape
after his horse was killed, he replied, “Ah! there were plenty of empty
saddles before I left.”
He died at Auchentroig, at a good old age, and was
succeeded by his only son, the late Captain M‘Lachlan, one of the most
accomplished gentlemen of his time. In early life he gave tokens of
possessing poetical talents of a high order, some of his pieces bearing
favourable comparison even with those of our great National Bard; but
his unfortunate death, in early life, extinguished all the hopes of his
friends.
He was succeeded in the estate by his only son, the
present Mr. M‘Lachlan of Auchentroig—a gentleman well known in the west
of Stirlingshire for his many good qualities, and the deep interest he
takes in all that tends to the advancement of his native district. |
