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IN 1618 Ruthven Castle was
visited by the eccentric genius, John Taylor, the so-called Water-Poet, and
the author of a curious pamphlet entitled, ‘The olde, olde, very olde Man;
or, The Age and Long Life of Thomas Parr.’ Taylor had come to Scotland at
the same time as Ben Jonson did, with the design of proving whether he could
peregrinate beyond the Tweed without money—a question which he solved in the
affirmative, as vouched by his well-known ‘ Pennyless Pilgrimage.’ He found
his “approved good friend” Jonson living with Mr John Stuart at Leith, and
received from him a gold piece of the value of 22s., a solid proof of the
kind feelings of honest Ben towards his brethren of Parnassus. Crossing the
Grampians in the train of the Earl of Mar, who had equipped him in the
Highland garb, in which he would, no doubt, cut a remarkable figure, Taylor
passed into Badenoch, and paid a short visit to Ruthven Castle. After
minutely describing a hunting expedition in the Braes of Mar, and the “good
cheere” with which he had been entertained, Taylor proceeds :—
“Thus having spent certaine dayes in hunting in the Brea of Marr, wee went
to the next county called Bagenoch belonging to the Earle of Engie, where
having such sport and entertainement as wee formerly had after foure or five
dayes pastime, wee tooke leave of hunting for that yeere; and tooke our
journey toward a strong house of the Earles, called Ruthven in Bagenoch,
where my Lord of Engie and his noble Countesse (being daughter to the Earle
of Argile) did give us most noble welcome three dayes.
“From thence we went to a place called Ballo Castle,1 a faire and stately
house, a worthie gentleman being the owner of it, called the Laird of Grant;
his wife being a gentlewoman honourably descended, being sister to the right
honourable Earle of Atholl, and to Sir Patricke Murray, Knight; she being
both inwardly and outwardly plentifully adorned with the gifts of grace and
nature; so that our cheere was more then sufficient and yet much lesse then
they could affoord us. There stayed there foure dayes, foure Earles, one
Lord, divers knights and gentlemen, and their servants, footmen, and horses;
and every meale foure longe tables furnished with all varieties. Our first
and second course being threescore dishes at one boord; and after that
alwayes a banquet; and there if I had not forsworne wine till I came to
Edenborough, I thinke I had there dranke my last.
“The fifth day with much adoe we gate from thence to Tarnaway, a goodly
house of the Earle of Murrayes, where that right honourable Lord and his
Lady did welcome us foure days more. There was good cheere in all variety,
with somewhat more then plenty for advantage; for indeed the countie of
Murray is the most pleasant and plentifull countrey in all Scotland; being
plaine land that a coach may be driven more then foure and thirtie miles one
way in it alongst by the sea-coast.
“From thence I went to Elgen in Murray, an ancient citie where there stood a
faire and beautifull church with three steeples, the walls of it and the
steeples all yet standing ; but the roofes, windowes, and many marble
monuments and toombes of honourable and worthie personages all broken and
defaced: this was done in the time when ruine bare rule, and Knox knock’d
downe churches.
“From Elgen we went to the Bishop of Murray his house which is called Spinye,
or Spinaye; a reverend gentleman he is, of the noble name of Dowglasse,
where wee were very well welcomed as befitted the honour of himselfe and his
guests.
“From thence wee departed to the Lord Marquesse of Huntleyes, to a sumptuous
house of his, named the Bogg of Geethe,4 where our entertainement was like
himselfe free, bountifull, and honourable. There (after two dayes stay) with
much entreatie and earnest suite, I gate leave of the Lords to depart
towards Edenborough; the noble Marquesse, the Earle of Marr, Murray, Engie,
Bughan, and the Lord Erskin; all these, I thanke them, gave me gold to
defray my charges in my journey.”
So much, indeed, was the “ pennyless ” Waterman impressed with the
liberality of the people that he exclaims :—
“Yet (arm’d with truth) I publish with my pen,
That there th’ Almighty doth his blessings heape
In such aboundant food for beasts and men,
That I ne’er saw more plenty or more cheape.”
In 1647 the castle was captured from the Marquis of Huntly by General David
Leslie. The’ Marquis then disbanded his forces in Badenoch, reserving only a
few as a body-guard for himself and his son, “showing them that he was
resolved to live an outlaw till provident Heaven should be pleased to change
the king’s fortune, upon whose commandments his life and fortune should
always depend.” By an Act of the Scots Parliament in 1647, it is declared
that “the wadset of the lordship to the Marquis of Argyll and the Earl of
Southesk was not to be prejudiced by the forfeiture of the Marquis of Huntly.”
In the subsequent battles and expeditions of Montrose on behalf of the king,
the Macphersons, with Ewen Macpherson, younger of Cluny, at their head, took
a prominent and active part. “Though the Mackintoshes as a body,” we are
told, “remained at home,” the Macphersons flocked to the banner of the clan
under the leadership of young Cluny, who held the rank of colonel in
Montrose’s army, and “did comand the hale of the men of Badzenoche.” On the
ascendancy of Cromwell, young Cluny and a large number of his clan, although
they had been loyally engaged on the side of the king, were arraigned as
“bloody enemies” by the Synod of Moray at Forres for taking part in what the
Synod termed “ the rebellione.” Here are full transcripts from the Synod
records of the proceedings on the occasion :—
“At Forres, the 12 of Jcinudr 1648, Sess. zd in the afternoon.
“After incalling the name of God, and a roll of those of Badyenoche who were
engaged in the rebellione, given in be Dougall mcPhersone, Captain of the
Castle of Rivven, who were cited to this dyet—Compered Ewen mcPhersone of
Clunie and t:<?/zfessed he did joyne with Alaster mcDonald, James Grahame,
and the late marquies Huntlye in rebellione; That he was at the fight of
Tippermuire and Aberdene, in which he did comand the hale of the men of
Badzenoche, as also hade the same comand under the late marquis of Huntlye ;
At the directione of the Ld Gordoun he raised fyre at Dacus and was in
service at the siege of Lethen.
“Donald mcPhersone, sonne to the guidman of Noid, Compered and cewfessed he
was in the rebellione foresaid; At the battle of Afurd, with the marquies of
Huntlye in Murray, at the siege of Lethen, and at the persewing of Aberdene.
“Lachlane mcintosche of Kincraig cewfessed he was in the late rebellione; at
the siege of St Jonstoune, and with the late marquies of Huntlye in Murray.
“Lachlane mcPhersone of Delfure cewfessed he joyned in the late rebellione,
was at the fight of St Johnstone, Auldearne, Alfurd, and qll the late
marquies of Huntlye was beseiging Lethen.
“William mcPhersone in Pitchyrne confessed he had his hand in the rebellione,
was at the siege of St Jonstoune, Aberdene, and Kilsythe, and a night at
Lethen. Donald mcQueen of Dunachtine confessed he was in the rebellione at
the fight of Afurd and besieging of Lethen.
“James mcintosche of Strone confessed he was brought against his will to the
siege of Lethen. Angus mcintosche, portioner of Bannachar, confessed he was
joyned in the rebellione, and in abscence of the guidman of Stroane was
Captain over the mcintosches at the retreat at Inverness, at the siege of
Lethen, and at the battle of Afurd and St Jonstoune.
“Williame mcPhersone in Pitmeane confessed he joyned with the enemies at the
fights of Kilsythe and Afurd, and was at the siege of Lethen.
“Williame mcPhersone in Bannachar confessed he joyned with the enemies at
the battells of St Jonstoune and Afurd, and the onfall at Aberdene.
“Williame mcPhersone in Boilid moir confessed he was in the rebellione, at
the intaking of Aberdene, in Murray at Lethen, and with the late marqueis in
rebellione since the remissione.
“Angus mcPhersone in the bray of Badyenoche confessed his rebellione, that
he was at the fight of St Jonstoune, at the falling in on Aberdene, and also
at Lethen.
“Johne mcPhersone in Boilid more confessed, he was joyned in the rebellione
at the fight of St Jonstoune, the intaking of Aberdene, and with the fd
marqueis in Murray.
“Hutchone mcPhersone in Bracachie confessed he was in the rebellione at the
Intaking of Aberdene wl the fd marqueis at Lethen, and in ye late rebellione
at Craigall.
“Sorle mcPhersone in Nyssintilloche confessed he was in Murray at Lethen.
“Alexander mcPherson in Crobinbeg confessed he was in the rebellione at the
fights of St Johnstoune, Aberdene, and Afurd, and at Leathen.
“William mcPhersone in Crobinbeg confessed he was at the fight of St
Jonstoune, the intaking of Aberdene, in Murray at Lethen, and with the oftin
fd marqueis in the last rebellione.
“Malcome mcPhersone of Phones confessed he did meet with the enemies, bot
was never at a fight with them.
“Donald mcPhersone appeirand of Phones confessed he was at the fight of
Auldearne, at the intaking of Aberdene, and in Murray at Lethen, as also wc
ye fd marqueis since the pacificacione wl ye states.
“Thomas mcPhersone of Etteris confessed he was at the fight of Afurd, the
intaking of Aberdene, and at Leathen, did subscryve papers at the fd
marqueis desyre, and was in the last rebellione.
“Jhone mcPhersone of Innerawin confessed he was at the fights of St
Jonstoune and Aberdene and Afurd; at the intaking of Aberdene, and in Murray
at Leathen.
“Alaster mcPhersone in Riven confessed he was onlie with the enemies and
Murray at Leathen.
“Thomas mcPhersone of Innertromie confessed he was at the fights of St
Jonstoune, Aberdene, and Afurd; at the intaking of Aberdene, at Lethen, and
in Craigall in the last rebellione.
“Malcome mcPhersone in Bellinespick confessed he was at the fights of St
Jonstoune, the intaking of Aberdene, and in Murray at Leathen.
“James mcintosche in Kinrara confessed he was at the bloodie fights of St
Jonstoune, Auldearne, and intaking of Aberdene, and hade the office of
Comissary in Murray at Leathen, and was captaine somtyme under the guidman
of Stroane.
“Donald mcPhersone in Presmukkarach confessed being drawn hither against his
will; he was at ye intaking of Aberdene, and at Lethen.
James Shaw in Dunachtan-beg confessed he was at the fight of Jonstoune, the
intaking of Aberdene, and at Lethen.
“Donald mcJames mcintosche confessed he was at the fights of St Jonstoune
and Afurd, and at the intaking of Aberdene.
“Januar 13, 1648.
“After incalling the name of God, the malignants of Badyenoche compertmd.
they might receive thair censure according to the measure of thair guilt,
were classed as follows :—
“L.-Coll. Ewen mcPhersone; James mcintosche, a Comisary; Captaine Thomas
mcPhersone of Innertromie; Captaine Donald mcPhersone, fear of Phones; Angus
mcintosche in Bannachar, Captaine in abscence of Stroane. The abouenamed for
a part of thair censure were ordained to tak on sackloth, which they did
accordinglie, acknowledging their heartie sorrow upon thair knees,
willinglie subscryved the rwzfessione emitted be the comission of the gene
rail Assemblie at Aberdene, as they were ordained, and solmnlie promised in
tyme coming to amend thair former miscariage.
“Lachlane mcPhersone of Delfoure; Williame nrcPhersone of Pitchryne; Donald
mcQuein in Dunachten; Williame mcPhersone in Pitmeane; Williame mcPhersone
in Bannachar; Angus mcPhersone in ye bray of Badzenoch ; Jhone mcPhersone in
Boilid moir; Alexander mcPhersone in Crobinbeg; Jhone mcPher-sone in
Innerawin; Malcome mcPhersone, Bellinespick; Donald mcPhersone,
Presmukkarach; James Shaw in Dunaghtan-beg; Donald mcJames mcintosche.
These, in respect they were not leaders bot joyned in ye rebellione under
the comand of others, yrfor were ordained in thair owne habits on thair
knees to acknowledge thair deep sorrow and humiliatione for thair rebellione,
and to confess thair earnest purpose and resolution to amend and refrain
from such wicked Courses in tyme coming, and presentlie subscryve this fd
confessione composed be the comission of ye getterall Assemblie at Aberdene;
which all they did according to the ordinances, and such of them as could
not subscryve themselves gaue comand by touching the pen to the Clerk of ye
Assemblie to subscryve for them.
“Donald mcPhersone, Neede; Lachlane mcintosche of Kincraig; Sorle mcPhersone
in Nyssentulloche; Alexander mcPhersone in Riven ; and Donald mcPherson in
Presmukkarach, being found less malicious than the former, acknowledged
thair faults ut supra, were ordained to subscryve the aboue-mentioned
confession, which accordinglie was done, and to mak thair publick repentance
in their own paroche kirk.
“Jhone mcGregor Roy, Alexander mcLeane, Alexr mcPhersone in Kingusie-beg,
and Callum mcKoule mcean, having hand both in the first and last rebellione,
and being absent from this meeting without excuse, The Presbyterie of
Abirloure ordained to process them with all the deligence they can use, and
Intimation is ordained to be made in all Paroche churches of yis province
that none receive them.
“James mcintosche of Stroane, and Malcome mcPhersone of Phones, being found
of anie others in Badyenoche least guiltie of complyance and joyning with
the enemies, were graulie admonished to look narrowlie to thair ways in time
coming, and to mak thair repentance in thair paroche kirk.
“James mcPhersone, fear of Ardbrylache, and Alexander mcintosche of Kinrara,
thair absence was excused in respect they ar in Edinburgh.
“Angus mcintosche of Gargask; Bane mcPhersone of Stramassie; Ewen mcPhersone
of Corie-earnisdeall, being detained in Ruthven as pledges, thair absence
also excused.
“Andrew mcPhersone of Clunie; Angus mcPhersone of Inneressie ; Johne
mcPhersone in Druminard; Jhone mcPhersone of Neede; Alexander mcintosche in
Pittourie, excused for thair ages and inabilitie to travell.
“Donald mcPherson of Dunachtan moir, and Angus mcintosche in Eister-reate,
thair abscence also excused becaus of thair present sickness.
“Alexander Gordoune in Rait; Lachlane mcintosche in Pittourie; Donald
mcPhersone in Oevie; Jhone mcPherson of Crathicroy; Ewen mcPhersone of
Tirfadowne; Williame Shaw in Belnastl; Jhone mcPhersone in Sherabeg; Jhone
mcintosche in Crathimoir; Malcome mcPhersone in Kingusie; Williame Gordon in
Kingusie beg; Farqr mchomach, yr; Andrew mcPhersone in Need; Jhone and James
mcPhersones in Innermarkie; Donald mcPhersone in Dunachtan-moir; and Malcome
mcPhersone in Pytchirne, being absence without excuse, together with all
others not now censured, were referred to the Presbyterie of Abirloure to
process and censure them as they sal be answerable to ye provinciall next.
“L.-Coll. Ewen mcPhersone; James mcintosche, Comisaryj Thomas mcPher-sone of
Innertromie, a Captaine and in ye last rebellione; Donald mcPhersone of fiar
of Phonas, and a Captaine and in ye last rebellione; Angus mcintosche, also
a Captaine; Lachlane mcPhersone of Delfoure; William mcPhersone, Pitchyrnej
William mcPhersone in Bannacharj and Jhone mcPhersone in Innernahaan, having
confessed they were with the enemies at the fight of Auldearne, Theirfor
were ordained first to mak thair repentance in sackcloth in the kirk of
Auldearne, where Mr William Falconer is appoynted to preache Sunday next for
that end. Donald mcQuein in Dunachten ; William mcPhersone in Pitmeane ;
Angus mcPherson in the bray of Badzenochej Jhone mcPhersone, Boelid-moir;
Alexr mcPhersone in Crobinbeg; Malcome mcPhersone in Bellinespick ; Donald
mcPherson in Presmukkarach; James Shaw in Dunachten; and Donald mcJames
mcintosche, being found also to haue joyned with the enemies in bloodie
fights, were ordained Sunday next to mak thair repentance in sackcloth in
the kirk of Caddell: Thairafter thir, together with the rest of the bloodie
enemies, sail com-peir befr the Presbyterie of Abirlour and acknowledge
thair guiltiness ; and uppone the saxt day of Februar next they ar ordained
to mak thair repentance in the Kirk of Kingusie, and Mr Lachlane Grant and
Maister 'Williame Fraser appoynted to preach there that day and receive them
3 and in case either of these two be sick, power is given to Mr Jhone Annand
to direct either Mr Patrick Dunbar or Mr Alexr Ros to supplie thair vice,
and after thair repentance they are ordained to subscryve the covenant and
league at Kingusie.”
In 1649 the castle was captured by a force under the command of Thomas
Mackenzie of Pluscardine. The same year the Scots Parliament made a grant of
£500 Scots to Evan Macpherson of Cluny and Lauchlan Macpherson, in
consideration of their losses caused by the invasion of Badenoch by the
Laird of Pluscardine. An Act was also passed regarding the garrison under
the charge of Lieutenant-Colonel James Menzies, the monthly pay of the
garrison being then £300. In 1650 “ thirty men of the Marquis of Argyll’s
Regiment were appointed to be left in the Ruthven of Badenoch ; ” and by a
subsequent Act of the same year the forces raised in Badenoch were to be
commanded by the Laird of Lochiel, Dougall Macpherson, and the Laird of
Macintosh or Lauchlan Macintosh. In July 1657 one company of foot formed the
garrison.
After the battle of Worcester and the flight of King Charles II., Ruthven
Castle was garrisoned by the English. In 1653 the Earl of Glencairn, who had
taken up arms in the cause of the Royalists, was lying in Cromar when
Colonel Morgan, who was at the time in Aberdeen, having made an attack on
them, obliged them to retreat through a long narrow glen leading to the
forest of Abernethy, when Morgan, overtaken by night, desisted. Glencairn
remained in Badenoch for about five weeks, till he was joined by Lorn and a
large gathering; but Lorn had scarcely remained a fortnight when he left the
army, together with his men, and took the way to Ruthven Castle on
New-Year’s Day 1654. Glengarry was despatched either to bring them back, or
to attack them in case of refusal. He came up with them within half a mile
of the castle. Lorn and most of his horse escaped, but the foot halted on a
hill, beat a parley, and offered to return. They laid down their arms, took
an oath to serve the king, but within another fortnight they had all
disappeared!
“After Worcester, Cromwell’s soldiers overran the greater part of Scotland,
and ruled the country, establishing, among other garrisons, one at
Inverness—at the Citadel or Sconce—and another at Brahan. Certain Highland
chiefs, however, including Lochiel and Glengarry, still held out for the
Stewarts, and when the Earl of Glencairn raised the royal standard in 1653,
they hastened to join him. Glencairn wasted time in aimless marches, and
before long he had to yield the chief command to the more energetic General
Middleton. Lilburne, who commanded Cromwell’s forces in Scotland, proved,
notwithstanding the famous Colonel Morgan’s assistance, unable to suppress
the Royalist rising. Cromwell, therefore, resolved to put a stronger man in
his place, and in April 1654 Monck arrived at Dalkeith in the capacity of
Governor of Scotland, and armed with the fullest powers. He at once prepared
to follow the Royalists into the Highlands. In May he moved to Stirling,
from whence he advanced into the district of Aberfoyle, where, after
repeated repulses, he dispersed the forces of Glencairn. He then marched
northward to meet Middleton, having arranged that he should be joined by
Morgan, who was stationed at Brahan, and by Colonel Brayne, who was
despatched to bring 2000 men from Ireland to Inverlochy. His movements were
extraordinarily rapid. He started from St Johnstone’s [Perth] on Friday, 9th
June, with a force of horse and foot, which included his own regiment, now
the famous Coldstream Guards.” 1
Here is the despatch which Monck addressed to Cromwell from Ruthven Castle
in July 1654:—
“May itt please Your Highnesse,—
“Wee are now returned back thus farre after the Enemy under Middleton, who
by a teadious march have harras’t out their horse very much; both
Highlanders and Lowlanders begin to quitt them. They are now about Dunkell,
but wee heare they intend to march towards the Head of Lough-Lomond. Wee
shall doe our best to overtake them in the Reare, or putt them to a very
teadious march, the which wee hope will utterlie breake them. I desire your
Highnesse will be pleased to give order That care may bee taken that the
Irish forces that are att Loughaber may continue there, for a yeare: I finde
they are very unwilling, being they were promist (as they say) to returne
within 3 or 4 monthes; but being that providence hath ordered That that
partie should come into those parts itt will bee a great deale of trouble to
shippe them away, and to shippe other men to Releive them in that place; and
truly the place is of that Consequence for the keeping of a garrison there
for the destroying of the stubbornest enemy wee have in the Hills, that of
the Clan Cameron’s and Glengaries, and the Earle of Seafort’s people, that
wee shall not bee able to doe our worke unlesse wee continue a garrison
there for one yeare; For in case we should withdraw that Garrison towards
the winter from thence, these 3 clans doe soe over awe the rest of the clans
of the Country that they would bee able to inforce them to rise, in case wee
should withdraw our garrisons, and nott find them imployment att home the
next Summer before there will be any grasse for us to subsist in the Hills :
In case we should putt in some of our owne forces there and return the
others into Ireland wee shall not have shipping to doe both, besides the
unsetling of one and setling the other will be a great inconvenience to us :
This I thought fitt humbly to offer to your Highnesse, concerning which I
shall humbly desire to have your Highnesse speedy Answer what you intend to
doe with the Irish forces, and in case you doe intend the Irish forces shall
stay there, I desire you will please to write to L. Col. Finch who commands
the Irish Forces under Col. Brayne that they may stay there, for I finde
they are something unwilling unless they putt your Highnesse to that
trouble, and therefore now the letter may be speeded to him as soone as may
be if your Highnesse thinke fitt. Col. Morgan is att present about ye Bray
of Marre, and Col. Twisleton neere Glasgowe with Col. Pride’s Regiment.—I
remain, &c., George Monck.
“Campe at Ruthven in Badenoch,
7th July 1654.”
In the narrative of Monck’s “Proceedings in the Hills from June 9 to 29 July
1654,” it is stated that “the Enemy having quitt Garth Castle, a small
Castle and nott considerable, leaving 30 armes (most charged) behinde them,
order was given for the burning of itt. From thence I marched to Ruthven in
Badgenoth, where I had notice of Middleton’s being with his whole force
about Glengaries Bounds, which hasten’d my March the 20th to Cluny, and from
thence the next day to Glenroy, which being the first Bounds of the Clan
Camerons I quarter’d att, and they being uppe in armes against us, wee began
to fire all their houses. I had there notice Middleton was in Kintale.” |
