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Historical Articles and Stories

by Bob Lundin
(a selection from his book)
Bob's wife, Elma Scott Lundin, is a descendant of the Glengyle MacGregors.

NOTE: Bob completed his book, "The Lundin, Scott & MacGregor Story," shortly before he passed away in 2004. You can buy it on CD-Rom from the family's CafePress shop.
http://www.cafepress.com/ovlbob

Our Family History
Chapter 11
(including a transcription of the moving appeal to the Waterworks Commissioners before Loch Katrine's level was raised)

BRIG O' TURK GLENGYLE HEARTLAND

BRIDGE OF TURK may have been named from the Gaelic tuirc, a wild boar, as one theory is that savage creatures of that kind were in the area. Another is that it is from a word like twrch which the Britons used for a stream or waterfall. It was a small village between the northern shores of Lochs Venachar and Achray, where the bridge crossed the stream from Glen Finglas. This was a strategic point by the road from Callander, six or so miles on the route to Loch Katrine and the Trossachs. From olden times the traditional headquarters of the GLENGYLE MACGREGORS was at the headwaters of Loch Katrine, but the tribe were throughout the whole area in large numbers. The cotts (farm cottages) and crofts (small farms) in the seventeenth century were divided into two groups, Easter and Wester Brig o' Turk, on either side of the stream, which was a source of power for watermills. Today the stream still has a considerable flow, and at its head is a large reservoir. DUNCRAGGAN is nearby, a little to the south. In August 1996 Bob Scott and I visited a charming couple, Robin MacLean, the area historian, and his wife Ruth, at their Duncraggan Cottage. This is in beautiful sylvan surroundings. Robin led us on a very pleasant walk north westward up the glen, through a beautiful partly wooded area. The few houses are largely hidden by trees. We passed the site of the old smithy, where Hugh MacGregor, the smith who died in 1923, on his retirement put his bicycle and anchor high on a tree. The tree has grown around these over the years, and now only the flukes of the anchor and small sections of the cycle handlebars and forks are to be seen protruding from the trunk of the large tree. Nearby is the attractive and colourful garden of Rena MacGregor's Clan Alpine Cottage and the old burial ground. On the other side, our left, we passed the large and comfortable looking Glengyle House, with its meadow beyond. The roadway then grows steeper, leading to the very large dam or reservoir holding a great quantity of clear water. From here there is a great view of the countryside to the south. The whole area is lovely, and it is good news that the whole of the catchment area, GLENFINGLAS, has just been sold to the Scottish Woodland Trust, who aim to plant all the higher ground with native trees, restricting sheep and cattle farming to the lower ground.

In 1624 the GLENGYLES supported the Earl of Moray, under a mutual bond of support, in quelling his troublesome neighbours to the north, the McIntoshes (Clan Chattan). Burke's Landed Gentry of 1848 says that 300 of Clan Gregor under MALCOLM OF GLENGYLE went to Morayshire for this purpose. It continues: 'Malcolm's conduct on this occasion gave such satisfaction to the noble Earl that he granted him a farm at the Bridge of Turk as a reward for his services, which still remains in the possession of the family'.

This is the 30 acre property which at the 1851 Census was being farmed by JOHN DANIEL the 29 year old son of JOHN OF GLENGYLE, where he employed two labourers (Chapter 2). In the John MacGregor records at the Scottish Record Office is this striking account of how the holding came about, in a letter from Robert Stewart of Ardvorlich to the Earl of Moray 27/1/1718, asking for possession of Wester Bridge of Turk which Walter Stewart has retained despite his Lordship's orders:

'Your Lop/. knowe that of old your predecessors were so molested by the insolencies of the Clanchattan in the north that they had even reduced their interest in the Lop/. [= Lordship] of Pettie. For which cause my Great Grandfather conveand his friends and got Glengyle's predecessor with the McGregors in this countrie to joyn him. He trysted the Earl of Moray to meet him at Tarnawa again a precised day, again which time he assurd him of a good account of his enemies, which he so performed that at the day poynted he brought in the Clanchattan to the Castle of Tarnawa with ropes about their necks to make there submission to his Chieff. For which singular piece of service he got the half of Easter Bridge of Turk conferd upon him, which my good friend Walter now possesses and GLENGYLE'S PREDECESSOR GOT THE OTHER HALF, which his representatives yet possesses'.

One can perhaps imagine the scene triumphant MacGregors and Stewarts dragging the defeated, bleeding and dejected Clan Chattan to make their peace with the Earl, with halters about their necks. Was he merciful? He possibly still considered he had power of pit and gallows over his enemies, but perhaps by 1624 he may have chosen to exercise mercy.

There are many other historical references to this long tenure, which was brought to a halt about 1855. The misfortunes which befell JOHN OF GLENGYLE and his son JAMES, father of our ANNE, are set out in a long letter in GD50/66/5 from James's friend and solicitor Bain to the Earl of Moray, dated 13/2/1886. This is quoted further on in these notes.

MORE MACGREGORS AT BRIDGE OF TURK:

Our ANNE MACGREGOR at the 1861 Census was boarding with other MacGregors in the next house to that where her brother ADAM AUSTIN MACGREGOR lived in 1851 with his grand parents JOHN of Glengyle and JANE ISABELLA. She was then eight years old. Indications were that this family consisted of DONALD b 1786/7 unmarried, with sisters JANET b 1786/7 and MARGARET b 1800/01, also both unmarried. With them in 1851 were their niece CATHERINE b 1835/6 and nephews WILLIAM b 1834/5 and JOHN b 1838/9. This is shown in Chapter 2. It is now clear that the parents of the niece and nephews were MALCOLM b 1799 and his wife CATHERINE (nee BROWN from Kenmore) who were married on 30/5/1834 at Callander. This couple are buried in the graveyard at Bridge of Turk. The memorial inscription as given in the Clan Newsletter of Spring 1996 is: 'Malcolm 3 (or 8).6.1865 age 66. Wife Cath McG 18.9.1884 age 81'. In 1841 they lived at Blairgarry, near Bridge of Turk. Their full family as far as is known was:

WILLIAM b Kenmore on 12/8/1833, others all b Bridge of Turk:
CATHERINE & MARGARET (twins) 28/3/1836, MALCOLM 12/8/1837, JOHN 1838, ELIZABETH 2/7/1840, JANE 1/3/1845, CHRISTIAN 1/5/1848.

MALCOLM b 1799, father of the above family, appears to have been a brother of the DONALD, JANET & MARGARET whom ANNE boarded with. It seems almost certain that these were offspring of WILLIAM MACGREGOR (alias 'McCOMAS') who married CATHERINE McLAREN on 24/12/1782. Their family born at Duncraggan which is beside Bridge of Turk were: CATHERINE 1795, JANET 22/8/1784, (or 1791?), DONALD 1788? MALCOLM (above) 1799, MARGARET 12/12/1798, and ELIZABETH 20/2/1801. It is likely another son was the DUNCAN who married Catherine McFarlane at Aberfoyle in 1824 and died in 1857.

From information supplied by Ian G. Hodges, Bundeena, NSW, the above WILLIAM (alias McCOMAS) is probably the same as WILLIAM b 3/11/1758 to DONALD McCOMAS and JANET FERGUSON, who were married on 29/12/1744. Their family seems to have included: CATHARINE 10/12/1745, MALCOLM 20/1/1751, JOHN 1/5/1753, WILLIAM (above) 3/11/1758, and DONALD 21/4/1761. Catharine was born at Bridge of Turk, others at Duncraggan.

It is not yet established what relationship existed between the above families and the main Glengyle family, but there can be no doubt that they were all Glengyles. Research continues. It seems that the alias McCOMAS was adopted by some families in this area at the times of the proscription on the name MacGregor. The main family generally used the name GRAHAM, though ROB ROY used his mother's surname CAMPBELL and his sons often used the name DRUMMOND. There is some evidence that McComas was sometimes spelt McKOMAS Clan Newsletter 41 refers to an Archibald MacGregor whose marriage in 1776 is recorded in this name. He was from Doune, where Dr John Ward records that an enclave of MacGregors existed, but Archibald was buried at Kilmahog, just west of Callander and quite close to the villages of Tombea and Coilantogle, where there were other Glengyles.

SOME GLENGYLE ARMY MEN:

JOHN of Glengyle b 1795 came from an unbroken line of fighting Glengyles. The MALCOLM mentioned above in relation to the 1624 action was succeeded by his eldest son, DONALD GLAS who was a Lt/Col under "Bonnie Dundee" in the 1689 Rising. Next in the line was his son IAIN (John) the older brother of the famed ROB ROY. He helped Campbell of Glenorchy attempt to win his disputed Earldom of Caithness from Sinclairs, winning a battle at Wick. Iain was the father of the next Chief, the famed COL. GREGOR 'GHLUNE DHU', a hero in 1715 and 1745. Gregor's eldest son was JOHN, who used the surname Graham and lived from 1708 1774. He was imprisoned for the whole of the 1745 Rising. His son was JAMES, an officer in the 105th Regiment of Foot, who married Isabella, daughter of that noted warrior CAPT. GREGOR 'BOACH' MACGREGOR of Inverarderan, referred to later. JAMES died in 1798, to be followed by his son JOHN of Glengyle born 12/1/1795. JOHN served first in the Royal Perthshire Militia and later in the West Kent Militia, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. He married JANE ISABELLA, daughter of CAPT DANIEL MACGREGOR of the East India Co., son of CAPT GREGOR 'BOACH'. Jane was the sister of General of Division SIR GREGOR MACGREGOR of Venezuela, who achieved fame in the lifetime of Jane and John's children. It is known that their son JAMES was closely acquainted with the General's daughter JOSEFA. For a time after losing possession of Brig o' Turk, he lived in her home near Bridge of Allan. Her home there was called 'INVERARDORAN' after her father's and grandfather's house in Breadalbane. Later they lived in her house in the Lake of Menteith area called 'BLAIRHOYLE COTTAGE' until her death on 27/1/1872.

Coming from such a background, JAMES born 1/8/1818 was from generations of proud fighting stock. The Scottish Records Office papers and the book 'Clan Gregor in the Forces of the Crown' by Malcolm McGregor show that he did serve in the WEST KENT MILITIA, like his father. He was appointed Ensign 5/1/1846 and Lieutenant 14/4/1853, leaving in Sept 1855. His younger brother JOHN DANIEL may also have served in the Militia. There was a J.D. McGregor who was appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Perthshire Militia on 9/8/1839 this is one day before JOHN turned 18, and this is likely to be the same man who was farming the 30 acres at Bridge of Turk at the time of the 1851 Census, per my Chapter 2.

It may seem strange that both JAMES and his father JOHN of Glengyle should serve for years in the West Kent Militia, so far from traditional MacGregor country. There is no mystery about this. It all goes back a century or so before, to the days of CAPT GREGOR 'BOACH' of Inverardoran. By the way he too was of Glengyle stock, descended from a brother of GREGOR DOW, the father of MALCOLM, the Chief who led in the 1624 expedition. GREGOR 'BOACH' was the proud Highlander who was summoned with another comrade to be shown in his tartan garb to the King at Whitehall. He it was who tossed the guinea the King had given him to the porter on leaving the Palace. He was one of the first recruited to the Black Watch when it was formed in 1738. He is also the one to whom all MacGregors owe a great debt of gratitude, for he launched in 1774 the petition which finally led to repeal of the Acts of Parliament against Clan Gregor in 1775. In the years just before the 1745 Rising, all Scotland was seething with discontent at losing their Scottish Parliament by a rigged vote in 1707. The Highlands were ripe for revolt, fomented by the expected Jacobite invasion by Bonnie Prince Charlie from France.

It was in this political climate that Lord President Forbes of Culloden (his house, not the Battle), who has been described as an opportunist, a Hanoverian sycophant and political 'fixer', in 1738 proposed his plan to defuse the Highlands. This was to recruit some Highland Regiments under English or Scottish Colonels loyal to the Hanover Royalty, but with all other officers to be 'the chiefs and chieftains of the disaffected clans'. His plan was to attract as many of the clansmen as possible as recruits, and use the Regiments abroad. The first such Regiment was the BLACK WATCH, raised in 1738. Initially it was under the Earl of Crawford, who never actually took up command, and HUGH, LORD SEMPILL, became the first effective Colonel in 1740, when they were at the Tay Bridge. The Regiment in 1744 was sent to fight in Flanders against the French. They returned to Britain before the '45, but were held on the coast of Kent throughout this campaign as far from the action as possible. Sempill himself was needed in Scotland, however, and was detached and posted to take a command against the Highlanders. GREGOR 'BOACH' will have been one of the many Highland officers held inactive in Kent, against their inner convictions, and it must have been very difficult to keep any order among them. Perhaps they were there to circumvent any threat to London and the south from a Jacobite landing, but Londoners may well have been more fearful of a Regiment of wild Highlanders defending them than of any invaders from over the Channel. Anyway, this is how GREGOR 'BOACH' came to be in Kent, and he served also in the West Kent Militia after leaving the Black Watch.

It is interesting that his son, CAPT DANIEL of the East India Company, also a professional soldier, came to marry ANNE AUSTIN, the granddaughter of BRIGADIER LORD SEMPILL and a close relative of another famous General, none other than ROBERT CLIVE. So all of these noted soldiers were prominent in the ancestry of young JAMES of Glengyle and his family. It is no wonder both JAMES and his father JOHN went into the West Kents, following the earlier example of GREGOR 'BOACH'.

DESCENT OF DR ADAM AUSTIN:

Attention was drawn to this following discovery of letters among the John MacGregor WS papers in GD50/66 at Scottish Record Office, written by JAMES of Glengyle on 31/7/1883 and by W.E. Gloag in August 1883. JAMES said the AUSTINS were of English extraction, the first coming to Scotland as an officer in Cromwell's Army. He later settled in Perth as a merchant and became Provost of Perth in 1710, as well as on two subsequent occasions. James believed the last of this Austin's male descendants was James's great grandfather DR ADAM AUSTIN, who left several daughters and one son 'who died early in India where he held a high civil appointment'. (He was a judge, HUGH AUSTIN, who died in 1784, probably at Burdwan, Bengal). James continued that his grandmother ANNE, who married CAPT DANIEL MACGREGOR, H.E.I.C., was the eldest daughter, and that the second daughter married GENERAL ROBERTSON of Lawers but had no issue. The other daughters died unmarried. His letter also mentions GLOAG, referring to him as SHERIFF GLOAG, and MISS O'REILLY. This may be ANNE AUSTIN O'REILLY, his cousin, the daughter of his aunt. This ANNE married CHARLES OVEREND and became the mother of MARIA OVEREND, who James is said to have named as his heiress in a will or settlement of 22/2/1872, but the dates may not be consistent.

W.E.GLOAG wrote from Dunkeld that THOMAS AUSTIN was proprietor of Kilspundie in the Carse of Gowrie (near Perth). His information went no further back, but he thought that Burke about Perth might carry the family history further. Thomas's son JOSEPH AUSTIN was the second of Kilspundie, leaving two sons and three daughters, all married. He thought one of the sons, CAPT. JOSEPH AUSTIN, was his ancestor, and the other DR ADAM AUSTIN of Edinburgh, ancestor of JAMES MACGREGOR, 'at least he was the ancestor of M/s Austin and M/s JOSEFA MACGREGOR, James's cousin. I think however that he can now have no descendants of the name of Austin but I am not certain'. Gloag continued that CAPT JOSEPH AUSTIN third (?) of Kilspundie seems to have had nine children:

WILLIAM b 1732, DEBORAH b 1733, MARGARET b 1735,
ANNA or ANNE b 1737, CECILIA b 1739, JOHN b 1747,
MARY b 1749, ADAM b 1751, GEORGE b 1753.

He says Cecilia married JOHN GLOAG, his grandfather. He had no knowledge of what became of the others of this family. In an earlier letter written 18/4/1854 from 72 Northumberland St at Edinburgh, Gloag mentioned he had a brother John who was living in 1853. In a letter written 17/11/1867 Josefa calls Gloag 'Mr. Gloag Advocate'. Note that James referred to him as Sheriff Gloag.

The correspondence from James and Gloag about the Austins was sent to the A.K. Bell Library in Perth. The Local Studies Librarian, who had already accepted a set of my 1995 notes, expressed thanks and said he had added these letters to his collection. He sent an extract from Laurence Melville's 'Fair Land of Gowrie' giving more about DR ADAM AUSTIN. The extract shows that in 1718 JOSEPH AUSTIN of Kilspindie married JEAN, daughter of ADAM DRUMMOND, proprietor of Megginch. This is an important branch of the DRUMMONDS of Perth. Jean's brother JOHN DRUMMOND also married about that time. DRUMMOND had a son JAMES, and AUSTIN a son ADAM. These sons studied medicine together in Edinburgh and were bosom friends. Young DRUMMOND had a sister JEAN who was exceptionally beautiful and a most accomplished young lady. Both young gentlemen became medical practitioners in Edinburgh, and DR ADAM AUSTIN began paying his addresses to Miss Jean and undoubtedly became her devoted, if not accepted, lover. The course of true love never runs smoothly, and another rival, captivated by Jean's sweetness and charm, appeared on the scene. This was JAMES MURRAY, Duke of Atholl, who had been a frequent caller at Megginch. The Duke also made a proposal of marriage to her, which she accepted, and it is recorded that 'whatever struggle it cost the fair lady, the lancet was no match for the coronet', and she became the Duchess of Atholl. Melville says DR ADAM AUSTIN was frantic at being jilted and sought consolation in writing the popular ballad "FOR LACK OF GOLD". Soon, however, he found comfort in another lady. On 15/9/1754 he married ANNE, daughter of Brigadier Lord HUGH SEMPILL. They had twenty years of happy married life and she bore him a large family.

This shows JAMES of Glengyle was also descended from the DRUMMONDS OF MEGGINCH, via JOSEPH AUSTIN in 1718 marrying JEAN DRUMMOND. Sir Iain Moncrieffe says Lord Drummond acquired the lands of Concraig, near Crieff in Strathearn, from a cousin, forefather of 'JOHN DRUMMOND OF MEGGINCH, now 15th LORD STRANGE', and with those lands the offices of Steward, Crowner and Forester of Strathearn. In order to function properly as Hereditary Steward of Strathearn, Lord Drummond built a new castle at Concraig and called it Drummond Castle. I think the castle was built in 1490.

SOME BACKGROUND MACGREGORS AT BRIDGE OF TURK:

DRAFT LETTER FROM BAIN, FRIEND & SOLICITOR OF JAMES, TO RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF MORAY, AT 4 YORK STREET, ST JAMES, LONDON. THIS IS IN THE JOHN MACGREGOR WS FAMILY PAPERS IN THE SCOTTISH RECORDS OFFICE AT EDINBURGH, UNDER GD50/66/5/103.
THIS EXPLAINS HOW JAMES CAME TO BE IN THE STRATHEARN COMBINATION POORHOUSE AT AUCHTERARDER.

12 Leopold Place,
Edinburgh.
13th February 1886

My Lord,

The object I have in view in addressing your Lordship, I trust will be generously accepted by you, as an ample apology for the liberty I take in doing so.

I venture to write your Lordship, on behalf of Mr. James MacGregor, the only surviving son of the late Mr. John MacGregor of Glengyle, in the Parish of Callander, and County of Perth. James MacGregor is also the sole existing descendant of the elder branch of the old family of the MacGregors of Glengyle out of whom sprung the famous Rob Roy, forever immortalised in the writings of Sir Walter Scott.

Your Lordship is doubtless aware that the MacGregors of Glengyle were for seven or eight generations tenants of the House of Moray, in the mill and mill crofts of the Bridge of Turk. Your Lordship knows that an ancestor of Mr. James MacGregor rendered signal services in long byepast times to your Lordship's ancestors. Your Lordship will not fail to remember a dinner given in Stewart's Inn, Doune, on 24th Jany.1839, by the Tenantry on the Moray Estates in Perthshire, to Mr. Philip Barrington Ainslie, the Commissioner of the then Earl of Moray. At that dinner, I believe your Lordship was present Mr. John MacGregor occupied the Chair, and his eldest son then a young man (the person in whose behalf I now write) was also present. Mr. Ainslie, in proposing the health of the Chairman, referred to him as "the representative and chieftain of a gallant clan", and stated that it gave him great pleasure to see MacGregor "presiding as Chairman at a meeting of the tenantry of the House of Moray, for between the two families there has been a friendly connection from remote times". I will not weary your Lordship by any further reference to the speech, deeming it much more respectful to enclose for your perusal a certified copy of it, and of the MacGregor's reply, as reported in the Stirling Journal and Advertiser of 1st Feby 1839 and which I recently procured for the express purpose of forwarding to your Lordship.

I am to ask your Lordship's benevolent consideration of which I am now to inform you, regarding Mr. James MacGregor. His present condition I regret to say is an exceedingly sad one, especially when contrasted with his gentle upbringing, the careful education he received, and what he NOW is, and what he MIGHT have been. He is at present, and has for a few years past been, an inmate of the Combination Poor House at Auchterarder, maintained there by the Parochial authorities of Callander. I will not harrow your Lordship's feelings by attempting to describe (even if I could do so) the history of James MacGregor's fall into so low a state. I do not blame him for all the misfortunes that have fallen on him. The blame rightly rests on his father who never brought his son up to any profession or occupation. Taught from his early years to consider himself the future Laird of Glengyle, and the CHIEF OF THE CLAN GREGOR, Jas. MacGregor led as a matter of course an idle life, mingling in the best of society, where he easily learned to SPEND but never to MAKE or save money. In one sense such a life was by no means inconsistent with his position, because in James' early and mid life his father was in a very prosperous state, and but for a succession of peculiarly adverse occurrences might have died a wealthy man. Unfortunately the father undertook for a friend a cautionary obligation the result being that he had to pay the amount, which came to a few thousands of pounds. This led to the father mortgaging his lands. He went to Edinburgh, raised the sum required to meet his obligation, carried the money to Callander, which as your Lordship knows is the nearest village to Glengyle wherein there is a bank, and there he deposited it in the Branch of the Leith Bank to lie until the time arrived when the money required to be paid. Had the misfortune ended at this point it would not have affected MacGregor greatly. Misfortune however was not done with him, because the Leith Bank within a fortnight or three weeks after MacGregor had deposited his money in its Branch office stopped payment the money was lost, the Bank in realisation of its assets only paying a few shillings per pound. This double misfortune compelled another loan to be procured over Glengyle, and under such a multiplication of disaster old MacGregor gradually grew careless and indifferent to his affairs in short began to lose heart.

When the Glasgow Corporation resolved to seek Parliamentary Powers to obtain the waters of Loch Katrine for the supply of their City, old MacGregor's hope revived. Again misfortune stuck to him with persistent pertinacity, as by placing himself in the hands of a fool of a lawyer in this City he made the ridiculous demand of 95500 pounds!!! as compensation for the injury done to his lands of Glengyle by the operations of the Water Commissioners. This claim was submitted to arbitration the arbiters could not agree on the amount to be awarded as compensation, and the determination of the amount devolved on the Honourable Lord Joneswood(?) (one of the Judges of the Supreme Court here). as Oversman in the Arbitration, who fixed the amount at something over 1700 pounds I do not recollect the exact figure. It is scarcely necessary to tell your Lordship that old MacGregor got little or no benefit out of the sum awarded. The proceedings under Arbitration were conducted in the most extravagant and absurd manner, and the sum he had to pay for expenses to his own agent, beyond what the Commissioners were bound to pay, left almost nothing for him to get.

The demolition of old MacGregor's claim for 95500 pounds demoralised him altogether. He soon thereafter sold Glengyle, and I believe at an inadequate price, as he would sell it to no one but a MacGregor, and he sold it I understand for 15000 pounds to the late James MacGregor the proprietor of the Queen's Hotel George Square Glasgow. After paying off his debts, MacGregor paid his wife a sum to maintain herself in family with his youngest son Gregor who then practised as a medical man in Callander he gave Gregor a sum of money and his eldest son James he also gave a sum (a few hundreds) and with a portion of the balance remaining of the price of Glengyle he purchased for himself a small annuity of 40 pounds a year, and (with) a pension of 2/6d per day he received as an Officer of Militia in the West Kent Regiment he managed to exist. He took up his abode in this City, never again went near the scenes of his youth, and after living a number of years here died miserably.

James MacGregor after receiving from his father the money referred to went to England where he resided principally in Devonshire for some years with a family of the name of Riddell (people of large property) whom he assisted with his advice in the management of their estates and their horses and cattle. Acquaintances and friends soon tire of each other when it is all giving on the one side, without any return on the other. James MacGregor came back to Scotland where he found a comfortable home in the house of a cousin Miss Josepha MacGregor who resided at Bridge of Allan, who was a daughter of his uncle General Sir Gregor MacGregor a soldier of fortune. She was possessed of considerable means and among other things a pension from the Government of one of the South American Republics for services rendered by her father to the State. I think it was the Republic Venezuela. Miss MacGregor died suddenly after a few hours' illness and unfortunately for him without leaving a settlement. Had she had any premonition of her approaching dissolution it is generally believed by her acquaintances she would have made some provision for her cousin James MacGregor. Not having done so her estate fell to be divided among him and a great number of other cousins resident in England the share falling to each being of small amount. His share did not suffice to maintain him long when reduced to absolute want, he was compelled to seek and obtain parochial relief. When admitted to the City Poor House here, before being sent to the Combination Poor House at Auchterarder, he wrote to me saying he "had now descended to the lowest stages of human degradation", words highly expressive of the anguish and bitterness of soul with which he entered such an abode, suggestive of the abandonment of all hope, and recalling to the memory Dante's description of the words engraved "over the gateway of hell" "Abandon hope all ye who enter here".

I am afraid that I have worn out your lordship's patience with my long and tedious narration, but I have to crave as a personal favour that your Lordship will permit me before concluding to state two facts that I think it essential should be made known to your Lordship.

It was a matter of common belief throughout a large portion of the Western District of Perthshire that the Glengyle family held a long lease of the Mill and Mill Crofts of the Bridge of Turk the endurance being to last as long as water ran and grass grew. I spoke to James MacGregor on the subject but he gave little credence to the common report simply remarking that if such a lease ever existed it had no existence now, as the Commissioners for House of Moray had dealt with his father's Tutors & Curators and with his father on the footing of his being an ordinary tenant of the Mill & Crofts but a tenant never likely to be disturbed in the possession of the same. He however complains bitterly at the treatment his father received at the hands of the late Mr. Philip of St Johns House the Commissioner on your Lordship's Perthshire estates and the course adopted to get his father out of the Mill and Crofts. He alleges that but for the undue means or at all events what he believes was most undue means, used by Mr. Philip to get his father to remove from the place he might have been now as his father's successor the tenant of the Mill and Crofts. James MacGregor complained personally to Mr. Philip about this matter and was promised some compensation but he never received any, the melancholy termination of Mr. Philip's life having prevented their ever meeting to adjust the amount. I have advised James MacGregor to say nothing about these matters beyond letting your Lordship know of them.

I am now to explain to your Lordship how it is that I interest myself in James MacGregor. I have known him from the time he was a great big boy at an Academy in Dunblane, and I was a very small one. Most naturally I feel deeply for him. Having seen him lately and heard from him the story told by Mr. Ainslie at the dinner in Doune, as to the service rendered by one of his ancestors to the House of Moray, I asked and obtained his permission to bring his position under your Lordship's notice. Most fortunately your Lordship heard the story told by Mr. Ainslie and the accompanying enclosure will recall the whole circumstances attending its narration to your Lordship's recollection.

I think your Lordship will not consider it presumptuous or impertinent in me, an utter stranger and so far removed from you in social position, addressing you. As Byron said to Jeffrey "I do not know your face, and may never know" but I do know that your Lordship by your kindness, benevolent and charitable heart, confers honour on the name and title you so worthily bear.

I appeal to your Lordship on behalf of James MacGregor now an old man nearly seventy years of age in the hope that your Lordship will take the statements that I have laid before you into your most favourable consideration and that your Lordship will out of the abundance with which God in his goodness has blessed you, make MacGregor a small annual allowance sufficient for his maintenance outwith(?) the walls of a Poor House and save him from a pauper's grave. In complying with this request your Lordship will not only be performing one of the noblest functions of humanity, but carrying into practical effect two of the many grand precepts taught by the author of Christianity viz feeding the hungry and clothing the naked.

Your Lordship will please allow me to make a suggestion, which is that in the event of your agreeing to assist James MacGregor which I fondly hope your Lordship will you do so through your Agents Messrs Melville & Lindesay WS here by whom arrangements could be made for his being comfortably boarded or lodged in some reputable family where he will receive in care and attention the full benefit of your Lordship's benevolence.

I have the honour to be My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant,

LETTER WRITTEN BY BAIN TO GLASGOW CORPORATION WATERWORKS COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS IN JOHN MACGREGOR WS PAPERS AT SRO UNDER GD50/66/5/109, IN EDINBURGH.
IT IS ABOUT DISPOSAL OF MACGREGOR GRAVEYARD AT PORTNELLAN, LOCH KATRINE.

12 Leopold Place
Edinburgh
23rd June 1885.

Robert Wilson Esq
Treasurer
Glasgow Corporation Waterworks Commissioners
Glasgow.

Sir,

Mr. James MacGregor, recently residing in the Combination Poor House at Auchterarder, has placed in my hands a document which was sent here to him by the Governor of the House for signature. The document bears(?) to be a receipt for 10 pounds received from the Glasgow Corporation Waterworks Commissioners, by your hands as their Treasurer, "being the amount which I (Mr. MacGregor) "have agreed to accept in full of any right or interest which I (Mr. MacGregor) have in the Graveyard at Portnellan, Loch Katrine, "which graveyard is to be affected by the said Commissioners under the powers of the Bill at present being promoted by them in Parliament for taking an additional supply of water from said Loch and further purposes."

Mr. MacGregor informs me that on receiving a short time ago notice (and which by the way was very short and insufficient notice) of the intention of Mr. Sheriff Substitute Grahame of Perth, to hold (at the instance, or request of the Home Secretary) an enquiry as to the effect likely to be produced on the graveyard by the Commissioners operations on Loch Katrine, he consulted with Mr. Curr, the Factor of Lady Willoughby (a proprietrix along the banks, and in the water of the Loch), anticipating that he, as the local representative of her Ladyship, would be present at the enquiry, and requested him Mr. Curr to do what he could for him in the way of getting him some pecuniary assistance from the Commissioners in respect of his well known interest in the Portnellan Graveyard.

It turned out that Mr. Curr did not attend at the enquiry made by Sheriff Grahame, but that he put himself in communication with the Commissioners, or those acting for them the result being that 10 pounds was placed in the hands of the Governor of the Poor House for Mr. MacGregor's behoof. Mr. MacGregor has received and spent this sum, but until he saw the receipt I have referred to and quoted from, he never dreamed or imagined that your Commissioners would ask or expect him to accept of the paltry and most inadequate sum of 10 pounds in full of any right or interest which he has in the Graveyard of Portnellan. Mr. MacGregor's understanding and belief was that the 10 pounds was given for his agreeing not to oppose the operations contemplated by the Commissioners on Loch Katrine, in so far as the same affected the graves of his ancestors.

It appears to me that Mr. Curr and the Commissioners were dealing with a matter that neither of them understood, and though they might be under the impression that in agreeing to award Mr. MacGregor a gratuity of 10 pounds they were (considering his present circumstances) doing him a good turn, or possibly a great service, all the while they were acting in utter ignorance of the nature and extent of his right in the graveyard.

I am now to inform you that the title to the Graveyard is at present in the HERIDITAS FACEUS of Mr. MacGregor's ancestor who was last vest and seised therein, and that it only remains for him to complete a title in his own person to the yard, and thereby establish his indisputable right thereto, as the sole and only proprietor thereof.

Such being the state of the facts QUOAD the legal title to, and proprietorship of the graveyard, it is beyond belief to suppose, or imagine (1) that Mr. MacGregor could in reason be asked to accept of 10 pounds in full of his right and interest in the graveyard at Portnellan his right being that of sole proprietor of the yard: and (2) that the Commissioners would be so inconscionable as to accept from him (under the guise of a receipt which they could hereafter maintain was equivalent to a conveyance) of his "right or interest" in such a valuable subject, for such a manifestly inadequate consideration as 10 pounds. I do not for a single moment impute any desire on the part of the Commissioners to take advantage of Mr. MacGregor. On the contrary I am convinced that both they and Mr. Curr were acting (as already said?) in ignorance of Mr. MacGregor's position as to the Graveyard.

Moreover the Commissioners must bear in mind that the subject (the graveyard) they were dealing with is SACRA, and though it be quite in the power of Mr. MacGregor to sell the subject, it is illegal for the purchaser of it to divert it to any other use or purpose than that to which it has been so long dedicated viz the burying of the dead.

If the Commissioners desire to acquire the Graveyard of Portnellan from Mr. MacGregor I am on his behalf prepared to treat with them for the sale of it, and I shall be glad to hear from you or their Law Agent on the subject.

I am Sir, Your ob. servt.

Separate note on last page:

My dear Bain,
I quite approve of the draft which you sent me as I don't think it could be expressed in more appropriate terms I only trust there may be some luck attending it I am well but very low in spirits Hoping your little lassie is progressing towards recovery.

I am, My dear Bain, Ever yours truly,

James MacGregor.

EXTRACT FROM CHAPTER II:

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT JOHN OF GLENGYLE & HIS FAMILY

JOHN's death occurred in Edinburgh in 1870, several years after the sale of Glengyle. His son JOHN DANIEL died at Glengyle House on 23 Jan 1854 and seems to have been unmarried. The death notice was located in the Stirling Observer of 2 Feb 1854. The third son, DR GREGOR, practised in Callander and died on 24 Nov 1867 from "a chill started at his mother's funeral", so JANE ISABELLA also died in 1867. The article "Glengyle and Its Owners" in the Glasgow Herald 3 June 1926 was sourced as "John MacGregor, WS" - perhaps this was the Lawyer John or a descendant who passed on James' Glengyle papers to the S.R.O. about 1937. The article includes a moving appeal JOHN of GLENGYLE made to the Glasgow Waterworks Commissioners when it was proposed prior to the Waterworks Act of 1855 to raise the Loch level:

"The property has been in the family of the claimant for hundreds of years, and possesses a distinction of the highest value to him and his family as the birthplace and last resting place of a long line of ancestors, who were in succession the chiefs of his race and clan......in winter and during seasons of long continued rain, the land will be covered with water; but in summer and autumn his beautiful green meadow will be converted into an unsightly, offensive and unwholesome swamp, exhibiting only decayed and decaying vegetation, and polluting the atmosphere with most offensive odours and exhalations".

The compensation claimed for the area submerged, 13 acres, 3 roods and 21 perches, and the damage to the rest of the estate, was 25,903 pounds 11s 8d. The same article says JOHN in 1855, owing to financial difficulties, sold Glengyle estate to James MacGregor, proprietor of the Queen's Hotel, Glasgow, for 9,675 pounds. John is thought to have died a few years later. No doubt his death will have been hastened by the proposed desecration of Glengyle, which he so strongly resisted.