Lindores Abbey and the Burgh of Newburgh, their history and annals

Front matter

Edinburgh Public Libraries. issue p^^ RENEWALS* — A book may be re-issued to a reader if it is not required by another reader. FINES. — A reader is liable to a fine of one penny for every three days a book is kept beyond the date stamped on the issue label. LOSS OF BOOK.— If found, this book should be sent to the Principal Librarian, Central Library, George IV. Bridge, Edinburgh. Any person in whose possession it may be found, other than the ticket-holder to whom it has been properly registered, is liable to prosecution. CARE OF BOOK.— The Librarian is auth orised to levy exemplary fines upon readers damaging books, the cost of repairing which would otherwise seriously reduce the number of new books purchased. Writing or drawing on any part of a book with pen or pencil, or turning down the leaves, will be treated as serious damage.

A reader is requested to give notice of any defect or disfigurement in a book before he borrows it. LINDORES ABBEY AND ITS JSttrgl) of fkfoburgtj. PRINTED BY CRAWFORD AND M'CARE FOE EDMONSTON" & DOUGLAS EDINBURGH. LONDON, - - - HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO- CAMBRIDGE, - MACMIRLAN & CO. GLASGOW, - - -." - JA51ES MACLEHOSE. MUGDRUM CROSS -SOUTH SIDE Lindores '"Abbey AND ITS aSurgf) of JlctttmrgJ) THEIR HISTORY AND ANNALS B V ALEXANDER LAING, F.S.A.Scot. Mankind By empires and by races metes its life, And each to each bequeaths its legacy Of lore and wisdom. W.Davy Watson. (Ætjutfiurgfc EDMONSTON AND DOUGLAS MDCCCLXXVI

Preface

. The foUowing pages are the fruit of leisure hours in the intervals of business. They have extended to a greater length than I contemplated, and yet they do not embrace all that I originally intended. The more closely I studied our ancient records, the more I felt that ' the early life of a community contains the seeds of its greatness or of its decay,' and that no mere narrative could convey half so vivid an impression of the state of society in the past, as the contemporary records of the words and deeds of the men and women who died and suffered at the time. These considerations induced me to make lengthened extracts from local records, which may prove dry and unin teresting to the cursory reader, but are nevertheless the foundations of true history. These records bring to light customs and modes of procedure, which filled a large place in the public mind, and in the daily life, of the times to which they relate ; but which are now utterly unknown. I regret that in printing some of the earliest of these VI

PREFACE.

. extracts, I should have fallen into the error of using s for y, and ye for the; these are now generally admitted to be corruptions of the forms of the old letters 3 and ]>, which are equivalent to y and th respectively. The length to which these extracts have extended, has induced me to leave out biographical sketches of men born in Newburgh, or connected with the neighbourhood, who acquired distinction in their respective spheres ; narratives of adventures and escapes incident to a seafaring popula tion, and events illustrative of social life in bygone times. These sketches, if health and leisure permit, may form the subject of a separate publication. I much wish, also, that I could find leisure to prepare a history of Abernethy ; more especially as, in a hurriedly written lecture delivered some years since, and afterwards published, I made some statements, which I would now alter.

In the preparation of the present volume I have re ceived much kindness from David Laing, Esq., LL.D., of the Signet Library, in affording me information, and in putting manuscripts, from his ample stores, at my disposal. I owe a like acknowledgment to John Stuart, Esq., LL.D., for his uniform help and encouragement. To Thomas Dick son, Esq., Curator of the Historical Department of the Register House, for much and constant aid in collating

PREFACE.

. VII manuscripts, and furnishing information otherwise inacces sible. To Andrew Jervise, Esq. of Brechin, for counsel and assistance, and for the sketches of Stob Cross, and of the window of the ruined chapel at Ayton ; engravings of which appear among the illustrations of this volume. To all these gentlemen my warmest thanks are due. My best thanks are also due to J. D. Marwick, Esq., Town-Clerk of Glasgow; Arthur Mitchell, Esq., M.D., Edinburgh; to Joseph Anderson, Esq., of the Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh ; to Thomas Ross, Esq., Architect, Edinburgh, for the ground-plan and drawings of Lindores Abbey ; and to John Young, Esq.,#C.E., and Architect, Perth, for the ground-plan and section of the Fort on Clachard Craig. I have also to express my sincere thanks to the Magistrates and Town-Council of Newburgh, and to the Ministers and Kirk-Sessions of the parishes of Newburgh and Abdie, for the ready access they have afforded me to the records under their charge.

I beg also to express my obligations and thanks to the Right Reverend Dr Wordsworth, Bishop of St Andrews, for the elucidation of an ancient ecclesiastical practice otherwise unexplained. To William Tullis, Esq., Rothes, Markinch, for notices of the ancient topography of that parish. To my aunt, Mrs Charlotte Anderson, for reminiscences of old customs. To Mr John Cameron, schoolmaster of Abdie, for the etymology of names of places

PREFACE.

. in the neighbourhood ; though it is right to state, that he is not answerable for all the derivations from Gaelic that have been given in the following pages. My especial thanks are due to George Wilson, Esq., S.S.C., Edinburgh, for the ready access he has afforded me to the Mugdrum archives. To John Berry, Esq. of Tayfield and Inverdovat ; Andrew Walker Buist, Esq. of Berryhill ; and Major F. W. Balfour of Fernie, for putting their old charters and writs at my service. To Sii' Patrick Murray Threipland, Bart., for information regarding the ancient possessions of the Earls of Newburgh. I beg also to express my obligations to Thomas Barclay, Esq., Sheriff-Clerk of Fife ; Walter Malcolm, Esq., North Berwick ; and to Wil liam A. Taylor, Esq., Cupar-Fife. To William Ballingall, Esq., Engraver, Edinburgh, for the use of the blocks of the engravings of Abdie Old Church, and of the view from Cross Macduff; and for the care and pains which he has bestowed on the engravings which illustrate this volume.

Also to William Proudfoot, Esq., Perth, for the drawing of the moulding of the door-way in the nave of the Abbey Church ; and to the Council of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, for the use of the electrotype of the carved stone ball and blocks of the engravings of the Bos jyrimigeniiis belonging to the Society. The list of plants in the Appendix is perhaps more

PREFACE.

. IX copious than it should have been in a book devoted to an tiquities ; but I was specially desirous of making it as full as possible, and of giving the exact habitats of the plants growing in the neighbourhood, in the hope that the youth of both sexes may be induced to study those beautiful creations of God, and partake of the ever-increasing enjoy ment which the study of any department of His works never fails to afford. I have been enabled to supplement this list by the kindness of John Sadler, Esq. of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, in supplying me with a note of the plants gathered by Professor Balfour's class, on an excursion to Loch Lindores and Marie's Craig, in 1873. I have also to thank Charles Howie, Esq. of Largo, for addi tions to the list. In conclusion, I have to express my obligations to James A. Smith, Esq., London, for researches made expressly in the British Museum, and for assistance in compiling the Index appended.

I tender my best thanks to him and to all others who have assisted me from the beginning, without whose ever-ready help this volume would have been much more imperfect than it is. Newburgh-ON-Tat, 21st March 1876. Inscription ON THE SEAL REFERRED TO AT PAGE 67, WHICH IS NOT THAT OF ABBOT THOMAS AS THERE STATED, BUT THE COMMON SEAL OF LINDORES ABBEY. * gantt iKtartc Wixsinisi ile Ilun&orr. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Prehistoric

Ancient canoes found in the bed of the Tay, opposite Lindores Abbey — Skull of a Bos primigenius discovered at Mugdrum — Still entire — Its size — Primeval Circular huts — Traces of early cultivation — Raised terraces — Hill forts — Entrenched fort on Clachard — Carved stone ball found there, Pp. 1-9

Chapter II. The Roman Invasion

Appearance of the natives of Britain at that era — The Horesti inhabited Fife — Cohort of them served on the Rhine— Tutelary genius raised by them — Still preserved — Roman army in Fife, ..... Pp. 10-13

Chapter III. Celt And Teuton

Early occupation of Fife by the Celtic race — Evidence of this in the oldest names of places — Instances adduced — Remarkable prevalence of the prefix Pit in the neighbourhood of Abernethy — Early immigration of Frisians — Danish names and terms common in neighbourhood — Idiom peculiar to South Jutland prevalent in Newburgh, ..... Pp. 14-17

Chapter IV

, PAGAN RELIGIONS. The religion of the Celtic people 'Druidical' — Its tenets — Scandinavians worshippers of Odin and Thor — Their funeral rites — Buried their chiefs on heights — Origin of term ' Law,' applied to hills — Ancient relics found at Norrie's Law — Cotemporary description of a burial of a chieftain — Similar rites among ancient Aryans, ..... Pp. 18-27 CONTENTS. XII

Chapter V. Columba And His Followers

Introduction of Christianity into Scotland — Voyages and labours of the early missionaries — The Culdees — Origin of the term — Their zeal and declension, ........ Pp. 28-32

Chapter VI. David, Earl Of Huntingdon

His birth and descent — His voyage to Palestine — Founds Lindores Abbey — Motives that prompted it — Acquires the Honor of Huntingdon — Resides at Fotheringhay — At the funeral of his brother, AVilliam the Lion, in Arbroath Abbey — His devotion to his brother and to Richard Cceur de Lion — His death at Yardley — Buried in Sawtrey Abbey — Two of his children buried in Lindores Abbey, ....... Pp. 33-11

Chapter VII. Benedictine Monasteries

Origin of Benedictines — Their rules — Obliged to work at whatever handicraft they knew — Cultivated their own fields — Promoted agriculture — Introduced improvements — Exhibited the benefits of settled industry — Made copies of the Scriptures, and of the ancient classics, . . Pp. 15-49

Chapter VIII. Foundation Of Lindores Abbey

Lindores Abbey, its situation — The Abbey Church of the ' Early English Style ' — Endowments of in Scotland and England : — Dundee first mentioned in Lindores Foundation Charter — A Church early in, and first recorded pastor of Dundee — Early notice of schools there — Vicar of St Mary's of Dundee Dispute about his stipend : — Revenues of Lindores Abbey, 1295 — The Monks promoted horticulture — Various kinds of pears introduced by them still flourish in Newburgh — Erected corn mills — Their Grange — Their grain stored and cattle kept there — Cottars dwelt around the Grange — The size of their holdings, ....... Pp. 50-64 CONTENTS. XIII

Chapter IX. Abbots Guido, John, Thomas, John, And Nicholas

The possessions of the Church of Londors bestowed on the Abbey — Etymology of the name — Church now named Abdie — Origin of this name. Licker-stanes — Meaning of term — Grants of salmon fishings to Lindores Abbey — Prior of Durham at Lindores Abbey, recalling excommunication. Abbot Guido, his last exhortations and death — The Monks acquire the 'peatery' of Kinloch — Its importance, and late use of coal — Prince Alexander dies at Lindores Abbey, ..... Pp. 65-82

Chapter X. Edavard And Wallace

Edward I. at Lindores Abbey, ad. 1291 — John Baliol there, a.d. 1294 — Right of free-warren granted by him at Abbey — Preservation of rabbits then esteemed a valuable privilege — Edward I. again visits Lindores Abbey — Remains two nights — Summons all classes to swear allegiance to him — Wallace stands aloof — Takes up arms against Edward — Battle of Black Earnsyde — Wallace and his companions in the Abbey after the battle, Pp. 83-90

Chapter XI. Abbots Adam, William Of Angus, Roger, And

JOnN STEELE. THE DUKE OF ROTHESAY. Vow taken at Lindores Abbey to defend the cause of King Robert Bruce — Lady Mary Abernethy buried in Lindores Abbey — Sir David Lindsay, her husband, burdens his lands of Pethfour to maintain a wax-light at her tomb — Importance attached to lights at tombs — The poor united in Gilds to provide them for each other — David II. at Lindores Abbey — Large retinue that attended him and other dignitaries in travelling — Ancient custom of travelling at free quarters — Laws regulating the practice — David, Duke of Rothesay — His Death— Buried in Lindores Abbey, . . Pp. 91-102

Chapter XII. Pre-reformation Martyrs

ABBOTS JAMES, JOHN, AND ANDREW CAVERS. James Resby, a disciple of Wickliffe— Propagates his doctrines in Scotland — Arraigned before Laurence, Official of Lindores — Condemned and burnt: — Paul Crawar, a Bohemian physician advocates the Reformed doctrines in Scotland — Iiis opinions repelled by Laurence, Official of Lindores. Is CONTENTS. condemned — The Official one of the originators of St Andrews University — The Abbot of Lindores offers a reward for the more solemn performance of divine worship — And for greater proficiency in psalmody — James I. and James III. admonish Abbots to reform the abuses of their monasteries — James, ninth Earl of Douglas — His troublous life — Spends his last years in Lindores Abbeys The Abbot of Lindores founds an altar to St Blasius in St John's Church, Perth — Bills of Exchange granted by the Abbot and Convent for purchases abroad — Exports and imports of Church dignitaries at that era, Pp. 103-116

Chapter XIII. Abbots Henry, John Philip, And John Leslie

PATRICK HAMILTON, MARTYR. Lands of Lindores Abbey erected into a Regality — Head Court held at Newburgh — Abbot Henry, sits in judgment on Patrick Hamilton in St Andrew's Cathedral — Hamilton defends his opinions — Is condemned — His last words — Lindores Abbey sacked by a mob from Dundee — John, Abbot of Lindores takes part in the trial of Walter Miln, the parish priest of Lunan — John Knox visits Lindores Abbey — Reforms the Monks — John Leshe, Bishop of Ross, the last Abbot — His devotion to Queen Mary — Imprisoned in the Tower — Inscription carved by him on the wall of his cell — Dies near Brussels — Inscription on his tomb, .... . Pp. 117-129

Chapter XIV. The Commendator

Patrick Leslie of Pitcairlie appointed Commendator of Lindores — Revenues of the Abbey — Part of them assigned for the maintenance of the Castle of Edinburgh — Abbey clock sold to the city of Edinburgh — The Abbey bells one of them of silver — Their names — Lands of the Abbey erected into a temporal Lordship — Present condition of the Abbey ruins— Notices of their spoliation — Coffins of two infant children of the Founder in the choir Monuments all destroyed— Ancient carved oak panels and other relics preserved, Pp-. 130-139

Chapter XV. The Burgh Of Newburgh

Condition of Society when Burghs were first instituted— Burghs afforded burgesses mutual protection— Newburgh erected into a Burgh by Alexander EH— Importance of the concession— Privileges of a Fair— Judicial settlement of disputes by personal combat— Burgesses bound to appear sufficiently armed— To practise Archery— And hold watch in town— Burgh Court Book of Newburgh, a.d. 1457-1180 preserved, . . .Pp. 140-154 CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XVI. The Burgh Court

A.D. 1457-1480. Condition of manufactures in Scotland in the 15th century — Imports — Extract from Burgh Court Book— Assise appointed — Their names and duties — Burgesses summoned for going to the Abbot's Court — The chapel not to be used except for God's service — Burgh serjeands — Their equipment and duties — Cross to be repaired — Distinction between a burgess and a freeman — Provision made for saying Placebo and Dirige — Burgh Courts held every fortnight — Three Head Courts yearly — Every burgess bound to attend them — Hasp and staple — Mode of giving possession to burgal tenements — Instance of it— The Common-good, . . . . .Pp. 155-176

Chapter XVII

st Katharine's chapel. Charters making endowments to it preserved in the Burgh Archives — Decision of dispute between the Abbot of Lindores and the Burgesses of Newburgh, by the Justiciar of Scotland — Decision by the Provost of Perth in another dispute — Enjoins the Burgesses to pass to the King's wars under the Abbot's banner — Magistrates must reside within the Burgh — Seal of the Chapter of Lindores Abbey — Bequests for providing lights for St Katharine's altar — And for distributing bread annually to the poor — St Katharine, her history — Celebration of her festival — Consecration of chapel burying-ground, Pp. 177-197

Chapter XVIII

ecclesiastical discipline. Visitation of the Kirk of Abdie — Recommend Saturday holiday, that the Sabbath may be better kept — The Schoolmaster of Newburgh, a Graduate of St Andrews University — His salary — Newburgh erected into a Parish Ratified by Parliament — A parishioner excommunicated — No one to converse with him — The Elders publicly censured for eating and drinking with him Practice of hiring shearers on the Sabbath denounced — No house to be let to any stranger without a certificate of his good character — Ordinance of kirk-session against cutting the communion tables, and pastimes on the Sabbath- Marriages of parishioners must be celebrated in the parish that sellers of ale may not be prejudiced — The Bride and Bridegroom required to lodge each a pledge with the session before proclamation — Reconciliation by the kirk-session of parishioners at variance before communion — Unsuccessful instance, . . .... Pp. 199-216 CONTENTS.

Chapter XIX

witchcraft. Penal Statutes against those who practise it — Kirk-session records teem with narrative of trials for it — Widow belonging to Newburgh tried before the High Court of Justiciary — For laying on sickness by enchantment — Condemued — Hanged at the Castle Hill, Edinburgh, and burnt — Katharine Key accused of witchcraft — Examination of witnesses before kirk-session — Acquitted — Several women belonging to Newburgh burnt for witchcraft — Cruel treatment of and sufferings of those accused — Instances of, Pp. 217-230

Chapter XX. Parochial Annals

Sentence for breaking the Sabbath — Kirk-session enjoin that children be put to school — Burial of a ' Bluegown ' — Dress and privileges — Session ordains branks to be made for scolds — And sackcloth gown for penitents — Readers — Their duties — Order of public worship — Fasts observed for the removal of the plague from London — Payment made for permission to bury in the church — Practice prohibited by the General Assembly — Lady Stormonth purchases liberty to bury her mother in St John's Church, Perth — Collection for captives among the Turks — Their sufferings — Scolding women sentenced to stand in the joigs — Calamitous fire in Newburgh — Collection for sufferers throughout the country — Allowance by kirk-session to help two sick men to go to Lady Pitfirrane — Her skill in medicine — Her writings — Elders visit the town during the time of public worship, . . . Pp. 231-264

Chapter XXI. From The Revolution To The

' FORTY-FIVE.' The Minister of Newburgh ejected at the Revolution— Number of Ministers ejected in Fife — Parish church vacant for eight years — Terrible famine and sufferings of the poor — Highland troops quartered in Newburgh in 1715 — Severe frost — Failure of crop 1740 — Kirk-sessions purchased meal for the poor, and lint for them to spin — Lychwakes, provision made for them by kirk-session — Drinking customs at funerals — Ordinance of Town Council against them — Highland troops in Newburgh 1745 — Lord George Murray, his residence at Mugdrum — Fac-simile of letter by him to the magistrates of Newburgh — Ecclesiastical records show constant care for the poor — For their education — And for the material improvement of the country, . Pp. 265-282 CONTENTS. XVII

Chapter XXII. Ecclesiastical And Magisterial Rule

Fine for crossing the river on the Sabbath — For swearing — Parishioners summoned to appear before the kirk-session for vaging to ale houses on the Sabbath — For carrying in water — Woman put in the stocks for her misdymanners — Another branded with a hot iron and banished the town — Fine for having a larger company at a marriage than the law allowed — Pennyweddings denounced — Woman drummed out of the town — Filthy condition of towns — Meeting of Commissioners at Newburgh about removal of St Andrews University to Perth — Viva voce apology at Cross for slander — Youths sentenced to stand in joigs for theft, with stolen article hung around their necks — Judicial obligation not to swear within the Burgh, Pp. 283-298

Chapter XXIII. Industrial Pursuits

Linen manufacture the staple trade of Newburgh — Weavers brought from abroad to teach others — Cultivation of lint encouraged — Spinning afforded general employment — Weavers bound to manufacture merchantable goods — Stamp-master to inspect all linen made for sale — Web condemned, and mode of procedure — The dead to be buried in linen made in Scotland — Act repealed, and law for burying in woollen passed — Violations of this law — Spinning by distaff — Recent use of this mode — Improvements on spinning-wheel — Gradual disuse of it — Burgh acres apportioned by Ruurig — Evils attending this system — A ' Punier ' appointed to watch the growing crops — The duty sometimes performed by the Burgh heritors in turn — The Town-herd — His duties and emoluments — Resolution of Town Council to contribute towards the establishment of a post three times a week to Perth, . Pp. 299-313

Chapter XXIV. Sculptured Stone At Llndores, Mugdrum Cross

; AND CROSS MACDUFF. Peculiar symbols on ' Sculptured Stones ' — Symbols on Lindores Stone common to many others — Mostly confined to the north-east of Scotland — Their great antiquity — Supposed import of symbols — Mugdrum Cross — Sculptures on it — Its origin — Cross Macduff — Traditionary inscription — Wyntoun's and Fordun's narratives regarding Macduff — His services to King Malcolm Ceanmore — His rewards — Law of Clan Macduff — Cross Macduff said to have been a Girth or Sanctuary — Ancient Girths marked by Crosses — Stobcross, Markinch, a Girth Cross — Fine of nine kye payable by those who XV111 CONTENTS. claimed the privilege of the Law of Clan Macduff — Superstition attaching to the number nine — Nine-wells near Cross Macduff — Instances of privilege of Law of Clan Macduff claimed — Descendants of Macduff to place the King on the throne at his coronation — Exercised by the Countess of Buchan, sister of the Earl of Fife, at Bruce's accession, .... Pp. 314-352

Chapter XXV. Denmiln Castle

A seat of the Balfours — Sir Michael, Comptroller of the Household in the reign of Charles I.— Inscription in Abdie old Church to his memory — Sir James Balfour, Lord Lyon, King of Arms — An ardent student and indefatigable collector — Author of the ' Annals of Scotland ' and other works — His large collection of books and old manuscripts sold after his death — Now in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh — Inscription to his memory in Abdie old Church — His brothers — Alexander, Minister of Abdie — Michael of Randerston — Sir David, Lord Forret — Sir Andrew, selected by Charles II. to travel with Lord Rochester, the poet — Founds the Botanic Garden, Edinburgh — Successfully introduced the manufacture of paper into Scotland — Sir Robert Balfour — Slain in a duel — A cairn marks the spot where he fell — Sir Michael Balfour's mysterious disappearance — Never afterwards heard of, Pp. 353-377

Chapter XXVI. Old Customs And Folklore

Old Norse tale and expressions still current in Fife — Sportive relics of serfdom The game of ' The Cra,' a relic of an ancient judicial proceeding — Spaewife appealed to — The Bairn's Piece — ' Cried back ' — Witkershms — Dread of using a new cradle — Slip of Rowan tree a preservative from evil influences Origin of this superstition — Horse shoes affixed to masts of ships and doors Magpie flying over a house where one lies ill, a token of their early death Extreme antiquity of this superstition — Old. customs at marriages — -Ridin«- the Broose — Funeral customs — Hallowe'en — Custom of knocking at doors in Newburgh — Origin of this custom — Hogmanay — -Antiquity of going about disguised — Still practised — Old ditties still sung — Specimens of them Handsel-Monday — Antiquity of its observance — Eemarkable custom kept up by boys in Newburgh on Handsel-Monday — Christmas denounced by- Ecclesiastical Courts — Public penance enforced for keeping it — Dress of people sixty years ago — Ale formerly the common drink in Scotland Mode of travelling — Periodic literature of the people fifty years ago, Pp. 378-402

Appendix

. PAGE I. Pedigree of the Family of Leslie of Lindores, . . . 403 H. Rental of Lindores Abbey circa 1480, .... 410 III. Another Rental circa 1580, ...... 418 rv. Topographical and Historical Notes to preceding Rental, . . 428 v. Abstracts of Charters by and in favour of the Abbot and Convent of Lindores, ....... 4G7 VI. Memorandum of the Furnishings of Lindores Abbey, . . 489 vii. Decreet Arbitral by Patrick Wellis, Provost of Perth, in regard to the privileges of the Burgesses of Newburgh, . .491 vm. Rules of the Society of Chapmen, ..... 495 ix. Abstract of Charter by James I. erecting the possessions of Lindores Abbey into a temporal Lordship, a.d. 1600, . 498 x. Court Roll of the Regality of Lindores, a.d. 1695, . . 505 xi. Abstracts of Charters preserved in the Archives of Newburgh, . 510 xii.

Assedation by the Abbot of Lindores, and other Documents in favour of David Barclay of Cullernie, as Bailie of the Regality of Lindores. . . . . . .521 xni. Abstracts of Charters of James I. and Charles I. in -favour of the Burgesses of Newburgh, ..... 524 xrv. List of Abbots of Lindores, ..... 527 xv. Altars in Lindores Abbey, ...... 529 xvi. List of Chaplains of St Katherine's Chapel, Newburgh, . . 529 xvii. Additional Notices of Irneside Wood, .... 529 xviii. Notes of the assignment of the rents of Cullessy, and of other lands to the Lyon King of Arms, and to the Ross and Marchmont Heralds, ...... 530 xix. Pedigree of the Cathcarts of Pitcairlie, .... 532 xx. Pedigree of the Hays of Leys, ..... 534 xxi. Pedigree of the Livingstones, Earls of Newburgh, . . 542 xxii. Geology of the Parish of Newburgh and Neighbourhood, . . 548 xxm.

List of Plants growing in the Neighbourhood of Newburgh, . ILLUSTKATIONS. I. mugdrum cross (North side), .... Frontispiece II. GROUND-PLAN AND SECTION OF FORT ON CLACHARD CRAIG, . to face p. 7 III. CARVED STONE BALL, . _ ** . . ■ . • P- 9 IV. TUTELARY genius ERECTED BY SOLDIERS BELONGING TO THE TRIBE OF THE HORESTI, .... p. 12 V. SEAL OF DAVID, EARL OF HUNTINGDON, . . . p. 44 VI. SLYPE, OR ENTRANCE TO THE CLOISTERS OF LINDORES ABBEY, to face p. 50 VII. GROUND-PLAN AND MOULDINGS OF LINDORES ABBEY, . to face p. 52 VIII. THE GRANGE OF LINDORES, . . . . . to face p. 62 IX. ABDIE OLD CHURCH AND ANCIENT TOMBSTONE, . . to face p. 67 X. CARVED OAK PANELS FROM LINDORES ABBEY, . . to face p. 139 XI. SEAL OF CHAPTER OF LINDORES ABBEY, . . to face p. 185 XII. THE OLD MANSION HOUSE OF CARPOW, ... p. 277 XIII.

FAC-SIMILE OF LETTER FROM LORD GEORGE MURRAY TO THE MAGISTRATES OF NEWBURGH, 1730, . . . to face p 278 XIV. SPINNING BY SPINDLE AND DISTAFF AND SPINNING-WHEEL, . to face p. 305 XV. SCULPTURED STONE AT LINDORES, .... p. 316 xvi. mugdrum cross (Front view), . ... .to face p. 318 XVII. CROSS MACDUFF, ...... p. 321 XVIII. STOB CROSS, MARKINCH, ..... p. 339 XIX. VIEW FROM CROSS MACDUFF, LOOKING ACROSS THE TAY, . p. 352 XX. DENMILN CASTLE, . . . . . . to face p. 353 XXI. WINDOW IN EAST GABLE OF OLD CHAPEL AT AYTON, . p. 402 XXII. FAC-SIMILE OF PRECEPT OF SASINE BY JOHN, ABBOT OF LINDORES, AND OF CHARTER SIGNED BY THE ABBOT and monks ...... to face p. 487 XXIII. mouldings of doorway leading from the cloister-garth TO THE NAVE OF LINDORES ABBEY CHURCH, . . p. Edinburgh Public Libraries Edinburgh Historical and Topographical Library, Central Library, George IV.

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Chapter I. Prehistoric

1 ' What aspect bore the man who roved or fled, First of his tribe to this fair vale — What hopes came with him ? ' Wordsworth. Modern investigation has, in comparatively recent times, endeavoured to make up for the lack of written history, by the study of the structure of language, and by a scientific examination of the relics of the past. Students of language affirm that the affinity of nations, now far apart, is as clearly proved by the science of philology, as any fact in modern history; and modern archæology, by the inductive examination of existing remains, has unquestion ably thrown light on the occupations and condition of those who fashioned and used the rude implements, that have from time to time been discovered. It needs no evidence to prove that the men who navigated our shores and rivers, in canoes hollowed out of single trees, had made but little progress in the constructive arts.