The Book of Islay. Documents illustrating the history of the Island

Preface

. TT had long been the wish of the late Mr. Ramsay of Kildalton to print the more important documents of his charter-chest, but it' was not till shortly after the appearance of Mrs. Eamsay's Stent Book of Islay that his resolve took definite form. It soon, however, became evident that the volume would prove of but limited interest, partly on account of the scantiness of the documents, partly because they were almost entirely legal or statistical. Moreover, the oldest document was dated 1614, the year of the advent of the Campbells of Calder : there was nothing to represent the earlier and more stirring period when the island was under the sway of the Clandonald. The loss of the older writs was due to a long series of disasters incident to the stormy history of the island. As early as 1542, and again in 1558, we hear of the wholesale destruction or plunder of Islay charters.

Between 1639 and 1650, during the Montrose troubles, the Laird of Calder's charter chest was carried about between Edinburgh, Stirling, and Glasgow, and was even lost for a time. Many papers had strayed to Cawdor Castle, the ancestral seat of the Islay lairds, before Campbell of Shawfield acquired the island and removed the residue to his house at Woodhall. When Mr. Ramsay entered into pos- VI

PREFACE.

. session he had permission to take a number of these documents to Kil dalton : what remained at Woodhall perished soon after in the fire which destroyed that mansion. The Kildalton collection is thus but a remnant of a remnant. For these reasons it was deemed advisable to go afield and gather what documents could be found in private and public collections. Since this search began, the scheme of the book has been enlarged. The papers have been arranged, not in subject-groups as in the original plan, but in chrono logical sequence ; translations have been appended to all documents not in the vernacular ; and an historical introduction, notes, appendices, and a full index have added weight and perhaps some usefulness to the bulky volume. One deep regret remains, that Mr. Ramsay did not survive to see the fulfilment of his cherished design, towards which the antiquarian enthusiasm of Mrs. Ramsay and the active sympathy of Sir Arthur Mitchell, Mr. J. R. Findlay, and Dr. Joseph Anderson had already contributed so much.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Ramsay has continued her interest in the work, and to her we are indebted for its completion. The majority of the documents, excluding those in the Kildalton chest, have been found in the General Register House, Edinburgh, in the Den mylne and Balcarres Collections in the Advocates' Library, at Cawdor Castle, and in the Record Offices at London and Dublin : others are taken from the Collections of the Duke of Argyll and Mr. Fraser- Mackintosh, and the libraries at Lambeth Palace and the Vatican. Some papers which have been printed before, at length or in abstract, have been included in order to make the record of the island as complete as possible : of these the greater number have appeared in the extracts from the Denmylne MSS. in Pitcairn's Criminal Trials,

PREFACE.

. VII Cosmo Innes's Thanes of Caivdor, and the Register of the Privy Council, edited by Professor Masson, Historiographer- Royal. The volume concludes with the early decades of the eighteenth century, when the romantic period of Islay history had passed away. The documents of later date in the Kildalton chest have only the commonplace interest of accounts of factory or deeds of wadset, but a few which deal with the industrial development of the island after the 'Forty-Five have been placed in the Appendix. There is already ample material for the domestic history of Islay during later times in the Stent Book, which covers the period from 1718 to 1843. In the making of a book such as this, which refused to be denned in scope, and threatened to be as careless of time, promoter and editor have relied on a wide co-operation.

It is my pleasant duty to convey the thanks of Mrs. Ramsay and family to those who have kindly placed the documents in their possession at my disposal, and in especial to the Duke of Argyll, the Earl of Cawdor, and Mr. C. Fiaser- Mackintosh, and to Dr. Cochran-Patrick for inquiries concerning the family docu ments of the Earl of Antrim ; and to express my gratitude to Mr. Clark, of the Advocates' Library, and Dr. Dickson, of the General Register House, for facilities and advice in consulting the manuscripts in their keeping. I owe a more personal debt to Mr. York Powell, of Christ Church, Oxford, for translating the extracts from the Norse Sagas, and to Mr. T. G. Law, of the Signet Library, the late Dr. W. F. Skene, the late Mr. Hector MacLean, Balligrant, and Mrs. Maturin for the solution of sundry difficulties : with which pleasant indebtedness I would link my deep obligations to the late Mr. Donald Gregory's invalu able History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland. Most of the transcripts from the Denmylne Collection have been made by the

PREFACE.

. VIII Rev. Walter MacLeod, to whom I am indebted for not a few suggestions ; Mr. D. Nichol Smith has kindly read the proofs ; and Mr. George F. Black has provided the Index. Lastly, I would thank Mr. Sommerville Greig, W.S., whose assiduous interest has made more easy my attempt to carry out Mr. Ramsay's munificent design. In the Addenda, on page 559*, will be found an additional letter of Bishop Andrew Knox, printed from the original in the Laing Collection in the University of Edinburgh, and a description of the engravings of the four seals, which were inserted when the greater part of the volume was printed off. A request to the reader to look kindly on errors is made seriously and in no conventional manner, for I am deeply conscious that there must be many shortcomings in a book of this kind, crammed with facts from so many sources, and so long in the making.

G. GREGORY SMITH. Edinburgh, 25th August CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION, xxxi-xcii I. Account of the earliest Gaelic settlers in Islay, with a description of the lands which they held there, .... .1 II. Of the sack of Islay by King Magnus Barefoot on his expedition to the Isle of Man in 1098, ....... 4 III. Constitution by Innocent III. confirming the rights of the Abbey of Iona in certain matters, including the Abbey Church in Islay and lands in the same, 9th December 1203, ...... 5 IV. Account of the doings of Uspak-Hacon and his men in Islay-Round on their way to Bute, 1230, .... 8 V. Of the surrender of Islay to Haco IV., King of Norway, and of the tribute demanded by him, August 1263, . . . . . 9 VI. Indenture between Edward Balliol and John of the Isles granting to the latter the Island of Islay and other lands on condition of homage, 12th Sept. 1335, ........ 12 VII.

Charter by David II. to John of Isla, granting lands in the island, 12th June 1343, ........ 14 VIII. Charter by Donald, Lord of the Isles, to Brian Vicar M°Kay of certain lands in Islay, 6th May 1408, ....... 16 IX. Charter by James IV. to John of Isla, henceforth styled Lord of the Isles, of the Island of Islay and other lands, 15th July 147G, ... 19 X. Charter by James IV. to John Macian of Ardnamurchan of lands in Islay and of the bailiary of the island formerly held by him of the Lord of the Isles, 14th June 1494, ....... 24 XL Charter by James IV. granting Torlissay in Islay and other lands to Lauchlan Maclean, 8th Oct. 1496, ....... 26 XII. Charter by James IV. to John Macian of Ardnamurchan of lands in Islay and elsewhere in return for his capture of John of the Isles and Glens and other services, 29th March 1499, .... 28 XIII.

Confirmation by James IV. of certain charters in favour of John Macian of Ardnamurchan of lands and offices in Islay and other parts, 25th Nov. 1505, 31 b CONTENTS. X PAGE XIV. Charter by James IV. to John Macian of Ardnamurchan, of certain forfeited lands in Islay and other parts, 19th Nov. 1506, . 32 XV. Answer by the Privy Council to certain petitions by Colin, Earl of Argyll, and Maclean of Duart, anent the pacification of the Isles, with special reference to the Clandonald and to lands in Islay, 13th March 1516-17, ...... 33 XVI. Bond of Gossipry between Sir John Campbell of Calder and the Clandonald, 7th May 1520, ...... 35 XVII. Despatch of a herald to treat with Alexander of Isla anent his surrender, [3rd Aug.] 1529, . .. . . .37 XVIII. Offers by Archibald, Earl of Argyll, for the reduction of the South Isles, 1531, ........ 39 XIX.

Submission of Alexander of Isla to King James V. at Stirling, with the conditions on which he is pardoned, 7th June 1531, . . 40 XX. Statement by Alexander of Isla anent certain complaints preferred against him by the Earl of Argyll, 4th Nov. 1531, . . . 41 XXI. Commission granted by James V. to his Chamberlains to uplift the Crown ferms in Islay and other Isles in the "West, 11th Aug. 1536, ........ 44 XXII. Gift by James V. to Alan Maclean, brother of Hector Maclean of Duart, of the nonentry, ferms, &c., of certain lands in Islay and other parts of Argyle, 28th July 1539, .... 45 XXIII. Charter by James V. to Hector Maclean, younger of Duart, of Torlissay in Islay and other lands, 9th Jan. 1539-40, . . 45 XXIV. Precept of a Charter of certain lands in Islay and other parts of Argyle in favour of Neill McNeill, natural son of the late Neill McNeill of Gigha, 18th April 1542, . ... 47 XXV.

Be-infeftment by James V. of Hector Maclean of Duart and his heirs in certain lands in Islay and Mull, 12th Nov. 1542, . . 48 XXVI. Charter by Mary in favour of James Macdonald of Dunivaig and his heirs of lands in Islay and elsewhere forming the Barony of Bar in North Kintyre, 21st April 1545, ..... 50 XXVII. Grant by Mary to Hector Maclean, natural son of Alan Maclean, brother of the Laird of Duart, of nonentry, mails, &c., of certain lands in Islay and elsewhere, 30th Jan. 1551-2, ... 53 XXVIII. Charter by Mary in favour of the foresaid Hector Maclean of certain lands in Islay and elsewhere, 23rd June 1553, . . 54 XXIX. Charter by Mary in favour of James Macdonald of Dunivaig of certain lands in Islay and elsewhere, 1st April 1554, ... 59 XXX. Charter by Francis and Mary, regranting to Macdonald of Dunivaig certain lands in Islay forming part of the Barony of Bar, the said Macdonald having lost his writs by war and fire, 5th May 1558, .

CONTENTS. XI PAGE XXXI. Extract from a letter from Lord Sussex to Mary, Queen of England, describing his endeavours to reach Islay in his expedition against the Western Isles, 6th Oct. 1558, ..... 66 XXXII. A Letter of Tack by Mary, Queen of Scots, to James Macdonald of Dunivaig and the Glens of certain lands in Islay and Kintyre, 24th Sept. 1562, 67 XXXIII. Another Tack to James Macdonald of Dunivaig of lands in Islay and Kintyre, 12th Feb. 1562-3, . . ... 70 XXXIV. Order by the Privy Council anent the claimants to the Rinns of Islay, 14th Dec. 1563, ... .... 70 XXXV. Decree by the Privy Council, allowing the claim of James Macdonald of Dunivaig to the Rinns of Islay, 20th April 1564, , . 71 XXXVI. Charter of Novodamus granted by Mary to Archibald Macdonald, son of James Macdonald of Dunivaig and the Glens, 5th May 1564, . 72 XXXVII.

Letter of Tack to James Macdonald of Dunivaig and the Glens and Agnes Campbell, his spouse, of certain lands in Kintyre and Islay, 20th Dec. 1564, ...... 73 XXXVIII. Report by Leonard Sumpter, merchant of Bristol, of suspicious preparations in Islay, 13th Aug. 1569, .... 73 XXXIX. Complaint by Lauchlan Maclean of Duart of the oppression of the Earl of Argyll and others in Islay, and especially of an attack on his house of Lochgorm, 29th Dec. 1578, .... 74 XL. Act by the Privy Council ordering Lauchlan Maclean of Duart and Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig to keep the peace, 12th Jan. 1578-9, 74 XLI. Obligation by Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig to the Bishop of the Isles relating to affairs in Islay, 29th June 1580, ... 75 XLII. Contract between the Bishop of the Isles and Lauchlan Maclean of Duart anent rights in Islay and elsewhere, 8th Dec. 1580, . . 76 XLIII.

Letter of Tack to Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig of certain lands in Islay and Kintyre, 14th Jan. 1583-4, .... 78 XLIV. Act of the Privy Council ordering the lieges to assist Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig against his enemies, 25th April 1585, . . 78 XLV. Narrative of the feud between the Clandonald and the Clanlean and of the events which came to pass in the Island, July 1586, . 79 XLVI. Further order of the Council concerning the feud between Macdonald of Dunivaig and Maclean of Duart, 16th April 1587, . . 86 XLVII. Charter of Novodamus under the Great Seal, with augmentation of the rental, to Hector Maclean, son and heir of Lauchlan Maclean of Duart, of lands formerly belonging to the Abbot of Iona, 19th March 1587-8, . 88 XLVIII. Remission granted by James VI. to Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig and his accomplices for lawless acts committed during the feud with the Macleane, 26th March 1588, .....

CONTENTS. PAQE XLIX. Charges preferred against Lauchlan Maclean of Duart in the Court of Justiciary for crimes in Islay against Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig and others, 19th Jan. 1590-1, ..... 95 L. Order by the Privy Council anent Angus Macdonald and Donald Gorme for their obedience and payment of their rents, 8th June 1592, . 96 LI. James Macdonald appears before the Privy Council, presents a letter from his father surrendering his lands in his favour, and hears the King's will regarding his father and himself, 8th Oct. 1596, . . 98 LII. Letter from Macdonnell of Dunluce to the King claiming the lands of the Macdonalds in Scotland, and informing his Majesty of Angus Macdonald's schemes against the royal forces, 26th Oct. 1596, . 101 LI II. Proposals for the submission of Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig, 1597 102 LIV.

Letter from Mr. John Skene to the Lord Secretary referring to the preceding letter of Macdonald of Dunluce, and informing him of the conditions finally imposed on Angus of Islay, 28th April 1597, . 103 LV. Narrative of the troubles in Islay, with an account of the battle at Loch Gruinart and of the death of Sir Lauchlan Maclean, Aug. 1598, . 105 LVI. Charter under the Great Seal ratifying the sale of certain lands in Islay and others in the barony of Gigha to Archibald Macdonald, natural son of Angus of Dunivaig, 11th March 1598-9, . . . 108 LVII. Approbation by the Privy Council of certain propositions made by Sir James Macdonald of Knokrinsay, anent lands in Islay and Kintyre, and the keeping of good order there, 6th Sept. 1599, . . 110 LVIII. Commission given to Ludovic, Duke of Lennox, to establish the royal authority and gather the royal rents in Islay and other islands, with power to take the castle of Dunivaig, 16th June 1601, . . 112 LIX.

Order by the Privy Council to Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig, Angus Oig, his son, and a number of western chiefs to exhibit their infeftments and rentals, under pain of being pursued as rebels, 13th June 1605, . . . . . .115 LX. Order by the Privy Council for the surrender of the castle of Dunivaig, 27th June 1605, . . . . . . .116 LXI. Caution for Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig and others anent the King's occupation of Dunivaig, 10th Feb. 1606, .... 116 LXII. Offers made to the King by Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig, 8th Sept. 1606, . -.118 LXIII. Letter from Angus Macdonald of Dunivaig to the King, 10th Sept. 1606, 119 LXIV. Concerning the Earl of Argyll's claim to Kintyre as a means for holding the Clandonald in check ; with a reference to a former offer anent Islay, [before June] 1607, . . . .121 LXV.

Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the King, 28th June 1607, CONTENTS. XIII PAGE LXVI. Proclamation for a portion of the new expedition against the Isles to meet at Islay, 10th March 1608, ..... 123 LXVII. Letter from the Privy Council to the King anent the expedition to Islay and the Isles, recommending the appointment of a single lieutenant, 25th May 1608, . . . . .126 LXVIII. Letter from Lord Ochiltree to the King anent his commission against the rebels, 27th May 1608, . . . . .128 LXIX. Pardon granted by James VI. to Alexander Oig Macdonald for his conduct at the Castle of Dunivaig, 30th May 1608, . . 129 LXX. Letter from Lord Ochiltree in Islay to the Privy Council acquainting them with his proceedings in the Island, 12th Aug. 1608, . 130 LXXI. Letter from Andrew Knox, Bishop of the Isles, to the King anent the proceedings in the West, and craving remission of his duties there, 17th Sept. 1608, . . . . . .133 LXXII.

Report by Lord Ochiltree as to his proceedings in the Lieutenancy of the Isles, 5th Oct. 1608, . . . . .136 LXXIII. Offer by Hector Maclean of Duart anent his lands in Islay, 24th Feb. 1609, 137 LXXrV. Appearance of Angus Macdonald before the Council : his Petition : and the Decision of the Council, 2nd May 1609, . . .138 LXXV. Charter by James VI. to Fergus Macbeth in Islay of the office of Physician-in-Chicf in the Isles, and of certain lands in Islay, 10th July 1609, ...... 139 LXXVI. Warrant to the Comptroller anent the Castle of Dunivaig, 28th Sept. 1609, 143 LXXVII. Royal Letter to the Privy Council concerning the appointment of Bishop Knox as Steward of the Isles, with headquarters at Dunivaig, 8th May 1610, ...... 144 LXXVIII. Order to Lord Ochiltree to deliver up the Castle of Dunivaig to Andrew, Bishop of the Isles, 28th June 1610, . . .147 LXXIX.

Minute anent the occupation of Dunivaig by Andrew, Bishop of the Isles, 27th July 1C10, ...... 148 LXXX. Renunciation by Angus Macdonald of his lands in Islay in favour of Campbell of Calder, 1st Jan. 1612, . . . .148 LXXXI. Royal Letter in favour of Andrew, Bishop of the Isles, for his services in Islay and the other Isles, ordering certain rewards, including the annexation of the Abbacy of Icolmkill and the Priory of Ardchattan to his bishopric, 24th Feb. 1612, . . 149 LXXXII. Letter to the Laird of Calder from Mr. John Rollock anent a visit to Sir James Macdonald in Edinburgh Castle, 2nd July 1612, . 150 LXXXIII. Letter to the Laird of Calder from James Mowat anent the renunciation of the tack of Islay, 1 1 th Sept. 1 6 1 2, . . . ' . CONTENTS. PAGE LXXXIV. Act for the relief of the King's tenants in Islay from the oppression of Sir Ronald Macdonald, 17th March 1613, . . .153 LXXXV.

Extract from " The Estate of the Yllis ", presented by James Primrose, Clerk of the Privy Council, Sept. 1613, . . . 155 LXXXVI. Information received by the Council of the capture of Dunivaig by Ronald Oig Macdonald, and of its recapture by Angus Oig Macdonald, 29th April 1614, . . . . .156 LXXXVII. Account of the suspicious proceedings of Angus Oig Macdonald in Islay ; with a commission to the Bishop of the Isles to deal with him to effect the surrender of Dunivaig, 9th June 1614, . . 157 LXXXVIII. Extract from a Minute of the Privy Council, giving an account of the examination of Sir James Macdonald in Edinburgh Castle on suspicion of his implication in the rebellion, with the decision of the Council thereon, 9th June 1614, .... 159 LXXXIX. Letter from Lord Medhope (1) to Sir Gideon Murray dealing with Sir John Campbell's overtures anent Islay, 29th June 1614, . . 161 XC.

Remission to Angus Oig and his accomplices for good service in the , taking of Dunivaig, 6th Aug. 1614, .... 161 XCI. Letter from Sir Gideon Murray to John Murray of Lochmaben, 6th Aug. 1614, ....... 162 XCII. Instructions to the Bishop of the Isles in the matter of the Remission granted to Angus Oig, 11th Aug. 1614, . . . 163 XCIII. Letter from Secretary Binning to the Bishop of the Isles, 8th Sept. 1614, 163 XCIV. Contract between Andrew, Bishop of the Isles, and Angus Oig Macdonald and his friends, Sept. 1614, .... 166 XCV. Letter to the Secretary and Treasurer from the Bishop of the Isles, narrating his dealings in Islay with Angus Oig and his friends, 23rd Sept. 1614, ..... 169 XCVI. Letter from Secretary Binning to Mr. Patrick Hamilton at Court, 28th Sept. 1614, ...... 172 XCVII. Minute of the Privy Council recording a letter from the Bishop of the Isles anent the terms demanded by those holding the Castle of Dunivaig, 1st Oct. 1614, ..... 173 XCVIII.

Letter from the Privy Council to the King informing him of their conference with a messenger from the Bishop of the Isles, and with the Laird of Calder anent measures against the rebels, 1st Oct. 1614, ....... 174 XCIX. Letter from the Bishop of the Isles to Mr. John Murray of Lochmaben, 11th Oct. 1614, ...... 176 C. Letter from the King to the Deputy of Ireland announcing the expedition against Islay, and ordering co-operation, 14th Oct. 1614, CONTENTS. XV PAGE CI. Instructions from the Privy Council to the Laird of Calder for the execution of his commission in Islay, 22nd Oct. 1614, . . 179 CII. Letter from the Privy Council to the Lord Deputy of Ireland requesting the despatch of men and cannon to Islay, 22nd Oct. 1614, . 182 CHI. Proclamation for armed musters in the West for concurrence with the Laird of Calder against the rebels in Islay, 22nd Oct. 1614, . . 183 CIV.

Commission of Lieutenancy to Sir John Campbell of Calder for the suppression of the rebellion in Islay, 22nd Oct. 1614, . . . 186 CV. Order by the Privy Council to Angus Oig Macdonald and his accomplices to surrender the Castle of Dunivaig, 22nd Oct. 1614, . . 189 CVI. Proclamation of pardon to those Islay rebels, not ringleaders, who were drawn into the rebellion against their will, 22nd Oct. 1614, . . 189 CVII. Offers made by Sir James Macdonald, still prisoner in Edinburgh Castle, [Oct.] 1614, ....... 191 CVni. Letter from the Bishop of the Isles to Mr. John Murray of Lochmaben, 23rd Oct. 1614, ...... 192 CTX. Proclamation of pardon to the rebels and to Angus Oig Macdonald on certain conditions, 26th Oct. 1614, ..... 194 CX. Alleged instructions by the Chancellor to his agent George Grahame concerning his mission to Islay, 2nd Nov. 1614, . . . 195 CXI.

Letter from Sir Oliver St. John to Sir Ralph Winwood informing him of the preparations in Ireland for investing the Castle of Dunivaig, 4th Nov. 1614, . 197 CXII. Warrant for the trial of a petard to be used against the gates of the Castle of Dunivaig, 10th Nov. 1614, . . . .197 CXIII. Allowance to the gunner of the expedition against Dunivaig, 12th Nov. 1614, 198 CXIV. Charter under the Great Seal in favour of Sir John Campbell of Calder and his heirs male of the lands and island of Islay &c, 21st Nov. 1614, 199 CXV. Precept of sasine under the Quarter Seal following on the above, 21st November 1614, ...... 231 CXVI. Letter from the Lord Deputy of Ireland to King James intimating the preparations against Islay and the appointment of Sir Oliver Lambert to that service, 25th Nov. 1614, . . . .231 CXVII.

Letter from the Lord Deputy of Ireland to the Earl of Somerset, Lord Chamberlain of England, announcing the completion of the preparations against Islay, 30th Nov. 1614, ..... 232 CXVIII. Letter from the Lord Chancellor giving a full account of the release of the Bishop's pledges at Dunivaig by his agent George Grahame, 9th Dec. 1614, ........ 233 CXIX. Letter from Sir Oliver St. John to Sir Ralph Winwood, his Majesty's Chief Secretary, anent the expedition to Islay, (?) Dec. 1614, . CONTENTS. XVI PAGE CXX. Letter from Sir Oliver Lambert to the rebels in Islay, 1 4th Dec. 161 4, 236 CXXI. Letter from Angus Oig Macdonald to Captain Lambert, 14th Dec. 1614 237 CXXII. Second Letter from Sir Oliver Lambert to' the rebels in Islay, 16th Dec. 1614, 237 CXXII I. Letter from Francis Blundell on the preparations in Ireland against Islay, 17th Dec. 1614, . . . . . .238 CXXIV.

Band by Ranald Mc James VcDonald to Sir John Campbell of Calder promising for himself and others the surrender of the Castle of Lochgorm, 24th Jan. 1615, ..... 239 CXXV. Instrument of Sasine on the Charter to Sir John Campbell of Calder, 6th Feb. 1615, . . . . . . 239 CXXVI. Letter from Sir Oliver Lambert to the Lord Chamberlain (?) of England, giving a full account of the expedition against Dunivaig, 7th Feb. 1615 240 CXXVII. Letter from Sir Oliver Lambert to King James VI. describing the attack on Dunivaig by the royal forces, 8th Feb. 1615, . . 247 CXXVIII. Letter from Sir John Campbell to the Earl of Somerset, Lord Chamberlain of England, enclosing a report of the proceedings in Islay, 8th Feb. 1615, . . . . . .249 CXXIX. Letter from the King to Secretary Binning ordering an investigation into matters bearing on the mission of George Grahame, 1615 [early], ........ 250 CXXX.

Letter from Chancellor Dunfermline to the King anent the mission of George Grahame, 16th March 1615, ... 251 CXXXI. Propositions dealing with Islay affairs presented by the Secretary (?) for the consideration of the King, [April] 1615, . . . 253 CXXXII. Letters of Approbation under the Great Seal to Sir John Campbell of Calder and others for reducing the Clandonald in Islay to the royal obedience, 20th April 1615, . . . . 255 CXXXIII. Royal Letter to the Deputy of Ireland concerning the service in Islay, 21st April 1615, ..... 261 CXXXIV. Depositions before a Committee of the Privy Council in the Tolbooth by Angus Oig Macdonald, 23rd May 1615, . . .263 CXXXV. Deposition by Allaster McAllaster McTarliche before a Committee of the Privy Council, 23rd May 1615, . . . .276 CXXXVI. Deposition by Hector McCaus before a Committee of the Privy Council, 23rd May 1615, ..... 277 CXXXVII.

Depositions by Robert Winrahame, Islay Herald, and Katherine Campbell, wife of Angus Oig Macdonald, 23rd May 1615, . 279 CXXXVIII. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Earl of Tullibardine, 3rd June 1615, . . . . . . .283 CONTENTS. XVII PAGE CXXXIX. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Privy Council anent his escape from Edinburgh Castle, 3rd June 1615, . . 285 CXL. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Bishop of the Isles anent : the same, 3rd June 1615, ...... 286 CXLI. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Earl of Caithness, 3rd June 1615, .287 CXLII. Another letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Earl of Caithness ' anent the same business, June 1615, . . . 289 CXLIII. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Earl of Crawfurd, Crd June (?) 1615, 290 CXLIV. Undertaking by the Laird of Calder to keep Islay against Sir James Macdonald aud his associates, 8th June 1615, . . . 292 CXLV.

Letter from Secretary Binning to the Earl of Tullibardine, 13th June 1615, . ..... 293 CXLVI. Examination by a Committee of the Council of George Grahame anent his proceedings in Islay [June 1615], . . . 294 CXLVII. Further examination of George Grahame, and examination of the Lairds of Aberuehill and Danna, 16th June 1615, . . . 298 CXLVI 1 1. Letters anent the examination of George Grahame ; and a dispute between the Bishop of the Isles and the Laird of Calder [? July 1615], 304 CXLIX. Letter from Macneill of Taynish to Secretary Binning, 26th June 1615, 305 CL. Another letter from the same to the same [about same date], . . 307 CLI. Letter from the Privy Council to the King announcing Sir James Maedonald's capture of Dunivaig, and urging the immediate despatch of the Earl of Argyll, 30th June 1615, . . .308 CLII.

Letter from Sir James Macdonald to Secretary Binning, 1st July 1615, 309 CLIII. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Bishop of the Isles, 1st July 1615, . . 311 CLIV. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Marquis of Hamilton, 1st July 1615, ....... 313 CLV. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Earl of Caithness, 2nd July 1615, .314 CLVI. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to the Earl of Crawfurd, 3rd July 1615 315 CLVII. Trial and Sentence of Angus Oig Macdonald and his associates, 7th July 1615 317 CLVIII. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to Mr. James Knox, son of the Bishop of the Isles, 4th July 1615, . . . 319 CLIX. Further deposition by George Grahame, 6th July 1615, . . 320 CLX. Letter from Alexander Campbell, Prior of Ardchattan, to Secretary Binning, 15th July 1615, ...... 321 CLXI.

Another letter from the same to the same, 15th July 1615, . . 323 c CONTENTS. PAGE CLXII. A further letter from the same to the same, 16th July 1615, 324 CLXIII. Letter from King James anent the rebellion of Sir James Macdonald, with special reference to the tenants in Islay, 28th July 1615, 324 CLXIV. Another letter from the Prior of Ardchattan to Secretary Binning, 29th July 1615, ..... 325 CLXV. Letter from Sir James Macdonald to Paul Hamilton, Captain of Arran, 31st July (?) 1615, ..... 327 CLXVI. Letter from Secretary Binning to the Prior of Ardchattan, 4th Aug. 1615, 328 CLXVII. Letter from Secretary Binning to Macneill of Taynish, 4th Aug. 1615, 329 CLXVII I. Letter from Secretary Binning to the Earl of Argyll, 5th Aug. 1615, . A . . . A . .331 CLXIX. Assignation by the Earl of Argyll of the escheat of the Clandonald in Islay in favour of Sir John Campbell of Calder, 11th Oct. 1615, . . . .