HISTORY OF THE MACDONALD S. BY THE EDITOR. XXIV. THE FAMILY OF CLANRANALD. XXII. DONALD MACDONALD, third of Benbecula, fourteenth of Clanranald, Tutor of Allan, the hero of Killiecrankie and Sheriffmuir. We have already noticed the prominent share which he took in the military annals of the nation during the wars of Dundee. After Killiecrankie he returned to his Island home in Benbecula, and took no part in the rebellion of 1715. Donald, eleventh of Clanranald, had granted him a charter of nova-damus of all his lands, dated 16th of March 1680. A considerable sum of money was lodged with Alexander Mackenzie, Principal Clerk of Session, Edinburgh, with the view of procuring a pardon for Ranald, the late chief, and purchasing and conveying the estates to him. This money was obtained by Mrs Penelope Macdonald, widow of Allan, killed at Sheriffmuir, whose attachment to the clan and fond recollection of her distinguished husband cannot be better expressed than in the words of the disposition by which Mr Mackenzie afterwards conveyed the estates to Donald by her instructions. After narrating the debts, the document proceeds: :- -"Seeing it was at the earnest desire and request of Mrs Penelope Mackenzie, dowager of the deceased Allan Macdonald of Moydart, Captain of Clanranald, that I did purchase the several debts abovenarrated, affecting the estate of Moydart, and thereupon obtained a decree and charter of adjudication in my favour; and that it hath all along been in her view, as it was still her constant care, from the tender regard which she bore to the memory of her said deceased husband, to have the estate of Moydart settled upon, and conveyed to the said Donald, elder of Benbecula, who (by the failure of the said Allan Macdonald, and of Ranald Macdonald, late of Moydart, both now deceased, without heirs-male lawfully procreate of their, or either of their bodies) is now the nearest and lawful heir-male of the family of Moydart, and the undoubted Chief and Captain of Clanranald." For these reasons Mr Mackenzie, by this disposition, conveyed over the whole estates to Donald in life-rent; after him to Ranald, his son, in life-rent; and thereafter, in fee, to Ranald, grandson of Donald, who afterwards succeeded, in due course, as fifteenth Chief of the family, and who became so well known, during his father's life-time, in connection with Prince Charles, Flora Macdonald, and the Rebellion of 1745. The disposition is dated 5th of December 1726, and infeftment followed thereon on 28th of September, and 7th, 13th, 17th, 18th, and 19th of October 1727. Donald married, first, Margaret, eldest and only surviving daughter of Donald, eleventh, and sister of Allan and Ranald, respectively twelfth and thirteenth of Clanranald; and by this marriage he became heir to his brother-in-law, through his wife, as well as heir-male of the family, on the death of Allan, twelfth chief, in 1725. By this lady he had an only son→→ 1. Ranald, his heir, THE SCULPTURED STONES OF ROSS AND CROMARTY. By Captain COLIN MACKENZIE, F.S.A. Scot. I. IN a lecture which I had the honour to deliver before the Gaelic Society of Inverness in May last, I observed:-"There is no room in this paper to consider the sculptured stones of Scotland, properly so called, though some of them are certainly curious. Neither can I, for the same reason, go at length into the curious Scottish hieroglyphics so frequently met with on standing stones." Nor do I intend now to go at length into the meaning of the hieroglyphics. I shall merely indicate their suggested uses, with such sufficient clearness as shall explain the fact of their being found in juxta-position with the Christian emblem of the Cross. This paper will enable those readers of the Celtic Magazine, who are in the habit of passing one or more of these monoliths every day of their lives, to bestow a little more attention upon them than I fear they are in the habit of doing. There are, as far as I know at present, but ten sculptured stones extant in Ross-shire and Cromartyshire, though many more are known to have been wantonly destroyed. These stones (all of which are noticed in Dr Stewart's Sculptured Stones of Scotland) are found in eight localities, all in Easter Ross, and all situated close to the shore of the sea, or of some sea loch. Beginning in the North, the localities are as follows:-I., Kincardine (1); II., Edderton (2); III., Tarbet (1, mostly in fragments); IV., Hilton of Cadboll (1); V., Shandwick (1); VI., Nigg (l); VII., Strathpeffer (1); VIII., Rosemarkie (2). Of these ten, two, viz., the stone at Kincardine, and one of those at Rosemarkie, are in all probability portions of sarcophagi—and of the remaining eight seven may be divided in classes, A. B. & C., as follows: Class A. Class B. Class C. Rude monoliths, with hieroglyphics. Class A. contains two stones at Edderton and Strathpeffer. Class B. contains four stones at Hilton of Cadboll, Shandwick, Nigg, and Rosemarkie. Class C. contains but one stone at Edderton. The stone at Hilton of Cadboll, though now bearing no cross, has been placed in class B., because there is every evidence of its having once been a cross. The side which bore the cross, however, has been smoothed, to receive an inscription apparently of the latter part of the 17th century, when it had been used for a grave-stone. The Tarbet cross has the remains of figures upon it, but no hieroglyphics as far as can be seen. It has not been classed, as its extremely fragmentary state renders it next to impossible to reconstruct it in a really satisfactory manner; but it will nevertheless be described in Class B., its ornamentation being completely in harmony with that of the stones in this class. The peculiar characters, which appear upon the Scottish Standing Stones, may for our present purpose be divided into hieroglyphics and symbols; the former signifying characters unfamiliar to the eye, whose purport and object is conjectural; the second those which the eye at once recognises, but which may have some occult meaning hidden behind them. In the first class may be mentioned the Spectacle ornament, the Spectacle ornament or Double Disc with the Sceptre, the Crescent and Sceptre, the so-called "Elephant," &c. To the second class belong animals, &c., such as the Bull, Eagle, and Fish; articles of known use, such as the Mirror, Comb, and Harp; also monstrosities, such as the Centaur, Bird-headed Human Figure, &c. Many conjectures have been hazarded as to the meaning of the hieroglyphics, some persons connecting them with the religion of the Druids, and finding an emblem of the sun in the Double Disc and Sceptre, and of the moon in the Crescent and Sceptre. Thus, Mr Algernon Herbert, writing in 1849, regarded the Sceptre, in the figure of the Serpent and Sceptre, as "the capital Latin Z, and stands for Zodiacus, while the serpent twisted round it is the sun in his abrax period, or ecliptic." In the Crescent and sceptre he regarded the Crescent as the moon, and the Sceptre as the Latin L for luna. If we wish to reconcile this theory with the fact that the hieroglyphics frequently appear upon the same sculptures as the Cross, we must adopt Colonel Forbes Leslie's view, and regard them as "the picture of a mixed religion, and I believe truly representing a compromise-viz., Christianity acknowledged without Paganism being discarded." Another, and perhaps more rational view, is to consider the hieroglyphics as representing actual objects. Brooches have been found of the exact form of the Double Disc, and the Sceptre has been regarded as the brooch pin, the Sceptre in some sculptures passing through the Double Disc. Dr Stewart thinks that if the Crescent and Sceptre does not represent a brooch, it may be meant for a tiara. Thus, some persons regard the hieroglyphics and symbols on the crosses and pillars as representing the rank or occupation of the person buried beneath. So, when personal ornaments were comparatively rare, a brooch, or a torque would represent a chief, a fish a seafarer, a harp a harper, a mirror and comb a female, &c. Others again imagine them to signify the rude heraldry of the early septs and tribes, who adopted various objects to particularly distinguish themselves. One thing is certain, that they remained in use for several centuries, for while we find the outlines merely incised upon the rude standing stones, we find them elaborately ornamented and carved in relief upon the later Celtic Crosses. We are aware that from the earliest times till long after the Celtic era, it was the custom of nations to bury with the deceased articles which he had valued during his lifetime, and if to bury them, why not to carve them on his monument also? The habit of depicting upon a man's tombstone the implements of his trade, which was common during the Roman era, is not yet quite obsolete, while that of representing a sword and helmet above a soldier's remains is quite common. All old English churches abound in achievements, and coats-of-arms emblazoned on tablets. Any of the theories, therefore, I have previously mentioned may be easily reconciled with the appearance of these strange figures, alongside of the Christian Cross.* * The late Mr Chalmers would appear to have been inclined to ascribe a Gnosti origin to some of th› hieroglyphics, but as no precise data have been given to go upon a mere mention of the fact is suficient. But enough for these characters at large, as I must now enumerate the figures which appear upon the Ross-shire and Cromartyshire sculptures. They are ten in number, counting only those which are most generally in use. The Crescent and Sceptre occurs four times (thrice upon the Rosemarkie cross, the only known example in Scotland), the Double Disc and Sceptre thrice, and the Double Disc without Sceptre once. These have been already alluded to. The Single Disc occurs twice on the Hilton stone, and may represent a brooch, or the round target carried by the Picts, the ornamentation greatly resembling that of the targets of the last century; but as the two Discs occupy the usual place of the Double Disc, below the Crescent and Sceptre, they must be looked upon as an imperfect representation of the Double Disc. The Elephant occurs but once, on the Shandwick stone, where it appears with two sheep between the legs, and an animal, apparently a dog, in front of the head. It has been ornamented with a Celtic zig-zag pattern now much worn. Dr Stewart states that Polyænus, a writer of the second century, describes Cæsar as routing the Britons under Cassolaulus, by sending an elephant against them. It is therefore quite possible that the Picts had heard of such an animal, and it has been shrewdly conjectured that the first Celtic sculptor who essayed its portraiture, did so from a description, and that all who followed him copied from the same example, until at last it became stereotyped. That the figure is purely conventional is proved by the fact, that while the sheep is represented with his wool, the eagle with his feathers, and the monster with his scales, even in the most elaborate carvings of the Elephant, the ornamentation never gets beyond the filling in of the outline with an intertwisted Celtic pattern. Two Mirrors appear on the Rosemarkie stone, and one upon the Hilton stone, where it is accompanied by the Comb. They are not, however, of the usual form. The Eagle appears thrice. We find the Fish, apparently the salmon, upon a rough monolith at Edderton, which it occupies along with the Double Disc and Sceptre. The Torque, or Neckplate, shares the unhewn standing stone at Strathpeffer, with the Eagle. The Harp is found but once, and is of the usual clarsach pattern. It may be mentioned that the hieroglyphics and symbols are almost entirely confined to Pictish territory, one stone only so ornamented being found in the old Northumbrian Kingdom, at Edinburgh, and one sculpture on a rock at Anwoth, in the Kingdom of Strathclyde. I am not aware of any having been found in Dalriada. I am, therefore, myself, strongly of opinion that the symbols and hieroglyphics on the rude standing stones and sculptured crosses must alike be regarded as the work of the Pictish nation, the predecessors of the modern Highlander. * I will commence my account of the Sculptured Stones of Ross and Cromarty with a description of the sarcophagus at Kincardine. "In the church-yard," says the Statistical Account, in 1840, "there is a stone about five feet in length, and two in breadth and thickness; it is hollow and divided into two cells, one considerably larger than the other. The ends and one of the sides are covered with carved figures and hieroglyphics; an imperial crown, and a man on horseback in the act of darting a lance or javelin, as also what appears to be a camel, are still * The eagle on the Shandwick stone appears in the middle of a hunting scene. Dogs and stags are of course very common in these hunting scenes, but it is worthy o note that they never appear upon any of the stones as purely conventional signs. plainly distinguishable. It is probable that it is the half of a Sarcophagus or stone-coffin, and tradition describes it as the tomb of a Prince of Loellin, who died of his wounds in the neighbourhood, and had his remains deposited there." "Loellin," I take it, means Lochlin, which would seem to argue that the Prince was a Scandinavian leader, a fact which is by no means improbable.* *Did this Sarcophagus once really hold the body of a Norse Chief? Ekkialsbakki, that is the estuary of the Ekkial or Oykel, separated Sudrland, or Sutherland (so called by the Northmen because it was the most southern part of the Earldom of Ness and Katanes which belonged to them), from the rest of Scotland proper. As its immediate vicinity was a sort of debateable ground, it is not surprising to read in the sagas of fierce battles having taken place here between the two rival races. About the year 1034, we learn from the Orkneyinga Saga, that a bloody encounter took place between Kali Hundason, King of Scotland, and Thorfinn, Earl of Orkney.(a) The Saga says that the site of the engagement was "Torfnes on the south side of Baefiord." Mr Anderson suggests that this may be Tarbet Ness, Baefiord being the Dornoch Firth; but it is highly improbable that the Scottish King would have marched his great host of (a) The identity of Kali Hundason has been frequently disputed, many antiquaries finding it impossible to reconcile the existence of such a person with the narratives of the older Scottish historians. The Orkneyinga Saga, and the Saga of Olaf Tryggrison, both state that Earl Sigurd the Stout married a daughter of Melkolf or Malcolm, King of Scotland, and that their son was Earl Thorfinn. Fordun's succession of the Scottish Kings runs thus:-Malcolm MacKenneth slew Gryme MacKenneth MacDuff at Auchnebard, and becoming King reigned from 1004 to 1034, and was succeeded by his grandson Duncan, the son of his only daughter Beatrice, by Crinan, Ab-thane of Dul, and Steward of the Isles. Wyntoun, following Fordun, says:--Qahen dede wes thus this Kyng Gryme (at Bardory Malcolme ras Kyng, that slayne had hymne: And thretty wyntyre in Scotland Kyng this Malcolme wes regnand. He states that Malcolm gave his daughter "Bethok fayre" to "Cryny" Abbot of Dunkeld, and that on the death of the King their son Duncan succeeded him. Fordun says of Duncan (the Duncan who was slain by Macbeth), that "he enjoyed the security of peace at the hands of all, both abroad and at home." Mr Anderson thinks that, if the Saga is correct as to the date of the battle (1034), Duncan must be Kali Hundason, and that, notwithstanding Fordun's remark about a peaceful succession, a very pretty quarrel might have arisen between Duncan and Thorfinn, concerning the division of the Scottish Kingdom, they both being maternal grandsons of King Malcolm II. Skene, however (Highlanders, chap. v.), is of opinion that while the Highlanders were opposing the succession of Kenneth MacAlpine's family, and were endeavouring to re-introduce the Pictish mode of succession, Malcolm, Maormor of Murray, by the defeat and slaughter of Kenneth MacDuff at Monievaird, succeeded in seizing the Scottish crown. He states that this Malcolm made peace with Earl Sigurd the Stont, and gave him his daughter to wife, and that after reigning from 1004 to 1030, he was succeeded by Malcolm MacKenneth MacDuff (a descendant of Kenneth MacAlpin), whom he identifies with Kali Hundason. Speaking of these conclusions he says:-"It will be observed that the author has here altogether departed from the generally received history, and that in place of Malcolm II., said to have reigned thirty years, he has placed two Malcolins, of different families, the first of whom reigned twenty-six and the latter four years. This view he has adopted in consequence of finding the most remarkable coincidence between the Irish Annals and the Norse Sagas, both of which agree in these particulars." Professor Munch shares these views with Skene. Skene gives as his authorities-1, Orkneyinga Saza; 2, Flatey Book; 3, Annals of Tigernac; 4. Annals of Ulster. No. 3 states that Malcolm MacMaelbrigd MacRuadri, King of Alban, died in 1029, and that Malcolm MacKenneth, King of Alban, died in 1034; and No. 4 corroborates this, but does not say that Malcolm MacMaelbrizd was king. Skene would seem, however, to have changed the opinions expressed in the Highlanders (1837) for in his preface to the Chronicles of the Piets and Scots (1567), and in that to Felix Skene's translation of Fordun's Scoticronicon (1872), he states that Malcolmn MacKenneth reigned from 1001 to 1034. Further, in the latter, he states that Malcolm had two daughters, one married to Crinan the father of King Dun an, and the other to Earl Sigurd, father of Earl Thorfinn. He then goes on to say that there was war between Duncan and Thorfin, owing to the territory each claimed in right of his mother, and that Thorfion established his power in the North, thus identifying Duncan with Kali Hundason of the Saga. The Duan Albanach, the Chronicle of the Scots (Colbertine MS.), the Chronicle of the Scots and Fiets, the Register of the Priory of St Andrews, the Cronicon Elegiacum, the Scalacronica, the Chronicle of Huntingdon, the Chronicle of the Pict nad Scots (Sir T. Phillipps), the Chronicle of the Scots (Cottonian, Claudius), the Chronicles of the Sets (Cottonian, Vitellius), the Chronic on Rythmicum, and the Irish version of the Pictish Chronicle give Malcolm MacKenneth a rein of 30 years; and the Prophecy of St Be chan 35. There ar threfore ten Letin and two Celtic MSS, in favour of 20 years, one Celtic of 50, and two Celtie of 5 years' reign, the two latter interpolating a King Malcolm MacMaclbrigd with a reign of 25 years. I have not room here to pursue this interesting enquiry further. |