Mac-Donald of Barrisdale, one of the very last Highland gentlemen who carried on the plundering system to any great extent, was a scholar and a well-bred gentleman.He engraved on his broadswords the well-known lines---H<ae>c tibi erunt artes---pacisque imponere morem, Parcere subjectis, et debellare superbos.
Indeed, the levying of black-mail was, before 1745, practised by several chiefs of very high rank, who, in doing so, contended that they were lending the laws the assistance of their arms and swords, and affording a protection which could not be obtained from the magistracy in the disturbed state of the country.The author has seen a memoir of Mac-Pherson of Cluny, chief of that ancient clan, from which it appears that he levied protection-money to a very large amount, which was willingly paid even by some of his most powerful neighbours.A gentleman of this clan hearing a clergy-man hold forth to his congregation on the crime of theft, interrupted the preacher to assure him, he might leave the enforcement of such doctrines to Cluny Mac-Pherson, whose broadsword would put a stop to theft sooner than all the sermons of all the ministers of the synod.
Note G, p.<? p120>.---Rob Roy.
An adventure, very similar to what is here stated, actually befel the late Mr.Abercromby of Tullibody, grandfather of the present Lord Abercromby, and father of the celebrated Sir Ralph.When this gentleman, who lived to a very advanced period of life, first settled in Stirlingshire, his cattle were repeatedly driven off by the celebrated Rob Roy, or some of his gang;and at length he was obliged, after obtaining a proper safe-conduct, to make the Cateran such a visit as that of Waverley to Bean Lean in the text.Rob received him with much courtesy, and made many apologies for the accident, which must have happened, he said, through some mistake.
Mr.Abercromby was regaled with collops from two of his own cattle, which were hung up by the heels in the cavern, and was dismissed in perfect safety, after having agreed to pay in future a small sum of black-mail, in consideration of which Rob Roy not only undertook to forbear his herds in future, but to replace any that should be stolen from him by other freebooters.Mr.Abercromby said, Rob Roy affected to consider him as a friend to the Jacobite interest, and a sincere enemy to the Union.
Neither of these circumstances were true; but the laird thought it quite unnecessary to undeceive his Highland host at the risk of bringing on a political dispute in such a situation.This anecdote I received many years since (about 1792) from the mouth of the venerable gentleman who was concerned in it.
Note H, p.<? p127>.---Kind Gallows of Crieff.
This celebrated gibbet was, in the memory of the last generation, still standing at the western end of the town of Crieff, in Perthshire.Why it was called the _kind_ gallows, we are unable to inform the reader with certainty; but it is alleged that the Highlanders used to touch their bonnets as they passed a place which had been fatal to many of their countrymen, with the ejaculation---``God bless her nain sell, and the Teil tamn you!'' It may therefore have been called kind, as being a sort of native or kindred place of doom to those who suffered there, as in fulfilment of a natural destiny.
Note I, p.<? p130>.---Caterans.
The story of the bridegroom, carried off by Caterans, on his bridal-day, is taken from one which was told to the author by the late Laird of Mac-Nab, many years since.To carry off persons from the Lowlands, and to put them to ransom, was a common practice with the wild Highlanders, as it is said to be at the present day with the banditti in the south of Italy.Upon the occasion alluded to, a party of Caterans carried off the bridegroom, and secreted him in some cave near the mountain of Schehallion.
The young man caught the small-pox before his ransom could be agreed on; and whether it was the fine cool air of the place, or the want of medical attendance, Mac-Nab did not pretend to be positive; but so it was, that the prisoner recovered, his ransom was paid, and he was restored to his friends and bride, but always considered the Highland robbers as having saved his life, by their treatment of his malady.
Note K, p.<? p136>.---Highland Policy.
This sort of political game ascribed to Mac-Ivor was in reality played by several Highland chiefs, the celebrated Lord Lovat in particular, who used that kind of finesse to the uttermost.The Laird of Mac ------ was also captain of an independent company, but valued the sweets of present pay too well to incur the risk of losing them in the Jacobite cause.His martial consort raised his clan, and headed it in 1745.But the chief himself would have nothing to do with king-making, declaring himself for that monarch, and no other, who gave the Laird of Mac ------ ``half-a-guinea the day, and half-a-guinea the morn.''
Note L, p.<? p139>.---Highland Discipline.
In explanation of the military exercise observed at the Castle of Glennaquoich, the author begs to remark, that the Highlanders were not only well practised in the use of the broadsword, firelock, and most of the manly sports and trials of strength, common throughout Scotland, but also used a peculiar sort of drill, suited to their own dress and mode of warfare.
There were, for instance, different modes of disposing the plaid,---one when on a peaceful journey, another when danger was apprehended; one way of enveloping themselves in it when expecting undisturbed repose, and another which enabled them to start up with sword and pistol in hand on the slightest alarm.
Previous to 1720, or thereabouts, the belted plaid was universally worn, in which the portion which surrounded the middle of the wearer, and that which was flung around his shoulders, were all of the same piece of tartan.
