Source:Origines parochiales (Tarbat)

"Tarbat" Origines parochiales Scotiae (vol. 2)

TARBAT.
Arterbert⁶—Terbert⁷—Tarbat⁸—Terbat⁹—Tarbet¹⁰—Tarbert¹¹—Tarbart¹²—Terbart¹³.   (Map, No. 10.)

TILL the year 1628 the parish of Tarbat included the present parish of Fearn, which was separated from it 'by the special consent of the bishop and whole diocese,' each parish having 10 davachs land.¹⁴

The old parish of Tarbat thus consisted of two districts—Fearn, generally level and arable, and Tarbat, a low bare promontory terminating eastward in the point known as Tarbatness, probably the Torfnaes of the Norwegian chroniclers.¹⁵

1. New Stat. Acc.
2. Paper by D. Laing, Esquire, read to the Society of Antiquaries in 1846. Treasurer's Accounts.
3. Ibid. Pitcairn's Crim. Trials, vol. i. p. 283.*
4. Paper by D. Laing, Esquire. Knox's History of the Reformation, edited by Mr. Laing.
5. New Stat. Acc. Treasurer's Accounts. In the English poem on Flodden field the Scots in the reign of King James IV. are reproached witli tlicir devotion to ' Doffin their demigod of Ross.' Sir David Lyndsay in the following reign speaks of 'Sanct Dutliow borit out of ane block.' Weber's Battle of Flodden Field, pp. 27, 154, 155.
6. A. D. 1227. Regist. Moraviense, p. 82.
7. A. D. 1529. Balnagown Charters.
8. A. D. 1561-66. Book of Assumptions. 1600-1700. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
9. A. D. 1561-66. Book of Assumptions. Circa A. D. 1640. Blaeu.
10. A. D. 1571. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxix. fol. 101.
11. A. D. 1574. Book of Assignations. A.D. 1586. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. liii. fol. 97.
12. A. D. 1629. Retours.
13. Circa A. D. 1640. MS. Maps in Adv. Lib.
14. Original in the Tower, London. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect. This, says the writer in Macfarlane, is shown by old desks in the church of Tarbat bearing names and arms of proprietors in Fearn who had no lands in Tarbat.
15. New Stat. Acc. Notes by W. H. Murray, Esq. Worsaae's Danes, p. 264.

In the year 1227 Andrew the vicar of Arterbert was present at Kenedor in Moray with others of the clergy of Ross on the occasion of the settlement of a dispute between the bishops of Ross and Moray about the diocesan right of the churches of Kyntalargyn and Ardrosser.¹ Before the year 1529 one of the bishops of Ross granted to the canons of New Ferne the vicarage of the church of Saint Colman situated in the place called Terbert.² The canons had also the teindsheaves in the town called Alen in Terbert belonging to the vicarage, four acres of land beside the church of Terbert, and an acre of land in the town called Terbert.³ In 1529 all these were with their other possessions confirmed to the canons by Pope Clement VII.⁴ At the Reformation the parish church of Tarbat was included in the rental of the bishoprick of Ross given up to the collector of thirds, being probably a mensal church of the bishop.⁵ In 1586 King James VI. granted for life to Andro Wod his comptroller a yearly pension of £200 Scots, and to John Fentoun the comptroller's clerk a yearly pension of 200 marks Scots, out of two-thirds of the bishoprick of Ross, to begin respectively in 1585 and 1588 ; and assigned as payment to the former 10 chalders bear at £20 the chalder, and to the latter 6 chalders 10 bolls bear, out of the fruits of the parish of Tarbert, being part of the bishoprick.⁶

The church, dedicated, as appears, to Saint Colman the bishop, stood at Tarbat on the Dornoch Firth.⁷ It was probably rebuilt on the same site about the year 1628, when the parish was divided.⁸ Under it till the year 1707 or later there was a vault 30 feet long, said to have been built as a church by Saint Columba (Colman ?).⁹ A new church was built in 1756.¹⁰

On the coast near the old castle of Tarbat or Ballone there was a chapel known as Teampul Eraich, and near it a well named Tobair Mhuir or Mary's Well.¹¹

At Portmahomack, styled, says a writer of the seventeenth century, in old charters Portus Columbi, but probably moaning the port of Saint Coknac or Cabnaig, there is a green hill known as Chapelhill or Knockshorty, on which a chapel appears to have stood.¹²

Between 1486 and 1516 Thomas M'Culloch abbot of Fearn built a chapel at Midd Genie, which afterwards came to be known as Chapel Barr, being probably dedicated to Saint Barr.¹³

Before the year 1529 Pope Clement VII. confirmed to the canons of Fearn the chapel of Saint Mary situated in the place called Cathabul.¹⁴ This is probably the small chapel, the outlines of which are still to be seen amid a clump of trees in a field named Baleachan (Hector's town) on the farm of Cadboll Mount formerly named Hill of Geanies.¹⁵

There is a ruined chapel at Hilton on the Moray Firth.¹⁶

1. Regist. Moraviense, pp. 81, 82.
2. Balnagown Charters.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Book of Assumptions Old Stat. Acc.
6. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. liii. fol. 97.
7. Balnagown Charters. MS. Maps in Adv. Lib. Blaeu. Macfarlane. Cainerarius, pp. 102, 103.
8. Macfarlane. Note by W. H. Murray, Esquire.
9. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
10. Old Stat. Acc.
11. Old Stat. Acc.
12. New Stat. Acc. Notes by W. H. Murray, Esquire. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
13. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect. Old. Stat. Acc.
14. Balnagown Charters.
15. Notes by W. H. Murray, Esquire.
16. Miller's Scenes and Legends, p. 283.

In 1633 Alexander Corbatt of Arkboll was served heir male to his father John Corbat of Arkboll in two-thirds of the lands of Arkboll, including Portnawest or the harbour of Saint John, with the chapel of Saint John.¹ The chapel stood at Wester Arboll, and was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.²

There was also a chapel at Alhansallach, apparently dedicated to Saint Bride.³

Early in the thirteenth century (probably about 1227) Ferquhard Earl of Ross founded an abbey of Premonstratensian monks at 'Farne beside Kincardin in Stracharrin.'⁴ Whatever truth may be in the alleged origin of Ferne, the abbey long acknowledged its dependence upon the mother house of Whitherne. Malcolm was the first abbot, ruled for fifteen years, and after his death 'was holden amongis the peopill as a sanct.'⁵ He was succeeded by Malcolm of Nig, during whose rule (apparently about the year 1238) Earl Ferquhard removed the abbey to the parish of Tarbat, after which it was styled New Ferne, latinised Nova Farina.⁶ Between the years 1252 and 1274 appears Machabeus Makkersin third abbot, during whose rule probably between 1261 and 1264 the convent was established and their regulations confirmed by Pope Urban IV.⁷ Between 1274 and 1323 there appear to have been four abbots, Sir Colin, who was abbot in 1281, Mertein and John (canons of Quhythorne), and Mark Boss the son of Sir Mark Ross, who became abbot in 1321.⁸ The last three were presented by the prior of Quhythorne.⁹ In 1336 the abbey being built only of rough stones and clay, and appearing ruinous, William Earl of Ross suggested that it should be rebuDt with hewn stone, and seven brethren wore appointed to 'beg and thig' through the country for contributions.¹⁰ The rebuilding was begun in 1338 under abbot Mark, who died about 1350 and was buried within the abbey church.¹¹ Abbot Mark Ross was succeeded by Donald Pupill, who was elected by the convent, and whose election was confirmed by the prior of Quhythorne.¹² In 1356 William Earl of Ross, on the narrative that the abbey of New Ferne was founded and strengthened with privileges by its founders, as appeared from charters granted to it by Alexander King of Scotland, to the effect that it should be free from all royal exactions and contributions, confirmed its freedom from the same, with the exception only of that clerical tax (clericatura) proclaimed by Ottobon the Pope's legate in Scotland, of which the collectors were Roger bishop of Ross and Donald abbot of Ferne.¹ Between the years 1350 and 1372 various charters are witnessed by abbot Donald, and in 1372, while he still ruled, the rebuilding of the abbey was finished.¹⁴ In the last named year Earl William, who built and repaired the abbey church, is said to have granted to the canons 'the kirk of Tarridie

1. Retours.
2. Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
3. Ibid.
4. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross. Spotiswood's Religious Houses. See EDDERTOUN, p. 415.
5. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
6. Balnagown Charters. Floors Charters. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross. Regist. Moraviense, p. 282. Spotiswood's Rel. Houses.
7. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
8. Regist Moraviense, p. 282. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
9. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid. Balnagown Charters.
12. Ibid.
13. Balnagown Charters.
14. Balnagown Charters. Floors Charters. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.

in Ross.¹ Abbot Donald died in 1383.² Adam Monilaw, his successor, was abbot in 1398, died iu 1407, and appears to have been succeeded by Thomas Kethirnathie, who was appointed by the prior of Quhythorne, and after ruling for a short time resigned.³ The next abbot was Finlaw, the nephew of Sir William Feriar vicar of Tayne, who after having ' theikit the kirk of Ferne' died in 1436.⁴ He appears to have been succeeded by Finlay Macfaid, who was abbot in 1442.⁵ During his rule, by a will dated 1456, Alexander Sutherland of Dunbeath bequeathed to the 'chanon' of Ferne for a daily mass with a note of the Regina 6 marks from the lands of Mulfayle and Drumerne, and, failing these, from the lands of Dumbeath ; and of 30 trentals to be said for his soul he appointed four to be said in Feyrne.⁶ All his goods not specially disposed of were left at the disposal of abbot Finlay and others.⁷ Finlay Macfaid died in 1485 and was buried within the abbey church.⁸ His successor was Master John Fearn, who built Saint Michael's aisle on the south side of the church, founded the dormitory, built the cloister, and purchased in Flanders for the abbey a tabernacle and lettron of brass, the organ, chalices, vestments, and various other ornaments.⁹ He appears to have ruled about a year, having died in 1486.¹⁰ Thomas M'Culloch succeeded to the abbacy in 1486, and appears in record in 1487 and 1488.¹¹ He completed the dormitory, but, being deprived of the possessions and revenues of the abbey, except the mill of Fearn and the town of Mid Geny, by Andrew Stewart bishop of Caithness, who was appointed abbot on a false representation to the Pope, lie retired to Mid Geny, where, as before stated, he built a chapel.¹² He died in 1516.¹³ Bishop Stewart, after being actual abbot for a year, died at Skibo in 1517.¹⁴ 'And after him succeeded Master Patrick Hamiltoun, who was accused for heresie be James Beaton archbishop of Saint Andrews, primat of Scotland, with the counsell of the haill elergie of Scotland, and was decerned to be burnt and delivered in the seculars hands for diverse articles of heresie grounded upon Luther's laws . . . upon the whilk articles the said Archbishop gave sentence definitive at the metropolitan kirk of Saint Andrews the last day of February 1527 [1528], where the said Master Patrick Hamiltoun was burnt in presence of Gavin bishop of Glasgow, George bishop of Dunkeld, John bishop of Breehin, William bishop of Dunblane, Patrick prior of Saint Andrews, David abbot of Arbrothok, George abbot of Dumfermling, Alexander abbot of Cambuschkynoch, Henry abbot of Lindores, John prior of Pittenwemyss, the dean and subdean of Glasgow, Mr. Hugh Spence, Thomas Ramsay, and Allan Meldrum.'¹⁵ The successor of Patrick Hamilton was Donald Denoon.¹⁶ In 1529 Pope Clement VII. confirmed to the canons of New Ferne all their

1. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross. Calendar of Fearn.
2. Calendar of Fearn.
3. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
4. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
5. Ibid.
6. Misc. of Bannatyne Club, vol. iii.
7. Ibid.
8. New Stat. Acc. Tombstone in Abbey.
9. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. x. no. 109. Balnagown Charters.
12. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
13. Ibid. Calendar of Fearn.
14. Ibid.
15. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross. This list is not complete. For the names of the rest, and for some interesting notices of Patrick Hamilton, see appendix to Laing's edition of Knox's History, vol. iii.
16. Ibid. Balnagown Charters. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xiv. no. 245.

possessions, including the place in which the monastery was situated with its pertinents, the vicarage of the church of Saint Colman situated in the place called Terbert which a deceased bishop of Ross with the consent of his chapter had given them, the chapel of Saint Mary situated in the place called Cathabul, and the teindsheaves in the town called Alen in Terbert belonging to the said vicarage — four acres of land which they held beside the said church — the free passage which they held at the small ports of Ardnacolternach, Hardnanen, and Ardnadoler the land called Davnaclerach situated near the towns called Cathabul and Gathenn— the land which they had in the place called Innorladour :— the use of timber and trees they had in the woods of the Earl of Ross, granted of old to the monastery by its founder Ferchard Earl of Ross—an acre of land they had in the town called Terbert—an annual revenue of 8 lbs. of wax they had in the town called Conten—two measures of land commonly called davachs in the place called Inuercharron —the pasture they had in the places called Halchmaguli, Braghlugudi, and Salki—the fishing they had in the water called Okeal in the place called Banaff, and the fishing commonly called Choro in the town of Kyncarden—a davach in the town called Greater Fern, and a half davach in the town called Lesser Fern—the land thev had in the place called Archanagart, with the fishing and ferry of the same—a davach and a half in the place called Dwne—three davachs in the towns called Rathne and Pitkeri, and the lake called Lochlin in the same place—a davach in the town called Gathne—another davach in the same town—two davachs in the towns of Rochani and Balmochi—a davach in the town of Cathbulnacrene—and half a davach in the town of Lachelawak.¹ Donald abbot of Ferne appears in record in 1534, 1535, and 1539 ; and Robert Strabrok a canon of Ferne in 1538.² Abbot Donald died in 1541, and was succeeded by Robert Carnecross bishop of Ross, who died in 1545.³ In the latter year Queen Mary granted to her secretary Master David Paniter the temporalities of the bishoprick of Ros and the abbacy of Ferne, having before presented him to the bishoprick and abbacy, vacant by the decease of Robert last bishop and commendator.⁴ It is said however that bishop Robert was in 1547 succeeded in the abbacy by James Carneeross, who in 1550 granted part of the abbey lands to Alexander Ross of Balnagowne, and afterwards resigned it in favour of Nicolas Ross provost of Tain.⁵ In 1558 the 'dortour' of Ferne was burned through the negligence of a boy named Huchon M'Cullo.⁶ Between the years 1561 and 1566 we have the following rental of the abbey given up by Nicolas Ros as commendator of Ferne to the collector of thirds— 'First, the landis contenit in the laird of Ballangownis few chartour, Innercarroun, Vestir Ferine, Downy, Westray, Mwldarg, Knokydaff, Myltoun, Balmoch, Midilgany, Pitkery, the Manes of Fearine, Eistn- Gany, Wastir Gany, Meikill Rany, Ballieblair, the Dow Croft, Brighous, Mylcroft, and Weitland and the fishing of Bonach ; quhilkis giwis in maillis, fearmis, girsum, bonage silver, mairtis, muttoun, caponis, henis, and in augmentatioun, as his chartour proportis, sic as efter followis—Item in maillis, girsum, and bonage silver, and

1. Balnagown Charters.
2. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. nn. 140, 245 ; lib. xxvi. no. 62 ; lib. xxvii. no. 48.
3. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross. Keith's Bishops. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xv. fol. 43.
4. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xix. fol. 70.
5. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
6. Calendar of Fearn.

augmentatioun, the sowme of £89, 12s. 8½d. ¾ ; Item mairtis, mwttoun, capoun, hen, and fir silver, the sowme of £20, 10s. 8d. ; Item victuall, 2.3 ch. 2 fir. 2 pc. ; Item in aitis, 16 bollis — and heirof of the said money allocat to the said laird as his chartour proportis in bailyie fie, £40. Item the landis of Catboll-fishar, Laweh-clawethe, Tulloch, Lytill Rany, Amot, Eister Ferne, Relony, sett in few to the Dwnnwnis, quhilkis payis conforme to thair [chartour] as efter followis—Item in maill, girsum, bonage silver, and augmentatioun, the sowme of £31 ; Item mairtis, mwtoun, and capoun silver, £6, 14s. ; Item in victuall, 2 bollis ; Item in aittis, 6 bollis. The mylne and vtheris landis quhilkis are not sett in few payis as efter followis—Item the mylne of Ferne in victual 7 ch. ; Item four ailhouss with their eroftis, £4, 6s. 8d. ; Item the smithis landis, barne croft, the croft callit Roresouns croft, the croft callit Ballanasharach, vtherwayis callit the Cottaris Delwingis, payis 54s. ; Item the fisharis aucht akeris of land, quhilk newer payit ane penny, bot giwin to thaim to dwell vpon for furnishing of fishe to the place and cuntrie vpon the cuntries expenss ; Item the place and yeards with the waird for feding of hors newer payit ane penny nor cam newer in rentall. Deducit heirof—Item to the laird of Balnagowne conforme to his chartour as said in bailyie fie, £40 ; Item in contributioun to the coledge of iustice, £5 ; Item to the sustentatioun of the channounis, 3 ch. 12 bs. victuall and £24 money ; Item ane pensioun to John Nicolsoun quhairvnto he is provydit of auld, 24 bs. victual.'¹ The whole rental amounted to £165, 7s. O½d. ¾, 30 ch. 2 fir. 2 pks. victual, and 22 bolls of oats.² At the same time the abbot of Fearn paid teind to the bishop of Ross to the amount of 2 eh. 14 bo. 3 pks. victual.³ In 1569 Nicolas Ross died and was buried at Fearn in the north of the choir.⁴ In 1566, three years before the death of Nicolas, Master Thomas Ross parson of Alnes was appointed abbot.⁵ He 'theikit the dortour' which had been burned through negligence, built a new hall, chambers, cellars, pantry, and kitchen, and made various other repairs about the monastery ; he built also two barns of stone, rebuilt the old mill with stone and clay, and erected a new mill 'bewest the place of Fearn.'⁶ Subsequently to the year 1568, from some disagreement with Alexander Ross of Balnagown, he left Ross and lived for ten years at Forres in Moray, where he purchased land and built houses 'on both sides of the road.'⁷ In 1570 King James VI., for the good service done by Alexander Suthirland during the regency of James Earl of Murray and subsequently, granted to him for life a yearly pension of 80 bolls of victual out of two-thirds of the bishoprick of Ross, then vacant by the forfeiture of John bishop of Ross for treason and lesemajesty ; and as security he granted to him the teind victual of the lands of Eister Gany, Midgany, Westir Grany, Balleblair, and Mekill Gany,

1. Book of Assumptions. Balnagown Charters.
2. Ibid. The above rental is almost verbatim the same in the Balnagown papers and in the Book of Assumptions. In the former there is appended to the rental the following memorandum — 'Thair is inhibition in the laird of Mayis custodie at the instance of George Ros of Ballangown and George Sinclar of Mey contra Sir Patrik Morray registrat at Edinburgh penultima Junii 1603, fols. 332 and 333, Mr. John Skene Clerk. The contract anent the lands of the abbacy of Ferne is of the dait 23 April 1600 yeris, and registrat 28 of November 1600, quher Sir Patrik is obleist to dispone theis landis in sic formes as they sail tiiink expedient and that may stand be the law to warrand the samen both for byganes and tim to cum.'
3. Ibid.
4. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross. Calendar of Fearn.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.

in the parish of Tarbert, extending yearly to 80 bolls (teinds which arose from the lands of the abbacy), 'without preiudice of the said Alexanderis executioun vpoun the reddiest vthir fruitis of the said bischoprik in cais he be not thankfullie ansuerit of the saidis fruitis assignit.'¹ In 1571 he leased some of the abbey lands to the same Alexander.² In the same year (10 July) King James VI. granted to Issobell Rois, the relict of the deceased Thomas Rois, the escheat of the goods of the deceased Thomas Rois the son of Nicolas Ros abbot of Ferne, a rebel and at the horn for not paying to Andro Monro, the chamberlain of the bishoprick of Rois, certain teinds of the lands of Eister Gany and Tarrall in the parish of Tarbet for the years 1569 and 1570; and (2 December) he granted the same to Alexander Suthirland.³ In 1574 the same king confirmed a grant in heritage, made to Alexander Ferne by the deceased Nicolas commendator of Ferne, of the conventual lands of Cullyne with the alehouse and croft then occupied by Donald Makconaehie, lying between the ditches of the monastery commonly called the ward dykis towards the north and the lands of Eister Rarecheis as the march stones and the fauld dyk extend towards the south, the meadows of the lands of Eister Rarecheis towards the west and the common road descending to Tulloch towards the east— also of a croft of land called the smythis croft lying between the public road on the west and the lands of Kilpot on the north, and the lands and crofts of Ballechyricht on the south and east— and of the crofts of the monastery and the 'meringis' of Ballechericht formerly called Waltir Makroreis crofts, lying between the said smith's croft and the public road on the west, Toburnayngor, Graystane, the pasture and the moss of Ferne on the east, the lands of Eister Kilpot and Rynmoir on the north, and the common pasture of the monastery adjacent and extending to the lands of Catbollfischear and Tulloch on the south—all within the abbacy of Ferne and sheriffdom of Innernes.⁴ In 1584 King James VI. granted to Walter Ros for life the abbacy or commend of Ferne with the provostry of Tayne, resigned by Thomas commendator of the same, reserving to Thomas the liferent with reversion to the abbacy in the case of Walter's death occurring before his, and to the ministers serving the parish churches of the abbey and provostry the liferent of their stipends.⁵ In 1587 the same king confirmed three grants made by Thomas Ros commendator of Ferne—one to Donald Ros in Littil Rany and his heirs of the lands then in his hands lying between the lands of Lytill and Mekill Allanis towards the west, the lands of Arthreis, Coillen, and Ballesuith on the south, the feu-ferme lands (terras feudifirmas) of the monastery of Ferne belonging to the laird of Ballingown on the east, and the lands of Ballinblair, Brigend, Mylncroft, Dowcatcroft, and Weitlandis, on the north, with the four alehouses and brewlands of the monastery lying near it and occupied by John M'Allane, John Reid, John Murray, and Andrew Dowglas, the kill commonly called the kill of Ferne, the gardens occupied by Andrew Dowglas, David Reid, and John Murray, and the mill of Ferne with the astrieted and other usual multures—another to Donald Ros Hucheinsoun in Ballemakie and his heirs of the lands of Ballemakie extending to a davach, resigned by Alexander Ros of Balnagowne

1. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxix. fol. 37.
2. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
3. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxls. fol. 101; vol. xl. fol. 31.
4. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlii. fol. 83.
5. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. 1. fol. 90.

formerly feufermar of the same — and a third to John Ros of Litill Allane and the heirs male of his body, with remainder to his heirs male whomsoever, of the lands of Muldearge and Knokandow, resigned by George Ros of Balnagowne— all lying within the abbacy of Ferne and sheriffdom of Innernes.¹ Abbot Thomas Ross died at Tain in 1596, and was buried at Fearn in Saint Michael's aisle.² In 1606 James Gordoune of Letterfurie was served heir to his father Patrick Gordoune of Letterfurie in the manor of Ferne, of old called the monastery of Ferne, the demesne lands and lands of Ferne, the lands and towns of Eister and Wester Ferne, the mill of Ferne, the lands of Innercarrone, the lands of Downe Westra, the lands of Muldarge, Ukades, Miltoune, Ballemochie, Midganie, Pitkerie, Easterganie, Wasterganie, Mikillrane, Balblair, Dowcroft, Brighouse, Mylcroft, Veitland and the fishing of Bronache, Catboll-fischer, Lachclawy, Tulliche, Littilrane, Arnote, Ryland, the four alehouses of Fearne, the lands called Smythisland, Hartecroft (or Bartyscroft), the croft called Robesoun's (Roresoun's ?) croft, the croft called Baildnaseaucht (or Balleneserache) or the Cotteris Deillings, and eight acres of land occupied by the fishers of Ferne, with the mill, all formerly belonging to the abbacy of Ferne as part of its patrimony, and of the extent of £337, 13s.³ In 1015 David Ros of Balnagowne was served heir to his father George in the lands of Wester Ferne, Downie and fishings of Bonack, Ruylome, Meikill Rayny; Pitkerie, Muldarg, Torrendow, the half of Wester Ganie, Cullin, Ballinsirach, the croft of Ballinsirrach, Easter Drum and Ferne, four acres of Catbollfischer, the limekiln of Ferne, the mill of Ferne, the demesne lands of Wester Drum and Ferne, with the dues and feufermes of the same, and half of the manor, buildings, and gardens of Ferne, of old named the monastery of Ferne, in the barony of Gaynes and sheriffdom of Innernes, of the extent of £222, 11s. 2¼d. of old ferme and augmentatioun.⁴ In 1617 King James VI. annexed the abbacy to the bishoprick of Ross in favour of Bishop Patrick, and in 1633 King Charles I. renewed or confirmed the annexation in favour of Bishop John.⁵ At an earlier period of the same century the abbacy came to be known as the barony of Ganyes (now Geanies) ; and in 1643 Sir James Sinclair of Cannesbye Baronet was served heir male to his grandfather George Sinclair of May in half the manor of Ferne of old called the monastery of Ferne, the lands and towns of Eister Ganny and Mid Ganye, and the alehouse and croft of the same, the lands of Bellamuthie and Ballavaiche, the lands of Cadboll-fischer and Tulloche, the lands of Lachclaveig, Sallachie, and Muckirnach, with the alehouse and alehouse crofts, half the lands of Cotteris Delvingis and eight acres of old occupied by the fishers of Ferne, the lands of Litle Mylntoun of Ferne, the lands of Litle Ranny, the lands of Belblaire with the alehouse and its croft, the lands of Dowcroft, Brighouse with alehouse and croft, Milcroft, Weitland, Almet, Innercharrone, with alehouse and croft, and Eister Ferne, all in the barony of Ganyes and sheriffdom of Innernes, and united into the barony of Cadboll, of the extent of £170, 6s. 10¾d. feuferme.⁶

The Calendar of Fearn gives us the following obits of persons connected with the abbey, or buried within it—In 1512 Alexander Ros of Balnagown, who was buried in Ferne; in

1. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. lv. ff. 64, 68, 201.
2. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross. Calendar of Fearn.
3. Retours.
4. Ibid.
5. Acta Parl. Scot., vol. v. p. 71.
6. Retours.

1519 Sir Donald M'Gillemeil canon ; in 152.5 John Monelaws canon ; in 1543 Sir William Caldour canon ; in 1548 Sir John M'Culloch canon, and Patrick Davidson chaplain of the altar of the Virgin Mary ; in 1549 James Keid, who built the well in the cloister, and died at Ferne; in 1552 Donald Faid canon and subprior; in 1554 George Baxter faber lignarius; in 1557 Robert Strabrok canon, mentioned above in 1538 ; in 1564 Andrew Dauson monk ; in 1588 Dean David Reid canon ; in 1592 David Clepen citizen of Leyth, who died at Ferne in the house of Alexander Ferne at Balnasyrach, and was buried at Tane ; and in 1596 Alexander Ferne, who died at Balnaclune and was buried in Ferne.

The abbey church consisted of a choir with two chapels, and a nave, on the north of which the conventual buildings appear to have stood.¹ The choir, still standing, and measuring 99 feet by 25½, was used as the parish church from 1628 when the parish of Fearn was erected till 1742, when the roof fell in while the people were assembled for worship, and killed 36 persons.² It appears to have been disused till 1772, when it was repaired and again used as the parish church.³ Within it there is a stone effigy of a warrior shown as that of Ferquhard Earl of Ross.⁴ In Saint Michael's aisle is the effigy of abbot Finlay M'Fead, with the inscription, Hic jacet Finlaius M'Fead abbas de Fern qui obiit anno mcccclxxxx.⁵

In the rental of the bishoprick of Ross, as given up to the collector of thirds by Bishop Henry Sinclair between the years 1561 and 1564, the teinds of the parish church of Tarbat are stated at 33⅓ chalders victual, £26, 8s. teind silver, and 40 muttons.⁶ Among the 'sowmes of money and victuall giwen out of the bishoprick of Ros in ordinar now yeirlie' the bishop includes as given to the curates of Nyg and Terbat £40, and to the preacher of the kirks of Nyg and Terbat £50.⁷ In 1574 Gawin Dunbar reader at Tarbert had for his stipend 20 marks and the kirklands.⁸

Among the sums given out of the bishoprick yearly at the era of the Reformation the bishop includes also 12 bolls of victual to the chaplain of Allan, probably the same as Alhansallach before mentioned.⁹

In the Taxatio Sec. XVI. the monastery of Ferne is rated at £82, 13s. Id., and in the Libollus Taxationum it is valued at 400 marks.¹⁰

In the year 1281 William Earl of Ros, as the compensation exacted of him and his by Archebald bishop of Moray for injuries done to the churches of Petyn and Brachuli, granted to the bishop the two davachs of land in Ros which were called Kattepoll, and a quarter (quarterium) of land which was called Petkenny, for the maintenance of the Friars Minorites who should for any time dwell at Elgyn in their house near the cathedral church ; so that the bishop with the advice of his chapter should appoint some discreet and faithful person as distributor, to receive yearly the whole ferme of the said lands, and to distribute it as

1. Neale's Ecclesiological Notes, p. 59.
2. Old Stat. Acc. Miller's Scenes and Legends, p. 208. In the latter authority see a curious tradition connected with the above catastrophe.
3. Old Stat. Acc.
4. New Stat. Acc.
5. Ibid.
6. Book of Assumptions.
7. Ibid.
8. Book of Assignations.
9. Book of Assumptions. See above, p. 435.
10. MS. in Adv. Lib.

he should see fit for the maintenance and necessary uses of the said friars ; but, should the friars not be in the place or refuse to remain there, the ferme of the lands was to be wholly converted at the discretion of the bishop and chapter to the maintenance of two chaplains who should minister continually in the cathedral church of Elgyn for the souls of all the faithful dead ; and the Earl bound himself and his heirs, if they should ever contravene the arrangement, to submit to the jurisdiction of the bishop, or, in case of the vacancy of the see, of the dean and chapter, who should compel them by the censures of the church to observe it.¹ In 1375 William of Clyn, claiming to be tenant of the town of Cathboll belonging to the bishop of Moray, appeared in presence of witnesses at the town of Nyg in Ross, and requested of Master William of Chesholme treasurer of Moray and John of Forbes lord of that Ilk, the procurators of Alexander bishop of Moray, that the lands and his corns of the said town, arrested by those procurators for the fermes of the town both past and present, should be given him to pledge (ad plegium)—promising on his oath, which he of his own accord gave by the hands of the said treasurer, that he would settle with the bishop about the said town and fermes against the feast of Saint Andrew the apostle next instant, or, if he could not come to an agreement within that time, that he would not thenceforth intromit with the town, or raise any controversy with the bishop or his church regarding it, or publicly or privately ofter any obstruction to them or to those to whom they might lease the town ; on which Master William of Chesholme, with the consent of his comprocurator, forthwith restored to William of Clyn to pledge a certain glove in lieu of the lands of the town and of his corns, and suspended all inhibition before made by the procurators till the feast of Saint Andrew the apostle immediately following.² In 1478 William bishop of Moray, with the consent of his chapter and of Gilbert Richardson and John Williamson the chaplains of Catbollis, for the promotion of divine worship and the augmentation of the salary of the chaplains, leased to John M'Culloch and three successive heirs either lineal or collateral the lands of Catpolle lying in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernis, which the deceased William Earl of Ross granted for the maintenance of two chaplains in the church of Moray, for payment of 14 marks Scots yearly in the cathedral church of Ross at the usual terms, and making one suit either in person or by deputy at the bishop's head court to be held yearly at Elgyn after Easter.³ In subsequent records occur the names Catboll or Cadboll, Wester Catboll, Catboll-abbot, and Catboll-fisher, -applying probably to only two towns or properties, Cadboll perhaps being the lands granted to the bishop of Moray, and the other three being but different designations of a Cadboll belonging to the abbot of Fearn. In 1552 appears in record Alexander Innes of Catboll captain of Orknay, to whom the lands of Plaidis and others were sold by his nephew Robert M'Culloch, perhaps the descendant of John M'Culloch to whom the chaplains' lands of Cadboll were granted in 1478.⁴

In 1534 there appears in record Andrew Dunnune of Wester Catboll.⁵ In 1536 John Denowne of Dauidstoun grants a charter at Catboll (in this instance apparently Wester Catboll)

1. Regist. Moraviense, pp. 281, 282.
2. Ibid., pp. 180, 181.
3. Ibid., pp. 232, 233.
4. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxi. no. 76. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxiv. tbl. 130.
5. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. no. 140.

to Dowy Makculloch (of the Plaidis family) and her heirs by his own son Donald Denowne.¹ In 1562 Andrew Denowne of Wester Catbole again appears in record, and about the same period, as we have seen, the lands of Catboll-fisher were among those leased to the Dwnnwnis by the abbot of Fearn.² In 1606 John Denone was served heir to his father Andrew Denone of Catboll-abbot in the lands of Catboll-abbot, Tulloch, half of Sallochie, half of Lachclawak, and half of Muikarniche, in the earldom of Ross, of the extent of £14, 7s. (a part of those held of the abbot of Fearn by the Dwnnwnis of the previous century).³ In 1643, as we have seen, the same lands, including those of Cadboll-fischer, were part of the barony of Ganyes or Cadboll held by Sir James Sinclair of Cannesbye.⁴ In 1649 Andrew Denune was served heir to his father John Denune of Catboll in nearly the same lands, including Catboll-abbat, and of the same extent, £14, 7s., in the subdeanery and sheriffdom of Ross.⁵ In 1666 Master John M'Keinzie was served heir male to his father Master Thomas M'Keinzie of Inverlawell in various lands, including those of Wester Catboll or Fisher, of the extent of £9 feuferme.⁶

In 1351 Hugh of Ross, the son of the deceased Hugh Earl of Ross, confirmed to William of Marischal and Mariot his wife 6 marks of valued rent of Tarbart, granted to them by his father Hugh and brother William Earls of Ross.⁷ In 1368 Mariot of Hirdmannystoun, the daughter of the deceased Andrew of Hirdmannystoun, and widow of William Mariscall, quitclaimed to the same Hugh of Ross the same 6 marks of yearly revenue of Tarbart, which were then confirmed to him by his brother Earl William.⁸ In 1374 or 1375 King Robert II. confirmed to Hew of Ross the same 6 marks or £4.⁹ In 1375 there appears in record Sir Walter of Tarbard (whether clerical or lay is not apparent).¹⁰ In 1476 King James III. granted to Elizabeth Countess of Ross, the wife of John Lord of the Isles, for her maintenance certain lands in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernes, including 5 marklands of Tarwat ; and in 1477 on attaining his majority he confirmed the grant.¹¹ In 1485 (25 January) the Lords of Council ordained that James of Dunbar should pay to Elisabeth Countess of Ross the sum of 100 marks of the mails of her lands of Ross (including, as afterwards appears, those of Easter Tarbart) due at the term of Whitsunday last.¹² They further ordained that the consideration of a claim made by the Countess against James of Dunbar for 1.3 chalders of victual and 100 marks received on her behalf from the Earl of Huntle should be deferred till the 24th of March, and that the Earl should be summoned to appear for his interest.¹³ An action raised by the same James against the Countess for payment of £40 of fee which he alleged remained due by her for five years, and for fulfilment of a condition under which he alleged that he held her lands, namely, that the dues should be diminished when the lands were waste, the Lords deferred till the same 24th of March.¹⁴ In 1489 (21 January) the Lords Auditors ordained that James of Dunbar of Cumnok should pay

1. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxi. fol. 393.
2. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxi. no. 480. See above, p. 438.
3. Retours.
4. Ibid. See above, p. 440.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Balnagown Charters.
8. Balnagown Charters.
9. Rob. Index, p. 120, no. 64 ; p. 129, no. 32.
10. Regist. Moraviense, p. 181.
11. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. vii. no. 371 ; lib. viii. no. 40.
12. Acta Dom. Conc., p. 100.*
13. Ibid.
14. Ibid.

to Elizabeth Countess of Ross the sum of 736 marks Scots clue by him for the mails of the lands of Ros which he held of her in lease, as proved by a bond under his seal and subscription ; that his lease should be declared null because he had failed in payment of the dues at the terms contained in his bond ; and that his lands and goods should be distrained for payment.¹ James of Dunbar, though regularly summoned in the case, failed to appear.² He seems however still to have held the lands, as in the following year (25 February 1490) the Lords of Council ordained him to pay to the Countess 200 marks Scots as the dues of the lands for Martinmas preceding, as shewn by his bond.³ In the same year King James FV., as tutor of his brother James Duke of Ross, granted to David Ross, the nephew and apparent heir of John Ross of Balnagown, a yearly revenue of 6 marks from the lands of Tarbat, with certain lands in Ross, resigned by John Ross and reserving to him the liferent.⁴ In the same year he appears to have granted to him the lands of Tarbat.⁵ In 1494 (9 December) the Countess of Ross brought another action against James of Dunbar for wrongfully withholding from her £42, 'with the mare of the Witsonday terme' of her lands of Ros, and four score head of oxen and cows, and for wrongfully occupying her lands of Dolguy (Delgny ?) and Estir Tarbart with the rest of her lands of Ros ; m which case the Lords Auditors in presence of the parties ordained that James of Dunbar did wrong, that he should cease to occupy the lands, that he should give to the Countess the dues and cattle in question in so far as she could prove her case before William Monroo of Fowlis, that the latter should be empowered to hear the case, and, if it was proved, to distrain accordingly, and that the lands should forthwith be 'red' to the Countess.⁶ In 1506 King James IV. commissioned Andro bishop of Caithnes to let all the lands in the lordships of Ross and Ardmaunach which formerly belonged to Elisabeth Countess of Ross, except the lands of Tarbat, for the term of five years to the tenants by whom they were formerly held or to others.⁷ In 1507 the same king granted his lands of Tarbart in Ross, with power to sublet, to Master Gawine Dunbar archdeacon of Saint Andrews.⁸ In 1514 James Dunbar of Tarbart appears in record.⁹ In 1516 King James V. granted to James Dunbar, the son of David Dunbar of Durris, the King's lands of Tarbart in the earldom of Ross, then occupied by him, for nine years from the following Whitsunday, with power to sublet.¹⁰ In 1526 the same king granted in ferme to James Dunbar of Tulyglennis his lands of Estir Tarbert with the fishings in fresh and salt water.¹¹ In 1531, 1538, 1540, and 1542 James Dunbar of Terbart or of Tullyglennis appears in record.¹² In 1542 King James V. confirmed to James Dunbar of of Tuliglennis and Elizabeth Leslie his wife, and to their heirs male, with remainder to James's own heirs male, to his uncle Robert Dunbar and his heirs male, and to his own heirs whomsoever,

1. Acta Auditorum, p. 122.
2. Ibid.
3. Acta Dom. Conc., p. 126.
4. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xii. no. 285.
5. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xii. no. 228.
6. Acta Aud., pp. 192, 193.
7. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. iii. fol. 108.
8. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. iii. fol. 157.
9. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxii. no. 170.
10. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. v. fol. 60.
11. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxi. no. 34. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. vi. fol. 45; vol. vii. fol. 46. Acta Parl. Scot., vol. ii. pp. 310, 311.
12. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxiv. no. 65; lib. xxvi. no. 63; lib. xxvii. no. 130 ; lib. xxviii. nn. 255, 263, 285. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. ix. fol. 11; vol. xi. fol. 63; vol. xiv. fol. 36 ; vol. xvi. ff. 6, 36.

the lands of Estir Terbert with the fishings, they paying yearly to the King £11. 19s. 8d. with one reek hen or 4 pence, in order to augment the rental by the sum of 9s., and to the chaplain of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Balnagoune £4 for his daily prayers for the King and his successors.¹ The same James Dunbar of Terbat appears in record in 1543, 1545, 1546, 1554, 1555, and 1556.² In 1558 Queen Mary granted to James Dunbar, the son and apparent heir of James Dunbar of Eister Terbart, the lands of Eister Terbart with their salt and fresh water fishings, resigned by his father, to whom the liferent was reserved, the grantee paying as in 1542.³ Between the years 1561 and 15G6 the bishop of Ross states the yearly rent of the mills of Tarbat and Kincardin, held by the laird of Balnagowne and Walter Innes of Terbat, at 20 bolls of victual ; and among the sums given yearly out of the bishoprick includes 18 bolls of victual and £10 paid to the 'gantar' men of Nyg and Terbat.⁴ In 1578 the quarter lands of Tarbet, with other lands belonging to Alexander Ros of Balnagowne and George Ros his son and apparent heir, and held by them of the bishop of Ros and others, were apprised in favour of James Scrymgeour of Duddop constable of Dundie.⁵ In 1569 James Dunbar of Tarbet appears in record.⁶ In 1601 Alexander Dumbar of Tarbert was served heir to his father James Dumbar of Tarbert in the lands and mill of Eister Tarbert and the fishings in salt and fresh water, of the old extent of £3.⁷ In 1604 Master James Dunbar of Sanquhar, then of Tarbert, appears as heir male and of entail to Alexander Dunbar of Tarbert his brother.⁸

By a deed dated at the abbey of New Fearn in 1357 William Earl of Ross, the son and heir of the deceased Hugh Earl of Ross, granted the land of Estir Alane to Hugh of Ross his brother.⁹ The grant by King James III. to the Countess of Ross in 1476, confirmed by him in 1477, included 20 marklands of Mekle Alane and 10 marklands of Litill Allane.¹⁰ In 1490 King James IV. granted the lands of Litill Allane, resigned by John Ross of Balnagovn, to David Ross his nephew and apparent heir, reserving the liferent to the former.¹¹ In 1547 there occurs in record the legitimation of Alexander Ros of Litill Allan, the son of the deceased Walter Ros the apparent heir of Sir David Ros of Ballegown.¹² The lands of the mairdom of Allane belonged at the Reformation either wholly or partly to the bishop of Ross, who includes them in his rental given up between 1561 and 1566 to the collector of thirds.¹³ In 1569 King James VI. granted in heritage to Andrew Monro of Newmoir the escheat of all the goods upon the quarter lands of Mekill Allane, with the crops of that year, which were forfeited by John bishop of Ross for treason and lesemajesty.¹⁴ In 1579 George Ros the son and apparent heir of Alexander Ros of Balnagowne, fear, and his father liferenter, for certain sums of money titulo

1. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxviii. no. 255. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xvi. fol. 6.
2. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxix. nn. 206, 419; lib. xxx. no. 306 ; lib. xxxi. nn. 54, 281. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xix. fol. 75 ; vol. XX. fol. 53 ; vol. xxiv. fol. 119.
3. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxi. no. 506. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxix. fol. 37.
4. Book of Assumptions.
5. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlv. fol. 67. See pp. 412, 415.
6. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxviii. fol. 72.
7. Retours.
8. Ibid.
9. Balnagown Charters.
10. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. vii. no. 371 ; lib. viii. See above, p. 443.
11. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xii. no, 285.
12. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xx. fol. 92.
13. Book of Assumptions.
14. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxviii. fol. 95.

oneroso, sold to Alexander Ros of Litill Tarrell and Elizabeth Ros his wife, and to Alexander's heirs whomsoever, certain lands in Ross, and a yearly revenue from the lands of Vmass Litill Allane, which were held in heritage by Alexander of Litill Tarrell ; and King James VI., of whom the lands were to be held, granted to the latter a crown charter of the same.¹ In 1582 that king granted in heritage to Master John Ros of Hiltoun the ward and other dues of half of the town and lands of Litill Allen and others in the earldom of Ros, in the King's hands since the decease of Alexander Ros of Lytill Terrell, with the relief when it should happen, and the marriage of Marione Ros and the other two lawful daughters and heirs apparent of Alexander Ros.² In 1586 he granted in heritage to his domestic servant William Keith for his good service the lands of Meikill Allane with the alehouse, and others in Ross, the grantee paying yearly for Mekill Allane 53s. 4d., 3 chalders bear, 3 chalders oatmeal, 10 reek hens, and 16s. of bondage silver, with the usual services, for the alehouse 13s. 4d., and as gressum every five years 13s. 4d.³ In 1596 Marjory and Isobel Ross were served heirs portioners to their father Alexander Ross of Litill Tarrell in a third (apparently a third each) of the lands granted in 1579, including the third of a yearly revenue of 8 marks 3 shillings from the lands of Umaist Littill Allan.⁴ In 1623 George Monro of Mylntoun was served heir to his father George Monro of Tarrell in a fourth of the lands and town of Meikill Allane or Allanemoir, containing two oxgangs, of the extent of 13s. 4d., and a fourth of the alehouse, of the extent of 3s. 4d.⁵ In 1666 Master John M'Keinzie was served heir male to his father Master Thomas Mackeinzie of Inverlawell in the quarter davach of Litle Allan called Balnagone, with the half of the wards of Wester Litle Allan, and the half of the Cordinerlands, in the parish of Fearne, of the old extent of £2, 5s.⁶

About the year 1368 John of Tarrell appears in record.⁷ In 1534, 1535, 1538, and 1539, appears in record Angus M'Culloch of Terrell or Mekle Terrell, and in 1538 Alexander his son and apparent heir.⁸ In 1542 King James V. granted to John Macculloch, the nephew and heir apparent of Angus Macculloch of Terrell, with remainder to Hugh and Angus the sons of Angus Macculloch, the lands of Mekill Terrell in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernes, which Angus had resigned, reserving the liferent to him and the terce to his wife.⁹ In 1544 Queen Mary granted to Hutcheon M'Culloch of Hiltown the marriage of John M'Culloch, the nephew and heir of the deceased Angus M'Culloch of Terrell, in the Queen's hands by reason that Angus held his lands of Terrell of her as Earl of Ros; and, if John M'Culloch should die unmarried, the marriage of any other heir.¹⁰ In 1553 the same queen confirmed to Cristina Monypenny, the sister of Thomas Monypenny of Kingkell, the lands of Mekill Terrell, granted in that year in fulfilment of a marriage contract by John Makculloch of Tarrell to Cristina in liferent, with remainder to his heirs by her, and to his own heirs

1. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlv. fol. 124.
2. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlix. no. 7.
3. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. liv. ff. 46-48.
4. Retours.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Balnagown Charters.
8. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. nn. 140, 245 ; lib. xxvi. nn. 62, 335.
9. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xv. no. 92. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxviii. fol. 70.
10. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xviii. fol. 31.

whomsoever.¹ In 1559 the queen granted to John M'Culloch the right of reversion to the lands of Mekle Terrell, stated in the grant to have been alienated under reversion to Thomas Monypenny of Kinkell.² In 1562 a charter of John Dunnvne lord of the third part of Arkboll is witnessed by John the son of William M'Culloch of Mekill Terrall, and by Alexander Gar in Mekill Tarrall.³ In 15G7 (6 May) Queen Mary granted in heritage to Master David Chalmer the ward and other dues of the lands of Mekill Terrell, and of the other lands and property of the deceased John M'Culloch of Terrell, in the Queen's hands by his decease in April last, or by reason of his holding the same of her by ward or relief, or by decease of her late husband Henrie Duke of Albany and Earl of Ross, the immediate superior of the lands, together with the marriage of Angus Makculloch the son and apparent heir of John, or of any other heir.⁴ In 1568 King James VI. granted in heritage to Andrew Monro of Newmore the escheat of the grant to Master David Chalmer, who was denounced rebel and at horn for not finding surety to appear and answer for the slaughter of James Balvany in Prestoun and other persons slain at the field of Langsyid.⁵ In 1571 he confirmed the grant to Andrew Monro.⁶ In 1577 Mariot M'Cullo was served heir to her father John M'Cullo of Mekill Tarrell in the lands of Mekill Tarrell, together with the revenue of 50s. from Eister Ard above mentioned, of the old extent of 4 marks.⁷ In 1578 King James VI. granted to Mariot M'Culloch, and to her future spouse George Monro the son and apparent heir of Andrew Monro of Newmoir the lands of Mekill Tarrell, which formerly belonged to Mariot in heritage, and which she had resigned with the consent of her curators Robert Monro of Fowlis, James Dunbar of Tarbert, George Dunbar of Awanch, and Master George Monro chancellor of Ros—to be held of the crown for the services formerly due.⁸ In 1579 King James VI. granted to Elizabeth Ros, the widow of Angus Makculloch of Mekill Tarrell the grandfather of John Makculloch of Mekill Tarrell, and then the wife of Alexander Ros of Litill Allan, a crown charter of the half of the third part of the lands of Mekle Tarrell called Royeindavoir (or Royer, Davoir), Remnasrysche, Creitnacloyithegeill, Creitemantae, Kilpottis, Rownakarne, Rownaknoksenidis, a piece of the land of Callechumetulle, and the sowing of a boll of bear in the field called Kandig, lying contiguously between John Makcullach's lands of Kilstane towards the north, the lower part of the lands of Mekill Tarrell on the west, the public road leading from the road of Mekle Tarrell to the sea on the east, and the rocks (petras marinas) towards the south—sold to her in liferent by John Makculloch as full satisfaction for her terce of the lands of Mekill Tarrell or of others that might fall to her by the decease of the said Angus her husband—reserving to the crown all the rights and services due from the said half third before the present confirmation.⁹ In 1598 George Munro of Mekle Tarrell appears in record.¹⁰ In 1627 John M'Kenzie of Tarbat was served heir male to his father Sir Rotheric M'Kenzie of Coegache in

1. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxi. no. 124. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxv. fol. 94.
2. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxix. fol. 69.
3. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxii. no. 597.
4. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxvi. ff. 45, 46.
5. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxviii. fol. 12.
6. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxix. fol. 76.
7. Retours.
8. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlv. fol. 68.
9. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlv. fol. 63.
10. History of Family of Kilravock (Spalding Club), p. 287.

the lands of Eister Aird, Eister Tarbat with the fishings, Meliill Tarrell, and an annual revenue of 50s. from the lands of Eister Aird, all united into the barony of Mekill Tarrell.¹

In 1562 there appear in record Alexander Ross of Litill Terrell and Elizabeth Ross his wife.² Alexander is said to have died in 1568.³ It is certain that he was succeeded by Alexander Ros his son, and that the father was dead before the year 1579, and the son before 1584.⁴ In 1596 Marjory and Isobell Ross were served heirs portioners to their father Alexander Ross of Litill Tarrell in the third part of the lands of Litill Tarrell, of the extent of 22s. 4d. feuferme.⁵ In 1617 Hugh Ros was served heir in certain lands to his father John Ros of Lytel Tarrell.⁶

In 1463 John of Yle, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, granted to Thomas the younger of Dingvale, with remainder in succession to his brother John of Dingvale and his heirs, and to the better and more worthy successor of his relatives of the name of Dinguale, the lands of Vsuy in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernys, with certain reservations, in exchange for the third part of Arkboll and the lands of Inchfure in the mairdom (maragium) of Delny, for payment of 6 pennies in the name of blenchferme.⁷ In 1464 the grant was confirmed by King James III.⁸ In 1506 King James IV. granted to John bishop of Ross two-thirds of the town of Arkboll in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernes, resigned by Thomas Dingwell of Kildon.⁹ In 1507 he granted to Alexander Fresell the same lands of Arboll, formerly resigned by Thomas Dingwell, and granted to the bishop of Ross, through whose decease in bastardy the lands were escheat to the crown.¹⁰ In 1514 John Frisale, the son and heir of Alexander Frisale burgess of Linlithgw, sold the two-thirds of Arboll to James Dunbar of Tarbart, to whom King James V. then granted a crown charter of the lands.¹¹ In 1531 James Dunbar sold the two-thirds of Argbole to William Dunnvne, with remainder to his brothers John and Andrew ; and in the same year King James V. granted to William Dunnvne a crown charter of the lands, and to James Dunbar a letter of reversion to the same.¹² In 1534 James Dunbar of Tarbart sold one-third of the lands of Arboll to John Corbet of Estir Ard and Mariot Dunbar his wife, who in the same year received a crown charter of the laud from King James V.¹³ In 1535 and 1536 William Dunnon is styled a minor (puer) and lord of the third part of Arkboll.¹⁴ In 1544 John Corbett portioner of Arboll granted to James Corbett his son and heir apparent the half of the two-thirds of the lands of Arboll, with the half of the two-thirds of the mill, reserving the liferent to himself and a reasonable terce to his wife Catherine Rorisoun ; and the grant was confirmed by Queen Mary.¹⁵ In 1546 James Dunbar of Terbert sold to Robert Vaus burgess of Innernes his lands of the third part of Arkboll, lying between the third part of the same belonging to John Corbet one of the portioners of Arkboll towards the east and the other

1. Retours.
2. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxii. no. 597. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. .xxi. fol. 79.
3. Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross.
4. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxviii. fol. 72 ; vol. xlv. fol. 118; vol. 1. fol. 111.
5. Retours.
6. Ibid.
7. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. vi. no. 17.
8. Ibid.
9. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xiv. no. 263. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. iii. fol. 81.
10. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. iii. fol. 122.
11. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxii. no. 170.
12. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxiv. no. 65. Reg. Sec. Sig. vol. ix. fol. 11.
13. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. no. 173.
14. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. no. 245.
15. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xviii. fol. 33.

third part belonging to John Denowne the remaining portioner towards the west, together with the third part of the mill of Arkboll ; and Queen Mary granted a crown charter to Robert Vaus, with reversion to James Dunbar.¹ In 1547 the same queen granted to William Dennowne of Petnele the nonentry and other dues of Ardboll and other lands, which were in her hands since the decease of Alexander Dunnvne of Dauidstoun.² In the same year she granted to John Dunnvne, the second son of John Dunnvne of Dauidstoun, the western third part of the lands of Arkboll, reserving the liferent to John Dunnvne the elder who had resigned the lands.³ In 1554 the same queen granted to Elizabeth Dunbar the liferent of the lands of Mydthrid of Arboll, with the third part of the mill and fishings, resigned by her husband Jaspar Wans.⁴ In 1556 she granted to John Denone and his wife Katherine Ross the third part of the town and lands of Arboll which John had resigned.⁵ In 1562 John Dunnvne, styled lord of the third part of Arkboll, in fulfilment of a contract made at Litill Terrell in that year, and with the consent of his wife Katherine Ross, sold the third part of the town and lands of Arkboll to Alexander Ross of Litill Terrell and his wife Elizabeth Ross, to whom in 1563 Queen Mary granted a crown charter of the lands.⁶ In 1569 King James VI. granted to Alexander Ros of Litill Tarrell and Isabella (Elisabeth ?) Ros his wife and their heirs a crown charter of a half of the third part of Arkboll alienated to them by James Dunbar of Tarbet, to whom at the same time the King granted the power of reversion to the lands.⁷ In 1579 lie granted to John Waus of Lochslyne and his heirs the third part of the town and lands of Arkboill with the third part of the mill, alienated to him by the deceased Alexander Ros of Litill Tarrell.⁸ In 1582 the same king granted to Master John Ros of Hiltoun in heritage the ward and other dues of the third of Arboll and Escboll, and other lands in Ros, which were in the hands of the crown since the decease of Alexander Ros of Lytill Terrell, or other lawful possessor, with the relief when it should happen, and the marriage of Marione Ros and the other two lawful daughters and apparent heirs of Alexander Ros.⁹ In 1584 he granted to Margaret Mwnro the daughter of Hugh Mwnro of Asschin a crown charter of the liferent of the west third part of the town and lands of Arkboll, sold by the deceased Alexander Ros of Lytill Terrell to Margaret and the deceased Alexander Ros his son, to whom she was at the tune betrothed, and to her heirs by him, with remainder to Alexander's heirs whomsoever ; and also the ward and nonentry of the same third part.¹⁰ In 1596 Marjory and Isobel Ross were served heirs portioners to their father Alexander Ross of Litill Tarrell in the third of the west third of the lands of Arboll, of the old extent of 9s. 6¾d.¹¹ In 1601 Alexander Dumbar of Tarbert was served heir to his father James Dumbar of Tarbert in a third of the lands and mill of Arbo in the sheriffdom of Innernes, of the old extent of 7s. 2d.¹² In 1633 Alexander Corbatt of Arkboll was served heir male to his father

1. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xx. fol. 53. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxix. no. 419.
2. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxi. fol. 30.
3. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxi. fol. 33.
4. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxvii. fol. 37.
5. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxi. no. 337. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxviii. fol. 36.
6. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxii. uo. 597. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxi. no. 79.
7. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxviii. fol. 72.
8. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlv. fol. 118.
9. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlix. fol. 7.
10. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. 1. fol. 111.
11. Retours.
12. Ibid.

John Corbat in two-thirds of the lands of Arkboll with the pendicles, namely, the pendicle called Aldiquhilbar—the marshes and moors named Mulboyeid lying contiguously—the rabbit warrens lie linkis of Arkboll—the marsh and moor named Lonteanaquhat—the marsh and moor lying contiguously at the eastern part of the lands of Arkboll on its south side, and on the east side of the loch called Lochanteny—the marsh and moor lying adjacent to the west part of Arkboll ou its south side—the great marsh and moor adjacent to the west part of Arkboll on its west side—the marsh and moor adjacent to the northwest part of Arkboll near the sea shore named Knockangirrach—together with the harbours of Portnagrigach, Portnacloich, Portnawest or the harbour of Saint John, the chapel of Saint John, the port called Camray, and the privilege of having boats for taking salmon, herring, and other fish within those harbours and other parts of the sea off the lands of Arkboll, with the 'wrack and wair' within the same bounds—all lying in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernes, united into one free tenandry, and of the old extent of 57s. 8⅔d.¹

In 1512 King James TV. granted anew to John Vans of Lochslyn the lands of Lochslyn in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernys, which he had resigned, for yearly payment of one pound of cucumber (cucumeris) or of three pence at Whitsunday.² In 1534 King James V. granted to Robert Vans burgess of Innernis a crown charter of the lands of Lochislin and Newtoun in the earldom of Ross, sold to him in that year by John Vaus of Lochislin, and to be held of him and of the King as Earl of Ross.³ In 1535 a charter of William Makcullo of Plaidis is witnessed by John Vaus of Lochslyne.⁴ In 1536 the same John resigned the lands of Lochslyn (with the exception of the lands of Newtoun), which King James V. then granted anew to him and Elizabeth Vrquhard his wife.⁵ In 1538 that king again granted to Robert Vaus burgess of Innernys a crown charter of Lochislyn and Newtoun, sold to him by John Vaus of Lochislyn, and reserving to John Vaus and his wife Margaret (Elizabeth ?) Urquhard the liferent of Lochslyn, and to himself the liferent of Newtoun only.⁶ The charter of John Vaus is given at Lochislyn, and witnessed among others by Sir Magnus Vaus vicar of Abirtarf, apparently a relative of the family, and at different times appearing in record also as notary public, chaplain, rector of Y, provost of Tain, and commissary of Inverness.⁷ In 1554 Master Patrik Waus parson of Wigtoun had from Queen Mary a grant of the marriage of Katherine, Margaret, and Agnes Waus, daughters of the deceased John Waus of Lochslyn, and of any other heir succeeding to the lands of Lochslyn and Newtoun.⁸ In 1562 appear in record Jasper Vaus of Lochslyn and Katherine Vaus his daughter.⁹ In 1570 King James VI. granted in heritage to Jolm Waus, the son and apparent heir of Jaspar Waus of Lochslyne, the nonentry and other dues of the lands of Lochslyne and Innorathy in the earldom of Ros and sheriffdom of Innernes, the lands of Lochslyne being in the King's hands since the decease of John Waus

1. Retours.
2. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xviii. no. 89. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. iv. fol. 197.
3. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. no. 140.
4. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. no. 245.
5. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. no. 362. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. x. fol. 173.
6. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxvi. no. 62. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xi. fol. 53.
7. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxvi. no. 62. See pp. 381, 418, 419.
8. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxvii. fol. 91.
9. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxi. nn. 480, 481.

at the field of     , and those of Innerathy since the decease of Paul Maktyre, or in whatever other way.¹ In 1571 the same king granted in heritage to Walter Vrquhard sheriff of Cromartie the escheat of the goods that belonged to Jasper Waus of Lochslyne, who was denounced rebel and at the horn for non-payment to Master Robert Richardsoun commendator of Sanet Marie Ile, the King's treasurer, and to his assignee Andro Lamb indweller in Leith, of certain sums of money, for the payment of which Jasper Waus and John Neilsoun burgess of Innernes were sureties, namely, £20 due by John Reauch M'Fail in Cullevlar, £100 by William M'Farquhar in Cultclachquhy, £20 by John M'Farquhar in Cultclaohquhy, and other sums entered in the treasurer's books.² In 1579 appears in record John Waus of Lochslyne, and in 1609 John Vauss junior was served heir to his father John Vauss of Lochslyne in the lands of Lochslyne and Newtoune, of the old extent of 30s.³

In 1520 King James V. granted to John Campbell thane of Calder the lands of Estir Ard called Corbettislandis in the sheriffdom of Innernys, formerly belonging to the deceased Master John Caldor precentor of Ross, and in 1522 he confirmed the grant.⁴ In 1524 John Corbet of Estir Ard sold in heritage to James Dunbar, with remainder to his brother John Dunbar and his heirs, and to James's heirs whomsoever, the fourth part of the lands of Estir Ard, and the superiority of another fourth part on the east side, with the new lands between the bank of Saltoun and the bank of Wattertoun of his lands of Estir Ard, in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernes.⁵ In 1525 King James V. granted to James Dunbar a crown charter of the same lands.⁶ In 1527 James Dunbar portioner of Estir Ard, on the narrative that John Corbett of Estir Ard had alienated to him the same lands under reversion on payment of the sum of 259 marks 10s., appointed Sir William Fudas chancellor of Caithness his assignee, and, the above sum having been paid, granted to him the lands.⁷ In 1528 King James V. granted to Sir William a crown charter of the lands.⁸ In 1531 that king granted to William Hay of Mayn the same lands and superiority, formerly belonging to the deceased Sir William Fudes chancellor of Caithness, and escheat to the King by reason of his bastardy.⁹ In 1534 appear in record John Corbet of Estir Ard and Mariot Dunbar his wife.¹⁰ In 1538 King James V. granted to James Dunbar of Tarbet and Elizabeth Leslie his wife the lands of Estir Ardis called Corbettisland, formerly belonging to the deceased Master John Caldor precentor of Ross, at whose death they reverted to the crown, and were granted by the King to Sir John Campbell of Caldor, who now resigned them.¹¹ In 1540 James Dunbar of Tarbert and Estir Arde sold to John Corbet of Arde and Katherine Roresoun his wife the fourth part of the lands of Estir

1. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxix. fol. 51. The name of the battle is blank in the register. It must have beenfought between the years 1638 and 1554, during which period occurred the Rout of Solway, the Battle of Ancrum, the Battle of Pinkie, and various sieges and minor conflicts.
2. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxix. fol. 69.
3. Retours.
4. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xx. un. 86, 87.
5. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xx. no. 134. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. vii. fol. 104.
6. Ibid.
7. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxii. no. 70.
8. Ibid.
9. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxiv. no. 144. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. ix. fol. 63.
10. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxv. no. 173.
11. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxvi. no. 63. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xi. fol. 63.

Arde, and a fourth of the four crofts called Ladycroft, Makhucheounecroft, Scheipherdcroft, and the croft cultivated by Megot Enymmawnise, to be held for yearly payment of one penny blenchferme.¹ In the same year King James V. granted to John Corbet a crown charter of those lands.² In 1542 that king granted to John M'Culloch, the nephew and heir apparent of Angus M'Culloch of Terrell, with remainder to Hugh and Angus the sons of Angus M'Culloch, a yearly revenue of 50s. from the lands of Estir Hard, which Angus had resigned.³ In the same year he granted to George Monro of Davachcarty a crown charter of a fourth of the lands of Ester Arde, called the Intoune of Estir Arde, sold to him by his kinsman James Dunbar of Terbert.⁴ In 1545 James Dunbar of Terbat sold to John Corbat of Arkeboill the fourth of Eistir Ard, and the fourth of the crofts called Ladycroft, M'Hutcheoncroft, Croft-nageracht, and Croftnaeon (spelled also Croftnatoun and Croftnarone) ; and in 1546 Queen Mary granted to John Corbat a crown charter.⁵ In 1552 that queen confirmed to Andrew Munro and Katherine Vrquhard his wife the fourth of the lands of Eistir Ard, granted to them by George Monro of Dalcarty.⁶ In the same year she granted to George Monro of Dalcarty and Jonet Fraser his wife a crown charter of the fourth part of Eister Ard called the Intoun, and of other lands in Ros sold to them by James Dunbar of Terbert, to whom at the same time she granted the right of reversion.⁷ In 1553 John Makculloch of Tarroll, in fulfilment of a marriage contract, granted in liferent to Christina Monypenny the sister of Thomas Monypenny of Kingkell, with remainder in succession to his heirs by her, and to his own heirs whomsoever, a yearly revenue of 50s. Scots from the lands of Eistir Aird ; and Queen Mary in the same year confirmed the grant.⁸ In 1556 that queen confirmed to Marjory Ogiluy, the daughter of Walter Ogiluy of the Boyne, the liferent of the lands of Eister Airdis called Corbettisland, granted to her in 1555 by James Dunbar of Terbert and Eistir Airdis.⁹ In 1558 she granted to James Dunbar, the son and heir apparent of James Dunbar of Eister Terbert, the same lands of Eistir Airdis, which his father had resigned, reserving the liferent to the same Marjory Ogiluy.¹⁰ In 1559 she granted to John M'Culloch of Mekle Terrell a letter of reversion to the yearly revenue of 50s. from the lands of Eistir Hard, alienated by him under reversion to Thomas Monypenny of Kinkell.¹¹ In 1567 she granted in heritage to Master David Chalmer the ward and other dues of the property belonging to the deceased John M'Culloch of Terrell, including the same yearly revenue of 50s.¹² In 1568 it was forfeited by Master David Chalmer, and granted by King James VI. to Andrew Monro of Newmore, to whom in 1571 it was confirmed by the same

1. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxvii. no. 130. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xiv. fol. 36.
2. Ibid.
3. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxviii. no. 70. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xv. fol. 92.
4. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxviii. no. 285. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xvi. fol. 36.
5. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxx. no. 306. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xix. fol. 75. This seems the same as the transaction of 1540, yet both are recorded and dated as above.
6. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxiv. fol. 119.
7. Ibid.
8. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxi. no. 124. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. XXV. fol. 94. The Reg. Mag. Sig. gives the sum as 5s., the Reg. Sec. Sig. as £50 Scots—but from the grant of 1542 and subsequent deeds the true sum appears to be 50s.
9. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxi. no. 281. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxviii. no. 6.
10. Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxxii. no. 326. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxix. fol. 37.
11. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxix. fol. 69.
12. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxvi. ff. 45, 46.

king.¹ In 1577 Mariot M'Cullo was served heir to her father John M'Cullo of Mekill Tarrell in the same yearly revenue from the lands of Eister Ard.² In the same year King James VI. granted to Hugh Monro of Assint and Cristina Monro his wife a crown charter of the lands of half the Intoun of Easter Aird, occupied by Hugh Monro, and alienated in heritage to him and his wife by James Dunbar of Tarbart with consent of his wife Marjory Ogilbie ; granting at the same time to the latter parties a letter of reversion to the lands.³ In 1578 the above yearly revenue of 50s. was resigned by Mariot M'Culloch, and granted in heritage by King James VI. to her and her future spouse George Munro the son and apparent heir of Andrew Monro of Newmoir.⁴ In 1601 Alexander Dumbar of Tarbert was served heir to his father James Dumbar of Tarbert in the lands of Eistir Aird called Corbettisland with the mill, of the old extent of 17s.⁵ In 1604 Master James Dumbar of Sanquhar, now of Tarbert, was served heir male and of entail to his brother Alexander Dumbar of Tarbert in the lands of Eistir Aird called Corbetsland, with the mill and fishings in salt and fresh water, of the old extent of £3.⁶ In 1627 John M'Kenzie of Tarbat was served heir male to his father Sir Rotheric M'Kenzie of Coegache in the lands of Eistir Aird of the old extent of £3, Cs. 8d., and in a yearly revenue of 50s. from the same lands of the old extent of 23s. 4d.⁷

In the parish are three fishing villages, Ballintore, Hiltown, and Portmahomack.⁸

On a small creek near Tarbatness, named Port-chaistal, is the site of an ancient castle or fort, defended on the land side by a deep ditch, and by some supposed to be the ancient Ethirdover.⁹ From it the first Earl of Cromarty took the style of Castlehaven.¹⁰ On the Black Moor in its neighbourhood are vestiges of an encampment.¹¹

The castle of Ballone or Tarbat stands on the east shore of the parish, and is still nearly entire.¹²

There was a castle at Cadboll on the same coast, of which there seem to be few or no remains.¹³

In the north east of the parish, near a lake variously named Locheye, Lochlin, and Lochslin (which belonged of old to the abbot of Fearn), stands the castle of Lochslin, the old dwelling of the Vauses, consisting of two towers 60 feet high, and respectively 38 and 20 feet square.¹⁴ In it was born in the year 1630 Sir George Mackenzie of Tarbat, afterwards first Earl of Cromertie, one of a family who succeeded the Dunbars in the possession of the Tarbat estates.¹⁵

There seem to have been several other castles in the parish, one of which belonged to the Sinclairs of Dunbeath.¹⁶

1. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxxviii. fol. 12; vol. xxxix. fol. 76.
2. Retours.
3. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlv. fol. 3.
4. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xlv. fol. 68.
5. Retours.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. New Stat. Acc.
9. Old Stat. Acc. New Stat. Acc.
10. Old Stat. Acc.
11. Miller's Scenes and Legends, p. 276. New Stat. Acc.
12. Old and New Stat. Acc.
13. Old Stat. Acc.
14. Old Stat. Acc. Miller's Scenes and Legends, p. 296. Balnagown Charters.
15. Old Stat. Acc. Miller's Scenes and Legends, p. 151.
16. Old Stat. Acc.

In the churchyard are a monument called the Dingwalls' Tomb, and fragments of a cross said to have stood on a small green mound at the east end of the church.¹

At Hilton stands one of three obelisks supposed without much foundation to commemorate the three sons of a Danish king who perished at sea off the neighbouring coast.² One side is richly sculptured ; the other, from which the sculptures were erased about two centuries ago, bears a rude shield and label with an unmeaning Scotch inscription.³

1. New Stat. Acc.
2. Miller's Scenes and Legends, pp. 39-41. New Stat. Acc.
3. Miller's Scenes and Legends, p. 41.

APPENDIX

TARBAT.

P. 433. Torfnaes. See CANNISBAY, p. 796, note 13.

P. 436. In the testament of Alexander Suthyrland of Dunbeth, dated 1456, he enumerates among his personal property as in keeping of the abbot of Feyrn 'a hundredth pundis of sexpeny grotis, and four score pundis of bonath grotis'—and makes the following bequests ; £100 in the hands of the same abbot for the repair of the college church of Roslyng, and to William earl of Cathenes and Orknay 'to by me throuch stane to lay upon myn grave ;' to the canons of Feyrn for a mass with note of the Requiem 6 marks Scots from the lands of Multayth and Drumnern, and failing these from the lands of Dunbeth ; and of the bonage grottis in the hands of the abbot of Fern 40 lib. to the earl of Cathenes and Orknay, and 40 lib. to his own son Master Alexander archdeacon of Cathanes.⁷

7. Misc. of Bann. Club, vol. iii.

Timeline

Below is a list of events that are evidenced by this source. They should appear in the 'Timeline' section of articles about people and places involved in the events.

• 1357 - Deed dated at the abbey of New Fearn, William Earl of Ross, the son and heir of the deceased Hugh Earl of Ross, granted the land of Estir Alane to Hugh of Ross his brother
  <ref name="Orig paroch v. 2 p. 445" />
• 1476 - Grant by King James III to the Countess of Ross included 20 marklands of Mekle Alane and 10 marklands of Litill Allane
  <ref name="Orig paroch v. 2 p. 445" />
• 1477 - Grant to the Countess of Ross included 20 marklands of Mekle Alane and 10 marklands of Litill Allane confirmed by King James III
  <ref name="Orig paroch v. 2 p. 445" />
• between 1561 and 1566 - Rental of the abbey given up by Nicolas Ros as commendator of Ferne to the collector of thirds— 'First, the landis contenit in the laird of Ballangownis few chartour, Innercarroun, Vestir Ferine, Downy, Westray, Mwldarg, Knokydaff, Myltoun, Balmoch, Midilgany, Pitkery, the Manes of Fearine, Eistn- Gany, Wastir Gany, Meikill Rany, Ballieblair, the Dow Croft, Brighous, Mylcroft, and Weitland and the fishing of Bonach ; quhilkis giwis in maillis, fearmis, girsum, bonage silver, mairtis, muttoun, caponis, henis, and in augmentatioun, as his chartour proportis, sic as efter followis—Item in maillis, girsum, and bonage silver, and augmentatioun, the sowme of £89, 12s. 8½d. ¾ ; Item mairtis, mwttoun, capoun, hen, and fir silver, the sowme of £20, 10s. 8d. ; Item victuall, 2.3 ch. 2 fir. 2 pc. ; Item in aitis, 16 bollis — and heirof of the said money allocat to the said laird as his chartour proportis in bailyie fie, £40. Item the landis of Catboll-fishar, Laweh-clawethe, Tulloch, Lytill Rany, Amot, Eister Ferne, Relony, sett in few to the Dwnnwnis, quhilkis payis conforme to thair [chartour] as efter followis—Item in maill, girsum, bonage silver, and augmentatioun, the sowme of £31 ; Item mairtis, mwtoun, and capoun silver, £6, 14s. ; Item in victuall, 2 bollis ; Item in aittis, 6 bollis. The mylne and vtheris landis quhilkis are not sett in few payis as efter followis—Item the mylne of Ferne in victual 7 ch. ; Item four ailhouss with their croftis, £4, 6s. 8d. ; Item the smithis landis, barne croft, the croft callit Roresouns croft, the croft callit Ballanasharach, vtherwayis callit the Cottaris Delwingis, payis 54s. ; Item the fisharis aucht akeris of land, quhilk newer payit ane penny, bot giwin to thaim to dwell vpon for furnishing of fishe to the place and cuntrie vpon the cuntries expenss ; Item the place and yeards with the waird for feding of hors newer payit ane penny nor cam newer in rentall. Deducit heirof—Item to the laird of Balnagowne conforme to his chartour as said in bailyie fie, £40 ; Item in contributioun to the coledge of iustice, £5 ; Item to the sustentatioun of the channounis, 3 ch. 12 bs. victuall and £24 money ; Item ane pensioun to John Nicolsoun quhairvnto he is provydit of auld, 24 bs. victual.
  <ref name="Orig paroch v. 2 pp. 437-438" />

Citation abbreviations

• Acta Aud.
• Acta Dom. Aud.
• Acta Dom. Conc.
• Acta Parl. Scot.
• Anderson's Guide (1834)
• Balnagown Charters
• Beauly Charters
• Blaeu's Map
• Book of Assignations
• Book of Assumptions
• Brev. Aberd. Prop. SS.
• The Brus (Spalding Club)
• Calendar of Fearn
• Camerarius
• Cawdor Charters
• Chronica de Mailros
• Coll. de Reb. Alb.
• Cronicle of the Earlis of Ross
• The Family of Kilravock (Spalding Club)
• Floors Charters
• Ford. Scot.
• History of Family of Kilravock
• Inverness Burgh Charters
• Keith's Bishops
• Knox's History
• Macfarlane's Geog. Collect.
• Miller's Scenes and Legends
• Misc. of Bannatyne Club
• MS. in Adv. Lib.
• MS. Maps in Adv. Lib.
• Mun. Corp. Reports
• Neale's Ecclesiological Notes
• New Stat. Acc.
• Note by W. H. Murray, Esq.
• Old Stat. Acc.
• Pitcairn's Crim. Trials
• Ragman Rolls
• Reg. Mag. Sig.
• Reg. Sec. Sig.
• Regist. Moraviense
• Register of Ministers
• Retours
• Rob. Index
• Spotiswood's Rel. Houses
• Tigernachi Annales
• Treasurer's Accounts
• Worsaae's Danes

Source citation

Each of the timeline events displayed above is followed by the reference code for that particular timeline event. This code is not displayed when the timeline event is included in the 'Timeline' section of an article. If an event is discussed within the body of an article, this reference code can be used to cite the source of the timeline event.

This source also needs to be included in the 'Sources' section of an article by adding the following:

* {{Orig paroch full|volume=2}}

Sources

• Innes, Cosmo, ed. (1854). Origines Parochiales Scotiae : the Antiquities Ecclesiastical and Territorial of the Parishes of Scotland. 2. Edinburgh: W. H. Lizars. OCLC 1050251806. OL 14032727M.
• Adam, R. J., ed. (1991). The Calendar of Fearn: text and additions, 1471-1667. Edinburgh: Scottish History Society. OCLC 906672176. OL 1465734M.
• Read, Harmon Pumpelly; Reid, Francis Nevile (1908). Rossiana; papers and documents relating to the history and genealogy of the ancient and noble house of Ross, of Ross-shire, Scotland, and its descent form the ancient earls of Ross, together with the descent of the ancient and historic family of Read, from Rede of Trough-end, Reade of Barton Court, Berks, and Read of Delaware. Albany, N.Y.: Press of the Argus co. OCLC 1084513032. OL 23719559M.