Braidalbin.
MORE inward, among the high and craggy
ridges of the Mountain Grampius, where they begin a little to slope and settle downwards, lies
Braid-Albin, that is, the highest part of Scotland, (for the true genuine Scots, call Scotland in their
Mother-Tongue, Albin;)Albin. and that part where it rises up highest,
Drum-Albin, that is the Ridge of Scotland. But in a certain old Book it is read Brun-Albin,
where we find it thus written, Fergus the Son of Eric was the first of the seed of Chonare, that enter’d the Kingdom
of Albany, from Bru-Albain to the Irish-sea, and * * i.e. Hebudas.Inch-Gall.
And after him the Kings of the race of Fergus reigned in Brun-Albain or Brunhere, unto Alpinus the son of Eochal.
But this Albany is better known for its Dukes, than for the Produce of the ground. Dukes of
Albany. The first Duke of Albany that I read of, was Robert Earl of Fife, who was advanced to that honour
by his Brother King Robert the third of that name; yet he, spurr’d on by Ambition, most ungratefully starved to death
David his Son, the next heir to the Crown. But the punishment due to this wicked fact, which himself by the
forbearance of God felt not, came heavy upon his son Mordac, second Duke of Albany, who was condemned for
Treason and beheaded, after he had seen his two sons executed in like manner, the day before. The third Duke of Albany
was Alexander, second son of King James the second, who being Regent of the Kingdom, Earl of March,
Marr, and Garioth, and Lord of Annandale and Mann, was outlaw’d by his brother James the
third, and after many strugglings with the World and the difficulties of it, happen’d in the end, as he stood by to see a
Tournament at Paris, to be wounded by a splinter of a broken Lance, and so died. His son John, the fourth Duke
of Albany, who was also Regent, and appointed Guardian to King James the fifth, being charm’d with the pleasures of the
French Court (as having married a daughter and coheir of John Earl of Auvergne and
Lauragueze,) died there without issue. Whom, out of respect and deference to the blood Royal of Scotland,
Francis the first King of France, honour’d so far, as to allow him a place in France, between the Archbishop of
Longres,Tily. and the Duke of Alencon, Peers of the Realm. After his death,
there was no Duke of Albany, till Queen Mary conferred this honour upon Henry Lord Darley, whom, in a few days
after, she made her Husband; and King James the sixth granted the same to his second son, Charles an Infant, *
* Now, C.afterwards Duke of York, ⌈and then King. After whose Restoration, James Duke of
York, afterwards King James the seventh, enjoy’d the title of Duke of Albany, by creation, during the
life of his elder brother King Charles the second.⌉
These Parts are inhabited by a People, uncivilized, warlike, and very mischievous, commonly called Highland-men;Highland-men. who being the true race of the ancient Scots, speak Irish, and call themselves Albin-nich. A People they are of firm and compact bodies, of great strength, swift of foot, high minded, inur’d to the exercises of War, or rather Robbery, and desperately bent upon revenge. They wear, after the manner of the Irish, † † Plaids.strip’d Mantles of divers colours, with their hair thick and long; living by hunting, fishing, and stealing. In war, their armour is an iron head-piece, and a coat of Mail; and their arms, a bow, barbed arrows, and a broad back-sword. And, being divided into Families, which they call Clanns, what with plundering and murdering, they commit such barbarous outrages, that their savage cruelty hath made this Law necessary,Parliam. 1581. That, if one of any Clann hath committed a trespass, whoever of that Clan chances to be taken, shall repair the damage, or suffer death.
⌈In the reign of King Charles the second, Sir John Campbel of Glenurchie Baronet, an ancient and powerful Cadet of the Family of Argile, was created Earl of Braidalbin, about the year 1681; and this Family are hereditary Bailies thereof.⌉
