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The Baillies of Dunain
From the Transactions of the Gaelic Society


By Dr Fraser-Mackintosh

THE BAILLIES OF DUNAIN.

This family, which terminated in 1869 upon the death of William Baillie, ran an honoured course in the neighbourhood of the burgh of Inverness, for upwards of four hundred years.

With one exception, connected with the winning and leading of peats in the mont of Caiploch by the people of Inverness, against the remonstrances of the Baillies, every good feeling prevailed betwixt the Baillies and the town of Inverness.

The distressing circumstances connected with the 14th and last of the Baillies, after attaining his majority, first commencing in India, and lasting over a period of nearly sixty years, are so well known that, when I come to write of him, the references will be brief.

The first of the Baillies of Dunain was named

1. Alexander, said to be a younger son of the head of the ancient family of Lamington. He married Catherine, daughter of Duncan Grant, Laird of Grant, and settled in the North betwixt 1450 and 1460, and all the Baillies claim that they are descended of the ancient house of Balliol Alexander’s eldest son, Alexander, dying without issue, he was succeeded by his second son,

2. William, and he by his son,

3. Alexander Baillie. The Baillies were, protected by the family of Huntly, from their first acquiring the Castle lands, and the office of Constable of the Castle under the Gordons was held by at least three of the family of Dunain.

The oldest existing document, so far as known, goes no further back than 1554, when the name of

4. David Baillie, Constable, is mentioned, and of his wife, Margaret Rose of Kilravock. At same time, the name of Alexander, 3rd, father of David, as Constable of Inverness and Sheriff Depute, is found in the Sheriff Court Records as early as 1534.

Colonel John Baillie of Dunain, after referred to, gives, in his MS. account of his family, the names of Alexander and William Baillie as the first and second of Dunain, as I have stated above.

Upon 15th June, 1554, John Grant of Corrimony grants a bond over the naif of Sheuglie, in the parish of Urquhart, in favour of David Baillie and Margaret Rose, signed in presence of George Strachan of Culloden, George Cuthbert of the Auld Castle, Provost of Inverness, and others, and to the infeftment following, taken up on 17th September, 1554, are the following witnesses:—Donald og Macpherson, Allister mac Coil vie a Go win, Donald mac Iain vie Finlay, David mac Iain vie Robert, Iain mac Allister vie Ruarie, James mac Conchie vie Duile, Finlay mac Hannah vie Soirle, and Ferquhar Macpherson, with William Cuming as nottar.

During the time of James Stuart, the Regent Moray, he granted, on no valid authority apparently, a charter of Dunain Mor and Dunain Croy to

5. Alexander Baillie, as son and heir of David Baillie, dated Elgin, 29th August, 1564. The above charter was inoperative, proceeding a rum habile potestatem. Alexander Baillie got a charter of Balrobert from George, Earl of Huntly, the superior, dated at Edinburgh, 15th August, 1571, one of the witnesses being Patrick Gordon, the Earl's brother.' Alexander's sasine on the charter is dated 16th September, 1571, and amongst the witnesses were:—Alexander Roy Baillie in Lagnalian, Jasper Fleming, burgess of Inverness, William Macpherson, servitor to Dunain, and Thomas Annand, servitor to John Gibson, the nottar.

Alexander dying without issue, was succeeded by his brother,

6. William Baillie, who gets a Precept of Clare Constat from George, Earl of Huntly, with consent of his curators, dated Inverness, 10th January, 1577. One of the witnesses is described, “ Mr John Gordon, Rector of Petty/’

William Baillie, 6th of Dunain, was Provost of Inverness, and in 1583 he grants a Letter of Reversion, as son of umquhile David Baillie, Constable of Inverness, and Margaret Rose of Kilravock, his father and mother, and as heir of Conquest of umquhile Alexander Baillie, 5th of Dunain, his brother, in favour of George, Earl of Huntly, of the lands of Dunain Mor and Dunain Croy, on the narrative that his (William's) rights were of the nature of a wadset only to David Baillie, and that David and his wife gave their letter to that effect, dated 27th August, 1550.

Following upon this Deed of Reversion, matters were put upon a secure foundation, by George, Earl of Huntly, granting a new charter to William Baillie, of Dunain Mor and Dunain Croy, with their sheillings in the Caiploch, the lands of Tor-breok and Balrobert, with their sheillings in Killievorskie (really Coillie-mor-na-Skiach). Upon this charter Provost William Baillie was infeft. His sasine is dated 15th June, 1590, the witnesses being Alexander Gordon, Dunain’s servant; Allan, mac Allister vie Iain dhu in Lagnalian; James Denoon, Dunam s servant; Donald dhu mac Conchie in Dunaincroy; Finlay mac Vurich mor; and Adam Dunbar, nottar.

Provost William Baillie married Katherine Munro, daughter of Munro of Milntown, Ross. After Dunains death, she married John MacCallum mor Macpherson in Breackachie.

Provost Baillie died early in 1606, for upon 1st May of that year George, Marquis of Huntly, grants a charter of Dunain to

7. Alexander Baillie, William's son, now of Dunain. This charter is dated at Inverness, 1st May, 1606, John Grant of Freuchie being one of the witnesses. Alexander’s infeftment is dated 9th June, and registration being now compulsory, it is registered at the Chanonry of Ross, 15th June, 1606, the witnesses thereto being John Cuthbert of Auld Castle Hill, Alexander mac Coil vie Ferquhar Maclean of Davochgarrioch, Alexander Baillie of Dochfour, John dhu Baillie in Lagnalian, John mac Coil vie Iain in Dochnacraig.

Alexander Baillie receives another charter from George, Earl of Enzie, with consent of the Marquis of Huntly, his father, and Lady Anna Campbell, his spouse, of the lands of Dunain and Torbreck, dated Elgin and Bog o’ Gicht, 15th February and 10th March, 1616.

In the time of this Alexander Baillie the family stood at its highest territorially, having consolidated what he inherited from his predecessors, including Dochcaims, and added the important estate of Dochnacraig, or Lochend, and valuable fishings in the Ness. He received a charter of Dochnacraig from the Earl of Enzie and spouse, dated 25th November and 8th December, 1619, upon which he was infeft 11th December, 1619, registered at Chanonry, 3rd January, 1620, the witnesses to the sasine being Iain dhu Baillie in Lagnalian, Alexander mac Phadrig in Dochnacraig, William Baillie in Dochfour, William Baillie in Dochnacraig, Hector Mac Allister in Davochcaim, and Ferquhar mac Eachin, his son there.

Alexander Baillie was appointed Chamberlain for the Family of Huntly over their lands in Lochaber and Badenoch, by Letters of Bailiary, dated Inverness, 28th November, 1619. Finally, in 1623, Alexander Baillie gets an ordinary charter of all his estates on both sides of the river Ness, with Garvamore, in Badenoch, in warrandice, from the Earl of Enzie, with consent of his father, dated at Inverness and The Bog, 8th and 9th May, 1623, Hugh, Master of Lovat, William, Lord Sinclair of Berriedale, and Thomas Fraser of Strechen, witnesses. The sasine thereon is dated 23rd May, registered at Chanonry, 12th June, 1623, and the witnesses, Alexander Maclean of Doch-garrpQh, Alexander Baillie of Dochfour, William Baillie, his son, and Donald Mac Eachin in Dochnalurg.

Alexander Baillies affairs being now on a very satisfactory footing, domestic troubles arose, particularly on the part of David and William, his brothers, who, it would appear, were jealous of his growing prosperity. These began as early as 1621, when on 15th June of that year Alexander Baillie had to procure letters from the Secret Council against them. It was intended to waylay him near Torvean, on his way back from Inverness to Dunain. Being dark, his servant was taken for his master, and received dangerous maltreatment. The old public road towards Dochgarroch and the Bona skirted the east slopes of the Torvean range.

In 1633 James Cuthbert of Draikies pursues Alexander Baillie of Dunain and Alexander Maclean of Dochgarroch, as sureties for the Earl of Enzie under their cautionary obligation, dated Inverness, 6th May, 1633. Dunain is discharged of his obligation 27th May, 1634.

Alexander Baillie married Miss Munro of Fowlis, and had at least one daughter, Katherine, married to Malcolm Fraser, first of Culduthel, formerly styled “ in Ruthven.” His eldest son, William Baillie, married, in 1634, Isobel Forbes, daughter of Duncan Forbes, first of Culloden, then described Duncan Forbes of Bught. In the same year Alexander, William's father, gets all his lands confirmed by Royal charter. Besides his eldest son, William, Alexander Baillie had David, his second son, first of the present family of Dochfour, to whom he gave the lands of Dochcaims, by disposition dated 22nd October, 1657. His third son was Captain James Baillie, who got a charter of Knocknageal, part of Torbreck, dated 2nd July, 1639. His fourth son was named John, mentioned in 1638 and 1658. The latest date I have connected with Alexander Baillie is 1658.

8. It was with his son, William, the 8th Dunain, that the serious disputes regarding peats with the town of Inverness occurred. He was also in trouble with his neighbour, John Maclean of Dochgarroch, as to their respective, marches, settled for a time by the arbitration, on the grounds, of Lieut.-Col. Miles Man, Deputy Governor of Inverness; Hugh Fraser of Belladrum, Lachlan Mackintosh of Kinrara, John Forbes of Culloden, Hugh Fraser of Struy, and Alexander Mackintosh of Connage, Justices of the Peace for Inverness-shire, on the 27th June, 1659. William Baillie was a great sportsman, musician, and composer in Gaelic. His eldest son was

9. Alexander Baillie, who received from his father a disposition of the estates on 7th April, 1661, on occasion of his marriage with Jean Mackenzie, daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie of Coul, reserving certain rights.

In 1663-67, Alexander Baillie, younger of Dunain, was in an impecunious state, with diligences against him in force

In one of the numerous attempts at a settlement betwixt Mackintosh and Lochiel, a meeting at Inverness of the Chiefs, with thirty armed followers each, was arranged to take place before the Earl of Moray, upon Tonrnahurich. Lochiel and his men encamped at Dunain, but not until William Baillie had first obtained a written assurance from Mackintosh that his giving accommodation to Lochiel would not be prejudicial. This curious document of assurance is dated 8th June, 1664.

In 1671, David Baillie, first of Dochfour, with his wife and family, had his residence at the manor place of Castle Spirital in Bona.

In 1673, George, Earl of Panmure, Titular of the Tiends of the Parish of Inverness, granted a long tack, still running, to William Baillie of Dunain, of the tiends of his lands within the parish of Inverness.

In 1676, I observe the name of John Baillie of Mid Leys, first of the Leys family, cadets of Dunam.

James Fraser, as bailie for William Baillie of Dunain, holds a Baron Court at Balrobert, upon 12th November, 1677. About this time the proprietors of Dunain and Dochgarroch adjusted their marches at the Tormore, part of which, termed “ The Gob/’ was cut away early this century, for its clay, in course of the construction of the Caledonian Canal, leaving the present precipitous, ugly day face at Dalrioch. By 1679 Alexander Baillie, 9th of Dunain, is dead, leaving an only son, William, who succeeded his grandfather.

Isobel Forbes, Lady Dunain, on 9th September, 1685, makes her testament in favour of her husband, William Baillie. William Baillie, 8th Dunain, died in 1691, for on 14th November of that year his grandson aJso,

10. William, described as William Baillie now of Dunainy enters into a contract of marriage with Mary Duff, eldest •daughter of William Duff, Elder Bailie of Inverness. Among the witnesses to the contract were William Mackintosh of Barium, William Duff of Dipple, and Alexander Duff of Drum-muir.

Alexander Baillie, second of Dochfour, discharges William Baillie of Dunain, for himself and as representing Alexander Baillie, his father; William Baillie, his grandfather; Isobel Forbes, his grandmother; and Alexander Baillie, his greatgrandfather, of all claims, dated at Bught, 8th September, 1692.

Upon the 20th of October, 1692, William Baillie of Dunain is similarly discharged of all claims competent to his mother, Jean Mackenzie, otherwise Baillie, and to William Fraser of Erchite, her present husband.

William Baillie had a sister, Janet, who, upon 23rd November, 1693, enters into articles of marriage with John Grant, younger of Glenmoriston, with consent of John Grant, elder, his father, the witnesses being Donald Macdonell of Lundie, William Grant of Achmonie, Alexander Baillie of Dochfour, with others. Janet Baillie died shortly after her marriage, and the line of Glenmoriston was carried on through John Grant, the younger’s, second marriage. Notwithstanding this connection, the Baillies suffered much from the depredations of the Grants, who regularly swept off their cattle when summering in the hills of Dochnacraig, removing them very expeditiously to the west by Gartallie, Cluuemore, and Bunloit.

William Baillie, as might be expected from his dose neighbourhood, helped the burgh of Inverness to erect the old stone bridge, over which he got a Tolerance, dated 26th September, 1698. In truth, it may be said that, with the exception of the peat troubles, the family of Dunain were close friends and allies of the burgh, and later, towards the close of the eighteenth century, when Colonel John Baillie was recruiting for his Fendbles, he got great countenance from the authorities, and material support from the people.

Dunain is made a free burgees and Guild brother of Dundee on 6th August, 1697, and of Inverness upon 1st May, 1699. After his first wife’s death, William Baillie married secondly, on 12th August, 1700, Helen Baillie, his oousin, eldest lawful daughter of William Baillie, Commissary of Inverness.

Dunain gets a charter same year from the Burgh to a rood of land south side of Bridge Street, which had belonged to his grandfather, William.

Dunain’s brother, Kenneth, is married 17th December, 1702, to Isabel Chisholm, lawful daughter to the deceased Alexander Chisholm of Comar, with consent of her brother, John Chisholm, now of Comar. William Baillie and John Baillie of Tor-breok, Kenneth’s brothers, are cautioners, and among the bridegroom’s near friends are Duncan Forbes of Culloden, William Baillie, commissary, and James Baillie, writer, Inverness; and on the bride’s, Sir John Mackenzie of Coul, Kenneth Mackenzie of Scatwell, and Symon Mackenzie of Allangrange.

Kenneth died in low water, November, 1705, but his.widow is found on 16th October, 1736. The children emigrated, under

General Oglethorpe, to the new colony of Georgia, and there are existing descendants, with whom I had the pleasure of corresponding. The male Baillies have died out. Some letters from these Georgia Baillies exist.

William receives a charter to all his lands, in which his father, Alexander, stood infeft, from the first Duke of Gordon, dated Gordon Castle, 27th September, 1708. The Duke would hardly carry a prize for spelling, as he signs thus—“ Georg duk off Gordon.”

William Baillie of Dunain was in considerable pecuniary difficulties, very much in connection with cautionary obligations for his brother,'John Baillie of Torbreck, Chamberlain for the Duke of Gordon, and in 1715 assigned all his heritable estate to his eldest son, William. This son, William, died prior to 1725, for in that year old Dunain, as representing his deceased son, William Baillie, younger of Dunain, is pursued by David Scott, burgess of Inverness.

By contract, dated Dunain, 3rd June, 1731, Sir Archibald Campbell of Clunes marries, as his second wife, Magdalen, eldest daughter of William Baillie of Dunain.

William Baillie executes a disposition of all his estate in favour of his second, but eldest surviving, son, Alexander, dated at Dunain, 18th December, 1731, but survived until 1737; for in that year Alexander is described as “ younger” of Dunain.

11. Alexander Baillie of Dunain married, 24th June, 1737, Anne, third daughter of Sir Archibald Campbell of Clunes, contract signed at Calder. There was this curious connection, Magdalen and Alexander Baillie, sister and brother, married Sir Archibald and Anne Campbell, father and daughter. Alexander Baillies marriage was a happy one, for, writing from Dunain, 5th March, 1738, he gleefully writes that he had come home with £250 of tocher in his pocket, acknowledging at same time his thankfulness for “ a good wife; ” and in his letters to India to his sons, William and John, he refers most affectionately to their mother as his only comfort and support.

Alexander Baillie of Dunain took no part in the Rising of 1745, further than by doing what he could to succour quietly distressed Jacobites, and the shelter and nourishment afforded by the “ Soul Mor” of Dunain was constantly spoken of in my younger days. The only paper of the period I have seen has , been lithographed and printed, being an order, in name of Prince

Charles, dated Invss. - March 1746, signed by O’Sullivan, requisitioning eight horses and carts for the use of the forces.

I have a document, dated 4th Deer. 1747, written by Alexr. Baillie, eldest lawful son of Hugh Baillie of Dochfour, when an apprentice to his uncle, Evan Baillie of Abriachan, and long as that date is separated from the present year (1898) by 151 years, a niece of Alexander’s, who was himself bom in 1734, still lives. The document above referred to is contract of marriage between Patriok Grant of Lochletter, with consent of his eldest brother, James Grant of Sheuglie, and Katharine Baillie, only lawful daughter of David -tsaiUie, storemaster at Fort-Augustus, which David was, I think, brother of Alexander of Dunain. The contract is witnessed by a number of Baillies, including Lieut. Wm. Baillie, of the Earl of Drumlanrig’s Regiment. For delivering an urgent message from Inverness to Dunain, a boy is paid, on 20th April, 1748, the munificent sum of two pence Scots, less than a farthing.

Alexander Baillie had two sons, William, John, who succeeded his brother, and two daughters. The eldest, Anne, married her cousin, Dr George Baillie of Leys, and the youngest, Nellie, married, as his second wife, Dr John Alves of Shipland. The boys were educated at King's College, Aberdeen, under Principal Jack and Professor Leslie, letters from both, in the year 1756, being very complimentary to the young students.

The eldest finished his education at the University of Edinburgh. Inclining to a military life, he was appointed, 18th October, 1759, 5th Lieutenant in the 89th, or original Gordon Regiment, which was equipped by the Dowager-Duchess of Gordon, and commanded by her second husband, Col. Staats Morris. The regiment was immediately ordered to the East Indies, and many of his letters, and some of his journals at sea, remain. William Baillie, after a few years, elected, in 1764, to remain in India, and joined the East India Company’s military forces. He rose but slowly, *yet he pinched himself, and whatever moneys he could save were regularly sent home, and the pecuniary position of his parents much ameliorated. Before the father's death, it may be said that the estate had been cleared by William Baillie’s remittances. ,

To the great grief of his parents, John Baillie, the younger son, displayed strong disinclination to a home life, and nothing would do but to join his brother. This occurred in 1766. through the influence of Sir Alexander Grant of Dalvey, M.P Thereafter, both daughters having married, and both sods in India, the old couple were left alone, and it is not surprising that in his parents letters to Colonel William, they are full of prayers for his speedy return and settling at home.

Alexander Baillie died 30th June, 1771, his wife on 15th March, 1776, aiid he was succeeded by his eldest son,

12. William. William’s services at the taking of Pondicherry, the expedition against the Isle of Mauritius, and elsewhere, deserve recognition in a much fuller manner than is possible within the scope or limits of this paper, suffice to say that Colonel William Baillie fought his way up, in face of many discouragements and want of support, outminating in the fatal (battle at Conjeveram, on 10th September, 1780, where his forces were overwhelmed by Hyder Ali, and he himself taken prisoner and moved to Seringapatam, where he died, after two years captivity, on 13th of November, 1782. Some of his letters and papers, which were afterwards delivered up by the Nabob, remain, and the true account of that unhappy part of Indian history should yet be given. Lieut. Francis Baillie, unfortun-atefy killed at Porto Nova, in India, in a letter to Dr Alves, dated Fort St George, 28th November, 1780, makes several significant references about the conduct of Colonel Hector Munro of Novar, superior officer, immediately prior to the battle of Conjeveram, and the ideas about Inverness, when the news came, even suggested betrayal At all events, the brother, John Baillie, wrote to Munro a very distinct letter, considering their rank respectively, on 27th March, 1781.

13. John. Colonel John Baillie had a miserably anxious time during his brother’s captivity. His promotion was, in his opinion, unduly kept back by Munro, and thus, although a bora soldier, he became so disgusted that ue threw up his captain's commission and returned home, a disappointed and, as he felt, an ill-used man, arriving in Great Britain in the year 1785. Shortly afterwards he married his cousin, Isabella Campbell of Budgate, a lady of great tenacity in her views, the only child of a simple couple, and during the whole of her life dominating her parents, husband, and children. Colonel Baillie continued the plantations of his hill grounds, begun by his late brother, built in 1790 the present house of Dunain, much enlarged of late years, bought plate and china of an expensive character, took out a game license, started a bleaching mill at Dunaincroy, and settled down to the life of a country gentleman of easy means, not omitting, so as to avoid stagnation, a somewhat stirring litigation with his neighbours, Dochfour and Sir James Grant of Abriachan. A note of the salmon caught at Bona in 1785, and to whom sold, shows what splendid fish they were, running up to 33 lbs., and the price only 2d per lb. All this, however, could jiot satisfy the “bom” soldier. He fretted and pined, until the exigencies of the times' demanding the constant enlistment of soldiers, and forming of regiments, gave him his opportunity.

The raising of Inverness Fenribles was a great event in the town of Inverness and neighbourhood. Dunain was first appointed Major, afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel, and at great cost completed his regiment. Not only in the raising, but afterwards, Colonel Baillie met with many crosses. He tad raised 30 men ‘beyond the requisite number, complaining that no fewer than 48 were improperly rejected. Then, by orders from headquarters, his men were invited to join the 42nd, and offered a large bounty. Chafing under these discouragements, Colonel Baillie addressed a vigorous but pathetic remonstrance to Secretary Dundas, that unless he was differently treated, it had been better his bones had rested in India with those of his ill-fated brother. The regiment was ordered to Ireland, then in a disturbed state, and Colonel Baillie was seized with illness, which terminated fatally at Kilkenny, 1st February,, 1797.

Colonel Baillie left three sons and two daughters, all young.

The suddenness of Colonel Baillies death, and the maladministration of the regiment's affairs by its army agents, proved serious, and it was not until 1809 they were settled, resulting in so serious a loss to Colonel Baillie’s family, following on the heavy bounties he had paid at the enrolment, that the estate was involved almost beyond recovery.

To the Colonel's nephew, Mr Archibald Alves, and his friend, Colonel Donald Macleod of Achagoyle, afterwards of St Kilda, father of Sir John Macpherson Macleod of Glendale, the greatest credit is due for their exertions to preserve the estate from insolvency. Colonel Baillie, to oblige the Alves family, purchased the estate of Shipland. This estate and Dochnacraig were scheduled in an application to the Court of Session for judicial sale. Most fortunately, however, the Caledonian Canal operations involved the compulsory acquisition of part of the Dunain estate, which brought in about £4000, and Shipland brought in about £5000, a great deal more than it cost Colonel Baillie. These were the times when lands near Inverness brought 50 to 70 years’ purchase of the rentals. Matters were continued in the charge of Provost Gilzean, Mrs Baillie postponed her claims, and thereby the creditors were pacified. By and by, every farthing of debt was paid off.

14. William. William Baillie, the eldest son, was carefully brought up, and his great natural talents developed by a liberal education. In justice, it must be said that his mother did not treat him with the affection she bestowed on the younger sons, Archibald and Alexander. Her second daughter, Anne, was also kept at a distance.

The three boys were all sent to Aberdeen, under charge of Mr Ewen Maclaohlan. The youngest, Alexander, died there, and had his virtues celebrated in verse, “Ode to Alexis,” by his master, while the career of the second, Archibald, his mother’s favourite, destined to proceed to India, was out short by an illness, leaving him unfitted to make his way in the world. He died about 1818.

The eldest daughter, Katharine, married, when very young, Hugh Bose of Kilravock, and died at an early age, leaving children whose descendants ultimately succeeded to the estate.

Miss Anne Baillie died unmarried, and several acts of kindness to me, when a small boy in her neighbourhood at Doohna-lurg, I gratefully remember.

It was first intended that William Baillie should become a lawyer, and he was apprenticed to Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, W.S., in 1806. He took a dislike to the profession, and his mother crossing him in a love affair at Edinburgh, Mr Baillie availed himself of the opportunity of his brother’s incapacity, to take up the appointment of writer in the East India Company’s service, which had been obtained by the influenoe of Charles Grant, senior. All his letters, up to his arrival in India, which occurred in 1811, show a refined and cultivated mind, but traces are not wanting of pride in family and conceit of knowledge, forboding danger of over-strained intellect. Upon his arrival at Bombay, with letters to Sir James Mackintosh and others, he . became unsettled and extravagant, and without apparent good reason, started off for Persia and Bagdad. During his lengthened journey he made copious notes, showing an intelligent and observant mind, but returned in weak health to Bombay, having spent a good deal of money. To save his life, he was ordered home, and arrived in London in 1814, but all was in vain. His -mind had given way, and in 1816 he was placed under a curator bonis, and so continued under successive curators until his death, in 1869, a period of 53 years.

The estate was well managed, so far as regards the proprietor, but the people were gradually cleared out. At Balnagaick alone there was, within my own recollection, seven families, and I may be allowed to congratulate myself that, when the estate was under my charge, 1869-1872, six houses were erected by Sir John Ramsden for cottars, and all occupied at Balnacraig.

After Mr BaiUie's death, the estate sold lor £60,000, and there were accumulations of about £30,000, which fell to three-heiresses portioners, Mrs Rose, Mrs Dealtry, and Mrs Innes, the descendants of Mrs Katharine Rose of Kilravock, the only member of Colonel John Baillie’s family having issue.

The Baillies, prior to the Reformation and since, have been, buried in the Grey Friars at Inverness; and while clearing up and levelling the Dunain portion, a headless figure was brought to light, since inserted in the wall, the only relic, except the solitary pillar, remaining of the ancient monastery. There is little doubt that this figure represents the famous Alexander, Earl of Mar, who died at Inverness on 26th July, 1435.

If, as I trust, there will be a Book Club at Inverness for the editing and publishing of Highland Family History, I am glad to say that ample material exists for an interesting volume regarding the Baillies of Dunain.


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