The Chronicle of James MacGregor, Dean of Lismore, at Fortingal, AD 1542

Translated by Donald Gregory, 1831
This version of the chronicle appears to have significant discrepancies to the latin version published in BBT

1092	Death of Malcolm Kenmoir the elder,* King of Scotland at Alnwick	And Qeine Margret heirand the deid of hir husband, died wythin thre dais thairefter, in the said year.
1107	Death of Edgar, King of Scotland, at Dundee,*	he reigned nine years and three months.
1124	Death of Alexander the First, King of Scotland, in Striweleich,*	he reigned eighteen years and three months.
1153, May 24	Death of David the First, King of Scotland, at Carlisle	he reigned twenty-nine years and twenty days. He died on the 9th of the Kalends of June, et was buried [at Dun]fermlyne, before the Great Altar
1165	Death of Malcolm the younger,* King of Scotland, in Gedwart*,	he reigned [twelve] years, six months, and twenty days.
1213	Death of William, King of Scotland, at Streulyne,*	he reigned fifty-one years.
1247	Death of Alexander the Second, King of Scotland, at Kerueroy,*	he reigned thirty-five years.
1250	The Re-interment of the said Queen Margaret	[Queen of Malcolm Kenmore]
1285	Death of Alexander the Third, King of Scotland, at Kyngorne,	he reigned thirty-six years and eight months.
1314	Battle of Bannockburn,
1328	Death of Robert the First, King of Scotland, at Cardross,	he reigned twenty-three years.
1333	Battle of Halydonhill
1345	Battle of Durayme,
1370	Death of David the Second, King of Scotland, at Edinburgh,	he reigned forty-three years.
1388	Battle of Ottyrburn,
1390, April 19	Death of John Macgregor of Glenurquhay, at Glenurquhay;	he was buried in Dysart,* on the north side of the High Altar, on the 19th of April; in the year 1390.
1390	Death of Robert the Second, King of Scotland, at Dundownald,	he reigned nineteen years and two months.
1396	Combat of the sixty men at Perth,
1402	Battle of Homylton,
1405	Death of Robert the Third, King of Scotland, at Rosay,	he reigned thirty-one years.
1411	Battle of Hayrlaw,
1415	*Death of Gregor McAnecham, in Glenurquhay;.**	he was buried, as is above noted,* in Dysart,
1415	Death of John dhu McAnecham VcGregor, at Stronmelochane;	he was buried in Dysart,
1424	Death of Darwayll neyn Ewyn VcLachlyn Johannis Nigri McGregor in Glenwrquhay
1425, May 27	Death of Lord Murdac, Duke of Scotland, and his sons Walter and Alexander,
1431	Battle of Inverlocha,*
1435, July 26.	Death of Alexander Earl of Mar and Gareoch, Lieutenant of our Lord the King;	he was buried in Inverness.
1436, January 17	Death of Mr Robert Cardny, Bishop of Dunkeld,
1436 February 21	Death of James the First, King of Scotland, at Perth,	he reigned thirty-one years.
1440, April 20.	Death of Malcolm, son of John dhu Macgregor, at Glenurquhay,	he was buried in the manner formerly mentioned.*
1443, June 24.	Death of John Gorm Stewart,	who was killed at the north Inch of Perth, on the birth.day of St John the Baptist,
1452, October 8.	Death of William Cardny, Laird of Foss,
1460	Death of James the Second, King of Scotland, at Roxburgh,	he reigned twenty-three years. He was interred in Dunedin.
1461.	Death of Patrick Macgregor, Laird of Glenstray, at Stronemelochane;	he was buried in Dysart, in the way before mentioned, .
1463, December 20.	Death of John Stewart, Lord of Lorn, at Dunstaffnage,
1475, September 26.	Death of Sir Colin Campbell of Glenurquhay, Knight,	he was buried in Kilmartin,*
1475, December 10	Death of John Stewart of Fortingal, at Garth,	he was buried in Dunkeld.
1477, February 17.	Death of Duncan Beg Macgregor, at Roro,
1482, July.	Cochrane was hanged at Lauder,
1482, August 30.	Death of John Grant, son and heir of Sir Duncan Grant of Freuchy, Knight, at Kindrochit in Mar,	he was buried in the Cathedral Church of Murray, having died three years before his father
1483, February 4.	Death of Donald Robertson of Keirquhin,
1488.	Death of Patrick Macnab of Bowayne, at Auchlyne,
1488, June 11.	Death of James the Third, King of Scotland, at Bannockburn, on the feast of Saint Barnabas the Apostle,	Battle of Stirling, where James the Third, King of Scotland was killed. he reigned twenty-seven years ad upwards.
1491, March 10.	Death of John Duncanson Macgregor, at Bellycht;*	he was buried in Inchadin,* on the north side of the Great Altar,
1493, August 14.	Death of Katrine Cardny, daughter of the Laird of Foss, and widow of the late John Duncanson Macgregor;	she was buried in the Church of Dull, before the step of the Great Altar,
1494, July 24.	Death of Terloch Keir; son of Duncan Macgregor,	he was buried in Dysart.
1494, October 17	Death of Donald McCawss, in the Crag,
1496, November.	Death of Margaret Douglas Lady of Glenurqnhay,
1498, April 23	Death of Donald Macqueen, at Fortingal,
1498, June 22	Death of Malcolm Macgregor, son and heir of John Macgregor of Glenstray, at Glenlyon;	he was buried in Dysart, south of the Altar, in a stone coffin,*
1499, January 31	Death of Neill Stewart, at Garth;	he was buried in Dunkeld
1502, September	Weyme was burnt by Neill Stewart,
1503, July 25	Entrance [into Scotland] of Margaret Queen of Scotland,	spouse of King James IV.
1503, September 10	Death of Gregor Duncanbegson, at Morinch,
1503, October 20	Death of Eugenii McGregor filii Gregorii Duncanson, in Rorow
1505, March 18	Death of Alexander Robertson of Strowan, at Dunmakcarf,	he was buried in Dunkeld.
1507	Deah of Andrew Cardny, Laird of Foss, at Inchewin;	he was buried in the Aisle of [St Ninian],
1509, March 31	The Religious House on the Island of Lochtay* was burned,	owing to the negligence of servants, on Palm Sunday,
1510, October 27.	Death of Janet Stewart, Countess of Huntly, at Strathbogy,	she was buried in the Church of Strathbogy.
1510, November 28	Death of Gregor Patrickson, at Innerchattane, (Innerkelthe in Fortyrgill)
1511, June 3	Death of Gilbert Duncanson, vicar of Kilmartin,
1511, July 22	*Death of Katrine Neyndonyll VcClawe, alias Grant, wife of Dougal Johnson, at Tullichmullin,**	she was buried in the Choir of Inchadin,* on the south side of the Altar. Dominical letter E
1511, October 9	Death of William Johnson Macgregor, at Garth,	he was buried in lnchadin, on the south side of the Altar. Dominical letter E.
1512, May 2.	Death of Gregor Neilson, at Crannych,
1512, May 13	Death of Patrick McCarb,
1512, July 13	Death of Duncan Macdougall, who was son and heir of Alexander Macdougall of Dunnolych.	This Duncan was buried in Ardchattan,
1512, September 15	Death of John Stewart Earl of Athole,
1513, September 9	Death of Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhay, the second Laird	At Branstone
1513, September 9	Death of James the Fourth, King of Scotland, in Northumberland, near Branstone in England, Dominical letter A.	He reigned 26 years, three months, and eight days. On which day there were slain in the said field many noblemen on both sides. On the side of Scotland divers Bishops, Abbots, Lords, Knights, Nobles, and other Gentlemen. On which day were slain the most prudent Lord, Archibald Earl of Argyle, Lord Campbell and Lorne; , and John Campbell of Lawers. May God have care.of their souls.
1515, April. 15	Death of Gregor Duncanson, at Roro,	he was buried in Killin.
1516, April 7.	Death of William Strowane Robertson, who was beheaded at Tulymat	Dominicalletter B.
1516, December 12	Death of Elizabeth neyn Donald VcCauss, at Garth,
1517, December 15.	Death of John Lord Gordon and Badenoch, at Kinloss,	he was buried in the Monastery of Kinloss.
1518, July 9.	Death of Patrick Macgregor, at Auchinchallane,	he was buried in Dysart, in Glenurqnhay.
1518, July 19.	Death of Duncan Macgregor, Captain of the Castle of Glenurquhay,	he was buried in Dysart.
1519, May 24-26.	*Death of John dhu Macgregor of Glenstray, son of Patrick, at Stronmelochane,**	he was buried in Dysart, north of the Great Altar, in a stone coffin, upon the 26th of May, on which day a great meteor was seen in Glenurquhay. Dominical letter B.
1521, June 9	Death of Donald McNacht, Vicar of Fortingall,
1522, July	Death of the Lord Earl of Errol
1522, september 16	Death of Mr John Laycock, Canon of Dunkeld,	May God have care of his soul. Dominical letter E.
1522, March	Death of John Macnicoll,	he was buried in Inchadin, south of the High Altar.
1523, August 12.	Death of a venerable man, Sir Robert :Menzies, Knight, at Weyme,	He was buried in the Church of Weyme.
1523, August 12.	Death of Sir Colin Campbell, Knight, Laird of Glenurquhay, at the Castle of Glenurquhay,	he was buried in the Chapel of Fynlarg.
1523 September 1	Death of Gilbert Borricht, Vicar of Dysart, at Eddergoill,	he was buried on the south side of the Church, near the door of the Choir. May God have care of his soul.
1523 September 21.	Death of Sir John Stewart of Stuekis, Knight,	he was buried in Dunkeld.
1523, October 31	Death of Mr Walter Leslie, in Dunkeld,
1523, November 6	Death of the Vicar of lnchadin, Sir Duncan McNachtane, who died at Perth	buried in Inchadin on the north side of the High Altar, Dominica! letter D.May God have care of his soul.
1523, February 9.	*Death of John Malloch McHustone, at Tullichcamin,**	he was buried in Killin. Dominica! letter C.
1523,March 4.	Agreement of John Macgregor and of Sir John St John his son and Mariot his daughter, at Killasse,	Dominical letter B.
1524, July 26.	Death of Margaret Stewart, Lady of Glenurquhay, at the Island of Loch Tay	she was buried in the Chapel of Finlarg, near her husband, Dominical letter B.
1524,November 9.	Death of Neill, son of Duncan Macgregor, in Glenurquhay, at the Castle of Glenurquhay,	Dominical letter B.
1524, February 15.	Death of Christian neyn Varrone .McKerross, wife of John Dougalson, at Ardtrasgart,
1524 March 15-17.	Death of a provident and famous man, Gregor Macanemoill, at Easter Innervar, in Glenlyon, early in the morning;	he was buried in Killin, on the 17th day of the same month, on the south side of the High Altar. Dominical letter B.
1525, April 13	Death of Finlay McNab of Bowayne, at Ilanran,*	He was buried in Killin
1525, April19-21.	Death of Hugh McEwin VcNeill, at Fernay,	he was buried in Inchadin, before the step of the Great Altar, on the south side of the Church, Dominical letter A.
1525, August 17-18.	Death of John more McEan Vek Coulyz, alias Maknecht, at Ewchirvlairris	he was buried in Inchadin, before the step of the Choir, on the south side of the Church, Dominical letter A. May the Holy Trinity have a care of his soul.
1525, October 16.	Death of John Neilson, at Fernay,	he was buried at Inchadin, May God have a care of his soul.
1526, January.	Death of Malcolm Macwilliam,	he was buried in Branvo.
1526, April 12	Death of Robert Cokburne, at Dunkeld, in the Palace there,	he was buried in the Choir of Dunkeld.
1526, July 31.	Death of Gregor, son of John Macgregor, alias McEwine McAllaster, of Glenstray, at the Isle of Lochrannoch;	he was buried in Dysart, in a stone coffin, on the north side of the High Altar of Glenstray, Dominical letter G. May his soul rest in peace.
1526 September 3.	Battle near Glenvchow, alias Lithkow stricken betveen the Lords William Douglas and John Earls of Angus and Arran on the one side, and Earl of Lennox,	where the said Earl of Lennox was slain; and there were also slain many others on his side; Dominicalletter G.
1527, October 31	Death of Mariot Forester, Lady Lawers, wife of James Campbell of Lawers. She died of good memory, at Fordew in Strathearn,	she was buried in the Parish Church of Stirling, in the Aisle of St Andrew, May her soul rest in peace. Dominical letter F.
1528, April 12	Death of John McEwyn VcAllexander, Captain of the Clan Gregor of Glenstray, who died of good memory, at Achallader in Glenurquhay,	he was buried in Dysart, as others of his name used to be. May God have care of his soul.
1529, May 25-28; June 4	Death or slaughter of Alexander Mcphatrick roy, and Duncan his son, by Duncan Brek, at West Culdar,	they were buried in the cemetery of Fortingall, near the window of the High Altar.Alexander was buried on the 8th of May, and Duncan on the 4th of June. Dominical letter C.May God have a care of their souls.
1528, September 29	Death of William Robertson of Keirquhin, at that place, on the day of St Michael the Archangel;	he was buried in Inchadin, in the nave of the Church, on the north side, near the door of the Choir, May God have care of his soul. Dominical letter C.
1529, October 9	Death of an honorable man, Colin Campbell, Earl of Argyle, Lord Campbell and Lorn, who died at Inverary	he was buried in Kilmun, May God have care of his soul. Dominical letter C.
1530, April 18.	Death of Finlay McVorrycht,
1531, August 11	Death of Duncan McConnilgorme, at Rayn, in Eddirgowill,	he was buried in the Church of Inchadin, on the north side of the door of the Choir.
1531	Memorandum: Rannoch was hareyd the morne aftir Saint Tennennis day in harist be John Erlle of Awtholl and be Clan Donoquhy the year of God 1531 and at the nyxt Belten eftir that the quhylk was 1532, the bra of Rannoch war haryed be them abowin wrytten and Allexander Dow Albrych war heddyth at Kenlochtrannoch the quhylk Belten and yer I com tyll the ewyr of Fortyrgill fyrst and Allexander McGregour of Glenstra our scheyff was bot ane barne of xvii yer that tyme.
1536, September 5	James the ffyft King of Scotland passit and salit in France, accumpaneit wt Arch. Erle of Argyle, the Erle of Rothess, Sir John Campbell of Calder,	schipit wt diuerse Lordis and Knychtis,bot nocht returnit to his kingdome to the 5th day of September,anno 1536 zeiris.
1538, June 1	Death of Christian Stewart, Lady of Garth, at Garth.	She was buried at the Altar of St Ninian [in Dul ?]
1542, October 30.	In the year 1542, there was a great army of Scots at Jedburgh, to fight against the Saxons, invaders of the kingdom of Scotland;	they remained there for fifteen days, and returned without fighting on the 30th of October.
1542, February 20.	Death of Katharine N'Chastyllan sponsse Allexandri MÓlchallum V'Gregor at Slattych in Glenlyon
1544, February 20.	Death of Mariota Neynolchallum V'Gregor sponse Duncan M'Áyn V'Cowyll et postea fuit sponsa Jacobi ... M'James V'Robert que obiit apud Slattych N'Chastyllan sponsse Allexandri M'olchallum V'Gregor at Slattych in Glenlyon

	These are probable MacGregors printed in Black Book of Taymouth	- But are not in Donald Gregory's version of the Chronicle
1494-05-16	Duncan Charlissoun	Lochdochard (probably son of Terloch Keir 24/7/1494)
1503-10-20	Ewen M'Gregor son of Gregor Duncanson	Roro
1520-01-19	Malcolm cam McGregor V'Neyll	Thegrymyth, buried Killin
1502-07-31	Gregor son of John McGregor alias M'Ewyn V'Alexander of Glenstrae	Isle of Lochrannoch
1522-08	Patrick Duncanbegson	Morinche
1522-06-11	Duncan M'Olchallum V'Kerlych	Drumcharre
1524-03-08	Gregor M'Aynweyll
1524-03-09	Neil son of Duncan McGregor	Castle of Glenurchy
1526-04-26	Duncan reoch M'Gillechonnyll ?
1529-05-25	Allexander M'Phatryk son of Duncan Brek M'Gregor V'Neyll	Culder
1529-05-25	Duncan, son of Allexander M'Phatryk	Culder
1531-02-28	Allexander M'Ayn Rawyr	Awyllych in Rannoch. buried Killichonnan
1532-05-01	Allexander dow Albrych (beheaded at Kinlochrannoch)
1532-12	wife of John M'Ayn Rawych V'Gewycar
1536-01-21	Duncan M'Ayn V'Cowyll	Rannoch
1532-12	wife of John M'Ayn Rawych V'Gewycar
1542-02-20	wife of Allexander M'Olchallum V'Gregor	Slattych in Glenlyon
1547-03-06	Gregor M'Phatryk V'Gregor in Glenurchy	Aychincschecall
1549-09-03	wife of Gregor Dougallson	Balloch, buried Inchadin
1553-06-15	Duncan McGregor beheaded (ladasach)	beheaded by Colin Campbell et al at Balloch
1553-06-15	Gregor son of Duncan McGregor beheaded	beheaded by Colin Campbell et al at Balloch
1553-06-15	Malcolm roy son of Duncan McGregor beheaded	beheaded by Colin Campbell et al at Balloch
1554-01-17	Ewen M'Condoquhy V'Gregor	de Roro apud Crythgarff in Fortyrgil
1555-05-01	Gregor Dougallson	Carsdall, buried Inchadin
1555-06-28	Malcolm M'Conil V'Quheyin	Estyr Drumcharre, buried Inchadin
1555-01-12	Dougall Dougallson	Farna, buried Inchadin
1555-01-26	wife of William M'Gregor	Port of Bofrak, buried Weym
1556	John Challar Moyr	Eddergovyllt, buried Inchadin
1556	wife of Gregor Duncanson	Roro
1557-06-15	William McGregor	Port of Bofrak, buried Inchadin
1558-02-08	Malcolm M'Neill V'Ewin	Lagfarne in Farna, buried Inchadin
1562-05-21	Allaster M'Ewin Dow V'Gregor	Murdered by Patrick McAyn McOlchallum, buried Foss
1562-02-02	John Dow M'Condochy V'Gregor	Castle of Glenurchy
1564-05-17	John Dougallson	Ferna, buried Inchadin
1564-05-28	wife of Angus dow M'Ayn Voyr	Rannoch, buried Fortingal
1564-05-11	John dow M'Enos V'Condoquhy	Bonrannoch, buried Fortingal
1564-12-07	Patrick M'Ayn V'Cowill M'Ayn	murdered by McGestalcar, buried Inchadin
1564-12-07	Gregor son of the Dean	murdered by McGestalcar, buried Inchadin
1565-01-11	wife of John Dougallson	Stronfarna
1568-04-13	Duncan M'Olchallum V'Gregor (aged 27)	Slattych in Glenlyon
1570-04-07	Gregor McGregor of Glenstra	heddit at Balloch by Grey Colin
1570-08-22	John M'Conil Dow V'Gegkas V'Kesok	slayn besyd Glenfalloch
1572-09-24	Allastyr M'Allestyr and children	slain by Patryk dow M'Gregor V'Condoquhy, buried Fortingal
1576-05-18	Duncan M'Geclerych V'Couil Vantych	Ledonec, buried Fortingal

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THE document, of which a copy is now laid before the Society, is preserved in the Archives of the Highland Society of Scotland, and had previously formed part of tbe valuable library called the Kilbride Collection, which is understood to have been the only library of Gaelic MSS. ever brought together in the Highlands.

It is written in Latin; and consists of a few leaves, commencing with the 190th, of a small quarto volume of considerable thickness, containing principally Gaelic Poems, some of them of a very ancient date; interspersed with occasional prayers, aphorisms, & in Latin. It is not necessary (even were I intimate enough with the subject to do so) to offer any remarks on the Gaelic part of this interesting volume; although there is every reason to think that some of its contents would be of great use in enabling us to form a correct decision on the merits of the Ossianic controversy.

On the 27th leaf of the volume, we find written, in the same hand as the rest of the book, 'Liber. Domini Jacobi MacGregor, Dean of Lismore.' This of itself proves no more than that the book was his property; but I have collected a few notices regarding Dean MacGregor, which lead to the conclusion that the whole collection, both Gaelic and Latin, was made by his own hand.

In the end of the reign of King James IV. Sir James MacGregor (who, like most churchmen of a certain rank at that period, was one of what were called the Pope's Knights) appears as a notary public in the districts of Strathtay& and Breadalbane, and apparently under the patronage of the Campbells of Glenurchy, a family of great power in those districts (Registrum Mag. Sig. xvii. 69; and Acta Dom.Con.) ; and his descendants, under the patronymic of Macindene or Deneson, are to be traced in that part of the country for some generations after this time (Record of Secret Council.). Now it will appear, on referring to the Obituary, that it is more minute in regard to the deaths of families in Strathtay and the neighbouring districts, than in any other part of the Highlands. There are also several songs by Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, and several members of his family, among the Gaelic poems. MacGregor had, I presume, been advanced to the Deanery of Argyle, or Lismore, by the interest of the family of Glenurchy; at least this is rendered highly probable from the fact that, in the year 1574, Dugal MacGregor, Chancellor of Lismore, and son to the Dean, is found conveying part of the temporalities of his benefice to Patrick Campbell, a younger son of Sir Colin of Glenurchy (Decreets of Session, under 26th February 1589-90.).,

A very slight inspection of this Chronicle will make it evident that there must have existed early ecclesiastical records in several, if not all the parishes, comprehended in the dioceses of Argyle and Dunkeld ; to the former of which, from his office, Dean MacGregor must have had ready access, as well as to those preserved at the Episcopal Seat,which would more naturally come umder his observation. As none of these records are now known to exist, having been probably dispersed and lost at the Reformation, this little M.S. may be thought worthy of a place in the Transactions of the Society, as giving much useful information to family Historians and Genealogists.

In conclusion, it may be stated, that the only liberty that has been taken with the original has been to arrange the Notices chronologically, instead of allowing them to remain as in the M.S., where, with the exception of the deaths of the kings and dates of the great battles, they appear to have been put down as they were collected.

The latest date in the Chronicle is 1542, which may be assumed as nearly the period of Dean MacGregor's death.

I have added a few notes; some of them with a view to point out discrepancies between the dates as given here and those fixed upon by the learned Author of' Caledonia:' Others are merely illustrative; and will, I trust, be found not altogether devoid of interest. The text has been very carefully collated with the original, by the kind permission of Charles Gordon, Esq. Secretary to the Highland Society of Scotland.

Note .-Since writing the Introductory Notice to this Chronicle (see p. 37), I find that I have committed an error in stating absolutely that the MS. had formed part of the Kilbride Collection. This, no doubt, is highly probable; but all that is certainly known of it is, that it came to the Highland Soeiety along with other MSS. from the late Mr John Mackenzie of the Temple, Secretary to the Highland Society of London .- See the Highland Society of Scotland's Report on Ossian, page 300.

It is proper to notice, what appears from the same source, that the authors of the report give a different translation from that ventured above in Note (a), page 45, of the last sentence of the Gaelic passage taken from Dean MacGregor's MS. Their translation is subjoined (in order that the two may be compared, and the correct translation settled), and runs as follows:-' Duncan, son of Dougal, &c. wrote this out of the books of the History of the Kings, in the year of our Lord 1512.'

It has not been considered necessary to reprint in the Translation the notes appended to the Latin Chronicle; but the star * shows where the notes ought to come in; and they will be easily found by a reference to the dates.

The passages printed in Italics being in the vernacular tongue in the original, required no translation.