A history of the Highlands and of the Highland clans : with an ...

176 ITISTOkV OF THE MIGHLAMJS.
power; aiid his couili scension and familiarity witli all classes of his sub-
jects, acquired for him a popularity which added strength to his throna
During these marine excursions, the youthful monarch indulged his
passion for sailing and hunting, and thereby relieved the tediousness o)
business, by the recreation of agreeable and innocent pleasures.
The only opposition which James met with during these excursions
was from the restless Lord of the Isles, who had the temerity to put the
king at defiance, notwitlistanding the repeated and signal marks of the
royal favour he had experienced. But James was not to be triHed with,
for he summoned the island prince to stand his trial for " treason iq
Kintire ;" and in a parliament held in Edinburgh shortly after the king 3
return from the north, " Sir John of the Isles," as he is named in the
treasurer's accounts, was stripped of his power, and his possessions were
forfeited to the crown.
One of those personal petty feuds which were so prevalent in the
Highlands, occurred about this time. Alexander Sutherland of Dilred,
being unable or unwilling to repay a sum of money he had borrowed
from Sir James Dunbar of Cumnock, the latter took legal measures to
secure his debt by appraising part of Dilred's lands. This proceeding
vexed the laird of Dilred exceedingly, and he took an umbrage at the
Dunbars, who had recently settled in Sutherland, " grudgeing as it were,
(says Sir R. Gordon,) " that a stranger should brawe (brave) him at his
owne doors." Ha])pening to meet Alexander Dunbar, brother of Sir
James, who had lately married Lady Margaret Baillie, Countess Dowa-
ger of Sutherland, high words passed between them, a combat ensued,
and after a long contest Alexander Dunbar was killed. Sir James Dunbar
thereupon went to Edinburgh, and laid the matter before King James
the Fourth, who w;is so exasperated at the conduct of Alexander Suther-
land, that he immediately proclaimed him a rebel, sent messengers every-
where in search of him, and promised his lands to any person that would
apprehend him. After some search he was apprehended with ten of
his followers by his uncle, Y-Roy-Mackay, brother of John Ileawigh
Mackaj' alread)' mentioned, who sent him to the king. Dilred was tried,
condemned, and executed, and his lands declared forfeited. For this ser-
vice, Y-Roy-Mackay obtained from the king a grant of the lands of Arra-
dall, Far, Golspietour, Kiiinald, Kilcolmkill, and Dilred, which formerly
belonged to Alexander Sutherland, as was noted in Maokay's infeftment,
dated in fourteen hundred and forty-nine.* " Avarice, (says Sir R.
Gordon,) is a strange vyce, which respects neither blood nor freindship.
This is the first infeftment that any of the familie of Macky had from
the king, so far as I can perceave by the records of this kingdom ; and
they wer until] this tyme possessors onlie of ther lands in Strathnaver,
not careing much for any charters or infeftments, as most pairts of the
Hiijhianders have alwi.se done."