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

ENTRY OF MONTROSE INTO ELGIN.
367
some of his friend?, retired to the castle of Spynie, possesssd by his
eldest son, which was well fortified and provided with every neces-
sary for undergoing a siege. Tlie laird of Duffus went into Suther-
land. As soon as the inhabitants of tlie town saw the committee pre-
paring to leave it, most of them also resolved to depart, wliich tliey did,
carrying along with them their principal ertects. Some went to Inver-
ness, and others into Ross, but the greater part went to the castle of
Spynie, where they sought and obtained refuge.
Apprehensive that Montrose might follow up the dreadful example
he had shown, by burning the town, a proposal was made to, and
accepted, by him, to pay him four tliousand merks to save the town
from destruction ; but, on entering it, which he did on the nineteenth of
February, his men, and particularly the laird of Grant's party, were so
disappointed in their hopes of plunder, in consequence of the inhabitants
having carried away the best of tlicir effects, that they broke and de-
stroyed every article of furniture which was left.
Montrose was joined, on his arrival at Elgin, by Lord Gordon, the
eldest son of the marquis of Huntly, with some of his friends and vas-
sals. This young nobleman had been long kept in a state of durance
by Argyle, his uncle, contrary to his own wishes, and now, when
an opportunity had, for the first time, occurred, he showed the bent of
his inclination, by declaring for the king. It is curious that two con-
temporaneous, writers,* who seem to have had access to the best sources
of information, were quite at a loss to account for Lord Gordon's motives
in taking this step. The one says, " At this time, the Lord Gor
don, with most part of his friends, came in to Montrose, upon what
grounds I know not ; whether the state had disobliged him in some
particulars betwixt him and his neighbours, the Crightons and the For-
besses, or had not performed to him such things as they had promised,
or such much as he did expect and deserve ; or whether that most of
his friends, by warrant of his father, had resolved to follow his younger
brother, Lord Lewis, I cannot determine." f The other observes, " The
Lord Gordon being in the Bog, leaped quickly on horse, having Nathan-
iel Gordon, with some few others, in his company, and that same niglit
came to Elgin, saluted Jlontrose, who made him heartily welcome, and
soups joyfully together. ^lany marvelled at the Lord Gordon's going
in after such manner, being upon the country's service, and colonel to a
foot regiment and to a horse regiment. Some alleged that the estates
oversaw him in divers points touching his honour, which he could not
digest. Others said that he was likely to lose his father, for following
the country cause, if he should continue, and the country happen to be
borne down. Others, again, said that it was a plot betwixt Montrose
and Nathaniel Gordon, when he was with him, and when he came from
him, with Craigievar, as ye have before ; and, albeit, for his coming
Gordui; of Sullagli, and Spuliiiiig. t Gurdun, p. 623.
i A