The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

278 JAMKS CiUAXT, SEVKNTII OF rilKUCII IK. [1G37-
erection of a scbool in tlio distrie-t.^ Tlie Council so far entertained the
proposal tliai a commissiinier was ap])ointe(l to exainlne into tlie matter.'
but it is not probable that the .suheme was carried into effect, as tlie
authorities had then matters of more serious import to enjjage their
attention, and the Commonwealth shortly afierwards ceasc-i'i to exist.
In a lease of a portion of Lnul to ]\Ir. (lilhert ^ilarshall, 'niiiister of
Cromdale, for the term of his stay in that parish, the Laiid states, as
one of the inciting motives to the transaction, "the lowe I carlo toward.s
the propagatioun of the gosjiell."''
In an old manusciipt of "Anecdotes anent the Family of Grant,"''
several are told of this Laird. James Grant, it is related, was remarkable
for his excessive good nature, and also foi- his great attachment to the
Covenanters and their jiarty. This brought upon the Laii'd the displeasui-e
of his clan, and they went so for as to imprison him for a time in the
Castle of ]Muckrach. Nothing corroborative of such a statement has been
found among the authentic papers of the family.
The same may be said of another episode in this Laird's life for
wdiich the same manuscrijit is the sole authority. During the time
of the Connnonwealth, James Grant of Glenbeg raised a jiarty in the
Clan against the Laird. They drew up what was called " the Black
Band of Claiicheran," in which the Laird was charged with committing
several irregularities, contrarv to all law and go\ernment. Glenbes; and
some of his associates took this band to Captain Hill, Governor of Bade-
noch and Baitliven, with a request that it shoidd be foi'warded to Crom-
well. From the charges made, there was reason to fear that if the
band reached the Protector, it would go ill with the Laird, but happily
when the band was placed in the hands of Cajjtain Hill, Duncan ]\Iac-
pherson, Laird of Cluny, was present, and, on learning the nature of the
band, persuaded the Captain not to transmit it. The Laird was sent for
and Informed of the circumstances, and also of the danger he incurred if
the charges should be ]>roved. But on a [)romise being given by the Laird
' Vol. iii. of this work, p. 343. * MS. at Castle tjraut. Tlio MS. Ijcars no name.
2 Vol. ii. of this work, p. 10. ami the writer has not been aseertaiiieJ. The
' Original Lease, dated 2oth I'ehniary lOoC, at handwriting is of the eighteenth century.
Castle Grant.