Exploring McKee Roots in Galloway, Scotland
DNA Haplogroup and Subgroup
This DNA testing also tells us our McKee family is a member of Haplogroup R1b – subgroup M222. This subgroup is now centered in northern Ireland and southern Scotland and originated about 500 AD as a Gaelic settler in northern Donegal. When the Vikings invaded about 1000 AD this M222 subgroup collaborated in the subsequent Norse-Gael Conquest and colonisation of southwest Scotland which was led by the King of Norway in about 1100 AD. The land they conquered became ‘Galloway’ meaning ‘land of the foreign Gael’ a term used by the surrounding Scots to describe the Gaels from Ireland who settled there. In Galloway, the Irish Gaels gradually adopted the English language; they later adopted the Protestant faith, and approximately 500 years after their ancestors had first arrived in Galloway, many would return as English-speaking Protestant Lowland Scots during the Plantation of Ulster.
Our Scottish Roots
In Kilcashel Cemetery, there is a grave marker for Andrew McKee, born 1695, died 1790. Deb found a baptism record for Andrew Thomas McKie – born May 25, 1695 in Minnigaff Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire County, Scotland to father Andrew. Is this our Andrew? We think yes!
This is especially interesting because an Andrew born to Andrew is likely a firstborn male, and the second name Thomas provides an possible early link to the subsequent Malin More family. Lots to explore here! Note that these early Scottish Church Records are available on a Scottish Govt Website and see our Sub-Pages here for more McKie records
Six miles upriver from the church where this Andrew was baptised was Larg, the home of the McKie (or M’Kie) clan. In 1610, its leader, Sir Patrick M’Kie, had signed on as a landlord for 1000 acres of the Ulster Settlement – a part which included Malin More and Loughros Point. Surely not a coincidence, says Deb!
Prior to this Sir Patrick M’Kie, this M’Kie clan goes back to a beginning in 1314 with a land grant from King Robert Bruce following his successful battle against the English at Bannockburn. Bruce was assisted by soldiers with Sir Robert Boyd as well as 3 M’Kie brothers as archers.
An excellent outline of this M’Kie clan history is found in “The Book of Mackay” by Angus Mackay, 1906. The highland MacKay Clan from Strathnaver is described in earlier chapters of this book and two southern clans in Galloway are described in Chapter IX, the Galloway MacKays. We have copied “Chapter IX, the Galloway MacKays” here as the main part of our new Scottish webpage. (Note: this author, Angus Mackay, suggests the southern clans branched from the northern, but we know from our “southern” DNA this was not the case.)
Religious and Political Background in Scotland, England and Ireland
Before reading about this M’Kie clan we should learn something of the religious and political background in Scotland, England, and Ireland.
By 1000 AD, England, Scotland, and Ireland were all Roman Catholic under the Pope. By 1541, the King of England also ruled Ireland, but Scotland was a separate Kingdom under the Stuarts.
A protestant Presbyterian Reformation occurred in Scotland under the influence of John Knox, so that by 1560 this was the national church, but Roman Catholics remained strong in the north and west. In 1638, the majority of Scottish Presbyterians signed the National Covenant and were called Covenanters.
There was an English Reformation in 1534, when Henry VIII proclaimed himself head of the church in the Act of Supremacy, but retained the catholic traditions in the new Episcopal (Anglican) church. The Kingdoms of England and Scotland were united in 1603, when King James VI of Scotland succeeded Elizabeth to the English throne as James I. James (and his son Charles) believed in the Divine Right of Kings, so they eventually lost the confidence of their subjects leading to civil wars called the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
In 1637, King Charles I tried to force the Book of Common Prayer on an unwilling Scotland, and started the Bishops’ Wars. These were conflicts (1639, 1640) between Charles I, who favored an episcopal form of church governance and the Covenanters in Scotland who favored a Presbyterian system. In 1640, the Scottish defeated the English at the battle of Newburn, where Sir Patrick M’Kie led a cavalry regiment for the Covenanters. During the following decade, the Covenanters controlled Scotland.
By 1642, King Charles I had lost the confidence of the English Parliament, and the English Civil War broke out between the supporters of Parliament (such as the London merchants) and the supporters of the King (such as the aristocracy). This period can be divided into the First English Civil War (1642-1646), the Second (1648-49) and the Third (1649-1651). Inevitably, Ireland and Scotland were also involved.
In the First Civil War, the Scottish Covenanters supported the English Parliamentarians in return for the Parliament agreeing to the Solemn League and Covenant, which promised reform in England and support for Presbyterians. Early battles went to the Royalist forces, but in 1643 Oliver Cromwell formed his “Ironsides” fighting for the Parliamentarians, and they were successful with the Scots at the battle of Marston Moor in 1644. In May, 1646, Charles had lost sufficient support that he surrendered to Scottish forces – good results for the Scottish Covenantors!
After the Royalists had lost the First Civil War, Charles I was able to enter into an “Engagement” with the majority of the Covenanters in which they agreed to support him in the Second English Civil War against their mutual enemy the English Independents, in return for Charles imposing Presbyterianism for three years on England. In 1648 the Royalists and the Covenanters were defeated at the Battle of Preston, and Charles I was executed in January 1649.
In 1650, a new Scottish Covenanter government persuaded the exiled Charles II to agree to the terms of the Solemn League and Covenant in the Treaty of Breda. However, the defeat of the Royalist and Scottish army at the Battle of Worcester in 1651 broke the power of the Presbyterians on both sides of the border – bad results for the Scottish Covenantors!
In the meantime, Cromwell and his army had suppressed Catholic uprisings in Ireland and Scotland, and his New Model Army occupied most of Scotland. Under Cromwell’s Commonwealth and subsequent Protectorate (1649-59), Scotland was ruled from England, and was kept under military occupation. When Cromwell died, political instability followed, and General Monk led his army south from Scotland to London in 1660 and negotiated with Charles II for a return of the monarchy – the Restoration.
The Act of Uniformity in 1662 confirmed the established church in England and Episcopal Bishops in Scotland. Some Presbyterian Covenantors in Southern Scotland resisted until a small armed rebellion was put down in 1679 at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Three McKie families were involved in this uprising and subsequently lost their lands.
In 1685 King James II of England (James VII of Scotland) came to the throne, but met opposition because he was a Catholic with close ties to France. James son, was born in 1688, and became the heir presumptive. This worried protestants in England who encouraged William of Orange, the de facto head of state of the Dutch United Provinces, to intervene. After consolidating political and financial support, William crossed the North Sea and English Channel with a large invasion fleet in 1688. This was called the Glorious Revolution. James’ support collapsed in England and Scotland; William and Mary were pronounced King and Queen in 1689. At this time, a Bill of Rights was declared by Parliament putting limits on the powers of the monarch and setting out the rights of Parliament, including the requirement for regular parliaments, free elections, and freedom of speech in Parliament. It sets out certain rights of individuals including the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.
In Ireland, the Catholic majority in the south supported James in the Williamite War. William invaded Ireland with a mixed army and defeated the Jacobites (supported by France) at the Battle of the Boyne, 1690, and the Battle of Aughrim, 1691.
By this time, Scotland and Ireland had lost their independence, but were now part of a Protestant constitutional monarchy with England dominant.
“The Book of MacKay” by Angus Mackay provides an old but authoritative history of Mackay clans; We copy below chapter IX, The Galloway Mackays, describing two southern clans. The section of most interest to us is IX B The Larg, etc., M’Kies. The entire Mackay book is also available as a pdf file.
Chapter IX, The Galloway Mackays
from “The Book of Mackay”, by Angus Mackay, 1906, pages 347 – 359
The Galloway McEths are divided into two main branches, the M’Ghies of Balmaghie and the M’Kies of Larg, of which the former may be the older, but the latter has the more numerous offshoots. They are one and the same family originally, although the names appear slightly different in script — a difference which was at first very much a matter of taste, but which custom petrified to some extent. The striking affinity between the arms of the two branches also indicates a close relationship. The arms of Balmaghie are blazoned by Sir George Mackenzie, “Sable, three leopards’ heads erased, argent.” The crest consists of a leopard’s head erased, langued, ppr., with the motto Quae Sursum Volo. Corresponding to the leopards (Scots, lions) of M’Ghie, the M’Kies of Larg carry a lion in chief, of which we give a representation at right. Thus both branches bore the lion with a difference.
IX A THE BALMAGHIE M’GHIES.
Balmaghie, i.e., the Town of Mackay, Kirkcudbrightshire, was the seat of the family from very early times. Chamber’s Caledonia, the Statistical Account, M’Kerlie’s Galloway, etc., record a tradition that the lands and church derived their name from a Celtic chieftain, who settled there in the distant past. But in the Cart. of St. Cross the church of Kirkandrew, Balmakethe, is mentioned among various other benefices granted in the 12th century by Fergus of Galloway to the Abbey of Holyrood. The MacEths must, therefore, have been settled in that quarter before that date. Gilmyhel MacEth signed the Ragman Roll in 1296, and in 1339 a Michael Macge submitted to Edward III. (Rot. Scot.). In the Reg. Mag. Sig., 1426, Gilbert M’Gy is styled lord “of Balmage,” and from him the descent can be traced for some generations.
I. Gilbert M’Gy, Lord of Balmage, appears in the Exchequer Rolls of 1460. He was succeeded by William, of whom follows.
II. William M’Gye, had sasine of Slogarie in 1471, and on the 16 Aug., 1482, had a charter under the Great Seal of Balmage and Slogarie. As this charter bears, he m. Blanch de Levenax, widow of Fergus Macdowell of Spottis. This document is witnessed by a William Makgye of Pluntoun, who had a charter of the lands of Pluntoun, 14 Aug., 1484. William of Balmage had a son Nicholas, of whom follows.
III. Nicholas, m. Elizabeth Maxwell, who bore him two sons: — Gilbert; and William, who succeeded, and of whom follows. Gilbert, who predeceased his father, left two daus. (Acts & Decreets, 149, 315): — Marion, m. John Redick of Balharro; and Janet, m. Robert Charteris of Kelwood.
IV. William, had a charter under the Great Seal of Balmage and Torris, 18 Mar., 1527. He had two sons: — Alexander, who succeeded; and James (P.C. Reg., 10 Mar. and 7 Apr., 1597), m. Janet, dau. of William M’Ghie, burgess, Kirkcudbright.
V. Alexander of Balmage, had a son Robert (Acts & Decreets, 439, 210), of whom follows.
VI. Robert, m. Grissel, dau. of John Charteris of Annisfield, and by her had a son John, of whom follows, and a dau. Marie (Acts & Decreets, 492, 155), who m. William Gordon of Airds.
VII. John, for whom his grand-uncle James acted as tutor 1629-37. John, who greatly extended his estate and was knighted, is first on record as Sir John in a sasine of 21 May, 1655 (Dumfries Sas.) He m. Barbara, dau. of Robert Anderson, burgess, Dumfries, by whom he had a son Alexr., of whom follows.
VIII. Alexander, m., first, Margaret, dau. of Archibald M’Kie of Myretoun-M’Kie, now Merton Hall, but had no issue by her. He m., secondly, Elizabeth Stewart, by whom he had a son and two daus. The daus. were: — Elizabeth, m. John, eldest son of Robert Ferguson of Craigdarroch (Dumfries Sas., 1682); and Florence, m. first, Roger, son of John Gordon of Airds, secondly, James, son of Robert Charteris of Kelwood, and thirdly, Thomas M’Lellan of Balmangan. Of the only son follows: —
IX. William (Dumfries Sas., 10 July, 1693). He m. Anna Ballantyne, who bore him two sons: — John, who succeeded; and Alexander, a surgeon, bailie of the burgh of New Galloway, who had three daus. (Elizabeth, m. J. M’Cournty of Furnistoun; Mary, m. Robert Macmillan in Barlow ; and Margaret).
X. John McGhie, had sasine of Balinaghie, 10 May, 1704. He m. Isobel Gordon (Dumfries Sets., 17 May, 1712), youngest dau. Of Alexander, Viscount Kenmure, by his third wife, Lady Grissel, dau. of James, Earl of Galloway. He had by her Alexander, of whom follows; and William.
XI. Alexander, succeeded in 1732, and left a son, of whom follows.
XII. John, succeeded in 1739, and had a son Alexr., who predeceased him. Alexander, however, m. Grissel, dau. of Alexander, Viscount Kenmure, and had a dau. Grissel, who m. Captain James Anderson of the Marines, without issue. William M’Ghie, merchant in Edinburgh, and his wife Eleanor M’Dowall had sasine of the estate of Balinaghie on 6 May, 1761, but in 1786 it was sold to Thomas Gordon.
THE M’GHIES OF AIRIE AND AIRDS.
The M’Ghies of Airie and Airds sprang from Balmaghie, but we cannot say at what date. – The following James of Airie is the first whom we have been able to trace.
I. James M’Ghie, had sasine of Airie and Culquhassan in Dec, 1642. He m., first, Janet Gordon, and secondly, Anna Kennethie, by the latter of whom he had Alexander, who succeeded.
II. Alexander, m., first, Anna Fullarton, and secondly, Florence Maxwell (Dumfries Sas., 29 Dec, 1703, and 15 Nov., 1705). By the second wife he had Alexander, who succeeded.
III. Alexander, bought the estate of Airds 24 May, 1744, and was afterwards known as of Airds. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Robert Gordon of Airds, and widow of Hugh Cairns of Lochhill (Dum. Sas., 29 Sep., 1/24), issue one, of whom follows: —
IV. Alexander, m., first, Elizabeth, dau. of Mr. Todd, banker, London, with issue: — John, of whom follows ; Mary, m. Mr. Maclellan, and d. in 1817; and Jessie, m. David Blair of Borgue. Alexander, m., secondly, Agnes M’Kie, and by her had Nathaniel, of whom we give a plate portrait.
V. John of Castlehill, m. Jane, dau. of the Rev. Win. Donaldson, Parton, by whom he had six daus.: — Mary ; Isabella ; Elizabeth ; Jane ; Wilhelmina ; and Anne. The eldest, Mary, m. Rev. James Anderson, Stoneykirk, to whom she bore one surviving child, Jeanie (now Mrs. Captain Webster, Heathfield, Helensburgh).
IX B The LARG, etc., M’Kies
This branch dates back to the time of King Robert Bruce. According to Barbour’s Metrical History of Bruce, the hunted king, escaping from the beagles of John of Lorn, made his way on foot and alone to an appointed trysting place near Loch Dee in Galloway, where he was hospitably entertained by widow Anabel and her three sons, M’Kie, M’Clurg, and Muiredach. During the night the king was joined by his brother and Sir James Douglas with about 150 men, and next morning the widow’s sons gave an exhibition of their prowess with the bow which greatly delighted the Bruce; M’Kie with an arrow transfixed a brace of ravens perched upon a rock, while his brother Muiredach brought down the third corbie on the wing.
This incident is supposed to account for the brace of pierced ravens which find a place on the shield of M’Kie. The arms of M’Kie of Larg were never recorded in Lyon Register, but they are described in the Heraldic MSS. of Sir James Balfour, and may be blazoned as follows: — Argent, two ravens pendent from an arrow fessways piercing their necks proper, on a shield azure a lion passant of the field, armed and langued gules. These arms are now borne by M’Kie of Bargaly, within a bordure componee of the first and second.
When the king came to his own he did not forget the loyal widow and her gallant sons, who had fought for him so well. He bestowed upon the family “the hassock of land ‘tween Palnure and Penkiln,” to wit, the thirty-pound land of Cumloden in the parish of Minnigaff and stewartry of Kirkcudbright. It lies between the burns of Palnure and Penkill which flow into the River Cree, and measures about ten miles by three. It was divided into three ten-pound lands, which were known as Cumloden-M’Kie, Cumloden-Murdoch, and Cumloden-M’Clurg.
Sir Patrick M’Kie and his successors heavily mortgaged the barony of Larg in the interest of the Solemn League and Covenant, and had their lands eventually forfeited. During the religious persecutions which followed three leading M’Kies, John of Larg, Anthony of Glencaird, and Alexr. of Drombuie, were condemned to death. They all escaped, however, but with the loss of their lands, which went to pay the cruel fines imposed. The only family that weathered the storm was M’Kie of Palgown, from which descended the present M’Kies of Bargaly, a family that has religiously striven with a great measure of success for more than a century now to repurchase the old M’Kie lands in Galloway. Long may their tree flourish.
The first notice of the lands of Cumloden is the following in Robertson’s Index: — “Carta Gilberti, fil. Nigelli, terram partem terre de Cameleden, in vic. de Dumfries,” which may be translated, charter of Gilbert, son of Neil, of the third part of the lands of Cumloden, in the sheriffdom of Dumfries — “terram partem terre” being probably intended for ” tertiam partem terre.” According to the Exchequer Rolls, Cuthbert M’Makay paid £3 13s. 4d. for relief of lands in the county of Wigton, 1330.
I. Malcolm M’Kie of Cumloden, is the first, however, from whom a direct descent can be traced. He had two sons: — Patrick, of whom follows; and Gilbert, m. Marion de Keth, by whom he got the third part of the barony of Craichlaw, Longaster, and Barmagachrie, c 1450 (Reg. Mag. Sig., v, 69,).
II. Patrick, had sasine in 1471 of the lands of Cumloden-M’Kie, Fynataloch, Cloncert, Barnrower, and Baryarrak. He m. Marion Makmakene, by whom he got the lands of Drumnagarne (Reg. Mag. Sig., VII., 302), and had a son of whom follows.
III. Patrick Makge of Larg, m. Janet, dau. of Uchtred Macdowall of Garthland, and widow of Alexr. Adair of Kinhilt, as a charter under the Great Seal shows, dated 1529. An interesting relic of this couple, a monumental stone built into the wall of the old kirk of Minnigaff, bears the inscription: — “Hic jacet — Patricus M’Ke de Caloda me fieri fecit” (Here lies — Patrick M’Ke of Camloden caused me to be made). The known issue of Patrick was two sons: — Patrick, of whom follows; and Archibald of Stranord who had three children (Alexr.; Patrick of Craignyne; and Margaret, m. Patrick Heron of Kiroughtree).
IV. Patrick of Larg, m. in 1550 Margaret, dau. of Alexr. Stewart of Garlies, and by her had issue: — Alexr., of whom follows; Duncan of Palgown; and Patrick.
V. Alexander (who predeceased his father in 1591, and whose widow m., secondly, Alexr. Gordon of Clanyard), m. Katherine, dau. of Sir Patrick Agnew of Lochnaw, hereditary sheriff of Wigton, contract dated 8 Oct., 1575, with issue: — Patrick, of whom follows; a son who had three sons (Alexr. ; Patrick, who succeeded to Larg, 1646; and James of Crosbie, who had a son Robert, whose son John in 1691 succeeded to Larg and Palgown).
VI. Patrick, had a charter under the Great Seal, 4 March, 1598, as Patrick Makkie, eldest son of the late Alexr. Makkie, son and heir apparent of Patrick Makkie of Larg, of the lands of Camloden, Barrawer, Calcathane, Biach, Carriden, Fyntillach with the isle in the loch thereof, Clonlouchagach, Garser, Baryarrock, Barjargane, all in Wigtonshire, and Clonquhard in Kirkcudbright shire, now created into the free barony of Larg with the fortalice of Culgour as chief messuage.
Patrick, who was knighted before 1610, joined the regiment raised by Sir Donald Mackie of Strathnaver for service under the King of Denmark, and was wounded at the battle of Oldenburgh. He returned from the Continent in 1628, and that year became M.P. for the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, a position which he filled till 1639. Sir Patrick, an ardent Covenanter, was chosen president of the first meeting of Kirkcudbright stewartry War Committee on 27 June, 1640, and soon afterwards commanded a regiment of Galloway horse at the battle of Newburn, in which his only son Alexander fell after capturing a standard from the enemy. Zachary Boyd in a long poem entitled “Newburn Book” thus deplores the fall of young M’Kie:—
“In this conflict, which was a great pitie,
We lost the son of Sir Patrick M’Ghie.”
Sir Patrick m., first, Susanna, 3rd dau. of Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean, no issue,
He m., secondly, Mary, dau. of Sir Uchtred Macdowall of Garthland, issue five:—
Alexr., k. at Newburn in 1640; Jean, m. John Houston of Drumastane, by whom she had a son Patrick; a dau. m Alexr. Murdoch of Cumloden; Agnes, m. George, son of John Gordon of Airds ; and Grizel.
He m., thirdly, Isobel Kerr, Lady Greenheid, who survived him. Sir Patrick d. in 1645, and was succeeded by his nephew, Patrick M’Kie, bailie in Minnigaff, of whom follows:
VII. Patrick in Minnigaff, in. Agnes (Bargaly Charters, under Craignell), issue one son of whom follows: —
VIII. Patrick, was infeft in Larg in 1662, and had a son John (Galloway Charters), who m. Margaret, youngest dau. of Andrew Heron of Kiroughtree. The son predeceased the father, and his widow m., secondly, James Lidderdale of St. Mary’s Isle. Patrick and John, father and son, were fined for their Covenanting principles, forfeiting their estate in 1680, which came into the administration of the Duke of Queensberry. After the Revolution the estate was restored to John of Penninghame, great-great-grandson of Alexander V., and thus of the 9th generation. Of him follows.
IX. John in Penninghame, had sasine of Larg and Palgown, 2 June, 1691. He found the estate of Larg too encumbered to recover, and it passed to the Herons of Kiroughtree. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Patrick Dunbar of Machermore (Galloway Charters), who on his death m., secondly, Andrew Heron of Bargaly. The issue of John’s marriage was: —
Alexr, of whom follows; Anthony of Glencaird, of whom afterwards as Xa; and Margaret, m. Patrick Heron, yr. of Heron, and had issue.
X. Alexander, served heir to his father in 1699 and became M.P. for the Stewartry in 1706. He m., first, an Helene, issue three: — John, of whom follows; James, Judge-Advocate for Scotland, no issue; and Catherine, m. William Ramsay, M.D. Alexander m., secondly, Mrs. Christian Douglas, dau. of Sir James Dunbar of Mochrum, by whom he had a son Alexander —
XI. John, succeeded his father to Palgown in 1752, and eleven years after sold it to John, Lord Garlies. He m. the Hon. Jane Ross, dau. of George, 12th Lord Ross, no issue. On his m. he took the name of Ross, and was afterwards known as John Ross-M’Kie. He was an advocate of the Scottish Bar, M.P. for the burgh of Lanark, 1741-6, and for the Stewartry 1747-68, paymaster for the Board of Ordnance, and afterwards receiver-general of Stamp Duties. He d. in London 1797.
Xa. Anthony M’Kie of Glencaird, second son of John IX., m. Grizel Eccles, issue three: — William; John; and Agnes. He had also by another wife, Isobel M’Kie, a son John, of whom follows: —
XIa. John, an extensive farmer along the water of Minoch, in 1777 held 13,000 acres from the Earl of Cassilis and 1400 acres from Lord Galloway. He m., first, Margaret Machutcheon, by whom he had issue: — James, of whom follows; and Mary. He m., secondly, Jane M’William, issue: — William; and twins, John and Isobel. He d. in 1783.
Xlla. James M’Kie, purchased the estate of Bargaly 10 May, 1794, bought Craignell and Brochloch in 1801, and later on bought Drombuie. He m. Ann, dau. of William M’Caa, issue: — John, of whom follows; and Elizabeth.
Xllla. John of Bargaly, who d. 1858, M.P. for the Stewartry, m. Ann, dau. of Peter Lawrie of Ernespie, issue: — James, of whom follows; Peter, d. at Melbourne in 1842; John, d. in the East Indies in 1846; and Ann, d. at Carlingwark in 1841.
XlVa. James of Bargaly, who d. 1867, M.P. for the Stewartry 1857-67, m. in 1853 Jane Wilson, only dau. of Archibald Horne of Balvarran and Inverchroskie, Perth, issue nine: —
John of whom follows; Peter Lawrie, d. 8 July, 1896, m Annie, dau. of James Hamilton Kennedy (issue, Angela); James Archibald; William Murray, m. Mary, eldest dau. of John Fildes (issue, John); Annie Lawrie; Agnes, m. John William Hutchison of Edingham and Lauriston Hall, with issue; Margaret Preston, m. Andrew Johnston of Halleaths, with issue; Eliza Nina, m. John Gladstone Mackie of Auchencaion; and Ellen Stormonth, m. Charles L. Johnstone, with issue.
XVa. Lieut.-Col. John of Bargaly, J.P. and D.L. of the Stewartry, commanded the 3rd Bat. King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the late South African War, and wears the D.S.O. for distinguished conduct in the field.
That the families of Strathnaver and Galloway were related through Martin of Strathnaver was evidently accepted by Sir Robert Gordon, the northern historian. With Sir Donald Mackay of Strathnaver, his nephew, Gordon was intimately acquainted, and very probably had a personal acquaintance with Sir Patrick Mackie of Larg, so that he very likely gathered information from both. The Blackcastle MS., which is based upon an older family genealogical account, also says that a Martin of Strathnaver settled in Galloway, and we have already shown that he must have flourished c. 1260. Thus the Blackcastle MS. to some extent confirms Gordon. When Mackay of Strathnaver raised his regiment in 1626, so abundant was the supply of recruits that the object was accomplished in a few weeks. In the circumstances he would naturally select his own friends as far as possible. But one of his captains was Sir Patrick Mackie from distant Galloway. When he could get plenty of men nearer home why go so far afield? May it not be that he looked upon Sir Patrick as a distant cousin?
That the argument from similarity of armorial bearings is a treacherous one goes without saying, but the similarity in this case is very striking. Both branches of the Galloway family carry the lion on their shield, which is also the emblem of the Aberach Mackays. In our account of the Aberach Mackay banner at pp. 269-85, we showed that the left hand with extended fingers was anciently inscribed upon the armorial shield of the Strathnaver Mackays. But in the gable of Glencaird House, an old M’Kie seat and now the property of Col. John M’Kie of Bargaly, may be seen a carved stone bearing the date 1694, the letters J. Mk., and A.H., two ravens, and also a left hand with extended fingers exactly as found in Strathnaver. 1 Thus like the Strathnaver men, the Galloway Mackays bore the sinister hand appaume as well as the lion.
1. In the preparation of this account we have been generously assisted by Dr. Norman J. M’Kie, Newton Stewart, who has put at our disposal his own notes based upon a recent elaborate search of the Public Records.