f’il 
\ybich their contefts occafioned. The confutation of their fafety, therefore, obliged the 
chieftains to conttrud places of ftrength and defence, for the protection of their family , 
dependants in times of danger. And all who had fufficient influence with the crown obtained 
permiflion and authority for that purpofe. Auchindown feems to have been one of thofe bw 
the inftance of the family of Findlater . 
Alexander Lord Ogilvie held this barony, in 1520, as part of the lordfhip of Dejkford. At 
period he married Elizabeth , a lady of the family of Gordon ; forming a connexion that av?e . 
northern counties •, but an alarming diffention fprung forth from it, that well nigh counterba a ^ 
all its falutary effects. By fettlements in confequence of this alliance,, the eftate and barony 0 
chindtium were configned to a collateral heir of the family of Gordon -, Sir James Ogilvie of ^ ^ 
fon and heir of Lord Alexander by a former marriage, being abroad, in France , with Queen M ^ 
as mafter of her horfe-guards, at the time. On his return with her majefty into Scotland, 1 ^ fl f 
claimed his heritable pofleflions, and threatened to defend his lawful title to Auchindown by 
th^ 
the 
arms. 
The conteft between the reprefentatives of thefe noble families was on the eve 
of eimb> r01 
of ral1 
ifo 
ing the north in all the horrors of civil war ; when, by the mediation of fome j udicious men 0 ^ 
folicitous to preferve the public quiet, and equally friends of the contending parties, it was agf 
fubmit the caufe to the arbitration of Queen Mary ; and her too artful counfellor the V 
Murray lent his aid in the decifion.. 
The Queen, being come north, received in perfon the keys of Findlater Cajlle and of t/ 
in teftimony of the implicit fubmiflxon to be paid to her decrees ; and peace and future un3 .'!* ; 0 tfS 
was folemnly fworn to by the families at variance, and ratified, with all the grandeur of t £ 
ceremony, before the high altar of St. Ann’s Church in Cullen. 
* 
By the royal determination, the barony and caftle of Auchindown devolved on Sir Adam _,gji 
who afterwards aCted.a diftinguilhed part in the civil wars that embittered' the latter part of ^ 
Mary’s reign. 
• C ftlhl or ^ 
The Earl of Murray, for his good' offices in being umpire along with Mary in ,el 
di-fpute, laid' hold on the ample fields of Strath-Nairn , an eftate which the family of FindlaW 
Invernefsjhire , and annexed it to his pofleflions. 
I<n confequence of thefe conceffior.s, Alexander Lord Findlater and Sir James , his fon, y 
other lands and eftates to which they had laid claim confirmed and ratified to them. A v ' er ^ to( $ 
tuous monument, a mod fplendid and beautiful piece of gothic architecture, is placed over 
on* hi : 
fome fculptures merit particular attention,, and a plate of. it ihall therefore be engraved 
next number. 
of the above nobleman and his lady, who united the interefts of thefe powerful families ; 
icf 
the 
