History and traditions of the land of the Lindsays in Angus and Mearns

VI PREFACE.
— Finhaven and Edzell were the cherished abodes of the family
so long as it's power survived ; and its various members were
proprietors of important portions of the Mearns from a remote
to a late period. Although these estates have long since passed
to other hands, and the family is merely represented in its
fatherland by a collateral branch, it is pleasing to know that
the ancient title is still enjoyed by a lineal descendant of the
original stock, whose son and heir-apparent is the impartial and
elegant biographer of his illustrious progenitors.
Though traditions of the Lindsays are not so plentiful in the
district as they were of old, when the hills and dales and running
brooks were less or more associated with stories of their daring
and valour — enough remains to shew the almost unlimited
sway which the family maintained over the greater portion of
Angus, and a large part of Mearns-shire. Like the doings of
other families of antiquity, those of the Lindsays are mixed
with the fables of an illiterate age ; and, though few redeem-
ing qualities of the race are preserved in tradition, popular
story ascribes cruel and heartless actions to many of them. Still,
extravagant as some of these stories are, they have not been
omitted, any more than those relating to other persons and
families who fall within the scope of this volume ; and, where
such can be refuted, either by reference to documentary or other
substantial authority, the opportunity has not been lost sight of.
The way in which erroneous ideas have been reiterated re-
garding old families, and the transmission of their properties,
&c, has led to much confusion, the sad evils of which are
most apparent to those who attempt to frame a work of such
a nature as the present. From the Author's desire to correct
these errors, the book will, perhaps, have more claim to the title
of a collection of facts regarding the history and antiquities of the
Land of the Lindsays than to a work of originality and merit,
and may, therefore, be less popular in its style than most readers