Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 2, 1894

THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
235
r'
Part X. — Prior of Oronsay's Bond;
Troubles of Sir James MacDonald ;
AND Destruction of Dunyvaig Castle.
|pI5||HE next document I have of Sir James
X^ Macdonald's is a Bond by Ronald
^^^ M'Connald vie Iain of Hand, which is
as follows, modernized : —
I have not identified the granter, unless he
were owner of the Isles at the mouth of Loch
Kilkeraii, sometimes called " Island L>avaar,"
and have some doubt where Knockransay is
situated, probably in Loch Ranza of Arran, or.
the five merk land in South Kintyre called
" Knockreanoch." The Witnesses were all men
of note.
" Be it known to all men by these present letters,
the Ronald M'Connald of Hand, vie ean to have
granted, confessed, and accepted as by these presents
grants, confesses and accepts the Right Honourable
Sir James M'Connald of Knocki-ansay, Knight, as
my superior Master and Foster, and therefore by
the tenure hereof binds and obliges me to fortify
against and defend the said Sir James with all and
whatsoever force, strength, and might, that I ean
or may have, either of men or gear, in all his actions,
errands or business in whatsoever places he have
or shall have to do, contrar and against all deadly
or mortals without any exception in all times
hereafter, and for the more verification of all and
sundry the premises the said Ronald has s\ib-
scribed these presents with my hand as follows. —
At Knockransay the 9th day of March, 1597 years,
before these witnesses, Gorrie vie Allister of Lupe,
Archibald M'Connald of Largie, and Archibald
M'Allister of Crossage, Avith others diverse. I
Ronald M'Connald with my hand at the pen led
by the ^vriter under written because I could not
write myself. (Signed), Johne M'Kay, -irriter
hereof as witness, etc."
The next and last of my original documents
is most interesting referring as it does to
Oronsay, tliat Sacred Isle adjoining Colonsay,
where by tradition Columba first set foot on
Scottish soil. Oronsay in the ancient Parish of
Kilchattan or Kilduran was a five merk land
and belonged to the Priors instituted it is said by
Columba, and carried on till 155.5 when Robert
Lamont, probably the last Catholic Prior was
presented to the Priorate, vacant by the death
of Donald Macduffie. The remains of the
Church and Cloisters are still considerable, with
fine crosses and handsome tombs, all connected
with the ancient family of Macdutfie otherwise
Macphee. Of this Bond a fac simile is given,
and with the spelling modernized is as follows: —
" Be it known to all men by these presents me
Sir James M'Conill of Knockrinsay, Knight, to have
taken and by these presents takes my loving
servitor and native kynd man Donald Makduphee
Pryor of Oronsay in my maintenance, warrand and
life safe guard, and promises faithfully to warrand