Genealogical memoir of the most noble and ancient house of Drummond

174 Genealogical Memoir ssct. vi.
As soon as he arrived in Scotland, the duke was among
the first who joined his standard, with all the forces he
earl throughout his extensive estates in Strathearn, Balquhidder,
and Monteith. But an unfortunate occurrence prevented Mr.
Drummond from following his chieftain to the field. On the
morning of his departure to join the standard of the prince, when
all his followers were assembled, and nothing remained but to
take breakfast, the servant, in handing the tea-kettle, by the
express command of her mistress, overturned the whole upon
his legs, which circumstance disabled him from mounting his
horse, and entirely frustrated all his measures. By no other
method less violent could his wife, Miss Buchanan of Lenie,
keep him back from joiuing the rebels, and this most probably
saved both himself and his property. On this failure of his
plans, all the arms were collected, and buried in a concealment
near the house of Drummondernoch, where they still remain.
After the battle of Culloden, which extinguished for ever the
hopes of Charles, the earl of Perth returned to Strathearn, and
when obliged to fly from Drummond castle, and lurk concealed
in the adjoining woods, Drummondernoch was his constant at-
tendant. It is honourable to both parties here to record, that
the earl, as a reward for his friendly attachment, gave to Mr.
Drummond a grant of the house and part of the lands of Dal-
whinnie, at which he afterwards resided, and for which he paid
annually a triflmg sum. It is painful, however, to add, that
when Mr. Drummond was on his death-bed, the lease was con-
veyed away, and never more heard of or seen, which to his sur-
viving family became a most serious loss.
It was slated in p. 64, that this gentleman succeeded as next
heir-male to the laird of Comrie, and that this succession, by in-
volving him in debt, obliged him to sell the lands of Drummond-
ernoch, formerly called Waigtcne, which his ancestor Thomas
Drummond got from William Lord Graham, after his return to
Scotland from Ireland, when living at Kincardine with his niece
Annabella Drummond, the lady of Lord Graham. At his death,
this debt remained undischarged; and when his son, the late
Mr. James Drummond of Comrie, succeeded to the estate, which
was strictly entailed, he voluntarily paid off the whole, although
not bound to do so by law. By this act of integrity and strict
honour was the first outset in life of this young gentleman mark-
ed, and his future conduct was equally just, generous, and hon-
ourable. In every point of view, his character was distinguish-
ed for the public, private, and social virtues ; and though his