History of the Mathesons

THE MATHESONS. 17
to the west, and Ruari seldom failed to overtake them and recover
the creach. He has been locally commemorated in this connection
in the following lines : —
Ruari Beag Marfan Mhic Ruari Mhic Mhurchaidh Bhuidhe,
Dha math thig clogaide cruadhach is pic iughair,
'Bheireadh Creach a tir an namhaid gun aon umhail.
Roderick died without issue.
John Matheson was succeeded in Fernaig, by his eldest son,
John, commonly called " Ian Mor."
John Mor Matheson, who, although he afterwards, as will
be immediately seen, purchased extensive estates in the Black Isle,
always continued to style himself of Fernaig, in Lochalsh. He
was liberally educated under the superintendence of his relative,
Murdoch Mackenzie, grandson of Alexander Roy, a natural son
of John Glassich Mackenzie, second Baron of Gairloch. Murdoch,
who was an Episcopalian, served as Chaplain in Lord Reay's
Regiment in the Bohemian and Swedish service, under Gustavus
Adolphus ; and on his return home he was presented to the
parishes of Contin, Inverness, and Elgin, in succession. In 1662
he was elected to the Bishopric of Moray, and subsequently, in
1677, translated to the See of Orkney.* The author of the
Iomaire manuscript states that John " was taken up " by the
Bishop of Moray, " who resided at Kinkell.-f* The Bishop kept
him for some time at school, and gave him 500 merks Scots to
traffic therewith. After following the mercantile line for some
time, in which he was very successful, he began cattle dealing, by
which he became master of a good deal of money." Starting in
life under such auspices, it is not surprising to find John Mor
cutting out a career for himself. His friend, the Bishop, pointed
out the source of wealth which might open up to him if he could
succeed in driving some of the superfluous herds of black cattle
which then abounded in the Highlands to the southern markets,
and which were then of scarcely any value among his own
countrymen, but, on the other hand, often served as a temptation
to spoliations and feuds among themselves. John Mor at once
saw the force of his cousin's advice. But there were various
* For Murdoch's descendants, see "The History of the Mackenzies," by the
same author, p. 314.
t Hence we presume the name His/wp-Kinkell,
B