Gordons in Sutherland, including the Embo family

The Gordons of Golspiekirkton
Sir Robert Gordon in his " Tab'es " heads this
section as the " < ffspting of Maister Adam Gor-
don of Ferack," but as "Ferack" (which was
really Ferrar in Aberdeenshire) passed out of the
family quickly and as the family was identified
wholly with Sutherlandshire, I prefer to de-
signate it as of Golspiekirkton.
Ferrar lies in the lordship of Aboyne, Aberdeen-
shire. Mr James Macdonald (" Piace Names of
West Aberdeenshire" p. 186) suggests that
"possibly" the name is derived from " feur,"
which means grass, and the terminal " ar," mean-
ing " a grassy place." The " Hoate of Ferrar" is
given in the notes to a View of the Diocese of
Aberdeen as having been one of the fords of the
river I ee. This name also appears as " Ferrer,"
^Ferar." and " Farer," never as "Ferack;"
which shows that Sir Robert Gordon knew of it
only by hearsay It be onged to Lord Adam
■Gordon, who married Elizabeth Countess of
Sutherland, and it formed part of the lordship of
Aboyne to which his grandson -John Earl of
Sutherland was served heir in 153^. Lord Adam
is said ("Records of Aboyne" p. 147) to have
lived there "during the closing years of his life."
He is visually said to hare died at " Aboyne" in
September, 1535. His third son, "Master"
Adam, probably lived with him, while the elder
son Alexander looked after the estates in Suther-
land. "Master" Adam was killed at the battle
of Pinkie and as he left no legitimate issue, the
lands apparently reverted to the Sutherland line
for his grand nephew, Alexander, Earl of Suther-
land, sold Ferrar in 1578 to Sir John Carnegie of
Kinnaird ("Records of Aboyne" pp. 148-150).
Master Adam oordon left "only a bastard
sone,"
Adam Gordon of Golspiekirkton.
Adam Gordon of Golspiekirkton.
He was the natural son of Adam Gordon of
Ferrar. Hr Robert Gordon ('Ears of Suther-
land" p 58) says he died in March, 1626, " verie
aged."
Sir Robert in his Tab'es says he married
Christina Murray, daughter of Hugh Murray of
Abircsors, and had