History of the Frasers of Lovat

XV. HUGH, TENTH LORD FRASER. l8l
marched through the parish of Kirkhill under the guidance
of Sir James Fraser of Brea, then Governor of the Castle
of Inverness, and its commander during the siege. For
a couple of days the two armies continued in sight of each
other, having the river Beauly between them, " Middleton as
much afraid of Montrose as Montrose was of him." On the
fourth day Montrose broke up his camp, and set fire to it.
Middleton's object was to induce his opponent to fight on
the low and more level ground, but dreading his pursuer's
superiority in cavalry, and Seaforth's levies daily deserting
him, Montrose, after having set fire to his camp, proceeding
through Strathglass and Fort-Augustus, made a circuit of
Lochness, and, passing through Stratherrick, found his way
to the banks of the Spey. Sir James Fraser, now possessing
the rank of Colonel in the army, entertained Middleton and
his principal officers at Lovat, and then conducted him in
great state across the Ferry of Beauly, through the Black
Isle to the Castle of Chanonry, then under the charge of
Lady Seaforth, which at once surrendered to him. Middle-
ton then handed the keys of it to Sir James Fraser who
placed a garrison in the Bishop's house, which continued to
occupy it for several years. Having removed a quantity of
stores and ammunition sent by Queen Henrietta for the use
of Montrose on his expected arrival there, Middleton gave
up the castle to the Countess of Seaforth, whom he treated
with the greatest civility and respect.
The members of the Lovat family were very much
scattered at the date of their father's death. Alexander
the Tutor, was with his uncle, the Earl of Wemyss, who
had secured a Captain's commission for him in the army,
when he was only twenty years of age. Thomas, afterwards
of Beaufort, now about fifteen years old, lived sometimes
in Ross, at other times in Sutherland, but mostly with his
sister in Caithness. James, the youngest son, was at the
school of Kirkhill, and resided with Alexander Fraser of
Phoineas, Governor of the Castle of Lovat, while the young
Lord Hugh, now about four years old, was in Fife under
the care of his grand-uncle, the Earl of Wemyss, and his