Red and white book of Menzies

a.d. 1451-1452.] CHIEF SIR ANGUS THE MENZIES. 125
were a continuation of the lands of the Menzies' extending south from Loch Tay,
and Strath Tay, or the Appin of the Menzies', thus giving them the possession
of the whole country between Loch and Strath Tay, and Loch and Strath Earn.
These lands were apparently held by them for an indefinite period before, and
embodied in their ancient charters, only being mentioned when they came to be
separated from the main estates, as was this portion to Robert Menzies, the record
of which is as follows : —
"Charter to Robert Menzies, son and heir-apparent of Angusii Meinzies of
Cumre, and to his heirs male, the whole lands of Emerereane and of Croftytarane,
with buildings, pertinents thereon adjacent in the earldom of Stratherne in the
shire of Perth, upon the resignation of Mariote of Galmolawath, the tenant of
the king, &c, as a reward for a ' deed of true service, owned and acknowledged.'
Witnesses are, with others : — ■ David de Murray of Tullibardin, Simone de
Glendynivyn of the same, William de Cranstoun of Crosby — at Edinburgh, 21st
August 1451." — Oliphant's of Scot.
This Mariote was doubtless Mariote Menzies, sister to Angus Menzies, who
married the Earl of Annandale, but gave up these lands to her nephew on coming
of age. This charter was arranged and signed at the Menzies Castle on the
island of Loch Tay, then the residence of Chief Angus Menzies, as his father, Sir
John, occupied Castle Menzies at that time. That it was arranged at the
Menzies Castle of Loch Tay island is confirmed by the records of the Great
Seal, which states: — "At Edinburgh, 21st August 1451, James II. The king
confers on Robert Menzies, son and heir-apparent of Angus Menzies of Comre,
and his heirs male the lands of Emerc, and of Croftyiitarane in the earldom of
Stratherne in the shire of Perth, which Mariote of Galmolawach at Loch Tay
personally resigned."
Alexander Stewart of Banchory, a relative of the Duke of Albany, Regent
of Scotland during the non-age and imprisonment of King James I., had a son
Thomas who, says Nisbet, received a feu-grant of the lands of Grandtully from
Angus Menzies about 1452 ; and immediately thereafter, possibly as the reward
of the good services referred to in the charter of 21st August 145 1, the lands and
castle of Grandtully were handed back to the young Chief Angus Menzies by this
Thomas Stewart. This restoration was confirmed by King James II., as is thus
recorded : —
"At 24th May 1452, James II. The king confirms a charter by
Thome Stewart of Granetuly, who conveys to Angusio Menzeis of Cumre the
said lands and house (castle) of Granetuly, together with the lands of Bordland
in the shire of Perth." — Reg. Great Seal, p. 26, vol. vii.
The lands of Grandtully had up to this date been embodied in the Menzies
district of Dull, or the abthanage of Dull, and only on their changing hands