Red and white book of Menzies

a.d. 1455-1456.] CHIEF SIR ANGUS THE MENZIES. 127
also the king assesses the annual amount at £4, and allocates the amounts as
per settlement hereupon. Albany heralds," &c. — Exchequer Rolls, p. 51, vol. vi.
Although part of Glenlyon is in the district comprehended under the name
Fortingall, yet it had at this time a market of its own. Glenlyon is a long, narrow
vale extending from Loch Lyon, lying near the western boundary of Perthshire
running towards the Tay, to near Comery Castle — a distance of about 28 miles.
The Glen is traversed through its whole length by the river Lyon ; its breadth is
very inconsiderable — seldom in the level part exceeding a furlong — and in some
places so hemmed in by the mountains as to only contain a space of 8 or 10
yards for the passage of the river. Its flanking heights on both sides, but
specially on the southern, come down upon it with such steep declivity as to
ward off the sunbeams and render it a vale of light and shade during the entire
days of the winter months, and a considerable portion of every other day during
the year ; but it is remarkable that the sides of the glen up to the very summits
of the hills are in general green with herbage, and dotted over with sheep. Down
the sides of the glen rush innumerable burns, careering over every impediment
coming in their way, forming cataracts and cascades of every variety, on their
impetuous way to join the river Lyon — many of them coming from a distance of
four miles inland — presenting many pictures of mingled beauty and romantic
grandeur ; the finishing effects of the landscape being completed by the many
singular careerings, falls, spates, and" deep, dark pools, with other natural and
impressive beauties of the river Lyon. Near the head of the glen stands the old
Menzies' fortalice, Meggernie Castle, probably built by Chief Lord Robert
" Meggneris," 1328 — retaining almost the same spelling — the old square tower of
which is conjectured to have been altered by Sir Angus the Menzies. It has in its
ancient doorway an iron-grated door very like the one at Castle Menzies. There
must have been a large population with a considerable trade in Glenlyon at this
time, as his returns are very good as compared with the others.
The following year (1456) we find the young chief making payment to the
Crown Exchequer of his fees from his possessions, in which record we have the
Menzies Castle and island of Loch Tay mentioned, which was the principal place
of residence of Sir Angus the Menzies. In his time it was at this Menzies Castle,
on the island of Loch Tay, that most of the documents were dated from : these,
with the fees from his tenant, Colin Campbell, and his other possessions, reads
thus : —
"Angus Meigners, his fee, &c, 1456, from Sir Colino Cambel, Knight, who
for beseching and for service with the annual rent of 40 merks to the lord of
Descheir and Toyere, ' Sir Angus the Menzies,' in full payment of his annual fees,
hereby received £26, 1 3s. 4d." — Exchequer Rolls.
This shows how the Glenurchy Campbells came as the followers of the