throw the wholle tract of his history makes it his work to speak ill of all thosse who ware the king’s favorites for the tyme.  He sets doune all their vices in folio, but conceals the vertue by which it most be presumed they rose, and by which they did keip themselfes on foot.  The tyme was their ware 22 landed gentlemen of the name of Ramsay in Fyffe.  Some say Corston was a cadet of Dalhousie and some of Auchterhouse, of which family I have heard it contended the famous Alex’r Ramsay in King David’s tyme (Buchanan, page 309) was, and not of Dalhousie; as also the Ramsay that was with Wallace.  Of Dalhousie Ramsay, sy page 314.  Skein, in the word Clan-McDuff, tells of W’m Ramsay E. of Fyffe, in K. Davids time.  Its thought Auchterhouse is elder then Dalhousie; but that the most floorishing family is most ready to arrogat to it selfe as being the oldest house.  Sir Jo.  Ramsay that killed Gowry was a sone of Wiliecleuches in the Mers, and got Estbarnes, and was made E. of Huldernes.  He was first made vicount of Hadingtoun.

    [584] MS. K.

    [585] It may be that the name of the property is omitted by mistake.

    [586] ‘Formerly.’

We saw also Rossie ...[587] and its loch, which seemes to be very large; saw Ramorney, Heriot; saw Scotstarvet, formerly Inglistarvet, on the croup of a hill; besyde it is the Struther.  Then came to Couper by that way wheir the race is run; then came to Scotscraig-a part of it holds of the See of St. Androis and some of the E. of Mar—­my Lord St. Androis big house, 6 miles from Couper and 4 from St. Androis, and a mile from the north ferry.  It belonged, as also the Kirkton within a mile theirof, to George Lord Ramsay, father to this E. of Dalhousie, and was sold by him to S.[588] J. Buchanan, and Abbotshall conquestit[589] in lieu theirof.  On the windows of the house of Scotscraig are the initiall letters of Sir Jo.  Buchanan and Dame Margaret Hartsyde.  Arthur Erskin got it from them, whosse creditors sold it to the Bischop, and got but 8 pence for their pounds of what was owing them.

    [587] Two words torn off.

    [588] Sir.

    [589] ‘Acquired.’

In the returning home to the Linkton, we saw 2 miles from the Craig Brackmont and Brackmont milne; then Forret, then Moonzie, as also Kinneuchar:[590] item, Dairsie, of old Leirmonts, now Morisones, with Bischop Spotswoods chappell he can see build their.[591] On the same water stand Kemnock[592] (theirs another in Fyffe called Cummock, who is Morton to his name), ware Sheveses, the successors of Wm. Sheves, archbischop of St. Androis, who outed Grahame, Kennedie’s successor, and ingratiated himselfe with the nobility because of his skill in Astrology; they are now Mcgills; Rumgaye, also Migill; and Blebo, now Beaton.  Saw Craigball, of old Kinninmonts, now Hopes, as also Cires.  Came at last to Kennoway, belonging to the Laird of Balfour, and holden by him waird of the chancelor Rothes:  its 12 miles fra Scotscraig.