The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

158 THE HIGHLANDERS [parti
Scottish conquest down to the thirteenth century, they frequently
notice the existence o^ pjwinces in the north of Scotland. The
oldest description of these territorial divisions which we possess,
is contained in the work of Giraldus Cambrensis, styled " De
Situ Albaniae," and written in the year 1180. He mentions
that the "
Aqua optima, quae Scottice vocata est Forth," divides
the "
regna Scottorum et Anglorum," and says, " Hasc vero
terra a septem fratribus divisa fuit antiquitus in septem partes :
quarum pars principalis est Enegus cum Moerne, ab Enegus
fratrum sic nominata secunda autem pars est
: primogenito
AdtJicodle et Gouerin^ : pars etiam tertia est Stradeern cum
Meneted : quarta pars partium est Fife cum Fothreve : quinta
vero pars est Marr cum BucJien : sexta autem est Miirref et
Ros : septima enim pars est CatJianesia citra montem et ultra
montem :
quia Mons Mound dividit Cathatiesiavi per medium."^
He afterwards gives a different account of the seven provinces,
on the authority of Andrew, Bishop of Caithness :—
"Primum regnum fuit (sicut mihi verus relator retulit, Andreas,
videlicet, vir venerabilis Katanensis episcopus nacione Scottus
et Dunfermlis Monachus) ab ilia aqua optima, quae Scottice
vocata est Forth, Britannice Werid, Romane vero Scotte-Wattre,
i.e., aqua Scottorum ;
quae
regna Scottorum et Anglorum dividit,
et currit juxta oppidum de Strivelin, usque ad flumen aliud
nobile, quod vocatum est Tae.
" Secundum regnum ad Hilef, sicut mare circuit, usque ad
montem aquilonali plaga de Strivelin qui vocatur Athrin.
" Tertium regnum ab Hi/ef usque ad Z^e.
"
Ouartum regnum ex F>e usque ad magnum et mirabile
et meliorem totius Scociae.
flumen quod vocatur Spe, majorem
'•
Ouintum regnum de S^e usque ad montem Bruinalban.
"
Sextum regnum fuit Muref et Ros.
"
Septimum regnum fuit Arregaithel."
On comparing these two lists, it will be observed that six
'The word read by Inues Gouerin, Atlioll and Gowry being in the same
ought undoubtedly to be Garorin or territorial division. Innes probably
Garmorin, for the division of the Picts never heard of the Earldom of Garinto
the two nations of Australes et moriu,
Septentrionales, and the language of
Bede, precludes the possibility of £. Innes, App. No. 1.