The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

APPEND.] OF SCOTLAND 379
these lands is proved by the fact that there exists a confirmation
of an indenture betwixt Wilham de Fenton of Baky on the
one part, and "
Margaret de la A rd doniina de Erchless and
Thomas de Chishelme her son and heir" on the other part,
dividing between them the lands of which they were heirs
portioners, and among these lands is the barony of the Ard in
Inverness-shire. This deed is dated at Kinrossy, 25th of
April, 1403.
In all probability, therefore, the husband of Margaret must
have been Alexander de Chishelme, who is mentioned in 1368
as comportioner of the barony of Ard along with lord Fenton.
The name of Chishalm does not occur in Battle Abbey Roll,
so there is no distinct authority to prove that the family was
actually of Norman origin,
but these documents above cited
distinctl}' shew that the name was introduced into the Highlands
from the low country. Their original seat was in all
probabilit}' in Roxburgshire, as we find the only person of the
name who signs Ragman's Roll is " Richard de Chesehelm del
county de Roxburg," and in this county the family of Chisholm
with the
still remains. Their situation, therefore, together
character of the name itself, seems with sufificient clearness to
indicate a Norman origin.
The four families whose origin we have here investigated,
although cursorily, complete the number of clans whose foreign
origin can be established with any degree of certainty ; and
whether we consider the small number of these families, or their
situation on the borders of the Highlands, we cannot but be
struck with the small impression which the predominating
influence of the Saxons and Normans in the Highlands, and the
continued encroachments of the Lowland barons, both of such
lengthened endurance, produced upon the population of the
be accounted
aboriginal Gael. This is a fact which can only
for by the rooted and unalterable hatred which the Gael have
them or settlement
always exhibited to the introduction among
of strangers, and which perhaps more than any other cause
led to those interminable feuds by which the Highlands of
Scotland were so long and grievously distracted.