Glenbuchat Heritage

134 Letter from 'Old Glenbucket' in 1732

Above is a copy of a letter from John Gordon ‘Old Glenbucket’ written in his own handwriting in 1732. It comes fromn Inverbucket the site of the present Glenbuchat Castle.


Ken Cruickshank who contributed the copy of the letter stated:

re Old Glenbucket’s letter of 1732, I would say it was sent to James Murray (1690 - 1764), second Duke of Atholl (1724 - 1764). It is addressed to - My Lord Duke and mentions Dunkeld in Perthshire, part of the vast Atholl Estates. There was a Dunkeld House on the estate, now demolished. James Murray was a firm government supporter, whilst his brothers William and George were staunch Jacobites.


From Wikipedia about the 2nd Duke of Athol

On the approach of the highland army after the Jacobite rising of 1745, Atholl fled southwards, and his elder brother, the Marquis of Tullibardine, took possession of Blair Castle. Atholl, however, joined the army of the Duke of Cumberland in England, and, arriving with him in Edinburgh on 30 January 1746, went northwards. On 9 February, he sent a summons to his vassals to attend at Dunkeld and Kirkmichael and join the king's troops. On 6 April 1763, Atholl resigned the office of privy seal on being appointed keeper of the great seal in succession to Charles Douglas (1698–1778), Duke of Queensberry and Dover. He was also at the same time made lord justice general.


Transcription of letter (where possible)

My Lord

I would have had the honour to waited on your Grace at Dunkell (Dunkeld) before this tyme but was obliged not to be out of the countrie (area) expecting some friends to be at my house, and my harvest will keep me at home sometime, but soon as done, I shall have the satisfaction be at Dunkell.

I happened to mete with a man the oyr (other) day who lately was at Logierate (Logierait), he acknowledged very frankly he came off without taking leave His name is Gregor Roy a friend auchtertyres (?former times), he says your Grace was very kind to him of gch (?which) he has great resortment (? appreciaton/gratitude) and wishes much it was in his power to serve your Grace. He informs me that their (there) is on buy lib as in Badenoch that committed (committed) some out of the way things to some of your Grace (Grace’s) people and that your Grace wants much have of him If it be so let me know and he shall be sent to Mr Roy. Shall be the man that shall bring him, for he wants to serve your Grace in any capacity I make offer of my dutie (?dutiful) repects and am with grat sincerity

My Dear Lord Duke

Yours grace’s most affectionate and
Most obedient servant.

Gordon


Inverbucket 2nd Sept
1732