It was possible that Argyle might now have
sufficiently repaired his affairs to be able to render some assistance
from the West; and there was an ally in Perthshire who might, if he
would, prove of even more value than Argyle.[91]
Lord Murray, Athole's eldest son, had, unlike his father, made up his
mind early in the Revolution and kept to it. But it happened that there
was one now in possession of Blair Castle who had also chosen his side
with equal resolution. Athole had slunk off to England, leaving his
castle and his vassals to the charge of his agent, Stewart of Ballechin.
Ballechin was a sturdy Jacobite; and though he had not yet dared to arm
the Athole men for James, he had managed on more than one occasion to do
timely service to Dundee. Blair was one of the most important posts in
the proposed line of garrisons. It commanded on one side the only road
by which troops could march from the low country of Perth into the
Highlands, and on the other the passes leading to the Spey and the Dee.
Whoever held Blair practically held the key of the Highlands. Mackay
therefore urged Murray, who was then in Edinburgh, to get rid of this
unjust steward and make sure of so valuable a stronghold for the
Government. Murray promised to do what he could. He did not profess to
be very sanguine of persuading the men of Athole to fight for William;
but for the castle, he could not suppose that Ballechin would dare to
shut the gates of his own father's house against him.
Pages:
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243