Mysterious ‘Raigmore Found!

I have made a little discovery today – the location of the otherwise mysterious ‘Raigmore’ which A.M. Mackintosh mentions in his history as the place Milmor McBean was tenant in 1499. It isn’t the place of that name where the hospital in Inverness is, but a spot near Tomatin. It doesn’t exist as a residence today but faded away from the map long ago. More in due course. David’s following up.
 
History that had remained hidden for so long is coming into view – it’s quite exciting. 

two men called Gillies McBean

A Mystery solved, before we see in the new year! – The two men called Gillies McBean who are both mentioned as ‘Tacksman of Bunachton’, and both fought at Culloden. The picture attached to this post is of ‘Gillies ‘Mor’ McBean’, the elder of the two and the one who died at Culloden. Gillies ‘Mor’ McBean was the younger brother of the clan’s chief Aeneas McBean of Kinchyle, and the 2nd son of their father William McBean, previous chief of the clan.

I have found the answer to some of this, prompted by discussion in another post, and am repeating it here in a new post for easy future reference.

What is detailed below confirms that Gillies ‘Mor’ MacBean was living with his family in ‘Dellmagerry’ when he died on 16th April 1746, and had formerly been ‘Tacksman of the lands of Bunachton’, and that another Gillies McBean who was ‘in Bunachton’ (i.e. resident there) was the Executor to Gillies ‘Mor’ and ‘present Tacksman of the lands of Bunachton’ (i.e. at the time that Gillies ‘Mor’ died). This other ‘Gilles McBean Taksman of Bunachton’ is also mentioned in the testament of ‘John McBean, late soldier in Lord John Murray’s Regiment, lawful son to William McBean, late Taksman of Kenapole the time of his decease which was upon the [_left blank _] day of August One Thousand seven Hundred and forty seven years within the Parochine of Dores and Commissariot of Invernes’

The ‘Testament Dative qua Creditor’ of Gilies ‘Mor’ MacBean begins as follows [NOTE: the nickname / epithet ‘Mor’ was applied to Gillies well after his death, perhaps to tell him apart from other Gillies McBeans….he is not referred to as ‘Gillies Mor McBean’ in any document I have seen, during his lifetime:

“Gilles McBean in Dellmagerry Infavores of Gilles McBean Tacksman of Buncachton. The Testament Dative of and Inventory of the following goods and gear which pertained and belonged to, Urnqll [??] Gilles McBean in Dellmagerry Son to Kinchyle and late Tacksman of the lands of Bunachton the time of his decease which was upon the 16th April 1746 years When he had his family and domicile at Dellmagerry within the Parochine of Moy and Commissariot of Inverness faithfully made and given up by Gilles McBean in Bunachton & present Tacksman of the Lands of Bunachton Exer [i.e. ‘Executor’] Dative qua Creditor to the said defunct admitted and Decerned by Decreel and Sentence of the Comr of Invs [i.e. Commissioner of Inverness] and his Depute bearing date 29 Octr 1746…..”

It continues later to mention:

“Confirmation

John Stewart Comr of Inverness &c via ordinaria Wherein Donald McBean Tacksman of Aldaurie is Cautor [i.e. ‘Cautioner’] date of the Testament is the fourth November 1746 yrs. Ex……

Follows the Bond of Cautry in the said Testmt 
I Donald McBean Tacksman of Aldaurie bind and oblige me my heirs & successors as Cautioner or Surety acted in the Commissory court books of Inverness for Gilles McBean present Tacksman of Bunachton Exeter Dative qua Creditor admitted and decerned to the deceast Gilles McBean in Dellmagerry Son to Kinchyle That the haill goods & gear to be given up in Inventory and Confirm’d in […] of the said Exer shall be made […………[ as accords of Law. And I the said Gilles McBean Exer bind and oblige me & my heirs to free relieve & [….] keep my said Cautr & his foresaids of the said Cautionry and of all Damages & Expenses consequent
…………
(cont….)
Written by Evan Baillie Comr Clerk of Inverness ……? Alldaurie the fourth Day of Novr 1746 before these witnesses Donald & Alexander McBeans both lawful sons to me the said Donald McBean Comr Sic Subr Don. McBean, Gilles McBean. Donald McBean witness Alexander McBean witness.”

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