Auchindoon


     Auchindoun has been an unlucky house for its owners. It was built in 1479 for the Earl of Mar, the brother of James III. James III had the Earl murdered and the holding was given along with the title to a court favorite, Robert Cochrane in 1479. Cochrane was hanged by the Barons at Lowder bridge in 1482. The lands then passed to the Ogilvies but were lost by debt to the Gordons and was held as a part of the lands of their chief, the Marquis of Huntley.

     In 1592 the then Marquis of Huntley was sent by James IV of Scotland to apprehend and arrest the Earl of Moray. Huntley was cautioned to take him alive (q.v. the ballad "The Bonnie Earl of Moray"). Huntley ran Moray to earth at Donibristle, Fife, but Moray refused to surrender to Huntley bewcause of an earlier feud. Huntley had the house set afire and in the ensuing confusion, Moray was killed. In revenge for the death of Moray, the Mackintoshes raided and burned several of Huntley's manors. Auchindoun was among them.



As I came by Fiddich Side, all on a May morning
I saw William MacIntosh, as the cocks were crowing
Turn ye MacIntosh, turn again I bid thee,
An ye burn Auchindoon, Huntley he will head thee.

Chorus:
Head me or hang me, that will never frighten me,
I'll burn Auchindoon, e'er my life shall leave me.

As I came by Auchindoon, all on a May Morning,
I saw Willie MacIntosh, in the streets a-burning,
Burning, burning, Auchindoon was burning
For Huntley had killed Murray, all on a May Morning.

Chorus

As I came upon Cairn Croom, All on a May Morning,
I saw Willie MacIntosh, as the Cocks were crowing,
Burning, burning, Auchindoon was burning,
For Huntley had killed Murray, all on a May Morning.

Chorus

Bonnie Willie MacIntosh, where have ye left your fine young men?
I left them down at Staplegate, they shall nay come home again.
Burning, burning, Auchindoon was burning,
For Huntley had killed Murray, all on a May Morning.

Chorus twice