[1581/10/110]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forasmuch as by diverse acts of parliament made of before concerning the reformation of religion within this realm, the monks' houses are altogether abolished and their places and abbeys for the most part left wasted, namely the abbey of Inchcolm, which of ancient time, when the same was inhabited by the abbey and convent thereof, was at diverse times taken by the Englishmen, then enemies to our realm, and served to them as a fortalice and stronghold against our sovereign lord's good subjects, by occasion whereof the countries lying about were by the enemy infested and troubled, and at some other times since the reformation of the religion within this realm, since the which time this abbey was left deserted, the same has been receptacle to pirates and may hereafter by diverse appearances serve to the like inconveniences, and can in no way be profitable to our sovereign lord nor his realm, unless the same be in the hands of a special tenant, who may foresee and provide that the said isle, with the abbey, mansion, dovecote and yards being therein, may be put to some profitable use; and therefore our said sovereign lord, with advice of his said three estates of this present parliament, ratifies, approves and confirms the infeftment of feu ferm of the said isle, abbey, mansion house, yards and dovecote thereof, with all their pertinents, made by Sir James Stewart of Doune, knight, commendator of the said abbey, with consent of the convent thereof, to the late Archibald [Campbell, earl of] Argyll, his heirs and assignees, together with the infeftment made by the said earl to James [Stewart], now earl of Moray, his heirs and assignees, with all that followed thereupon, to the effect the said isle, abbey, mansion house, yard and dovecote thereof, with all their pertinents above-written, may remain with the said James, earl of Moray, his heirs and assignees above-mentioned, as their property in all time coming.