The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 29 April 2024

[1705/6/163]1

Act for two fairs in favour of John Murray of Touchadam

Our sovereign lady and estates of parliament, considering that fairs and markets in convenient places tend much to the good and advantage of the inhabitants thereof and of her majesty's other lieges dwelling near thereto, and that it is very fit for these ends to authorise two fairs yearly, on the days following, upon the lands and barony of Balquidrock,2 in the shire of Stirling, and belonging to John Murray of Touchadam, do therefore, by this act, appoint two fairs yearly, one upon the first Tuesday of July and the other on the second Thursday of November, to be kept in all time coming, upon the said lands and barony of Balquidrock; and have given and granted and hereby give and grant to the said John Murray, his heirs and successors, the right and privilege of keeping the said yearly fairs for all kinds of merchandise, with all the tolls, customs and casualties thereof, and all other liberties, privileges and advantage used and wont to belong to any having the privilege of keeping fairs and markets within this kingdom.

Protestation for the burgh of Stirling against the said act

There was a protestation against the said fair of Balquidrock granted to the laird of Touchadam, taken by the commissioner after-named for the burgh of Stirling, who gave in the same in writing of the tenor following.

I, Colonel John Erskine, lieutenant governor of the castle of Stirling, commissioner to the parliament for the burgh of Stirling, do, in name of the said burgh, protest against the fairs craved by John Murray of Touchadam to be kept within the barony of Balquidrock belonging to him, lying within two miles of the said burgh of Stirling, in respect the said burgh has a charter from King Charles II bearing that his majesty, nor his successors, should not erect a burgh of barony or regality nor grant a privilege of weekly markets or yearly fairs within two miles of the said burgh, and upon the said charter the said town has a decreet of declarator and, thereupon, I ask and take instruments, that the said burgh may not be prejudiced of their rights and privileges, in the hands of Sir James Murray of Philiphaugh, one of the senators of the college of justice and lord clerk register, in witness whereof I have written and subscribed these words. At Edinburgh, 14 September 1705. Signed thus: John Erskine. And thereupon took instruments. Extract.

  1. NAS. PA2/39, f.72-72v.
  2. Probably 'Balquhidder'.