McCulloch One Name Study

In 1536 George, with other McCullochs, is mentioned in a respite to James Gordon of Lochinvar, who was passing overseas in the service of the Crown, and two years later with many Gordons, he received a remission for the slaughter,of Thomas McClellan of Bombie in 1527. The facts of this crime are worth repeating because of its romantic sequel. Gordon of Lochinvar, Sheriff Agnew of Galloway, Douglas of Drumlanrig, William Cairns, Gordon of Craighlaw, John Gordon of Whithorn, George McCulloch of Torhouse, and others, were parading down the High Street of Edinburgh with their followers when they encountered Sir Thomas McClellan of Bombie with his men. Now there was a blood feud at this time between Bombie and Lochinvar: neither would yield ‘the crown of the causeway’ to the other. A furious affray took place in which Bombie lost his life. Gordon and his partisans were ‘put to the horn’ for this slaughter, but in those lawless times this was generally an empty threat against powerful lairds. The offenders remained at liberty for eleven years. By that time a softer influence had been brought to bear on the quarrel. Young McClellan of Bombie fell in love with the daughter of Lochinvar, his father’s murderer: letters of remission were obtained for Gordon and his associates and amicable relations were renewed with the music of marriage bells.