V. Some Account of a Symbol of antient Investiture in Scotland. In a Letter from Robert Riddell, Esq. F.A.S. to Mr. Gough

Some time ago I met with one of the oldest symbols of antient investiture perhaps now to be met with in Scotland. It is a small silver sword, which has long been preserved in the family of Lany, and which, afterwards by a marriage, came into the family of Buchanan of Arnprior. Upon the forfeiture of that family, for engaging in the rebellion of 1745, this sword being found in their charter-chest was lodged in the Court of Exchequer, along with the papers of the family, and a few years since, was, together with the estates, restored. When I was in Edinburgh, in the year 1789, with my late friend the learned Francis Grose, Esq. Antony, Barclay, Esq. writer to the signet, did me the favour to allow Capt. Grose to make a drawing of the remains of the little silver sword with which Culenus, king of Scotland, who succeeded to the throne about the year 965, invested Gillespic Moir with this estate, of which Alexander II. King of Scotland, in 1227, granted a charter of confirmation, narrating the foregoing circumstance, which still exists in the archives of the family of Buchanan of Arnprior; and of which I here give a copy.