The Riddell Collection of Wax Seals:
Seal Life Stories: the remarkable careers of 23 individuals from the Riddell Collection of Wax Seals
22: burgess ticket of william macleod, Bannatyne of Kames, Lord Bannatyne (1743-1833)
William Macleod, Lord Bannatyne (John Kay’s caricature, Signet Library collections)
Born in Kilmadock, Perthshire to Roderick Macleod of Sunbank W.S. and Isabel Bannatyne, daughter of Hector Bannatyne of Kames, William attended the High School of Edinburgh (1755-6), and was admitted Advocate, 22 January 1765.
He became Sheriff of Bute in 1776. On the death of his maternal uncle, James Bannatyne, he inherited Kames Castle on Bute, along with its estate. He continued the work of his uncle, improving the islands infrastructure and taking a good interest in the welfare of his tenants. Unfortunately his extravagance led him into debt and the estate was sold shortly after 1806.
He spent the rest of his life in Edinburgh at a house in the Cannongate where he built a valuable collection of antiquarian books. His close friends included Blair, Mackenzie, Cullen, Erskine, Abercromby, and Craig. He was a contributor to the Mirror and Lounger publications, and a founding member of the Bannatyne Club and the Highland Society
His aunt, Lady Clanranald, was imprisoned in the Tower of London, for having afforded protection to Prince Charles during his wanderings, after the battle of Culloden.
The Town Clerk of Rothesay, John Blain who oversaw the signing of this Burgess ticket was an acquaintance of Lord Bannatyne and his diary can be seen here.