Chris wrote: > ... and most of the clans were involved in appropriating undefended > cattle. > K James VI & I wanted this rieving stopped at the beginning of his > English reign in 1603. He was active in trying to bring the clans into line some time before he succeeded to the English throne. In 1587 the Scottish Parliament passed an Act "For the quieting and keeping in obedience of the disordourit inhabitantis of the Bordouris, Hielandis and Ilis" and another one in 1594 "For punishment of thift, reiff, oppressioun and sorning", both of which included detailed lists of clans and chieftains considered troublesom. The first of these was passed when James was aged 21, and was succeeding (after initial setbacks) in imposing his authority in Scotland. Gavin Bell