50 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



just named, by command of the duke of Cumberland, and covers a space of 

 ten Scotch acres. The fortifications are regular, and, like others composing 

 the hain of forts built to check any future rise on the part of the Highlanders, 

 were finished under the direction of the best engineers of the day. It is consi- 

 dered a model in this respect, and equal in all but extent to the continental 

 forts on the plan of the celebrated Vauban. It contains barracks for more than 

 two thousand troops, exclusive of houses for the governor and officers ; and is 

 amply provided with all the accommodations to be found in the best fortification 

 in the kingdom. The buildings unite great strength and solidity with elegance 

 of execution ; but the stranger is tempted to wish that the vast sums there 

 expended had been employed in some work of more permanent advantage 

 something that, while it kept them in check, might have promoted the interests 

 of the Highlands. While this vast citadel was erecting, famine was severely 

 felt in the surrounding districts the cottages were in ruins, the land uncul- 

 tivated, and the survivors still suffering from the violence employed against them 

 at the close of the rebellion. Having answered the purpose of their erection, 

 these formidable bastions now serve only to recall the circumstance which caused 

 them. The fort stands like a mailed veteran in the midst of peaceful citizens, 

 and as if longing for war, like sailors for a fair wind. 



The breadth of the Frith at this point is upwards of a mile ; and immediately 

 above the fortress it presents the appearance of a spacious basin, or inland 

 lake. The communication with the opposite coast of Cromarty is kept up by 

 ferry-boats, the security of which is provided for by a jetty projecting from the 

 fort into the sea. The village of Cambelltown, which says more for the modern 

 improvement of the Highlands than its forts, occupies the lower end of the 

 peninsula, and has risen into importance under the protection of the house 

 of Cawdor. 



Fortrose, on the opposite side of the Frith, is remarkable as a free town, 

 and as the ancient seat of the Catholic bishops of Ross, whose palace was com- 

 pletely destroyed, the cathedral greatly damaged, and its fine bells, as already 



The ceiling of the latter is of fine carved oak, in part rudely painted : but its most interesting feature is the 

 dais, or portion of the floor raised above the rest, for the special use of the lord of the manor, his family, 

 and principal guests. The roof of one of the bedrooms was painted all over with the coats-of-arms of the 

 principal families in the country. Those of Robert Bruce, of the earls of Huntly, Marischal, and Stuart, 

 are still quite distinct. This castle was built by Simon, eighth Lord Lovat, in 1620. CASTLE-STEWART 

 is a fine specimen of the castellated mansion, and has been restored to much of its ancient beauty by the 

 timely interference of the earl of Moray. The precise period of its erection is disputed. By some it is 

 said to have been a favorite residence of James IV., and built as a hunting seat. Others assert that the 

 Regent Moray was its founder, and that Queen Mary occasionally honoured it with her presence. See the 

 description at full by Messrs. Anderson. Guide to the Highlands, pp. 112, 113. 



