DUNBLANE. BATTLE OF SIIERIFF-MUIR. 7 



The village is pleasantly situated on the classic river Allan a tributary of 

 the Forth and remarkable for its ancient cathedral, erected by the pious king 

 David about the middle of the twelfth century.* Though greatly dilapidated 

 by time and fanaticism, enough of its ancient style and proportions remain to 

 vindicate its claim as one of the finest consecrated structures of its age. 



A cell of Culdees existed here long before the erection of the place into a 

 bishop's see, and continued to flourish for several centuries. St. Blaan, from 

 whom the modern name is derived, was superior of the convent during the reign 

 of Kenneth in 932. Some remains of the episcopal residence are still visible. 

 The last bishop of Dunblane was Robert Leighton, consecrated in 1663, and, 

 seven years later, translated to the archiepiscopal see of Glasgow. His history, 

 so intimately connected with that of his times, is too well known to our readers 

 to require more than the mere allusion to the subject. Besides his daily 

 charities to the poor, this pious and learned prelate settled a fund for some 

 beneficent purpose, or some public work, in all the places where he had influence 

 or charge ; and by his last will bequeathed to the clergy of the diocese of 

 Dunblane his valuable library, with funds for its support. This generous 

 bequest has subsequently received many additions, and forms now a collection 

 of great value and permanent advantage to the place and neighbourhood. 



At the foot of the Ochil Hills, the fine pastoral chain that divides this and 

 the adjacent county on the east, is the scene of another sanguinary engagement 

 the battle of Sheriff-Muir. It was fought in November 1715, between the 

 insurgents commanded by the earl of Marr, and the royal army under the duke 

 of Argyll, and, in history, is occasionally distinguished as the battle of Dunblane. 

 On the evening before the battle, the insurgent forces occupied the same station 

 at Ardoch now the most perfect of the Roman, .stations in Scotland which 

 Agricola did in the third year of his expeditions. 



On the fatal morning in question, the right of the royal army and the left 

 of the rebels having advanced to within pistol-shot, at their first interview, 

 vere instantly engaged. The Highlanders began the action with all their 

 accustomed ardour, and their fire was little, if at all, inferior to that of the best 

 disciplined troops. f But Colonel Cathcart, being ordered to stretch to the right 

 and take them on the flank a movement which he executed in the most gallant 



In Strathern, a short distance from Dunblane, are tlie ruins of Inchaffray Abbey, founded in 1200. 



f Ronald M'Donahl, captain of Clan Ronald, was killed at the first fire; but Glengarry, who succeeded 

 him as leader-in-chief, started from the lines, waved his bonnet in the air, and shouting revenge, so animated 

 the men, that they followed him to the muzzles of the muskets, pushed aside the bayonets with their 

 targets, and spread terror and havoc with their claymores. 



