KIN FAUNS. GLAMMIS CASTLE. 31 



became terrible to all seafaring people as a remorseless pirate. Sir William 

 Wallace, however, in his voyage to France, having met and encountered this 

 formidable giaour, took him prisoner, and pleased with that kindred spirit of 

 heroism, which would have immortalized the reaver in a better cause, presented 

 him to the French king as a suppliant for mercy. Philip, who was pleased to 

 have an occasion of obliging the Scottish hero, and of exhibiting a signal instance 

 of his royal clemency, cancelled the sentence of outlawry, and conferred on his 

 penitent subject the honour of knighthood. Thus restored to court favour, 

 and to society, Charteris accompanied Wallace to Scotland,* where he ever after 

 remained his steady friend, and a frank participator in all his daring exploits. 

 When Wallace was betrayed and carried into England, and Bruce asserted 

 his right to the Scottish crown, Charteris was the first that followed him into 

 the water at the taking of Perth, in January 1313, and in reward for his bravery, 

 received a royal grant of the estate of Kinfauns. 



Pitfour, Kinnaird, and Castle Huntley, are magnificent mansions, combining 

 all the advantages of situation with the embellishments of art. But of these, 

 and many others with which this district is richly adorned, our limits will not 

 permit us to enter into any description. -j- 



Glancing at the valley of Strathmore, the first objects that arrest attention 

 are the dramatic scene of Dunsinnan-hill, and Glammis Castle. The latter, in 

 point of antiquity and historical interest, is one of the most remarkable structures 

 in the kingdom. Although much dilapidated and dimmed in its original 

 splendour, its feudal air of strength and haughty defiance, and its sullen gloom 

 of seclusion in an antique forest, render it a subject peculiarly adapted for the 

 pencil, and for exciting the imagination of the poet. We shall not detain the 

 reader with the recent changes that have altered, but not detracted, from the 

 dignity of this stately fortalice, but the following account will show what it was 

 a century ago. " Entering Strathmore," says an anonymous traveller, " we 

 arrived at the palace of Glammis, belonging to Lyon, earl of Strathmore, which, 

 by its many turrets and gilded balustrades at the top, struck us with awe and 

 admiration. It stands in the middle of a well-planted park, with avenues 

 brandling off in all directions from the house. The great avenue thickly 

 planted on each side, and entered by a massive gate-way, with offices of free- 



See the Statist Ace. and Family Hist. 



t For the pedestrian who would see the Carse and its adjacent scenery in perfection, the best road is 

 that along the heights, or braes of the Carse, which command the whole valley, the river, and the populous 

 shores of Fife. As a central point in this route, the ir.anse of Kinnaird might be selected as that which 

 combines the greatest number of striking features. From this station, too, the traveller will trace no small 

 resemblance to the Tuscan Val d'Arno already mentioned. 



