arthur's-seat. -highland army. 115 



committed in 1720, at the extremity of the path called the Duke's Walk, under 

 very aggravated circumstances. 



The vast and varied prospect which is obtained from the summit of Arthur's 

 Seat is proverbially fine, and such as no description can do justice to. The 

 views of the city of Edinburgh, though differing according to the station, 

 are all striking. From Arthur's Seat, wliich combines all the prominent 

 features both in the fore and back ground — the Pentland ridge to the west, 

 and the Grampians in lofty development to the north — the view is grand 

 and imposing, and will appear so even to those who have seen aU that is most 

 celebrated on the continent. On the south, and immediately under the natural 

 ramparts of Arthur's Seat, are Duddingston Loch, the stately mansion of 

 Prestonfield, and the elegant Grecian villa belonging to the Marquis of Abercorn.* 

 The scene on which the eye reposes is as graceful as wood, water, high culti- 

 vation, modern mansions, and feudal ruins can render it. The mouldering 

 tui-rets of Craig-miUar Castle are particularly striking from this point. 



The Highland army was encamped, in 1745, to the east of Duddingstone, 

 fi-om which they marched to victory at Preston Pans. At a later period the hill 

 was occupied by the Seaforth Highlanders during the mutiny which arose on 

 their being ordered to India. One morning, while at drill on Leitli Links, 

 the whole corps — as if suddenly moved by an evil spirit — shouldered arms, 

 and setting off at quick march, neither halted nor looked behind them tiU they 

 reached the top of Arthur's Seat. There they fixed their head quarters. No 

 reasoning, nor promises, nor threats of punishment, could induce them to return 

 to their duty— all expedients were useless, till the lords Dunmore and Macdonald, 

 on whose honour they could depend, having entered into a parley, matters 

 were at length adjusted to the satisfaction of the Gael. " The latter, however, 

 had one small favour to ask, namely, " leave to shoot Finnic," the adjutant of 

 the corps— a favour wliich was " politely declined." 



The scene was highly picturesque — as a Highland bivouac always is, but 

 most so in a situation like the present, while the tartan of the clan waved 

 wild and warlike, and the shrill notes of the bagpipe screamed defiance to every 

 breeze. The refractory Macraas were shortly after embarked on foreign service ; 

 but in this expedition the adjutant dechned to assist, fearing, as well he might, 

 that " leave to shoot Finnic" might not be always asked with so much good- 

 nature — or only asked, probably, when the deed was done. 



• " Duddingstone-house," after a plan by Sir W. Chambers, was erected in 1768, at an expense, 

 including external embellishments, of 30,000/. 



