774 The J on ma I of Forestry. 



assert that he also luinged his miscreants on this very tree. The whole 

 of these trees hiy in the line of march of the English army, who 

 came under the command of Gerard Earl of Northumberland to place 

 ISfalcolm on the Scottish throne instead of Macbeth, and branches 

 may have been taken from off these identical trees to disguise the 

 army when on its way from Dunkeld ferry (whither they went to meet 

 allies from the north) to Dunsinane Hill, the stronghold of Macbeth. 

 The witches, whom he regularly consulted, had advised him to fortify 

 this liill, fl,nd here they promised him perfect security, until "Great 

 Birnam ^Yood should come there against him" 



" Be lion mettled, proud : and take no care 

 Who chafes, who frets, or where consjDirers are ; 

 Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until 

 Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill 

 Shall come against him. 



Macheili. That can never be : 

 Who can impress the forest : bid the tree 

 Unfix the earth-bound roots?" — 8halcspeare. 



It is further stated that the sycamore and oak were planted for the 

 lord and lady of Murthly to tie their ponies to while they attended 

 worship in St. Jerome's chapel, which was situated on the top of a 

 small knoll on the north side of^the Tay. Twenty years ago a descen- 

 dant of the celebrated fiddler, Neil Gow, told me that while Neil 

 (who was passionately fond of Highland whisky) was away on the 

 liill of Birnam at a drinking and fiddling bout in some of the 

 smuggling bothies which then existed, the night turned out very 

 stormy, and Neil could not find his way home, but stayed till a late 

 hour in the morning in the bothy. He at last ventured out and made 

 for the ferry, but on account of the storm the ferryman who lived 

 upon the opposite bank could not hear him, so Neil sat down at the 

 foot of the oak above referred to, and slept so soundly under the 

 soothing influence of the " mountain dew " that he was only awakened 

 by the river, which had risen rapidly, rushing over his legs, and was 

 almost swept away by the rising flood. Surprised and thoroughly 

 aroused by his dangerous position, he was quickly brought to his senses, 

 when he found that he had missed his way and was at the wrong ferry ! 

 As soon as he got home he is said to have composed the famous tune, — 

 "Neil Gow's farewell to whisky," — so said his friend. Be this as it 

 may, both the locality and the trees are worthy of- a visit by those 

 who have the time at tlieir command, 



