13 
rather alarming fashion, threatening each moment to precipitate 
their occupants to the bottom, as they sped on their way to the 
foot of the glen. The Millton burn, which flows through the 
Glep, is made use of by dams and sluices for the purpose of 
floating the trees from the forest to the estate saw-mills at 
Kincardine, which were seen in full operation near the mouth of 
the burn before it entered the Spey. On approaching the mouth 
of the glen, a magnificent panorama of the Strath lay spread out 
before the company. On the left, the vast plantation of 
Aviemore Hill came into sight, and its great extent was fully 
recognised from the elevated position of the road. It covers an 
area of 11,000 acres. About twenty-five years ago, niae million 
trees were planted here by the Earl of Seafield, in addition to the 
natural growth of pines on the ground prior to these extensive 
planting operations. Duthil district was also pointed out in the 
distance. There the forests are of natural growth, and contain 
large numbers of trees whose sizes are in no way inferior to those 
embraced within the area of the Excursion. Straight in front 
lay the fine Scots pine plantation of Desher, covering over 1000 
acres, and on the extreme right a glimpse was caught of Loch 
Garten, for which we were bound, snugly ensconced among the 
woods of Abernethy. Bounding the whole scene to the left, the 
high ridges of the Monadhliadh (“‘ Grey Hills”) range were dimly 
visible far away on the horizon. 
On emerging from the Glen, and passing the saw-mills, the 
Seafield property was soon entered, and the drive for the next 
three miles was through a fine open country towards Abernethy. 
On the right was passed the old parish church of Kincardine, which 
was pointed out as possessing a small window where at one time 
persons afflicted with leprosy used to congregate in order to listen 
to the service going on within the sacred edifice—a precautionary 
measure to prevent the spread of this loathsome disease by con- 
tagion. On the opposite side, a short distance off, attention was 
drawn to Tullochgorum Farm, where the sprightly reel music of 
Skinner’s famous song is said to have had its origin. The circum- 
stances of the composition of the song of ‘“ Tullochgorum” are 
well known, but may be here recounted. On one occasion 
the Rev. John Skinner was visiting a friend, and in com- 
pany with a few others was discussing some of the burning 
political questions of the day. The conversation gradually be- 
came heated, and the antagonists were growing wrathful, when 
