14 
the hostess, noticing this, intervened, and, exercising all the 
tact at her command, succeeded in getting her reverend guest 
to indite words to the tune of Tullochgorum, in order to divert 
attention from the dispute and soothe their ruffled minds; the 
result being the inimitable song. 
At the entrance gate to Abernethy Forest, the Excursionists 
received a right good Highland welcome from Mr Stephen, 
forester, who, accompanied by a piper in full Highland costume, 
playing well-known popular airs, led the way to a triumphal arch 
of native evergreens and flags erected over the avenue near Loch 
Garten. Here, in the heart of the Scots pine forest, by the side 
of the loch, under the shade of the ancient trees, the company 
were hospitably entertained to luncheon by the Countess Dowager 
of Seafield. A scene more appropriate and picturesque could not 
well be imagined, and after their long drive in the bracing air of 
the forest, the guests did every justice to the ample repast put 
before them. Mr Smith, factor on the Seafield estatex, occupied 
the chair, and was supported by Messrs J. Grant Thomson, Malcolm 
Dunn, John Methven, Alexander Milne, and Andrew Slater. 
The CuarrMan proposed the toasts of the Queen—patroness of 
the Society—and of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the 
other members of the Royal Family, which were heartily 
responded to. 
Mr Joun Meruven, Vice-President, proposed the health of the 
Countess Dowager of Seafield. He said that they all thoroughly 
appreciated the generous hospitality of her ladyship, and the 
genuine liberality displayed in throwing open to the Society’s 
inspection the grand forests and woodlands through which they 
had passed that day, and through which they were to travel for 
three days to come. They had all heard of the good work her lady- 
ship had done in the past and was doing at the present moment. 
She was known over the north of Scotland as a lady who was 
always anxious to render aid to those in need of it, and never 
failing in her efforts to do good to those among whom she lived. 
The CHarrman then gave the toast of the day—Success to the 
Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society. In doing so, he gave the 
members a hearty Highland welcome to Strathspey. They were 
now sitting at lunch in the shade of one of the oldest woods on 
the estate, and in the midst of the largest Scots fir forests in 
Britain, Taey had seen much that was of interest since they 
entered it, but they had only as yet touched the fringe. By the 
