29 
The Spey was crossed by a long and substantial railway bridge, 
and the route was along the Banffhire coast, the Moray Firth 
lying on the left, past the pretty fishing villages of Portgordon, 
Buckie (with its 6000 inhabitants, said to be “ the largest purely 
fishing village in Scotland”), Portessie, and Portknockie, with 
fine views of the sea and shore, and a well-wooded country rising 
inland on the right. Shortly after passing Buckie Station, 
the route entered the Seafield property, distinguished by the 
model fishing village of Ianston, which had risen up since 
1879, and the houses of which, though all occupied by fisher- 
men, resembled more the handsome villas of some fashionable 
watering-place. 
Cullen Station was reached at 7.33 a.m., where the Excursionists 
were met and cordially welcomed to the estates by Mr Michie, 
forester, Mr Smith, gardener, Mr Beaton, land steward, and Mr 
Smith, architect on the Cullen estates. A short walk through 
the interesting and picturesque town brought the party to the 
“‘Seafield Arms” Hotel, where the Members were served to an 
excellent breakfast. The front of the hotel was appropriately 
decorated for the occasion by pine trees, forming a pretty avenue 
up to the entrance. After breakfast, balf an hour was devoted 
to a walk through this well-built, clean, and charming northern 
royal burgh; the fisher-folk residing chiefly in the Seatown—an* 
irregular built village lying at the foot of the cliffs, and close to 
the shore. The modern town occupies a fine site on the top of 
the cliffs, and has a handsome square or market-place in the 
centre, with spacious streets leading from it in various directions, 
all nicely edificed and attractive in appearance. 
Reassembling in front of the Seafield Arms, the Members at 
once took their seats in the carriages for the long drive through 
the policies of Cullen House. Messrs C. Young Michie, forester, 
and Mr J. Fraser Smith, gardener, were seated in the leading 
carriage to act as ctcerones to the party, and they proved veritable 
encyclopedias of arboreal lore, as well as adding greater interest 
to the visit, by their vivid description of the numerous and 
varied sylvan scenes that have gained for the estate a justly 
merited fame. The policies are entered by the Cullen Gate, 
which stands in a fine position at the top of the street leading 
direct from the centre of the town, and is a neat erection in 
excellent keeping with its surroundings. Bearing to the right, 
and driving down the fine avenue leading to the mansion, it was 
