43 
the Countess Dowager in memory of her husband and son, the 
seventh and eighth Earls of Seafield. Going east the main street, 
the Ian Charles Cottage Hospital is observed on the left, a newly- 
erected institution of neat design and comfortable appearance, 
which is also a munificent gift of the Countess Dowager of 
Seafield to the suffering poor in the district. About half a mile 
beyond the town, the policies of Castle Grant are entered by a 
handsome baronial gate and entrance lodge, in excellent keeping 
with the surroundings. The demesne is of large extent, and 
splendidly wooded with both old and young trees and plantations. 
Lying, generally, between 700 and 1000 feet above the sea, it 
presents a great diversity of aspect, and the soil and climate 
appear to be remarkably well suited for the development of tree- 
life. Many venerable trees, hoary with age, stud the policies, 
and the younger plantations include a number of the hardy 
conifers brought from the temperate regions of the world, the 
most of which thrive well in this upland region, especially when 
sheltered from the prevailing blast by the hardy native Scots pine 
or the contour of the ground. 
The route lay along a fine avenue, bordered with lofty Scots 
pines over one hundred years old, intermingled with tall spruces, 
silver firs, larches, and broad-leaved trees; the predominating 
Scots pine and heathery undergrowth being in fine harmony with 
the Highland character of the place. Here and there clumps of 
rhododendrons lent a pleasing variety to the continuous under- 
growth of heather, and when in flower they must produce a 
charming effect. At a short distance from the drive, on the 
right, there were pointed out a magnificent group of three stately 
spruces, branched to the ground, and their conical tops towering 
to a height of about 80 feet. 
A little farther on the Ladies’ Bridge is crossed, and near it 
is seen the finest larches on the estate. The largest, which grows 
close to the bridge, was measured at 5 feet up the bole, where it 
was found to girth 11 feet 4} inches, while it was fully 16 feet 
in circumference at the base, and it reared its massive stem aloft 
to a total height of about 80 feet. The soil and climate here 
appear to be peculiarly well suited to the growth of the larch, as 
was clearly demonstrated by the breadths of vigorous healthy trees 
through which the road lay for some distance. The beech, also, 
seems to thrive well, and a noticeable feature was the heavy 
crop of mast which the trees were bearing, reminding many of 
